New York City Break Travel Guide by a Solo Traveller (2024)

Alexa, play ‘Welcome to New York’ by Taylor Swift! Or should I say, welcome to your New York City Break Travel Guide! Let’s face it, you could live there for a decade and still hardly touch the sides with a city so large, buzzy and ever-changing.

I’ve done a few solo trips to New York, and whilst it can be a little overwhelming given the size of it, the energy and experiences are unparalleled. I’ve pulled together my top places to eat, drink, things to do and places to stay in order to help the planning for any trip to New York City.

Read on for your New York City Break Travel Guide, highlighting how to enjoy this iconic, crazy, brash city to the best of your ability whether travelling solo or with others – and eat magnificently whilst you’re stateside without breaking the bank.

New York City Break Travel Guide Contents

*This blog includes affiliate links. If you purchase something through one of my links, I will receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting me!*

WHERE TO EAT IN NEW YORK CITY

Forget the Empire State Building, Central Park, Times’ Square…New York is worth visiting for the food alone. It may just be the best city for food in the world.

Everything from dollar slices, cheap ramen, over the top desserts to all the top restaurants and every cuisine you can think of, New York really does have it all. In a city where groceries usually cost more than ordering in, food is at the centre of life as a New Yorker.

And this being America, naturally portions are massive, so start training your stomach in advance in order to make the most of it. Here are some favourites of mine to eat at when in town.

RESTAURANTS

Emily
35 Downing St, New York, NY 10014
919 Fulton St, Brooklyn, NY 11238

Emily’s famous Emmy burger hands down my favourite in NYC. It’s a burger seared so well in my mind that I can taste it months later: double patty, cheese, pickles, caramelised onions and a signature sauce served on a pretzel bun. And if that isn’t enough of a pull, it’s also served with the ultimate side: curly fries.

I will never again return to NYC and not get this burger. I will schlep across town for this burger. I will queue for this burger. I won’t blink at paying nearly $30 for this burger.

Emily also serves incredible deep and crispy Detroit style pizzas. Go with someone so you can share a burger and pizza between you, or if you’re riding solo arrive very, very hungry.

TOP TIP: they have limited numbers of the burger at the Brooklyn branch, so don’t leave it too late in the day like I did. I legitimately had to return three days later to get my fix.

Burger Joint
Inside the Thompson Central Park Hotel by Hyatt, 119 W 56th St, New York, NY 10019
220 36th St, Brooklyn, NY 11232
Moynihan Food Hall, 383 W 31st St, Unit 31, New York, NY 10001 

I first went to Burger Joint at 11pm after catching a Broadway show when I was 19, all dressed up in my best dress. Shoving a cheeseburger into my face as I took in the surroundings of the tiny restaurant where celebrities have scrawled their names on the wall, I thought it was everything New York should be.

Joe’s Pizza
Multiple locations

One of the very best things about New York is the humble pizza slice. Often cited as the best pizza slice in NYC, Joe’s Pizza’s original outpost is on Carmine Street in Greenwich Village, though can now be found in several other locations across the city, too.

I Sodi
105 Christopher St, New York, NY 10014

Owned by a chef who grew up north of Florence and whose life was shaped by her mother’s Italian cooking and love of food, I Sodi is regularly listed as one of the best Italian restaurants in New York.

I had one of my best meals in New York here: parma ham with the creamiest burrata, followed by the most incredible lasagne with about 30 layers, all washed down by a carafe of some seriously good red wine.

La Esquina
114 Kenmare St, New York, NY 10012
1402 2nd Ave, New York, NY 10021
200 W 55th St, New York, NY 10019

La Esquina is a great, affordable little taco joint in Midtown and on the Lower East Side, but the original on Kenmare Street is the best one to seek out. What looks like a small and modest place to grab a quick taco, actually houses a hidden bar that serves banging margaritas.

Hometown BBQ
454 Van Brunt St, Brooklyn, NY 11231

Hiding out in Red Hook in Brooklyn, Hometown BBQ is well worth the detour. Pulled pork, amazing coleslaw and incredibly importantly: fantastic cornbread. If you have a hankering for Southern food, Hometown BBQ is the one.

