A 4 Day Solo Trip to NYC: What I Did
Disclaimer: I know that travel is controversial right now, but I do believe that as long as we all take the necessary precautions (i.e., quarantines, testing, social distancing, sanitizing, and most importantly – mask wearing) it is possible to safely resume short, domestic travel trips.
After several months of being cooped up in my small suburban town in Maryland, I finally got the chance for a short travel trip up to New York City for a few days.
And it was exactly what I needed in the midst of the heartbreak and disappointment I have been feeling the past few months (more like the past year and a half, by this point).
I was so impressed by how well the city has handled the pandemic. I circled Manhattan and back this trip, and I can’t wait to share what I did with the free time that I had there!
Day 1:
I had a 7:30 AM bus from Washington D.C. this day, and I got to the city around noon.
It was immediately a wonderful change of scenery after being stuck in the suburbs.
Walking down near 40th & 9th in Midtown, Manhattan; September 2020
On this first day, I decided to wander around midtown for the majority of the day – returning to all of the places my mom would always take me to when we would visit the city.
Wandering Midtown in September 2020
I walked by Times Square…
…Bryant Park…
Panoramic view of Bryant Park in September 2020
…The New York Public Library…
I found the mask wearing too funny! I wonder where they found such a mask…
… Rockefeller Center…
… Columbus Circle…
On the outskirts of Central Park near Columbus Circle; September 2020
…then back to my hotel to order one of my favorite places in the city, Beyond Sushi, for pickup in midtown – before venturing down to the Flat Iron District and hopping down to Union Square’s Park.
Heading towards the Flat Iron District with a View of the empire State Building; September 2020
Even after my full day of 7 miles walking in midtown, I decided to hop in an Lyft to Brooklyn to finally visit that infamous, Instagram shot of the Brooklyn Bridge.
Passing Madison Square Garden via Lyft; September 2020
On the way to Brooklyn nearing sunset; September 2020
View of the Brooklyn Bridge from Washington & Waters Street; September 2020
After grabbing my pictures, I walked on over to Pebble Beach to sit and watch the Brooklyn Bridge light up whilst enjoying my plant-based sushi dinner.
Pebble Beach approaching sunset; September 2020
Beyond Sushi is a plant-based sushi chain in Manhattan that I mention often on my blog!
I listened to some music, I people watched, I scarfed the sushi down my throat.
As Chelsea Cutler says… “waking, up, alone in, Brooklyn...”
I had a wonderful epiphany moment: as a plane flew over the view I was marveling in, I was finally able to realize how temporary all of this is, and that the world will go back to normal one day… whatever that even means, anymore.
There’s a wonderful quote by Dorothy Parker,
“London is satisfied, Paris is resigned, but New York is always hopeful. Always it believes that something good is about to come off, and it must hurry to meet it.”
– Dorothy Parker.
Having been to all three, and as much as I adore Paris – I must say that this quote couldn’t be more true.
And that’s, as I’ve mentioned before, the true charm of New York City.
The mentality, the mindset of New Yorkers – that life keeps going no matter what, to not let any obstacle stand in your way, the strength, resilience, and hope that the city never ceases to provide.
View of the Brooklyn Bridge against Manhattan at night; September 2020
It’s a non-tourist standpoint that I hope all visitors domestic and international alike will feel shall they ever visit the city.
Click here to watch day 1 in action!
Day 2:
I said in my last post about the city that on my next trip, I wanted to visit Green Gallow Bar. I was supposed to go to NYC with my best friend during spring break in March, but obviously, it was cancelled.
Still, given I hadn’t been to Chelsea since 2018 – I wanted to make a point to stop by again this trip.
Chelsea Market in September 2020
Since I was alone in New York City this time around, which I hadn’t been the case since March of 2018, I wanted to take advantage of being able to walk.
As I believed I’ve mentioned before, one of my favorite things to do when I’m in NYC is to simply walk. Because so much of Manhattan is a grid – it’s so easy to direct yourself. There’s so much to see and do.
It’s absolutely soul crushing to do the same thing in the suburbs. When you’re walking the same streets, seeing the same sights over and over again… it just makes you feel like you’re on a loop.
Even in the patio I’m sitting outside on as I write this, where two families just met up with their kids, given a little baby kisses… it’s hard to be in a white-picket, family oriented environment when it’s the exact antithesis of what you want.
But not in New York City.
I plopped in the Chelsea Market for a Blue Bottle Coffee.
If you haven’t tried it yet, I’m not sure what you’re doing with your life, in all honesty.
Afterwards, I started walking towards Hudson River Park. I reminisced on when I was last there three years ago, got to journal a bit, and simply enjoyed the ambience of New Yorkers jogging while taking in the view.
Hudson River Park Mid-Day; September 2020
It was then off to Washington Square Park, where I did more people watching, journaling, as well as striking up a conversation with my socially distant park-bench buddy.
I then walked back towards the Flat Iron District to try out abcV. I got the green goddess hummus platter.
It was excellent. Yes, it was quite expensive for what it was… but hey – it’s the city.
They had some inspirational things written on the walls!
I then needed some shut eye after another 8 miles around Manhattan. I ended up meeting a friend (no worries, we wore out masks and both tested negative for coronavirus afterwards!) at a rooftop bar I had never heard of called 230 Fifth Rooftop Bar.
230 Fifth Rooftop Bar on a Thursday night; September 2020
The environment was definitely younger than the Top of the Rock (where I went for my 21st birthday), and the views weren’t as panoramic, but the tan tables, millennial lights, and leafy green décor was very much a vibe – and I still got some wonderful shots of the Empire State Building up there.
