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1 Day in NYC: Must-do’s for First-timers + Interactive Map

Only have one day in New York ? Maximize your visit with my itinerary created especially for NYC first-time visitors . I have visited New York City several times. During my last two trips, I was accompanied by people visiting for the first time.

I recommend spending at least four days in NYC . However, even one day can give you a taste of this top travel destination.

Key Things to Know

• Don’t miss the Statue of Liberty, the 9/11 Memorial, or Central Park for a mix of history and iconic landmarks.
• Maximize your time by using the subway for faster (cheap) travel between Manhattan’s attractions. Or walk!
• This itinerary is completely customizable to your particular interests and the exact amount of time you have in New York City.

This post includes affiliate links. If you make a purchase through one of these links, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.  See disclaimer.

One day in New York itinerary 

9/11 memorial (and museum).

9/11 Memorial | Closest subway stops: WTC–Cortland St (1) and Cortland Street (R, W)  

Start your day by spending your morning in Lower Manhattan. 

In my opinion, your one-day NYC itinerary should absolutely include the 9/11 Memorial. It’s one of my favorite free things to do in New York City .   

The terrorist attack on Sept. 11, 2001, which destroyed the Twin Towers, forever changed the city and the United States. In fact, it’s one of the most moving and beautiful memorials that I have ever had the privilege of seeing. The 9/11 Memorial typically is open to the public all day every day. 

Optional: The 9/11 Memorial Museum is at the same location. Though I haven’t had the privilege of seeing it, I’ve heard great things. There is a charge for admission to the museum.

Statue of Liberty 

Ferry from Manhattan departs from Battery Park | Subway stops: South Ferry Station (1), Whitehall Street (R), Bowling Green (4, 5)  

In my opinion, your New York City itinerary must include the Statue of Liberty, my absolute favorite place in the city.

Buy your tickets ahead of time onlin e, especially if you want to climb up to the crown. When available, those tickets can sell out weeks or even months in advance.    

Even if you don’t want to go up onto the pedestal or the crown of the Statue of Liberty, you can purchase a general admission ticket to enjoy the cruise over to Liberty Island (with great views of both Lady Liberty and Lower Manhattan). You can visit the new museum and walk around the monument’s exterior.

 If you only have a day in New York I recommend skipping a visit to Ellis Island even though it’s included in your ticket. 

More things to do on a day trip to New York City

• Explore NYC with a sightseeing helicopter tour over Manhattan .
• Pay a visit to the top of One World Observatory with this skip-the-line ticket .
• If you’re staying the night in New York, consider this sunset cruise in New York Harbor.

TRAVEL TIP: If you have flexible travel dates you need to check out Going (formerly Scott’s Cheap Flights). You get amazing flight deals sent straight to your inbox with instructions on how to book directly with the airlines. Check out Going here. Going is my favorite way to find great travel deals. 

Lunch options: where to eat 

By the time you finish your visit to the Statue of Liberty, you’ll likely be ready for a bite to eat. The Crown Café offers a wide variety of burgers, salads, and sandwiches. Their menu includes vegetarian options as well as several items that can be made gluten-free upon request. 

Battery Park (where you’ll disembark from your cruise to Liberty Island) is a great picnic spot. You can grab a cheap lunch from a food truck or assemble a picnic from a nearby market.

If a restaurant is more what you’re looking for, wander into the Financial District where you’ll find a variety of popular eateries for all budgets. 

TIP: Keep track of all of your important travel details with a digital travel planner like this .

Empire State Building 

20 West 34 Street | Subway stop: 34 St–Herald Square (B, D, F, M, N, Q, R, W), 33 St (M)  

Many believe visiting the Empire State Building is a must on their trip to New York City.

I will admit right now that in all my NYC trips, I’ve only ever admired this iconic structure from the ground.  I do not like heights, nor do I generally pay money to stand atop them. But you who are not afraid of heights can go as high as the 102nd floor. The main observation deck is on the 86th floor.   

Time-saving tip: Upgrade your Empire State Building ticket to get skip-the-line access.

As an alternative, save the Empire State Building for after dinner, or even enjoy dinner at the State Grill and Bar.  

