New York City has the reputation of being the greatest city in the world. Take a solo trip to NYC to decide for yourself if that is true. (Spoiler alert: it’s true).

The Big Apple is full of history, culture, and hidden urban oases. Every neighborhood has a unique charm and flair. If you are bored in this city, it is definitely not New York’s fault.

Planning things to do alone in this massive mecca can be overwhelming. Luckily, I have spent many days alone in the city and know some of the best activities for your solo trip. In this NYC guide, I will share the best things to do alone in NYC along with other important information for your solo trip to NYC.

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Why Should You Take a Solo Trip to NYC?

I’ve been to Tokyo, Paris, Rome, Los Angeles… the list keeps growing, and still I always say New York City is my favorite city in the world. On my last trip to the Big Apple, I was struck with the feeling of community New York offers.

Watching strangers help each other on the subway, kind workers giving me travel tips, and smiling at random passersby on a busy street, New York’s energy is contagious.

That is not to say it is all sunshine and rainbows, but I truly think everyone can find something that excites them in the city. From iconic monuments to otherworldly food joints, this city cannot be replicated. It is truly one of a kind.

Can You Visit NYC Cheaply?

New York City is not cheap, by any means. However, I have found there are plenty of free activities to do. There is always a park to explore, a new neighborhood to stroll through, and a food spot to try. These activities don’t break the bank.

Some essential things to do alone in NYC are expensive, like visiting the Met or attending a Broadway show. However, keep reading to learn how to score cheap Broadway tickets.

Where Should You Stay During Your New York Solo Trip?

During your solo trip to NYC, you should stay in a hostel. This is a great way to save money and make friends. Unfortunately, New York has some of the most expensive hostels in the country, but it is still the most cost-effective way to stay in the city.

If you want to stay at a highly rated hostel, consider HI New York City Hostel. HI has hostels across the country, and it is one of the best hostel networks in the U.S.

If you want a cheaper option, stay at The Brooklyn Riviera Hostel. This hostel is not in Manhattan, so it is a great way to have a more local, less touristy stay in NYC. However, this hostel only accepts international guests.

Another great option for cheap accommodation in New York City is Nap York Central Park Sleep Station. They are known for helping the busiest travelers seek a clean place to sleep, shower, and go. When I stayed here, that is exactly what I got. It is not a social place, but its location near Midtown is unbeatable.

How Do You Get Around New York City?

Most travelers use the subway to get around the city. The subway works, but compared to other metro systems, it is not very efficient or clean. At least the subway accepts contactless payment (Apple Pay). One trip costs $3. If you tap and pay the same way 12 times in seven days (spending $35), all rides for the remainder of those seven days are free.

Personally, my favorite way to explore the city is on a bike. The easiest way to rent a bike is by using New York’s bike-sharing service, Citi Bike. A single 30-minute ride is less than $5, or you can purchase a day pass for $25. 

Download the app to find bike stations in every corner of the city. Just scan a bike with your phone to unlock it. If you are apprehensive about biking through the busy streets of Midtown, make your way to the Hudson River Greenway. Here, you will find a wide bike lane set away from the street. The path loops around Manhattan and is the best way to bike from Uptown to Downtown. 

Is a Solo Trip to New York Safe?

New York is one of the safest large cities in America. However, it is considerably less safe than large cities like Tokyo or Seoul. You need to always pay extra attention to your surroundings when walking, especially at night.

If someone hands you something, do not take it. This is a common tactic used to force tourists to pay money for something they did not intend to buy. Although New York has a smaller homeless crisis than other American cities, it is still a significant problem. Be cautious taking the subway late at night, but taking the subway in Manhattan during the day is nothing to stress about.

I always recommend that solo travelers purchase travel insurance before going on their trip. You never know when you will need it! (You could get food poisoning in Japan, as I did). Use the widget below to find the plan that best suits your needs. 

1. Go to a Broadway Show

My favorite thing to do alone in NYC is to go to a Broadway show. You escape reality for a few hours and leave the theater feeling alive. It is an addictive feeling, which explains why I visited so many shows during my solo trips to NYC.

You might be a little confused…isn’t this about budget New York travel. How does Broadway count as a budget activity?

You can actually see Broadway without breaking the bank. I have never paid more than $90 for a seat because there are many ways to get cheap Broadway tickets.

How to Get Cheap Broadway Tickets?

If you want cheap Broadway tickets, you need to enter the ticket lottery. Nearly every Broadway show has an online lottery where they give out discounted tickets to lucky fans. You simply enter your name (sometimes a social media profile) and then wait for an email indicating if you won.

