One whole day doesn’t seem enough to see all of the notable spots in the Big Apple. But if it’s possible to tour Sydney in 24 hours, it’s possible to get a good flavour of New York, in the same time. Here are some of the places you can see in one day:
Morning
Start your day at the Rockefeller Center, which is one of the most popular tourist destinations in NYC. You can stand outside the windows of the Today Studio and wave to your friends back home if they are broadcasting live. After your brief stint as a morning show host, you can grab a classic New Yorker breakfast. Business Insider suggests you have breakfast at Ai Fiori, where you can order their $32 express breakfast buffet with fresh bread, berries, meats, and cheeses. If you’re a fan of the Beatles, you can stop by the Dakota Building, where the legendary John Lennon lived and died.
If you continue heading east, you will exit onto Fifth Avenue, around 79th Street, where you will see the Metropolitan Museum of Art. You can spend a good few hours wandering around the exhibits that interest you the most. Some of the highlights include the Egyptian Temple of Dendur and the Ancient Greek and Roman statuary.
The museum is located at the eastern side of Central Park, and is the perfect place to begin a morning walk around this iconic open space. The park has something for everyone, whether you want to visit the zoo, take a stroll away from the hectic city, or see some of the city’s famous architecture. From Bow Bridge you will be able to see the Central Park West Historic District. This area has some of the city’s most iconic buildings, including the San Remo, The Dakota, and The Kenilworth. While you admire the architecture you can try and guess how much it would cost to live there. A post on Yoreevo explains how the average NYC apartment costs $1,000,000, which often includes a myriad of charges, from the buyer broker’s fee to the property amenities included. Lets just say one million dollars won’t get you much in that district, as it is considered one of New York’s most sought after locations. Apartments in The Dakota can start at $15 million.
Afternoon
You can either walk south to the New York Public Library for some quiet time or put yourself right in the heart of the hustle and bustle by going through Bryant Park until you get to Broadway and finally, Times Square. Once you’ve been properly awakened by the noise, colour, and variety of Times Square, The New York Times recommends renting a bike at any nearby Citibike location. It always fun to see a city from a new perspective, and New York takes on a different character when you cycle around it. Just be careful of the infamously aggressive traffic. If you don’t fancy cycling, the Belvedere Castle, American Museum of Natural History, and the New York Historical Society are good afternoon attractions.
Grab an iconic yellow cab and ask the driver to take you to Greenwich Village. You need to stop by the Washington Square Arch before strolling down MacDougal Street. If you’re craving for a snack, stop by Caffe Reggio for some coffee and Mamoun’s for some falafel.
Evening
Before your 24-hour trip to NYC comes to an end, go to the Meatpacking District and have a drink while relaxing in a hot tub. Le Bain is on the 18th floor of the Standard High Line. It is a sleek bar and nightclub, but you can enjoy some quiet before it gets exclusive in the late evening. If you want to see the sunset before dinner, Thrillist highly recommends renting a jet ski at the New York Harbour. For just over $100, you can get the best views of the city as the sun goes down. After that, you can have tapas and wine for dinner at Ten Bells, or American dishes and cocktails at Freemans.
From nine in the evening until late, you can walk around Brooklyn. Go to Brooklyn Bridge Park and take in the views of the late evening Manhattan skyline. Once you’ve taken your fill of Brooklyn’s evening streets, you can head back to Central Park where everything began.
But of course your night doesn’t end there, as you will need somewhere to sleep. Your budget will determine where you will stay, but if you are looking for some luxury, some of New York’s most exclusive hotels are located around Central Park. These include The Pierre, Mandarin Oriental, and The Ritz-Carlton. Each of these locations are part of New York’s history and they have all played important roles in the city’s development. Many of world’s most famous icons have stayed in these buildings. So what better way to cap off your day than sleeping like a superstar.
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