The LA Girl knows how exciting it is to wander around a city. It’s always fun to discover a restaurant hidden gem, find IG-worthy picture spots, and browse a new boutique or niche shop. If you’re itching for a change of scenery, New York City is the perfect destination with endless sights and rich history for make solo exploring. Sounds intimidating, we know babes, but trust us, once we tell you where to go you’ll be able to navigate NYC like a local. Here are our top fave places in the Big Apple for some alone time.
1. Visit Macy’s Herald Square
Macy’s Herald Square is unlike any other Macy’s you’ve ever been too. The chain’s flagship store was built in 1902, and has over 1.25 million square feet of retail (that’s 8 floors!). They carry a ton of brands, from luxe to athleisure, and have everything in stock so leaving empty handed isn’t exactly in the cards. Shop till you drop or just take in the store’s beauty. Again, it’s historic. Be sure to use their famed wooden escalators…and, if you go during Christmas check out their gorgeous window displays that are always giving those warm and fuzzy feels.
2. Central Park Stroll
Central Park is both a popular tourist destination and a beloved spot for locals. Let us put it into perspective, the way that LA locals feel about Runyon Canyon is how New Yorker’s feel about Central Park. You can spend all day exploring the park’s 843 acres and there is lots to do. Grab a coffee to kick things off and then stroll the grounds at your own pace, or take one of the park’s guided tours. Don’t forget to grab some pictures in front of iconic landmarks, like the Alice in Wonderland statue, Strawberry Fields, and Belvedere Castle.
Pro Tip: Fall is the best time of year to enjoy the park.
3. See a show on Broadway
Think you need to get tickets for a Broadway show far in advance? Think again. Many shows have ticket lotteries that offer last-minute seats to shows. So, going to a show on a whim can totally be a sure thing. You can also visit the TKTS booth in Times Square to try your luck at getting a discount ticket to a same-day performance. Seats are limited and you should line up early. But, if you do get chosen, it’s totally worth it. Make the experience even more meaningful by visiting the stage door exit to get your Playbill autographed after the show.
4. Visit The Statue of Liberty
If you want a leg up on native New Yorkers, pay a visit to The Statue of Liberty. Bet ya didn’t know that many New Yorker’s have never been to the iconic landmark. Lady Liberty is not only a beautiful place for a photo op but you can also climb up the 215 steps inside her crown that leads to an outdoor observation deck. Or, if you’re too tired to climb (we don’t blame you), there’s also an option to take the elevator. But let us juts say this…taking a solo visit here where you can have the ultimate pause moment in New York is something worth it.
5. Visit the The Met (and more museums)
Soaking up some New York culture is so easy to do in New York, because there are so many museums to visit and get a slice of it . If art is more your vibe, The Met or MOMA, are great spots to get lost in. At The American Museum of Natural History, you can literally spend a whole afternoon exploring the dinosaur halls, American history halls ands more. Looking to explore your sweet side (and get a couple of cute photo opps) hit up The Museum of Ice Cream. Hollywood can also be found in NYC at The Paley Center for Media to learn more about your TV favorites . These are just a few of our faves, but trust us, the opportunities are endless.
The solo sights to enjoy in NYC definitely don’t stop at this list. It’s a huge city with so much to take in – which means there will always be an excuse to visit again. But if and when you come back to LA, check out our tips for spending a full day in Venice.
