New York City, United States
Washington Heights is way uptown but has The Cloisters museum and Fort Tryon Park with good views. Decent Dominican restaurants and generally safer than other uptown areas, but still a bit far from main tourist attractions.
Washington Heights has a strong Dominican community, great food, and Fort Tryon Park with The Cloisters museum, which is worth the trip for the medieval art and gardens. It's definitely safer than East Harlem and has more of a family neighborhood feel, especially around the park area. You'll see lots of families and older residents who've lived there for decades, which creates a community atmosphere. The subway ride up is long though, and while it's generally fine during the day, most visitors prefer to come up for specific attractions and then head back downtown. It's improving a lot but still requires more street awareness than the tourist neighborhoods.
Daytime Safety
ExcellentNight Walking Safety
GoodHarassment Risk
ModeratePublic Transport Safety
GoodPickpocketing Risk
LowScam Risk
LowPolice Visibility
GoodEmergency Services
GoodEvening Venues
GoodSolo Dining
GoodDrug Activity
LowHomelessness Visibility
ModerateGetting By in English
Excellent"Solo female travelers feel safe during the day"
"Advised to be cautious at night but generally safer than other uptown areas"
"Great for exploring Fort Tryon Park and cultural sites"
"Authentic neighborhood experience with good Dominican food"
"Considered fine and safe by travel experts"
Areas with comparable safety profiles for solo female travelers
Midtown East is a business district centered on Grand Central Terminal with excellent transportation but limited character, becoming quiet after office hours.
DUMBO has great views and is nice for daytime walks, but can feel a bit empty at night. Good for Instagram photos of the Manhattan skyline. Limited subway access compared to other neighborhoods.
Long Island City is cheaper than staying in Manhattan and has some good views of the city skyline. Can feel pretty quiet and industrial at night. Good subway connections but you'll be commuting to most tourist attractions.
Help other women stay safe in Washington Heights
Neighborhood conditions can change. Check recent news, ask locals or your accommodation about current safety, especially for nighttime plans.