How to Spend ONE DAY in New York City: 1-Day Itinerary
If you only have one day in New York City this jammed-packed itinerary has it all from iconic sights to hidden gems and more!
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New York City is at the top of many traveler’s bucket lists. I was so excited when I was finally able to visit this famous city– and it certainly did not disappoint! There is so much to do in New York City, whether you’re exploring the amazing food scene or diving into its history and culture, you’ll never stop moving as you explore the Big Apple.
We were lucky to have 5 full days in NYC, which just barely scratched the surface! But, if you’ve got seriously limited time, you can still enjoy some of New York’s best sights.
It can be a little overwhelming to figure out exactly where to start, so to make your planning easier, we have put together the ideal 1-day in New York City Itinerary.
You can stop by iconic places like the Statue of Liberty and the 9/11 Memorial, eat a world-famous NY pizza, and have a fancy night out on a dinner cruise! It will be a busy day, but one of the best ways to experience NYC! If this sounds like a great use of 24 hours, read on to find out how to spend one day in New York City.
1-Day NYC Itinerary
Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island Cruise (Morning)
The Statue of Liberty is the worldwide symbol of the United States. Often referred to as “Lady Liberty”, I can’t think of a better way to start your one day in New York City than visiting this esteemed site!
The Statue of Liberty stands in the New York Harbor and was the first thing that immigrants would see as they made their way to the USA in the late 19th/early 20th century. It was a gift from France to celebrate the United States’ 100 years of independence, which is what so many immigrants were seeking as they made the trek across the Atlantic and arrived in New York.
Ellis Island is where immigrants would first go to be processed and eventually settle in New York. This is another very historic place as it holds a huge significance for many New Yorker’s lineage. Ellis Island ceased operations in 1954 and is now a memorial sight you can visit!
Visiting the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island are ideal things to do in New York, and since they are both best accessed by boat, taking a tour is the easiest way to get to them! This half-day tour includes a ferry ride to Liberty Island and Ellis Island where you can visit museums and explore the historic sights. I love that this tour includes an expert guide, so you get a chance to learn about the long and rich history that shaped New York.
This tour has an option of lengths and departure times, so you can fit it into your one-day NYC itinerary. I recommend taking the 4-hour tour option, so you have enough time to explore both places, but there are also tours for 30 minutes or 2 hours if your schedule is really packed. You can reserve the 4-hour tour of the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island for $79 USD per person.
Related Read: If you’re a foodie, you’ll love New York! You can take a New York City Food Tour so you can try as much of this amazing cuisine as possible in one day!
See the charging Bull of Wall Street (quick stop)
You’ve probably heard of Wall Street, where the legendary New York Stock Exchange is! Unless you’re really into finance, a quick stop will be suitable as you make your way through the city. The Charging Bull statue is yet another symbolic statue that is essential to New York’s culture.
The Charging Bull statue was illegally placed in front of the New York Stock Exchange in 1989 as a symbol of encouragement to the market. A “bull market” is a period of rising investment prices. Placing the charging bull in front of the most important finance building on Wall Street was a symbol that the market would turn around after the drastic Black Monday stock market crash of 1987.
Arturo Di Modica, the artist of the statue, placed the bull in the night without being spotted by the authorities. However, in the morning, it was moved to Bowling Green (still on Wall Street) where you’ll find it today! Big-time investors on Wall Street love a bull market, so the statue holds great importance and is yet another symbol of NYC.
Visit the 9/11 Memorial and Museum (morning)
If you only have one day in New York City, stopping at the 9/11 Memorial is one of the top things to add to your itinerary. There is no question of how impactful the attacks on the World Trade Center’s Twin Towers were in 2001. It was not only a heartbreaking tragedy to New York but to the entire world. Visiting the 9/11 Memorial and Museum is a poignant experience that gives you a look at what this city endured.
The memorial consists of two pools where the Twin Towers once stood. They are quite large, and along the edge, you’ll see names of victims etched into the sides. Seeing the sheer size of the memorial and the number of people lost puts it into perspective, even more so.
The memorial is moving, but I also found the museum to be quite insightful. You will need to purchase tickets in advance to enter the museum, but the memorial itself is free. You‘ll find artifacts from the victims found in the rubble, old media reports, first-hand witnesses of the attacks, and even pieces of the wreckage. It’s another opportunity to learn about the event and understand how it rocked New York City.
