A Solo Traveler’s Guide to Lower Manhattan 

If you ask us, solo travel is the best kind of travel. You don’t have to adhere to anyone else’s preferences when it comes to eating, drinking or itineraries. You can linger over breakfast, spend hours in a museum or enjoy a cocktail and a book without any interruptions. New York City is one of the best destinations for solo travel. Trust us, no one will look twice if you’re dining, going on walking tours or exploring a museum by yourself. We’ve all seen far weirder things, probably within the last day. 

If you’re looking to enjoy a solo day in Lower Manhattan, here’s our recommended itinerary for a full day of eating, drinking and activities.

Leisurely breakfast at Felice 15 Gold (15 Gold St.) 

Located inside Gild Hall Hotel, this Tuscan-inspired restaurant has a reputation as a cozy dinner spot, but they also have a great breakfast menu. Grab a seat in one of the sunny windows at Felice 15 Gold and start the day with a cornetti, omelette with bacon and Parmigiano-Reggiano or classic American breakfast. Wash it all down with a cappuccino. If you’re here on a weekend, the brunch menu includes mimosas, bellinis and other cocktails.  

Take a walking tour of Lower Manhattan 

If you’re looking to meet fellow travelers and learn about NYC, a walking tour is a great addition to your itinerary. Luckily, Lower Manhattan has plenty of options. There’s an architectural tour with Build Tours, an NYC Slavery & Underground Railroad Tour with Inside Out Tours and the iconic How to Be A New Yorker tour. Walking tours can last a few hours, so this should take up most of your morning. 

Visit the National Museum of the American Indian (1 Bowling Green)

The New York outpost of the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian (NMAI) is not to be missed. The free museum is packed with exhibits that encourage thoughtful exploration of themes like ancestry, connection and what it means to truly be a native New Yorker. The building that houses NMAI is also worth a long look — designed by renowned architect Cass Gilbert, it was once a U.S. custom house and is a designated landmark. Inside the building’s gorgeous rotunda, you’ll find murals by Reginald Marsh depicting the New York Harbor.

Lunch at Fraunces Tavern (54 Pearl St.) 

Now that you’ve worked up an appetite, it’s time to go back in time. Established in 1762, Fraunces Tavern is a historic landmark and restaurant with an associated museum. Grab a seat at the bar and order a Tavern Burger or Slow Roasted Chicken Pot Pie and start chatting with one of the establishment’s friendly bartenders, who is sure to clue you in on some fun facts about the building. If you’re not history-ed out and have time before or after lunch, pop upstairs to the museum to learn more about the Revolutionary War and the role that this site played in U.S. history. 

Gawk at everything at Printemps (1 Wall St.) 

In addition to high-end couture, Printemps is filled with sculptural displays, colorful lamps and historic art deco mosaics, which makes it feel more like an interactive museum than your typical department store. Stroll though (perhaps with a glass of wine from one of the gorgeous bars positioned throughout the space) or settle into one of the lounges to people-watch. There’s even a spa where you can get a quick facial. Whatever you do, don’t leave before you’ve seen the Red Room, a landmarked art deco mosaic room with sparkling red, orange, bronze and gold mosaic tiles.   

Explore the maritime history of New York at the South Street Seaport Museum (12 Fulton St.)

Learn about New York’s maritime history at the South Street Seaport Museum, where you can explore art and historic artifacts and climb aboard historic ships. Depending on the timing of your visit, you can even set sail on one of two ships: The 1885 Schooner “Pioneer” — a merchant sailing vessel with an iron hull — or the 1930 “W.O. Decker,” the last surviving New York-built wooden tugboat. You’ll cruise past some of NYC’s most iconic landmarks, like the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island and the Brooklyn Bridge.

Have a pre-dinner cocktail at Harry’s Side Bar (62 Stone St.)

Now that you’ve gotten your sea legs, it’s time to celebrate. A short walk from the South Street Seaport Museum is Harry’s Side Bar, a chic cocktail and wine bar where you can read or people-watch while you sip and snack. On a sunny spring day, we recommend the Leap Year, a cocktail made with celery-infused gin, génépy, elderflower, supasawa, white sage and demerara. If you’re feeling peckish, add an order of the polenta fries.

Grab an early dinner at Metropolis (251 Fulton St.)

Pop over to Metropolis, which is located within the Perelman Performing Arts Center (PAC NYC). Dine on fresh, creative bites like the fluke crudo with carrot aguachile, coffee smoked duck and coconut shrimp with lemongrass vinaigrette. Be sure to browse the cocktail menu. In addition to vibrant drinks like the Razzle Dazzle (which comes with cotton candy), there are also some non-alcoholic options like the Lychee Highball. If you’ve got time, be sure to swing by PAC NYC’s Lobby Stage to catch a free musical performance. 

Take it all in at Mercer Labs (21 Dey St.)

You’ve been to museums before, but we’re willing to bet Mercer Labs is unlike any museum you’ve ever visited. The fifteen experimental spaces and interactive experiences bring together technology and art for a visit that’s truly a feast for the senses (and a feast for your Instagram story, if we’re being real). Light shows, robots, music, giant chess boards and a cave filled with flowers are all part of the experience here. Note that Mercer Labs is open until 8 p.m. Mondays through Wednesdays and until 10 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays — if you’re here during the earlier half of week, we recommend getting this in before dinner.

Enjoy a nightcap at the Bar Room at the Beekman (123 Nassau St.) 

The Bar Room at the Beekman should be part of anyone’s Manhattan itinerary. The elegant atmosphere and killer cocktails make for a sophisticated end to your busy day. Grab a seat at the bar and order a late-night snack and a martini at this upscale spot to feel like you’re living your NYC fantasy. 

main photo: iStock