Beauty & Essex
146 Essex St, New York, NY 10002

To reach Beauty & Essex you walk through a pawn shop to get to the beautiful dining space. The cocktails and food are excellent – particularly the super light doughnuts; grilled cheese, smoked bacon and tomato soup dumplings. And I’m genuinely still thinking about how good the apple and kale salad with goat’s cheese and candied pecans was.

DELIS, BAGELS & BRUNCH

Katz’s Deli
205 E Houston St, New York, NY 10002

Legendary Jewish deli Katz’s serves up the most incredible melt-in-your-mouth pastrami sandwiches the size of your face on the Lower East Side. Made famous not only for their mega sandwiches but also for that scene in When Harry Met Sally where Meg Ryan fakes it. You’ll want what she’s having.

Russ and Daughters
79 E Houston St, New York, NY 10002 (the deli)
127 Orchard St, New York, NY 10002 (the cafe)

One of my favourite NY outposts for the an epic bagel with all the trimmings is Russ and Daughters on the Lower East Side. Go hungry as there’s plenty of other great Jewish fare to try aside from their bagel platters. 

Buvette
42 Grove St, New York, NY 10014

This French cafe in the West Village serves amazing brunch; the croque monsieur is as banging as the photos convey. New Yorkers swear by the eggs at Buvette, and no brunch worth its salt can exist without exceptional eggs. No reservations – but an advantage for eating solo!

Black Seed Bagels
170 Elizabeth St, New York, NY 10012
176 First Avenue, New York, NY, 10009

Black Seed Bagels are something else. The classic with lox, cream cheese, capers, red onions is delicious and they do breakfast bagels with lashings of melted cheese and full of bacon which is bound to get rid of any New York inflicted hangover.

Ess-a Bagel
831 3rd Ave, New York, NY 10022

Among the most famous bagels in NYC, the queue for Ess-a Bagel is likely to reflect this! They are worth the wait though.

Jack’s Wife Freda
Various

Jack’s Wife Freda is a hugely popular brunch spot – go on a weekday if you don’t want to queue, or alternatively for dinner in the evening. The eggs benedict on potato latkes served with bright pink beetroot hollandaise sauce is delicious.

Pershing Square
90 E 42nd St #5409, New York, NY 10017

Great midtown spot for a classic American breakfast; a stack of the fluffiest pancakes with lashings of maple syrup and the crispiest of bacon on the side from Pershing Square is an excellent way to start a day of sightseeing.

Diner Breakfast

A visit to NYC isn’t complete without a stack of pancakes with bacon and maple syrup and refills of burnt filter coffee at a generic American diner. I don’t care which you go to, just go and struggle to finish the ridiculous portions they give you – it’s fun!

TOP TIP: Go when you’re on the last of your dollars as this won’t set you back too much.

DESSERTS AND SWEET STUFF

Serendipity 3
225 E 60th St, New York, NY 10022

Made famous by the movie of the same name, you have to see the size of these desserts first hand to believe them. Sundaes the size of your head and slabs of cheesecake the length of your forearm smothered in hot rich fudge sauce; these desserts are as elaborate as you can only imagine. If you can finish one off yourself I’ll be impressed!

TOP TIP: There’s often a queue but you can put your name down and return later.

Magnolia Bakery
Various

Magnolia Bakery, made famous Sex and the City, is an excellent spot for cupcakes, but don’t sleep on their individual cheesecakes. There’s one with lashings of caramel and chopped pecans – a thing of beauty. I may have gotten one to go and eaten it out of the box on my way to JFK, couldn’t possibly confirm.

Cookie DŌ
Various

If you’re into eating cookie dough before it hits the oven, the hype for Cookie DŌ’s raw (but safe to eat!) cookie dough is real – I willingly stood in a queue across the street.

With a menu of various flavours of cookie dough, there’s something for everyone (even gluten free). I can personally vouch for the Heavenly flavour with Nutella swirled through it and the Salty and Sweet, where salted caramel is star of the show.

Luckily they have more locations now so you should be able to avoid a huge queue!

