But sometimes that’s all you got! For example, I made a 36  hr stop to NYC on my way to Belize and Costa Rica. So if a day in New York is all you have… then keep reading!

In this article, I am rounding up all the must- do’s in this fabulous city – the city of lights!

Plan your time strategically, ignore the fact that you’ll be tired and jet-lagged as hell and you will get a real New York flavor in a mere 24 hours. Let’s get ready for a magnificent Day in New York!

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New collaboration with a local

I am very excited to have partnered up with Jeremy Smith, a fellow blogger and business traveler from the States who has had the privilege of traveling to almost every part of the USA for work. In his brilliant article, he gives us local inside information on why there is no better ”big city” to visit than the Big Apple.

I love his inside knowledge of New York and his tips can be applied whether you are traveling for leisure or business. Combine his knowledge and mine for the best NYC trip EVER!  

A little info:

New York City comprises 5 boroughs sitting where the Hudson River meets the Atlantic Ocean.

At its core is Manhattan, a densely populated borough that’s among the world’s major commercial, financial and cultural centers.

Its iconic sites include skyscrapers such as the Empire State Building and sprawling Central Park. Broadway theater is staged in neon-lit Times Square.  

Are you planning a winter trip to New York? Or perhaps you can’t resist the thought of an utterly White Xmas in one of the greatest cities in the World? Then click here for the ultimate guide for a more lengthy NYC trip

1. Early Wake-up – its time for breakfast in New York!

Nothing better than a fresh out the oven bagel to go, with the classic American cream cheese spread.  Add a jumbo-sized coffee (American portions are frightening) and you are set!

Alternatively, waffles, bacon and maple syrup will have you singing “I Love New York” in no time!  

Equipped with carbs and caffeine, proceed to find the nearest metro and get yourself a metro card for the day – each ride costs 2-3 dollars.  

2. Start your day with the best view of NYC 

  Head up to the Rockefeller center and head 70 stories up, to the Top of the Rock observation deck. It offers some of the best views in the city, stretching up to 50 km!

Once you are up there, have fun trying to recognize the 5 boroughs of New York, Central Park, and the Empire State Building!b

Hours: Sunday–Saturday 8:00am – Midnight Last elevator up at 11:00pm  

3. A bit of culture on 5th Avenue and the Upper East Side

  Walk up 5th Avenue, take in the NY vibes and colors and pretend you are a bonafide cast member of Sex and the City or better yet, a true Audrey Hephurd in Breakfast at Tiffany’s.

While in 5th Avenue, visit St Patrick’s Cathedral and St Thomas Episcopal Church, and be sure to pop into the Museum of Modern Art which is just around the corner. There you will see works from Picasso, Dali, and Van Gogh’s Starry Night.  

  The Museum of Modern ArtOpening hours: 10:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m.

Open seven days a week Open until 8:00 p.m. on Fridays Member Early Hours begin at 9:30 a.m.

4. 57th street glamour and a NY sugar high

 Window shop the displays at Harry Winston, Tiffany & Co, and Bergdorf Goodman and head into the little secret food stall for a little sugar fix, like the fresh doughnuts from Doughnuttery. (YUM)

Location: 425 West 15th Street New York, NY 10011​  

Times: Mon-Sat 8:30 am – 9 pm and Sunday 8:30 am – 8 pm  

5. Experience the Upper West Side and Central Park

You cannot miss Central Park! Whether you choose to walk, bike or boat through it, my ”A day in New York” Article would be incomplete without it!

You can rent a rowboat for $15 an hour, or a bike with a $ 12-day pass that enables you unlimited 30-minute rides.

Central Park isn’t just another beautiful park – Wide open spaces, shady trees, ponds and lakes surrounded by the beautiful buildings that line the park’s perimeter which, by the way, is 4023 m long.

In the winter, you can ice skate on the lake that freezes over!

If you are feeling peckish, grab a Pastrami Sandwich and have a little picnic at the park!

Hours”: Open daily, 6:00 am – 1:00 am

FREE entry for everyone since 1858 🙂    

6. Hello Lower Manhattan And Hello Lady Liberty

  I will remember the Statue of Liberty for two things: Firstly for being a pain in the butt to get there, and secondly for being the place where i met THE rudest human I’ve ever encountered in my life!

