A Guide to Spending 24 Hours in New York

So, New York. The Big Apple. Everyone knows about, we've all seen it on TV, but, like, how does it work? It's a sprawling metropolis of a city, so it needs some planning.

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In this blog, we've given some of our top tips you need to know before arriving, and then a draft itinerary if you've got just 1 day to explore it.

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Tip 1: The quickest way from the airport to the city

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Time’s short (and the budget’s likely tight), so let’s get you to the city asap (and as cheaply as possible).

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Shuttles always used to be a good idea, as this form of rideshare got you to the city relatively quickly and cheaply. Some providers are still around, but some changes have meant they’re not everywhere as they used to be.

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Most tend to split between cab or public transport.

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If there are a few of you, a cab can be a cheap way of travelling quickly. Door to door, it’s the quickest way to the city that doesn’t involve a helicopter.

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Public transport is cheaper but involves a bit of a longer journey.

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If arriving at JFK, take the AirTrain to Jamaica Station, a major transport hub.

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From here, you can hop on the subway to wherever you need.

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Tip 2: Understand the New York Grid System to get around quickly

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The best way to think of the NY city system is that the Avenues run North and South whilst the streets run East and West.

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Check a map and look for streets and avenues:

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• Streets - Horizontal
• Avenues - Vertical

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When describing where you want to go, people usually say the street first, then the Avenue, but it’s OK to mix it up; people will still know what you mean.

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“It’s on 42nd Street, between 3rd and 4th”.

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You’ll be down with the local lingo before you know it.

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Tip 3: Get to Know the New York Travel System

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It’s big, mad, and busy; it’s New York’s transportation system.

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New York City boasts a massive and (for the most part) efficient transportation infrastructure, providing travellers with various options to get around the hustle and bustle quickly.

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The subway’s usually the most popular choice, offering an extensive network of interconnected lines that crisscross the Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, and Staten Island boroughs.

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It runs 24 hours, and it’s super easy to purchase a MetroCard, which you can tap on, tap off, and top up.

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You’re also not short of ridesharing services such as Uber and Lyft. Taxis are readily available throughout the city, and ridesharing apps provide a convenient alternative for quick and reliable transportation.

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However, two notes on this: it’s more expensive and can be more of a nightmare during rush hour.

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Plan accordingly.

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Tip 4: Plan your itinerary efficiently

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You must plan your itinerary efficiently if you’ve only got 24 hours in New York.

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To do so, plot out your chosen tourist spots on a map. Use the above info on the New York grid and transportation systems to cross-reference the best way to get around.

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New York is massive.

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It doesn’t make sense to start at the Statue of Liberty, to want to walk up to Central Park, to come back down to Brooklyn etc.

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Try and tag off tourist spots near each other, and then get transportation to the next hub of things to do in New York.

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It’ll reduce wasted time and make your 24 hours in New York more efficient.

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Top tip: Check out the different tourist day passes you can get, that gives entry to over 100+ tourist attractions for one price. If you're planning on doing quite a few (such as Top of the Rock, Empire State, The Edge etc), you can save some serious money.

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A budget, draft itinerary for those in a rush

9am. Central Park & American Museum of Natural History

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There is no better way to start your day than a stroll through Central Park.

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New York’s “Green Lung” is 843 acres of park in the middle of Manhattan. With a zoo, boating lakes and plenty of events - it’s the perfect place to begin your 24 hours in New York.

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It is 2.5 miles long, so it will take around an hour to walk the whole length, but after being on a plane for ages, it’s a great way to stretch your legs and see the city.

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In Central Park, you’ll see the skyline from the inside, take some great pictures, people watch, and see some iconic film locations.

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Check out what’s happening in Central Park when you’re there.

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If you have time and money, try to visit the American Museum of Natural History. It genuinely brings history to life (and was where Night of the Museum was filmed).

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It’s a perfect, busy start to 24 hours in New York.

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11am. You’ll hit the Plaza

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1 W 59th St.

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Coming to the bottom of Central Park, you’ll find yourself at the top of 59th Street, right in front of the Plaza.

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The Plaza is a world-famous hotel, but many people don’t know it’s home to one of the city’s best-kept secrets.

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The Plaza food hall.

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A great way to experience a city is to try the cuisine, and let’s not forget… it’s lunchtime. Entering through 58th Street between 5th and 6th, the Plaza celebrates some of the city’s best vendors.

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A local’s favourite, you can find everything you’d ever want in one place: NY Cheesecake, fresh stone-baked pizza, sushi, burgers, and even lobster.

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And even if you’re not quite hungry, it’s still well worth a walkthrough.

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12pm. 5th Avenue

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5th Avenue is often described as the heart of NY.

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Known for its premium shops, it’s a great one to walk down and window shop. Shopping in New York, we’re sold.

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Known for Saks, Tiffany’s and the Empire State Building, this strip is one of the most famous in the world.

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The walk from Central Park and the Plaza to the Rockefeller Centre is around 15 minutes. But take your time, grab a cup of ‘joe’ or a street vendor hot dog if you still have room after the Plaza food hall.

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Joe is Coffee. We’re not sure why either.

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1.00pm. Top of the Rock

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The Rockefeller Centre

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Most of us will have already heard of the Rockefeller Centre with its world-famous Christmas tree, winter ice-skating rink and the bronze sculpture holding the world on its back - which, fun fact, is the most photographed sculpture in the whole of NYC.