To increase your chances of winning, enter the lottery for multiple shows! If you only enter the Hamilton Lottery, you will probably not win tickets. A better strategy is to visit these three lottery ticket sites and enter the lottery for each show. There is no cost to enter; even if you win, you are not obligated to purchase tickets. 

1. lottery.broadwaydirect.com/
2. luckyseat.com/dash/shows
3. https://rush.telecharge.com/

Not every Broadway show has its lotteries listed on these websites. Sometimes you must go directly to the show’s website to enter the lottery. 

Keep in mind that all shows have different times that the lottery closes. Research ahead of time to determine when your desired show’s lottery will open and close. Usually, the lottery results are released about 24 hours before the show. 

Is It Worth My Time to Enter Broadway Lotteries?

It might seem like too much trouble to enter Broadway lotteries. Although it takes extra planning, it is the best way to score great seats at a bargain price.

If you win a Broadway lottery, you will get a ticket for around $30 to $45. You won’t get a front-row seat, but usually, you score a decent orchestra seat! 

I have won the lottery over a dozen times and claimed my tickets eight times. Six out of eight times, I sat in the orchestra in a seat that would have cost up to $200. 

Of course, every show is different, and you risk being given a seat with a partial view if you win the lottery. However, I am usually pleased with the seats I win in the lottery. 

How Else Can You Score Cheap Broadway Tickets?

If you are unlucky with the lottery or set on seeing a specific show, you can visit the TKTS booth in Times Square. You can buy same-day Broadway tickets up to 50 percent off at this booth. 

I have purchased tickets from this booth a handful of times and have been pleased with the experience. The tickets won’t be as cheap as the lottery, but you can still get a nice deal on a fairly good orchestra seat. 

The booth opens for matinee shows at 11:00 am on Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday. For evening shows, the booth opens daily at 3:00 pm. 

Unfortunately, the most popular Broadway shows won’t sell tickets at TKTS. You can download the TKTS App to see what shows they are currently selling. 

Besides the TKTS booth, you can go directly to your desired show’s box office and try to get a bargain ticket. Some shows offer same-day discounts and student discounts. For example, students can score Wicked tickets for $69. 

2. Enjoy Nature at Governor’s Island 

One of the best things to do during a solo trip to NYC is to hit Governor’s Island. This park is a part of the National Park Service and is NYC’s premier picnicking spot. Besides picnicking, this spot offers short hikes, tours of an old military fort, and expansive views of lower Manhattan. 

To reach Governor’s Island, take a ferry from the Battery Maritime Building. Tickets are $5 for the round trip journey. Once on the island, you can walk or rent a Citi Bike. There are two stations on the island.

Make sure to climb up to Outlook Hill. You can spot native plants and see a view of the Statue of Liberty. Governor’s Island is a secret natural oasis located minutes from the city. It is definitely one of the best things to do alone in NYC.

3. Get Lost in Central Park

Central Park is perhaps the most iconic urban park in the world, and for good reason. It is so massive, with an endless number of statues and monuments to discover. I have been to Central Park close to a dozen times and still have not hit it all.

Make sure to visit the Bethesda Terrace, a great spot for photos. Stop at the park’s highest point, Belvedere Castle; it is a stunning building. Stand on Umpire Rock and soak in the city’s skyscrapers. Take a bike tour of Central Park and make new friends in the process. 

4. Marvel at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine

In the Upper East Side, near Columbia University, sits one of NYC’s most famous churches. Admission fees for the church are $15. If you are up to it, visit the church for free by attending a service. 

Holy Eucharist service is held Sundays at 10:30 am, with Choral Evensong at 4 pm. The Cathedral also offers a weekday Holy Eucharist service at 12:15 pm (Mondays through Fridays). Without planning, I attended Sunday service here and met some really kind people afterwards!

The architecture of the Cathedral is unmatched. St. John is the largest Gothic Cathedral, and one of the six largest church buildings in the world. 

5. Tour the Met or MoMA (or both)

Visiting a museum is one of the best things to do alone in NYC, especially if you visit New York during winter. The cold is brutal in New York. Getting lost in a museum is a great way to find warmth and enlightenment during a solo trip to NYC.

The two most famous museums in Manhattan are the Met and MoMA. Both are exquisite and unforgettable. If you want a quicker, calmer experience, hit MoMA. If you have extra time and want to see a wide variety of pieces, visit the Met.