Times Square 

Subway stop: Times Square–42 Street (N, Q, R, S, W, 1, 2, 3, 7)   

You’ve seen it in movies and TV shows. Of all the places to visit in New York City, it’s hard to think of anything else that’s more New York than Times Square. Soak it in, take a few photos, and wander through so you can say you’ve been there (it’s great at night also). Maybe even buy a cheap souvenir T-shirt or stop in at M&M’s World.  

Times Square is just a 15-minute walk from the Empire State Building.  

Rockefeller Center 

Between 49th and 51st Streets between Fifth and Sixth Avenues | Subway stop: 47-50 Streets Rockefeller Center (B, D, F, M), 49 Street (N, R, W)  

A 10-minute walk from Times Square will take you to Rockefeller Center. It’s a New York City landmark that includes 30 Rockefeller Plaza (NBC Studios), Radio City Music Hall, and more.

In addition to some great shopping and dining, you can take a guided tour of Rockefeller Center, go to the Top of the Rock Observation Deck , skate at the Rink, and more.     

If you’re feeling snackish, I recommend stopping at Magnolia Bakery for something yummy.  

Grab your Top of the Rock ticket here.

Central Park 

From North 110th Street to Central Park South (59th Street), and from Central Park West (8th Avenue) to 5th Ave | Subway stops: There are several subway stops around the perimeter of the park including 5th Ave/59 Street (N, R, W), 59 Street/Columbus Circle (A, B, C, D, 1), Central Park North (2, 3), and 6 stops on the west side of the park.  

Central Park is so quintessentially New York that you absolutely need to make time in your itinerary to see it even if only spending one day in New York.

Now, keep in mind that this park is huge. I mean it. Central Park covers 1.3 square miles (840 acres) of Manhattan. You could easily spend an entire day just exploring this place.  

To start I’d suggest looking at a map of the park and choosing a few things you want to see. This might be the Central Park Zoo, the Alice in Wonderland Statue, Belvedere Castle, or the Conservatory Water (where you can rent a model boat to sail on the pond).   

The southeast corner of Central Park is just a 15-minute walk from Rockefeller Center. If you want to walk all the way to the Conservatory Water and the Alice in Wonderland Statue, expect a walk of closer to 30 minutes.

Time-saving Tip: Instead of walking to Central Park from Rockefeller Center, jump in a NYC cab.

Interactive map

Click on the yellow pins on the map below to see more information about each stop on your itinerary. To see this map in your Google account just tap on the little star next to the map name.

Ways to modify this itinerary

With only one day in NYC, there are an incredible number of ways you could spend your time. Here are a few ways you could modify this one-day itinerary to fit your particular interests. It’s important that you get to see the things you want.

• Take the subway to Brooklyn then walk across the Brooklyn Bridge, enjoying your view of the Manhattan skyline.
• Enjoy a tour of either or both of two of the premier art museums in the world, The Metropolitan Museum of Art and/or the Museum of Modern Art.
• Explore Greenwich Village, Soho, and other iconic neighborhoods.
• End your day with a Broadway show.

Short half-day itinerary for NYC

Even if you don’t have a full day or 24 hours to spend in New York City, you can still see a few of the major highlights. Here are a few options:

• Focus on one area such as Lower Manhattan, grabbing a view of Brooklyn Bridge, followed by the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, and the 9/11 Memorial & Museum.
• Explore the Empire State Building, Times Square, and Rockefeller Center, and then stroll up to Central Park if time allows.
• Get the best of New York’s top art museums at The Met, the Museum of Modern Art, and the Guggenheim.

New York 1-day tours

Want to see the best of New York in a day, but rather leave the planning to someone else? Leave the planning to an expert tour guide.

• Pack the very best of NYC into one day with this highly rate expert guided tour . See New York’s major landmarks in only 6 hours.
• Go beyond Manhattan’s major tourist sites with this tour of Brooklyn, the Bronx, Queens, Harlem, and Coney Island .

Where to stay

If you’re thinking about spending more than a day in New York, you might be overwhelmed by the many hotel options.

Here are my recommendations for where to stay in New York City: 

• Hyatt Place Midtown South (52 West 36th Street): We loved staying at this hotel. It’s just two blocks from the Empire State Building and just around the corner from the 34th Street – Herald Square subway stop. Book Now  
• For a more boutique-style accommodation try Archer Hotel New York (45 West 38th Street). Book Now

How to get around

I say this so often, but I will continue to say it over and over: use your feet and the subway.

