How to See New York City in One Day - The Ultimate Sightseeing Tour

Check out this full-day guided tour of the Big Apple covering iconic attractions - tried, tested, and recommended by Brightsun staff!

Introduction - New York in One Day Guided Sightseeing Tour

Hosted by: USA Guided Tours 

Pick up / drop off location: 770 7th Avenue, between 50th and 51st Street.

Tour duration: 6 hours 

Price per person: $99 / $89 (closed top bus) $139 (glass-top bus)

Some of our very own team at Brightsun got to be tourists for the day on a recent Familiarisation trip to New York, experiencing this award-winning guided tour which is ranked among the top three sightseeing tours in the USA by TripAdvisor.

The tour is perfect for first timers as an introduction to the Big Apple as you get to see all the main sights, and if you have longer to explore in NYC, you can choose which places you’d like to go back to and explore further. 

Throughout the tour, our guide gave lots of informative and engaging commentary on the city’s landmarks and history. Bottled water was offered a good few times - very welcome on what was a really warm day.  Seats are first come first served so it’s advised to arrive around 20 minutes early for the scheduled departure.

Before the tour, we stopped for breakfast at Juniors to fuel up for a day of sightseeing fun, less than a 10-minute walk from the pick-up point.  Juniors offers an American diner-style setting with an extensive breakfast menu, from fluffy pancakes to omelettes and sweet treats including the famous Juniors New York cheesecake. We at Brightsun definitely recommend this breakfast spot!

Tour Itinerary 

From Pick-up Point: Drive through Midtown Manhattan past Times Square - the iconic hub of bright lights, Broadway theatres, and bustling energy. Enjoy a quick photo opportunity from the tour bus as you soak in the city that never sleeps.

1. Central Park & Strawberry Fields 

Duration: 20 minutes

Take a guided walk through Central Park, beginning at Columbus Circle. Stroll through the lush pathways to Strawberry Fields, the serene memorial to John Lennon, and see The Dakota, his former home. Enjoy the peaceful scenery and iconic city views.

2. Rockefeller Center & St. Patrick’s Cathedral

Duration: 20 minutes

Next, visit the Rockefeller Center where you can admire the famous plaza, NBC’s Today Show set, and seasonal attractions like the ice-skating rink and Christmas tree. This part of the tour includes a restroom break within the centre which was handy. 

During this stop, take a walk-by view of St. Patrick’s Cathedral, an architectural gem in Midtown Manhattan.

3. Fifth Avenue & Iconic Architecture

Duration: 20 minutes

Take a seat and enjoy being transported along Fifth Avenue to enjoy breathtaking views of New York’s architectural landmarks. Highlights include:

      •    Empire State Building
      •    Flatiron Building (seen from Madison Square Park)
      •    Metropolitan Life Insurance Company Tower

Continue through historic neighbourhoods like Greenwich Village, Soho, Chinatown, and the Financial District, with a drive-by of Madison Square Park and the New York Public Library. Stop briefly at Trinity Church Wall Street for a walk-by view.

4. Gansevoort Liberty Market (Lunch Stop)

Duration: 45 minutes

Take a 45-minute break at Gansevoort Liberty Market, located within the Oculus at Westfield World Trade Center, near the 9/11 Memorial. Explore a variety of international food vendors and enjoy a casual lunch (not included in the tour price). We opted for Asian street food for lunch which was delicious! 

There were adequate toilet facilities around, and once we had finished our food, we had time for a quick browse of some of the shops in the centre, which included Banana Republic and H&M. 

5. National 9/11 Memorial

Duration: 20 minutes

Visit the 9/11 Memorial at the World Trade Center site. Museum entry is not included, but you can walk the grounds, view the Reflecting Absence waterfalls, and see the Survivor Tree that endured the attacks. This is a truly beautiful landmark that has been created to honour the victims of 9/11, pay your respects, and reflect on history. 

6. New York Harbor & Staten Island Ferry

Duration: 1 hour

Finally, experience New York from the water with a free return ride on the Staten Island Ferry, offering spectacular views of the Manhattan and Brooklyn skyline. Catch a glimpse of the Statue of Liberty from the ferry.  

One thing to note about this experience is that you do have to depart the ferry at Staten Island, then re-embark back to NYC which was a bit of a rush as we had to speed-walk/run to catch the next departure!

7. Return

The tour concludes at the original starting point, completing a full day of exploring the city’s most famous sights, carrying memories of a whirlwind adventure through the city that never sleeps.

Tour Tips:

    -    Wear comfortable walking shoes – trainers are best
    -    Pack layers - NYC weather can swing between hot sun, shade, and air-conditioned buses/buildings. A light cardigan or jacket would be ideal. 
    -    Wear a small backpack or crossbody bag – big bags can be inconvenient, especially in crowded areas.
    -    Snacks are a good option for a quick energy burst between stops – something like fruit or a granola bar would be sufficient. 
    -    Tips are common etiquette in the US, so we’d advise bringing cash in dollar notes to tip the driver and guide. 
    -    Pack a portable power bank or phone charger, as taking lots of photos will drain your battery!