New York is having a moment right now.
In 2022, New York State welcomed a record-breaking 291 million tourists, with most of those visitors flocking to New York City. This was good news after two years of harsh restrictions that decimated the tourism industry in New York.
And if 2022 was New York’s rebound year, the city has only grown further in popularity in 2023.
New York is a great destination to visit with family, friends, or a significant other, but it’s also one of the best cities in the U.S. for solo travelers.
Here’s why NYC is the perfect destination for solo travelers right now:
1. Lots Of Solo-Friendly Activities
One of the best reasons to visit New York as a solo traveler is because of the abundance of solo-friendly activities all around the city.
From visiting New York’s world-class museums like the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Museum of Modern Art to seeing a Broadway show to strolling across the Brooklyn Bridge or taking a bike ride through Central Park, there are many ways to enjoy NYC on your own.
With so much to do in New York, you can prioritize the things that you are interested in on a solo trip. And in a city of over 8 million people, no one will ever look at you funny for being on your own.
2. Easy To Meet Others
While exploring on your own can be fun, there are also plenty of opportunities to meet others in NYC if you’re still intimidated by the idea of going to a restaurant or bar on your own or if you want to meet some travel buddies to share your experience with.
There are always tons of free meet-ups and events happening every night of the week in New York City. Happy hours and bar crawls are a great way to experience the nightlife of NYC.
You can also join a unique NYC tour to meet other travelers and have cool experiences like local food tours or walking tours of hidden gems that are off the main tourist path.
3. Safe For Solo Travelers
One of the biggest concerns that solo travelers have, especially solo female travelers, is safety. Fortunately, New York City is perfectly safe for solo travelers.
Forget anything you’ve heard about the city being unsafe — most of that is outdated (think New York’s dangerous Gotham City reputation of the 1980s) or confined to a small number of neighborhoods where tourists are unlikely to go.
Almost all of Manhattan, and the parts of Brooklyn and Queens closest to Manhattan, are very safe for tourists. Of course, you should always exercise caution and stay alert to your surroundings, but solo travelers have very little to worry about safety-wise in NYC.
4. Easy To Navigate Alone
New York’s subway system is convenient and efficient, making it a breeze for solo travelers to get around the city without spending a fortune on taxis or Ubers.
An unlimited 7-day MetroCard is $34, and individual rides on the subway are $2.90, so it’s affordable and easy to use public transportation once you get the hang of it.
New York is also one of the most walkable cities in the world, and you can often get around more easily and see more on your own two feet than by another form of transportation.
5. Save Money On Accommodation
One of the biggest hurdles that solo travelers face in NYC is the cost. It’s no secret that New York was recently ranked as the number one most expensive city in the world.
The biggest cost on your trip will likely be accommodation. When traveling with others, you can split the cost of a hotel room and save money. Fortunately, there are still a handful of highly-rated budget hotels in NYC (like this one under $150) that won’t break the bank.
For travelers who are on a tighter budget, there are even some cheap and safe hostels in New York, with HI New York City Hostel being one of the best-rated.