Maman
Various

Gorgeous French bakery with a few outposts across NYC, Maman is worth seeking out to try their pistachio croissants alone. Lots of wholesome and healthy brunch bowls if you want something more filling, but don’t skip that pastry cabinet!

Junior’s
386 Flatbush Avenue, Brooklyn, New York 11201
1515 Broadway, 45th St. B/W Broadway & 8th Ave, New York, 10019
1626 Broadway, 49th Street, New York, 10019

Often cited as the best cheesecake in New York, the original outpost from 1950 is situated in Brooklyn, though there are two more in Manhattan now, both near Times Square.

Levain Bakery
167 W 74th St, New York, NY 10023, USA
351 Amsterdam Avenue New York, NY 10024
2167 Frederick Douglass Blvd. New York, NY 10026

Famous cookies that are well worth the journey to the Upper West Side. Levain Bakery was opened with the intention to make the world’s best chocolate chip cookie, and the chocolate and walnut one in particular is giving that title a damn good shot.

Morgenstern’s Finest Ice Cream
2 Rivington St, New York, NY 10002

Morgenstern’s serve among the best ice cream I’ve had (outside of Italy, let’s not be mad) and the array of different fancy toppings you can whack on top is admirable. Espresso honeycomb? Er, yes please!

Milk Bar
Various locations

Famous for their crack pie and cereal soft serve ice cream, Milk Bar is a New York institution well worth a visit.

ROOFTOP BARS IN NYC

New York is not New York without its huge array of rooftop bars, and what better way to kick off your first few hours in the city after check in with views of the vistas you’ve dreamed about seeing?

Mr Purple
Hotel Indigo, 180 Orchard St 15th floor, New York, NY 10002

Mr Purple is well known for its deceptively large looking rooftop pool surrounded by beautiful people. Worth a visit for the views that sweep out towards the financial district and the Freedom Tower on one side and look across to the Empire State on the other.

230 Fifth
1150 Broadway, New York, NY 10001

If you’re after cheap happy hour drinks that run from 2pm til 5pm (weekdays) with a banging view of the Empire State Building nearby, 230 5th is the rooftop bar for you. Popular with tourists so perhaps not as ‘New York’ as other places, but does what it says on the tin.

Take advantage of the $8 G&Ts whilst you have the opportunity and save your dollars for well…everything else in New York.

Harriet’s Rooftop
Hotel 1 Brooklyn Bridge, 60 Furman Street, Brooklyn, NY 11201

A great hotel rooftop bar on Hotel 1 Brooklyn Bridge, perfectly situated for beautiful views of lower Manhattan and the financial district, the Brooklyn Bridge and the Statue of Liberty beyond.

The Crown Rooftop
Hotel 50 Bowery, 50 Bowery, New York, NY 10013

Boasting sweeping views of downtown Manhattan, from this rooftop on the Lower East Side has two outdoor terraces, an Asian inspired cocktail menu and small bites on offer.

Westlight at The William Vale
111 N 12th St, Brooklyn, NY 11249

Sat atop the gorgeous William Vale hotel in Williamsburg, Westlight is a jackpot of a place to watch the sun set over Manhattan. Sure, Manhattan rooftop bars are great, but I wanna see those skyscrapers in silhouette, offset with the burning sun sinking behind them.

Time Out Market New York
55 Water St, Brooklyn, NY 11201

Definitely one of my favourite spots for a sunset drink in New York, the Time Out Market has a plethora of different food outlets you can buy from – Mexican, seafood, Italian, craft beer, ice cream – or just grab a drink from the bar instead.

There’s plenty of seating inside for colder days, but out on the terrace with a glass of wine to watch the sun set behind the Brooklyn Bridge is something pretty special.

Grand Banks NYC
Pier 25 Hudson River Park, New York, NY 10013

Okay rooftop bar may be stretching it here, but drinking on the deck of a gorgeous boat as you look out onto Manhattan from the Hudson? I think it kind of counts.

Complete with oyster bar if that’s your bag, this bar and restaurant situated on this historical schooner is the perfect place to while away a few hours in the sunshine. 

