{"id":8287,"date":"2018-04-24T15:44:28","date_gmt":"2018-04-24T15:44:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.hotelsbyday.com\/blog\/?p=8287"},"modified":"2018-04-24T15:44:28","modified_gmt":"2018-04-24T15:44:28","slug":"spend-day-in-new-york-city-daycation-guide","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog-test.hotelsbyday.com\/blog\/spend-day-in-new-york-city-daycation-guide\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Spend a Day in New York City"},"content":{"rendered":"

New York City may be known as the \u201ccity that never sleeps\u201d but before planning a long night out, don\u2019t ignore the countless daytime activities that make NYC such a vibrant place to be at any hour. From neighborhoods packed with unique shops and legitimate nature in the middle of Manhattan to streets packed with snacks and street food, spending a day in New York City offers non-stop adventure and stimuli.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Enjoy a <\/span>New York City day stay<\/a><\/span><\/strong> from sunrise to sunset with these outdoor and indoor activities across Manhattan and beyond. <\/span><\/p>\n

Walk down the High Line<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n

\"Clear<\/a><\/p>\n

As long as the sun\u2019s out (and even if it\u2019s not), New Yorkers are strolling down this renovated railway turned park. Bikes are banned, so it\u2019s just foot traffic on this elevated park which offers iconic views across the Hudson and down New York\u2019s streets. Performers, food vendors and public art are all sprinkled throughout the path, as are seating areas to read, picnic and mingle with fellow High Line admirers. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Hop through Chelsea\u2019s art galleries<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n

Museum admission may be steep, but the art galleries in Chelsea (on the lower west portion of Manhattan) are all free to enter and browse. Plus, if you can swing it \u2014 all or most of the art is for sale. Expect to see contemporary works in all mediums as well as collectibles by big-name artists, both alive and from the estates of historic creators. Prominent galleries in this neighborhood include the Gagosian Gallery, David Zwirner and the Petzel Gallery, but just wandering between 10th and 11th Avenue between 28th and 20th streets will allow you to walk past some smaller treasures. <\/span><\/p>\n

Go swimming at the beach<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n

New York City may not be known for its beaches, but the city is lush with free public beaches between Memorial Day and Labor Day. Accessible by subway (the D, F, N and Q trains all stop here), Coney Island may be New York\u2019s most famous beach \u2014 all you need is a towel and a swimsuit (both sold on the boardwalk) to take advantage of the Atlantic Ocean, though a walk down the boardwalk, a stop for a hot dog and cheese fries at Nathan\u2019s and maybe a ride on the legendary roller coaster, The Cyclone, is also a worthwhile way to spend an afternoon just beyond NYC. <\/span><\/p>\n

Bask in Central Park<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n

\"Wispy<\/a><\/p>\n

Less than 1.5-square-miles, Central Park is easily New York\u2019s most famous green space, and packed with diversions to take up an entire day. You can walk or jog the loop around the Jackie ONassis Reservoir, picnic in Sheep\u2019s Meadow, sit on a bench in Strawberry Fields until a street musician eventually shows up to start singing Beatles music, admire the Bethesda Terrace, climb up Belvedere Castle, hike through The Ramble or take in the beauty of the Conservatory Garden. Google Maps should help guide you through the park, though should you get lost, <\/span>pay attention to the street lamps<\/span><\/a><\/span>, each of which have a simple code to let you know which cross streets and side of the city you\u2019re closest to. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The sleek and stylish\u00a06 Columbus<\/a><\/span><\/strong> positions you perfectly to spend the day exploring NYC’s Central Park to the fullest.<\/p>\n

Cross the Brooklyn Bridge<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n

\"The<\/a><\/p>\n

If you\u2019re not coming from Brooklyn, take the train down to Brooklyn Bridge Park to walk across the historic bridge back towards the city \u2014 this allows for the most iconic and picturesque skyline views. If you can time your walk to sunrise, pedestrian traffic will be light, and the sun rising over the city will make for some of the best pictures. Sunset is also gorgeous, though the pedestrian pathways will be much thicker with commuters.<\/span><\/p>\n

