One day in New York might not be much, but I promise you will be hooked. I was anyways, right as I stepped out of the airport. My first trip to NYC happened back in 2007, my latest just last year. I visited this fabulous city as a single 19-year-old on a girls trip; with my husband for our one year wedding anniversary; and most recently with my two children.
At 19, I absolutely loved it and dreamt of one day running the streets of NYC like Andy from Devil Wears Prada. At 35, exploring the city with 2 toddlers brought me to tears (literally). But I can’t help but crave going back again.
New York has that effect on people. You see the trash bags in the middle of the street, you feel the people pushing you from all sides, you hear the noise and the sirens. You shouldn’t like it. Logically, you shouldn’t. But you do. Well, I did. And I hope you will too. As Manhattan is quite compact, you can cover a lot in just one day in New York.


A few notes on this guide for one day in NYC
- This itinerary is planned so you can walk the whole way. It’s quite a lot of walking, but that’s the best way to explore the city. Wear comfortable shoes. And if at any point you feel tired, you can always take metro or call Uber.
- The stops on this itinerary are arranged in logical order, so you can just enter them in Google Maps one after the other.
- I tried to include as many iconic NYC attractions as possible. However, there’s a limit to how much you can do in one day in New York. Besides, we all have different interests. You will find my notes on what else there’s to do and see near popular sights in case those sound more enticing.
- I skipped museums, as well as visiting observation decks of Empire State Building and Rockefeller center, since those might take 2-3 hours. With only one day in NYC, I would rather spend the time walking the streets and enjoying the vibe of the city than waiting in lines. But if that’s a priority, go for it. You’d have to skip something else on this itinerary, though.
- Food is a huge part of exploring a new city for me, especially a city like New York, so I give a lot of suggestions of where to stop for food, coffee, and dessert. You don’t have to stop at all of them, but it’s nice to know where to grab an excellent flat white or the most famous cupcake in NYC along the way.
Disclosure: this post contains some affiliate links which means if you buy something by clicking the link I will earn a small commission at absolutely no extra cost to you.
One Day in New York Itinerary
What you’ll see: Meatpacking District, Chelsea, Hudson Yards, Midtown Manhattan


8.00 — Early Morning Walk at Little Island
I usually start all of my itineraries with breakfast, but this just makes sense! Hear me out! With only one day in NYC, you want to cover as much as possible, so start the day early and head to the Little Island.
Opened in 2021, this unique green space is one of the newer attractions in the city. The park is essentially floating over the Hudson River thanks to the massive concrete pillars used as a platform. The curved green pathways will take you all the way up where you’ll get beautiful view of the river and the NYC skyline.
The park gets quite crowded later in the day, so exploring it first thing in the morning is a great idea. It is quite compact so the walk up and down will take you about 30 minutes. Then you can head to our next stop for a well-deserved cup of coffee and breakfast.
Also nearby: Pier 57 rooftop park. You get a fantastic view of the Little Island from here!



9.00 — Coffee at Starbucks Reserve Roastery
A 10-minute walk from Little Island
Not to sound like a snob, but I usually try to seek out local coffee shops when I travel. But Starbucks Reserve Roastery is not your normal Starbucks shop. I suggest you stop here for a cup of coffee with a twist and then proceed to finally have your breakfast.
As described on their official website, Starbucks Reserve Roastery is “both workshop and stage, a three-dimensional window into the coffee journey”. This 23 000-square-foot space located in the Meatpacking District features on-site roastery, a coffee bar, a cocktail bar, and a bakery.
The menu includes so-called coffee creations, like hot honey cortado, whiskey barrel-aged cold brew, and nitro almond milk mocha. Your regular cappuccino and latte are on offer, too.
The interior design is a combination of industrial vibes and modern touches. Walnut panels look rich and chic, while copper details remind you of the Meatpacking District’s industrial past.
Tip: you can have breakfast here too, but I aim to eat at as many places as possible in my travels, so I suggest you only get a cup of coffee here and then proceed to the next stop for breakfast.
Starbucks Reserve Roastery — 61 9th Ave



