Only have a single day in New York City? Whether it’s during a layover or a cruise stop, don’t miss out on these incredible sights. I’ve hand-picked the top attractions that truly define New York City’s diverse culture and iconic sights, and have created a strategic, detailed itinerary to help you experience them all in just one action-packed day. This itinerary is specifically designed for those short on time, maximizing your exposure to New York City’s best attractions.
Using the New York City Subway
This itinerary assumes that you will use the subway. I have a separate post all about using the New York City subway, describing all routes, local versus express trains, and more! Refer to this post for a detailed guide on how to confidently navigate the subway. The subway is the fastest way to get around the city, so it is recommended that you use the subway over taxis. You will also save a lot of money using the subway in New York City instead of taxis. You are also allowed to use contactless payment (credit or debit card) to pay for the subway. I talk about this in more detail later on. Each ride costs $2.90.
Even though you will be using the subway while following this itinerary, you will still be walking a lot. Wear sneakers or other comfortable shoes!
Empire State Building
How to get here: Take the subway to 34 St–Herald Square and walk east for 2 minutes towards 5th Avenue on West 34 Street until you see the building.
Start your day by visiting the Empire State Building. The Empire State Building, which gave New York State its “Empire State” nickname, is one of the most recognizable and iconic skyscrapers in the world and a true symbol of New York City. The building’s most striking visual feature is its magnificent Art Deco architecture. Standing at 102 stories and reaching a height of 1,454 feet (including its spire), it was completed in 1931 and was the world’s tallest building for nearly 40 years. Moreover, it was the first building in the world to have more than 100 floors, a breakthrough achievement for its time. I recommend spending 10 minutes maximum here, taking photos and admiring the building’s architecture.
Times Square
How to get here: Walk 10 minutes north on Broadway until you start to see the lit-up billboards, signs, and stores!
A world-famous plaza and the most visited attraction in the USA, Times Square is famous for being where the ball drops on New Year’s Eve each year, but it’s much more than that. Times Square is synonymous with the spirit of New York– its relentless energy, ambition, and constant motion. It’s a place that embodies the idea of “the city that never sleeps.”
Illuminated by an astounding number of massive, brightly lit digital billboards, neon signs, and advertisements, it practically turns night into day! Times Square is where commerce and entertainment meet as countless people from around the world gather under iconic, glowing billboards. I highly recommend spending 10 minutes maximum here so you don’t get stuck (literally) in the throngs of people.
If you have already visited Times Square another time, consider skipping it to avoid the enormous crowds. In this case, I recommend visiting Hudson Yards instead, which I describe in more detail in my hidden gems in New York City post. Hudson Yards is a newer neighborhood in Manhattan along the Hudson River and located near Chelsea Market. Hudson Yards features an upscale mall, the Vessel, and other attractions. You can access Hudson Yards on the 7 train, going to the 34th St–Hudson Yards station.
Rockefeller Center and Top of the Rock Observation Deck
How to get here: You can walk 20 minutes north via 5th Avenue to get to Rockefeller Center from the Empire State Building, or you can take the B, D, F, or M trains from the 34th St–Herald Square station to the 47-50 Sts-Rockefeller Center station. Walk around the corner after leaving the subway station and you will see Rockefeller Center and its fountain.
Rockefeller Center is a thoughtfully designed “city within a city” that captivates visitors and locals year-round. Its iconic Art Deco architecture, with its sleek lines and grand scale, embodies the ambition of New York City in the 1930s. Beneath street level lies an underground concourse, a labyrinth of shops and places to eat that provides a seamless connection between buildings and subway lines, truly living up to its “city within a city” moniker.
While millions visit to see the towering Christmas tree illuminate the plaza, Rockefeller Center’s year-round appeal is cemented by its role as the center of NBC Studios, where beloved shows like Saturday Night Live, The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, and Late Night with Seth Meyers are filmed, offering a glimpse into the world of television production.
As I mentioned in my 5-day New York City itinerary, I think the Top of the Rock Observation Deck is the best observation deck option. Nonetheless, it is also time-efficient due to your limited time in the city since it is located in Rockefeller Center. The entrance is on the side of the building where you will see signs that say “Top of the Rock Observation Deck.”
Located in Rockefeller Center, the Top of the Rock allows you to see Manhattan from three floors: 67th, 69th, and 70th, offering unobstructed, 360-degree views of the city! I recommend staying for 30 minutes maximum here, 10 minutes on each of the three floors to take photos and admire the views. Purchase tickets here. Note: I recommend purchasing tickets 1 or 2 days before your visit so you can ensure there will be good weather.
Central Park
How to get here: From Rockefeller Center, walk 10 minutes north along Fifth Avenue and you will reach the southeast corner of Central Park, close to The Pond at Central Park and Gapstow Bridge. I recommend spending at least an hour in Central Park, walking around to see Bow Bridge and even the Strawberry Fields, a memorial dedicated to John Lennon with the “Imagine” mosaic. It will take you a maximum of 20 minutes to get from Gapstow Bridge to Bow Bridge and the Strawberry Fields.
Spanning 843 acres, Central Park is New York City’s largest and most famous park, a breathtaking green space amidst the dense concrete and towering skyscrapers of Manhattan. The park features playgrounds for children, pedestrian paths to walk on, and bike lanes, as well as softball/baseball fields. Central Park offers a sense of calmness, a true testament to urban planning, and a vital sanctuary for both New Yorkers and visitors seeking a break in the midst of one of the world’s busiest cities.
