NYC IN A FLASH:
24 HOURS TO CONQUER THE BIG APPLE (2024)
Craving an epic NYC escape? Ditch the guidebooks and dive into our whirlwind 24-hour adventure! Get our insider tips, unique things to do, plus our honest review of The InterContinental Times Square – your ideal Manhattan home base. You can also watch our New York series HERE!
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Essential Tips for a Hassle-Free NYC Trip
New York City newbie like us? Breathe easy! Before you jet set, take a look at our must-know NYC travel tips below. Pack light, navigate with ease, and unlock local vibes for an epic Big Apple adventure.
before you book a tour
Before you book a tour, check Viator HERE and Groupon HERE for DISCOUNTED things to do in New York! And if you plan on doing New York City's TOP ATTRACTIONS - CHECK HERE for the BEST combined prices! NYC is already expensive & you haven't even begun your first-day visit, so before you do anything, do yourself a favor & do a discount deep dive!
YOU NEED MORE THAN 24HRS
You need MORE than 24 hours to explore New York City, especially if it's your first visit! We had an enormous list of things we wanted to do and see in NYC & sadly, we were only able to mark a few of them off our list because of the length of our stay. When we return to New York, we will plan to stay at least 3 days, along with a much tighter schedule organized from our 'top priority' spots & specific to each location that can be grouped for efficiency.
BEST TIME TO VISIT NEW YORK CITY
The best time to visit New York City (in our opinion) is Fall or Spring. MULTIPLE New York locals told us that Christmas & summer are probably the worst time of year! They say the crowds are enormous during the significant holidays & the smell of the sewer and garbage start to get incredibly stinky when the hot sun is heating it in the summer!
DON'T RENT/BRING A CAR
If you can avoid it, don't rent/bring a car! The fees for parking our vehicle were TRIPLE the cost vs. what we paid for our one-night stay at the InterContinental & it was honestly a HUGE hassle! Next time, we will stick to renting Citi bikes, catching an Uber or Lyft, or brave the subway!
WHAT TO DO IN NEW YORK CITY IN 24HRS
In a true orderly fashion, Nate & I decided to take a last-minute trip to New York and only gave ourselves 24 hours to explore. Oh & did I mention it was our FIRST time visiting New York too?! Our hope is that this travel blog will give you all the insight you need for your vacation to New York!
Here are a few things to do in New York that we would consider doing again, & some ideas that came highly suggested by some of our favorite Adventure fans (join below) & a few New York locals!
1. EXPLORE CENTRAL PARK - Talk about one of the most beautiful places in New York City! Yes, it was winter when we visited & it was snowing at one point, but it was SO gorgeous & SO peaceful! Central Park is massive, which leads me to some questions you might have...
- What is the best way to SEE Central Park? For us, it was renting bikes! BUT... DON'T DO WHAT WE DID! We paid more for bikes than we should have ($15 per bike per hour)! So make sure to check Groupon or Viator for discounted rates! Generally, there are bike shops one or two blocks away from the park & they charge half the price for double the time! If you're looking for the most romantic way to see Central Park, go with the Horse & carriage!
- What TO DO in Central Park? Click HERE for the Central Park map. This website for Central Park is FULL of details that would have been a HUGE help for us! I would also suggest checking Groupon & Viator for activities in the park that may be on discount!
- How LONG should I spend at Central Park? I can tell you, 1 hour is NOT enough time! We have been told if you can get at least half a day, this would be best. But honestly, I felt like we could have been there for a full day! It was indeed an experience that you should NOT miss!
- What is the BEST time of year to visit Central Park? Again, after talking to several locals and experiencing New York & Central Park during the winter time, we suggest going during the Fall or Spring. You get fewer crowds, beautiful colors & the temperatures are ideal to where you don't freeze or overheat!
- What are the BEST THINGS TO DO in Central Park? We only had about an hour of exploring, and it was essentially a 'get thru as much as possible in an hour' type visit, which was unfortunate. With saying that, we personally can't tell you from our experience BUT, according to Central Parks website, these are the MOST POPULAR THINGS TO DO in Central Park: Strawberry Fields, Central Park Zoo, Ice Skating, Horse & Carriage Rides, Bike Rentals, & Yoga Classes
2. RENT CITI BIKES AND EXPLORE NEW YORK CITY - If we had our wits about us this day (watch THIS short clip when we rented Citi Bikes), we would have probably saved $40 in bike rentals! If you think about the cost of parking a car & the amount of time wasted sitting in traffic, it makes sense why New Yorkers either walk or ride a bike to get around! BEFORE you rent a Citi bike in New York, read these tips below:
- Before downloading the Citi Bike App, click HERE for a discounted ride with our coupon!
