People meander about the fountain at Washington Square Park near the Washington Square Arch at Greenwich Village in the Manhattan borough of New York City.
Jetsetter Guides

How to Get Over a Breakup in NYC

There’s nothing quite like experiencing heartbreak in New York City, where it can feel as though you’re the only miserable person in a sea of millions (we assure you: you’re not). While we can’t be there for a consoling hug, we can tell you where to go to feel less alone. Whether you want to spend quality time with yourself, make some new friends to fill the void, or get back out there and date again, here are the best places to get over a breakup in NYC.

Style + Travel Editor | Instagram @jackiehoman | jackiehoman.com

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Spend Time With Yourself: What to Do Alone in NYC

Try meditation

When you’ve got a case of post-breakup brain frenzy, turn to meditation—a practice scientifically proven to reduce stress and anxiety. At NYC’s peaceful MNDFL studios in Greenwich Village, the Upper East Side, and Williamsburg, you can take classes like Mantra (for those seeking guidance), Heart (encompassing kindness practices), and Emotions (where you’ll work through strong emotional energy) led by certified experts. One Jetsetter editor was sold after just one intentions-focused practice at MNDFL.

Go on a thrift shopping spree

Retail therapy is real, but to avoid overspending (and the environmental impact of new clothes), we like to turn to thrift and vintage shopping. There’s no better place for it than NYC, and luckily, thrift lovers of the city have curated a map showing off the best places to go. Our faves: The Break in Greenpoint, The RealReal in Soho, and What Goes Around Comes Around on the Upper East Side.

Travel Shop indoor person display window Boutique fashion Design retail interior design buyer shopping window

Check out late-night museum programming

Museums are always helpful for days of distraction, but what happens when it’s 10 p.m. and you’re feeling lonely? That’s where Brooklyn Museum’s First Saturdays come in. Every first Saturday of the month, the museum hosts a full evening of art and entertainment, with programs like curator tours, gallery talks, poetry readings, films, hands-on art sessions, and plenty of music to lift your spirits from 5 to 11 p.m.

Interior atrium at Brooklyn Museum
Gallery walls at Brooklyn Museum
Brooklyn Museum during sunset

Book a beauty treatment

Treat yourself, Jetsetters—you deserve it! Discover and book the perfect beauty experience for yourself with the help of Regi, a new website that simplifies the spa by making it easy to discover the best spaces in the city. Whether you’re after a post-breakup hair chop, a pampering massage, or a unique treatment like cryotherapy or infrared sauna, a little “you time” is sure to lift your spirits.

Modern salon interior

Pick out a new novel at a bookstore reading

While lying in bed watching Netflix for hours can certainly numb the pain of heartbreak, eventually, you’ll want to get up and get out—even if just to pick out a good book for home. You can surround yourself with others without actually having to participate (we get it; it’s hard at first) by attending a bookstore reading at McNally Jackson or Books Are Magic. Not only will it feel good to focus on something else, you’ll also come home motivated to turn off the TV.

 

Meet New Friends: Where to Surround Yourself with Supportive People in NYC

Get your networking on

To get work done in the company of an empowering women-only community, turn to The Wing, a gorgeously-designed brand of co-working spaces designed to carry on the spirit of the women’s club movement formed in the 19th century. In today’s context, that means professional mentoring and networking opportunities, top-notch amenities, and a curated calendar of events like speaker series and pitch workshops.

Sweat it out 

Dance your pain away with an energizing cardio hip-hop workout at 305 Fitness, where the motto is #MakeSweatSexy and the crowd is all about inclusion and fun. P.S.—you don’t need any dance experience to join; instead of strict choreography, 305 is focused on a dance party vibe with a lights show and a live DJ. Not down to groove? We also recommend SLT for a machine-based total body workout, Y7 Studio for a music-driven candlelit yoga sesh, or Switch for a HIIT playground-like experience. If you still can’t decide, a membership to flexible fitness plan ClassPass lets you try a little something of everything.

