How to See All of NYC in One Day

Sep 24, 2019 | Liberty, The Helicopter Company News & Events

The number of tourists visiting New York City has grown from around 33 million per year in the 1990s to a record breaking 65 million visitors in 2018.

Composition of Tourists in New York City

US (Domestic) vs International Tourists

  • 5 million US tourists
  • 5 international tourists

International Tourists

Below are some of the top international countries from where tourists visited NYC in 2018:

  • UK
  • China
  • Canada
  • Brazil
  • France

Effective Ways to See NYC in One Full Day

With a combination of waking up very early and using the following transportation methods you can explore most of NYC at a glance, in one full day:

  • Public transportation
    • Subway
    • Taxi
    • Rideshare: Lyft and Uber
  • Renting a bike or scooter
  • Hop on hop off bus
  • A boat tour
  • A combination of walking and public transportation
  • A helicopter tour

What are some of the Top Tourist Attractions in NYC?

New York City is not just the melting pot of cultures and ethnicities. It is a destination full of iconic sights and plenty to do. Some of the most popular tourist attractions are:

Statue of Liberty
  • Located in Ellis Island off the southern tip of Manhattan in New York Harbor
  • Served as the gateway to America for over 12 million immigrants in the early-to-mid 1900s
  • Symbol of the land of opportunity and freedom
Empire State Building
  • Second-tallest building in New York City
  • 102-stories, with a roof height of 380 meters and a total height of 443.2 meters including its antenna
  • Located in Midtown Manhattan and completed in 1931
  • Color of the lights are changed according to special events
One World Trade Center
  • Also known as One WTC or Freedom Tower, which is a memorial for those who lost their lives in the September 11th terrorist attacks.
  • Located in Lower Manhattan and was built years after the attacks. Thousands of tourists visit the memorial a year to pay their respects and condolences.
  • Tallest building in NYC, in USA and the Americas and sixth-tallest building in the world
  • Estimated construction cost was $3.9 billion in April 2012, making it the world’s most expensive building at the time, for a good reason.
Brooklyn Bridge
  • Steel suspension bridge, considered an engineering marvel
  • Built in 1883 and is around 1,830 meters long
  • Across the East River, connecting lower Manhattan and Brooklyn
  • Continuous flow of traffic, with vehicles, bicycles and people walking
Chrysler Building
  • Art Deco styled skyscraper, with triangle-shaped windows in its crown
  • Located in the Turtle Bay neighborhood on the East Side of Manhattan
  • Was the world’s tallest building before being surpassed by Empire State Building in 1931
  • Constructed by Walter Chrysler, founder of Chrysler Corp, and served as the company’s headquarters from 1930 to mid-1950s

What is the Best Way to See Attractions in New York in One Day?

If you don’t have a lot of time on your hands, it’s best to get a bird’s-eye view of the city with a helicopter tour.

What are the Main Benefits of Taking a NYC Helicopter Tour?

  • First and foremost, a helicopter tour is the only way to cover ALL of the city’s landmarks, especially if you’re pressed for time
  • It’s exciting and a lot of fun for adults and kids alike
  • Beat the New York traffic and enjoy the sights without having to deal with the crowds
  • Get the best views of the city
  • Capture photographs that are unique

A NYC helicopter tour can cover Manhattan’s most captivating sights, including:

Most Popular Sites

  • Hudson River
  • Statue of Liberty
  • Governors Island
  • Ellis Island
  • World Financial District
  • One World Trade Center
  • 9/11 Memorial

NYC’s Gorgeous Bridges

  • Brooklyn Bridge
  • Manhattan Bridge
  • Verrazano Bridge
  • George Washington Bridge

NYC’s Amazing Skyscrapers

  • Empire State Building
  • Woolworth Building
  • Chrysler Building
  • MetLife Building

NYC’s Most Breathtaking Sights

  • USS Intrepid
  • Central Park
  • Grant’s Tomb
  • Palisades of NJ

NYC’s Most Famous Stadiums

  • Yankee Stadium
  • MetLife Stadium