How to Spend One Day in NYC

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Last Updated on August 29, 2023 by sydabroad

If you are planning to spend one day in NYC, then keep reading!

Although one day in New York City is not nearly enough time to see it all, you certainly can squeeze a lot into just one day. With some planning and great walking shoes — you’ll be surprised by how much you can really see with just one day in NYC. 

I have visited New York City quite a few times and here is what I suggest doing with one day in the city. Alright, let’s get into this one day in NYC itinerary.

Looking for more New York guides? 

• The Kixby Hotel; A Boutique Stay in Midtown Manhattan 
• How to Plan the Perfect Day Trip to Montauk 
• The Best Things to Do in The Hamptons

This post is about how to spend one day in NYC.

Getting Around New York City 

The best way to get from place to place in New York City is certainly by taking advantage of the public transportation system. Navigating the city is simple with its extensive public transport system. 

If you are going a long distance in Manhattan, the subway is the quickest and most affordable way to get from place to place. You can easily use your card on your phone to scan and pay for subway routes. You can also buy MetroCards at the ticket machines in most subway stations.  

Walking is also a great way to get around NYC and explore different areas. If it’s a nice day and you have good walking shoes – definitely walk from place to place! You’ll come across new fun spots along the way.

Alternatively, rideshare and taxis are readily available in the city. These can be a bit pricey and take longer with traffic. I find that if the weather is really bad, this is the best way to get around New York City. 

Map of NYC Locations – One Day in New York City

How To Spend One Day In NYC

Start Your One Day in NYC with Coffee and Breakfast 

Alright, start off your one day in NYC bright and early with a quick bite and some coffee. I suggest choosing a grab-and-go breakfast to start your day off early. This way you have the most time to see the city. 

Visit Leon’s Bagels for a delicious bagel and a coffee. Leon’s Bagels is a NYC-based bagel shop operating out of a quaint little takeout window. They offer a variety of classic and unique bagel flavors. 

Washington Square Park 

Washington Square Park is a short walk away from Leon’s Bagels. You can sit in the park to enjoy your meal and see the iconic Washington Square Arch. 

This is a historic public park located in Greenwich Village. It’s a gathering place for locals and visitors with seating areas and tree-lined pathways. A perfect spot to relax and people-watch. 

Central Park 

Next, visit Central Park. You can’t miss Central Park during your one day in NYC. This is certainly one of the most famous spots in the city. Central Park is a nice place to enjoy nature and escape the hustle of the city. 

Although you could spend hours here, take a nice walk through Central Park and then head to Fifth Avenue. If you only have one day in NYC, you need to make the most of it. 

Fifth Avenue

Fifth Avenue is not only one of the most famous streets in NYC but one of the most famous in the world. A section of Fifth Avenue runs alongside Central Park, making it an easy stop after visiting the park. This portion of Fifth Avenue is often referred to as “Museum Mile” due to the many museums here.

Fifth Avenue is known for its high-end shopping and iconic department stores such as Saks Fifth Avenue. There are also many cultural institutions and museums.

Visit The Metropolitan Museum of Art

There are over 100 museums throughout the city so you can’t visit NYC without seeing at least one of them. Although, there are many to choose from I suggest visiting The Met (The Metropolitan Museum of Art). 

The Met is truly one of the most incredible museums I have ever visited and you could spend days in this museum and not see it all. It’s also located on “Museum Mile” on Fifth Avenue so it’s easy to get to from Fifth Avenue. 

Optional: Another iconic museum in NYC is The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA). This is one of the most prestigious art museums in NYC. It holds a collection of modern and contemporary art. It’s not located too far from the Met. If you find yourself with the time, this would be another great museum to visit in New York City. 

NYC Style Pizza for Lunch

Alright, it’s time for lunch. To keep the day moving I suggest another quick bite. And what’s better than New York-style pizza? You can’t spend one day in NYC without trying some of the city’s best pizza. 

Pick up a slice at Joe’s Pizza, they have various locations throughout the city. You could also go to Prince Street Pizza or Di Fara Pizza. 

RELATED POST: The Best Things to do in East Hampton, New York

Top of The Rock

The Top of the Rock is an observatory on top of the Rockefeller Center offering the most impressive views of New York City. The observation deck is on the 70th floor giving you panoramic views of the city including landmarks such as the Empire State Building. 

Tickets are $40 for adults and you can purchase them here. 

Many people debate whether to visit the Top of the Rock or the Empire State Building. I enjoy the Top of the Rock because you get such an amazing view of the Empire State Building. 

Optional: Visit the Empire State Building. Purchase tickets here.

Shopping in SoHo 

SoHo is an NYC favorite for shopping, dining, and culture. SoHo (short for “South of Houston Street”) is a trendy neighborhood known for its art galleries, vibrant shopping scene, and exquisite dining. 

A few favorite spots are Canal Street Market, Champers Social Club, La Colombe Coffee, and La Mercerie. Champers Social Club is the cutest champagne bar and La Mercerie has the most fantastic brunch. Apparently, La Mercerie has one of the best cookies in NYC too. 

Brooklyn Bridge and DUMBO

Next, head over to Brooklyn to visit the famous Brooklyn Bridge. It’s an architectural landmark in the city and an iconic NYC photography spot. Take a stroll across the bridge for amazing views of the Manhattan skyline. 

Another one of the best photo spots in NYC is DUMBO. DUMBO is short for “Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass.” This is a trendy neighborhood in Brooklyn known for its cobblestone streets, art galleries, and waterfront parks. 

Dinner & a Broadway Show 

End your one day in NYC with dinner and then a show on Broadway. There are so many amazing dinner spots in New York but a few favorites are TAO, Cibo e Vino, and Carbone.

I suggest purchasing Broadway tickets ahead of time. There are various plays showing on Broadway, I saw Moulin Rouge on Broadway and it was absolutely incredible. I’ve also seen Wicked a couple of times and this is a great show as well.

Times Square at Night 

And… did you really visit NYC without seeing Times Square? It’s much cooler at night with all of the bright lights and vibrant billboards. 

It’s located at the intersection of Broadway and Seventh Avenue. After your show lets out, snap a few photos of Times Square. It’s one of the most bustling areas in NYC. 

Where to Stay During Your One Day in NYC

The Kixby Hotel: A boutique hotel located in Midtown Manhattan. Read more about the property here. Book your stay here.

The Frederick Hotel: A luxury hotel in the TriBeCa neighborhood. Read more about the property here. Book your stay here. 

Find a Place to Stay in New York City

NYC SUMMER ESSENTIALS

• Good walking shoes
• Sunglasses
• Water bottle
• Sunscreen
• Blister pads
• Portable charger

I hope this one day in NYC itinerary was helpful for your trip. If you have any questions, DM me on Instagram, comment below, or email me at sydabroad@gmail.com. 

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