NYC One Day Itineraries

If I Had ONE Day Left in NYC, by Native New Yorkers

I hope you have as much fun with these NYC One Day Itineraries as I did! I interviewed many of my friends and family (all born-and-bred New Yorkers) on what they would do if they had ONE day left in New York City. Where would you go? What would you eat? What would you absolutely have to see?

The rules are simple, money is not a concern (notice how almost no one does anything extravagant anyway) and it is not your last day with friends and family, so spending time with them doesn’t count.

Of course, everyone’s first reaction was, “No way, you’d have to kill me first. I’m never leaving,” but once I told them it was just for fun, everyone couldn’t wait to share their favorites with you!

You may also want to check out my top picks for guided NYC One Day Tours.

Shane, NYC Fireman

My first choice is working, since I love my job protecting the fine citizens of the Lower East Side and Chinatown. However, if I couldn’t do that:

Back to top NYC One Day Itineraries

Scott, Finance – NYC One Day Itineraries

• Museum of Natural History, History of Peoples exhibit
• Roller blade/skate in the small oval near the Bandshell
• Grab a hot dog at Papaya King on 86th (&3rd Ave)
• Take in the East River View and watch the boats go by from the small park on Sutton Place and 55th
• Go for a set at Cafe Wha? in the Village (original stomping ground for prodigies Bob Dylan and Jimi Hendrix. Bruce Springsteen, Peter, Paul & Mary and others)
• If it’s summer, go hang out in Washington Square Park afterward

Central Park Bandshell

Roberta, Mother of 3 (ages 7, 5 and 3)

• Museum of Natural History, Dinosaurs exhibit and Hayden Planetarium
• Central Park Carousel and then the Central Park Zoo
• Frozen Hot Chocolate at Serendipity
• Walk around any Street Fair
• Take the free Staten Island Ferry to view the Statue of Liberty
• Dinner – Pasta at Puglia’s with live singing
• Walk around Little Italy and Chinatown
• Do I really only have one day?!!!???!!!

Marni, Matchmaker – NYC One Day Itineraries

• Breakfast at Ess-a-Bagel
• Stroll up Madison Ave and window shop in the 60s/70s on the way to the
• Metroplitan Museum of Art (MET) – visit would include walking through the Impressionists collection, the Arms and Armor collection and stopping for a few minutes at the Temple of Dendur
• Hop in a cab and have lunch at Pastis in the Meatpacking District
• Walk to the West Village and spend the afternoon strolling in and out of shops. I’d spend extra time on Perry Street, Bank and Commerce.
• Dinner at Gotham Bar and Grill
• After dinner drinks at a piano bar – perhaps Brandy’s on the UES

Arthur, Personal Financial Advisor

• Brunch at the Irish Pub, Baker Street (closed) on the Upper East Side. Great food, great soccer and a true hidden gem.
• During the day I’d split time between Central Park and the Museum of Natural History
• I’d also make time for a walk on Wall Street
• Have a cocktail while sitting outside, people watching at (now closed Cognac @ 55th and Broadway) – same owners as Serafina.
• Pre-dinner appetizers, but mostly Margaritas, at Rio Grande in Murray Hill before
• Steak at Del Frisco’s for dinner
• I’m pretending it’s March, so I’d have to be at MSG for the Big East Tournament

Marvin and Jackie, Accountants

• Breakfast-Dim Sum in Chinatown
• Lunch-grab a Sabrett Hot Dog from a vendor (and never use ketchup – only mustard and onions) while walking and window shopping on Fifth Ave
• Go to Coney Island, ride the Cyclone, then a hot dog at the original Nathan’s (I would advise people to ride the Cyclone before eating). Quick stop at the New York Aquarium to see penguins, sea otters and walruses.
• Dinner (we’re having two) – Del Posto (Closed – Jackie) and steak at Peter Luger’s (Marvin). Remember, cash only.
• See a Broadway Show (Jackie)
• Yankees Game (Marvin) – on the way, check out Arthur Avenue, New York’s “Real Little Italy,” a section in the middle of the Bronx, still entirely Italian with some of the best restaurants and old fashioned bakeries in NYC.

New York City One Day Main Attractions Tour

How much can you see on NYC One Day Tours? A lot of New York City actually! An ideal New York vacation requires a week or more, but I’m well aware some of you are just joining us for a day.

So, if you are looking to see the best of New York City in One Day, here are some NYC One Day Tours that will help you see as much as possible in a short time.

Back to top NYC One Day Itineraries

How to Spend A Typical Day in New York City

A local New Yorker shares all his NYC favorites, like $.99 pizza, Central Park, SoHo, Tribeca, a NYC Street Fair, monster warehouse parties in Brooklyn and some other hidden gems.

Central Park Bandshell

1) Wake up and go straight to Central Park to either read a book in the grass or skate at the bandshell.

2) Grab something to eat at any of the street fairs that are usually taking place along the avenues. They have great gyros.

3) Walk or take a subway downtown, into SoHo or Tribeca for major shopping – or window shopping.

4) Relax at Union Square or Washington Sq Park where you can see many interesting people and activities happening.

5) Grab 99 cent pizza that can be found on almost any block downtown.

6) Stop at the Mars Bar (update: CLOSED) for a few drinks. The atmosphere here is one of a kind.

7) Head into Williamsburg, Brooklyn, home of the best NYC parties, usually in monster warehouses or apartments with rooftops with breathtaking views of the NYC skyline.

8) End the night getting home to my Upper East Side apartment, near all the good Museums.

Posted by by Graffiti Bomb –
(Manhattan, New York)

Back to top NYC One Day Itineraries

More New York City One Day Itineraries

• Unexpected Fun at Madame Tussauds Wax Museum

Back to top of NYC One Day Itineraries

New York City Trip Reports

1. Home
2. 
   New York City Trip Reports
   
3. NYC One Day Itineraries