ONE afternoon and evening in NYC - recommendations please!

[WhiteWineAndMagnums]

Am lucky enough to be going to NYC with work for a conference. Will have one afternoon and one evening at my disposal to do whatever I want with.

I've never been to New York before.

Hit me with your suggestions to see as many of the classic NYC sites within that timeframe, please!

I would definitely do the bus tour (hop on and off, you get to see the major sights ,wall street, battery park China town etc) and aside from the commentary it's rather relaxing and enjoyable. I do it even now although I lived in NYC for a while and have a place in the outskirts which I visit twice a year) and the river boat tour in NYC in the evening is a must. If you are into food, I would do restaurants too. Amazing food can be found in NYC including food markets, so long as you are not aiming for traditional American food. Broadway is a must (if you can get tickets for any current shows) aside from that, late night strolls just because you can or a comedy club (priceless and very very affordable) Enjoy NYC it's a beautiful city depending on the time of day you venture out.

Which season? Soon I'm guessing?

Personally I'd take the free bus to see the statue of liberty, wander the village and SOHO for a coffee, see the Flat ironTthen go somewhere quirky for dinner. Maybe Brooklyn. I'd walk everywhere, you see more.

Is your hotel centrally located?

Go to the top of the Rockerfeller Center. There's an amazing view, including the Empire State Building (which also has a great view from the top but is better to look at than look from!)

Do you like sports? Madison Square Garden is an awesome venue. I just turned up and asked what was happening that I could get tickets for.

Play a tune on the floor piano from 'Big' at the FAO Schwarz toy store.

On the afternoon you have, take the subway to Brooklyn, then walk back to Lower Manhattan over the Brooklyn Bridge. From Lower Manhattan catch the Staten Island Ferry for a nice close look at the Statue of Liberty... just turn around when you get to Staten IsIand and enjoy the view again coming back. Once off the ferry, take your pick to explore Chinatown, Little Italy, TriBeCa, Greenwich Village.... all an easy walk from there.

Top of the Rockefeller centre for the view.

Get a taxi over the Brooklyn Bridge and walk back to Manhatten for the city view.

Times Square.

A Broadway show.

Visit the High Line if you have a free afternoon..it's absolutely lovely and there are loads of places you can stop off for food and drink. NY has loads to offer but this is really something.

Lots of lovely suggestions here, I'm going to go more low brow! 😂

We had similar for the kids' first time in NYC, we landed in Times Sq, which they recognised from film and telly, then started walking north towards Central Park, taking in the Rockefeller Centre, Trump Tower, St Patrick's Cathedral, Radio City, The Plaza (important for my Home Alone loving DS), and the park. Also some iconic shops like Barneys etc. As you're a grown up, you could start off at Grand Central Terminal, and fit the library in too. Lots of walking, but lots of sights in an afternoon too.

For evening, go up the Rockefeller when it's dark and watch the Empire State building twinkling. We did this after having good and cocktails and it was magical.

Food* but the food was good 😆

Brooklyn is unrealistic and takes you out. Central Park and The High Line incorporating a view of SofL somehow would be my afternoon recommendations with Top of the Rock in the evening.

What films or tv shows have you likes set in NY? What springs to mind? Do you want to go (yuk) shopping? Need to have a photo outside Trump Tower flipping the bird (of course)? Want to see the UN or HighLine?

Where is your ‘base’?

Brilliant suggestions all, thank you soooo much! Need to get planning!

I disagree with OneHamm3r ; nobody has suggested that you have time to spend significant time in Brooklyn as well as Manhattan. Of course you don't, in one afternoon. But going as far as the end of the bridge, by subway or cab, in order to walk back over to Manhattan, is absolutely not unrealistic and is a great way to see some iconic NYC views (including the Statue of Liberty and Brooklyn Bridge itself). Don't rule it out based on bad information that it's unrealistic to get a subway to Brooklyn.

But whatever you do, there will be plenty to take in and enjoy. I hope you have a great time.

But in one afternoon you’ll miss the buzz and the area round getting on the bridge is quite grotty, very busy and slightly confusing. I can think of other things I’d rather do in NYC with only an afternoon to do it in.

I quite like padding around Wall Street and battery park is just at the end so you can see the Statue of Liberty from there. Also close to world trade centre memorial and museum (I’ve never managed to go to the museum and the memorial has me a blubbering snotty mess) I think the little girl statue is on her holidays in London now though isn’t she?