How To: See NYC in One Day
Seeing New York Vity in one day can sound like a daunting task by remember the tiny island of Manhattan is only 22 square miles making this seemingly impossible task very possible.
I am a big fan of the first flight out of Orlando to the big Apple and the last possible flight home. I like to make sure I have as much time in one of my favorite cities.
This trip was unique, my best friend Stephanie had never been to New York, if you knew her you would be shocked that this natural city girl has never been to New York City. But I saw this as an opportunity.
She came to me with a list of things to do and places to eat. Now, seeing New York in one day you have to pick your top 3 places and a snack. And you haven’t to be willing to wake up early...
Alright. Your flight leaves at 9pm from JFK putting you at the airport at 7:15pm and in a cab at 6:15pm (never underestimate NYC traffic) this gives you 8 full hours to cram in the most important places.
Things you will need:
A photo-ready outfit with sensible shoes— you will be walking A LOT.
A metro card. If you have your crew let’s plan $15 a person for the day.
Someone to watch the time
A good attitude
And you best keep up with the NYC fast walking life.
Wake up as early as you need to to get to Rockefeller Center by 8am when they open. Get your ticket online or buy it at the kiosk inside and head straight up the elevator to The Top or the Rock. This is an iconic view of the Empire State Building. When asked to choose between the top of the Empire State Building or Top of the Rock I always go with the Rock. You will not regret this view and at 8am the observation deck is all yours.
Times Square. Spend as much time as you want at the Top of the Rock but be out by 9am and walk your little butt up the road to Times Square. On this walk you will pass the ice skating rink at Rockefeller center, Radio City Music Hall, 5th Ave, The Plaza, and a tiny corner of Central Park. You obviously want to see Times Square at night but we only have a day and in the early morning this bustling, bright metropolis is quite serene. Someone will honk at you and people are headed to work but you will be the only one on the red steps of the TKTS.
Breakfast/Lunch. Don’t worry I didn’t forget to feed you! Turn around and take a right and then a left on 5th ave. You have about a 20 minute walk to your lunch destination but you’ll get to window shop along the way! Take in 5th ave and the Plaza hotel and head over to the upper east side. Grab a coffee and a muffin at Birch and round the corner to Serendipity. They open at 11:30 but you should be in line by 10:45! I told you this day was packed. You only need one frozen hot chocolate for 4 people, they are huge and heavy, you still have a lot of walking to do! Plan for a little over an hour for lunch.
Alright. Let’s take a breather. Take a deep breath and walk a couple blocks to digest that lunch. Next stop is the village.
Break out that metro card. Hop on the subway and get off at Canal St. This is the iconic China Town! Shop for your favorite knock-offs and perfumes then take a left on Mulberry.
Now you are suddenly in Little Italy! Get a quick glass of wine at any restaurant and rest your feet. Then get up and keep going. A few blocks to go and you will hit SoHo.
Soho. We go here later in the day so we can shop a little bit and we don’t have to carry our bags all around God’s creation. Here you have Bloomies, Zara, H&M, Madewell, thrift shops an so much more! Shop til your hearts content but keep an eye on that clock!
Alrighty, you’ll find yourself very close to our favorite Big Gay Icecream and the Cookie Dough Place! Get yourself a sweet treat.
Hail a cab, you don’t have to get on the subway, go to your hotel and get your bags and head to the airport
Congratulations! You have seen a lot of New York in just one little day!
