One Day in New York City Itinerary: Statue of Liberty to Times Square, Timed
Your day in New York City, in order
- 8:30 AMStatue of Liberty ferry from Battery ParkOfficial tickets only
- 12:00 PM9/11 Memorial plazaFree, no ticket needed
- 1:00 PMLunch downtownQuick and casual
- 2:00 PMWalk the Brooklyn Bridge to DUMBOManhattan to Brooklyn
- 3:30 PMSubway to Central ParkEnter at the south end
- 4:30 PMThe Met or a longer park walkClosed Wednesdays
- 7:00 PMDinner in MidtownWalk a few blocks off the main avenues
- 8:30 PMTimes Square after darkOnce is enough
You can spend your one New York day on the subway if you're not careful. Everything looks close until you try to get from the Statue of Liberty to Central Park. So this plan only goes one way: start at the bottom of Manhattan, work up, finish in Midtown at night.
Times assume a fall weekday. Ferry schedules and museum hours change by season, so check before you go.
The plan at a glance
Early ferry to the Statue of Liberty. Back downtown for the 9/11 Memorial. Lunch, then walk the Brooklyn Bridge to DUMBO. Subway up to Central Park and maybe the Met. Times Square once, at night, for the lights.
Stop by stop
8:30 AM: Statue of Liberty ferry from Battery Park
Statue City Cruises is the only official ferry to Liberty Island and Ellis Island. On the fall weekday schedule I checked, the first boat left Battery Park at 8:30, and the ticket office opens 30 minutes before that. General admission was 26 dollars for adults, covering both islands and the audio tour. Pedestal and crown tickets cost a bit more and sell out way earlier.
The time on your ticket is your security time, not your boarding time, and the security is airport-style. If you want Ellis Island too, go early. The ferry company itself says a 2:00 PM or later slot doesn't leave time for both.
Get tickets: Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island ferry (official site)
12:00 PM: 9/11 Memorial plaza
Ferry back, then walk north through the Financial District, about 15 minutes. The outdoor plaza with the two pools is free, no ticket, listed as open 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM. Slow down here. It's quiet and heavy and worth it. The 9/11 Museum next door is a separate paid ticket if you want to go deeper.
Get tickets: 9/11 Museum (the plaza is free) (official site)
1:00 PM: Lunch downtown
Something quick. A slice, a deli sandwich, a food hall. You've got a bridge to cross.
2:00 PM: Walk the Brooklyn Bridge to DUMBO
The Manhattan end of the walkway is by City Hall, a few minutes from the Memorial. Walk toward Brooklyn and keep turning around, because the skyline's behind you. It's a bit over a mile and takes 30 to 40 minutes with photo stops.
Off the bridge, head down to Washington Street in DUMBO for the shot of the Manhattan Bridge framed between old brick warehouses. Then walk to the waterfront for the skyline.
3:30 PM: Subway to Central Park
Back into Manhattan and up to the south end of the park. Then just walk north. It's 843 acres, so don't try to see all of it. Aim for Bow Bridge and the lake.
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4:30 PM: The Met, or a longer park walk
The Met sits on the east side of the park. It's open 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM Sunday through Tuesday and Thursday, until 9:00 PM on Fridays and Saturdays, closed Wednesdays. Out-of-state adults were 30 dollars when I checked. On a Friday or Saturday this slot gives you real time inside. Any other day it's a 30-minute sprint, and honestly I'd take more park instead.
Get tickets: The Met (official site)
7:00 PM: Dinner in Midtown
Walk a block or two off the main avenues. Anything with a giant neon sign is charging you for the rent.
8:30 PM: Times Square after dark
Yes, it's touristy. Go anyway, once, at night, when the screens are the whole point. Fifteen minutes. Then leave before it gets to you.
What to skip
- Statue tickets from people on the street. Statue City Cruises warns the sellers around Battery Park aren't selling real tickets. Buy online or at Castle Clinton.
- Eating in Times Square. You're paying for the location.
- Daytime taxis across town. The subway's usually faster.
- Three museums. One, done well, is plenty.
Mistakes people make in NYC (number 2 kills your whole morning)
- Walking everything. Battery Park to Central Park is about 5 miles. Use the subway for the big jumps.
- Starting the Statue of Liberty late. Late slots plus security lines eat the day, and you lose Ellis Island. Go early.
- The Met on a Wednesday. Closed.
- Street-seller ferry tickets. Official seller only.
- A big bag. Ferry security, limited lockers. Travel light.
- Spending your only evening in Times Square. Fifteen minutes is the right dose.
Quick questions about one day in NYC
Is one day in New York City enough?
It's enough for a great first taste: the harbor, downtown, a bridge, the park and Times Square. It isn't enough for every museum and neighborhood, so pick a direction and use the subway.
How much is the Statue of Liberty ferry?
When we checked, Statue City Cruises listed general admission at 26 dollars for adults, including the round-trip ferry, Liberty Island and Ellis Island. Pedestal and crown tickets cost slightly more and sell out earlier. Check before you go.
Is the 9/11 Memorial free?
The outdoor memorial plaza is free and needs no ticket. It was listed as open daily from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM. The 9/11 Museum next to it is a separate paid ticket.
What day is the Met closed?
The Met Fifth Avenue is closed on Wednesdays. It is open 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM most days and until 9:00 PM on Fridays and Saturdays. Out-of-state adults were listed at 30 dollars. Check before you go.
Should I walk the Brooklyn Bridge from Manhattan or Brooklyn?
Either works, but walking from Manhattan to Brooklyn means you can stop in DUMBO at the end, which has the best views back at the skyline.