I’m serious about the subway. You’ll get where you want to go cheaper than Uber or taxis and of course much faster than walking especially when traveling from one area of Manhattan to another.  You can find subway maps on the MTA website .

Taxis are a fine option for getting around New York City especially if you are in a time crunch or are going someplace that just doesn’t have an easy subway route or a nearby stop.

The bottom line

There are so many amazing things you could fill your day with in NYC that you can’t possibly see as much as you would like, BUT you can see the best of the best. From historical monuments to stunning views from the best observatories in the world, you almost can’t go wrong with how you spend your day here.

More articles about New York

• The essential overnight packing list
• Free things to do in NYC
• Must-do things in New York for first-timers
• The top day trips from NYC
• Scenic drives in New York state

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Darcy Vierow is a busy professional and travel planning expert with years of experience maximizing travel with limited time and on a less-than-average salary. Her tips have been published by Forbes, MSN.com, Yahoo! News, Yahoo! Finance, Aol, Newsbreak and GOBankingRates. Read more about Darcy Vierow .

Can’t wait great job

Great article, Darcy! You have prepared an amazing one-day itinerary for people vising NYC along with some great tips to commute within the city. Subways are indeed the best way to get around the whole city. However, if the time permits, why not go sailing as well? After seeing the city on foot all day, one can relax on a sailboat and enjoy the skyline. Several companies offer rental for 2-3 hours including sunset cruises overlooking Manhattan. Book beforehand to get the best deals.

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One Day in Zion Itinerary – How to Spend a Perfect Day in Zion National Park, Utah

Filled with endless geological works of art, soaring pinnacles, sprawling arches, and magnificent rainbow-colored rocks, Zion National Park is one of the best places in the world for sightseeing. Prepared to be mesmerized by this natural wonder’s overwhelming beauty, accentuated by the deep orange and dark red glow of magnificent sandstone formations and the fine, graceful charm of delicate plants sprouting from crystal-clear streams and weeping canyon walls.

Plan your trip

1. What’s the best time to visit Zion? 2. A few facts about Zion 3. One Day in Zion Itinerary 3.1. Start Your Trip off at the Zion National Park Visitor Center 3.2. Board the Free Shuttle 3.3. Visit the Zion Human History Museum 3.4. Make a Short Stop at the Court of the Patriarchs Viewpoint 3.5. Take a Lunch Break at Zion Lodge 3.6. Zion Horseback Riding 3.7. Proceed to Weeping Rock 3.8. Choose One of the Three Strenuous Hikes 3.9. First Option: Observation Point 3.9.1. Second Option: The Narrows 3.9.2. Third Option: Angels Landing 3.9.3. Stop for Dinner at Springdale 4. Where to stay in Zion? 5. Zion National Park Tours 6. Extra tips for visiting Zion

What’s the best time to visit Zion?

Zion National Park is open all year , but it receives the majority of its visitors in summer and early autumn. In spring (March-May), the spring thaw creates magnificent seasonal waterfalls in the main canyon, but some of the most popular attractions are closed due to the Virgin River’s spring runoff. From June onwards, all sections of the park should be open, but due to the summer tourist season, from mid-May to mid-September, you could end up in unbearable crowds.

The best time to go to Zion National Park is the second half of September .  The weather is still hot, the days clear, and the rivers warm. Moreover, the leaves begin to change in September, leading to some spectacular views. Visiting Zion National Park in November is also a good idea. In October and November, the temperatures are the most pleasant, and if you are particularly lucky, you may even witness the first snow in Zion.

A few facts about Zion

Located in southwestern Utah on the very edge of the Colorado Plateau, Zion National Park owes its beauty to the unique clash of the lush, green high country and the dry desert below. It is a part of the so-called “Grand Circle Tour” , a series of three spectacular national parks: Bryce Canyon National Park, the Grand Canyon, and Zion National Park. With its network of breathtaking deserts, tree-covered mesas, and colorful canyons, 84 percent of Zion’s 124,000 acres of extraordinary landscapes is still preserved as untouched wilderness .

It takes about four hours to get from Salt Lake City to Zion National Park, while getting there from Las Vegas takes about two and a half hours.

One Day in Zion Itinerary

TIP:  Check out the best tours Zion has to offer!

Follow this guide and make the best of your trip even if you’re short on time. These are the top sights and things to do on your one day in Zion.

