Hey! I'm an Aussie girl living in LA. I can only speak for LA but you'll be fine wandering around alone doing tourist things, I've done most of it alone myself. You'll probably want to avoid places like Compton and Watts, as they're not the safest places (geographically I would recommend staying away from areas south of Downtown, east of LAX airport).

West Hollywood, Hollywood and Santa Monica are probably the tourist areas you'll want to visit. Hollywood can be a little sketchy in parts, but where you'll probably go (walk of fame) it's fine and made for tourists.

West Hollywood is the place you want to go for all things gaaaaay! It's the gay city. I lived there for two years before I moved to another area. Pride flags everywhere and so many gay bars. Check out 'Here Lounge' on Friday night for their lesbian night 'Truck Stop'.

Happy to answer any more questions if you have them!

How safe would it be to wander alone around New York / LA doing touristy things (while my partner is doing work things)?

New York City would be fine during the day, especially if you stick to high-traffic areas. i was on broadway once and felt a little nervous being alone, but i can't recall the neighborhood. honestly i've not had a problem in manhattan (though i know people who have - so i still stress self-awareness).

really - if you're going to be in the tourist areas (museums, points of interest like statue of liberty, times square and other shopping districts, chinatown, the park) - you should be in safe areas. the avenues also get more foot traffic than the streets, so that's good to remember.

during the night i believe most tourist attractions start closing anyways, but times square and areas like that are still densely populated so if that is where you are, i doubt you'll have a problem being alone. you just have to use your intuition and have some cab money available in case you find yourself uncomfortable.

i've not had problems on the subway but i can't honestly recall if i've been on it, at night, by myself. i don't think i have.

if the sun is down, though, i personally wouldn't go out alone. but that's me!

don't have any gay bar suggestions since i haven't been to the city since i've come of age -- but i hope you have a safe & lovely time!

(you should go to this bagel place on sixth avenue between 12th and 14th in the village. i miss their bagels SO MUCH. ohman. i hope it's still there.)

You will be FINE in New York City. It's actually one of the safest cities in the country per capita. Also, if you're doing touristy things then you'll be even better because you'll be in those areas. It's not like you'll be hanging in the northern part of Central Park at 2 in the morning. Midtown, Downtown, Upper West Side, all of these areas are super safe. I lived there for 4 1/2 years (just left a couple months ago) and never once felt unsafe.

And I have to laugh at the idea that people wouldn't go out alone at night. That was half my life! The city is fine at night!! Sometimes it's even more populated then! I have walked home in Queens at 3 in the morning and never felt unsafe.

Seriously, New York is a really really safe city.

I agree with the above comments in re to NYC. I went there a few years ago and never had any problems exploring on my own. I always felt safe. Just be aware of your surrounding, but that's the case anywhere.

In LA, if you're near tourist attractions you'll be fine. Things are much more spread out in LA so hopefully you will have a car.