- Check rates FIRST before you activate a bike and pull it off the bike racks. Typically the longer you rent the bike (full day vs. 2 hours), you can get a better rate by selecting a whole day. The Citi bikes charge PER MIN after your first 30-minute ride. When we rented our bikes, it was $1 PER MINUTE after our first 30 minutes. Long story short, if you plan on riding all over New York to see different sites, you might be better off renting for a 'full day' vs. anything after 30 minutes!
- If you sign up for a FREE Citi Bike membership, you will have 30 days of access to the Citi Bike program. All trips on pedal bikes up to 45 minutes and ebikes are included at no charge! Find details HERE in the Citi Bike App & click the 3 bars on the top left corner & look for 'Get Unlimited Classic Rides'. We didn't do this because we had no clue it existed! So, if you plan on being in New York City for a few days and don't mind riding a bike from 'A' to 'B', this is the BEST BANG FOR YOUR BUCK!
- When you are DONE with your Citi Bike, double-check where the CLOSEST DOCKING STATION is in relativity to your final destination. If you are watching the time and cost increase as you are riding to your final destination, it's the WORST feeling when you have to backtrack a mile to end your ride! Nothing like throwing away money while riding a bike!
- When you DOCK THE BIKE, ensure you get a GREEN light before you walk away! If you get a YELLOW OR RED LIGHT, the bike did not dock properly and will continue charging you! Yep... we made that mistake and nearly missed noticing it! Also, double-check the app has CLOSED out your ride! If it didn't close it out, it means the bike was not 'docked' correctly, and it thinks you are still out riding your bike, so it keeps charging you! LEARN FROM OUR MISTAKES!!
- Don't go OUTSIDE THE BIKES SERVICE AREA. You will get a nice little fee with that 'out of service area'... just be aware of your locations!
- If you find a Citi Bike rack that is full, DO THE FOLLOWING: select "time credit" on the kiosk screen to request an additional 15 minutes of ride time at no extra charge, you will be directed to the nearest station with empty docks, and you will need to go to the identified station and return the bike there.
⬇ CONTINUE BELOW FOR MORE THINGS TO DO IN NEW YORK CITY ⬇
Catch a ride around Central Park in a Horse & Buggie!
WHAT TO DO IN NEW YORK CITY IN 24HRS - CONT.
3. TIMES SQUARE AT NIGHT - I know this sounds like it would be an obvious one, but Times Square at night vs during the day is COMPLETELY different! We suggest experiencing both, but our MUST, was seeing Times Square at night. A couple things we think you should know before you go:
- There are NO portable bathrooms in Times Square, so make sure you use the restroom BEFORE you arrive or else you will have to find a restaurant, bar or hotel that will let you use their facilities. Generally speaking, these restaurants, bars & hotels, will expect you to make a purchase in order to utilize their restrooms. FYI
- Someone will ALWAYS try to sell you something, and they can get pretty pushy! When someone tries to hand you something, say no thanks and keep walking, otherwise they will literally force whatever they are selling, into your hands & then try to make you buy it.
- Watch your POCKETS! Unfortunelty pick pocketing does happen and generally it's in the busiest locations. This is simply just a warning and no, we didn't experience this, but it's been known to happen when you are distracted.
4. FIND THE BEST ROOFTOP BAR IN NEW YORK WITH THE BEST VIEWS - Yes, there are multiple rooftop bars in New York City with really cool views, BUT I think we found THE BEST ROOFTOP BAR WITH THE BEST VIEW! It's called The Skylark and it has a view of the Empire State Building (see the picture above). We were also told to check out these Rooftop Bars as well, but sadly didn't make it:
- Spygalss Rooftop Bar
- Magic Hour Rooftop Bar
- 5 o'Clock Somewhere Rooftop Bar
- Monarch Rooftop Bar
- Ophelia Rooftop Bar
- Somewhere Nowhere NYC Rooftop Bar
5. EXPLORE THE BATTERY IN LOWER MANHATTAN NEAR THE FINANCIAL DISTRICT - This was a complete accident that we found this location! Were were trying to find parking to snap a picture with the Charging Bull, took a wrong turn (imagine that) & found Battery Park! What you can expect & what is Battery Park famous for?
