1 Day in New York - what to do?

Question

Going to New York on business in a couple of months and will have 1 spare day to myself, what should I do/see to make the most of the time?

Answer 1

shop SHOP shop SHOP shop AND SHOP!!

Answer 2

Start by visiting Ground Zero about 8-9AM
Then walk a few blocks south to the Staten Island Ferry Terminal, and take the free ride to Staten Island. You will pass the Statue of Liberty (on the starboard side)
At Staten Island take the boat back. Sometimes your boat will not be the one making the immediate return trip, so be aware if you see another boat loaded up scoot over to that one.
On the return trip you'll see a very smart view of the lower Manhattan skyline.
After the ferry you can walk about 20 minutes to the Little Italy/ Chinatown section. Walk around or grab a bite to eat. Lombardi's Pizza is a nice place. Try the desserts at Ferrarra's Pastry. I recommend the Lobster Tail, about $6.00, but enough for two people.
Take the subway to Midtown, they're quite safe during the day and evening.
Do some shopping. Cool weather time? Head to Rockefeller Center for some ice skating. Catch a show. And spend some time at Times Square 'people watching". Eat a hot dog (Mustard and Sauerkraut) or hot soft pretzel from a pushcart.
Take a taxi ride. Ask a native NY'er for directions, even if you don't need any.

Have fun!

Answer 3

Top of the list would be the empire state building, on the way up you do the virtual tour of New York on helicopter, then the view from the top is magnificent, take a ferry ride that passes the statue of liberty and goes under the Brooklyn Bridge (for a longer visit plan to cross the bridge walking). Take the metro up to Central Park, watch the break dancers or whoever is doing a free show at the entrance to the Park, walk down Park Avenue and look in the shop windows and definitely have a coffee in the Trumps Building Starbucks, and last but not least the Rockefeller centre rocks, so much to see and do, just beware that you will end up with a stiff neck from all the wonderful architecture on the tall buildings, and and a hot dog or pretzel in times square and dinner in Michael's in Grand Central Station. Check out some of the photos on the site below

Answer 4

I went to the big apple last summer. It was truly fantastic and there's so much to do...

My recommendations:

1) Visit the Rockefeller Centre rather than the Empire State Building. The former has better views, is much more open, cheaper - and far less of a queue to get in!

2) In a couple of months, you'll be able to visit Yankee stadium (or Shea stadium) to take in a baseball game. I saw the Yankees take down the Blue Jays towards the end of last season and I enjoyed every minute! The metro takes you right there.

3) The Guggenheim museum is staggering. Modern art and architecture - if you're a pretentious, artsy intellectual (entrely unlike me, of course), you'll love it.

4) Avoid Ground Zero. It was very dull and not-at-all "moving" - it's now a building site anyway. Plus, it's really out of the way. The financial district is lame.

5) Avoid the Statue of Liberty. It was impressive enough when I saw it, but it will eat up most of your day. Unless your hotel is just around the corner, getting there is a real pain - metro (or taxi), ferry, another ferry. Nuisance-some!

6) BROADWAY! 'Nuff said. If 'Spamalot' is still on, see that. It's hilarious!

7) Central Park - this is a must, even if you just walk through (part of) it to go elsewhere. I'd not bother with a horse / carriage ride though. Overpriced - plus, you look like a fool.

8) NINTENDO WORLD! Personal favourite. I got my "1 Up!" t-shirt there. I think it's on 54th street or something... Certainly not on the tourist maps!

Oh, God, I want to go to New York again. =(

Answer 5

It is worth going to the top of the Empire state building on a clear smogless day. The view takes your breath away.

I would also recommend going to the UN buildings and having a look around there. It gives you some idea of what goes on.

Central park is nice to see if you have a few minutes to spare on a good day. However, it is much like any other park.

It is not worth climbing up the statue of liberty. A total waste of money. Try going shopping in the Rockerfeller centre, you will certainly leave there with the same money as you went in with.

If you go to Times square, keep your wallet well hidden. You must try travelling on the underground. Go to Brooklyn or the Bronkx and feel what it is like to stick out like a sore thumb.

Wear a big badge saying, I AM A TOURIST. People will help you spend your money!