Treat yourself to a critically acclaimed lunch <\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n

Though lunch may typically be your more casual, quick meal of the day, consider flipping the script. Those trendy New York City restaurants you couldn\u2019t get a dinner reservation at? Try lunch! Call to see if the restaurant you have in mind takes walk-ins or reservations and get ready to spend a few hours with some serious food. Many acclaimed tasting menu restaurants, like Del Posto, offer abbreviated lunch menus, which are not only more reasonable portions of food, but more affordable \u2014 think $59 versus $169 and up a few hours later.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Shop at Eataly (and day drink on the roof)<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n

At over 50,000-square-feet, Eataly is New York\u2019s largest Italian grocery store. Beyond the produce and specialty products, Eataly also houses a swarm of restaurants, a classroom for wine and food courses and a rooftop bar that changes themes with the seasons \u2014 in colder months, expect a covered and heated Alps-style chateau, complete with warm cocktails and melty cheeses; in summer, the top comes off and the open-air roof embraces Italian beachside vibes, with spritzes, fried seafood and other seasonal delights to be enjoyed twelve floors high, in the sunshine. <\/span><\/p>\n

Shop (or window shop) on Fifth Avenue<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n

Traditional retail may be dying, but you may not know it by shopping on Fifth Avenue, where iconic shops like Bergdorf Goodman, Saks Fifth Avenue and Tiffany & Company host a steady stream of shoppers throughout the day. Browse the luxury boutiques and department stores or just take in the extravagant window displays on one of the world\u2019s most famous shopping streets.<\/span><\/p>\n

Thrift shop in the East Village<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n

Some may lament the ongoing gentrification of the once-subversive East Village, but the pocket of streets on the east side below 14th Street and above Houston are still full of tiny independent shops, ranging from more upscale boutiques to legitimate vintage, thrift and consignment stores. Hunt for used treasures at East Village Thrift Shop, Cure Thrift Shop, AuH2O, No Relation and dozens more small stores, all ranging in price, between Broadway and Avenue D. <\/span><\/p>\n

Take an exercise class<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n

New Yorkers love their boutique fitness studios and attending an exercise class (book at least day in advance) midday may be one of the best ways to feel like a legitimate New Yorker. Check out FlyWheel, SoulCycle, PureBarre, Shadowbox or a cluster of additional fitness studios that cater to New York\u2019s in-shape trend seekers. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Guide yourself on a tasting tour of Manhattan\u2019s Chinatown<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n

\"Man<\/a><\/p>\n

One of Manhattan\u2019s few immigrant neighborhoods to still maintain its character, Chinatown is lush with sit-down restaurants, street food stalls, supermarkets vending a variety of imported snacks and prepared foods as well as a new-ish cluster of Chinese dessert shops, like EggLoo, which serves egg waffles with giant orbs of ice cream. Let the sights and smells guide your own food tour, but for some hometown highlights, be sure to hit up Lam Zhou for dumplings, Shu Jiao Fu Zhou for peanut noodles, Spicy Village for Spicy Big Tray Chicken and Joe\u2019s Shanghai for xiao long bao (soup dumplings). Those willing to stray further off the beaten path can also head up to the Chinatowns in Flushing, Queens and Sunset Park, Brooklyn. <\/span><\/p>\n

Ride the Staten Island Ferry<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n

The best river cruise in New York City is free! This commuter ferry travels between Lower Manhattan and Staten Island every thirty minutes, allowing passengers an unobstructed view of the Statue of Liberty and the Manhattan skyline. The trip takes 25 minutes each way, so you can easily return from Staten Island without a wait \u2014 plus, the bar on board the ferry sells coffee and beer, should you need a pick-me-up for the return trip. <\/span><\/p>\n

Visit a Medieval Castle<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n

\"The<\/a><\/p>\n

At the top of Manhattan lies <\/span>The Cloisters<\/span><\/span><\/a>, an extension of The Met that\u2019s part medieval fort (obviously built much later than the Middle Ages, but in the same style) and part art collection. Free tours guide visitors through the tapestries, religious artifacts and paintings that line the galleries, but visitors can also wander at their leisure, enjoying the gardens and views of the Hudson River and George Washington Bridge. <\/span><\/p>\n