9.30 — Breakfast at Chelsea Market
A minute’s walk from the Starbucks Reserve Roastery
For those who love exploring destinations through food, Chelsea market is a must-visit place, even with only one day in New York. A food hall, a shopping mall, and just a cool space with urban industrial feel (hello, exposed brick walls and pipes).
You can easily spend a few hours here exploring the many restaurants and food shops. For breakfast, head to Sarabeth’s Bakery, Amy’s Bakery, or Friedman’s.
Fun fact! The building originally served as a factory for the National Biscuit Company (Nabisco) which is famous for inventing the Oreo cookie back in 1912.
Also nearby: the Whitney Museum of American Art is steps away. Here you will find the works of contemporary American artists.
10.30 — A Walk on the High Line
A minute’s walk from Chelsea Market
Steps away from Chelsea Market is the entrance to the High Line, possibly the most unusual park you’ll ever see. To start with, it’s elevated above street level. The park was built on the freight rail line that once served to transport goods through Manhattan.
You can still see parts of the rail tracks here and there, surrounded by greenery. As the park follows the original rail line, it stretches almost 1.5 miles from the Meatpacking District all the way to Hudson Yards.
Enter the park through the entrance near Chelsey Market and exit at the 34th street. You’ll walk the whole length of it in about 30-45 minutes depending on your pace and how long you spend admiring the views of the Hudson River and NYC skyline.
Tip: you can always go down to the street level and continue walking there or take a train/Uber to our next stop.
11.15 — the Vessel
A 30-minute walk from the start of the High Line (5 minutes from the end of it)
Opened to public in 2019, the Vessel is one of the newer additions to NYC attractions. It is an architectural masterpiece that reminds of a honey comb.
Apart from taking the building in from the outside you can also climb the 16 stories to see its many staircases and landings from different angles. From the Vessel, a beautiful view of the Hudson Yards neighborhood and the High Line opens up.
Tip: it’s best to reserve the ticket in advance. You can do it on the official website for $10. If you’d rather not pay for the tickets, admire the Vessel from the outside and keep on walking to the next stop on this guide for one day in NYC.
Also nearby: the Edge is an observation deck located on the 100th floor of the building at 30 Hudson Yards. Like the Vessel, it’s quite new, opened in 2020. The deck provides 360-degree views of the city and features a glass floor.


12.00 – 15.00 — Midtown Manhattan
Midtown is one of the most iconic neighborhoods in NYC thanks to its many tourist attractions. With only one day in New York, it makes sense to spend most of your time here. Here’s what to see and do in this area.
Window Shopping at Macy’s on 34th St.
An 18-minute walk from the Vessel
A stop at Macy’s is a must if you are visiting during the holiday season. The department store is particularly famous for its elaborate window displays during Thanksgiving and Christmas. Outside of the holidays, it is worth a visit if you plan to do some shopping, as it is considered one of the largest department stores in the world (it’s also the oldest one in the U.S.).
Empire State Building
A 5-minute walk from Macy’s
As mentioned above, I haven’t included actually visiting the Empire State building in this guide, but do spot it as you are walking around Midtown Manhattan. A little (maybe obvious) tip: spot the building before you actually come close to it. It was only after I reached my destination and looked up that I realized you can’t properly see the Empire State Building when you are standing right next to it.
Tip: if visiting the observation deck is a priority, get your tickets here.



Coffee Break at Felix Roasting Co.
An 8-minute walk from the Empire State Building
If you need another coffee, may I suggest this gorgeous coffee shop? The reason I came here first was to see the stunning interiors really, rather than to drink coffee. It’s quite crowded, so it might be hard to find a table, but just admiring the interiors while I was waiting for my coffee-to-go made me really happy.
Felix Roasting Co. — 450 Park Ave S


The Morgan Library and Museum
A 9-minute walk from the Felix Roasting Co.
The Morgan Library & Museum is one of the most beautiful spaces in New York City. It was once the private library of financier J.P. Morgan, but is now open to public.
The Morgan Reading Room is, hands down, one of the most impressive spaces I’ve seen. It was after seeing a picture of this stunning reading room online that I decided to visit the library. You can also see Mozart’s and Charles Dickens’ original handwritten manuscripts and the Gutenberg Bible here.
The admission ticket is $25 so see for yourself, if you’d like to go inside.



