Arrive at La Moderne Hotel around 11:00am, leave your bags with the front desk if the room is not ready, and allow 30–45 minutes for check-in or storage. For a quick, inexpensive bite nearby, Ess-a-Bagel is a practical Midtown option, but keep it light so you can start sightseeing promptly. Take the B or C subway uptown from Midtown to 72nd Street—about 15–25 minutes, depending on your starting station and transfer—and enter Central Park near the West 72nd Street entrance. Spend roughly two hours walking the Mall, Bethesda Terrace, and Bow Bridge. In November, the park gets darker earlier, so begin with the longer walk toward the lake and use the terrace as your central landmark.
Walk north through the park or along Central Park West to the American Museum of Natural History, usually 10–20 minutes from Bow Bridge. Plan 2½–3 hours, concentrating on the dinosaur halls, Rose Center for Earth and Space, Hall of North American Mammals, and any special exhibition that interests you. Timed admission is strongly recommended; ticket prices and exhibit access can vary, so check the museum’s official calendar before the trip. If you need a quick break, the museum cafés are convenient, though generally pricier than a neighborhood café.
For dinner, go to Rosa Mexicano on the Upper West Side, budgeting about $25–45 per person before drinks, tax, and tip. The guacamole, tacos, and enchiladas make it easy to keep the meal casual, and a reservation is sensible for Sunday evening. Afterward, take a relaxed 45-minute walk around Columbus Avenue and toward Lincoln Center; the area is especially pleasant after the dinner crowds thin out. Return to Midtown by the 1, 2, or 3 train from 72nd Street, or use the C/B depending on your hotel’s exact location. Keep the evening flexible: after an arrival day, an early return to La Moderne Hotel will make tomorrow’s Midtown sightseeing much more enjoyable.
Start with Best Bagel & Coffee in Midtown around 8:00am; allow about 30 minutes and expect roughly $8–15 per person. Since the exact shop and opening hours should be checked before setting out, choose the nearest Midtown location to your hotel and order ahead if available. Walk or take the subway to the New York Public Library, Stephen A. Schwarzman Building at Fifth Avenue and 42nd Street. The library is generally open Monday mornings, but hours and access to individual reading rooms can vary. Spend about an hour admiring Astor Hall, the Rose Main Reading Room when open to visitors, and the building’s quiet Beaux-Arts details; keep voices low and follow any visitor-routing signs.
From the library, walk south along Fifth Avenue and then west toward the Flatiron District for Harry Potter New York, roughly 20–25 minutes on foot. This is a good street-level walk through Midtown rather than a subway detour. Allow 1½ hours for the immersive displays and merchandise, and check the official site before traveling because timed entry, reservations, or capacity controls may apply. For lunch, use one of the casual cafés or food counters around Flatiron and Union Square—budget about $12–20 per person and keep it to 30–45 minutes so the afternoon remains comfortable.
Take the downtown 4, 5, 6, 7, or shuttle connection from the Flatiron area toward Grand Central, or walk about 25 minutes, to Grand Central Terminal. Allow 45 minutes for the Main Concourse, celestial ceiling, Whispering Gallery, and Vanderbilt Hall; avoid commuter rush hour if you want clearer photos. From there, walk east to the Roosevelt Island Tramway at 59th Street and Second Avenue. Pay with OMNY, ride over the East River for skyline views, and spend about an hour walking the western riverfront on Roosevelt Island. The tram normally runs frequently, but service can change; if it is suspended, use the subway’s F train instead. Return to Manhattan by tram and walk to The Halal Guys for an inexpensive dinner, about $12–20 per person. Expect a line at peak dinner time, and remember that Monday’s itinerary is intentionally Midtown-focused, so leave a little time after eating for an unhurried walk back to the hotel.
Leave La Moderne Hotel around 8:00am for Katz’s Delicatessen. Take the downtown 4 or 5 from Grand Central–42nd Street toward Brooklyn Bridge–City Hall, then walk east; depending on your hotel’s exact location, the trip should take roughly 25–35 minutes and cost the current subway fare when paid with OMNY. Katz’s Delicatessen is best treated as a hearty late breakfast or early lunch—order a pastrami or corned-beef sandwich and expect about $20–35 per person, plus a line during peak hours. Allow an hour, and keep your ticket or check stub, since it is used when you exit.
Walk about 15 minutes west through the Lower East Side and Nolita to Little Italy, spending an hour around Mulberry Street and the neighboring bakeries. This is a good place for coffee or a small pastry rather than another full meal. From there, take the downtown 6 from Spring Street or walk toward City Hall and continue south; leave around 11:45am–noon for 9/11 Memorial & Museum. Book a timed museum entry in advance—security and the exhibit can easily take two hours. The memorial plaza itself is free and usually open daily, but the museum’s hours and last admission should be checked for your date.
After the museum, walk roughly 15 minutes to Whitehall Terminal for the Staten Island Ferry. The ferry is free and runs frequently, but allow 1½–2 hours round trip once boarding queues and the turnaround at St. George are included. Stay aboard if you are short on time; the best Statue of Liberty views are generally on the right side when departing Manhattan and the left side on the return. Aim to be back near Battery Park by about 3:30pm, then walk north toward City Hall to begin the Brooklyn Bridge crossing. The pedestrian route takes about an hour with photo stops; stay in the marked pedestrian lane and avoid blocking cyclists. Since sunset is around 4:40pm in mid-November, this is a particularly nice stretch for late-afternoon light, though allow extra time if the walkway is crowded.
Finish in DUMBO at Juliana’s Pizza, near the Brooklyn end of the bridge. Expect about $20–35 per person, with waits possible at dinner; joining the list before you finish the bridge is useful if available. Afterward, use the F from York Street or the A/C from High Street toward Midtown, transferring as needed for your hotel—roughly 30–45 minutes in the evening. This is a full day, so skip additional sightseeing after dinner and keep valuables secure around the ferry terminal, bridge approaches, and subway platforms.
Leave La Moderne Hotel around 5:45am for LaGuardia Airport. A pre-booked Uber, Lyft, Carmel car, or traditional taxi is the easiest choice with luggage; the ride is typically 30–45 minutes in light traffic, though early-morning roadwork or congestion can add time. Expect roughly $45–80 plus tolls and tip, and confirm your terminal before leaving. For a 9:00am flight, arriving around 7:00am gives you a sensible buffer for airline check-in, bag drop, and security.
The cheaper option is the subway and Q70-LaGuardia Link: take the E, F, M, or R toward Jackson Heights–Roosevelt Avenue, then transfer to the Q70 bus, which serves the airport terminals. It usually takes 60–75 minutes and the Q70 is free, though the subway fare applies; with luggage and an early flight, leave closer to 5:15am and check the MTA Trip Planner that morning for overnight service changes. Use OMNY or a contactless card, and confirm the correct terminal on your airline app before boarding the airport shuttle.
Once at LaGuardia, follow the signs to your airline’s terminal and complete check-in or bag drop before security. Keep breakfast simple after security—coffee, a bagel, or a packaged sandwich is more practical than trying to leave the terminal for food. With the early departure, the main goal is a calm check-in rather than squeezing in another stop; be at your gate well before boarding and allow extra time if you are checking luggage.
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