How to see the best of New York in 24 hours

Quick tips for your New York holiday

Read these practical tips before planning your ideal day in New York:

• Pre-book tickets - avoid missing out on the Big Apple's biggest sights by pre-booking the most popular attractions. The New York City Pass is an ideal way to skip lines at key attractions.
• Start early - in the city that never sleeps, make the most of the day by rising early, grabbing a to-go caffeine fix if needed.
• Use public transport - thanks to movies and TV, the New York Subway feels like an attraction in its own right. Tap on and off with any contactless card. Alternatively, get your bearings and enjoy commentary on a hop-on, hop-off bus.
• Download maps - navigate the city with ease by downloading Google Maps or Citymapper to use offline, saving on any data roaming costs.
• Pack light - bring a small day bag to carry water, snacks, and any essentials.
• Wear supportive shoes - wear your comfiest footwear, as walking is the best way to experience the city's charm.
• Stay flexible - prioritise three to five major sights, leaving space to detour to New York's lesser-known attractions should you wish. 
• Seasonal advice - spring and autumn are optimal months to visit New York, temperature-wise. July and August can be uncomfortably sweltering, and January and February can bring strong winds and snowstorms.

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How to spend a morning in New York

What better way to start a New York City day than with a bagel? Head to Broad Nosh Bagels on 58th Street, near Central Park's south gate. They're known for their dense, chewy bagels and generous schmear toppings. For a lighter option, Juice Generation at Columbus Circle has smoothies, açai bowls, and jet lag-assisting energy shots.

Get breakfast to go and walk 20 minutes to Bethesda Terrace in Central Park; it's known as a great people-watching spot. Next, rent a Citi Bike or explore the world's most famous park on foot. Other popular spots include The Mall, Bow Bridge and the John Lennon Imagine Mosaic.

Exit Central Park near 82nd Street to explore the third-largest museum in the world, the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Pre-book your tickets to avoid queues, leaving you more time to explore highlights like the Temple of Dendur (a complete Egyptian temple), plus European masters, like Rembrandt and Degas. Allow 90 minutes, including time on the rooftop to discover the seasonal art installations and your first glimpse of the iconic New York City skyline.

How to spend midday in New York

From the Met, stroll along 81st Street to grab lunch at either Village Square Pizza for a New York slice, or Luke's Lobster for a delicious Maine-style lobster roll. 

After a quick bite, ride the 1 train from 79th Street to 14th Street (30 minutes) to the northern entrance of the High Line. This fabulous converted elevated rail track rises above the city streets, with art installations, river views, and a peek into local life all part of the High Line's appeal. There are wide benches to rest and soak in its bustling atmosphere.

How to spend an afternoon in New York

From the southern end of the High Line, board the 7 train at Hudson Yards to experience the grandeur of Grand Central Terminal (15 minutes). Look up to admire the celestial ceiling and test out the whispering gallery, before getting a caffeine fix at Irving Farm or sugar pick-me-up at Magnolia Bakery cupcake (famous thanks to Sex and the City); their banana pudding is not to be missed. 

Head from Central Station's 2,500 painted stars to 2,500 mirrors at SUMMIT One Vanderbilt, a multi-sensory observatory across the street. With glass floors, floating orbs, and mirror-lined viewing decks - plus immersive art installations - discover an inspired perspective from the city's newest observation deck. If possible, book your entry for sunset to catch the light shift across New York’s beloved skyline.

If you'd prefer to experience New York at ground level, take a stroll along the city's most famous shopping street, 5th Avenue, to explore retail icons like Saks Fifth Avenue, Bergdorf Goodman and Tiffany's. For four floors of discounted designer wear, head to Century 21 in Lower Manhattan.

How to spend an evening in New York

From the heady heights of SUMMIT to the thrills of Broadway, walk to the Theatre District this evening for dinner and a show.

Once a prohibition speakeasy, Gallagher's Steakhouse has been a New York institution for nearly a century, offering an old-school, bustling atmosphere near Broadway. For more elevated dining, The Lambs Club in the Chatwal Hotel offer Art Deco interiors, impeccable service and modern American cuisine.

With over 40 theatres clustered around Times Square and the Theatre District, 'catching a show' is as synonymous with New York as pizza by the slice. Whether you'd like to see a blockbuster musical, critically acclaimed play or edgy new production, there's something to suit. Shows typically start at 7.30 pm, and it's wise to book tickets far in advance for top-tier productions. Visit the Times Square TKTS booth for discounted last-minute shows, checking out the buzz of the city's most famous intersection while you're there.

In the city that never sleeps, the day is not over, even after the curtain falls. Make the most of your last hours in the Big Apple with a sweet or spirited nightcap.

For a nightcap with a difference, head to hidden speakeasy, Please Don't Tell, in the East Village. Enter behind a hot dog shop to try their award-winning cocktails. For sky-high sophistication instead, Dear Irving on Hudson Rooftop Bar offers creative cocktails and Midtown views.

If a slice of dense, creamy New York cheesecake is calling instead, Junior's on 45th Street is open late, as is Levain Bakery in the Flatiron District, famous for thick, chewy cookies. For a late-night dessert as exuberant as New York itself, Black Tap on 35th Street offers freakshakes - thick milkshakes, overflowing with decadent toppings.

And to work it all off? Walk the illuminated Brooklyn Bridge for a final glance at the mesmerising Manhattan skyline before bed.

While you may only get a thin slice of the Big Apple in one day, it's a sweet, tasty bite that leaves you wanting more. New York rewards every step you take (often many) with spectacular views, exceptional attractions and incredible eats.

If you have more time to explore New York City, read this handy guide to the city's must-see attractions.

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