Imagine you only have one day in New York City. What would you want to do first? Rush around to see the sights, checking them off your list? Or soak up the city, breathe it in, and remember its sounds? This guide is for those who are truly in love with New York City, even if they've never been there before.
How to see New York
Helicopter
The fastest way to enjoy views of New York City, Brooklyn, and New Jersey is by helicopter. It takes between 15 and 45 minutes, depending on the package you choose. From a bird's eye view, you can see the Statue of Liberty and the expanses of Central Park, the Brooklyn Bridge, and the Manhattan Bridge. The helicopter will then fly under the George Washington Bridge along the Hudson River before rising again above the sparkling peaks of the Empire State Building and Chrysler Building skyscrapers.
Cost: from $200. More details here.
Ferry
Ferries are a special treat for those who want to see the beauty of the "Big Apple," as New York is also known. There is a paid option NYC Ferry, which will take you on six different routes for only $4. But I recommend the free one.
The Staten Island Ferry departs from the Whainthol Terminal in Manhattan and travels to the St. George Terminal on Staten Island. Then it returns. The ferry departs every 30 minutes during the day and night. To avoid crowds of tourists and island residents heading home, plan your trip between 9:30 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. and after 7:00 p.m. The one-way trip takes 25 minutes.
The best panoramic views are from the lower deck at the rear of the ship. From here, you can see Lower Manhattan, Governors Island, and the Statue of Liberty, especially if you stand near the railing.
Cost: free
Cruise
In addition to taking a ferry, you can see New York from the water by taking a river cruise. There are several options, from typical tourist cruises to romantic ones with dinner and champagne.
On average, it takes 1.5 hours. You will have the opportunity to listen to the history of the city from a tour guide or through an audio guide, slowly viewing the sights. Be sure to sail under the Brooklyn, Manhattan, and Williamsburg bridges. This is a great option for those who don't want to rush. And you can always find last-minute tours.
Cost: from $30. Details here.
Sightseeing bus
Listening to an audio guide while sitting on the second floor of a tour bus is the easiest way to quickly get to know New York. You can get off the bus along the way, walk around the neighborhood, see the sights, and then hop on the next bus from the same company. I recommend getting a 24-hour Hop on Hop off ticket from Big Bus. It allows you to visit not only Lower Manhattan, but also Upper Manhattan.
Price: from $54. Details here.
With a guide
The best way to get to know a new city is to find a professional guide who is in love with New York and will tell you all about it. You can find boring facts on Wikipedia. But you can only feel like a real New Yorker by exploring secret routes that are only accessible to locals.
Each guide works in their own way. For example, some drive their clients around by car, which allows them to cover several distant parts of the city in a short time. Short routes, such as a tour of Central Park, can be covered by bicycle rickshaw.
But the real pleasure is walking around the city on foot. In four hours, it is quite possible to see the most beautiful places in Lower Manhattan and walk to the Brooklyn Bridge.
Cost: from $100
What you must see
There are so many attractions and significant places in New York that it is unlikely you will be able to see them all. But there are some that tell the true story of the city. Visiting them is included in tours in the USA.
Statue of Liberty
The Statue of Liberty is located on Liberty Island, three kilometers from Manhattan.
If you don't see this majestic lady with a torch in her hand even once during the whole day, you can say that you haven't been to New York. America received the Statue of Liberty as a gift from France.
The sculpture was made of copper, but over the years it oxidized and turned green. The frame of the statue was designed by Gustave Eiffel, the same man who worked on the Eiffel Tower.
You can see the attraction completely free of charge, but you can only get there by ferry. Rumor has it that this is one of the first places that green card holders go to. green cards.
Ferry cost: $25.
Central Park
A beautiful oasis in the middle of the concrete jungle. Here you can walk barefoot, eat ice cream, and listen to real jazz performed by street musicians.
Times Square
Times Square is perhaps the most famous square in New York and one of the symbols of America. Every day, it sees around 300,000 pedestrians and 115,000 drivers with passengers pass through it.