What You Need to Know About Visiting the Metropolitan Museum of Art:

• Cost: $30 for adults, $17 for students (book advance tickets here)
• Hours of operation: Open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., but closed every Wednesday; Friday and Saturday hours are extended to 9 p.m. 
• Museum highlights: Vincent van Gogh’s Self Portrait, Washington Crossing the Delaware, Bridge Over a Pond of Water Lilies, The Temple of Dendur

Until 2018, the Met operated on a suggested admission fee, essentially meaning visitors could enter the Met for free. Now, there is a $30 mandatory admission fee for every non-New York resident who visits the cultural institution. 

$30 is a steep fee, but you could literally spend days in this world-famous museum. The Met is home to iconic artwork, but that is just the tip of the iceberg. You can see ancient statues, period-specific reconstructed rooms, and an entire armor department. 

My advice for visiting this museum is to give yourself at least half a day to tour it. It is expensive, so do not rush your visit.

What You Need to Know About Visiting the Museum of Modern Art:

• Cost: $28 for adults, $15 for students (book advance tickets here)
• Hours of operation: Open Sunday through Friday from 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Open Saturdays from 10:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
• Museum highlights: Van Gogh’s Starry Night, “The Persistence of Memory” by Salvador Dalí, “Campbell Soup Cans” by Andy Warhol, the third-floor rotating exhibits

MoMA is slightly less busy than the Met, making it somewhat more enjoyable for a solo reflective museum experience. Start your tour by heading to the 5th floor first.

MoMA is in Midtown, making it easy to access from Times Square. You can easily visit MoMA and then head to a Broadway show after. 

6. See Cultures Collide at Flushing Meadows Corona Park

New York is known as a “melting pot” of cultures. Many people seek out the city to start a prosperous life. 

Manhattan does not necessarily invoke this sense of diversity. It is uber-expensive and caters to the rich and white. Head to Flushing Meadows Corona Park in Queens, and you will see a more authentic side of NYC. 

When I came here, I saw women of all ages were doing Zumba in front of the park’s most recognizable landmark, Unisphere, created when the park hosted the World Fair in 1964. Across from the dancing, you could hear children running, playing a soccer game with the same intensity as a World Cup match.

It was refreshing to see New Yorkers enjoying recreation and nature. I love Central Park, but it does not offer the same sense of community as Flushing Meadows. 

7. People Watch at Washington Square Park

Another great local spot is Washington Square Park. New Yorkers, especially young ones, love this urban playground. This hip hangout spot in the West Village is basically a part of New York University’s Campus. 

Here, you will find skaters, local events, and musicians playing for passersby. The park can be very stimulating, but visiting is an essential New York City experience. It is chaotic in the best way. 

8. Walk the High Line

Walking the streets of New York is a sensational feeling. Simply taking a walk is one of the best things to do alone in NYC. One of the best places to walk is on the High Line—an old rail track that has been redesigned as an interactive public park.

The High Line used to be an abandoned eyesore and was destined to be demolished. Thankfully, a non-profit came in and saw the potential to turn the elevated rail track into an urban garden.

• You can start your journey on the High Line at Hudson Yards, a futuristic new development in Manhattan.
• The High Line concludes at West 14th Street at the new Whitney Museum. 

If you are an avid runner, you might be tempted to run the High Line and take in its incredible views. However, the High Line can get very congested. Beware!

9. Visit the 9/11 Memorial and Museum

To gain further insight into New York City, visit the 9/11 Memorial and Museum. The open-air memorial is free to visit and is a must-do during an NYC solo trip. 

The Museum costs about $25, but it is well worth the price. Here, you can hear personal stories about the attack, and many visitors recommend also purchasing the audio tour to enhance the experience. 

10. Explore Little Island

Little Island opened along the Hudson River in 2021. However, this is not your average green space. 132 concrete “tulips” make up the park’s structure, giving the park the appearance of floating above the Hudson River. 

You will find diverse plant life, an amphitheater, and a great vantage point of the One World Trade Center inside the park. The park is free to visit and is open daily at 6:00 am. Little Island is a perfect spot for a picnic during your solo trip to NYC.

11. Eat at Chelsea Market

In Lower Manhattan, after visiting the Little Island, head to Chelsea Market for a bite to eat. This food market can get crowded, but true New Yorkers know you should always wait in line for food. 

12. Ride The Free Staten Island Ferry

You can’t go to New York City without riding the Staten Island Ferry. This orange ferry is an iconic symbol of the Big Apple, allowing visitors to see Manhattan and the Statue of Liberty from the open water. 