THINGS TO DO IN NEW YORK CITY

Oh where do you even start? You could live in New York for a decade and still have things leftover to tick off your list. There is too much to fit in for any trip, but the best way to maximise your time whilst you’re there is to break it down by neighbourhood, so I recommend doing your research in advance and sketching out a rough itinerary of your plans.

Top of the Rock

My personal favourite place for a view of Manhattan whilst in Manhattan. People rave about the Empire State but the joy of the Top of the Rock is that you can see the Empire State Building from it. The views are fantastic, and it’s fun to learn about the history of the Rockefeller Centre too.

Rockefeller Centre

It’s unlikely you’ll come to New York without visiting the Rockefeller Centre, as you’ll probably want to do the Top of the Rock, but at Christmas time the Rockefeller really is unmissable.

Site of the massive, beautiful Christmas tree and ice skating rink made famous in countless movies over the decades, it’s a sight to behold and feels very special to see it all festive, even if the crowds are huge.

Circle Line Boat

There are several options on the route to take on the Circle Line boat tour but the one I’d really like sometime (when there’s no fog and cloud masking the city…) is the Harbor Lights Cruise.

Departing at 7pm, this 2 hour tour is perfect in the summer as you’ll see the city in both the day and the night, and with any luck, a spectacular sunset too.

GoldStar Schooner Cruise

Honestly far better than the circle line boat tour because this one includes booze!

However this is definitely one for the summer – taking a tour around the Hudson on a schooner whilst drinking rose with one of my oldest friends was one of the best summer days I’ve ever had. The perfect way to see the city and just take it all in.

Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty

A trip to Ellis Island will allow you to learn all about the immigration into America that has so clearly built New York into what it is, with cultures from all over contributing to what makes the city so special.

If you’re heading over that way, it would make sense to do the Statue of Liberty too – though bear in mind if you want to go up into Lady Liberty’s crown, there are limited tickets each day and they must be booked in advance – so get organised.

Empire State Building

The most famous of buildings in the New York City skyline, the Empire State Building gives you panoramic views from both the 86th and 102nd floors. If you go past midnight, you won’t have to queue and it’ll be quiet up there, which feels pretty special in a city that never sleeps.

Catch a game or concert at MSG

Madison Square Gardens is home not only to the Knicks and Rangers, but host to some of the biggest names in music throughout the year. It’s always worth checking out what’s on whilst you’re in town, it’s a fantastic stadium.

Eat hotdogs at a baseball game

If you’re in town during the summer months and fancy spending a fair few hours in the sunshine eating hotdogs, drinking beer and generally being a massive New York cliché, get tickets to a Yankees or Mets game.

Get involved with some NFL action

If you can’t get tickets to the Jets at the Met Life stadium, the perfect way to experience a bit of America is to get yourself to a dive bar for the NFL games on Sunday or Monday night.

These bars usually have insanely good drinks offers too, which in a city as pricey as New York is a very welcome thing, and they often have a great atmosphere to boot.

St Patrick’s Cathedral

I love to pop into St Patrick’s Cathedral on fifth avenue. The beautiful Gothic cathedral serves as a peaceful reprieve from the madness of midtown and is well worth a look for the architecture.

The Metropolitan Museum of Art

I’m not a massive art person, but the collection at the Met is quite something. Check out what exhibitions they have on during your visit as they have a fashion exhibition that ties in with Vogue’s Met Gala each year.

$25 entry is valid for 3 days and gets you into the three different sites of the museum across Manhattan.

Guggenheim

The Guggenheim is an important museum of contemporary and modern art, as well as a famous bit of architecture on Museum Mile.

Usually $25, but every Monday and Saturday, from 4-5.30pm you can pay what you wish for admission – suggested donation is $10, minimum is $1. Advanced bookings highly recommended. A great way to see famous art for less in one of the most expensive cities in the world.

The Tenement Museum

If you’re interested in the history of New York, I can’t recommend the Tenement Museum enough. With various different tours to choose from, a guide will take you through an original tenement building left much in the same way it was found, with select rooms being restored as they would have looked in decades gone by.

A brilliant way to learn about immigrants moving over to the city throughout the last 150 years and the unfathomable conditions and situations in which they used to live. 

