Itinerary · New York City · United States
One day in New York City
A day-by-day plan grouped by neighbourhood, so you spend your time seeing New York City, not crossing it.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Quick answer
One day is a taster: the plan below covers the essentials, but most visitors want 5. Day 1: Central Park and Metropolitan Museum of Art. Base yourself in Midtown.
Key facts
- Days
- 1
- Sights covered
- 5
- Day trips
- None
- Best base
- Midtown
- Book ahead
- Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island and Empire State Building
Day by day
Day 1: Central Park and Metropolitan Museum of Art
Central Park, Metropolitan Museum of Art, Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island and Empire State Building, then Top of the Rock in the evening.
Morning
Central Park
Walk or cycle from Columbus Circle to Bethesda Terrace and Bow Bridge, then leave by the Met on Fifth Avenue. Allow 2–4 hours.
Late morning
Metropolitan Museum of Art
A Met ticket also covers same-day entry to The Met Cloisters in upper Manhattan. Allow 3–4 hours.
Lunch
Lunch: New York pizza slice
Slice shops all over the city; coal-oven pizzerias in Little Italy and Brooklyn serve whole pies.
Afternoon
Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island
Take the first ferry of the day and allow at least half a day for both islands; security screening is airport-style. Allow Half a day.
Late afternoon
Empire State Building
Late-evening visits are often quieter than sunset and show the city lights at their best. Allow 1.5 hours.
Evening
Top of the Rock
Book a slot about 45 minutes before sunset to see the city in daylight, at dusk and after dark.
Before you go
- Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island: Pedestal and crown access are limited and must be reserved with the official ferry operator, Statue City Cruises; crown tickets sell out months ahead.
- Empire State Building: Timed tickets bought online cut waiting time, especially on weekends and holidays.
- Top of the Rock: Sunset time slots sell out; book online ahead.
If it rains
- Swap in 9/11 Memorial and Museum (Financial District): Visit the free memorial pools first, then allow two hours for the museum, which is emotionally intense.
- Swap in Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) (Midtown): Go straight to the fifth floor for the most famous paintings before the crowds, then work downwards.
- Swap in American Museum of Natural History (Upper West Side): Arrive at opening and head straight to the fourth-floor dinosaur halls, which are busiest by late morning.
Where to stay for this itinerary
$$$$ · Best for first-timers, families and shopping
Midtown
Times Square, Broadway theatres and the classic skyscrapers
Pace and daylight
The sights in this plan add up to roughly 11–15 hours of visiting over one day, before meals and getting between them. Daylight runs from about 9.3 hours in December to 15.1 hours in June, so in winter start early and keep museums for the afternoon.
Getting between stops: Metro. The subway runs 24 hours a day.
More or fewer days
Questions travellers ask
+Is one day enough in New York City?
One day is a taster: the plan below covers the essentials, but most visitors want 5. How many days New York City needs.
+What should I book before visiting New York City?
Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, Empire State Building and Top of the Rock.