A Solo Trip to New York City: Exploring Lower Manhattan
Exploring New York City solo can feel intimidating at first, especially if you’re a female traveler alone in a city this massive. But after years of visiting the Big Apple with friends and family, I finally took a solo trip to New York City.
The city has always dazzled me, but this time? It was different. It was mine. No packed schedules, no negotiating dinner reservations, no one else’s energy to manage. Just me, the city, and a chance to see it on my terms.
I stayed in Lower Manhattan, and I’m so glad I did. It’s walkable, full of history, close to the water, and has easy access to the subway and ferry.
Here’s a practical, firsthand solo itinerary for what to do, see, and eat in Lower Manhattan over three full days, with just enough time to soak it all in without wearing yourself out.
He Works So I Travel content may contain affiliate links for products and experiences I use and love. If you purchase through one of these links, I may earn a small commission. Some of the activities mentioned in this itinerary were hosted by the NYC Downtown Alliance. As always, all opinions, recommendations, and bagel-related enthusiasm are entirely my own. For full details, please read my affiliate disclosure here.
Three Full Days in Lower Manhattan
Let’s be honest, you can’t see everything in New York in one trip. You can’t even see it all in one year. And trying to squeeze every iconic landmark into a few days will only leave you exhausted.
One of the best pieces of advice I can give any solo traveler is to resist the urge to do it all. Instead, focus on one part of the city and really explore it.
Wandering at your own pace and sticking to one area, like Lower Manhattan, can make your solo trip feel much more manageable and still wonderfully full.
That’s exactly what I did on this trip. I based myself in Lower Manhattan and spent most of my time discovering everything from the Seaport and Wall Street to the Brooklyn Bridge and the 9/11 Memorial.
Slowing down gives you the chance to actually enjoy the city, instead of sprinting from borough to borough.
Day One: Arrival and Evening in the Seaport
Late Afternoon Arrival
I flew into LaGuardia Airport and took a shared shuttle with GOAirlink NYC. You can pre-book the shuttle online, so it will be waiting when you land.
You should receive both a confirmation email and a text on the day of your arrival.
GO Airlink was waiting outside the terminal just below baggage claim. The shuttle even waited for me when my flight was delayed.
I will say that this is not the quickest way to get to Manhattan since you do have to drop off other passengers.
But, knowing exactly how I would get to my hotel made the beginning of my NYC trip stress free.
There are many ways to get from LaGuardia to Manhattan, but I chose a GO AirLink shuttle for an easy, cost-effective ride.
🏨 Check availability and compare prices for AC Hotel NY Downtown. 🏨
Evening: Check In
I stayed at the AC Hotel NY Downtown, tucked near the Seaport District. The location couldn’t have been better, and the view from my floor to ceiling window was spectacular.
🏨 Check availability and compare prices for AC Hotel NY Downtown. 🏨
The hotel is close to the water, walkable to major landmarks, and steps from the Downtown Connection, a free hop-on hop-off bus that loops Lower Manhattan.
After checking in, I grabbed dinner nearby at the waterfront and enjoyed a quiet, solo evening walk along the boardwalk before heading in for the night.
Other great hotel options nearby include Gild Hall – A Thompson Hotel and the M Social.
Day Two: Historic Streets & Waterfront Wandering
On my second day, I woke up bright and early and headed straight to the Tin Building, a foodie wonderland created by award winning chef Jean-Georges.
The multi-level building has everything from sit-down restaurants, a gift shop, a chocolate lover’s haven and a fresh food grocery mecca.
The fresh pastries and coffee lured me in, and I couldn’t resist my favorite, an almond croissant. I’m still kicking myself for not grabbing a cookie for later in the day.
Morning: The Seaport
After breakfast, I wandered the cobblestone streets of The Seaport District, an East River waterfront with a museum, shops, and restaurants.
Here, you can visit the Seaport Museum, both on land and on sea, browse the shelves at McNally Jackson Books, and grab NYC-inspired souvenirs and gifts at Mure + Grand. If you’re feeling crafty, Bowne & Co. Stationers offers hand-stamped stationery classes.
You will absolutely love discovering this part of New York City.
Afternoon: East River Ferry and Brooklyn Bridge
In the afternoon, I decided it was time to get out on the water, so I caught the NYC Ferry’s East River route from Pier 11 at Wall Street to DUMBO.
Ferry tickets are easy to purchase either online or in person and cost less than $5.
For a little more than a cost of a subway ride, you get a scenic, calm way to cross the river to Brooklyn.