Central Park

You can’t go to New York and not have a wander through Central Park. The beauty through the different seasons in Central Park is timeless, and during the winter there is the famous Wollman Rink in action if you fancy going ice skating.

Take a wander over to the west side of the park to find the Strawberry Fields ‘Imagine’ tribute to John Lennon, watch people race their model boats at Conservatory Water or visit the Central Park Zoo.

Rent a boat at the Loeb Boathouse and row your way around the lake, discover the Alice in Wonderland statue on the east side or go for a run round the 2.5km track that circles the Jackie Onassis reservoir.

Times Square

It’s mad busy, a bit stressful but the lights of Times Square are mesmerizing. Try not to time your visit with the start and end of all the Broadway shows – the area is busy enough as it is!

Broadway

It’s a pricey one, but I highly recommend getting tickets to a Broadway show if the budget and time allows. When in Rome, and all that.

If you don’t mind dedicating some time to your Broadway dreams, every day at the TKTS booth there are discount tickets to that day’s performances of all the biggest hit shows. The earlier you get there the better, and it’s worth it given the talent on Broadway.

Comedy Cellar

One of my favourite things to do in New York, the Comedy Cellar in Greenwich Village has live comedy on every night.

Book in advance as it’s seriously popular, though if you get there early enough to put your name down you may luck out at show time. There are often surprise sets from well established and famous comedians too.

Cafe Wha?

I had one of the best nights I’ve ever had in New York at Cafe Wha? listening to amazing live music with some ridiculously talented singers. Highly recommend for a night of dancing, singing and drinks.

Marie’s Crisis Cafe
59 Grove St, New York, NY 10014

Marie’s Crisis Cafe is somewhat of a religious experience, if your kind of thing is singing along to show tunes and Disney songs in a cramped basement space with dozens of other people, fuelled by cheap drinks and the campest of atmospheres.

Bottomless Drag Brunch at Lipps Drag Queen Show Palace
227 E 56th St, New York, NY 10022

I cannot tell you how much fun this two hour bottomless brunch is. Pick a brunch dish named after a musical and drink endless mimosas whilst incredible drag queens perform numbers from Broadway.

It is amazing, hilarious and they don’t even top up your mimosa jug with extra orange juice – just more fizz. Iconic.

The High Line

Manhattan’s old elevated railroad tracks now serve as a fantastic park from Chelsea to the Meatpacking District. Walking along The High Line is a great way to take in the city from above, with flowers, trees and street art lining the way. 

DUMBO, Brooklyn Bridge Park and the Brooklyn Bridge

Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass, aka, DUMBO, aka that photo famous spot in Brooklyn of the bridge peaking out between the buildings.

A wander down here and through Brooklyn Bridge Park to the Brooklyn Bridge itself is a lovely way to spend some time. Make sure you walk over the Brooklyn Bridge towards Manhattan, it’s pretty special.

9/11 Memorial and Museum

The 9/11 memorial is a beautiful space to pay your respects to those lost on September 11th all those years ago. The fountains are stunning, and the staff who work at the memorial and museum put a rose in the name of the victims on their birthdays. The museum is excellent, albeit very difficult to do.

The Freedom Tower

One World Trade Centre is not only the tallest building in New York, but in the whole of the United States. This beautiful building stands near to where the original WTC buildings stood, and the observation deck will give you sweeping views of the city in all directions.

Street Art

New York has some brilliant street art. Around the East Village and Lower East Side there are some famous murals, there’s the Welling Court Mural Project over in Astoria, Queens, and in Brooklyn there is the well known Bushwick Collective.

The Vessel

This incredible art installation-come-park in Husdon Yards is something to behold. Comprised of a series of interconnecting staircases, The Vessel is a wonder to even look at from below, but tickets are available should you want to climb it and take it all in properly.

WHERE TO STAY IN NEW YORK CITY

New York isn’t a cheap city to visit – especially if you’re travelling solo and don’t have the advantage of splitting accommodation costs, but there are ways of reducing how much you spend.