Answer 6

Get up REALLY early, grab a bagel with cream cheese from a local deli, get a coffee from starbucks and jump on a red tour bus (sit on top, excellent guides, very funny). Go all the way to the finance district (wall st etc) and stop to take in the sombre atmosphere at Ground Zero. Make your way to the harbour (2 minute walk) and catch the ferry to Liberty Island and Elis Island, which are the Number One Must Sees!!!! If you like a bargain, pick up some designer gear at great prices at Century 21 (close to Ground Zero). If not, back on the tour bus. Next stop depends on you. There are a number of stops which the tour guide will tell you about, such as Little Italy, Chinatown, Soho, Greenwich Village or South Street Sea Port. So if you have a particular interest, stop off at one of these, if not carry on back to Central Park. You could walk straight through to the American Museum Of Natural History, take a horse and carriage or just take in the atmosphere. As evening approaches, head for Times Square, by walking down Fifth Avenue and have a meal at Planet Hollywood (one of the best in the world for movie memorabillia). After your meal take in the night time atmosphere in Times Square (not to be missed) and then head for The Empire State Building for a breath-taking view of New York (check closing times as closed at 11pm when we were there). You'll sleep like a baby at the end of the day, but it will be well worth it!! Have a fab time, you've brought out the green eyed monster in me and my daughter!!! x

Answer 7

What do you think of when you think of NYC? These are the things you should experience in person if you have time.

For me, I walked the entire length of Central Park, went to the observation deck of the Empire State Building at night, took the Circle Line ferry past Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty, and walked down Broadway to Times Square.

Since I had just one day I spent time experiencing things unique to NYC, therefore, no shopping, shows or dining...which is pretty much the same everywhere... and concentrated on sights.

At the end of the day I concluded NYC is not so "tall", not so big (in sq.mi.), and seemingly in the process of being renovated (a task that's never ending).

Ground Zero is emotional for NYCers but it's really just a big square pit (I never saw the Towers in person) and not worth the time unless you already have emotional trauma from the event and need "closure".

Answer 8

If you are in NY there are a few things you HAVE to do:

1. See a Broadway show! (its a MUST)
2. Eat somewhere exotic..you get the best food in Manhattan so make the most of it. Get Thai, Japanese or Greek
3. Get Cheesecake! NY Cheesecake is the bestest yum!
4. Take pictures in Time Square
5. Go to Central Park
6. Check out Ground Zero- It's very touching and amazing to see. It really hits you hard though so be warned.
7. Go shopping. There are so many unique shops and stores in NY so you can get stuff there you will never find anywhere else.

Hope this helps!

Answer 9

A must is the Statue of Liberty, great boat trip and a view of the Manhattan skyline from there is a great photo.
Also Ground Zero because it's a part of history that has occured in your lifetime. Empire State going all the way to the top, wow!! Amazing.
We did as much as we could cram in, but don't do what we did......buy a city map and think you can walkthe couple of blocks or so to the next tourist site. The couple of blocks which in London are not much, are miles and miles in NY.
Enjoy it, we loved it and would love to return to spend more time.
Oh and The Village too, loads of atmosphere.

Answer 10

My recommendations would be to visit Times Square, Central Park (not too early or late in the day though), and the Statue of Liberty - from which you could see the whole city anyway.

Above all, don't follow pre-planned directions; follow your heart. Then you'll know you've been where you had to be. And if you find you need to go back some day, so much the better.

All the best!

Answer 11

Hi ... we've just got back from seven days in NYC and ran out of time ... there is so much to do and see and it is simply exhausting as well.
But, one day to fill? ..... Suggest you must :

* Maceys for shopping ... all seven floors!
* Empire State Building ... go to the Observation deck and also take the SKYRIDE ... a great experience!
* Eat at the Martenique Restaurant in Broadway/West 32nd street, a superb transfat free place! Fabulous food.
* TImes Square for the lights and atmosphere ... visit Hersheys and buy some choccies ... then onto Toys'R'us and see the indoor Ferris Wheel and buy a little yellow NYC Cab to take home!

We had some great memories from the above.! Hope this helps ,.....