- The Battery park is a 25 acre public park, located at the southern tip of Lower Manhattan, that sits DIRECTLY ACROSS from the Statue Of Liberty & Ellis Island
- Home to the SeaGlass Carousel
- Home to the Peter Minuit Plaza (transportation hub) & you can get to Staten Island FOR FREE here as well!
- Public access to the 240,000 square foot perennial gardens & an Urban Farm
- Filled with multiple Monuments & Memorial Statues and a bit more!
6. SNAP A PICTURE WITH THE CHARGING BULL IN NEW YORKS FINANCIAL DISTRICT - Knowing this is one of the most iconic sculptures in New York & it was at the top of Nate's list of things to do because he likes to day trade (get free stocks HERE), we were mentally prepared to stand in line.
And of course, once we arrived, YES.. there was a long line, and it probably would have taken a good 30 minutes to finally get a picture with the Charging Bull. But you know what we did instead?! We may have 'cheated' a little bit, but NOT to where we were in anyone else's picture. Surrounding the Charging Bull are large concrete blocks perfectly situated just far enough to where we could snap a perfect picture with a selfie stick!
Here are a few tips & fun facts about the Charging Bull:
- When is the best time to get a picture of the Charging Bull without standing in line? First thing in the morning or late in the evening is the best time to see the Charging Bull without a line (or very minimal, at least)!
- What does the Charging Bull represent? According to Investopedia, the Bull in finance represents optimism and growth. The statute on Wall Street represents the same ideas; those of financial growth and prosperity associated with America, Wall Street, and New York City.
- What is the Charging Bull made of? The charging Bull is made of Bronze, stands 11 feet tall & weighs over 7,000 pounds.
- How much is it to see the Charging Bull? You can see the Charging Bull for FREE, but if you want more history & detail, we suggest you go on a tour. I recommend checking GROUPON or VIATOR for the best pricing & reviews from real people!
7. SNAP A PICTURE WITH THE FEARLESS GIRL THAT SITS INFRONT OF THE NEW YORK STOCK EXCHANGE BUILDING - Another must-see on Nate's list... snapping a picture in front of the NYSE building! As you probably already figured, the NYSE Building was about a 1-minute walk from the Charging Bull & as a bonus, we got to snap a picture with the Fearless Girl statue.
We would have loved to go inside the New York Stock Exchange Building, but since September 11th 2001, they no longer allow the public to enter the building. So we tried to capture the next 'exciting' moment - The Closing Bell. Something very odd occurred, and maybe someone can shed some light on this?! From the moment people started pouring out of the building, it seemed as if they were nervous and were essentially walk running away from the Exchange Building! It reminded me of the crazy rush into the stores on Black Friday... just a mad dash to exit! So odd...
Ashley & The Fearless Girl, Facing The NYSE Building
8. EXPERIENCE TRINITY CHURCH - Steps away from the New York Stock Exchange Building, we saw one of the most beautiful Churches we have ever seen! Directly located on Wall Street & Broadway, you can find this beautiful building that was built in 1846 & looks pristine! We were lucky enough to pop into this incredible church and give it a gander for FREE (check the events page HERE). They are open to the public, and it is literally right next to the Subway for quick on and off entrance (Wall Street Station). The pictures truly do it no justice, and when you touch the cement columns inside, you can feel this incredible energy. We would have loved to walk around the cemetery, but this section was closed off at the time. It's mind-blowing to see the architecture as well! DON'T PASS THIS UP!
9. TAKE A MOMENT OF SILENCE AT THE 9/11 MEMORIAL - From the moment we arrived at the September 11 Memorial sites, there was this overwhelming feeling of peace & sadness at the same time. I wish we had more time to explore this area and walk thru the 9/11 Memorial Museum, but sadly we did not. Check HERE for tickets (be sure to book in advance), and give a moment of your time to those who were tragically killed in the attacks. A few things we learned about the 9/11 Memorial & some faqs:
- Make sure to walk around both tower memorials. I know it seems like a bunch of walking, but the views are ever-changing, and it's nice to experience the surroundings of the memorial sites
- How long does it take to go through 911 memorial on average? If you are taking a tour of the 9/11 museum, be sure to get your tickets in advance and try to book the am tour (book HERE on the 9/11 Museum website). Most people suggest you give yourself 2 hours to take in the museum. If you book the 2 pm tour, your time to gander may get cut short due to the museum's closing time.