Once in Brooklyn, stroll the Brooklyn Heights Promenade, then wander through Brooklyn Heights to DUMBO for that picture-perfect view of the Empire State Building framed by the Manhattan Bridge.
Unfortunately, for me it began to rain.
I grabbed a slice of Sicilian pizza at Spumoni Gardens while waiting for the rain to pass.
I never believed the pizza could be as good as the Italian pizza I tasted in Italy, but this came pretty close.
I felt super safe wandering through Brooklyn. It’s a great place to visit the parks, stroll through the shops and try the food. You should definitely check out the Time Out Market while you are there.
The weather didn’t cooperate for me to walk back to Manhattan across the Brooklyn Bridge this trip, so I hopped back on the ferry. If you have good weather, a walk back across the bridge gives you great photo opportunities.
Evening: Dinner and a Museum
This evening, I walked over to the Oculus World Trade Center for a little window shopping and people-watching. I grabbed an early dinner at La Pizza & La Pasta inside Eataly at the Westfield Shops at the World Trade Center. A glass of wine, a bowl of pasta and a NYC view is the perfect way to regroup.
After dinner, I wanted to visit a museum, a must if you are in New York.
While most visitors will head to The Metropolitan Museum of Art, there are so many other specialty museums, such as the National Museum of Mathematics, the Tenement Museum, and the one I chose, Mercer Labs Museum of Art and Technology.
Mercer Labs is a futuristic immersive art museum which totally had me mesmerized from start to finish.
No matter which museum you choose, you are sure to find one that suits your interest in New York City.
Day Three: Lady Liberty & Broadway Nights
Morning: Financial District Sights
A self-guided walking tour of the Financial District is the perfect way to explore some of New York City’s most iconic and historic landmarks in one compact area.
Start at Battery Park, where you’ll get your first view of the Statue of Liberty from the shoreline.
From there, walk north to the stunning Alexander Hamilton U.S. Custom House, which houses the National Museum of the American Indian. This free museum is well worth stepping inside.
Continue up Broadway to the Charging Bull, a favorite photo stop in the Financial Disrict. My best tip is to visit early or late to avoid the crowds.
Then, just a block away you’ll find the Fearless Girl standing confidently across from the New York Stock Exchange and its grand neoclassical columns.
A few steps farther brings you to Federal Hall, where George Washington took the oath of office. Right across the street is the peaceful Trinity Church, with its centuries-old cemetery where Alexander Hamilton himself is buried.
The whole loop takes about an hour or two, depending on how often you stop.
The Financial District is walkable, compact, and perfect for solo travelers who want to soak in NYC’s past and present in one trip.
Early Afternoon: An Historic Lunch
For lunch, treat yourself to a meal at Delmonico’s.
This isn’t just any old restaurant; Delmonico’s is America’s first fine-dining establishment, and it was also the first to welcome women dining alone.
That’s right—your solo table has some serious legacy behind it.
Try their signature Delmonico steak and a restaurant original, the Baked Alaska, a decadent ice cream dessert created at the restaurant back in the 1860s.
After lunch, head back to the hotel to get ready for the evening in Times Square and on Broadway.
Late Afternoon: A New York Experience
Why just eat a New York bagel when you can learn how to make one?
This afternoon, I signed up to learn how to make my own bagels, a New York City staple.
When you add this bagel-making workshop to your solo NYC adventure, you’ll bring home a skill that’s way more impressive than a souvenir hoodie.
These hands-on classes walk you through the full process. You will roll, boil, bake, and taste, so you can recreate the city’s most iconic carb at home.
It’s a fun, low-pressure activity that’s perfect for solo travelers looking to do something uniquely New York (and deliciously rewarding).
Classes are usually held in small groups at a local bagel shop, making it easy to meet other travelers or just enjoy a relaxing afternoon with your hands in dough.
Evening: Broadway Night and Late Night Slice
This evening, I headed uptown to catch a Broadway show after scoring a last-minute ticket. Want to know how I did it? Read my guide to buying cheap Broadway tickets for all my tips, including lottery wins and trusted apps.
From the Financial District, you can hop on the 2 or 3 subway line from Wall Street to Times Square. The direct ride is easy to navigate, even for a first-time solo traveler, using the Google Maps app.
On the way back to the hotel, of course, I had to take in the sights and sounds of Times Square. Be prepared to see just about anything here.
Times Square is always crowded, but just keep your sense about you, and you will be fine.
