New York City is one of the most exciting destinations in the United States and the world. NYC is known as the ‘City That Never Sleeps’ for a reason; this exhilarating location offers an abundance of things for you to do regardless of the time of day. If you’re looking for a special place in the U.S. to celebrate your birthday, look no further than NYC. From the Empire State Building to the Metropolitan Museum of Art, you’ll find everything you’re looking for here. Whether you go by yourself or you plan a weekend getaway for you and your friends, celebrating in New York City is an experience you’ll always remember.
Knowing Where To Go
Before you leave for your birthday trip to New York City, it’s smart to choose a few must-see destinations. Some of the top sights to see in NYC include the Empire State Building, the Statue of Liberty, Times Square, and Central Park, to name a few. Carefully plan your trip around whichever sights you want to see so you can coordinate transportation and allot an appropriate amount of time for each stop. Certain attractions, like the American Museum of Natural History, Chinatown, and Central Park, take several hours to enjoy thoroughly. Planning your trip around these destinations is the best way to be prepared: see one time-consuming location per day and sprinkle the other sights around your time in each of these places. If you know you want to go out and have a good time the night of your birthday, schedule your trip to Times Square when everything is lit up. You can shop, eat, and explore to your heart’s content as long as you don’t mind the crowds.
Packing Properly
Nothing spoils a trip quite as quickly as the realization that you’ve forgotten an important item at home. Whether you’re traveling two hours or 20 to get to NYC, the last thing you want is to pack improperly. Make a list of everything you know you’ll need for your time in the Big Apple and check off each item once it’s safely packed in your luggage. Include items such as panties, bras, socks, t-shirts and pants, phone charger, and toiletries before you move onto more frivolous belongings. It’s important to pack comfortable undergarments, since you’ll be doing a fair amount of walking once you make it to New York. You may opt for walking across the Brooklyn Bridge to cross the East River, and you want to feel comfortable in that selfie you snap over the water. You’ll want to be able to move around with comfort and ease so you don’t have to stop throughout the day to readjust as you climb the Statue of Liberty or make an impromptu outfit change at Chelsea Market.
Taking Yourself Out
If you’re planning a trip to New York City by yourself for the first time, keep these tips and tricks in mind so you know how to celebrate your birthday by yourself safely and easily. Be aware of your surroundings whenever you leave your hotel as you want to stay alert to unusual behavior, where you are and where you’re trying to go, and whether the cab drivers are actually going to stop so you can cross the street. Don’t tell anyone you’re in the city alone and never tell a stranger which New York hotel you’re staying at. It’s best to even refrain from mentioning this out loud in conversation if you’re on the phone as well.
From there, it’s a matter of figuring out what you want to do to make your birthday special. Pick a restaurant you’ve always wanted to try and order yourself a drink, an appetizer, a meal, and dessert too. Tell the waiters that it’s your special day and you might get a free ice cream and a rendition of ‘Happy Birthday.’ Treat yourself while you’re in NYC, whether you’re in the West Village or Harlem. Order room service the day of your birthday, walk through Central Park and sip a latte, visit a museum or the Empire State Building, take the Staten Island Ferry, go to a show at Madison Square Garden, or shop in Times Square. Everyone is going to have a different agenda and a different experience, so be sure to tailor yours to your interests and make the most of your birthday in New York.