Once you reach Staten Island, you will have to disembark before heading back to Manhattan, but it is a small drawback for the scenic ride. The ferry leaves from Whitehall Terminal 24 hours a day. Head to the right side of the ferry for views of the Statue of Liberty. 

13. Stroll Through a Cemetery In Brooklyn

Near Prospect Park in Brooklyn is Green-Wood Cemetery. You might think walking through a cemetery is a weird thing to do during a solo trip to NYC. However, this is not any ordinary cemetery. 

Green-Wood was so popular in the late 1800’s that it helped inspire the creation of Central Park. Today, the park still offers solitude for anyone who needs it. You can find the graves of Leonard Bernstein, Charles Ebbets, Jean-Michel Basquiat, and plenty of other famous characters.

14. Sunbathe at Pier 45

Pier 45 is really a hidden gem and one of the best things to do alone in NYC. Few tourists know about this spot. Here, you can take in one of the best views of the One World Trade Center. 

Beyond being a great photo spot for NYC’s tallest building. You will find a large green space that is known as New York’s green beach, perfect for sunbathing. 

At night, the energy at the pier is electrifying. It is a popular local spot for dancing and socializing. You can even attend free concerts in the summer. 

15. Get Levain Bakery Cookies

One of my favorite treats to enjoy in New York City is a cookie from the famous Levain Bakery. Levain Bakery was started in New York and now has locations across many major U.S. cities thanks to its sensational Chocolate Chip Walnut Cookie. 

This gooey sugar rush is worth all the social media hype. In Manhattan, Levain Bakery locations are in Harlem, the Upper East Side, the Upper West Side, and NoHo.

16. Eat Your Way Through Brooklyn’s Chinatown

Manhattan’s Chinatown may be the most famous in the city, but it is not my favorite. Head to Sunset Park in Brooklyn for a truly authentic culinary experience, after strolling through Green-Wood Cemetery.

Eat at the viral Egg Burger Kart (59th St & 8th Ave). Satisfy your sweet tooth with an egg tart from Xin Fa Bakery. Then, top it off with a Ba Mi sandwich from Ba Xuyên. 

17. See the Controversial Vessel at Hudson Yards 

The Vessel is a honeycomb-like structure that offers visitors the chance to climb a labyrinth in the sky for $10, surrounded by some of the most expensive real estate in the world. 

This expensive art piece (a 200 million price tag) is definitely controversial. It closed in 2021 after a series of suicides, and then was redesigned with netting for public safety. 

All this to say it is a hard symbol to describe. You can decide if this is an awe-inspiring monument or an overzealous structure with serious design flaws. 

18. Get a Photo of the Brooklyn Bridge

The Brooklyn Bridge is equally as much of a symbol of New York as the Empire State Building. You cannot overlook this monument during your solo trip to NYC. 

Most tourists walk the bridge, starting from Brooklyn to Manhattan. You can do that, but it will be crowded, especially on weekends. A bit more peaceful experience is viewing the bridge from the Brooklyn Bridge Park or the Pebble Beach in Dumbo. 

19. Take in a View of the Empire State Building 

Getting views of Midtown’s skyline can be difficult. You might be forced to pay expensive fees at crowded viewpoints. For a free view of the Empire State Building, head to the 4th floor of the Burlington at Union Square. Trust me, it is surprisingly worth it. 

20. Learn About LGBTQ+ History at Stonewall National Monument

In Greenwich Village, you will find the location of one of the most important events in LGBTQ+ history. At the Stonewall Bar on June 28, 1969, police raided the gay bar, and it sparked a series of demonstrations.

These riots energized queer people and led to national efforts to recognize LGBTQ+ rights. Today, you can take a seat in this park honoring this important event in queer history. Also, there is a free visitor center, open from Tuesday to Sunday (10 am to 4 pm). 

Now, Take a Solo Trip to NYC

New York is my favorite city in the world, and I doubt that will ever change. New York has an energy and pulse, unlike any other city. I will never forget my first solo trip to NYC.

Now that you know where to visit during your solo trip, it is time you make your New York solo trip a reality. Book your hostel, enter Broadway lotteries, and let the fun begin in the world’s most fascinating city. 

Visiting the East Coast? Read all of my East Coast guides:

• Boston Solo Trip: The Perfect Itinerary for a 3-day Budget-friendly Trip
• Rhode Island Travel Guide: How to Spend 48 Hours Alone in Rhode Island
• Philly Solo Trip: The Perfect Itinerary for a 2-Day, Budget-Friendly Trip
• 16 Things to Do Alone on a DC Solo Trip