Good old Lady Liberty is a New York staple though and definitely one to squeeze in if your time and energy permits. I mean… a day in New York without the Statue of Liberty just doesn’t sound right!

Statue oF Liberty Tips 

Tip 1: Get the short cruise as everything is always delayed and avoid booking to also see Ellis Island if you are pressed for time! There are a variety of tickets to choose from with the cheapest ones costing $19 and $9 for children.  

Click here for Timetables, Info and Ticket Reservations and information  

Tip 2: If you aren’t particularly bothered with the Statue of Liberty (i personally loved seeing it!) you can opt for a bus tour instead.

Choose from double-Decker or hop-on-hop-off buses that really cover a lot of ground and sights. Or go for a themed bus tour like various movie and film sights tours..heck there is even a pizza bus tour !!  

7. Visit the 9/11 Memorial Site and Museum

  Truly beautiful and humbling to see, the 9/11 Memorial Site is located in a spacious wide-open plaza in Lower Manhattan.

This memorial is dedicated to the lost lives of the 9/11 attack and it is an essential feature of New York City. Its massive twin fountains are an architectural wonder and a real must-see.

The memorial is free to visit. Opening Times: Open Daily 7:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.  

Located on the memorial ground is the National September 11th Museum, which documents the tragic events of 9/11 through artifacts, documents, and films.  

Info: There is a cost of $24 to $39 to enter the museum but it is included for free with the purchase of most tourist passes.

Hours: Open Daily – Sunday to Thursday 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. (6 p.m. last entry)

Friday and Saturday 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. (7 p.m. last entry)  

8.Hungry bellies – New York Style

  When it’s time for dinner, stay in the 9/11 area and eat inside the Oculus Shopping Mall! Inside head for Eataly, a huge Italian food hall that features different restaurants concentrating on pizza, pasta and all things Italian.

Alternatively, you can eat at Hudson Eats in Brookfield Place. You can walk to the building from the underground walkway attached to the Oculus.

Here you’ll find lots of options from local food vendors like Mighty Quinn’s BBQ, Unami Burger, Cambodian Sandwiches and many more cultural fusions and fascinating eats.  

9. A day in New York – The Brooklyn Sights

Once in Brooklyn, enjoy ice cream on the Fulton Ferry Landing along with the view. Walk the famous Brooklyn Bridge, then head to the district of Dumbo, a post-industrial, post-art loft neighborhood, and a unique prelude to Brooklyn.

You can get to Dumbo by going under the bridges and following the signs. 

Take in the views of Manhattan from the ever-expanding and gorgeous Brooklyn Bridge Park.

10. Midtown New York and the Almighty Times Square

  Time for neon street city lights, masses of crowds, shopping, and traditional New York Cheesecake.

Times Square is a must! Its a rite of passage to NYC, a place every tourist experiences that ”Wow” moment in New York City. A day in New York should always finish with Times Square. Period. 

Countless shops (Hello Sephora and bye-bye to all sense of reason, logic, and budget). You will also find Food carts, World Famous Broadway shows, pulsing lights of towering digital billboards and the best cheesecake of your lives.

Its chaos, it’s mesmerizing, its a slice of New York madness. 

11. Drink the night away or soak up Broadway

Still going? Then consider watching a Broadway show to enjoy some of the best singing and dancing in the world, or if you are feeling cultural, bar crawl the numerous jazz and blues bars.

Additionally, If you want to explore the gay club scene, or dance the night away, NYC is THE place to be.

Click here for more nightlife info and read this beautiful article on the incredible nightlife of New York by the Lonely Planet!  

  Congrats! You survived, one of probably the most hectic days of your lives! A day in New York!  

NYC is a wonder, and this post is missing hundreds of more sights, restaurants, and places to see and experience. But in 24 hours, you can just about manage the absolute musts!

Enjoy this beautiful Megacity, and I guarantee you, you will soon be booking a more lengthy trip!  

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God Bless America and God Bless New York!

See you next time guys!, Tia  
xoxo  

The post A Day In New York – All The Best Things To Do in NYC In 24 Hrs appeared first on Tia Does Travel.