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Are you 21?

Moved a couple of years ago, but it’s probably still the case that you have to buy your bus ticket before you get on the bus (so confusing). I like the Met and Zabars. The Hamptons are overrated.

Sorry this is such pathetic advice lol, hope you have a good time!

Take LSD and going riding around on the trains late at night. Fun times...

Highly recommend the observation decks so you can see the city - I personally like the new Hudson Yards one and Top of the Rock the best but One World Trade and Empire State Building are great as well. One Vanderbilt is opening one with a sick glass elevator on the side but that won't be open until the fall. Helicopter flight on FlyNYON is incredible as well. New York is really photogenic, everywhere is perfect for photos. Great bars and restaurants everywhere you go. 

You’re going to New York City to be alone for a while?

> what should I look out for and be wary of..?

Literally anybody who approaches you or begins a conversation in public. This is a weird thing to do depending on your upbringing, but eyes up, keep walking, and ignore them. People get very creative with their scams and the only thing you can do is not engage - keep in mind (1) people really don't make small talk in public spaces in NYC, and (2) nobody is going to ask a young single female tourist for directions or anything like that if they really need them. If at any point you feel like a situation seems sketchy, it is so just walk away

I don't want to scare you or make it seem like the end of the world, because it's not and the situation is manageable and the scams avoidable, just ahead of time you need to remind yourself that it's socially acceptable and advisable to act cold in ways that you might otherwise consider rude when visiting NYC

Do some in work in advance and see if you can schedule some coffee chats with bankers.

From a 20 y/o woman living in the city:

• Second the points above with the observation decks, flyNYON, other sightseeing opportunities -- definitely worth it if visiting for the first time, it really is a beautiful skyline and city
• re: drinking, I'm carded ~30% of the time here (both bars/restaurants and liquor stores), so it's far from impossible -- it's more about how you dress / present yourself than anything else; and if you are carded somewhere, then there are plenty of other places nearby who won't
• ^ for a nice wine/cocktail with a meal, check out places like Dante (you will likely want to make a res but highly worth it imo), Oscar Wilde, almost any small sidewalk Italian/French restaurant in the West Village (great people watching especially with outdoor sidewalk seating here) -- these are all some of my go-to's for solo dining
• check out the east village in particular for some great food of nearly any ethnic cuisine -- 6th st. on the block between 1st Ave and Ave. A alone has some phenomenal places
• central park is of course a great spot for endless amounts of exploring, people watching, sitting and reading, etc. but if you're further downtown def check out madison square park / flatiron building, the union square greenmarket (mondays, wednesdays, fridays, and the best on saturdays), and hudson river park / chelsea piers (especially around late afternoon / sunset)
• not sure if you're a runner, but the entire west side going down along the hudson river piers and into battery park has great scenery for runs (and again, if you're further uptown, then central park never fails either)
• the met museum is one of my favorite places to go when I want time alone to be reflective (and of course if you have an appreciation for really any type of art you will find a visit here worth your time)
• ^ and if you do go to the met, can be enjoyable to walk around fifth, madison, and park aves in the 70s and 80s -- some beautiful homes there and a peaceful area to walk around

as for what not to do, times square may be the bane of any local's existence, but it is something to briefly experience if it's your first time in the city -- just would not recommend staying in a hotel in that area (I'd really recommend more downtown, or somewhere of a true neighborhood like the UWS, for the purpose of your visit)

If you are interested in art there are some of the best museums in the world in NYC. Check out MoMA, The Met, the Whitney, the Frick, the Guggenheim, etc. If you are interested in theater go to TKTS and go to a cheap matinee (honestly even if you aren't interested in theater I'd recommend going to see a live production, like Stomp (is it even still showing? idk), there is something so great about live performance), or try to get tickets to Shakespeare In The Park. If you like clothing/jewelry check out 5th Ave, I love just going into all the watch stores and chatting with the sales associates, the smaller boutiques don't get as much foot traffic and they're very friendly. If you're into history check out Ellis Island, the Statue of Liberty, or the Tenement Museum on the Lower East Side. Observation decks are cool, I still haven't done the WTC yet but the Empire State Building is pretty cool. 

Also, just walk around, I find the city so engaging and fun just as a pedestrian. Look at the buildings, google them, enjoy the architecture. Get a street hotdog. Grab a cheap slice of pizza. Avoid anyone who tries to talk to you. Walk through Central Park. Go to a Yankees game. There is honestly so much to do.

do: LSD + the Met. that should get you through 4-6 hours. LSD optional, but it'll make it more enjoyable

avoid: WSO anon users in Murray Hill

take the big red sightseeing bus around the city....its a good way to see a lot quickly, and then you can go spend time in places you like later on.

fun bars and restaurants are in the east village on st marks street (8th street between 2nd ave --> ave B)

unfortunately because of covid lots of places are still closed or not as fun as they used to be....but the area around NYU should still be hopping

checkout MacDougal street between bleaker and west 3rd for a bunch of fun bars, restaurants and food vendors in the west village

ideally have a fake ID just in case you get carded.  i would suggest going to a comedy club, they are fun (they get old quick..you only want to go once a year...but that one time is a lot of fun).

so the mclovin fake ID scene is an accurate portrayal of being a young adult in the USA going by this thread?

If you go to nice restaurants and order wine you probably will not get carded.  I have not had to deal with this problem in decades, I had the best fake ID's when I was 17-21. 

Top of the Rock, pizza place (Joe’s), Grand Central and take the train out to Tarrytown to view the Hudson River. Fly blade back to NY to enjoy the city skyline (night/morning). The church/bike around the city. But watch out for traffic!

I think of this two different ways:  As a TOURIST in NYC or someone who wants to EXPERIENCE NYC.  I'll give you some experiences in NYC and NOT the standard pictures (Statue of Liberty, etc).  I assume you have a hotel in Midtown.  Assumption #2:  You must get a subway map and use it.  Assumption #3:  You have enough cash to do this.

• If you arrive from Newark or Kennedy, take Mass Transit into Manhattan UNLESS it is a weekend or night.  It is quicker and cheaper.  Taxi only out of LGA.

Things to see that are NOT tourist:

• The Frick Collection
• The Apollo Theater
• Fort Tryon / The Cloisters
• NY Botanical Garden / Bronx Zoo
• Arthur Avenue in the Bronx (THE FEAST OF SAINT ANTHONY is going on when you are there)
• Day Game at Yankee Stadium
• Prospect Park Zoo and Carousel (Brooklyn)
• Whitney Museum
• Chinatown / Little Italy (Mott and Canal streets)
• 9/11 Memorial (pay your respects)
• Tenement Museum
• Staten Island Ferry
• Museum of the moving image (Queens)
• Have a drink at the Campbell Apartment
• Fulton Fish Market
• Federal Reserve Tour
• Spring Street / Broome Street Shopping

Food:  Depends solely on budget

• Peter Lugers
• Ben and Jacks Steakhouse
• "Dirty Water Dog" (extra sauerkraut) and a Pretzel in Midtown
• Anything on Arthur Avenue
• Anything in Chinatown with NO ENGLISH Menu
• Katana Kitten
• $1 slice of Pizza
• too many others to add...

Check out the high line

Just realised some one you apes actually got some really good activities idea to do. WSO hangout?