New York Public Library
A 7-minute walk from the Morgan Library and Museum
One of my favorite spaces in NYC, the library is beautiful inside and out. It’s free to visit so I suggest a short stop here to admire the lion statues at the entrance, the McGraw Rotunda, and the grand staircase.
One of the most popular spaces inside is the magnificent Rose Reading Room. It is also free to see, but there are some restrictions.
The Rose Main Reading Room is open to public from 10.00 to 11.00 (Monday through Saturday). So if you follow this guide for one day in New York, you’ll arrive here later in the day. There are free guided tours to see the room at 11.20, 1.30, and 3.00. The tour only lasts 15 minutes and you can register at the McGraw Rotunda 30 minutes in advance. Check for more details on the official website.
Also nearby: right behind the library is Bryant Park where you can relax on the grass after all the walking. On the edge of Bryant Park is a little kiosk of Breads Bakery. They make delicious pastries. Their chocolate babka is probably their most famous item.



15.00 — Lunch at Vanderbilt Market
A 9-minute walk from the New York Public Library
Now head for a little belated lunch to Vanderbilt Market (also known as Urbanspace Vanderbilt), a food hall in Midtown Manhattan. It offers multiple options for lunch.
My favorite was Mysttik Masaala which specializes in Indian food (their naan wraps were amazing). The kids had oatmeal with berries from Playa Bowls. They also offer acai bowls and smoothies. Kuro-Obi makes delicious ramen and Pita Yeero offers Greek gyros.
The space gets really crowded, but we managed to find a table, nevertheless.
Other options for lunch
If you’d like a more elevated experience, skip Vanderbilt Market and head to the next stop on this guide instead — Grand Central Terminal. Grand Central Oyster Bar is one of the most iconic restaurants in NYC serving fresh seafood.
Grand Central Oyster Bar — inside Grand Central Terminal
Another great option for lunch in Midtown is Xi’an Famous Foods that specializes in the bold, flavorful cuisine of Xi’an, China. This casual restaurant is particularly famous for its hand-pulled noodles. It’s also a great place if you are looking for cheap eats in NYC.
Xi’an Famous Foods — 60 W 45th St
16.00 – 18.30 — More of Midtown Manhattan
After lunch let’s continue exploring Midtown Manhattan. Here’s what you should cover.



Grand Central Terminal
A minute’s walk from Vanderbilt Market
After a hearty lunch, head to the Grand Central Terminal, another landmark in Midtown Manhattan. The Terminal is a functioning transportation hub, but possibly one of the most beautiful ones you’ll ever see. The most impressive feature is the dome, on which a celestial map is depicted. It showcases 12 zodiac constellations in gold color on the bright blue background.
Also nearby: Chrysler Building is a major landmark in NYC. It’s an office building, so you can only visit the lobby if you want to. Otherwise, just spot in on the skyline. Summit One Vanderbilt is yet another observation deck experience. If you are craving an afternoon cup of coffee, Blue Bottle Coffee on E 42nd is really good.

Times Square
An 11-minute walk from the Grand Central Terminal
The heart of the city, albeit a really crowded, touristy, and noisy one. You simply cannot spend one day in New York and not cover this iconic sight! Admire the neon lights and billboards, watch street performers, or maybe visit the TKTS booth to get discounted Broadway show tickets.


Banana Bread Pudding at Magnolia Bakery
A 6-minute walk from the Times Square
Magnolia Bakery is one of the most popular bakeries in New York. Their original location is in the West Village, on Bleecker Street. It got international recognition because Carrie Bradshaw famously had cupcakes here in one of the episodes of Sex and the City.
They have a shop in Midtown but it may get pretty crowded. If the line is not too long, I’d stop here for their famous cupcakes, or better yet, banana bread pudding.
Magnolia Bakery — 1240 6th Ave
Rockefeller Center
A minute’s walk from Magnolia Bakery
Rockefeller Center is home to several iconic NYC attractions, but for me personally it will always be the place where Liz Lemon (of 30 Rock) works. Since you only have one day in NYC, I’d suggest to explore the outside areas, including the Rockefeller Plaza and the Channel Gardens.
If you are visiting during the Christmas Holidays, this is where you’ll find the famous Christmas tree and the skating rink.
You can also admire the Radio City Music Hall from the outside. In order to visit the iconic building you have to attend a show or take a guided tour.
Also nearby: inside the Rockefeller Center you will find another observation deck called Top of the Rock. It may take 1.5-2 hours to visit it, so I’d skip it if you only have one day in NYC. But if it’s a priority, get your tickets here.
St. Patrick’s Cathedral
A minute’s walk from the Rockefeller Center
St. Patrick’s Cathedral is a Gothic-style cathedral located on Fifth Avenue. It’s known for its towering spires, intricate stained glass windows, and grand interior. Here you can get away from the hustle and bustle of Manhattan, if only for a minute.



