Or What to do on an Overnight in New York City!
Who hasn’t thought of getting up one morning and flying to a destination, spending the day and flying home that evening? How about a day in New York. Well it’s actually pretty easy to do, assuming you can get a seat on a flight early in the morning and the last flight out is late evening and has seats on it.
So how is the best way to see New York City in a day? Let us show you how.
First – How to get from the airport(s) to downtown Manhattan, quickly and inexpensively as possible.
To and from Newark Airport – 2 options. My preference when I fly into Newark and need to get to downtown Manhattan quickly is – The Air Train offers connecting service to NJ Transit and Amtrak trains which will bring you into Manhattan. Surprisingly, this can actually be much quicker than taking a cab or bus, and it is much more affordable. $11.55 one way will bring you from Newark Airport to Penn Station. AirTrain connects the NJ Transit “Newark Airport Station” to the airport terminals. Consult the schedule to determine the schedule of connecting trains. Service is available from 5 a.m. until 2 a.m..
I will also use this when sailing on a cruise from New York. Once at Penn Station I can either take a long and leisurely walk to the New York Cruise Ship Terminal or grab a cab for a few bucks. Much cheaper and quicker than cruise ship transfers from Newark.
The other option I have found is Newark Liberty Airport Express : Available from 4 a.m. – 1 a.m., these shuttles leave every 15-30 minutes for midtown Manhattan and every 2 hours to downtown Manhattan (from 11:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.). One-way fare is $16, but you can save by buying round-trip tickets, as they are $28. One free child under 16 is included in the fare. You can choose to disembark at Grand Central, Port Authority or Penn Station, in addition to midtown hotels. The ride takes about an hour. Return schedules and more information are available on their website.
Side Note: If you just need to get from Newark to JFK or LaGuardia or visa verse then use the NYC Airporter which offers transfers between Newark Airport and JFK or LGA airports for $24. If you’re traveling from Newark you’ll catch the Newark Airport Express bus which will take you to the Port Authority bus terminal where you will catch another shuttle to JFK or LGA.
To and from JFK Airport to downtown Manhattan – AirTrain – 35 minutes between JFK & Penn Station, using the LIRR (Long Island Rail Road) and costs $7.50 vs $45 cab fare. Be sure to allow yourself at least 90 minutes to make the trip to JFK from Manhattan or reverse, particularly at rush hour. On a recent trip to JFK taking the subway to the Airtrain, I wasn’t able to board the first train that came because it was so full with rush hour travelers.
There are 3 AirTrain routes, and the arriving AirTrain announces its route loudly, so listen closely to make sure you get on the correct train. The 3 routes are the Airline Terminal route (Inner Loop) which offers free service between the various terminals. The Howard Beach(A) and Jamaica Station(D) routes which circle the terminals in the opposite directions. Both stop at Station C/Federal Circle. The Jamaica Station route can also be used to access the E train and LIRR (Long Island Railroad) at Jamaica Station (2nd to last stop on E in Queens). I always choose to take the LIRR (Long Island Railroad), it is bit more expensive, but in my opinion it is easier for getting to Penn Station in downtown Manhattan, faster, and for me a more comfortable ride.
The other two options are:
NYC Airporter Bus – Departure roughly every 30 minutes – Bus Terminal, Grand Central Station and Penn Station. Fare is $13. Purchase tickets online at www.nycairporter.com. For more information, call (718) 777-5111.
Express Shuttle USA (formerly Gray Line): – One-way fare is $13. The busses run from 7am to 11:30 pm to locations in Manhattan from 23rd to 96th Streets. When you arrive at the airport, go to the ground transportation desk. A shuttle bus will come to pick you up within twenty minutes of your arrival. For exact schedules call (212) 315-3006 or (800) 451-0455.
Of the three airports for getting to and from downtown Manhattan my preference is Newark.
How what the heck to do once you get to Manhattan. We only have the day so we need to make the most of it.
One get yourself the New York Pass. The New York Pass is a Sightseeing Card that offers free entry to over 80 Attractions in New York City for one great price! The passes use smart card technology that work just like credit cards. Just present the pass at the ticket counter and your admission is taken care of! The New York Pass comes with great extras like front-of-the-line privileges at many major attractions. http://www.anrdoezrs.net/click-2335000-9785897. The one day pass is $85 for adults and $60 for kids (age 4 – 12). Another nice thing about the New York Pass is that you can order it online and then pick it up when you get to New York at 4 locations in downtown Manhattan. On the New Pass Website you can find the locations. Just click here – http://www.anrdoezrs.net/click-2335000-9785897
What I like about the New York Pass is it includes admission to over 80 attractions, attractions such as :
• The Statue of Liberty Ferry Tickets (normally $17)
• 9/11 Tribute Center (normally 17)
• Tour of Lincoln Center (normally $17)
• Radio City Music Hall Stage Door Tour (normally $19.95)
• Yankee Stadium Tours (normally $20)
• The Metropolitan Museum of Art (normally $25).
