Summer Travel: One Day in New York City

You find yourself in New York City in the summer, but you've only got one day to soak up as much as you can. How do you get a feel for this enormous city in just a day? It won't be easy. There's so much to see and do. But here are a few hints for making your super-short vacation in the Big Apple count.

Bagel for breakfast

You've got a lot of ground to cover today, so grab an iconic New York breakfast on the run - a bagel . Get it "with a schmear" - that's cream cheese spread between the halves, if you're not from around here!

Metropolitan Museum of Art

You could spend your entire day here, but be there when the doors open at 9:30am. The museum is located in Central Park, at 5^th Avenue and 82^nd Street. From the imposing Temple of Dendur, the centerpiece of the Met's amazing collection of Egyptian artifacts, to well-known American paintings such as Washington Crossing the Delaware and works by Winslow Homer, Gilbert Stuart and John Singer Sargent, and European master such as Van Gogh, Vermeer and Raphael. The Met has 37 Monets, 21 Cezannes and 18 Rembrandts. There is truly something here for everyone.

Rockefeller Center

Grab a cab for midtown and Rockefeller Center, located at the heart of midtown Manhattan between 5^th Avenue and Avenue of the Americas (6^th), and astride 49^th and 50^th Streets, there's also enough to do here to keep you all day. You're likely to be hungry, though and you've got a couple of choices. Mendy's Kosher Deli is inside 30 Rock on the 50^th St. side, get yourself a sandwich piled high with meat. Or, go upscale at The Sea Grill, on the lower level beside the giant gold statute of Prometheus.

While you're in the neighborhood, you might want to make a quick stop inside St. Patrick's Cathedral, see the giant statue of Atlas or do some shopping in the nearby diamond district.

Circle Line Tour

Off to the west side waterfront you go, because you've got a 3:30 ferry to catch. The two-hour half island tour sets sail at that time, and you want to be on board. The trip will take you into New York Harbor to pass by the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. You'll go around the southern tip of the island for a spectacular look at the lower Manhattan skyline, then head north up the East River, with passage underneath the Brooklyn, Manhattan, and Williamsburg bridges. As yo cruise, you'll get a good look at the Empire State Building and the art deco Chrysler Building, and a wonderful waterfront view of the United Nations.

Times Square

It's getting to be dinner time already, so you should head for "The Crossroads of the World" in Times Square. Dinner is at Carmine's on West 44^th Street, where you'll be astounded at the size of the portions. It's family-style Italian eating with a New York accent, and it's right in the heart of the theater district. If you're lucky enough to be holding tickets, most Broadway theaters are just a short walk away. If you're not headed to a play, take time after dinner to walk through the bright neon-lit streets. It's the best spot imaginable for sightseeing and people-watching.

Empire State Building

New York is the city that never sleeps, and the tourist attractions are no exception. You can head to the top of this historic building and visit the 86^th floor Observatory. It's a spectacular view of New York, the setting for so many memorable movie romances - and it's open until 2:00am.

Lastly, once your jam-packed day (and night) in New York is over, start making plans for your return visit. There's still so much to see and do.