Do you think it's a good idea to go holiday by your self?

Question

I'm thinking about going to New York City by myself but i'm not sure whether it would be safe for me to go.

Answer 1

What a great idea. You will be fine in NYC. Know where you are going and how to get there. It may be worthwhile to take taxis in the evenings...walking, bus, train will be fine during the day. DO IT.

Here are some ideas of what you can do. First, get a good tour map. Then I recommend you take the BIG APPLE double decker tour bus for an overview of the city. There are several different neighborhoods so I'll highlight these and what to see:
Upper East Side: Metropolitan Museum of Art, Guggenheim, Whitney Museum. Walk up and down Madison Avenue for awesome shops and boutiques 96th - 57th st. Walk Park Avenue for architecture all the way to Grand Central Terminal and see the treasures located within. Walk along 5th Avenue to see/go in and out of Central Park - go for a run, go to the Central Park Zoo, go to the Carousel, go for a gondola ride at the boat house.
UPPER WEST SIDE:
Museum of Natural History -a must! on Central Park West,
Walk along Columbus Avenue. Visit the West side of Central Park and pay respects to John Lennon's Strawberry Fields.
MIDTOWN:
Shopping - 57th St (Chanel and the gang), Fifth Avenue - must see Henri Bendel, Bergdorf Goodman, Saks and FAO Schwartz - many other fun stores.
St. Patrick's Cathedral
Museum of Modern Art
Sony Bldg
Rockefeller Center
Go west to awesome new Time Warner center and visit the new Mandarin Hotel bar/restaurant for awesome view and treats!
Oh, Bloomingdale's is on 59th St and Lexington.
Empire State Bldg.
The Intrepid Aircraft Museum is fascinating and on the West side...worth the visit even if you have no kids.

CHELSEA:
Walk around the blooming area sprouting awesome restaurants and shops. Chelsea Pier is fun.

WALL ST:
Pay respects to the 9/11 victims and heroes at the WTC site., Walk Wall St., visit the Chase Hdqtrs, Federal Reserve. Seaport area is great to see.

THE VILLAGE:
Funky shops in the West Village. Walk through the NYU Washington Square Park. The East Village has some shops from new artists and designers

SOHO:
Great galleries and shops on n off West Broadway. Walk thru to Little Italy for awesome meals and desserts...walk through Chinatown. CANAL STREET has stall after stall of Designer "copies"...bring cash and bargain and watch your purse!

These should put an awesome smile on your face. Bring your camera and takes lots of photos to remember your trip. You'll have a blast! OH...BUY this weekly magazine: TIMEOUT NEW YORK on any newstand to see what's going on each week/day. :)

Answer 2

It is, if you research ahead of time enough to familiarize yourself with the area that you will be in and what you want to do.

Before your trip, check out TimeOut New York, Craigslist and travel guides so you can put together a tentative itinerary. If you want to do certain things, you can at least group them together by neighborhood so you don't have to spend a lot of time getting from one place to another. The train system is fairly easy and safe if you exercise common sense. Choose a hotel thats in a well-populated area--you can check out potential hotels at tripadvisor.com. Once you're in NYC, pick up a Village Voice or New York Press--they're free newspapers available at newsstands, delis, some cafes and bookstores. There are listings of events, walking tours, etc. There's actually a lot to do and see for solo travellers...have fun!

Answer 3

New York? For sure, go for it, girl!
I am booked for Brazil in August....four weeks all by myself. Now that's a bit scary, but I am still going for it as I really want to go.
I am preparing the journey well,learning Portuguese, informing myself.
Once you arrive you will meet tons of people doing the same thing! Just be clever about it, don't show off valuables, don't walk alone in a dark area or at night. take taxis if you don't feel safe, find other travellers to go with, stay at safe hostels/hotels. you'll be fine!
And don't be scared, otherwise you won't be able to enjoy!
(and if your mother tells you how dangerous it is and tries to convince you to stay home, just realise: she's from another generation and has probably never travelled by herself ;)

Answer 4

Do it!!!!! Best thing I ever did for myself was start travelling on my own. Have been to NYC twice alone, in fact only got back from one trip a fortnight ago. Have never seen any trouble, there are so many police, security guards, Times Square Alliance wandering round, I feel safer there than in London & definitely safer than Paris, but that's a whole other story!
Obviously you have to avoid certain areas at certain times (you NEVER go to Central Park alone after dark) but most travel guides/agents/tour guides/concierges/nice people in bars will be happy to point you in the right direction.
I would recommend going to NYC on your own - it's a great city & the people are fantastic. You can't get bored in NYC even on your own. I've met so many great people that I keep in touch with. What are you waiting for? I'd be happy to help with more details if you want them as I think everyone should visit NYC at least once.

Answer 5

HELLLLL NAWWWWW

GIRL, YO MAMA DIDN'T RAISE NO FOOL

GO WITH SOMEONE.

NEW YORK IS A DANGEROUS CITY TO BEGIN WITH, BUT YOU NEED SOME ONE THERE WITH YOU, ESPECIALLY SINCE IT'S YOUR 1ST TIME.

PLUS it is VERY easy to tell who is & who isn't a tourist, and you going alone makes you an even bigger target.

Take a cousin, sibling, class mate, friend, or even somebody you don't really like enough to "kick it" with but it's better than going alone the very 1st time.

THEN If you choose to go back by yourself at a future date thats different AFTER youv'e been there once or twice & have learned the ins & outs of the city BUT not the 1st time like now.

BE SAFE !!!

Answer 6

I think it depends on how long you are going for. I'm going travelling on my own for a year, hopefully more. You meet people when you are away, and you have the benefit of being able to ditch them if you don't like them. If you go with some one, you are stuck with them for all of the holiday.

I also moved to a different country on my own at 22. I have had 3 fantastic years here, and met so many people who are so different from my friends at home.

I do think that it broadens your horizons a hell of a lot.

Answer 7

yes it is - i am currently travelling by myself and, although it is always a bit nerve racking going to a new place & not knowing what to expect there are great rewards in being by yourself. Firstly, it does make you more sociable - there are lots of people on their own & if you start talking to them you often have a travel partner for a day or so. In addition, you can do what you want without having to consider someone else - selfish i know but this time is for you. Make the most of it & have fun

Answer 8

Yes.

I think you can be more observant and do your own thing rather than fitting in. Quite often my wife and I will split up, she spend hours in art gallery and ille wonder off to the local booksop and coffee store. Re safety, reckon its no more at risk than anything else in this life.

Enjoy.

Answer 9

hey, holidays are a lot more fun when you have AT LEAST one other person with you. i just went to NYC 2 months back, and i'd never reccommend you to go there on your own, that's just crazy. a companion is always a good thing.

Answer 10

YES, only way to travel. NYC is a great place, see a show. This area, we all go out as individuals, that's how we meet.