So you’re home alone in New York City. Now what? Your roommates and friends are out of town or busy, and you’ve been sitting on your couch perusing your favorite websites incessantly until there is actually nothing else for you to read or look at. You’re super bored, super lonely, and desperate for something to do. AND you’re in New York City, so you just feel kinda pathetic when you know there are things you could be doing out there. It’s also not raining, so you actually have no excuse to stay in. But where should you go? You don’t need anything, technically. Otherwise, you would be running errands right now. Here is a list of suggestions i’ve made when I can’t get off the couch.
1. See a Movie
Seeing movies in new york is definitely a luxury, especially when you are on a budget. But most of the time, you and your friends have completely conflicting schedules. By the time the weekend comes around, the plan is probably just to go out to a bar or club, not go to the movies. So take this opportunity to see that movie you have been dying to see.
2. Actually do a Pinterest-tivity
If you are reading blogs like mine, there is a pretty good chance that you have a Pinterest account. More often then not, those super cool DIYs that you have saved to one of your crafty boards will never be done. But why not? New york city has so many craft, art and thrift stores that accomplishing one of those DIYs or crafts wouldn’t be that impossible. And once you actually hunt down the supplies and complete the project, your entire day is gone and you have a trophy to commemorate your solo, yet highly productive day.
OR if DIY isn’t your thing, what about crushing a life hack? Take a trip to the container store, dollar store or Jack’s 99. Organize your cabinets with pull out baskets or maximize your closet space by using a shoe rack to store your cleaning supplies. I mean you know what life hacks interest you the most – so get at it!
Like one of these:
3. Go to a Coffee Shop
Just sitting around on your computer? Go to a local coffee shop and bring your computer there. For the price of a delicious coffee, you can sit there for as long as you like with free wifi and probably some groovy tunes, too. Sure you are doing exactly what you would be doing at home, but now you aren’t spending your entire day cooped up inside your probably dark apartment.
4. Visit Central Park
Take a walk or go for a bike ride around central park. The beauty of going for a bike ride alone in particular, is that you can set your own pace.
5. Get your Nails Done
Personally, I’m not a big fan of going with someone else to get my nails done, anyway. One person is always waiting for the other. Sure, it’s nice to have someone to talk to, but it should also be a time of relaxation. You are pampering yourself after all. Best part of all, nail salons are probably one of the few places in New York where there prices are actually decent (unless you go to a super posh place, that is).
6. Check out a popular local eatery
If you are like me, you have a list of places you have been dying to try, but you are waiting on a day to go with a friend. Listen, that’s never gonna happen. You will keep putting it off and putting it off. There is rarely a perfect opportunity to go to any of these places with a crew. And I’m talking places like Luke’s Lobster, Big Gay Ice Cream, Dessert Club Chikalicious, Milk Bar, any and all food trucks etc. etc. Those places where you don’t really sit or dine in, but they are famous for something incredible like cupcakes or lobster rolls or compost cookies.
7. Go Thrift Shopping
I LOVE this activity. Sure it’s fun to do with friends, but you can easily get away with exploring these places yourself, too (and to be frank, I doubt I could convince my friends to come with me, anyway). Find funky stuff to decorate your apartment. Personally I like to hunt for things I can use to make my blog pictures even better like decorative plates, trays or old, beat up cookie sheets. I really like the Housing Works Thrift Shops in the city, but there are a lot of small boutique type shops all over, as well.
8. Explore China Town
Sure, it’s not the cleanest or freshest smelling part of Manhattan. But it is definitely a great area to bop around and get lost. (well don’t get too lost. It can get kinda sketch around there sometimes – hopefully I’m not offending anyone, but it’s true). Plan a meal during the week that is asian themed and go out of your way to purchase those unique ingredients. You can also find fun plates and bowls to serve your gourmet meal on, too.
9. Go Bargain Hunting
Take a trip to Deals or Jacks 99 cent store and explore the random stuff you can find there. I find that these places are the most fun to visit during the holidays because of all the fun decorations you can find at amazing prices. There is also usually a ton of festive candy there (and for some reason, I’m a lot more likely to buy candy if there is some sort of holiday on the package – because it’s celebrating something, right? such as my love for candy and all things sweet…)
10. Visit the High Line
Grab lunch from Chelsea market and find a nice shady spot on the High Line to people watch.
11. Seek out a Festival/Street Fair
There is almost always some kind of festival going on in New York. You’ll just be walking down the avenue on your regular route home and all of the sudden there’s a blocked off street covered in tents with food and fun thrifty looking items. Take a detour! There are so many cool things to look at, and definitely some cheap eats worth trying. There are also unique festivals that take place every year, like, I don’t know, the Medieval Festival? I mean Camelot in Manhattan? I think YES! And don’t forget those permeant flea markets like Smorgasburg or Williamsburg Flea that happen in Brooklyn every Saturday and Sunday.
Visit this page for all of the current and upcoming street fairs and festivals around the city.
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