A solo female traveler's guide to New York

Solo female travel in New York

Yellow taxis honk as they weave their way through traffic and the streets are alive with the hustle and bustle of a city that never sleeps… welcome to New York! Whether you’ve been to the Big Apple before or you only know it from the movies, there’s lots in store for a New York solo female traveler like yourself. That’s why we’re bringing you the inside scoop, covering everything from what to do in NYC alone to questions of safety and beyond, to make sure your solo trip to the concrete jungle is what dreams are made of…  

Best time to visit New York

Spring is one of the best times to visit New York as the weather’s mild and flowers are coming into bloom across the city. It’s also one of the quieter seasons in terms of tourism (although NYC is never truly “quiet”), as is fall, when the leaves on the trees turn varying shades of red, orange, and yellow, and the crisp weather brings a flurry of indoor activities. Summer is thought to be peak tourist season, and warm temperatures (sometimes sweltering) mean that parks, rooftop bars, and outdoor attractions are filled to the brim, so be prepared for large crowds and high prices. Winter in New York is filled with magic and festive cheer, and if you want to enjoy ice skating in Central Park and holiday markets, it’s a great time to visit. However, it’s also an expensive time of year to be in New York, with prices at an all-time high around the holidays and settling down again in January and February. 

Must-see places in New York

Here are some of the most iconic buildings and attractions that a New York solo female traveler simply cannot miss. 

Central Park

You could spend hours walking or cycling around this 843-acre park, but some of the top things to do in Central Park are people-watching at The Mall, picnicking in Sheep Meadow, visiting the zoo, rowing a boat across the lake, going ice skating (in the winter) and heading to a music festival in the summer.  

The Empire State Building 

Located in the heart of Manhattan, this iconic skyscraper is often seen as a symbol of New York City itself. Visitors can climb up to the observation decks which offer panoramic views of the Big Apple, or simply enjoy the Art Deco design from below and watch as the building lights up to recognize events of importance throughout the year.

The Statue of Liberty

A solo trip to see the Statue of Liberty requires a little bit of forward-thinking - reserve your boat ticket in advance and start your day early so you can fit everything in. You can opt for a guided or self-guided tour of the Statue of Liberty and its museum on Liberty Island, then hop back on board the same boat to visit the Ellis Island National Museum of Immigration.

Times Square

Known as the Crossroads of the World, it’s hard to miss the bright lights of Times Square at the intersection of Broadway and Seventh Avenue in Manhattan. Join 50 million other annual visitors who come here to snap a selfie and soak in the sights!

Brooklyn Bridge 

Views of Brooklyn Bridge, which stretches 1.1 miles (1.7km) between Brooklyn and Manhattan, are best enjoyed from the beach in Main Street Park or Pier 15 in Manhattan. Better yet, you can walk or cycle over the suspension bridge to get the full experience. 

Things to do in New York

Worried about how to spend a day in NYC by yourself? One of the best things about New York solo female travel is that there’s so much to do in this big city alone!

Ride the Staten Island Ferry

If you want to enjoy views of Manhattan and the Statue of Liberty for free, hop on the Staten Island Ferry. Sit on the right side to get the best views as you take the 25-minute ride all the way from the Whitehall Terminal in Lower Manhattan to the Staten Island Ferry Terminal. 

Go to a Broadway show

Watching a play or a musical is a no-brainer when traveling to NYC alone as a woman. You might even snag a better seat as you won’t have to group people together!

Eat some street food

It’s not unusual to eat out alone in New York City, but it can feel a little daunting, especially if it’s your first solo trip. Luckily, some of the best places to eat alone in NYC can be found kerbside - hotdogs with all the toppings are served on almost every corner of the city along with salty pretzels, roasted nuts, hamburgers, filled bagels, and NY-style pizza sold by the slice (and should be folded before eating, according to Courtney Cox). 

Visit the museums

Once you’ve ticked MoMA and the Metropolitan Museum of Art (aka the Met) off your list, head to some of the lesser-known galleries and museums such as the Tenement Museum, the Morgan Library & Museum, and the American Museum of Natural History. 

Go shopping 

Whether searching for treasure in thrift stores and flea markets or splashing the cash in designer boutiques, there’s shopping for every budget in New York City. Solo female travel in the most fashionable city in the world just got a little bit more fabulous! 

Enjoy the green spaces 

New York City has more than 1700 parks to picnic, play sports, and people watch in, and from Washington Square Park to Pelham Bay Park, there are endless opportunities to enjoy a little bit of nature in this sprawling metropolis. 

Getting around New York

No matter where you’re staying in New York, it’s likely you’ll need to travel somewhere at some point. Relying on your own two feet will get you where you need to go (within reason) and give you the chance to do some sightseeing along the way. But for times when walking is off the cards, the subway is the most convenient way to get around the city - it’s cheap, quick, and runs 24/7, which not many cities can say! Hopping in one of those iconic yellow cabs might be the most expensive way to get around, but opting for a ride share with other passengers on apps like Uber, and Lyft can make it more reasonable. Note that taking a cab in rush hour probably won’t be your fastest option because of traffic, and opting for the subway is far more likely to get you to your destination on time. 

