🇺🇸 NYC 5-Day Solo Trip Diary (Part 1)

Thanks to all the tips from my last post, my trip has been smooth and amazing! At first I was a bit nervous traveling alone, but I quickly fell in love with the freedom — solo travel is truly underrated! (Well, except for taking photos alone… that’s tricky 😅) Quick note: I stayed at a friend’s place near Columbia University — just a 5-minute walk to campus! Day 1️⃣ Dropped my luggage at my friend’s, then explored Columbia University — the library is absolutely stunning! 📚 Lunch at Yun Nan Flavour Garden — it was okay, not mind-blowing. Evening visit to Bryant Park’s Christmas Market — tried the famous Joey Bats egg tart (cinnamon flavor 👌) and still dreaming about it! Walked to Times Square in the pouring rain… let’s just say I looked more like a drowned poodle than a glamorous “wet hair” model. Note to self: New Yorkers don’t do umbrellas! ☔️😅 Day 2️⃣ Started with a peaceful 1.5-hour walk in Central Park — even on a cloudy day, it was magical. Lunch at Mitr Thai — ordered from their seasonal menu, and it was incredible! Thai tea = perfection. 🍛 Spent the afternoon at MOMA immersing in art 🎨 — left with a cute Miffy “Starry Night” figure and some fun magnets. Evening stroll through SOHO (most stores were closing though). Dessert at Dominique Ansel Bakery — the DKA was nice, but the s’mores chocolate ice cream was so sweet I nearly went into a sugar coma. 🍫❌ Learned my lesson! Days 3–5 coming in Part 2! Stay tuned~ #NYC #SoloTravel #NewYorkCity #TravelDiary #NYCtrip #USA #Wanderlust #CityExplorer 🌆🗽✨