sushi for one.

As the final weeks of summer approach, you are beginning to reminisce about all the little adventures you took, or maybe the adventures you wish you took but couldn't find someone to go with you. If the latter statement pertains to you, clearly you haven't been paying attention to my posts.

There comes a time in a young adult's life that he or she will be without friends or family for one reason or another. It may be just for a few hours, a couple of days or maybe even months at a time. Maybe a best friend is busy planning her wedding and can't meet for a hipster burger at Smorgasburg in Brooklyn. Or maybe an old college roommate who moved across the country can't make the opening of an art exhibit in Chelsea. After the 20th "I'm sorry" text, only two options become available… stay in and sulk or go to these places alone.

The choice seems easy right? So, what are people still afraid of? Exploring alone is the new "group hang". Yes, I said it. Has anyone realized that our culture is completely on board with this as well? Don't believe me? Well, let me point out a little trend that has basically taken over the world (both social media and physical). That's right, the #selfie.

And what is a #selfie?  A picture a person takes of him/herself somewhere… alone. It says it right in the name, "selfie". It's not "groupie" (well that is already taken but you get my drift). Today's culture is not only acknowledging the lone traveler, it is encouraging these solo adventures! Armed with our iPhones, society is demanding we get out there and document our every move with our front-facing camera. 

If you're only in New York for a short time, make sure you venture out in your hometown. No matter how small a city, there is always something to do, somewhere to see. And if you're from NYC, take your explorations to the next level. Get out of the city. In fact, get out of America all together and try traveling abroad. I spent a week by myself in England, exploring London, shopping at local flea markets, and dining on multicultural cuisine. It was a trip I will never forget and still think of fondly today. Was it terrifying? Not at all. The anticipation was the worst part. Once I arrived, I realized how liberating it was to travel solo, with (figuratively) no baggage. Time was all mine and I saw what I wanted to see and went where you wanted to go. Buzzfeed posted a great video on tips and ideas for traveling alone. I posted it below:

Traveling alone or exploring a city alone is not always the ideal situation. There are times when it can be somewhat depressing (especially at meal time). An image or moment may spark an interesting thought yet there is no one to share it with. Silences at a long stretch can be a bit boring; however, that makes it all the more important to converse with other people. Being forced to communicate with strangers actually boosts a person's social skills. That is one of the many added benefits to being alone. Below I have listed some other benefits that I believe are achieved by traveling solo:

1. Independence: Completely relying on yourself for everything from directions to decision making can really help you become independent. When traveling alone, there is no one else to count on.  You decide where to go, what to do and when to return. It is not always glamorous being the leader but, when there is no one else in front (or in back) of you, there is no other choice.
2. Confidence: Being a leader and successfully navigating a city can really boost your confidence. Although it may seem scary at first, by the end of the day you will feel like you can accomplish anything.
   
   
   
   
3. Navigation Skills: Familiarizing yourself with any city can only help when trying to navigate through unfamiliar cities. In many cases, major cities are set up similarly. Therefore, the more experience you have, the better. 
4. Story Time: As I mentioned in a previous post, traveling alone often leads to overhearing or witnessing some great moments. Stories you can later share with all your friends and family. "How worldly," they'll say. "Always telling us such interesting stories." The only way to experience the world is to get out there and experience it. No one wants to hear about how you sat on the couch all day and watched Netflix. 
5. The Unexpected: You never know what you'll come across in NYC. You may plan on one destination and end up somewhere completely different. This city is filled with wonderful pit stops along the way that always keep things unexpected. 

Speaking of unexpected, on Sunday I visited the Museum of Moving Images in Long Island City for a screening of Chinatown. On my walk over, I stumbled upon LIC Flea, an outdoor merchant and food market. Not only was I able to take in a film but beforehand I enjoyed some local fare and vintage shopping, which made for a great afternoon.

As someone who has been traveling alone around NYC, and abroad, for a while now, I feel like somewhat of an expert. And although the beauty of traveling solo is "no baggage", there are some things every explorer should pack before a long or short journey:

• iPhone to take a good #selfie
• A good book to read on the subway, train, plane, etc. 
• Headphones and music player to block out all the noise
• Cash is important because little shops or local markets are all over major cities
• Light snack (almonds, granola bar, etc.) and a bottle of water for obvious reasons

Throughout my almost 30 posts, I have continuously stressed the importance of exploring NYC this summer. (A simple Google search with result in thousands of options for great NYC activities to partake in.) And although it is important to experience all New York has to offer, I think it is just as important for a person to spend time alone. Time alone is a great way to learn a lot about yourself, reflect and de-stress.

