A Day in New York City: Statue of Liberty, Central Park Zoo, Times Square, Empire State Building, and Coney Island

  • 9:00AM: Statue of Liberty
    1 hour 35 minutes (about 9 miles) from Lower Manhattan

    Climb to the top of the pedestal to enjoy the view of the New York City skyline and harbor, then visit the Immigration Museum to learn about the experience of immigrants in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

  • 11:30AM: Central Park Zoo
    30 minutes (about 5.5 miles) from the Statue of Liberty

    Get up close to animals from around the globe at the Central Park Zoo. Meet snow leopards, grizzly bears, and monkeys, then head to the Tisch Children's Zoo to feed and pet friendly animals.

  • 1:30PM: Times Square
    20 minutes (about 2 miles) from Central Park Zoo

    A bustling commercial and entertainment hub, Times Square is known for its giant billboards, throw on a musical, visit Madame Tussauds wax museum, dine at Bubba Gump, one of the funkiest restaurants of the area or have a street hot dog.

  • 3:30PM: Empire State Building
    5 minutes (about 0.5 miles) from Times Square

    The Empire State Building is an iconic skyscraper renowned for its Art Deco architecture, observation decks on the 86th and 102nd floors, and fantastic views of the city skyline from atop one of the tallest buildings in the world.

  • 5:30PM: Coney Island
    40 minutes (about 12 miles) from the Empire State Building

    Coney Island is one of the most popular destinations in Brooklyn, with its classic amusement park, colorful carnival games and delicious food stalls.

Time and Cost Estimates

  • Statue of Liberty (2 hours, $25)
  • Central Park Zoo (2 hours, $14.95)
  • Times Square (2 hours, free)
  • Empire State Building (2 hours, $38)
  • Coney Island (2 hours, $20)
  • Total Estimated Costs: $97.95

Transportation

To make the most of a day in New York City, it is best to plan your route in advance so you don't waste time taking long detours. Consider using the subway to travel between sites, as it is cost-effective, efficient and easy to navigate.

There is a daily subway ride for $2.75, and you can purchase a MetroCard plus pay-per-ride tickets with a minimum value of $5.

Useful Tips

If you have more time, consider visiting the Metropolitan Museum of Art or the American Museum of Natural History. If you have less time, consider skipping Coney Island or the Statue of Liberty and spending more time exploring other attractions.

Airports

There are three airports in New York City: John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), LaGuardia Airport (LGA), and Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR). JFK and LGA are both located within the city limits, while EWR is located across the Hudson River in Newark, New Jersey. JFK is the busiest airport in the city, followed by LGA.

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