The Best Itinerary If You Only Have One Day In New York City

The most populous city in the country is also a destination filled with things to do. New York City is truly a place of superlatives — not just with its sheer volume of residents but also with the highest building, the biggest public school system, and the largest museum in the United States. Such is the breadth of offerings here; a visitor could easily spend a week in the Big Apple and only scratch the surface of all the city offers. There are multicultural sights, restaurants serving food from all over the world, and distinct neighborhoods, each with its own ambiance and feel. 

But not all visitors have the luxury of time, and often, travelers find themselves with only one day to spend in NYC, which is better than no time here. Getting around is a breeze thanks to the great public transit system anchored by an efficient subway. That said, New York might just be the most walkable city in the country, and for those who like to pound the pavement, there is no more liberating and pleasurable way of getting from A to B. It's also easy to cycle around, and CitiBikes costs $19 for 24 hours. In just one day, a tourist can take in many of the city's iconic places and pleasures, especially if they make it a long, packed day — in the city that never sleeps, would you settle for anything less?

From the bountiful breakfast spot, the easiest way to the next stop is to take the southbound M15 bus from the stop nearby on Allen Street. Take it to its final destination, South Ferry. Once off the bus, head to the Staten Island Ferry, which will let you kill two birds with one stone — see how the city is linked to the water and get some shots of the Statue of Liberty without having to take a cruise to it. The ferry is free and runs all day and night, though with more frequency during the weekday rush hour window. 

It's a fun boat ride that lets visitors get some splendid views of Downtown Manhattan, the Statue of Liberty, and the Brooklyn waterfront (and plenty of photos of them, too), and also serves a practical purpose. For Staten Island residents working in Manhattan, it's a lifeline, the quickest way for them to get to their jobs, since there is no subway connection between Staten Island and the four other boroughs of New York City. If the weather is good, stand in the semi-outdoor area at the end of the ferry; the photos from here will also be clearer than if taken from inside. After arriving in Staten Island, exit and return to Manhattan on the first ferry back.

From the Oculus, it's a 10-minute walk to the Brooklyn Bridge entrance, possibly the city's most famous bridge. While the idea of walking over the bridge into Brooklyn to spend some time there is certainly appealing (and the ice cream at Van Leeuwen under the bridge on the Brooklyn side is delicious), you're on a tight schedule, so plan on only walking halfway along the bridge for the de rigueur photo ops. You'll see the Downtown skyline, the Statue of Liberty, Governor's Island, and more. Thankfully, you won't have to contend with the sometimes-testy cyclists that shared the walkway for many years — a dedicated bike lane was opened in late 2021, separating the bikers from the walkers. 

The bridge itself is incredibly attractive. It was the longest suspension bridge on the planet when it opened in the early 1880s, with thick cables and sturdy stone arches creating a fantastical web-like functional sculpture. From the halfway point, the views take in three of the city's five boroughs, as well as a number of NYC landmarks.

From the north end of Tribeca, up on Canal Street, it should take about 15 minutes by foot to get to the next location, Washington Square Park. Located at the end of Fifth Avenue (the road that divides east and west Manhattan), Washington Square Park is populated with New York University, dog walkers, delivery drivers, rollerbladers, musicians, pranksters, chess players, and a motley assortment of New Yorkers, and is always a hub of activity, day and night. Plenty of movies have been shot here, including "When Harry Met Sally," the independent flick "Kids," and "Ghostbusters II." Take a few minutes here to sit down and watch the human circus unravel before your eyes. 

When getting here from Tribeca, you'll pass through another former warehouse district, Soho (derived from South of Houston, or SoHo), where there are many more places to eat and oodles of fashionable shopping. Dominique Ansel Bakery, on Spring Street, is where the Cronut (a flaky, crispy, chewy cross between a croissant and doughnut that is irresistible) was invented; stop by to get one if you feel your energy is flagging.

The north end of the High Line terminates at Hudson Yards. This former rail junction was recast as a destination with commercial and residential buildings, marquee shopping, and show-stopping architectural structures. The debate still rages about whether Hudson Yards has been a success, but it does feature the Edge, a sky deck that will give visitors the kind of iconic city view they might fantasize about and the type that can take your breath away. Located near the top of the pointy, glass-sheathed tower, 30 Hudson Yards, the Edge sits more than 1,000 feet above the ground and has uninterrupted views over all parts of the city. It even features a section with a glass floor that visitors can stand on or lie on while taking a selfie for an even more dramatic effect. 

There is one spot on the deck, right at the end where the glass panels meet, where travelers can stand and almost feel like they are floating in the sky. Sunset is honestly the best time to visit the Edge, but you're on a schedule and will have to grab your chance while you can. We suggest buying a Flex Pass ticket so you can visit whenever you arrive rather than be wedded to a specific time slot.

It's time to experience another bit of NYC public transit. From Grand Central, you can hop on the subway — you have to do it once — taking either the 4,5 or 6 train Uptown to 86th Street (on the 4 and 5 trains, it is only two stops; on the 6 train, it is five stops to 86th Street). Beyond the practicality of getting to your next destination quickly, taking the subway checks off another quintessentially New York experience: a ride on the largest subway system in the country, one with more than 650 miles of tracks, reaching the northern tips of the Bronx to the beaches of Brooklyn. 

Exit the subway station and head west to Fifth Avenue and 84th Street, where you will stumble upon the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the largest museum in the United States. You can easily spend a day at the Met, but an hour will be enough to expose you to some of the highlights — the Temple of Dendur, which is more than two millennia old, paintings by Dutch masters like Vermeer and Van Gogh, and an ancient mural of a Buddha, from China.

Wander through the park to the south side and down Seventh Avenue to Times Square, the shiniest — some say tackiest — part of the city, but an essential stop. While Times Square may feel very bright and new today, it has, in fact, endured a long history. The neighborhood was once known as Long Acre but took on its current name in the early 1900s when the "New York Times" moved its operations here, in a triangular building between 42nd and 43rd Streets (the building where the ball drops on New Year's Eve each year). 

Theaters moved into the district, but the Great Depression stymied their success, and soon Times Square became a hub for the seedier side of city life. From the 1980s, the area slowly began to change, and today, with pedestrian zones, large brand-name stores and attractions, and a vibrant theater scene (and audience), Times Square has established itself as the "Crossroads of the World." At night, with all the screens and signs lit up, bathing everyone and everything in bright light, the effect feels almost pulled from a retro-futuristic science-fiction film.

Hopefully, you'll be on a bit of a high after the show, as pumped up as the performers you just watched. With all that latent energy, toast your success in sticking to today's packed schedule with a drink at a rooftop bar near Times Square. Thankfully, you have many to choose from. Magic Hour Rooftop Bar & Lounge, part of the Moxy Times Square hotel located a few blocks south of Times Square, has views of the Empire State Building and a few different areas offering varying vibes (from playful to chic). 

The Skylark is set 30 stories up, has clear vistas of a number of city landmarks from the outdoor terrace, and a fabulous cocktail menu. Bar 54 at the Hyatt Centric Times Square New York has specialty libations like the Summer of Sin, made with infused whiskey, blood orange liqueur, and cantaloupe. Cheers to a day to remember.