a week alone in NYC: walking the city, book shopping, photo booth, matcha
Sophie Jayne · 41:38 · 6 days ago
Sophie enjoyed a solo week in New York City, prioritizing a relaxed, "local" pace—walking, reading, and café-hopping—rather than hitting major tourist sites, all while managing an intense heatwave and preparing for her partner's arrival.
- Solo travel strategy — Focused on "cosplaying" as a resident by avoiding tourist hotspots, choosing instead to walk, read, and explore at a relaxed pace while waiting for her partner .
- Extreme heat — Battled temperatures reaching 38°C, which limited her energy, dictated her diet, and forced her to seek air conditioning and shade in Central Park constantly .
- Daily activities —
- Reading books in Central Park and browsing stores like Barnes & Noble and The Strand .
- Taking photos in vintage booths .
- Getting a manicure at a local spa .
- Dining choices — Relied heavily on "Joe & the Juice" sandwiches and smoothies, as the heat suppressed her appetite for larger meals .
- Accommodations — Moved to Hotel Henry mid-week, selecting it after researching reviews on social media and travel websites .
- Travel mindset — Found the experience calming and empowering, viewing it as an opportunity to be completely independent before joining her partner for a longer trip .