11 Best Stops for One Day in New York City: The Perfect Itinerary
An Action-Packed day in NYC
Exploring the United States of America is a massive undertaking, and our trip in May 2019 was scattered across several states. While the Grand Canyon and the UTV rides at Eldorado Canyon were unforgettable, our whirlwind day tour of New York City remains a major highlight of our American adventure.
We were staying in New Jersey for work and despite a major punch in the face from jet lag that had us awake very early in the morning, we headed into the city via public transport. Most of our exploration was done on foot, which is the best way to soak in the energy of the Big Apple.
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Arriving in New York City
- Via Train or Bus: NYC is the primary destination for most major bus lines and Amtrak. Whether you are arriving at Port Authority or Penn Station, you can compare routes and book through busbud here.
- Via Flight: NYC is served by three major airports: JFK, LaGuardia (LGA), and Newark (EWR). To find the best deals on international or domestic airfare, search and book your flights here.
Essential Travel Resources for Your NYC Trip
- Best Hotels in New York: For a comfortable and budget-friendly stay, book your hotel here.
- Stay Connected with a US Travel SIM: Our top eSIM recommendations:
- Airalo for budget-friendly and basic plans. Get your Airalo eSIM here.
- Yesim for unlimited data needs. Get your Yesim eSIM here.
- Getting Around:
- Taxis & Private Transfers Secure a reliable, fixed-price ride with professional drivers. Avoid the airport queues by booking in advance. Book your taxi/transfer here.
- Car Rentals Enjoy the freedom of the open road. Compare the best rates from top brands to find your perfect vehicle here.
- Public Transport Travel like a local and save money. Skip the station lines by securing your train and bus tickets here.
1. Central Park
Our very first checkpoint was the famous Central Park. We only spent 30 minutes inside the park and explored it a little before moving on with our tour. There were a lot of families enjoying the outdoors and the park looked like a great place for a nice picnic and outing. We definitely would have spent more time at the park if we had more days to explore New York City.
2. Trump Tower and St. Patrickās Cathedral
On our walk, we came across the well known Trump Tower which was frankly nothing special. Next, we walked towards St. Patrickās Cathedral. Now, that looked like an out of place existence between all the modern skyscrapers and buildings. Nevertheless, the architecture looked stunning and we could not help but admire it.
3. Rockefeller Center (Including Lego Store and NBC Studios)
Our next major destination was the Rockefeller Center. This area is a hub of activity and home to several of our favorite stops.
- The Lego Store: Since Mehran is a huge Lego fan, we went inside to have a look. It was a fun experience to see the creative displays before moving forward with our adventure.
- Top of the Rock Observation Deck: We were interested in experiencing the Top of the Rock. We bought the tickets online for $45 and spent a little more than an hour there. The experience took us through three different levels of observation decks which allowed us to see different views of New York City and Central Park. The weather was clear and the views were absolutely stunning.
- NBC Studios Shop: Afterwards, we spent some time at the NBC Studios Shop and bought merchandise from the tv serials “Friends” and “The Office.”
š” Pro Tip: Secure your tickets below to guarantee your preferred time slot and skip the ticket office lines for the best 360Ā° views of NYC.
4. Gulliverās Gate
We arrived at Gulliverās Gate and spent an hour exploring it. Gulliverās Gate used to display miniature versions of landmarks and cities. We had a nice time going through miniature versions of different places. Please note that Gulliverās Gate has now been shut down permanently.
5. Empire State Building
On our walk, we came across the Empire State Building which used to be the worldās tallest building at some point in history. It is, however, still an iconic building of New York.
6. Flat Iron Building
Next, we saw the Flat Iron Building and as the name suggests it looked like someone had flattened it. We had to google what it was and I have to say the name did not disappoint us at all.
7. Liberty Cruise
We could not have come to New York and not gone to see the Statue of Liberty. So, we booked a one hour circular cruise that took us around the Statue of Liberty. The cruise cost approximately $30 and was an awesome experience. We enjoyed the slight wind during the cruise and had a nice time.
š” Pro Tip: Secure your tickets below to guarantee your departure time and enjoy the best views of the Statue of Liberty and the NYC skyline.
8. 9/11 Memorial
After the cruise, we came across the 9/11 memorial which was a tribute to the former World Trade Center and a site honoring the victims.
9. Rose III Sculpture
While walking towards Wall Street, we came across an extremely tall sculpture of a Rose. Upon researching, we found out that it was a rose sculpture made out of steel serving as a sign of hope.
10. Wall Street
After admiring the sculpture, we spent some time going around Wall Street and exploring the area where a lot of the financial magic of the world happens.
11. Brooklyn Bridge
Our last destination of the New York City exploration was the famous Brooklyn Bridge. It is another one of the icons of New York and it was extremely crowded. We walked on the bridge and enjoyed the view of the East River before heading to our chosen restaurant.
Dinner at Rasa (Halal Malaysian Restaurant)
- š„Cuisine: Authentic Malaysian / Southeast Asian
- ā Our Rating: āāāāā
- š Halal Status: 100% Halal
- š Website: rasanyc.com
- šø Socials: Instagram
- š° Budget: $20 ā $35 per person.
We were fasting the day we explored New York. Naturally, we were starving by the time we entered the restaurant. Rasa was a Halal Malaysian Restaurant run by a chef associated with a Michelin Star Chef and restaurant in the past. The food was just awesome and we absolutely loved everything about it. Everything from the appetizers to the main course to the mocktails was perfect. The food was a great end to our day at New York City and our trip to the United States of America.
Final Remarks
Our one day exploration of New York was nothing short of adventurous. After completing our day, we picked up some bagels at a local deli to enjoy for Suhoor the next morning. We could not possibly have missed out on New York’s bagels. The highlight of the trip was the Liberty Cruise and the walk around NYC. If you want to explore NYC in one day and make the most out of it, follow this itinerary.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is one day enough to see New York City?
While you cannot see everything, one day is enough to visit major landmarks like Central Park, Rockefeller Center, and the Brooklyn Bridge if you follow an efficient walking route.
Where can I find Halal food in NYC?
New York has a great selection of Halal food. Rasa in Greenwich Village is a fantastic sit-down option, and there are many Halal street carts located throughout Midtown.
Is it better to buy tickets for Top of the Rock in advance?
Yes, it is highly recommended to buy tickets online to skip the long lines and ensure you get your preferred time slot for the best views.
