1-Day New York Itinerary

Dubbed the Big Apple, New York offers a massive list of interesting spots to explore. What if you only have one day in New York? Would you risk that rare chance of seeing the city’s bests slip away? Hell no! Don’t know how to begin with? Sharing here my 1-day New York itinerary that is sure will make your brief stop in New York amazing!

I flew to JFK International Airport from Manila for a connecting flight to Hamilton, Bermuda. But for some reason, my flight was changed to Nassau, Bahamas. And for that course of events, I had to spend three nights in New York. I love New York and I will not forgive myself for just staying in my hotel room and letting the opportunity to explore the city slip by. So, I came up with a 1-day itinerary to make the most I could in New York. A 1-day itinerary does not mean you won’t get the most of New York’s bests. It’s just a matter of simple planning and voila you’re on your way ticking off another item on your bucket list.

Sharing here what the itinerary I came up with was like – it’s only a 1 – minute video clip showing just the highlights of the trip. For the detailed itinerary, you may continue reading below.

I was staying at the TWA Hotel, an airport hotel located at JFK International Airport. The airport is in the district of Queens about an hour’s train ride to New York City. So, this itinerary covers my trip between JFK International Airport and New York City.

1-Day New York Itinerary

09:00 AM – AirTrain JFK ride from Terminal 5 to Jamaica Station.

AirTrain JFK connects all passenger terminals to NYC’s public transportation at Jamaica and Howard Beach Stations. In these stations, you can find the subway, the Long Island Rail Road, and public buses. I opted for the subway and take the E train as it is going to Midtown Manhattan.

09:15 AM – E Train ride from Jamaica Station to World Trade Center Station.

10:00 AM – Start exploring World Trade Center area.
1. 911 Memorial
2. 911 Museum
3. Liberty Park
4. Oculos

11:30 AM – Ferry ride from Battery Park to Liberty Island and Ellis Island.

All ferries travel first to Liberty Island and then to Ellis Island before returning to Battery Park, New York.

Once you get to these islands, you are on your own time exploring everything there is. In Liberty Island, you’ll find the world-famous landmark, the Statue of Liberty. In Ellis Island, you’ll find Ellis Island Immigration Museum.

02:00 PM – Back to mainland and continue exploring WTC area.

03:00 PM – Subway Train A ride to Howard Beach Station.

4:00 PM – Air Train ride to Terminal 5.

04:15 PM – Back at TWA Hotel

I had a great time spending a day out in the city. It’s a very interesting place to be not to mention the friendly faces of New Yorkers I bumped into asking for directions – subway personnel, food vendors, shop attendants, men in uniforms (the police and security guards).

I may only have visited a fraction of New York, but I would say I had explored the city’s bests.