Broadway
's Broadway productions are famous all over the world. If you find yourself in New York, make sure you catch at least one of the shows. The most popular musicals are Chicago at the Ambassador Theatre and The Lion King at the Minskoff Theatre.
Cost: Chicago—from $66, The Lion King—from $135
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Stardust Diner
Stardust Diner — A café with singing waiters. It seems like a typical American establishment with burgers and French fries, but people come here not for the food, but to listen to music. There are always huge lines at the café, so it's best not to come here during dinner time.
Summit One Vanderbilt
Summit One Vanderbilt — is an observation deck with an audiovisual attraction. On the 91st floor of One Vanderbilt, you will find yourself in the Transcendence room with mirrored floors, walls, and ceilings. It is best not to wear a short skirt there. The panoramic window offers a stunning view of Times Square, Bryant Park, the Empire State Building, and the Chrysler Building.
Next, you will enter the Affinity zone, where silver balls float everywhere. From the window, you will have a view of Upper Manhattan and Central Park.
If you're not afraid of heights, you can stand on the transparent Levitation ledges overlooking Madison Avenue.
The Air zone has a café with access to an open-air terrace.
The top of the skyscraper can be reached by the Ascent glass elevator outside the building. It will pause for a few moments so that passengers can admire the views.
Cost: observation deck — $45.73, elevator — $59
Empire State Building
— is a popular tourist destination due to its excellent views from the 86th floor. It is best to purchase tickets in advance and arrive on time as indicated on the voucher.
Cost: from $48
The Friend's Experience
The Friend’s Experience for those who are crazy about the TV series “Friends.” The exhibition, which was planned as a temporary one, has now become a permanent fixture in Manhattan. It recreates the interiors of Joey and Chandler's apartment, as well as Monica and Rachel's, which Phoebe and Ross often visited. Only the characters themselves are missing.
Cost: from $41.25 (in a group)
Yankee Stadium
Yankee Stadium can also be considered a local attraction. It's not difficult to get tickets to a New York Yankees game—the team plays six times a week. Even if you're not a big baseball fan, it's worth visiting this place just for the atmosphere.
The easiest way to get there is by subway to the 161st Street station.
Cost: from $10
Wall Street
The charging bull on Wall Street symbolizes "dollar" America. It is made of bronze. They say that rubbing its testicles will open up a flow of money. So rub away, don't be shy. Judging by how shiny they are, you won't be the first or the last to do so.
World Trade Center
World Trade Center — the world's most expensive subway station. It was opened on the site of the World Trade Center buildings. The station cost around $4 million.
According to the architect's concept, the intertwining steel ribs and glass were supposed to represent large white wings. But to some, the structure resembles the bones of a prehistoric animal, while to others it looks like an eye with enormous eyelashes.
9/11 Memorial and Pumphouse Park
, one of the saddest places in New York City. The Twin Towers used to stand on this site, but now there are fountains. Water flows into two black marble pools with no visible bottom. The names of the victims—about 3,000 people—are engraved around the edges. The depth of the fountains symbolizes the depth of grief for the victims, and the water symbolizes the tears shed.
There are small indentations next to the names. Every day, memorial staff place a flower in this indentation—a white rose for those whose birthday it is.
In honor of the 343 firefighters who died while rescuing victims, 343 oak trees have now been planted next to the fountains.
Pumphouse Park is located next to the 9/11 Memorial. It's a completely different New York. It's very clean, with lots of flowers and trees. And there aren't many people.
Cost: 9/11 Memorial — free, admission to the 9/11 Museum — $33
Brooklyn Bridge
The Brooklyn Bridge is most beautiful against the backdrop of New York's famous sunsets. And this is the last stop on our itinerary, unless, of course, you want to spend some time at one of the city's popular rooftop cafes.
To save money on sightseeing before your trip, it is worth purchasing discount tourist cards. The most popular one is The New York Pass. There are other interesting options, such as The New York Sightseeing Pass.