There are specific time slots to enter the museum, but once you’re in you can stay for as long as you want. This is a great activity for a rainy day in NYC, as you’ll need at least two hours to see everything. You can purchase tickets in advance for $33 USD for adults, $21 USD for seniors, and $27 USD for kids.
If you purchased one of New York City Attraction Passes, it covers entry fees and saves you money in the long run. The 9/11 Memorial and Museum is included in the New York CityPASS, the New York Pass, or Go City’s Explorer Pass.
Why We Book Tours with Viator
Viator is a trusted online booking system for tours around the world! We almost always book our tours using Viator for a couple of reasons:
- Free cancellation on most tours – Most of the tours on Viator allow you to cancel and get a full refund up to 24 hours in advance. This is handy in case plans change, or if booking an outdoor activity, the weather forecast is looking grim.
- Reserve now and pay later – You can secure your spot on some of the most popular tours well in advance and not pay until closer to the day of the tour.
- Pay in your chosen currency – Avoid costly international transaction fees by choosing to pay in your home currency.
- Peace of mind – When booking with tour operators you find in person on the street or in small booking offices, you are often promised one thing and given another. This online platform holds tour operators accountable with a written description of inclusions as well as the opportunity for customers to leave reviews.
Check out the Viator website here! Or, read our complete Viator review to learn more about what we think about Viator.
Go up the Empire State Building
New York City has one of the most recognizable skylines, and that is largely thanks to the Empire State Building. This iconic building has been a part of New York’s culture since 1931 and has been featured in over 250 movies, like King Kong and Elf!
The Empire State Building was constructed as part of the “race to the sky” and was the tallest building in the world for 40 years until the World Trade Center was built. It is 102 stories high, which is 1,250 feet (380 meters), and has that classic Art Deco design. Its impressive height and polished style made it an instant icon of the city, so exploring it while you’re in New York City is an absolute must!
There are two observation decks at the Empire State Building where you can get incredible views of New York below. You can purchase tickets to visit the 86th-floor observation deck, which is the main one, for $48 USD, or you can pay extra to go up to the 102nd floor. You can also visit at peak times and catch an epic sunset from the top for $11 USD more. There is also a “skip the line” ticket available for $92 USD, which might be worth it if you only have one day in the city.
You can visit the Empire State Building every day of the year from 8 am to 2 am!
Note: You should book a timeslot to go up the Empire State Building online in advance here, otherwise you could be stuck in line for a long time! They only allow a limited number of people up at once, and people with bookings get priority.
Related Read: There are actually quite a few observation decks that give you epic views of the city. Check out the 5 BEST Observation Decks in NYC and add at least to your itinerary!
Angelo’s Coal Oven Pizzeria (lunch)
With all this exploring, it’s about time to stop for lunch! If you only have one day in New York City, you gotta stop for a famous slice of New York-style pizza. With its thin crust and huge slices that you have to fold in half to eat, you’ll fall in love with this pizza as much as I did. Thankfully, a New York slice is pretty cheap, so you can eat as much as you want!
There are a lot of famous pizzerias in the city, but Angelo’s Coal Oven Pizzeria is amongst the best. It has been run by the same family for four generations since they first immigrated in the 1930s. Their Italian roots helped build this notable pizza scene, so you’re getting some of the best pizza in the world!
Angelo’s is particularly amazing because of their coal oven which fires its pies to perfection. With the flavorful dough, creamy sauce, high-quality cheese, and fresh toppings, it deserves a chef’s kiss. It’s my top recommendation for a lunch stop, so you can refuel and keep exploring the city!
Angelo’s Coal Oven Pizzeria is open from 11:30 am to 10 pm on weekdays and until 11 pm on weekends! It’s about 2 blocks from Central Park, which sets you up for our next stop on the itinerary!
Explore Central Park (afternoon)
After a morning of busy sightseeing, a leisurely afternoon in Central Park sounds just about perfect. Central Park is yet another famous NYC location, but has a different vibe than the bustling city. You can spend hours exploring this massive park, or simply sit in the sun and enjoy the large green space!
Central Park has been open to New Yorkers since 1858 but was exponentially expanded over the following 15 years. Today, you’ll see locals still flocking to the park, as they love the expansive green space and activities that surround it.
