There’s over 8 and a half million people in New York City, all of whom are packed into a city that’s about 300 miles all round. Even though it’s one of the biggest cities in the world, you don’t have to be a maths expert to know that means it’s a pretty dense place to be!
There’s something around every corner, whether it’s an off-broadway theater, a hole in the wall diner, a great little boutique clothing store, or a massive skyscraper that makes a great photo backdrop.
And if you’re going to be spending any time visiting the US soon, New York City is probably on the list. Great! It’s an amazing city to spend some time in.
However, the stricter the itinerary, the more coordinated your visit needs to be. New York City isn’t the kind of place where you just walk around and see where you end up. If you’ve only got around 12-16 hours to see the splendour of the Big Apple, you need to choose wisely and move fast!
So let’s go through a few tips for travelling to New York City on a limited schedule.
What Do You Want to See the Most?
When you think about New York City, what is it you’re the most excited to see? The answer is likely to be different for every person who answers this question; that’s just how much culture and history can be found in the city.
So, what would be your top visitor destination? Maybe the Statue of Liberty, or the MOMA? Or maybe you’d rather spend time in Central Park, where you can visit Belvedere Castle, or the Central Park Zoo?
No matter where you’d really like to go, above anything else, try not to venture too far away from it. Try to stay inside the borough where the bulk of the attractions you want to see can be found. It’ll make your itinerary much easier to complete.
And if you’d really like to be sure you don’t have to go too far, see if your priority list can be marked out as a shape. A square or a rectangle, for example. Note this on the map you’re using and then try not to step out of that shape.
Be Prepared for a Hike
NYC is quite the walkable metropolis. It’s the kind of city that is both incredibly massive and also quite accessible at the same time. Of course, you don’t want to traipse from one side of the city to the other, but you can get around the more central parts just by walking.
If you need to, you can also rent a bike from one of the city hire spots that can be found all over the place. This is a good choice for anyone who wants to stay above ground and witness as much of the cityscape as possible. You just cut down the time it would have taken you to walk by at least half.
Plan Your Route Before You Get There
You’ve already got your list of planned attractions, and you’ve got a good general idea of where you’ll need to go to see them. But we recommend planning out the exact route (as well as a couple of backups, just in case) before you get there.
You don’t want to waste time in NYC by navigating on the go. Make sure you know where you’re getting into the city, what’s closest to this, and how you can proceed from one spot to the next with minimal doubling back.
Download a map of the subway system, as well as a timetable for it, and don’t be afraid to fork out for an Uber here and there either. Like we said above, you’ll want to be ready to hike it through the city, but you don’t necessarily want to rely on foot alone!
Don’t be afraid to keep your maps open while you go around either. If it’s on your phone, be safe by keeping it close to you. With most route apps, you can also keep it locked and just use the lock screen map interface.
Drop Your Luggage and Get Going
And now we come to the time when you actually arrive and begin your day in New York City. Before you do anything else, you’ll want to drop off any excess baggage you’re carrying. It’ll only get in the way and slow you down .
Head to a nearby luggage storage where you can safely drop anything you don’t need. You can then lock it away and come back for it later.
You can find a luggage station like this in a variety of places, like the penn station luggage storage. This is a pretty central location for a tourist like you, and seeing as it’s one of the main transport hubs in the city, it’ll never be hard to get back to.
Only Got a Day in New York City? You Can Make it Work
There’s a lot to see and do, the traffic is going to be wild, and you better have the right shoes on to maintain a good walking pace. But if you use the tips above to help you plan your visit, your limited time in New York City can be used incredibly effectively.
Be prepared to walk like you’ve never had to before, make sure you’re not carrying any baggage that’ll slow you down, and know your route like the back of your hand. Get your tickets and bookings arranged at least the day before you arrive, and try to keep any detours to a minimum.
But most of all, concentrate your efforts on a select part of the city. Whether you want to experience life in Manhattan or you’d rather discover the best of The Bronx, stick within the borough.
And remember, the best thing about only having a day in New York City? You’ll have an excuse to come back and see everything else!