Last Updated on December 30, 2024 by Rodrigo @ OutofYourComfortZone

Visiting New York for just 24 hours seems like a stretch. After all, the world’s greatest city has so much to offer. But if you are careful with your itinerary, it is far easier than you might think.  

Yes, you won’t be able to spend hours perusing the Guggenheim museum. But you will at least be able to pop your head through the door and see some of the most significant exhibits before moving into the next item on your itinerary.  

So, if you only have 24 hours in New York, what should you do? 

 

 

Arrive In The Early Morning 

The first thing to do is to aim to arrive early in the morning. (Yes, that does mean you’ll want to be awake by 6 am).  

If you are in a hotel, get up early and start exploring the city from your room. If you’re arriving on some other form of transport but haven’t got anywhere booked, use Manhattan luggage storage to keep your belongings safe.  

Next, head out and try to find something to eat. Pick a popular option, like a NYC bagel box with all the trimmings to start off your day, not forgetting the orange juice. 

Many people begin with egg sandwiches. But given that New York is one of the most economically active cities in the world, there are many more options than that.  

Next, head on over to Times Square early. The morning tends to be lighter on crowds and you can usually find your way around fairly easily without having to step into the road because there are so many people.  

Central Park is quite close by, so that’s another bonus. You can sometimes walk there, or take a taxi ride for a couple of minutes. Again, if you do it in the morning, it won’t be as busy and you’ll have more space to take photos, especially during the early spring.  

Central Park is an excellent place to be if you love being active. You can stroll, hire a bicycle and visit various landmarks, like Bow Bridge and Bethesda Terrace.  

Once that’s done, it’s time to head to one of the nearby art galleries to finish off the morning. Most people go to the MET, but you could also check out the MoMA if that’s more on your wavelength. Both are excellent options to explore more of the city’s art and culture, and what it has to offer.  

 

Enjoy The Midday 

For midday, the biggest part of the fun is finding somewhere to enjoy a spot of lunch. Manhattan alone has thousands of places where you can grab a meal, all furnished with the usual American gusto.  

If you’re in Midtown, it’s worth checking out Joe’s Pizza, a highly-rated Italian-style pizza business that’s been serving up hot crusts for many years.  

If you prefer Asian food, the best place to go is China Town, near Greenwich village. It offers numerous places to eat that are famous throughout the city, including Xi’an Famous Foods, and Nom Wah Tea Parlor. You could even do both if you want to experience a few different things before moving on and enjoying something else.  

After eating, head to the High Line. This interesting elevated park is a wonderful addition to the city and overlooks the Hudson on the west side of Manhattan. The park was a public project and almost unique in the world, designed to turn New York from a business hub into somewhere with more civic amenities, like London.  

The Chelsea market is also worth a look. You can peruse to your heart’s content and enjoy the occasional snack and drink during your visit. It is well worth going for a couple of hours, just to experience some of the feel of a real New England market, without having to travel to the rest of the state.  

 

Explore History In The Afternoon 

During the afternoon, you’ll want to spend more time exploring some of New York’s history and culture. Heading down to Lower Manhattan, you’ll find the financial district and the site of the World Trade Center. The new complex is impressive, but so too are the holes left by the original buildings at the 911 Memorial.  

You can also take a ferry ride around the island of Manhattan, something that’s well worth doing. The Staten Island Ferry is actually free and provides views of the Manhattan skyline and the Statue of Liberty (if you don’t want to take a trip there separately). You zip past, but you also see it in all its glory, allowing you to take in more of the city’s atmosphere and understand what made it the great place it is today.  

 

 

Evening Dinner And Nightlife 

In the evening, New York really comes alive. Work is finished for the day in the city that never sleeps, and many people come out to enjoy entertainment and partying.  

If you enjoy views of the city, we suggest going to Weslight in Brooklyn. This location provides views over Manhattan to the east, allowing you to watch as the lights on the buildings light up the night sky.  

Another option is the world-famous Katz’s Delicatessen. Many people go there in the evening to pick up one of the creator’s famous pastrami sandwiches, famed throughout the city for their deliciousness.  

Broadway is another option for evening entertainment. The shows tend to start late in the afternoon and then run for most of the night, providing a live spectacle that’s hard to rival (except in places like London).  

If live music is more your thing, then you could also check out some of the shows and sets in Greenwich Village. Small and famous bands play here, along with the biggest concerts in Madison Square Garden.  

Finally, take a trip to the Empire State Building to polish off your day. You can enter from the base of the building for a fee and take an elevator up to the viewing gallery at the top, the set of dozens of films, including King Kong.  

 

Planning your next trip?

Then don’t forget travel insurance! You don’t want to get stuck paying a ton of money and ruining your trip if you get sick or have an accident without travel insurance. Our page with The 3 Best and Cheapest Travel Insurance on the Market can help you choose the right plan and will give you some discount coupons for the biggest insurance companies!

 

 Already reserved your hotel or hostel? If not, our article with The 6 Best and Cheapest Websites to Find & Reserve Accommodation can help you out. You’ll also find some promotions and discount codes.

 

 Still haven’t booked your plane ticket and want to save big? Take a look at our page with 16 Tips to Save on Flights where you’ll also find the 4 best websites to buy your plane tickets. 

 

And finally, will you need to rent a car during your trip? Then surely our page with The 5 Best and Cheapest Websites to Compare and Rent Cars Around the World will help you choose the best rental car and find a good deal.