Solo Traveler's Guide To New York City - Things To Do Alone

The Lower East Side is a really eclectic mix of gritty alleys, tenement-style buildings, upscale apartments and fancy boutiques. I like to wander around and check out the architecture here. The area is probably best known for its nightlife, so come dusk it draws in a cool, young crowd to the area's bars, clubs, music venues and restaurants. Adding to the vibrancy of the area are the energies of the immigrant, punk and artistic past. The neighborhood's Jewish heritage lives on through Orchard Street's Lower East Side Tenement Museum and old-world fabric stores, as well as traditional delis such as Katz's, where you can try legendary pastrami, corned beef and Jewish deli classics. Seeking solo dining NYC experiences? Check out Russ & Daughters; a landmark New York City institution. Since 1914, the shop been owned and operated by four generations of the Russ family and today continues to provide the tastes and traditions of a true New York experience.

I love to grab some food and find a great spot of grass in Central Park where I can enjoy a lazy lunch and watch the locals of New York pass by. Check out Zabar’s; a gourmet deli and grocer on the Upper West Side; home to yummy pastrami sandwiches and baguettes with cheeses and cured meats. Head to the Gapstow Bridge; the park’s main promenade where artists and vendors gather, and when you reach the end of the Mall, walk around the Bethesda Terrace and Fountain. From there, you can choose between approaching the Conservatory Water, with its remote-controlled boats and the Alice in Wonderland statue; or walk across the Bow Bridge to see the lake from there. If you are a Beatles fan, don’t miss the tribute to John Lennon; Strawberry Fields.

Dumbo - which stands for “Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass” - is widely known as the neighborhood that welcomes travelers into Brooklyn from Manhattan. But Dumbo is much more than a passageway; loved by locals for its scenic, panoramic skyline views, renovated market lofts, cobblestone streets, and thriving art, technology and small community initiatives. The diverse influences have made Dumbo a place that laidback creatives and culture lovers are proud to call home. A laid back neighborhood with plenty going on including fine-dining NYC restaurants, leafy green parks, and a scenic waterfront, exploring Dumbo is one of the best things to do in NYC alone. If you’re seeking understated and energetic NYC, check out the dynamic, under-the-radar charm of Dumbo.