• Empire State Building Observation Desk (normally $25)
• Food on Foot Tours (normally $49) – book this one in advance
• Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum (normally $29)
• NBC Studio Tour (normally $24)
• Inside Broadway Tours (normally $35)
• and many many more tours!
• All for $85!! That my friends is a deal!
I think you can see where this pass could save you a lot of money depending on what you want to do but rest assured there is no way you can see all 80 attractions in one day.
Now if you want to do New York in 2 or 3 days, even a week, you can buy the New York Pass for a 1 day, 2 day, 3 day or even 7 day length, price will vary on the number of days you want the pass for. So this pass is something you should always consider when you travel to New York.
What to see in New York all depends on what you want to see and if have been to New York before, what your interests are and of course if are traveling with someone, what they want to see and do.
So now where to eat on your day in New York. I am a huge fan of having a pastrami on rye at the Carnegie Deli. Great people watching, cool old photo’s of celebrities over the years on the wall and a real New York style deli. You will find the Carnegie Deli, a New York landmark is located at 854 W. 7th just blocks from Carnegie Hall. For more info go to http://www.carnegiedeli.com/
Another New York thing to try out is having a Hot Dog from one of the many street vendors. Grab a dog and keep walking or sit nearby and enjoy the people watching which is always fascinating and interesting.
When visiting New York you may want to take in a Broadway show. Well if you are doing New York for a day that can be tough unless you are going on Saturday. On Saturday most shows have a 2pm matinee show. Some shows also do a matinee performance on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday depending on the show. Monday to Saturday you will also find 8pm shows. Since the average Broadway show runs 2 to 2.5 hours figure during the week if you go to an 8pm show, you won’t get out of the show until 10 to 10:30pm and probably won’t make it back to the airport until close to midnight. If you find a nonrev flight leaving at 1am or later then by all means take in a Broadway show in the evening. Otherwise take in a matineee and enjoy a Broadway show at 2pm. You will be out by 4 or 430pm. Make dinner reservations for say 6pm, an hour for dinner and you can be back to the airport by 8 to 830pm. Now is there a flight back home on Saturday leaving after that with seats? If so you are set.
If you want to take in a Broadway show there are two sources I recommend. One is on Broadway and you have to show up in person. TKTS Discount Booths offer tickets to Broadway and Off Broadway musicals and plays at up to 50% off. They sell day of performances for all evening shows and day before for all matinee shows, meaning you get your Saturday matinee performance tickets on Friday. Oh better yet. Check out the Official TKTS app which offers fast, accurate, real-time listings of all Broadway and Off Broadway shows available at the world famous TKTS Discount Ticket Booths in New York City – Apple Version – FREE – https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/tkts/id391589404?mt=8&uo=4&at=11l9ux
Android Version – FREE – http://bit.ly/19Wh2Um
TKTS has 3 locations in downtown Manhattan. 
They are:
1. The Times Square Booth sells day-of-performance discount tickets. At Window #1 you may purchase full-price tickets to future performances for all shows and same-day full-price tickets to shows that aren’t being discounted. For evening performances they are open Monday, Wednesday, Thursday*, Friday* and Saturday from 3pm to 8pm. Tuesday from 2pm to 8pm and Sunday from 3pm to 7pm. For matinee performances they are open Wednesday and Saturday from 10am to 2pm and Sunday from 10am to 3pm. *If there is a matinee performance for sale on these days, the booth will open at 10am.
2. The Downtown Brooklyn Booth sells tickets to evening performances on the day of the performance and matinee tickets the day before as well as tickets to Brooklyn performing arts events. Open Tuesday to Saturday 11am to 6pm. Closed 3 to 3:30pm for Lunch.
3. The South Street Seaport Booth sells tickets to evening performances on the day of the performance and matinee tickets the day before. Open Monday to Saturday 11am to 6pm.
