New York, New York: It’s a wonderful town (or so goes the song)! It’s the concrete jungle where dreams are made of (like that other tune), and if you’ve been dreaming of the best way to spend a day in the city that never sleeps, this guide is for you.
This guide will focus on Manhattan because it’s nearly impossible to visit all of New York City’s five boroughs in one day. And this guide is far from exhaustive — but it will definitely give you a great starting point for your adventures.
🚌 Getting to The Big Apple
A drive from Philly to Manhattan averages an hour and a half to three hours, depending on traffic. Consider parking for the day at a garage and then taking the subway, walking, or riding around on a Citi Bike during your trip.
An Amtrak train ride will get you there in an hour and 30 minutes. Last-minute bookings can be pricey, so buy your tickets as early as possible. For the adventurous budget traveler, a bus ride usually gets you there in under two hours and generally costs less than $20.
😋 Eat Up! It’s Delicious out Here
NYC has some of the world’s best restaurants and bars. But since you only have a day, choose one main spot that you just have to experience. Maybe it’s a place off this year’s best new NYC restaurants list, or you want to experience one of the city’s most iconic eateries, or eat like a local.
Do your research on whether you need a reservation, have to wait in line for seating, or can just walk in. Finally, do not, and I repeat, do not eat at a chain restaurant you can find at home. Explore the uniqueness that NYC cuisine has to offer!
📸 See an NYC Icon Without the Costly Lines
Want to see the Statue of Liberty but don’t have the time or budget for the full tour? Take the free Staten Island Ferry that’ll bring you within a mile of Lady Liberty. The Top of the Rock observation deck is also amazing if you have time to wait in line. If not, find a rooftop bar to take in the views.
Up for a self-guided walking tour? I suggest this walk to see six iconic spots, from Union Square to Rockefeller Center.
Decide what you’ll regret not seeing, and make that site and any others within a short distance your priority.
😍 Explore a Neighborhood
Choose a community or two and walk around, wander into its shops, sit on its benches to people watch, and take in the neighborhood’s unique charm.
Want to explore a neighborhood with a rich history? Try Chinatown or the Lower East Side. Love fashion and shopping? Soho is for you. The Upper East Side is perfect for fans of shows set in NYC, and it’s just a quick hop over to Central Park from there. If you’re a jazz fan, head up to Harlem. Whatever your style, there’s a New York City neighborhood for you.
Feeling ambitious? Wander outside Manhattan to one of the other boroughs: Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, or Staten Island.