Start Your Trip off at the Zion National Park Visitor Center

When you visit Zion National Park, the first thing you should do is check out the Zion National Park Visitor Center to see which attractions are open and safe to explore. Oftentimes, some areas are closed or dangerous due to potential rockfalls or flash floods. The Visitor Center has a handy information sheet with a detailed hiking guide describing each hike and letting you know how strenuous each activity is. Once you get all the information you need, it will be easier to decide what to do in Zion National Park.

Board the Free Shuttle

Although driving through Zion National Park can be beautiful, first-time visitors will get the most out of their trip by taking the free shuttle bus . Not to mention the fact that during the tourist season, large sections of the park tend to be closed off for private vehicles. The shuttle will take you on a Zion scenic drive up the main canyon, accompanied by an audio introduction pointing out what to see in Zion National Park. The shuttle makes multiple designated stops at trailheads and picturesque viewpoints. Bring the Zion National Park Information Sheet from the Visitor Center with you and get off the bus often to take in the scenery.

Visit the Zion Human History Museum

The Zion Human History Museum is one of the first stops on the shuttle route through Zion National Park. It is primarily a cultural museum with exhibits focusing on the history of the American Indians, early settlers and pioneers, as well as initial conservation efforts which led to the establishment of Zion National Park in 1919. Prior to the 1990s, what is now the Zion Human History Museum served as the previous visitor center. Apart from exploring the museum, you can enjoy breathtaking views of the Bridge Mountain Arch and the Altar of Sacrifice.

Make a Short Stop at the Court of the Patriarchs Viewpoint

The Court of the Patriarchs is a group of three adjacent, similar cliffs named after biblical figures Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Although the view is breathtaking, you probably won’t lose too much time here, as the path to reach the viewpoint of the Court of the Patriarchs is very short. There is also a path that leads to the Sand Bench Trail across the road, but you should skip that for now, as the Sand Bench Trail is perfect for that unique Zion horseback riding experience.

Take a Lunch Break at Zion Lodge

Zion Lodge , built in the 1920s, is a rustic, medium-sized hotel, a member of Historic Hotels of America, as part of the National Trust for Historic Preservation . For the Zion shuttle, this is one of the major stops, with a lot of people getting on and off. When you visit the Lodge, you can choose one of several on-site restaurants for lunch. You should also visit the gift shop and relax under the magnificent cottonwood tree in the middle of the grand lawn.

Zion Horseback Riding

Across the road from Zion Lodge, you will find the horse stables maintained by Canyon Trail Rides for Zion horseback riding on the Sand Bench trail , a commercial horse trail, open between March and October. This trail runs across the middle of an awe-inspiring landslide under The Sentinel peak , one of the most prominent features of Zion National Park. The landslide is in fact a huge section of The Sentinel that broke off and slid down thousands of years ago. In spite of being one of the best things to do in Zion National Park, this trail is quite a bit less popular than some of Zion’s other attractions. Instead of climbing up to the Emerald Pools, go for this underrated gem. Escape the crowds and opt for an unforgettable experience in the middle of Zion’s most unique scenery. Check out the official website for more information. The best thing is, riding a horse will let you save up some energy for the rest of your Zion National Park itinerary.

Proceed to Weeping Rock

After the Sand Bench trail, get back on the shuttle until you reach Weeping Rock . This stop serves as the starting point for a number of exciting hikes including Deertrap Mountain, Hidden Canyon, Cable Mountain, East Rim Trail, and Observation Point. Weeping Rock itself is a famous landmark, a unique rock alcove with springs dripping from above, making it look as if the rock is crying. The phenomenon happens because the lower layers of sandstone have eroded away, and the descending water gets pushed out the side after reaching an impermeable rock layer. It is easily accessible after a short, but steep hike. It takes no more than ten minutes to get there.

Choose One of the Three Strenuous Hikes

Unfortunately, some of Zion’s most famous attractions are pretty hard to reach and it takes hours of hiking to get there. Visiting them all would be impossible if you’re only spending one day in Zion National Park, and you certainly don’t want to get caught in one of these places after dark. Choose the one attraction that is best suited for you when it comes to your physical fitness, or plan in advance based on the information given to you at the Visitor Center.

