How to Spend 24 Hours in the City That Never Sleeps

You could spend a lifetime in New York City and not see everything, but that doesn't mean you can't pack a ton of classic New York attractions into an unforgettable day trip. If 24 hours is all you have for a quick visit, here's what to do in NYC in one day.

Located right at the heart of Midtown Manhattan, Rockefeller Center is the iconic home of Saturday Night Live and the Today show. It's also been immortalized by the annual lighting of the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree, and it's the perfect place to start your day. You'll have to get up early to ham it up for the folks back home outside the window of the Today show. Afterward, head up to the Top of the Rock Observation Deck. It offers a stunning panoramic view of the city, making it a must-do in NYC.

It's only a short trip uptown from Rockefeller Center to what might just be the most famous public park in the world. Central Park is a marvel with more than 800 acres of open space. You can take a hike, fly a kite or simply enjoy the morning air. Stop off for coffee and a bite to eat at Bluestone Lane, just east of the park.

The area just east of Central Park on the Upper East Side is known as Museum Mile, and for good reason. It's home to seven of the most stunning museums in America. You won't be able to see all of them in a single day, but you can pick the one that piques your interest the most. The vast art collection at the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the dinosaur wing of the American Museum of Natural History are certainly contenders.

From the subway station at 86th and Lexington—just a short walk from Museum Mile—you can catch a train straight to Grand Central Terminal. The subway itself is a New York experience, and Grand Central Station is another. Marvel at the ornately painted constellations that adorn the ceiling and gaze in awe at the towering architecture. Don't worry, you won't be the only one. Afterward, feast on some of New York's finest seafood for lunch at the Grand Central Oyster Bar.

You can catch a train to just about anywhere from Grand Central, but it's also just a short stroll from some of New York's most well-known attractions. Walk a few blocks west on East 42nd Street to Bryant Park and the New York Public Library with its famed marble lions standing guard outside. Walk a few blocks farther and you'll find Broadway, which leads you north to Times Square attractions.

Take a short walk from Times Square to the nearby Port Authority Bus Terminal where you can catch the subway to Greenwich Village at any time of day. Few places offer a greater concentration of shops, bars and eateries. Grab a top-shelf cookie or cupcake at Magnolia Bakery, wash it down with a pint at the White Horse Tavern, and catch some live music at the Village Underground where you'll find everything from folk and blues to hip-hop and jazz.

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