The Joy of Solo Travel & the Power of Google Maps

Wandering New York City on Foot, One Step at a Time

If there was ever an invention that changed the way I travel, it’s Google Maps. I love traveling solo, and Google Maps is like my personal guide, helping me find places I would have never thought to explore on my own. I may not travel frequently, but when I do, I immerse myself in the experience—and I do it for me.

Google Maps is truly a friend to have when you travel. Especially when I’m alone, it guides me to the restaurants, parks, shops, and historic landmarks I want to visit. One of my favorite things to do when I travel solo is simply walk to my destinations. With my phone in hand and earphones out, I let Google Maps chart a route and then I hit the sidewalks – that way, I can fully absorb the environment around me. Every block brings something new, and I never worry about getting lost because my digital map has my back.

Just this past weekend, I visited New York City for a business trip and turned it into a personal adventure. I stayed at the historic New Yorker Hotel, located across the street from Madison Square Garden, one of the world’s most famous arenas, and just a short walk from Times Square. Using Google Maps, I made it my mission to explore as much of the city as possible. I walked through nearly every area you’d find on a Monopoly board—uptown, downtown, and midtown—soaking in the rhythm of the city with each step. One day I logged over 15,500 steps, and another day, more than 24,000. My legs were sore, but my heart was full.

🗽 Every Street Told a Story

New York is truly the city that never sleeps. Even on a Sunday night at 10 PM, the streets buzzed with life. From families and couples to solo wanderers like me, everyone was caught in the city’s magnetic pull. Most shops didn’t even close until after midnight!

Some of the stunning landmarks I visited included:

Empire State Building – Completed in 1931, once the world’s tallest building. A true symbol of ambition and architectural excellence.
St. Patrick’s Cathedral – This Gothic Revival masterpiece is breathtaking with its twin spires and timeless grace.
Rockefeller Plaza – Home to NBC Studios, the Atlas statue, and the seasonal skating rink. It’s iconic in every sense.
Times Square – The city’s electric heart, filled with lights, sounds, performers, and pure energy.
New York Times Building – Sleek, modern, and symbolic of journalistic legacy.
Madison Square Garden – The Mecca of sports and concerts, right across from my hotel.
The LEGO Store – Yes! A whole world of imagination built brick by brick. The displays were incredible.

I also passed colorful murals, buzzing halal food trucks, and one of my favorite sights: the giant yellow button & needle sculpture in the Garment District. A perfect nod to NYC’s fashion history!

📍 Flatiron Meets NoMad: Where New York Meets New York

As I walked further, I wandered into one of my favorite discoveries—the Flatiron District and NoMad.

The Flatiron Building, built in 1902 and shaped like a narrow iron wedge, is one of NYC’s most recognizable structures. It feels like a slice of history standing confidently among towering glass skyscrapers. Just north of it lies NoMad, which stands for North of Madison Square Park. This area has become a blend of classic charm and new energy—filled with luxury hotels, rooftop bars, boutiques, tech firms, and creative spaces.

They call this place “Where New York meets New York”, and it’s true—it’s where tradition and transformation collide. Walking through it made me feel like I was part of a living, breathing mosaic.

🍴 Small Joys, Big Memories

Amid all the monuments and buildings, one of the most heartwarming moments of the trip was stumbling upon a bag of guineps. As someone from Bermuda, where this beloved tropical fruit is hard to find, seeing it in New York brought me so much joy. I bought a bag right away and savored each bite—cracking the green skins and tasting memories from home in the heart of Manhattan.

I also couldn’t resist a classic New York hot dog, fully loaded with sauerkraut and mustard. It was my first time trying it that way, and it was absolutely delicious. Messy, flavorful, and everything I imagined a real “dirty water dog” would be. I ate it under the sun, surrounded by noise and energy, and felt completely alive.

🏳️‍🌈 Pride in the Air

Though I didn’t attend any events directly, I happened to arrive during Pride weekend. Everywhere I turned, I saw rainbow flags, celebratory signs, and messages of inclusion. The energy in the city was undeniable. It was powerful to witness a community express joy and identity so freely—it added even more color and soul to the weekend.

📸 A Gallery of Moments: My NYC Photo Diary

No travel story is complete without a visual journey to go with it. Here are just some of the scenes I captured along the way:

🕍 St. Patrick’s Cathedral rising into the sky
🏙 Empire State Building towering with elegance
👚 Giant Button & Needle sculpture in the Garment District
🎭 Madame Tussauds, glowing in Times Square
🚲 Rows of Citi Bikes, ready for adventure
🌭 A perfect NYC hot dog from a street cart
🧃 A hand holding my beloved guineps, found in a city of millions
🧱 A playful moment at the LEGO Store with brilliant miniature displays
🚌 A pedicab with Sonic the Hedgehog on the front – because NYC always surprises you
🏛 Flatiron Building, even under renovation, still standing proud
🌆 The Flatiron/NoMad neighborhood, buzzing with food, art, and people