Hotel costs will also vary wildly depending on the time of year you travel; by far the cheapest rates I’ve seen have been mid Jan – Feb, but I’ve also seen decent rates for October. If you can flex the time of year you’re visiting to time with lower hotel rates, you’ll save yourself a lot of money.

With New York Hotels you also need to bear in mind that there are additional taxes that may not be initially quoted in the price – make sure to look for fine print and the specification of taxes being included or not when booking. These taxes can increase the cost per night in a big way if you’re not careful!

In addition, take breakfast off of your booking. Hotel breakfasts in NYC are expensive, and you have a whole city of amazing food on offer to try.

Consider joining something like Booking.com’s Genius programme you can take advantage of money off and free upgrades, which can go a long way in a city like New York.

CIVILIAN Hotel

Centrally located in with a restaurant, bar and terrace at disposal for guests, CIVILAN hotel is an excellent place to stay in New York. Rooms are small but stylishly designed, making this a great choice for solo travellers or those who don’t mind getting a bit cosy. After all, how much time are you going to be spending in your room? You’re in New York. Book here.

HGU New York

Close to the Empire State Building in Midtown, HGU is a great hotel with stylish rooms of a really good size (considering this is New York). The hotel boasts a rooftop terrace and a gorgeous bar inside, as well as a farm to table restaurant in case you arrive late and don’t have the energy to venture out after your flight. I’ve seen some great rates for HGU at different times of year, too. Book here.

The Moore

Located close to the High Line in Chelsea, The Moore boutique hotel has classically simple yet modern rooms and a 24 hour concierge desk. The hotel has a great rooftop with views of the Empire State Building and a gym, assuming walking around NYC isn’t the only exercise you want to get in on your trip. Book here.

The Cloud One New York Downtown

Situated downtown in the financial district, close to the 9/11 Memorial and Freedom Town, The Cloud One has a cosy bar and modern, soundproofed rooms. Worth paying extra for a room with floor to ceiling windows looking out onto the incredible views of the city and river. Book here.

Arlo Midtown

Complete with rooftop with brightly coloured mural to enjoy, Arlo Midtown has free bikes for guests, as well as a gym and shared lounge. Rooms are stylishly modern, some even with their own private terrace which is incredibly tempting. Book here.

Pod 39

Pod 39 is a great budget option in Midtown, with single rooms and rooms with bunks that suit friends sharing really well. The hotel also has a rooftop bar and a games room, so it’s a great place if you’re a solo traveller who’s up for meeting people whilst on your trip. Book here.

GETTING TO NEW YORK

Flights to New York are one of the best ways to use your saved up Avios points; even better if you have a Companion Voucher to utilise. A return reward flight in Economy using Avios points will set you back just 50,000 Avios and £100 – an absolute steal for a transatlantic flight!

If you’re also using a companion voucher, two of you can travel for 50,000 Avios and £200, and if a solo traveller is using the same voucher the number of Avios you need is just 25,000. If you’re not already on this hack, what’s stopping you?!

GETTING AROUND NEW YORK

The best way to tackle time in New York is to group sightseeing, bars and restaurants together by neighbourhood so that on any given day you’re not trying to cross town in a mad rush. If you plan smartly, getting around on foot for the most part through a day will do you just fine.

That said, it’s impossible to do all of New York on foot, and taxis can get expensive and stuck in traffic a lot, so the subway is your friend. It can be difficult to work out when there are closures but overal, it’s cheap and the speediest way to get many places in the city.

I recommend downloading the MTA app to help plan your journeys, and I am a huge fan of CityMapper, which can be a lifesaver in any big city.

For a long time New York was way behind the curve and didn’t have a contactless option, would you believe. Luckily those days have passed, and you can tap in with a card at all subway stations now using the OMNY system.

Another option is to buy a 7 day Metro card, which costs $34 – the equivalent to 12 journeys. You’ll need to swipe the card to enter the station, but the exits will automatically open for you.

FOUND THIS NEW YORK CITY BREAK TRAVEL GUIDE USEFUL? PIN FOR LATER!

Updated July 2025.

Want to receive travel inspiration, tips and recommendations straight to your inbox? Sign up below!