5 Days in New York City for Singles

There really isn’t a bad time to visit NYC; residents adore their summers despite the humidity, but also don’t let the winter chill get in the way of their social lives. You won’t be hard pressed to chat up a stranger, but even those who dig alone time will feel comfortable with these solo-traveler picks.

Day 1:

Start off with a New Yorker’s favorite breakfast: coffee and a bagel at Ess-a-Bagel. Be courageous and test out a crazy-flavored cream cheese (like Oreo, or jalapeño), then stroll along Madison Avenue and admire the luxury shop windows. You might not be able to afford anything in them, but storefronts like Fendi, Hermès, and Alexander McQueen offer artistic takes on fashion and accessories that rival any museum exhibit.

Pick up a bike rental from Pedal Pusher Bicycle Shop. Blend in with the pulse of the city with a bike tour. Using your BYOB, take a turn around Central Park with Free Tours By Foot. Explore the well-known sights, like Strawberry Fields and the Bethesda Fountain, but don’t miss the newly reopened Hallett Nature Sanctuary. Runners will especially enjoy the serene views around the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir.

Drop by the rooftop garden at the Metropolitan Museum of Art where you can sip cocktails among the artworks in the summertime. Catch a cool lecture, film, or concert at 92Y, which hosts everyone from Ashley Olsen and Zach Galifianakis, to Desmond Tutu and Yo-Yo Ma.

Day 2:

Head to Battery Park, the tip of Downtown Manhattan (but only after the morning rush of business workers and financiers has passed). You’ll find some of New York City’s oldest architecture in this area, as well as some killer views of the Brooklyn Bridge and beyond at the South Street Seaport. Feel like the Wolf of Wall Street outside of the New York Stock Exchange and its massive American flag.

Work your way up to the East Village — you’ll welcome the extra exercise as you embark on a pizza tour of the area with Scott’s Pizza Tours. No trip to the Big Apple is complete without a proper slice of ‘za, but throw in a boozy cupcake from Prohibition Bakery if you’ve still got room.

Explore eastward into the Lower East Side, which was home to some of NYC’s most famous immigrant populations, but now houses mostly hipsters and rich artists. Check out the lineup at the Bowery Ballroom, Rockwood Music Hall, or Pianos, where you can rock the night away with New York’s best.

Day 3:

Whoever said New York City was merely a concrete jungle never went above 60th street. Begin with a hike at Inwood Park, home to the last natural forest on the island. It’s super peaceful, and chances are you’ll forget you’re even in an urban environment. Travel back in time with a visit to The Cloisters, which houses medieval art even Game of Thrones would be jealous of.

Have some mofongo de pollo (mashed green plantains and chicken) at Malecon, then take the 1 train down to Columbia University’s campus. Walk around one of the most prestigious college campuses in the world, and wonder which dorm the members of Vampire Weekend used to party in.

Make your way down to the Museum of Natural History. The crowds at this cultural institute start to thin out around 4 p.m., which means you can spend time at your favorite parts (like the massive dinosaur exhibit). Attend one of their evening star show programs at the Rose Planetarium, or party under the planets during their One Step Beyond DJ series.

Day 4:

Take the L train to the Bedford Avenue station in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, and try not to get jostled by the eclectic street performers. Grab some brunch at Egg, where the Eggs Rothko and a jam biscuit will fill you up nicely.

See what all the hipsters are wearing these days as you explore the stores in this area. Antoinette Vintage or The Kinfolk Store will keep you covered, and Whisk will get your kitchen properly kitted out. Desert Island is great for cool comics and artwork.

Head further east and discover what’s new with the Bushwick Collective, a non-profit outdoor street gallery that sets the backdrop for some amazing selfies. Find your way to Roberta’s and order a Bee Sting pizza, chatting up the locals over some beers in their back patio.

Day 5:

Fill your last day with the chaos of Midtown. Start in Times Square, people-watching the tourists taking pictures with the Naked Cowboy, or marveling at all the different colored candies at M&M’s World.

Try a Dirty Water hot dog or a salted pretzel from a street cart, or wait in line for a burger and a frosty drink from Shake Shack. Admire the iconic reading room at the New York Public Library, then grab a coffee and relax in Bryant Park.

Taste a bit of Korea at any number of restaurants in Koreatown (you can’t go wrong with Jongro BBQ and Woorijip). Take in one last view of the Big Apple from the top of the Empire State Building, which stays open until 2 a.m.

 

Travelocity compensates authors for their writings appearing on this site; such compensation may include travel and other costs.