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At the top of the Rockefeller Plaza, you’ll find the ‘Top of the Rock’, which is, in our opinion, the best viewing deck to see the city.

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Unlike other skyscraper viewpoints, the top of the Rock’s viewing platform is 360 degrees, so you can take pictures of the iconic NY skyline looking North, with Central Park, or looking south, featuring the Empire State Building and the Freedom Tower.

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The tickets come in at $34+ (IF you don't get a tourist day pass mentioned at the top of this article), depending on the time and length of your visit.

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It may seem a bit steep, but it’s worth it.

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2.00pm. Central Station, SUMMIT One Vanderbilt and the Chrysler Building

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Even if you don’t need to take a train, it’s worth checking out this spectacular train station.

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This golden-draped station features in countless films, and its incredible ceiling art is something you’ll want to capture.

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Although Times Square isn’t far from here, we’ll leave it until evening.

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If you’ve got the cash spare, check out the SUMMIT One Vanderbilt, an artistic, eclectic mix of mirrors and glass that you’ve again likely seen in films.

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You’ll also be able to glance at the Chrysler Building, another landmark you’ve likely seen before on the screen.

3.15pm. Subway stop

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Getting Downtown: Approx 25 minutes

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It’s well worth buying a MetroCard when travelling around the city.

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The card is plastic and swipeable; it can be bought for $1 and then topped up (similar to an Oyster card.) There are two options when you are travelling:

• Pay-per-ride- Pay as you go
• Seven-day unlimited (which we don’t need for the 24-hours)

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You won’t need it much, so buy a card, load some credit onto it, and use it wisely.

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To get from Rockefeller Plaza down to the bottom of Manhattan, walk 5 minutes to the subway station on 50 St. just off 7th Avenue.

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You can take the number 1 (red line) to South Ferry; it’s about 21 minutes and 13 stops.

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4pm. Staten Island Ferry & Statue of Liberty

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Whitehall terminal, New York City

When on your 24-hour stopover in NYC, you can’t NOT see the Statue of Liberty.

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The ferry runs 24 hours a day, seven days a week, with 2-4 ferries per hour.

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The best things in life are free, and so is this ferry.

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From the ferry, you’ll have some fantastic views of Manhattan, Ellis Island, and the lady Liberty herself.

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The trip each way is about 25 minutes.

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You’ll need to jump off and reboard when you arrive at Staten Island, but it doesn’t take long.

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5.15pm. One World Trade Centre & 9/11 Memorial

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180 Greenwich Street

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The 9/11 memorial commemorates the lives of those lost on September 11th, 2001.

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The memorial is a tribute to the past and a place of reflection.

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Visiting the site is sombre, but it is here to remind us of the event’s global significance and the aftermath that followed.

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6.15. Subway stop

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10 minutes

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Walk to the ‘One World Trade Centre’ subway stop and take the E line North.

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It’s 8 minutes, four stops, and you’ve already got your MetroCard.

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6.25pm. Chelsea Market and the High Line

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Chelsea Market - 15th Street

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The High Line is a 1.45-mile-long former railroad converted into an urban walk.

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It’s packed with plants, contemporary street art and incredible city views.

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You can join the High Line at Chelsea Market, another great food hall with many treats.

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You deserve a snack; it’s been a busy day so far- we’d recommend the two cookies and cream shake from Creamline. You can thank us later.

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You can join the High Line from the market and walk up, sipping on your shake, taking in the sights.

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7.45pm. Times Square

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Broadway, 7th Avenue, 42nd and 47th Streets

No NYC 24-hour stopover challenge would be complete without a visit to Times Square.

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We’ve left it until now, as we believe the best time to see this iconic city location is when it’s dark.

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Marvel at the lights and be prepared for how busy it gets. Times Square is a tourist trap but also a lot of fun.

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The ‘snap it, or it didn’t happen’ challenge:

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• Get a selfie on the red steps
• Get a photo with the naked cowboy
• Try a panoramic featuring a yellow cab and the Coca-Cola sign

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8.45pm. Ellen’s Stardust diner

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1650 Broadway

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New York is famous for its theatre (who hasn’t heard of Broadway?), but seeing a stage show can be expensive.

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Top tip: If you are considering seeing a show, go to the Tkts desk under the red steps in Times Square for last-minute ticket sales and deals.

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A great way to be a part of it without the price tag is to go to Ellen’s Stardust Diner for dinner.

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The restaurant is a 50’s themed diner with singing servers and an extensive menu of all-American classics.

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Prepared to be serenaded over your pastrami sandwich, you can even request songs from your server.

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It’s good fun and a bit different.

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10.30. Home time.

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Trekking around one of the world’s biggest cities has been a hectic day, so now’s the time to rest up.

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From Broadway, you’re relatively central to everything, so you can go to the subway station to catch a journey back where you’re staying.

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If you’re in by 11, you’ll get a few hours of shut-eye before needing to be up and out of there for your onward journey.

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Completing the city in a day isn’t easy, but with the proper planning, you can spend an incredible 24 hours in New York in style.

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There’s something for everyone, every time limit and every budget, so take the time to plan out your itinerary.

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If you take that time to plan, you’ll come out with a memorable itinerary, allowing you to experience the must-see moments in this magical maze of a city, either before or after your experience of summer camp in America.