After the show, I rode the subway back downtown and grabbed a classic New York slice at Joe’s Pizza on Fulton Street. Even at midnight, this place is crowded, but so worth it.
Although it was getting late, I felt completely safe walking back to my hotel. The neighborhood is quiet, but crowded, and well-lit even in the evenings.t
Day Four: City Views and Lady Liberty
Morning: One World Observatory and 9/11 Memorial
On my last full day, I booked an early morning ticket to One World Observatory.
Standard admission includes access to three floors of expanisve views.
The unique elevator ride alone is worth the price of admission, but watching the city wake up from above is something I’ll never forget.
I spent the rest of the morning walking around the area, including a visit to the 9/11 Memorial. I’ve visited several times before, and each time is just as powerful. I tear up every time.
Looking for something lighter, I walked toward Brookfield Place and stumbled upon some amazing public art installations.
One of the best things about solo travel to NYC is that you can follow your feet without anyone asking, “Where are we going?”
Afternoon: Staten Island Ferry and Statue of Liberty
In the afternoon, I wanted to see the iconic Statue of Liberty, so I hopped on board the free Staten Island Ferry. And yes, it’s truly free-no tickets, no reservations, no gimmicks.
Just head to the Staten Island Ferry Terminal at Whitehall Street at the southern tip of Manhattan, and follow the signs. Ferries operate 24/7, with departures every 30 minutes.
Try to avoid morning and late afternoon commute times, as many locals use the free ferry during these times.
Once you’re on board, head to the right side (starboard side, if you’re feeling nautical) for the best views of Lady Liberty as you sail past.
The ride takes about 25 minutes each way. When you reach Staten Island, you have to exit the ferry, but you can re-board immediately.
The Staten Island Ferry is an easy way to get a million-dollar view of the Statue of Liberty without spending a dime.
This ferry is ideal for solo travelers seeking a low-key moment on the water.
Evening: Dinner at Fraunces Tavern and a Stroll by Stone Street
After a full day exploring Lower Manhattan, I had dinner at Fraunces Tavern. This is one of the oldest and most historic restaurants in New York City.
This colonial-era spot, a National Historic site, once hosted George Washington himself.
I ordered their famous slow roasted chicken pot pie, a flaky, buttery crust filled with rich, savory goodness, and it absolutely lived up to its reputation.
Upstairs, there’s a small museum dedicated to the history of the tavern and its role in the birth of America, which is well worth a quick visit.
Walking back to the hotel, Stone Street, a narrow cobblestone lane lined with taverns and outdoor seating was still buzzing, but I called it a night.
Day Five: Time to Go Home
After three full days in New York City, it was time to go home. I once again used a pre-arranged Go Airlink Shuttle.
I received a text the evening before my departure with the exact pickup time, and the shuttle was waiting right outside the hotel the next morning.
A Full Day Tour of New York City
Seeing Lower Manhattan independently is quite easy, but If this is your first trip to New York City and your first time traveling solo, you may want to consider taking a full day tour with a guide.
You will see New York classics, like the Empire State Building, Grand Central Station, Central Park, and Midtown Manhattan. Plus, you may make new friends.
Travel Tips to Get Around NYC Solo
- Walk: NYC is made for walking. Sidewalks are wide and there’s always something to see.
- Subway: Don’t be scared of the subway. It’s affordable and efficient. Just double-check your route.
- Uber/Lyft: Use it when you’re tired or it’s late.
- Downtown Connection Shuttle: If you’re in Lower Manhattan, take advantage of this free shuttle.
Safety Tips for Traveling Alone in New York
- Trust your gut. If something doesn’t feel right, then don’t do it.
- Stay aware—don’t get lost in your phone while you are walking around the city.
- Keep your solo trip to yourself. No one needs to know you are traveling alone.
- Stick to well-lit, populated areas at night.
- Pre-book when possible – know how you will get from the airport to the hotel
- Make sure someone knows where you are. My sister used the Life360 app to keep track of my whereabouts as an extra layer of safety.
Final Thoughts
If you’ve been thinking about taking a solo trip to New York City, take this as your sign to book your trip.
You see the city on your terms, move at your own pace, eat when you’re hungry and rest when you’re tired. The Financial District is the perfect base: walkable, historic, and close to so much.
So if you’ve been dreaming of visiting New York City alone, New York is ready when you are.
Book the trip, schedule the shuttle, and pack the comfortable shoes. I found New York to be safe. With awareness and common sense, you’ll be just fine.
More than that, you might fall in love with the experience of discovering New York on your own.
