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New York is having a moment right now.
In 2022, New York State welcomed one record number of 291 million tourists, with most of those visitors flocking to New York City. This was good news after two years of strict restrictions that had decimated New York’s tourism industry.
And while 2022 was New York’s recovery year, in 2023 the city has only grown further in popularity.
New York is a great destination to visit with family, friends or a partner, but it is also one of the best cities in the US for solo travelers.
Here’s why NYC is currently the perfect destination for solo travelers:
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 over 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 show on Broadway, walking across the Brooklyn Bridge or cycling through Central Park, there are many ways to enjoy New York on your own.
Since there is so much to do in New York, you can prioritize the things that do you are interested in a solo trip. And in a city of more than 8 million people, no one will ever look at you strangely because you’re alone.
2. Easy to meet others
While it can be fun to explore on your own, there are also plenty of opportunities to meet others in New York if you’re still intimidated by the idea of going to a restaurant or bar on your own or want some traveling companions meet to share your experience with.
There are always tons of free gatherings and events happening every night of the week in New York City. Happy hours and pub crawls are a great way to experience NYC nightlife.
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 off the main tourist path.
3. Safe for solo travelers
One of the biggest concerns of solo travelers, especially solo female travelers, is safety. Fortunately, New York City is completely safe for solo travelers.
Forget everything you’ve heard about the city’s insecurity; most of it is outdated (think New York’s dangerous Gotham City reputation in the 1980s) or limited to a small number of neighborhoods where tourists are unlikely to visit.
Almost all of Manhattan, and the parts of Brooklyn and Queens closest to Manhattan, are very safe for tourists. Of course, you should always be careful and alert to your surroundings, but solo travelers have little to worry about in terms of safety 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 MetroCard for 7 days costs $34, and individual subway rides cost $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 and see more more easily on your own two feet than with any other mode of transportation.
5. Save money on accommodation
One of the biggest hurdles solo travelers face in NYC is cost. It’s no secret that New York was recently ranked as the… number one most expensive city in the world.
The biggest expense during your trip will probably be accommodation. If you travel with others, you can split the cost of a hotel room and save money. Luckily, 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 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.
Read more:
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