Head to the top of a skyscraper <\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n

Sure, some movie sold you on meeting on the deck of the Empire State Building at midnight, but getting a bird\u2019s eye view of the city is <\/span>so <\/span><\/i>much better when you can actually see everything. Consider scaling (i.e. riding the elevator up to) the Empire State Building, Rockefeller Center or One World Trade Center for unique views of the city and beyond. To skip the line at Top of the Rock consider grabbing a drink or meal at Bar Sixty Five, the more casual establishment attached to the Rainbow Room which offers sixty-fifth-floor views from floor-to-ceiling windows and a terrace, no ticket required. <\/span><\/p>\n

Explore Red Hook, Brooklyn <\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n

All the way at the edge of Brooklyn is Red Hook, a quaint neighborhood that feels more like a New England fishing village than a part of New York City. Accessible by public transit or by water taxi, these neighborhood has rows of boutiques, independent shops, its own winery \u2014 The Red Hook Winery \u2014 and far too many restaurants to hit up in just one visit. Hometown Bar-B-Q, which often boasts a line out the door, is famous for its saucy brisket and ribs, Brooklyn Crab is a three-story seafood shack doling out raw bivalves and full crab dinners and The Good Fork is beloved in the neighborhood for its fusion cuisine and quirky brunch atmosphere. <\/span><\/p>\n

Go to a movie museum<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n

You could go to the movies in any city, but New York is home to a unique museum dedicated to the cinematic arts, <\/span>The Museum of the Moving Image<\/span><\/a><\/span>. Exhibits detail the history of movies and culture and screenings of new films as well as older artistic films occur regularly. The museum\u2019s permanent collection includes over 130,000 artifacts essential to moviemaking through the decades, ranging from backstage photographs to props, memorabilia and much more. <\/span><\/p>\n

Regardless of the season or weather, there\u2019s no wrong way to spend a day in New York City as long as you’re getting out and exploring. NYC day use hotel rooms serve as the perfect jump-off point to spend a day in New York City or simply as a way to get some shuteye after a jam-packed afternoon exploring. <\/span><\/p>\n

Keep checking the HotelsByDay blog<\/a><\/strong><\/span> for more day stay guides and travel tips!<\/span><\/p>\n

Photo Credits<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

Featured image by\u00a0Barron Roth<\/span><\/a><\/span>\u00a0via\u00a0Unsplash<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

“High Line Park NYC” by David Berkowitz<\/a><\/span>\u00a0via CC By 2.0<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

“Central Park” by\u00a0Chun-Hung Eric Cheng<\/a><\/span> via CC By 2.0<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

“Brooklyn Bridge & Manhattan” by Joe Hunt<\/a> <\/span>via CC By 2.0<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

“Monday, back to work!” by\u00a0J\u00f6rg Schubert<\/a><\/span>\u00a0<\/span>via CC By 2.0<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

“The Cloisers” by\u00a0Kristine Paulus<\/a><\/span> via CC By 2.0<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

New York City may be known as the \u201ccity that never sleeps\u201d but before planning a long night out, don\u2019t ignore the countless daytime activities that make NYC such a vibrant place to be at any hour. From neighborhoods packed with unique shops and legitimate nature in the middle of Manhattan to streets packed with […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":31,"featured_media":8295,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-8287","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/blog-test.hotelsbyday.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/Manhattan_Aerial_Skyline.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog-test.hotelsbyday.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8287","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog-test.hotelsbyday.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog-test.hotelsbyday.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog-test.hotelsbyday.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/31"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog-test.hotelsbyday.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=8287"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/blog-test.hotelsbyday.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8287\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog-test.hotelsbyday.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/8295"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog-test.hotelsbyday.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=8287"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog-test.hotelsbyday.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=8287"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog-test.hotelsbyday.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=8287"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}