Central Park is 1.3 square miles (3.4 square kilometers) and has large grassy fields to relax in, such as Sheep Meadow, an old and historic carousel, an ice skating rink that’s open from October to April, and even a castle. The Belvedere Castle dates back to 1865 and serves as a sort of museum these days, but it’s quite lovely to see!
There are a lot of ways you can experience Central Park. Of course, you can stroll through it on your own or lounge in the grass on a nice sunny day. But if you’re looking for a bit more adventure, you can rent a bicycle for $26 USD for the entire day! This lets you cover a lot of ground and see most of Central Park! You can book a bicycle in advance online here.
You can also take a horse-drawn carriage through Central Park! If this is something you’ve always dreamed of doing, I can’t think of a better place to do it. You can reserve a 45-minute carriage ride for $75 USD for up to 4 people– what an experience!
Bateaux New York Premier Dinner Cruise (dinner)
If you only have one day in New York City, taking a dinner cruise is my top recommendation! Out of all the things we did during our 5 days in NYC, this was my absolute favorite activity, so I want everyone to experience it too! Taking a dinner cruise on the Hudson River gives you an excuse to dress up and have a fancy night out, and lets you see the city from an entirely new perspective– it’s a lovely evening!
We went on the Bateaux New York Premier Dinner Cruise, and while we’ve been on many dinner cruises before, this one was our favorite by far. This dinner cruise was luxurious from the moment we stepped on the boat. They had live music to set the ambiance and it is an all-glass boat, giving incredible views of the skyline, the Statue of Liberty, and Battery Park. It was amazing to see the city light up as the sun set, something I’ll never forget!
While the views are a huge draw for a dinner cruise in NYC, let’s not forget you’re there for dinner! They pulled out all the stops for this gourmet 3-course meal, it was probably the best thing we ate in our entire time in New York (and we ate a lot!). You can expect high-quality food, service, drinks, and views as you set sail along the Hudson River.
Taking the Bateaux New York Premier Dinner Cruise was worth every penny in our book! Prices will vary depending on the day of the week and how far out you book it, but you can expect between $200-$300 USD per person. Be sure to book this cruise in advance, as it’s certainly popular and you skip this experience!
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See a Broadway show (night)
With only one night in New York City, it can be hard to decide exactly what to do! Seeing a Broadway show is such an important part of a full NYC experience, so this could also be a great evening activity!
Broadway shows are such impressive productions, the logistics, set, prop design, and raw talent of the performers is mind blowing! Even if you’re not a huge musical fan, like Daniel, it can still be a very fun experience. We booked tickets to the Book of Mormon, and loved it! It has the same writers as South Park, so it’s funny from front to back, and even the musical scenes were enthralling (even Daniel was impressed)!
But really, there are so many iconic Broadway shows that have been running for decades. The Lion King is one of the most popular productions and has been running since 1997, it’s put on over 5,000 shows! You can reserve tickets to The Lion King starting at $145, and prices will change depending on which seats you select and the date of availability.
If you’re somewhat of a self-proclaimed theater nerd, you’ll love this walking tour of Broadway Theaters and Times Square! You will get to go behind the scenes of theaters and get the inside scoop on what it’s really like working on Broadway, as this tour is led by a real performer. This 2-hour tour is $39 USD and begins at 4 pm, so you can take the tour and then catch a show!
Related Read: It’s no lie that NYC is an expensive city! Even if you’re traveling in NYC for one day, you can save money by using a New York City Attraction Pass– read our full guide to get the scoop here!
Go to a Speakeasy (night)
After you hit a Broadway show, you’ll be in the perfect area to find a speakeasy! New York’s speakeasy scene is huge, as it’s always been a hub of activity, even during the Prohibition Era of 1919. Prohibition made all sales and consumption of alcohol illegal, so any legitimate bar was shut down. Organized crime groups began to open secret bars all over New York, and it became a very lucrative business.
While it is now legal to drink in the city, the charm of seeking out these hidden and historic bars is a super fun activity. Plus, the design and quirks of some of these speakeasies are so unique, in true New York form!
We visited The Woo Woo near Times Square after our Broadway show, as it was pretty close! It has a seedy 1980s vibe to reflect the early days of Times Square. However, our favorite speakeasy is Please Don’t Tell, and it’s hidden behind a hotdog restaurant. To enter, you have to go into a phone booth, press 1, and be transported to a small, cozy 1920s decor speakeasy.
You’ll want to make reservations for Please Don’t Tell in advance, because it’s quite popular!
