See our 1 day in New York itinerary. Since it’s impossible to see the whole city in so little time, we’ve selected the best places you should visit. But if you want to get ahead of the game and buy the best tourist tickets, just click here.
1 day itinerary in New York
What could be better than the first day of any trip? If that trip is to New York, it will undoubtedly be even more special. That’s why we’ve listed the main points that, in our opinion, are essential to do in New York.
Start the day at the Statue of Liberty
It’s impossible to go to New York and not visit the Statue of Liberty. Inaugurated in 1886, this statue was a gift from France for the 100th anniversary of the United States and is a symbol of freedom for millions of people.
The tour there is enchanting, starting with the transportation to get close to it. As the attraction is located on an island, you have to board a ferry, which offers an unforgettable view of the city.
Extra information about the Statue of Liberty:
- Address: Liberty Island, New York, NY 10004;
- Opening hours: Every day from 8.30 a.m. to 4 p.m. In summer, it usually stays open later;
- Price: Adults 17 dollars, children 9 dollars and seniors 14 dollars.
The tip is to buy the Go City: New York City Explorer Pass, which is a combo of tickets to the main attractions in NY, including the Statue of Liberty tour.
Have lunch at Grand Central Terminal in New York
Get ready for a busy day surrounded by many attractions. Our tip for optimizing your time is to eat your meals at major tourist attractions. A good option is to have lunch at Grand Central Terminal.
This location is often the setting for many successful American films and series, so once you get there, you’ll be very familiar with the place. Take a break at Shake Shack or Junior’s Cheesecake, both of which are good and inexpensive.
Both are good, cheap and you’ll get to see the famous Grand Central Terminal, which is closer to Fifth Avenue, your next stop. If you’re interested in learning more about the place, there’s a tour every Wednesday at 12:30 p.m., which lasts 90 minutes.
To take the tour, just go to the information booth in the main hall and ask about the tour a few minutes before it starts. As well as a food court, the station has some world-famous stores such as Mac, among others.
Extra information about Grand Central Terminal:
- Address: 89 E 42nd St, New York, NY 10017;
- Opening hours: Daily, from 5:00 a.m. to 2:00 a.m.
Walk along Fifth Avenue in New York
Once you’ve had your lunch break, take the opportunity to stroll along the chic Fifth Avenue. This avenue is home to numerous nationally and internationally renowned stores such as Tiffany & Company, Louis Vuitton, Gucci and Prada, making it a great place for shopping. Among the sights, you’ll pass by the charming St. Patrick’s Cathedral and the New York Public Library.
As our tip is to get to Fifth Avenue from Grand Central Terminal, walk north on the avenue, which will take you to Central Park. Both attractions are among the main tourist attractions in New York.
The most important tip to make the most of your time and see all the tourist attractions is to stay well located. So also see our article on where to stay in New York. With tips on the best area and good, cheap hotels.
Stroll through Central Park in New York
Don’t miss a stroll through the haven of New York City’s inhabitants, this green area that involved the planting of more than 500,000 trees and shrubs. In Central Park, try to pass through the area called Strawberry Fields, created by Yoko Ono as a beautiful tribute to John Lennon. You should know that this memorial is near the entrance to the Dakota building, where they lived.
This park is incredible and has many attractions to do there, as well as being a great place to rest. Central Park is huge and there are many places to visit, as well as many recognizable scenes from American films and series.
Extra information about Central Park:
- Address: 14 E 60th St, New York, NY 10022;
- Opening hours: Daily, from 6:00 a.m. to 1:00 a.m.
End the day in Times Square in New York
The city’s most famous intersection is the place to end your first day in New York. If you’re sure about the day you’re going there, you can buy a Broadway show in advance. It’s important to note that Times Square is home to many stores, restaurants, museums, galleries and many other attractions that you can take advantage of during this 1 day itinerary in New York.
It’s an incredible avenue, all lit up and with very different stores that attract tourists from all over the world. So, as it’s a place with lots of options, make the most of your evening, as you won’t regret it and this area is truly incredible.
Save money on your trip to New York:
Saving money: do you want to plan your trip while making the most of your budget? Be sure to read our article on how to travel to New York cheap, with all the tips to save the most, while still enjoying it!
Tickets: find out where to buy your tickets in the cheapest and safest way – for Broadway, tours, museums and ticket combos. You can save up to 42%!
Mobile chip: We always use this chip. It’s electronic (eSIM), you install it instantly and you can use your cell phone’s internet anywhere in the world.
Hotels: our article on where to stay in New York. You will find out the best area, the hotels that we have stayed there and how to save a lot on the hotel.
Travel insurance: medical care in another country is very expensive and it is extremely important to take out travel insurance for any trip abroad. This is the website we always take out our insurance on. Reliable and at a good price.
Car: if you are thinking about renting one this is the best website. It compares the price at all rental companies and finds unbeatable prices. You can save up to 30%!
Transfer: do you need one, from the airport to the hotel? Find out here how to book and for the lowest price!