Even though almost all my posts encourage immediate activity, I am the first to understand that sometimes you don't feel like going out and facing the world. Well, luckily your couch has been waiting this the whole time, feeling neglected. But don't feel too bad taking a day/night off every now and then. The best part about being an independent adult in NYC is pouring yourself a glass of wine and ordering sushi for one.

Let's Go to the Movies

Not every summer weekend is blessed with beautiful weather. And, like today, gloomy skies and rain showers can really ruin your plans to get out and explore. But don't let some grey clouds get you down. Instead of sulking around your apartment why not enjoy the perfect rainy day activity: going to the movies.

While seeing a movie may be kind of boring and uneventful in another city, in New York it is truly an experience. And most of the time it is a good experience. Those of you who have gone to a movie theater in NYC know that it's kind of like rolling a pair of dice, you really don't know what the outcome will be. New York is famous for offering some wonderfully unique cinematic gems, however, it is also known for loud audiences and filthy theaters. 

(Photo via Welcome to Ladyville)

To avoid the theaters with gum on the seats and rowdy high schoolers in the back row, I suggest checking out this great guide to the NYC movie theaters posted by Gothamist. The guide is a thorough (and very accurate, at least by my experiences) listing of where to find the best movie experience in the city, whether you are looking for less-crowded mainstream theaters, art house indie flicks, or an old-school "movie palace". 

Comfortably seeing a movie alone may be my favorite thing about NYC. It's so common place that I think it's considered a requirement that every New Yorker must go to a movie alone at least once. If you don't believe me, let this hysterical Buzzfeed post tell you (because I know you listen to everything you read on Buzzfeed). Or how about an endorsement from Lebron James? Yes, Lebron James, who has millions of people to see a movie with, chooses to go alone. 

(AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez, File)

There really is no excuse. Great theaters are all over the city, they offer something for everyone, and I guarantee there will plenty of people enjoying the film alone. Plus, even if it's crowded with couples and families, think about how easy it is to find one seat instead of two!

Dining Out with "The One Percent"

With over 20,000 restaurants and bars in NYC, it can take a person almost a lifetime to try them all. And if that's not bad enough, eating at the city's best restaurants usually costs a lifetime's worth of savings. Luckily for us it's Restaurant Week! Which means we don't have to be Woody Allen or Sarah Jessica Parker to enjoy a meal at hotspots like Nobu and Mr. Chow.

Twice a year (once in the winter and once in the summer), restaurants across Manhattan participate in Restaurant Week. The event, which is actually four weeks long rather than just one, is a great opportunity for us normal New Yorkers to experience some of the very best dining options this city has to offer. Participating restaurants create special prix fixe menus for lunch ($25) and dinner ($38). These menus are valid all week excluding Saturdays (Sundays are optional).

Restaurant Week is great for two reasons:

1. $25 for a delicious three-course lunch in NYC is a steal, don't let anyone else tell you differently. I spend $15 daily at Whole Foods for a piece of grilled chicken and a side of orzo salad… not very exciting. 
2. Some of the city's priciest and well-known restaurants participate in Restaurant Week. It isn't often that a three-course dinner at Tao or STK will run you $38; it would probably be at least double that amount.

The full list of participating restaurants (and prix fixe menus) can conveniently be found here. Peruse the list and do a little Yelp research. If dining out alone still makes you uncomfortable, find a spot with a dining bar or choose a restaurant for lunch only. Whatever you choose, do it quickly; Restaurant Week will only be running until August 15th.

Go ahead, feel what it's like to dine out like "the one percent." Your table at the Olive Garden in Times Square will always be there next week. 

Ponies on the Subway

“But her ponies aren’t real! They’re made of plastic.”