You can also take this speakeasy tour, which takes you to some truly hidden speakeasies, gives a down low of their checkered history, and lets you skip the line wherever you go! You can reserve this tour for $35 USD, but you will still have to pay for your drinks. This is a fun look at New York’s unique and lively bar scene, a perfect way to end your day in the Big Apple!
Related Read: Have a little more time? Check our two days in New York itinerary to get a few more ideas of how to best spend your time!
Where to Stay in New York City
New York City is huge – there is just no other way to put it! Even Manhattan (the area you’ll want to base yourself in) is a lot bigger than you think. That’s why choosing the right hotel in the right location is so important during your stay in New York, even if it’s just a quick trip!
Below, we’ve simplified it all for you by choosing a couple of the very best hotels available in the city. All three of these options have ideal locations close to attractions and the subway system. They all have amazing reviews, too, so just choose the one in your budget category and you’ll be ready to pack your bags!
Motto by Hilton – $$$
Motto by Hilton is a gorgeous hotel located in the Chelsea neighborhood only 600 meters from the Flatiron Building. The hotel features modern decor that has “speakeasy vibes.” In fact, they have a beautiful bar onsite that looks like the perfect place to sip an Old Fashioned. There are a variety of rooms on offer including some that are a little more budget-friendly, and some that are pure luxury with city views!
Prices start from about $400 USD per night plus tax. You can check prices and availability for Motto by Hilton online here!
TBA Times Square – $$
TBA Times Square is where we stayed the last time we visited New York, and honestly, we loved it! This hotel is the perfect combination of comfort and value for money. It was clean, modern, and our room had all of the amenities we needed for an enjoyable stay (air conditioning, k-cup coffee maker, steamer, large shower, big windows, etc). Plus, the location is ideal, it’s only a couple blocks from Times Square!
Prices do range, but they do go as low as $200 USD per night plus tax depending on the time of year and day of the week. You can check prices and book the TBA Times Square online here!
Nap York Central Park Sleep Station – $
For those traveling on a tight budget, Nap York is a budget hostel that’s an ideal choice. Although affordable, this property is immaculate and offers a ton of amenities for a great stay including air conditioning and a shared kitchen. The rooms are modern and the location is about as central as it gets! This property only offers dorm rooms, but they are affordable at as little as $100 USD per night.
You can check prices and book Nap York online on either Booking.com or Hostelworld.
Related Read: While you’re traveling on the East Coast, you can make a quick stop in Toronto, Canada! This city has so much to explore, so check out the 12 Best Tours in Toronto to continue your adventures!
Don’t get Caught without Travel Insurance!
We never travel without travel insurance! We’ve had a few instances during our travels when one of us has ended up in the hospital, and travel insurance has saved us thousands of dollars over the years!
SafetyWing is our go-to insurance, we both have policies with them whenever we travel.
They offer travel medical insurance that’s super affordable (only $45 USD per 4 weeks!)The only thing to note is that the insurance must be purchased once you’ve left your home country – we typically buy it as soon as we land at the airport.
We’ve personally used SafetyWing for many different trips, and we’ve been reimbursed for countless expenses when we’ve fallen ill. SafetyWing even covered our flights back to Canada in full when the pandemic first happened (when last-minute flights before the borders closed were super expensive!) While most travel insurance companies left people stranded, SafetyWing fully reimbursed us for our last-minute, pricey flights!
Also, because it is so affordable, there really is no excuse not to take out a policy. Check prices and get a quote online here with SafetyWing (you can even take out a policy if you’re already traveling!)
Thanks for reading!
Even if you’re taking a quick, one-day trip to New York City, it will still be an amazing time! With so much to see in the city, you will certainly have a busy but memorable day. We spent 5 days in New York and it still didn’t feel like enough time, so that just means we will have to come back and explore some more.
We hope you found this blog helpful as you plan your one-day in NYC itinerary. If you need more travel inspiration and advice, check out our other USA blogs! Plus, if you’re on this side of the world, you can add a trip to Canada to your agenda, as we have a ton of blogs about Canada. Here are some of our top recommendations below!
5 BEST Manhattan Helicopter Tours (and how to choose one!)
How to Spend 3 Days in New York City: An Itinerary
The 3 BEST Niagara Falls Tours from New York City
6 BEST Washington, DC River Cruises + 6 Things to Know BEFORE you Book!