Saks Fifth Avenue
A minute’s walk from St. Patrick’s Cathedral
Saks Fifth Avenue is a luxury department store that offers an upscale shopping experience. It’s also famous for the stunning window displays, especially during the holiday season.


19.00 — Dinner Time
I have several suggestions on where to have dinner at the end of the day. You can choose depending on your preferences and budget.
For a budget meal, stop at Joe’s Pizza (their midtown location is a 17-minute walk from Saks Fifth Avenue) or Los Tacos No.1 (also a 17-minute walk from Saks Fifth Avenue), both are iconic restaurants on the NYC food scene.
Joe’s Pizza — 1435 Broadway
Los Tacos No.1 — 229 W 43rd St
If you didn’t have lunch at Xi’An Famous Foods (an 8-minute walk from Saks Fifth Avenue), consider stopping here for dinner.
Xi’An Famous Foods — 60 W 45th St
The Modern (an 8-minute walk from Saks Fifth Avenue) is an upscale restaurant that offers contemporary American cuisine. Located within the Museum of Modern Art, it features seasonal dishes and provides views of the sculpture garden.
The Modern — 9 W 53rd St
The Russian Tea Room (a 15-minute walk from Saks Fifth Avenue) is another upscale option. It is an iconic NYC restaurant known for its opulent décor and traditional Russian dishes. Not to mention scenes from popular movies and TV shows, like The First Wives Club, Eyes Wide Shut, Gossip Girl, and Sex and the City, were shot here.
The Russian Tea Room — 150 W 57th St
For a Michelin-starred meal, head to Le Bernardin (an 8-minute walk from Saks Fifth Avenue), a French seafood restaurant helmed by Éric Ripert.
Le Bernardin — 155 W 51st St
20.00 — Broadway Show
Finish your fantastic one day in New York with a Broadway show. I do not exaggerate when I say it’s one of a kind experience. I watched Chicago and An American in Paris (the latter isn’t running anymore), but there are so many shows to choose from.
Here your one day in New York comes to an end! If you follow this guide, please let me know in the comments. I’d love to hear what places and foods you liked the most!



Do you have more than one day in New York?
Here are a few more ideas on things to do and eat if you have more than 1 day in New York.
Visit one of the many museums, like American Museum of Natural History, MoMA, or Guggenheim.
Try the famous cronut at Dominique Ansel’s Bakery. There’s no line anymore, but do come early because they sell out quickly.
Check out other iconic NYC foods, like pastrami sandwich at Katz’s Deli and burgers at Shake Shack.
Take a helicopter tour of Manhattan or a ferry to see the Statue of Liberty up close.
Visit the apartment from the show Friends. It’s a recreation of the famous set with some original props and costumes.
Take a guided tour of Greenwich Village or venture out to Brooklyn for this Bushwick street art walking tour.
If you have 3 days in New York, check out this itinerary.
Hi Yulia. Not bad for a tourist. I may try your itinerary and I’m a born-and-bred New Yorker. Notes: it’s Chelsea not Chelsey. Please fix it. The High Line did move freight- like me! Before it was a ‘park’ it was a major MTA train line for the West side Manhattan and up to the Bronx. Check it out and note it. You’re doing great but when you sit to have your coffee take 5 minutes to talk with The Real Deal residents, the older the better. I’m off to visit your Salzburg; you look happy there.
Hi Sonia!
Well that was a stupid mistake, thank you for pointing it out! Fixed to “Chelsea”!
Hope you have a great time in Salzburg! I was pregnant with my first son on that trip, that’s probably the cause for happiness :)
Yulia