How to See the Best of New York in One Day

New York City is one of the most popular cities to visit in the United States and it is home to iconic landmarks that are a must-see in your lifetime. If you can’t afford a full vacation to the city or have time to stop along the way to another destination, you can make the most of your time by enjoying the best of New York City in a single day. Find luggage storage in Grand Central Station so you can drop your belongings (safely) while enjoying all the wondrous places NYC has to offer.

Arrive at Grand Central Station

Grand Central Station is a major hub for the Big Apple so if you are planning a day trip, try to arrive at this station to stay centrally located to many of New York City attractions. Of course, Grand Central Station, located at 42nd Street and Park Avenue in Midtown Manhattan, is an attraction all its own. Opened in 1913, Grand Central features a stunning architectural design, featuring the Beaux-Arts style.

The terminal will serve as a wonderful hub for you as you travel. If you are traveling with a great deal of luggage, store it at the luggage storage in Grand Central Station so you don’t have to lug anything around on your day in NYC. Grand Central is home to stores, restaurants, food vendors, and more so you have essentials at your fingertips on arrival and before departure. 

Choose Your Must-See NYC Landmarks

Below is a list of some of the most popular landmarks and attractions that are likely on your bucket list.

• 9/11 Memorial
• Broadway
• Brooklyn Bridge
• Central Park
• Chrysler Building (just a 3-minute walk from Grand Central)
• DUMBO (Down Under The Manhattan Bridge Overpass)
• Empire State Building
• Fifth Avenue
• Financial District (home to the Charging Bull)
• Grand Central Station
• Metropolitan Museum of Art
• Museum of Modern Art
• New York Public Library
• Radio City Music Hall
• Rockefeller Plaza
• St. Patrick’s Cathedral
• Statue of Liberty
• Top of the Rock
• The Plaza Hotel
• Times Square
• Trinity Church
• Washington Square Park

Take Advantage of the Subway

Spending a day in New York City means you will be on a time crunch to see the attractions on your lists. The best (and most cost-effective) way to get from point A to point B conveniently and quickly is to use the NYC subway system. If you’ve never used the subway before, you will want to familiarize yourself with how it all works. Tourists frequently miss their trains because of the intricacies (and admittedly not the simplest systems) of the subway. 

Plan Ahead of Time

The best way to take advantage of a full day in New York City is to plan your day thoroughly. You need to maximize your time spent there and being fully prepared is the optimal way to ensure you do just that. Set up a time schedule starting from when you plan to arrive in the city (the earlier, the better) and what time you need to leave.

Make a list of all the places you want to visit and number them in terms of priority. This way, you ensure you plan to see the landmarks you most want to see without risking missing them. Then, map out when you will see what and try to stick with locations in close proximity so you aren’t zigzagging around the city. 

Aside from choosing landmarks, map out where you would like to eat as well. It’s a good idea to have a few options in case wait times are too long and you need to pivot. You also need to decide if there is anything you want to see or do that you will need tickets for, such as the 9/11 Tribute Museum. 

If you can, try to time your transportation schedule as well. If you’ll be taking the subway, you can get a general idea of train times in advance. But remember, you will need to account for travel, especially foot traffic. Be a little generous with your timetables to account for the unexpected. 

Conclusion

Spending a single day in New York City will be full of exciting experiences and visiting attractions you have long heard about but never had the pleasure of seeing. Take it all in and revel in the experience. Maximize the limited time you have to see as much as possible. Don’t worry about not getting to see everything you want because you can plan your next trip and will have a bit of knowledge to help you navigate the city.