A perfect day in New York City


With just 24 hours to spend, you can’t waste a New York minute. There’s no time for standing in line, waiting for a table in a restaurant, or figuring out how to get from one place to another. No sweat—The custom-made itinerary I’ve put together takes care of all that. I’ve kept the route as simple as possible and let you know the easiest way to get to your next destination. And as for food, I’ve suggested options favored by locals where you can dine, then dash. When you crash back at your hotel room, you’ll be amazed at how much you were able to accomplish in a day.
To minimize your trekking time, this itinerary travels mostly in one direction. And I’ve built in stops along the way to rest (in a gorgeous waterfront park) and refuel (with a slice of the city’s best pizza, of course) so that you have enough stamina for the long day ahead. Even better, my picks are based on Tripadvisor ratings and reviews to make sure you see and taste the very best of New York.
Is one day in New York enough?
A 24-hour stay is enough to see just a sliver of Manhattan. To fit everything into one long day, this itinerary mostly sticks to the West Side. Sure, you’ll miss out on some great neighborhoods like the East Village and the Lower East Side. But the big advantage is that this route simplifies getting around. Almost everywhere I mention is walking distance from the A/C/E subway line that runs along 8th Avenue. Got more time? We’ve got you covered with our two-day, three-day, four-day and five-day NYC itineraries.
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Top attractions in this itinerary
MORNING
Start off with views of Lady Liberty


Get an early start at South Street Seaport, a historic district on the edge of Manhattan’s Financial District. Most of the nearby eateries are geared toward lunch and dinner, but one of my favorite morning destinations is Coffee Project New York, a narrow storefront where you can make a pitstop for one of the city’s best caffeine boosts. This mini-empire is run by two women with a focus on sustainability, so you’re improving the world with every sip. The scones are excellent, too.
Now that you’re fueled up, I’m going to help you check several must-see attractions off your list in less than an hour. (Head to Pier 16, where you can pick up the Circle Line’s Statue of Liberty Super Express Cruise. In 50 minutes you’ll get a jaw-dropping view of the Brooklyn Bridge before heading out into New York Harbor to sail past Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty. Among the ferries running this route, it’s not the fanciest option (that would be the 1920s-era yacht operated by Classic Harbor Line) or the cheapest (the Staten Island Ferry is absolutely free), but it’s the fastest, and this itinerary is all about saving time (you’re welcome). It sells out, so book the earliest departure time in advance.
Back on dry land, head west along Wall Street, stopping along the way to snap a pic or two of the New York Stock Exchange. Keep going until you reach the World Trade Center. (It’s a brisk 20-minute walk, but you can also take an easier-on-the-feet route by hopping aboard the free Downtown Connector shuttle bus.) Here you’ll find the National 9/11 Memorial & Museum, which is centered around a pair of enormous pools that trace the outlines of the two towers destroyed on September 11, 2001. The museum takes several hours to do it justice, but even a quick stop at the memorial is a powerful reminder of that profound day.
Travelers say: “I didn’t really know what to expect but was very moved and impressed with this outstanding memorial. Very memorable and so glad we were able to go and pay our respects to those who lost their lives.” —@Dawn D
AFTERNOON
A tiny island and the city’s best views