Meet a new BFF 

Surprise: dating apps aren’t just for dating! On Bumble’s BFF platform, you can swipe to find friendship matches, whether you’re looking for a workout buddy or someone to grab brunch with. The concept is the same as Bumble for dating—you make a profile with photos and an About section, then swipe left or right to skip or match with a potential friend. When you’re recovering from a breakup, finding a new gal pal to explore the city with can be the perfect remedy.

Play tourist 

Sometimes, all it takes is going out and seeing something new. If you can’t swing an Eat Pray Love trip outside the country, why not play tourist in your own city? No matter how well you think you know NYC, there’s always more to discover. Check out unique walking tours like this history-focused Greenwich Village trek to learn about its role in the ’60s counterculture movement or a global beauty and wellness walk in Soho to try destination-inspired beauty rituals as you get to know the neighborhood. You’ll likely meet people from all over the world who are experiencing the city with you, so it’ll feel even more special.

People meander about the fountain at Washington Square Park near the Washington Square Arch at Greenwich Village in the Manhattan borough of New York City.

Take a class

Always wanted to learn astrology, embroidery, or the history of gin? You don’t need a partner to go with; just grab a friend or show up solo to Brooklyn Brainery for an affordable session with other like-minded students. With locations in Prospect Heights and Park Slope and dozens of classes throughout the month on anything and everything (lectures, DIY activities, tours), you’re sure to find one that’s right up your alley.

 

Photo of a young woman in a kitchen during a cooking class, preparing bruschetta
Beautiful natural indigo tie dye fabric with garden view in background.

 

Get Back Out There: Where to Meet Singles in NYC

Mingle at an improv show

When you’re finally ready to meet someone new, a comedy show is a natural place to share laughs. Upright Citizens Brigade’s improv venues are perfect for pre- and post-show mingling. Simply grab a beer at the bar and introduce yourself to a fellow attendee or one of the performers, who often hang out after the show.

Upright Citizens Brigade
Upright Citizens Brigade

Bar hop

We know, meeting someone at a bar is not necessarily groundbreaking. But it’s all about the scene—hang out somewhere that balances entertainment and intimacy for the best chances of sparks flying. We like The Standard Biergarten for its long communal tables and friendly atmosphere as well as The Flower Shop for its pool table and cozy décor. There are hundreds of worthy options all around the city, so find a spot in your neighborhood or ask friends for their personal recommendations for you.

Food + Drink Trip Ideas indoor floor wall room Living ceiling restaurant interior design lighting green table dining room café Lobby furniture area lamp
Food + Drink Trip Ideas floor indoor billiard room ceiling billiard table recreation room english billiards room cue sports table Pool Living pocket billiards furniture indoor games and sports interior design carom billiards wood games flooring

Attend an NYC Meetup

It’s easy to find folks with the same hobbies as you during an NYC meetup for an activity you love. Whether that’s jogging around Central Park, trying new restaurants, or playing a sport, there are hundreds of groups designed to get people together in New York, and what’s a better way to meet someone compatible?

Group of healthy mixed race people running in DUMBO - New York City - USA. They are running in the city streets wearing professional sport clothes.

See live music

Music has a natural way of bringing people together, but it can be tough to actually talk to anyone in a crowded concert environment. Instead, opt for a chiller night of live tunes at an indie venue like Rough Trade in Williamsburg (also the biggest record store in NYC) or even a fun neighborhood watering hole like Bar Nine in Hell’s Kitchen (where local talents command the stage with dueling pianos).

live music at Bar Nine in NYC

Volunteer

Spending time giving back is always a kind thing to do, but it can be an equally effective way to meet new people. One Brick, which bills itself as a “social volunteer group” in NYC, offers regularly scheduled community events and post-project hangouts, so you can get to know everyone involved outside of their volunteer activities (which range from delivering food to the elderly to sorting textiles for fabric recycling to providing encouragement for youth in the arts).

Group of multi-ethnic people, people with differing abilities , volunteers with garbage bags cleaning park area

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