How to plan a full day with different tour types (boat + museum + skyline) so everyone’s happy

New York is a city you can explore for days. Also, there is so much to explore in many ways in this city. You can opt to experience the city’s beauty by walking, taking a boat tour, or from the skyline, and more. Each one will give you a unique experience like never before. Learn about how to plan a full day with different tour types in NYC, so everyone’s happy.

How to plan a full day with different tour types (boat + museum + skyline) so everyone’s happy

Here’s a recommended itinerary for a full day with different tour types in NYC.

Morning Boat Tour (10:00 AM to 12:00 PM)

A cruise to tour the Statue of Liberty is the perfect way to start your day tour in NYC. You can opt for a Statue of Liberty Express or a 90-minute Landmark Cruise, based on your preference. Furthermore, a Statue of Liberty Cruise from Pier 16 provides stunning views of iconic landmarks like the Statue of Liberty, the Brooklyn Bridge, and more.

Afternoon Museum/ Cultural Tour (12:00 PM to 5:00 PM)

After the Statue of Liberty Cruise, you can head over for lunch at 12:00 PM. A great place to grab some delicious meals is Chelsea Market, that is, if you are traveling up. If not, you can even grab a sandwich near the Financial District. Next, you can visit the 9/11 Memorial and Museum in Lower Manhattan. It is a great way to reflect on the tragedy that befell New Yorkers on the fateful day, September 11, 2001. Ironically, it is conveniently located near the morning boat departure point. So, you can easily hop on the boat and head back after your tour.

Sunset Tour Skyline View (5:30 PM to 7:30 PM)

Late afternoon, you may head over to the One World Observatory or the Empire State Building. Both of these provide amazing views of the sunset over the Manhattan skyline. Alternative tour options include the following:

• AIANY Architecture Tours for in-depth design history (Boat tour)
• Exploring the High Line Park

How to plan a full day with different tour types: The “Midtown Marvels” Itinerary (Midtown West)

Here is another list of options that you can use to plan a full day with different tour types in NYC. It is the Midtown West itinerary.

Intrepid Museum

Intrepid Museum is a military and maritime museum located at Pier 86 along the Hudson River in West Manhattan, New York City. The museum consists of exhibits such as aircraft and spacecraft related to the World War II era. The location has a World War II-era aircraft carrier, a cruise missile submarine, and a National Historic Landmark. The museum is a must-visit place if you are touring NYC.

“Best of NYC” Sightseeing Cruise

A boat tour at Pier 83 is just a short walk away from the Intrepid Museum, located at Pier 86. The 2.5-hour “Best of NYC” Cruise loops the entire island. So, you get a great view of Manhattan and other places in NYC. Moreover, you can even opt for the “Harbor Lights” evening cruise, which offers mesmerizing night views of the Manhattan skyline.

SUMMIT One Vanderbilt

SUMMIT One Vanderbilt is another great place to explore and witness Manhattan’s skyline. It is a more recent construction in NYC with some of the most immersive decks in the city’s skyscrapers. SUMMIT One Vanderbilt features three levels of mirrored rooms and exquisite art installations. It’s connected to Grand Central and is easily accessible to spend an evening in Manhattan.

How to plan a full day with different tour types: Art & Architecture (Central Park Area)

This option is perfect for those who admire modern art and classic architecture. You can plan out your tour attractions as follows.

The Metropolitan Museum of Art (MMoA)

The Metropolitan Museum of Art (MMoA) is a large space dedicated to the arts in NYC. It may take you hours to fully complete your tour of the museum. You can focus on certain areas of the museum to move on to the next attraction in your itinerary. You can visit specific galleries, like the Egyptian collection, to gain knowledge about ancient art and architecture.

Top of the Rock

Next, you can move on to experiencing views at the Top of the Rock at The Rockefeller Center, NYC. It is a popular spot with amazing views of the Manhattan skyline. Up here, you get unobstructed views of the iconic Empire State Building, Central Park, and more locations in Manhattan, NYC.

Boat Tour

After that, you can enjoy a relaxing boat ride departing from Chelsea Piers in NYC. The Classic Harbor Line has architecture-themed yacht cruises that are narrated by professional architects. You can enjoy views of the Manhattan skyline while cruising in the architectural beauty.

How to plan a full day with different tour types: Booking Tips

Here are a few tips to remember when booking the above tours:

• Try your best to purchase tickets online for all attractions. This helps you to skip ticket lines at the attraction.
• A typical boat tour takes about 1 to 1.5 hours to complete. However, museum tours take about 2 to 3 hours to complete.
• Keep all activities in Lower Manhattan. This helps to minimize travel time between various attractions.
• Consider getting bundle passes like the “New York Pass” or CityPASS. These passes generally include admission to the Empire State Building, Intrepid Museum, and Circle Line Cruises. It offers significant savings for a multi-tour day.
• Book time slots in advance to avoid long queues at major attractions like the Statue of Liberty and the SUMMIT Vanderbilt.
• Boat rides could get chilly, as it can be about 10 degrees colder than the streets. Therefore, remember to wear light layers even in warmer months.

How to plan a full day with different tour types: Other attractions to visit

Guggenheim Museum

The Guggenheim Museum is a unique and beautiful museum that you must visit on your NYC tour. It consists of impressive and unique permanent galleries with top-notch art. This museum will leave anyone awe-struck by its beauty, be it an art fan or not. It is home to the masterpieces of artists like Cezanne, Manet, Gauguin, Picasso, Monet, and more.

American Museum of Natural History

The American Museum of Natural History in New York is among the largest in the world. It sees more than five million science, history, nature, and space buffs annually. It is the star in the movie “Night at the Museum”. The impressive collection here includes the following.

• A 94-foot giant whale model
• A giant Sequoia tree that is about 2000 years old
• The 563-carat Star of India sapphire
• The largest collection of dinosaur bones and fossils in the world

Madame Tussauds Wax Museum

Madame Tussauds Wax Museum is a great place to visit in NYC. It is where you can see life-sized wax replicas of your favorite movie stars, artists, superheroes, and more. You can make your way through fun-themed sections in the museum and interact with the character depicted there.

Madison Square Garden

Explore the legendary venue that has hosted many unforgettable live events, concerts, boxing bouts, and more. Madison Square Garden is the epicenter of sports and entertainment in New York. There is an event held year-round at this amazing venue. Therefore, you have nothing to lose by visiting this place.

Conclusion

That is how to plan a full day with different tour types in New York City. This is an amazing city, no matter how you explore it. So, go explore the city on foot, by boat, by helicopter, or any other way, and enjoy your tour.