As you walk along Fifth Avenue to get to Central Park, you will see several designer stores and a flagship Apple Store with its iconic, towering glass doors. Fifth Avenue is the second most expensive shopping street in the world, behind Via Monte Napoleone in Milan, Italy.
Grand Central Terminal and Lunch
How to get here: It’s a 20-minute walk to get to Grand Central from Central Park. Walk back to how you entered Central Park at the southeast corner. Walk along Fifth Avenue and make a left onto East 47th Street. You will see Grand Central on your left.
Grand Central Terminal is not only a train terminal but also a stunning Beaux-Arts architectural landmark, recognizable for its celestial ceiling, its famous four-faced opal clock, and its Whispering Gallery, making it a living testament to New York City’s grand history.
What is the Whispering Gallery?
If two people stand at diagonally opposite corners of the arched space, face the wall, and whisper directly into it, they can hear each other perfectly, even over the noise of the busy terminal. The sound waves travel along the curved ceiling, “clinging” to the walls, and are then directed to the person at the opposite corner.
Lunch at the Dining Concourse
Located on the lower level, the dining concourse is a large and busy hub for food and drinks. You will find a wide array of casual dining options. Well-known chains like Shake Shack are featured, in addition to various types of international cuisine (e.g., Indian, Mexican, Japanese, Middle Eastern), delis, bakeries like Zaro’s Family Bakery, and coffee shops. It caters to a broad range of tastes and budgets, perfect for a quick meal before a train or a more leisurely lunch. Seating can sometimes be scarce during peak hours, but the dining concourse does offer shared public seating areas. However, many individual vendors also have their own dedicated seating.
Make sure to check out Jacques Torres Chocolate Shop in the Lexington Passage (on Lexington Avenue and the 43rd Street entrance). This is a famous chocolate and ice cream shop by Jacques Torres, a French pastry chef and chocolatier. They are known for their gourmet scoops in intense flavors, and sometimes feature unique options like chocolate stout and salted caramel. They also sell ice cream sandwiches made with their famous chocolate chip cookies.
If you are hungry before coming to Grand Central, feel free to eat in Central Park, but note that it is much more expensive. There are also not many options that offer quick service; eating in a restaurant in Central Park will take up lots of time.
Additional option: Chrysler Building
After you leave Grand Central, you can walk less than 5 minutes along East 43rd Street towards Lexington Avenue and make a right onto Lexington to see the Chrysler Building. The Chrysler Building is another Art Deco skyscraper of New York City, built in 1930, and was once the world’s tallest building before the Empire State Building was built. Its distinct, automotive-inspired ornamentation, especially the eagle gargoyles and radiating sunburst crown, makes it a unique piece of architecture. Spend a couple of minutes here taking pictures of this famous but less-visited landmark.
The Battery and the Statue of Liberty
End your visit at the southern tip of Manhattan! The Battery (also known as Battery Park) is a beautiful 25-acre park located at the confluence of the Hudson and East Rivers at the southern tip of Manhattan. Named for the artillery batteries that once defended New York City, the park now offers a peaceful escape from the bustling financial district. The park is a great place for a stroll, with beautiful waterfront views, lush gardens, and plenty of benches for people-watching. You can also see the Statue of Liberty from the park! Due to your limited time, I don’t recommend booking a tour to go to Liberty Island.
What about the 9/11 Museum?
While the 9/11 Memorial & Museum is an impactful attraction to visit in New York City, it is an experience that demands a significant amount of time and emotional space to fully appreciate. A proper visit can easily take 2-3 hours, not including the travel time to and from Lower Manhattan.
For this specific itinerary, my goal is to provide a balanced overview of New York City, allowing visitors to experience a variety of iconic landmarks and neighborhoods without feeling rushed. By focusing on a different set of attractions like I have included, you can make the most of our limited time and cover more ground, giving a broader taste of what makes New York City so special. The 9/11 Museum is a profound experience that deserves its own dedicated time, and for a one-day trip, I’ve chosen to prioritize a different kind of immersion in the city’s energy and diverse offerings.
If you wish, you can visit the 9/11 Memorial Pools, which are a 15-minute walk north of The Battery and are free to visit, offering a moment of quiet reflection without the time commitment of the museum.
What about an art museum?
Like visiting the 9/11 Museum, spending a significant portion of your day in New York City indoors at an art museum means less time for other quintessential New York City experiences like the ones I described in this itinerary. While New York is home to some of the world’s finest art collections, like The Metropolitan Museum of Art and MoMA, these are destinations that truly deserve a day of their own.
My main goal for this itinerary is for you to see a broad overview of New York City’s famous landmarks and experience the city’s energy, especially if you have never been before. Therefore, I don’t recommend going to an art museum, as it would detract from the goal of this fast-paced day.
Should I get the New York Pass?
In my 5-day New York City itinerary, I mention the New York Pass by Go City. They sell passes that range from a 2-attraction pass to a 10-attraction pass. I don’t think getting the pass for one day is worth it, especially since the price per adult ticket is $99 ($89 when there’s a sale).
Conclusions
Only one day in New York City does not give you enough time to see all of the city’s attractions, but this itinerary allows you to see the city’s highlights in a carefully planned, efficient way, ensuring you experience the true essence of the Big Apple without feeling overwhelmed. Hopefully, this itinerary will leave you wanting to come back and explore more of what New York City has to offer, especially several overlooked attractions that I have written about here. Let me know in the comments what you would add to a one-day trip in New York City!