What To Do When You’re New To NYC

New to NYC? Me too. I’ve been here for six months, and I still feel new.

It takes time to adjust to a new city. When I moved here, I was lucky enough to have a few good friends that I could reach out to. We hadn’t seen each other in a while, but they made time to welcome me into this crazy bubble called New York. I am more grateful than words can describe for these people. I’m 27, and sure I’ve moved to foreign cities all alone, but NYC is unlike the others. It’s big, it’s unforgiving, and it’s chaotic. It can (and most likely will) chew you up and spit you out.

Although my start here was not smooth sailing, it could have been worse. I had friends who let me into their homes, and who didn’t get annoyed when I panicked about finding an apartment and a job. They didn’t get angry at me when I showed up drenched, grumpy, and an hour late to brunch because I managed to get lost in the rain. To my surprise, there were even people who I barely knew that had the heart to help me out.

I believe that there are good people in this city, but there’s one thing that they have in common: they’re busy, all the time.

The scenario goes a bit like this:

You (full of optimism): “Hey, nice meeting you the other day. Let’s grab a coffee sometime!”

Them: “Sure! How about 2:00 PM at [insert random café name that you’ve never heard of], in 6 weeks?

Be ready for a lot of alone time during your early days here. Instead of moping around the apartment that doesn’t yet feel like your home, however, here are a few ideas for what you can and should do around NYC while you still have time to be alone. Trust me, it won’t last long. Don’t waste it!

Take Yourself Out To Eat, Often

I will go to great lengths to try whatever crazy food I’m craving. I couldn’t have chosen a better city for this. A new arepa spot? I’m there. Cheap dumplings? Yes, please. I’m most notorious for checking out every credible pizzeria that I can, and I’m usually too impatient to find someone to go with me.

Don’t be silly enough to take any of these meals to-go. Pick a restaurant, sit down at the bar if you want to, and really savor the food in front of you, without the distraction of the boy you’re on a date with, or the friend going on and on about her work crisis. No one here knows you, and no one cares! And hey, maybe you’ll even make a new friend.

Try Every Free Gym & Exercise Class Possible

Nothing is free, but some gym trials are!

Free trials can be found at:

New York Health & Racquet Club: 3-day trial

New York Sports Club: 1-day trial

Crunch Fitness: 5-day trial

24 Hour Fitness: 3-day trial

Orangetheory Fitness: Free 1-Hour Workout

CorePower Yoga: 1 week free

If you have some cash to spare, I would suggest taking advantage of new client rates at:

305 Fitness: 10 days of 305 for $32

SoulCycle: First ride for $20

Flywheel: First class for $15

Rumble: Buy one, get one free for $34

Refine Method: Buy one, get one free for $34

M N D F L: First Class for $10

If you haven’t jumped on the ClassPass bandwagon yet, I suggest that you ask one of your friends who already have whether they can give you a referral code (or just ask me)! You’ll get $40 off.

And if you really don’t care about these new client specials, head to Barry’s Bootcamp. One class costs $36, but I’ve heard great (albeit intimidating) things.

Sign Up For Digital Lotteries To Win Broadway Tickets

This is your guide to everything you need to know.

Make signing up daily your religion, and hopefully, you’ll be lucky enough to see a show at a reduced price! I’ve already won two tickets once.

Ditch The Metro, And Take The East River Ferry Home

Do this before summer is officially over! It’s $2.75 and offers a great view of Manhattan and Brooklyn. The best part: it’s fun, and not weird to go on alone.

If you’re really feeling adventurous, take the Rockaway Ferry to Rockaway Beach. Bonus: you’ll see the Statue of Liberty and Coney Island along the way!

Walk The High Line & Wander Around Chelsea Market 

This is especially fun if you have some free time during the day. I made the mistake of going on a sunny Saturday afternoon when half of Manhattan had the same idea as I did. When you’re done, eat at and explore Chelsea Market.

Shop ‘til you drop

When friends, work, and life get in the way, it’s hard to find the time to shop.

SoHo is obviously a good choice, or you could head to Bergdorf’s and pretend you’re in Confessions of a Shopaholic. I personally like Fulton Mall. Why? There’s a T.J. Maxx, Nordstrom Rack, and massive Century 21. There are outlet stores such as Gap, Forever 21, Ann Taylor, and Banana Republic. Best yet? There’s a brand new beautiful Trader Joe’s in the basement of Dekalb Market (which is wonderful when you get hungry after trying on so many clothes), and also a brand new Target just upstairs. There’s nothing that you can’t find here.

Run in Central Park  

I did this for the first time last week. Trust me, you’ll feel like you’re in a movie, or at the very least in Sex and the City.

You’ll run across bridges, stumble upon castles, pass by gardens, and end up jogging around a lake.

Once you’ve gotten a taste of Central Park, head to Prospect Park!

Museums, museums, museums

The Whitney, The Met, MoMA, Natural History, Guggenheim, Brooklyn Museum… to name a few. I haven’t visited enough of these yet, but you absolutely should.

Brooklyn Cafés

Wander around Brooklyn until you find a hipster-looking café you can hole up in. I can think of no better solo activity. 

My favorites include Budin in Greenpoint and Devoción in Williamsburg.  

Go to Dumbo

Walk the Brooklyn Bridge and then spend your Sunday afternoon on Dumbo’s cobblestone streets. Take in the view and let yourself be reminded that you’re in New York City. 

See a Show

Two words: Comedy Cellar.

Let Yourself Be Lost

It sounds obvious, but make sure that you take the time to look up from Google Maps and get a bit lost. I did this nearly every weekend when I first moved to New York. There’s no better way to get to know a city and no better way to spend quality time with yourself!