New York City is one of the most well-known cities in the world, with easily identifiable landmarks including the Statue of Liberty and Times Square, both of which are great places to visit during a solo trip to the city. With so many options of places to see, things to do and hotels to stay in, planning a solo trip can quickly become overwhelming. Don’t let it! With this handy guide, you can easily conquer your trip planning, and potentially find some fun possibilities you didn’t know existed. Did you know bike tours in Central Park existed? Be sure to read on for more information about this, as well as the best hotel options and handy tips for your solo excursion to New York, USA!
We handpicked these listings carefully, considering (wherever possible) Superhost status, recent guest reviews, location, accommodation type, prices, availability of dates, decor, and amenities. The image galleries get refreshed with the latest updates regularly. They were last updated on April 07, 2024.
1. 1. Enjoy the largest art museum in the country
The Metropolitan Museum of Art is in fact so large that the entirety of its art collection is housed in three separate locations within New York City. When visiting the Met, you’ll be able to browse art that ranges from pieces made by the ancient Egyptians to those made by modern-day artists — that’s over 5,000 years worth of art. With that much art to see, you would be hard pressed to see it all in a day, especially with it being spread across three locations in a busy city. Lucky for you, you can buy a 3-day pass (good for 3 consecutive days) that includes admission to all exhibits and free public guided tours, which are available in 10 languages.
2. 2. Take a cruise around Manhattan Island
One of the best (and most unique) ways to tour a city is by cruise, and New York City is no exception. It affords you the opportunity to see the bustling city from a different angle. With this tour, you will spend 2.5 hours cruising around Manhattan Island, listening to your guide provide you with an informational, yet entertaining commentary. You will also get up close views of the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, both of which are important landmarks within the city. Food, drinks and souvenirs of your excursion can be purchased aboard the boat.
3. 3. Tour Central Park by bike
Taking a guided bike tour of Central Park guarantees you don’t miss any of the attractions within the green heart of New York. On this two-hour tour, you will cycle past such sights as Strawberry Fields, Belvedere Castle and Cleopatra’s Needle. This tour keeps a leisurely pace, making it an easy to complete for most people. Tours depart both in the morning and afternoon, allowing you to pick a time of day most convenient to your schedule.
You might be interested in these Airbnbs!
4. 4. Catch 'The Book of Mormon' on Broadway
What would a visit to New York City be if you didn’t take in a Broadway show? While seeing just about any show would be an exciting experience, if you’d like a suggestion, perhaps consider purchasing a ticket to see ‘The Book of Mormon’. This musical comedy has been playing to sold-out crowds since 2011 and is the winner of nine Tony Awards, so you know you’re in for a good time. The story follows two Mormons on a missionary trip to spread their faith to the people of Uganda, with the most hilariously disastrous of consequences. Matinee and evening time slots are available, but be sure to buy your tickets as far ahead of time as possible, as they tend to sell out quickly!
New York Tour Guide
Annie Leguennec
My name is Annie. I am a local Tour guide based in Philadelphia enjoying fully what the city has to offer with its deep history, street arts, murals, architecture, traditional food, black history, Farmer Markets, green space, a melting pot of neighborhoods and its great locals. I am looking for to welcome you and show you this incredible city where you will gain a better understanding of the ci... Read more
Tours by Annie
5. 5. LUMA Hotel — Times Square (from USD 470)
Stay right where the action is in this hotel, located a short 1,000 feet (305 meters) from Times Square. Within walking distance, you’ll find attractions such as Central Park, the Empire State Building, Madame Tussauds New York and Minksoff Theatre. LUMA Hotel also features an on-site restaurant, Ortzi Restaurant and Bar, which offers guests the chance to dine on cuisine that is inspired by the Basque Country of Spain and France; guests are also free to enjoy the lounge and bar area of Ortzi. You’ll find great shopping opportunities nearby, with brands such as Apple, Prada and Nike available for purchase.