The best part of traveling alone in New York City is the amazing opportunity to eavesdrop on people’s conversations. With no distractions, no friends to entertain, no family to ask touristy questions (“Can we take the subway to the Statue of Liberty?”), it is easy to become engrossed in the lives of your fellow travelers. And often, their lives become a great story for you tell…

This past Friday, weary from my latest adventure, I hopped on an N Train headed for Astoria. Having perfected the art of traveling unnoticed, I found a seat, took out my book and lowered my eyes. No one pays attention to a person reading a book, it’s like they’re not even there. At the next stop, a young boy and his, I presume, nanny got on the train. As much as I try to avoid children on these journeys, the crowded train put a wrench in that plan; the boy took a seat right next to me. 

The boy, about five years old, was in a frenzied state of excitement, his legs and arms immediately began flailing around. Clearly his nanny decided to feed him Sour Patch Kids after she picked him up from school. She did her best to rein him in but five-year-olds don’t really have a sense of personal space. After about the second kick to my knee, I was ready to give the typical New Yorker loud sigh and eye roll. As I began to breath in, I heard the nanny ask him about the red letter sent home with him. My ears perked up. I needed to know if this kid was kicking other children as well! “He obviously has a history,” I thought. “Hopefully his parents get him the help he needs before it’s too late.”

The boy’s legs and arms came to a crashing halt. As if he was being questioned on the witness stand, he immediately laid out his defense. “Ms. Janet told the class we could play musical chairs. Sherri was sitting next to me. She always sits by me,” he said. (Typical anti-social New Yorker.)

He continued to tell the nanny that this little girl, Sherri, put her pony dolls down on another chair next to him. “I told her ‘your ponies can’t play musical chairs, Sherri, they’re not real.’ She started crying and I don’t know why. I was just telling her the truth.” (Typical New York realist.)

Apparently this "tattletale," Sherri, told the teacher and the boy was sent to the time-out chair. When the game was over, the boy had to tell Sherri he was sorry and that her ponies were indeed real.  Unless this is some magical Kindergarten class, forcing a kid to lie about the realness of My Little Pony probably isn’t the best idea. Even though he "wasn't sorry," and he knew the ponies weren't real, the boy did what he was told.

He paused in his story, thinking he had satisfied his nanny’s inquisition, but he was wrong. “Well, if you apologized, why did you get a red letter sent home?” she said.

“Well," he said, hesitation in his voice. "We were having animal crackers for snack time, so I raised my hand and said ‘Ms. Janet, my mom said I can’t eat real ponies...’ She sent me back to the time out chair.”

Maybe this kid wasn't so bad after all.

*Although I have overheard tales like this on the subway, this story is a work of semi-fiction. 

To the Top of the Met and Beyond

There are two very important summer locations that we have yet to discuss: museums and rooftops. Summer in NYC is all about the rooftops. Besides parks, they are the only way to enjoy fresh air and sunshine while escaping the insufferable heat radiating from the sidewalks below. As the city's trendiest summer locale, rooftops can be found just about anywhere, including, you guessed it, museums!

From May to October, The Metropolitan Museum of Art (you know that gigantic stone builiding on the eastern edge of Central Park?) opens its beautiful rooftop garden to the public. With unobstructed views of Central Park and the West Side skyline, it is truly a sight to behold. If that's not enough to entice you, each season the Met commissions a world-renowned artist to transform the open-air space. This season's exhibit is entitled The Roof Garden Commission: Dan Graham with Gunther Vogt. 

 

The rooftop exhibit features astroturf flooring and a large center installation comprised of "curves of steel and two-way mirrored glass between ivy hedgerows," according to the Met's website. "Graham’s structure is part garden maze, part modernist skyscraper façade." And part funhouse, if you ask me! If "modernist mazes" are not your thing, the rooftop also offers a cafe with speciality cocktails, beer, wine and lunch options.

If the sun is a little too strong on the rooftop, head inside to enjoy some cool air-conditioning and one of the Met's special exhibits. I find that museums are a wonderful place to experience alone. They're perfect for spending the day getting lost and leisurely taking in all the details. The quiet halls are a welcome break from the noise of the city streets.  Although many people find the Met's grand size overwhelming (it's the largest art museum in the US), I think it's best to choose one or two exhibits to view instead of trying to cram everything in at once. 

