United States
Statue of Liberty, 9/11 Memorial & Museum and Brooklyn Bridge
Your first day will cover a lot of big-hitters like the Statue of Liberty, the famous hot dogs, Wall Street and Brooklyn Bridge. Immerse yourself from the start in all the beauty (and deliciousness) that New York has to offer!
Admire the Statue of Liberty
Start your day with New York's most iconic sculpture: the Statue of Liberty. This famous landmark is one of the world’s largest statues and remains a world symbol of freedom. It is one of the top attractions in America and as impressive as you thought it would be!
Once you hop off the ferry after multiple hours of sightseeing, you’ll probably be hungry. Fear not, your first snack of the day is right in front of you, at the edge of Battery Park.
Try a hot dog from Nathan’s Famous
You can’t go to New York without trying a famous New York style hot dog! On every corner of the streets you can find a hot dog stand, but as a first timer, we recommend trying a hot dog from Nathan’s Famous. In our opinion, they sell the best hot dogs! Make sure to order an original hot dog and some crinkle-cut fries (topped with cheese), both delicious!
Walk your way up north on Broadway for about 8 minutes to arrive at the next (major) attraction!
Stroll through Wall Street
The world-famous Wall Street is located in the heart of the Financial District, in Lower Manhattan. Make sure to stop to admire the statue of the Charging Bull, one of the most popular tourist attractions in the Financial District and a popular photo opportunity for visitors. If you think that the Financial District is boring and dull, think again! The street is steeped in history, with impressive architecture and iconic landmarks like the New York Stock Exchange. It's a bustling hub of activity, and you'll be surrounded by some of the brightest minds in business.
Your next destination is an about 10 minutes walk starting from Wall Street (on Broadway).
Visit the 9/11 Memorial & Museum
The 9/11 Memorial & Museum remembers and honors the people who were killed during the September 11 (2001) attacks and the World Trade Center Bombing (1993). It is located at the World Trade Center site, where once the Twin Towers used to stand. The museum consists of explicit image, film and sound material. It tells the story and impact of 9/11 through media, personal stories and authentic artifacts. This museum is really touching, we feel like we were different people when we left the place.
After such an intense visit, we recommend you take it easy for the next couple of hours. Your 15 minutes walk to your next stop is a perfect way to keep that promise.
Walk across the Brooklyn Bridge
Brooklyn Bridge is one of the most famous and recognizable landmarks of New York. You can choose to walk across the Brooklyn Bridge and enjoy the impressive skyline and views over the East River, but make sure to admire the bridge from the Dumbo neighborhood as well! A walk over the bridge takes about one hour (one way), so make sure to keep that in mind if you’re on a tight schedule.
Our starting point to get to your last destination of the day is City Hall Park, located at Broadway & Chambers St. Your 13 minute stroll through Civic Center will go by in no time. Make sure to take a little detour via the (free) African Burial Ground if you’ve got the time!
End your day in Chinatown
End your first day in the Chinatown neighborhood, one of New York's coolest neighborhoods. Chinatown is a colorful and vibrant neighborhood with a rich cultural heritage. Visitors can explore the narrow streets and alleys, try authentic Chinese cuisine, and visit traditional shops selling everything from souvenirs to herbal remedies. The lively atmosphere, colorful street markets, and historic Confucius Plaza make Chinatown a unique and fascinating part of the city. It reeeeally is super cozy to walk around here and the best thing is that prices (whether in shops or restaurants) are very reasonable!