LUMA Hotel - Times Square
Address: 120 West 41st Street
381 meters (0.3 ft) from Times Square
6. 6. MADE Hotel (from USD 483)
Reasonable pricing for a central Manhattan location.
Stylish, modern design with a cozy and relaxed vibe. Complimentary coffee and wine bar. Rooftop bar with breathtaking views.
Conveniently located in the heart of New York City, with easy access to popular attractions, restaurants, and subway stations.
Delicious coffee and pastries at the lobby cafe. Great dining options within walking distance.
You are sure to enjoy your New York solo excursion when staying at the MADE Hotel. The location is fantastic, with attractions like Madison Square Gardens and Times Square being less than a mile away. Inside the hotel, you’ll find the on-site restaurant, Ferris, where you can get an American breakfast, lunch and dinner throughout the day. You’ll also find the coffee shop, Paper, where you can enjoy a cup of coffee, tea and an assortment of baked goods during the day; come back by during the evening hours, and you can grab a cocktail or glass of wine. If the weather is pleasant, be sure to visit the second-floor patio where you can spend a bit of time relaxing and taking in the city-scape.
MADE Hotel
Address: 44 West 29th Street
1.34 km (0.9 mi) from Times Square
7. 7. Radisson Martinique on Broadway (from USD 206)
High rates for small rooms, hidden fees, but $30 daily credit for food.
Clean, well-maintained, friendly staff, convenient parking, but small rooms and limited in-room accessories.
Prime location in Midtown Manhattan, close to subway, popular tourist spots, and Korean restaurants, but noisy and crowded outside.
Delicious breakfast, limited menu, expensive, but friendly service and great for people-watching.
Located in Manhattan, the Radisson Martinique is part of the National Trust of the Historic Hotels and features a French Renaissance design. You’ll be a short distance away from Times Square and Penn Station as well as Madison Square Garden and the Manhattan Mall Shopping Center. The hotel has an on-site restaurant and bar to appease your appetite if you don’t feel like hitting the streets for food, and also offers guests same day dry cleaning services and a 24-hour gym.
Martinique New York on Broadway, Curio Collection by Hilton
Address: 49 West 32nd Street
1.11 km (0.7 mi) from Times Square
8. 8. Carnegie Hotel (from USD 329)
This boutique hotel is perhaps unsurprisingly located a mere 550 feet (168 meters) from Carnegie Hall, which makes this hotel a great choice if you have tickets to an event there. Shopping opportunities on Fifth Avenue are easily accessible from the hotel, as is Central Park and the Museum of Modern Art. Enjoy a continental breakfast each morning of your stay and indulge yourself at least once with the wine hour hosted each night in the lounge. 24-hour snacks and coffee services are also available to guests during their stay at the Carnegie Hotel.
Carnegie Hotel
Address: 160 West 56th Street
866 meters (0.6 ft) from Times Square
9. 9. Buy your Metrocard at the airport
During your trip to New York City, having a Metrocard can be invaluble: it is your pass for using the city’s public transportation system and a great way to save on taxi fares that will add up quickly. These passes can be purchased in special vending machines located throughout LaGuardia, JFK and Newark Airports. Be sure to buy them before leaving to minimize any potential travel hiccups.
10. 10. Find cheap and good eats at Queens
New York City is famed for its delicious eats, and you’ll certainly find no shortage of great places to grab a bite to eat. If you are looking to eat on a budget but still enjoy your meals, trying heading over to Queens, where you can find tasty food without breaking the bank. You can find everything from bagel shops to any number of pizzerias, diners, or Chinese food to satisfy your appetite.
Make plans to travel solo to New York City
As one of the biggest cities in the world, you’ll find no shortage of things to do when you make a solo trip to New York City. You may not get to see everything you’d like the first time around, which can mean only one thing: a second solo trip to New York City someday!
History
Get Trip101 in your inbox
Unsubscribe in one click. See our Privacy Policy for more information on how we use your data
Create an account to