Weather in New York

New York is a city that feels all four seasons. Summers are hot and humid, with rooftop parties and spontaneous street festivals creating an atmosphere that matches the high temperatures, which average 86°F (30°C) in July and August. Fall in New York is true sweater weather, and temperatures of 50-60°F (10-15°C) mean everything is pumpkin-spiced. In the winter, lights twinkle as the first snowfall turns the streets white and temperatures drop to around 30-40°F (-1-4°C). Months later, locals ditch the heavy coats as springtime arrives again, and cherry blossoms come into bloom as temperatures rise to 50-70°F (10-21°C). 

Accommodation for solo female travelers in New York

From luxury hotels to budget-friendly hostels, there’s no shortage of places to rest your head in the city that never sleeps. But with strict rules making Airbnb rentals illegal if the lease-holder isn’t staying there (unless it's for over 30 days), finding somewhere in NYC that feels comforting and familiar is increasingly difficult. Not if you’re house and pet sitting with TrustedHousesitters though! Enjoy the comfort of a home away from home as you cozy up in a Brooklyn townhouse or a Manhattan apartment and care for cute pets while their parents are away. Explore New York through the eyes of a local and fall in love with places you would have never discovered if it weren’t for house sitting!

Is New York safe for solo female travelers?

New York is a huge metropolis filled with people from all walks of life, and like any big city, traveling here alone can feel daunting. If you’re wondering “How dangerous is New York?”, or even, “Is it safe to walk at night in NYC?”, fear not! Contrary to what movies like Taxi Driver, Goodfellas, and American Psycho would have you think, overall crime rates in the city are dropping year on year. Crimes against tourists are rare and the biggest risk is usually petty theft. For this reason, it’s important to keep an eye on your belongings, especially in crowded areas like the subway or Times Square. Use your common sense, and if a situation is making you feel unsafe, don’t hesitate to pop into a shop or strike up a conversation with someone nearby -  more often than not, people will go out of their way to help you.

Meeting people and connecting with locals

The vast city of New York can feel intimidating alone, and that’s why meeting people and connecting with locals is always a good idea! There are plenty of opportunities to get to know new people with similar interests, from meet-ups with TrustedHousesitters members to fitness classes, and everything in between. “Watch parties” are also popular in NYC, so why not head to a screening of the Super Bowl or Game of Thrones to make some new friends? 

Tips from a local

• Get travel insurance - you don’t want to have to fork out on medical bills if you get injured or sick while you’re away. 
• Check the weather - summers in NYC can be sweltering, and it can be freezing cold during the winter.
• Don’t cram too much into your day - expect to queue for popular tourist attractions and remember it’s a big city that takes a while to get around. 
• Bring a portable charger with you - your phone will be your guiding light in this city. 
• Don’t get in the empty subway car if the rest of the train is busy - you don’t want to know why there’s no one else in there…
• Watch out for overly friendly strangers - unfortunately, they’re probably just going to ask for something.

New York for solo female pet sitters

House and pet sitting in NYC allows you to explore everything from iconic landmarks to local neighborhoods, and the best bit is that a cute (sometimes furry) companion will be with you every step of the way!

Things to do with dogs in New York

You’ll be spoilt for choice with things to do with dogs in New York - we think it’s safe to say the city’s just as obsessed with their canine companions as we are!  

• Visit flea markets, street fairs, and farmer’s markets 
• Go to a dog meet-up
• Watch a movie outside (weather permitting!)
• Go shopping in dog-friendly stores
• Take a hike 
• Go on a walking tour
• Watch a game on a Bark in the Park night
• Meet up with dog owners by joining the weekly Pack Walk in Brooklyn
• Go to the Dog Beach in Prospect Park
• Take a stroll through the city to see the sights 
• Take the ferry to Staten Island or down the East River
• Join a fitness class or do doga (dog yoga)
• Go to the Museum of the Dog on Furry Fridays (once a month)
• Let your furry friend run free in one of the many dog parks and dog runs 

Dog-friendly bars and restaurants in New York

If you fancy hitting up some bars and restaurants with your four-pawed pal, you’ll have plenty of places to choose from. We cover a whole host of them in our guide to the best dog restaurants in NYC, but here are some of our favorites (many of which have multiple locations!):

• The Wilson 

Address: 132 W 27th St, New York, NY 10001, United States

• Boris & Horton

Address: 195 Avenue A, New York, NY 10009, United States 

• Do or Dive Bar

Address: 1108 Bedford Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11216, United States 

• Fred’s 

Address: 476 Amsterdam Ave, New York, NY 10024, United States

• Barking Dog

Address: 1678 3rd Ave, New York, NY 10128, United States

House and pet sits

Has all this talk of solo female travel, New York, and pets got you wondering how to try a piece of the Big Apple pie? What better way to see this incredible city than by taking care of the pets that call it home? Search for house and pet sits in New York today to begin an adventure like no other - because New York really is a state of mind…