Take the subway—the nearby E train is the way to go—north to 14th Street, the dividing line between the historic Meatpacking District and artsy Chelsea. Both are worth exploring, but with limited time head a block west to Chelsea Market. Once a biscuit factory, the world-famous food hall is the perfect place to put together a picnic lunch. My favorite spot is Los Tacos No. 1, which serves what might be the best tacos you’ve ever had. Wash them down with a cup of the house-made jamaica agua fresca, flavored with hibiscus blossoms. Or opt for burgers at Creamline, where the lines out the door are completely justified.
Take your order a block or so west to Little Island, which stands in the Hudson River. And “stand” is not a typo. The island is perched on 132 cement pillars that are intended to resemble tulips but in reality looks like Carrie Bradshaw’s stilettos. Follow the trail to the uppermost deck, which has stunning views over the water. (There’s another view of the Statue of Liberty in the distance.)
Back inland—scooting past the glass-and-steel Whitney Museum of Art, which we’re saving for your next visit to NYC—is the southernmost entrance to the High Line, a former elevated railway that’s now a long, narrow park with lots of large-scale art installations hidden among the greenery. A half-hour walk north is Hudson Yards, a cluster of skyscrapers that would be skippable except that it’s home to Edge NYC, the highest outdoor observation deck in the Western Hemisphere. The views from this triangle of glass jutting out from the top of one of the towers beat those at the Empire State Building or Rockefeller Center because those iconic buildings are visible from here. Buy tickets in advance to be on the safe side, but it’s rarely that crowded.
Travelers say: “NYC's best viewing platform by far! Fantastic, mind-blowing and so easy. No queues, no booking ahead and so easy to get to. Good value too compared to others and not crowded.” —@Mrs. Wilson
We’re headed north on the subway again—this time take the A, C, or E lines—to 59th Street, the southwestern gateway to Central Park. You can see more of this massive park by renting a bike: The more challenging full loop has some fairly steep hills and takes about an hour, while the mostly flat southern loop can be done in a speedy 15 or 20 minutes. If you’re walking, stay on the train until 72nd Street and a beeline to the show-stopping Bethesda Fountain. It’s been in more movies than Meryl Streep.
Top-rated New York City tours and activities
EVENING
The lights of Broadway and laughs downtown

For the couple of hours you have left, take the same subway back to 50th Street. Or stroll down Broadway, a route that takes you past the marquees for many of the most famous theaters. (You can’t miss the big green sign for Wicked on 51st Street.) Broadway eventually empties you out into Times Square, a massive plaza lined by billboards that seem to get bigger and brighter with each passing year. At 47th Street is a kiosk splashed with the letters TKTS. A signboard nearby lets you know which shows are offering discount tickets. You can often score tickets to big-name shows for half price. This is not the best neighborhood for food, but one exception is Urban Hawker, a bustling food hall that specializes in Singaporean street food, along with other Asian dishes. Share a few dishes, then hurry to the theater before the curtain rises.
If comedy is more your thing, head downtown to Greenwich Village via the same subway line, getting off at West 4th Street. A block east, the Comedy Cellar is probably the best venue for stand-up shows in the world. It’s a cramped basement space where the comics often have to squeeze past you on the way to the stage, but the intimate feel is what makes it so special—that and the fact that big-name comedians like Chris Rock or Dave Chapelle stop by on the regular. Reserve tickets in advance—a week’s worth of shows is posted on the website every Thursday—or arrive an hour early and get on the stand-by list. With an hour to kill, you have plenty of time to grab a slice at Bleecker Street Pizza, a New York “best of the best,” according to Tripadvisor readers. This is a superlative slice, crispy on the bottom and generous with the sauce and the mozzarella cheese on top.
Toast to your successful day in New York at one of Greenwich Village’s bars. Right across from the Comedy Cellar is 124 Old Rabbit Club, the diviest of dives. Once your eyes adjust to the semi-darkness, belly up to the bar and order from the list of mostly European beers. At the other end of the spectrum is Angel’s Share, a swank speakeasy serving creative cocktails. Both are hard to find, so here’s a hint for both: Look down for the entrance.
Where to stay in New York City for one day
Lower Manhattan: This area is ideal for getting an early start at the 9/11 Memorial—it also has easy access to ferries bound for the Statue of Liberty. The Beekman, a Thompson Hotel combines old-world glam with contemporary style, while the more affordable Moxy NYC Downtown has smartly designed rooms and a cheeky vibe.
Greenwich Village: Because real estate prices are astronomical, there aren’t many hotels in this historic neighborhood. One that has survived for more than a century is the Art Deco Washington Square Hotel. What we love: the cozy lounge, the easy access to the subway, and the literally dozens of restaurants nearby (including one right downstairs).
Times Square: This neighborhood is ideal if you want to be close to the lights of Broadway. But you’re not the only one who wants to be in the heart of the city, so deals are hard to come by. One great option is Distrikt Hotel New York City, which has better prices than its competitors because it’s a few blocks from the action. Rooms have the luxe design of much higher priced options. If you’re on a tight budget, Yotel New York is known for its tech-savvy approach and the robot luggage handler in the lobby. The rooms are super tiny, though.
Looking for more options? Browse all hotels in New York City.