Want a taste of the big apple but short on time? Check out this NYC itinerary that packs in all of the “Must Do’s” in one day.
My husband and I got a good feel for NYC years ago when we sub leased an apartment on the upper West side. Our son was only 6 months old and to go from a slow rolling rural suburb to a big bustling city was a bit of a culture shock. It was definitely an adventure and left us more than satisfied for that bright lights big city life style.
Fast forward to the present, our kids ages 10, 13, and 17 are curious and think it’s time we caved and brought them to NYC. We were planning to be on the East Coast, so it seemed like perfect timing. We also brought our two nieces along for the BEST CITY DAY EVER!
Grand Central Station in Midtown Manhattan
The world famous landmark and transportation hub is a grand and historical sight to see. We all felt so tiny in this beautiful space. The ceiling showcases an astrological mural and ten gorgeous chandeliers decorate the lobby. Fun Fact – the Vanderbilt Tennis Club is tucked away on the fourth floor and is open to the public.
Hop on the Green Line and head south to The Bowling Green stop. Easiest way to ride the subway is to have Apple Pay on your smart phone and scan as you pass through the turn stiles.
Lady Liberty and Battery Park
The Statue of Liberty sits on Ellis Island which is only accessible by ferry. Tickets are required. Expect to pay $24 for each adult and wait in a long line. This requires a good chunk of time which is exactly why we decided to skip the lines, save money and time, and view the good lady from the wharf.
Ground Zero The 9/11 Memorial
As you walk closer to the memorial the loud sounds of the city fade out . Peace and solitude fill the void. There are truly no words to describe the feeling you will have.
We took full advantage of the giant murals along the walk through Tribeca and into SOHO. We were able to see the Empire State building from afar which checked that off of our list.
Lunch at Black Tap Craft Burgers and Beer in SOHO
A very casual lunch spot serving great burgers, salads, but the real reason we went … the milkshakes. We ordered the 4th of July Milkshake and it was over the top red, white, and blue.
Shopping on Broadway in SOHO
We hit up a few of our favorite stores and enjoyed stepping into the air condition on a very hot and steamy NYC Summer Day. Fun Fact – Every known store is located on this popular street and even if the store doesn’t make profit (due to the insane rent) they still keep it open for it’s name sake and reputation.
Hop on the Orange Line North to the 57th Street stop.
Central Park
This was the perfect time in our busy day to relax in the shade. We sipped on our Starbucks refreshers, and people watched. We strolled around the paths, visited the Zoo and sailing pond. This ended up being our favorite part of our day.
Apple Fifth Avenue
The architecture of this Apple Store has an exceptionally high profile and is considered to be one of Apple’s flagship locations. Tip – It’s also a great spot to recharge your cell phone.
St. Patrick’s Cathedral
No matter what faith you are or what religion you practice stepping into this Neo-Gothic-style Roman Catholic Church in the middle of this busy city will take your breath away.
Rockefeller Center
Considered to be the epic center of everything New York. In the middle of summer the iconic ice skating is replaced with roller skating and it takes on a colorful whimsy vibe. We had fun playing in the fountains and watching magic shows at FAO Schwartz.
Union Square
The dividing line between Downtown and Midtown, filled with big flashing bright lights. Get a glimpse of the New Year’s Eve Ball, and take some cool pics. M&M World is a fun spot for kids to check out everything M&M, while having a sweet treat.
Dinner at the Glass House Tavern
This swanky American restaurant is only a half block from Union Square and one of only a handful of non-franchised establishments in the area. It was accomodating and had an upscale menu with something for everyone. A great comfort meal to end a wonderful day.
It was a wonderful long day, we walked over twenty thousand steps, and we had a blast!
Until next time… New York City!
XOXO
Eve