Locations in this article: New York City, NY
This is a series that explores the travel trend of solo traveling and the growing industry that is developing around it. Rosalyn Oshmyansky reports on the various hotels and tour operators that are catering specifically to the solo traveler and especially to solo women travelers.
According to the United States Census Bureau population estimate, New York City hit a record high population of over 8.6 million last year. Add to that the number of visitors, and you’re talking a lot of people traveling to—and within—New York City alone.
New York City is a perfect test for solo travelers because you’re alone but then you’re surrounded by an endless source of options. A number of hotels and attractions are now catering to single travelers including the Tuscany Hotel, located in Murray Hill, which has a special “Go Solo” program for single guests. As part of the package, solo travelers get their own concierge, free Wi-Fi (so they’re never really alone), a credit towards a special activity or event in the city, and the appreciated perk of a late checkout.
The Tuscany St. Giles
My first stop was to use my event activity credit and head to Rockefeller Center and the Top of the Rock. The concierge got me the sunset time slot on July 4th, which was the perfect time to see the annual Macy’s fireworks, the nation’s largest fireworks show. My vantage point was perfect– a three-tiered observation deck on the 67th, 69th and 70th floors of 30 Rockefeller Plaza. I have one caution for solo travelers who take this option. With or without fireworks, if you go to the Top of the Rock, be prepared to have a great view but brace yourself because the view isn’t just of Manhattan but of romantic couples surrounding you at every turn. This is where solo travelers have an immediate choice to either put headphones on and revert to your playlist or force yourself to silence your smart phone and have a conversation.
Top of the Rock
And so, I made the right choice and got out of my solo comfort zone by talking to the group of Australians next to me. It turns out that it was not only their first time on the Top of the Rock too but also their first 4th of July in the United States. And suddenly, what started as a solo activity became a group outing.
Top of the Rock
Top of the Rock
But there are some other lessons to learn as a solo traveler in New York. It’s often better to experience Central Park by yourself and the same for Ground Zero. There’s a lot to be said for the opportunity, without interruptions or other distractions, to spend time alone in the park or at the 9/11 memorial.
Central Park
Ground Zero
Part of the beauty–and the challenge–of solo travel is that it forces you to leave your comfort zone and to take some social risks. For example, I wanted to see a musical, but I had never seen one by myself. The thought of seeing a musical and not having anyone to talk about it with during intermission made me sad before I even went to the ticket booth. But I was in New York, and I couldn’t leave without seeing a show on Broadway. I chose Frozen. I knew a little bit about the show before I went. Frozen made its initial debut at the Buell Theater in Denver, Colorado in August 2017. And then, it was on to Broadway, where it debuted earlier this year. When I got to the St. James Theater, I didn’t just feel alone, I felt old. The theater was packed full of small children dressed in Elsa outfits. And what I didn’t expect was to clap just as excitedly after hearing “Let It Go” as the 5-year-old Elsa next to me. There’s something to be said about a show that can bring together adults and children alike.
Frozen on Broadway
One of the inevitable parts of the solo travel experience is that it has a way of making you feel very small, but at the same time there’s often a false sense of security that comes from seeing things with someone else. The real freedom of travel is when you have options. And when you’re solo, you have nothing but options. At that point, it just gets down to making the right choices, participating and having those essential conversations with Australians…and Elsas.
Next up: solo in London.