I chose the Costume Institute's exhibit Charles James: Beyond Fashion. The exhibit, housed in the special exhibition galleries and the newly created Anna Wintour Costume Center, showcases the work of couterier Charles James. The special galleries present a retrospective of his breathtaking ball gowns worn by society elite and Hollywood legends. 

As James was renowned for this technical and tailoring skills, the Costume Center portion is dedicated to how each design was created. The intricate cuts and patterns of James' designs are presented on digital-motion screens. To the untrained eye, the garments may seem simple but the motion graphics detail the precision of each piece. 

It's the end of July and summer is fleeting quicker by the day. Now is the time to start killing two birds with one stone, and a one-stop trip to a museum and rooftop is the perfect plan for a summer day. Its is a great way to enjoy New York, enjoy some culture, and best of all, enjoy the quiet!

Get 'Out of Doors' and Groove Under the Stars

The only thing that makes a hot summer day bearable is a warm summer night. And what better way to enjoy these summer nights than 'Out of Doors'. Lincoln Center Out of Doors, currently underway, is a free festival that offers an eclectic mix of music and dance under the stars. In its 44th season, the three-week festival is open to the public until August 10th.

The diverse showcase of performances include everything from jazz and modern dance to urban-disco and ballet. The free shows typically begin from 5:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. and take place throughout Lincoln Center: the bandshell in Damrosch Park, David Rubenstein Atrium, Hearst Plaza, etc. (Tip: Because this is a free event, lines can be very long for popular performances. It is best to arrive as early as possible to snag a good spot!)

Along with nightly shows, 'Out of Doors' will also host some day-long "fests" within the festival. On July 27th, globalFEST will offer musical and dance celebrations from, you guessed it, around the globe. From August 6th to 10th, AmericanaFEST will honor the roots of this country through film, dance and music. For more information on the performances, click here.

If dancing to great music on a beautiful summer night (for free!) isn't enough, this year the festival is offering delicious snacks. Hill Country BBQ has a food truck set up with a menu full of their smokey favorites AND refreshing alcoholic beverages. It's the perfect evening to enjoy alone (well, not exactly alone if you consider the swaying crowd of a couple hundred New Yorkers).

Escape from New York

Sometimes the best thing about living in New York during the summer is escaping New York during the summer. Let's be honest, as great as this city is, everyone needs a weekend getaway. Following in the footsteps of Erica Bray and her trip to Disneyland, I decided to travel alone to Florida for a few days… (no, not to Disney World!) What I found is that traveling solo outside New York is really not much different than exploring the city alone. Even though it's a plane ride rather than a subway ride, the distance from home never even entered my mind.

I was fortunate enough to have a family friend offer his oceanside condo in Jupiter Beach, a quiet residential town 25 minutes north of West Palm Beach. When traveling alone, especially if you're new to the game, it's best to go somewhere low-key, a place you feel comfortable. Jupiter Beach is relatively quiet this time of year mainly because "snow birds" return to New York for the summer months. Which was great news for me; I only had to share the pool deck with one family and a couple of European tourists.

Besides spending a good chunk of the three days collecting seashells and diving into the aqua-colored waves, I also was able to explore the area. Jupiter Beach is perfect for traveling alone because it allows you to be lazy or be active. On an active day, I headed to the Jupiter Inlet Light, a towering rust-colored lighthouse. Along with offering gorgeous views of the beach, the lighthouse also houses a museum filled with information on its history.

With my rental car acting as my only friend on the trip, I was actually much more willing to get out and explore; I had no other choice. And when it came to eating alone, this beachside community offered the perfect spots to dine in a judgment-free zone (while sipping a Mai-Tai, of course). One restaurant I ventured to was a recommended local hangout named Too Bizarre. Lucky for me, the restaurant had a sushi/wine bar where I happily parked myself. I enjoyed a delicious spicy tuna salad, shrimp tempura rolls and Cabernet. The laid-back vibe of the restaurant was a welcome change from the fast pace of NYC and I soaked in every second.

Before I knew it, the weekend was over. I brushed the sand off my toes and headed back to the airport. Boarding the place I found another perk of traveling alone, an empty middle seat! It was the relaxing trip I needed, a quiet getaway with just me, myself and I. Unfortunately, it was back to reality on Monday.