Now if you don’t want to wait until the day of to get your tickets and leave it to the Gods what shows might have tickets at TKTS (and the popular shows won’t be found at TKTS on the day of the show, then you need to buy them in advance. Here is a link to one we found that offers all of the major Broadway shows and even offers discounts on many of them. You can buy them online in advance so you know what show you are going to, what time and where your seats will be. If you are wanting something popular like the latest new hot Broadway show this is the only way to go. Otherwise you will be outside the theatre, looking in and thinking “if only”. Best of Broadway will have tickets to all of the Broadway shows. http://bit.ly/1aNgEZl
Now for something really unique and definitely something local New Yorkers do, check out the TDF (Theatre Development Fund) OFF OFF Broadway shows for as little as $9. Beyond Broadway and Off Broadway theatres and midtown concert halls is a vast and intriguing alternative—theatre, dance and music performed on small stages and nontraditional spaces all over the city. You’re not a real New York theatregoer till you’ve been Off-Off Broadway!
Off-Off Broadway is where many of New York’s most innovative playwrights, composers, choreographers and performers try their boldest experiments and produce their most groundbreaking work. Only the curious and adventurous theatregoers need apply-and luckily, there are plenty of them out there to keep the scene buzzing with activity. To help build a stronger link between those inspired theatre makers and their equally daring patrons; TDF developed its Off-Off @$9 Program. For information on this unique and cheap way to see live theatre in New York click here – http://bit.ly/16Rrl8G
Now if you are not taking in a Broadway show the big evening decision is where to have dinner before heading back to the airport to fly home. New York City is home to thousands upon thousands of restaurants. Many close as fast as you read about them so any Top 10 list you find on the interest or in a publication is likely to have some already closed if it is more than 6 months to a year old. So with that in mind here are some suggestions just in the theatre district which offer great meals and fantastic atmosphere. Remember you are in New York so when I list a restaurant and say moderate prices that is moderate for New York, not Wichita Kansas!
• Joe Allen – 326 West 46th Street (between 8th and 9th Aves) – American Food – Moderate Prices
• Bond 45 – 154 West 45th Street (between 6th and 7th Aves) – Italian Food plus Pizza’s and Steaks – Moderate Prices – Also has a pre theatre menu which makes it and great option for dining without worrying about missing your show.
• Firebird – 365 West 46th Street (between 8th and 9th Aves) – Russian – Has a Prix-Fixe Menu so dinner is $49.95 (5pm to 11pm) or Lunch for $29.99 from 11:45am to 2:30pm).
• Angus McIndoe – 258 West 44th Street (between Broadway and 8th Ave) – American – Moderate and above. – This place is worth the money if you hope to see an A-Lister as big names like Nathan Lane, Matthew Broderick, Mel Brooks and Bob and Harvey Weinstein who all financially backed the restaurant’s opening.
• Osteria al Doge – 142 West 44th Street (between 6th Ave and Broadway) – Italian/Venetian – Moderate
• Shushi Zen – 108 West 44th Street (between 6th Ave and Broadway) – Japanese/Shushi – Moderate – VERY fresh fish!
• Tony’s Di Napoli – 147 West 43rd Street (between 6th Ave and Broadway) – Italian – Moderate to Inexpensive – HUGE Portions! Platters typically serve two very hungry people or three average folks. Creations include meat and cheese ravioli the size of a cocktail!
• Pietrasanta – 683 9th Avenue (between 47th and 48th Streets) – Italian – Moderate to Inexpensive – traditional northern cuisine – Great people watching along 9th avenue!
• 5 Napkin Burger – 630 9th Ave (between 44th and 45th Streets) – American – Moderate to Inexpensive. Burgers to Sushi to Salmon. This is the perfect stop if you are craving a burger and I’m not talking McDonalds!
• 5 Kellari Taverna – 19 West 44th Street (between 5th and 6th Aves) – Greek – Moderate – raditional Greek seafood and provides a cozy feel with wood-beamed cathedral ceilings and walls
And this list could go on and on. You might prefer to use an App I love and use when looking for a great local restaurant as I can read the reviews which are a collection of reviews from all kinds of websites. Urban Spoon will help you find a restaurant based on a number of criteria. You can select by location, cuisine, price point and it will tell you what your options are then how to get there. It also will give you the address, website and phone number so you can all ahead. Restaurant listings for USA, Canada and most major cities in the UK and Australia!
To download the Urban Spoon just click below
Apple – Free – https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/urbanspoon/id284708449?mt=8&uo=4&at=11l9ux
Android – Free – https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.urbanspoon&hl=en
Doing New York in a day is possible and now you have the outline to create your own New York City for a day trip! Look for more “City in a Day” trips in future issues of the NonRev Traveller Magazine! Which one would like to see next? Let us know!