NYC: Suggestions for a single woman travelling alone on biz?

I went in May with a friend for 4 days then I was on my own for 4 days. I loved it, and I was never scared to be walking alone even at night. The night before I came home, I took a subway out to brooklyn and then walked across the brooklyn bridge about midnight.

If you have some time and want to shop at some really cool places, try soho. Some of the shops there are one of a kind littl :gallery" type stores. China town is great too.

Nightlife (From a new yorker I was emailing right before I left) I had asked him for bars that take you back to a different era - like you stepped out of time. I didn't want the same kind of bars I could see at home. Here are his suggestions:

If you want to hear jazz, avoid the Blue Note -- a very

pricey tourist trap. Check Birdland -- it's a nice

spot, depending upon who's playing.

Bemelmens Bar at the Hotel Carlyle. It's an

old-style piano bar that it is a lovely trip back in

time. There's probably a cover and the drinks won't

be cheap, but you'll feel as if you've stepped into the

1940s.

Joe's Pub is a great little night spot. It's at the

Public Theatre (home of the New York Shakespeare

Festival, the "Shakespeare in the Park" folks) on

Lafayette. Check their website to see who's playing

http://joespub.com/caltool/index.cfm (I went there to see laurie Anderson and I wasn't impressed with her, but the bar was okay. Get there early and get the seat you want.

If you want a dive bar with some history, try Marie's

Crisis in the Village (59 Grove St, just off Seventh

Avenue. It's a seedy little joint that's been there

for decades. There's a piano, and the mostly gay

crowd sings show tunes. I'm not gay, and I'm not that fond

of show tunes, and yet I found this place charming

(I only recently went for the first time -- I've been

meaning to go forever, but waited till I had a friend

with me). It's beyond shopworn, but somehow I liked

it.

Nearby, Chumley's bar is an old speakeasy. It still

has no sign, but you'll find it at 86 Bedford Street.

Another cool old bar is McSorley's, which has been

in operation at its current location since -- wait for

it -- 1862 (they didn't even admit women into the joint

until 1970). Its on the north side of East 7th Street

between Second and Third Avenues.

The Ear Inn has been at 326 Spring St since the

early 19th century and is a must-visit for fans of old

bars.

The Old Town Bar on East 18th Street between Broadway

and Park Avenue South is another worthy establishment

-- been in operation since just before the turn of the last century.

Another venerable spot, the White Horse Tavern, has

been at Hudson Street and West 11th since the 1870s.

Dylan Thomas got drunk there the night he died.

A spot I've walked by and meant to check out but

never patronized is Swing 46, which features Forties-style

jazz and swing (with dancing). It's in midtown on,

you guessed it, 46th Street. Here's the website:

http://www.swing46.com/home.htm

Stay at the W Hotel. They are the best, as for nightlife, go to the Village (west) there are the best clubs and lounges there. I forget which W Hotel it is...I think its the one in midtown, or possible near Union Square/Gramercy...But it has a GREAT lounge. Treat NYC like any other big city. Dont be foolish, dont go walking places you dont know alone, or down dark streets. Especially when youre downtown. Lots of smaller, darker streets there. And its easier to get lost down there. Look for the Empire State Building as a reference point if you lose your bearings, especially coming out of a subway. and know that it is on Fifth Avenue, midtown. Dont ride the subways after midnight alone, either. Just take a cab. NYC is safer than you might think, just use your common sense. And as u are a woman, watch out for anyone who might drop a roofie or halcion into your drink. But these are things you know already. YOu will LOVE NYC!! Go to the museums too! Go to MoMa, go to the Metropolitan, Check out the Planetarium up in my old Upper West Side neighborhood of West 81st St. It was my home for most of my adult life before I moved to Vegas a few years back.. Have a good time!

I suggest checking out the museums in NYC. There are some quirky ones and then the historical ones. I personally walked the streets of Manhattan and just enjoyed walking by famous buildings such as Trump Tower and the Flat Iron building and going up to the top floor of the Empire State Building. You can also scope out China Town or go through the Bronx Zoo. If you don't mind people go walking in Times Square too.

Might I suggest looking for THE BEST OF NEW YORK CITY by Lonely Planet. I used that while there and it gave some great itinerary plans. ISBN 1-74104-124-4

*If you decide to go to see The Statue of Liberty go EARLY in the morning as the ferries stop mid day (1pm or so). Also, check out the United Nations. They have a nice tour.

Enjoy NYC

hi there, of course you can travel alone. In fact you can do anything you like...just don't be stupid!!! This is my husbands quote. Be sensible and do things like you would in any American city. But I would suggest that you take french language courses before you go. In Montreal english is a secondary language. But perhaps you know that and that is why you choose Montreal. I used to live in Montreal for 2 years and I liked it, I did not love it. Personally, if I wanted to travel to Canada I would choose Vancouver Island. It is the "Carmel" of Canada. Simply stunningly beautiful. And, except in November, December and January you can actually live in a tent. Victory has a British flair and some stunning museums. Also the world famous Butchard gardens. If you are a hiker you can attempt the Pacific rim trek. Oh my,I am rambling, and no, I am not from the Chamber of Commerce, Just someone that has been to both places and fell in love with Vancouver Island. Enjoy your trip

Keeping it simple, nightlife meaning is different to all!

For clubbing, dancing & drinking, see the 3 links below to

best take advantage of locations closest to your hotel, with

the most interests to yourself.

For a unique experience go to the Museum of Sex, see LINK.

Seeing the Empire State Bldg and going to the top is great, however the Top of Rock which just reopened, ( see link ) needs

reservations, AND WELL worth it.

Don’t forget to the extra safety rule book when walking the streets

of NYC at night. Stay alert, if you drink have a trusted escort for your walk back to your hotel AND Welcome to the most unique

city in the USA.

Call 1-800-NYC-Guide/1-800-692-4843... they give you a free guide with price of hotels and their ratings. Coupons and places to go to get free gifts and attractions to see and such like the Statue of Liberty or places to shop. They also tell you what places to eat and their prices.I used the NYC Guide and we saved $50.00 in one day on are trip. Lastly it also tells you neat little facts about New York City.You definately wont regret doing that.

P.S.-They ask you when your coming so the guide book is made specially for the time of year you are going