- What is the best time of day to visit the 911 memorial? The best time to avoid the rush is between 10 AM and 12 PM. The off-season and the first two hours of the morning is the best time to visit the museum.
- Can you see the 911 memorial without paying? YES! The 9/11 Memorial is FREE, but if you want to experience the 9/11 Museum, there is a fee that is associated with entry. Check ticket prices HERE.
- WATCH THE TRIBUTE LIGHTS! Once a year, from dusk to dawn on September 11th, you can experience the Tribute Lights. Assembled on the roof of the Battery Parking Garage south of the 9/11 Memorial, the twin beams reach up to four miles into the sky and are comprised of eighty-eight 7,000-watt xenon lightbulbs positioned into two 48-foot squares, echoing the shape and orientation of the Twin Towers. The installation can also be viewed from a 60-mile radius around lower Manhattan.
10. CHECK OUT THE OCULUS - This was definitely one of our favorite pieces of architecture to gaze at, and it's only steps away from the 911 Memorial (see our pictures HERE)! The Oculus was actually one of the many buildings that was included in the city's plan for rebuilding the World Trade Center. This not only serves at the Westfields Mall, but it is also home to 12 subway lines, the World Trade Center PATH, & serves over a million people every week! One very unique design piece to the Oculus, the structure’s white metal-clad steel ribs reach up and out in a monumental move symbolic of a hand releasing a dove. It is in alignment with the sun’s solar angles on each September 11, from 8:46 am, when the first plane struck, until 10:28 am when the second tower collapsed. Its central skylight fits this alignment and washes the Oculus floor with a beam of light.
PLACES IN NEW YORK THAT WERE ON OUR LIST, BUT DID NOT MAKE
Since we only had 24 hours to explore & had so many things to do in New York... we clearly had to prioritize accordingly! We obviously didn't make ALL of our list - BUT- we do plan on going back to New York City & plan to hit these other locations as well:
- Little Island
- Pier 57 Rooftop Park
- The Highline (another rooftop park)
- The Vessel
- Experience going to the TOP of the Empire State Building
- The Morgan Library & Museum
- The Edge
- Pier 35 & 36
- Statue Of Liberty
- Flatiron Building
- Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum
- Walk the Brooklyn Bridge
- Tear Drop Memorial (across the river in Jersey)
The Oculus - Situated Directly Across From The 911 Memorial Pools
STAYING AT THE INTERCONTINENTAL TIMES SQUARE
As you can probably tell from our adventure video (watch it HERE), we were pumped about the location of the InterContinental New York Times Square and how close it was to MULTIPLE of our New York must see's!
WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT (click HERE or HERE to see resort rates & pictures):
- Bellhop will greet you and assist with your bags the minute you pull up to the front door. They are actually REALLY helpful, especially for insight into what the locals do! BE SURE TO HAVE A COUPLE BUCKS on hand and give them a tip (if you think they deserve it)
- The hotel is located in one of the busiest locations in New York, one block away from Times Square!
- 17 miles from the John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) & 9 miles from the LaGuardia Airport. QUICK TIP: Check HOPPER for discounted flights & hotels!
- 1 Full-service restaurant/ lounge option on site (The Stinger Cocktail Bar & Kitchen). QUICK TIP: This is also where you can find breakfast in the morning!
- Basic Gym open 24 hours (big enough for about 10-12 people)
- Free Wifi
- Parking directly across the street $60 - $80 (it is not covered parking) QUICK TIP: If you are still wanting to do some exploring the day you are leaving, they were happy to let us leave our car in the parking area. This was WAY cheaper than trying to find parking all over city!
- Daily hotel fee of $40. QUICK TIP: You are supposed to be able to use it as a room credit towards drinks/food in the mini bar or for lunch/dinner, but DOUBLE TRIPLE CHECK before you check out!
- You can book excursions on-site (check HERE to see things to do in New York City).
- Laundry service on site for additional fee $$
Our room type: King Junior Suite w/ Skyline View