The Ultimate Travel Guide to New York City
New York is on everyone’s bucket list — and for good reason. But planning a solo trip, especially as a woman, can feel like a lot. So here’s my no-fluff, honest guide to doing NYC solo — where to stay, when to go, how to get around, what to wear, what to do, and what I’d do differently.
✈️ Is NYC a Good Solo Trip Destination?
Yes. One million times yes.
Everyone in New York is doing their own thing. No one’s looking at you or asking why you’re alone. It’s chaotic in the best way. As a solo female traveler, I felt safer in NYC than I do in London.
I live alone, travel to London all the time, and had already done hotels solo. But even if you haven’t — NYC is a great place to start.
📅 Best Time to Visit NYC
May, June, September, or early October – warm but not humid!
Be Careful: July/Aug (boiling hot, fun for 4th July fireworks) or deep winter (unless you’re going for Christmas vibes)
🛂 Do You Need a Visa from the UK?
Yes — you need an ESTA.
Apply early. It’s valid for 2 years.
Use gov.uk for up-to-date info.
🛌 Where I Stayed
I stayed at the Civilian Hotel in Hell’s Kitchen. Tiny rooms but:
Amazing staff
Super safe (keycard entry everywhere)
Free airport transfer (because I booked through booking.com - not sponsored, I wish)
If I went again, I’d stay in Tribeca, Greenwich Village, or the Lower East Side — less touristy, more relaxed.
🚕 Airport Transfers
I hate public transport after a long flight.
My hotel came with a free car from JFK (blessed). On the way back, I booked another car for £46 via Booking.com. That’s less than it cost to get to Manchester airport from Liverpool.
🗺️ Getting Around
NYC uses a grid system so it’s SO easy to navigate on foot. I walked most places and did 40,000+ steps a day.
If you prefer transport:
Uber is safe, reliable
Citi Bike is like Lime — but the roads are intense if you're not confident
I personally avoided the subway, too hot and too hectic, if you choose to use it, stay far back from the platform edge.
👟 Best Walking Shoes
You’re walking A LOT so good shoes is a MUST. I avoid sandals on the city streets, save them for your beach vacays!
Here’s my go-to shoes for walking (but still looking cool):
They're comfy, cool, and didn’t give me a single blister.
💩 Public Toilets (Yes, It’s a Thing YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT)
Finding public bathrooms in NYC is a nightmare.
This Google Map saved me. It shows all the public loos.
🔐 Safety Tips
Don’t wear both AirPods — you need to hear your surroundings
Keep phone separate from bag/hotel key in case of pickpockets
Avoid Port Authority bus station area
Share your location with friends/family
Don’t stare at anyone. Stay in your lane.
Know your exit plan if you’re attending events (I thought about this at the July fireworks — sad but necessary)
🗽 My Favourite Tourist Things I Did
If you’re short on time, here’s my Top 3 Must-Dos:
Summit One Vanderbilt – Go for sunset, see it in daylight, sunset and at night- oh and wear trousers (they’re mirrored floors!)
Hamilton on Broadway – Best Seats (imo) are the mezzanine floor, middle section, first row.
Brooklyn Bridge at sunrise – Do this on morning one if you’re travelling from the UK, you’ll be jet lagged, it’ll be empty and peaceful at 6am.
Also loved:
Dumbo, Brooklyn for photos
9/11 Museum – moving and beautifully done
Met Museum (for the fashion exhibit, join the queue using the QR code when you arrive, use your wait time to walk around)
Grand Central Station — Gossip Girl moment, Summit One exits into Grand Central, so stack your itinerary here.
Empire State Building — nostalgic, not essential (I preferred Summit One’s view, but this felt traditional)
Bryant Park, The High Line, Hudson Yards, Public Library — all free
🧁 Food You Must Try
Levain Bakery: Best cookie of my life
Junior’s Cheesecake (Time Square): Devil’s Food Cheesecake, thank me later.
La Bagel Delight (Brooklyn) + Liberty Bagels (Rainbow Bagel!)
Carlos Bakery: TV show nostalgia, try the cannoli.
Skip Crumbl and Magnolia (overhyped)
🍽 I don’t love eating dinner alone, so I mostly DoorDashed and watched TV in my room. Dreamy.
📍Use this Apple Maps food guide from my followers, and this one from my NYC friend
📍And this activity map of all tourist spots/photo opps
💸 Total Cost of My Trip
I didn’t go with a budget.
Total = £3,491.70 (over 7 days, including flights, hotel, food, shopping, Broadway, museum tickets, and more)
Worth every penny. But I get that’s not realistic for everyone. You CAN do this on a budget, maybe avoid 4th July week (that’s when I went).
🎢 Would I Go Alone Again?
Yes — if I had to.
But I’d rather go in company. I missed sharing the magic with someone during things like fireworks and didn’t do activities like jet skiing on the Hudson, or a helicopter ride because I wanted to experience that with people.
However, if the choice is between going alone or not going at all - just go.
Don’t wait for someone else to live your life.
Things I Still Want to Do:
Guggenheim
MoMA
Jet ski on the Hudson River
Helicopter tour
Lids custom hat shop
More Brooklyn exploring
Top of the Rock
Knicks game or concert at Madison Sqaure Garden
Final Thoughts
New York gave me everything. I hope this guide helps give you even half of what I got.
If it helped at all, I’d love if you shared it, and if you want more detail check out the YouTube video!
You're going to have the best time. Safe Travels!
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