I crashed in my room that night after my third shower of the day. Something about being in the city makes me constantly feel like I need to shower… but it’s all fine, because I felt alive again for the first time in a long time.
Click here to watch day 2 in action!
Day 3:
Today was definitely a chiller approach to a day in Manhattan.
I ate my complimentary avocado toast from the hotel in Bryant Park.
It’s my favorite park in the city, if you haven’t read my many other posts on New York before.
Bryant Park on a Saturday morning in September 2020
It’s the closest thing to a European park I’ve ever found in the United States.
I had never plopped into the Whole Foods across the street, and I have learned it’s a convenient place to pee in midtown as long as you buy something small.
Something about the city that is different, is that due to all of the precautions against covid – they won’t let just anyone use the restroom anymore.
I didn’t even check out my usual Trump Tower stop to see if it’s still open…
… anyways, I ended up finding this delicious vegan candy bar.
I’m not sure why I’ve never seen this in Maryland, but it’s fantastic! Kind of like a chocolate crunch bar, but healthier!
I stopped in Union Square, took a peak at the fun produce they were selling, and then decided I needed some chocolate in my system asap.
I then continued my long walk towards the East Village, and then sat in Tompkins Square Park.
Approaching the East Village in NYC; September 2020
Taking a la siesta in Tompkins Square Park; September 2020
Then I got the chance to try Superiority Burger, which is steps away from Tompkins Square Park.
I got the burnt broccoli salad and the collard greens sandwich. I was meeting my cousin at her apartment in the West Village, so I started walking towards there and ended up stopping the Bowery to try everything.
The Bowery; September 2020
Stopping in Sara D. Roosevelt Park to try my food from Superiority Burger!
Best food I had in the city this trip. I plan on going back on my next trip!
Though, I just learned that the city opened up a Veggie Grill in the Flat Iron District, so I am tempted to try that next first…
After meeting my cousin in the village, I took a nice-near-sunset walk back towards midtown near my hotel.
Leaving the Village near sunset; September 2020
I stopped in Herald Square to journal, and enjoy everyone out and about shopping a Friday in New York City.
Absolute chaos; like returning to the core of who I am – constantly trying to find peace in the storm.
I then went back to my room and enjoyed the views of the sunset from my room.
The sunset from the 31st floor on 40th & 9th in Midtown; September 2020
Click here to watch day 3 in action!
Day 4:
My cousin was gracious enough to let me stay in her West Village apartment while she was in the Catskills and while her roommate was in North Carolina.
On my last morning, I took advantage of my midtown hotel room to get some last shots of Times Square and Bryant Park.
Shot of Times Square on a clear day; September 2020
There was an outdoor dance, workout class happening that morning. It was soul-healing to be confined to the present moment, getting to be entertained in random moments.
Watching an outdoor workout class in Bryant Park; September 2020
I then went back to my room to catch a Lyft (I realized this trip how much cheaper Lyft is than Uber!) down to her apartment.
Arrivng at my cousin’s place in the West Village
The West Village on a Sunday in September 2020
I was ready to enjoy the rest of my leftovers from Superiority Burger at Hudson River Park, as her apartment was a 3-minute walk away… talk about amazing!
Hudson River Park glistening on a Saturday morning in September 2020
People gathering at Hudson River Park in NYC; September 2020
I also checked out the cafe on West 11th street as my cousin recommended it to me. I’d say the coffee was just fair, but it was excellent for people watching and ambiance!
Cafe on 11th street in the West Village in NYC; September 2020
Trying to enjoy the last of my extensive walking, I took a trip down to the Lower East Side to finally try this place my cousin had recommended to me called Dirt Candy.
Wonderful little reminders around Manhattan on how temporary things in life are!
Dirt Candy in the LES of Manhattan; September 2020
I passed through Soho as well, and I had never really ventured anything past Alphabet City before – so it was cool to see these two neighborhoods for the first time!
Passing through the Lower East Side in NYC; September 2020
Soho gave me a slight European vibe… I felt droplets of sadness and a glimmer of hope at the same time.
Passing through SoHo in NYC; September 2020
I stopped in Father Demo Square for my la siesta 2.0.
Of course, it wouldn’t be a sufficient stop with more journaling, music listening, and people watching.
Listening to music and writing in Father Demo Square; September 2020
I then decided that I wanted to watch Washington Square Park light up, as I hadn’t been there since March of 2018 either.
Washington Square Park on a Saturday night; September 2020
Washington Square Park in the West Village at night in September 2020
I enjoyed a bit of my popcorn blondie while enjoying the biggest crowd I had seen in months.
I chatted with more random strangers, read some interesting handwritten stories… like I said, New York City: the best place in the world to be randomly entertained.
Leaving Washington Square Park near NYU; September 2020
Walking through the West Village at night – I’ve never gotten pictures like these before!
I was sad to be leaving the next morning, but my short trip up there had done me a world of good.
It was super cool to get to live like a local – I cooked up a nice little plate of dinner and decided to watch the Cheetah Girls as I felt inspired.
Some tea, and enjoyed the rest of my popcorn blondie (and maybe half of another chocolate bar…)
Trying to savor the last moments of the city, I got a beautiful sunrise shot of Hudson River Park the next morning.
Sunrise at Hudson River Park; September 2020
I then (dreadfully) got on my bus back to the Washington D.C. area.
Click here to watch day 4 in action!