First Option: Observation Point

Observation Point is one of the most famous viewpoints in Zion. The spectacular view can be reached after a pretty challenging 4-mile hike from the Weeping Rock Trailhead. Although completing the trail can take anywhere between 4 to 6 hours, once you’re at the top, the sense of pride and accomplishment paired with the unparalleled view will make it all worth it.

Second Option: The Narrows

The Zion Narrows are arguably even more famous. The Temple of Sinawava is the last shuttle stop, after which the walls of the canyon start closing in around the Virgin River, which cuts its way through the narrow, deep sandstone labyrinth.

Third Option: Angels Landing

Angels Landing is another classic landmark, with every travel guide listing the hike to the top as one of the most memorable things to do in Zion National Park. Although Angels Landing is one of the most stunning viewpoints anywhere in the world, it is not recommended for anyone afraid of heights, since the path leading there is bordered by long drop-offs, and only a steep, narrow ridge leads to the summit.

Since you will be doing this hike later in the day, choosing Angels Landing or Observation Point may be your best bet. That way, you’ll get to enjoy the sunset from high above the canyon floor, and seeing the cliffs glowing in every possible hue of sandstone will take your breath away.

Stop for Dinner at Springdale

As you’re leaving the park, take the time to stop and explore Springdale , a small tourist town named one of the 20 prettiest towns in the U.S. by Forbes. Originally a Mormon farming community, Springdale is now filled with galleries, quaint hotels, coffee shops, and restaurants. For dinner, check out Bit & Spur Restaurant & Saloon , a well-liked snack bar with contemporary Mexican & Southwestern fare in addition to an impressive selection of craft beers.

Where to stay in Zion?

TIP: Here’s the list of the best accommodation you can find while staying near Zion National park.

Hyatt Place St George/Convention Center

1819 South 120 East, St. George, UT 84790

The Hyatt Place St George/Convention Center is a very clean and modern newer property in St. George . Amenities include an onsite restaurant, a hot tub, a fitness center, and a pool. The convention center is mere steps away. Highlights include comfortable, spacious rooms and helpful, friendly staff. With Zion National Park only 48 miles away, you can start your day by trying the hotel’s excellent breakfast with a great variety of choices, including nutritious fresh fruit.

BOOK A ROOM HERE

La Quinta Inn & Suites at Zion Park/Springdale

792 Zion Park Boulevard, Springdale, UT 84767

The La Quinta Inn & Suites at Zion Park/Springdale is among the most popular properties in Springdale, and for good reason. With less than 3 miles to Zion National Park, it is hard to beat La Quinta’s premier location. All rooms are equipped with free Wi-Fi, a flat-screen TV with premium channels, a small refrigerator, microwave, and coffee-making facilities. You will love the seasonal outdoor swimming pool, hot tub, and fitness center.

Flanigan`s Inn

428 Zion Park Boulevard, Springdale, UT 84767

Also in Springdale, Flannigan’s Inn offers superb accommodation in a phenomenal setting. With large, well equipped rooms and an excellent restaurant, Flannigan’s Inn has all the right ingredients to make your stay in Zion unforgettable. The shuttle to Zion National Park stops right in front of the hotel.

Bumbleberry Inn

97 Bumbleberry Lane, Springdale, UT 84767

In addition to a seasonal heated outdoor swimming pool and hot tub, guests staying at Bumbleberry Inn can enjoy breathtaking views of the Zion Mountains from their own private balcony. Getting to Zion is easy – either by car, only a 5 minutes’ drive away, or by taking the free transfer service. The hotel’s sun terrace is a great place to lounge and relax after a long day spent exploring Zion National Park. Best of all, guests can enjoy fresh bumbleberry pie and espresso from the onsite bakery.

Zion National Park Tours

Las vegas to zion national park day trip with bryce canyon national park.

For those hungry for more, there are tours from Vegas to see both of Utah’s national parks in one go. While it may sound ambitious, it is certainly possible in small groups. This tour allows you to experience firsthand all of the awe-inspiring forces of nature that shaped the vivid landscape of Utah. After a convenient pickup from your hotel, you will be taken for an exciting ride across the desert to see the breathtaking clusters of stone spires of Bryce Canyon National Park and the towering cliffs of Zion National Park with its looming mesas and steep, dark-orange tinged canyons. Book the adventure of a lifetime !

Zion National Park Hiking Tours

Fully absorbing the immensity of Zion Canyon hikes can be hard sometimes if you are unprepared and if you spend the majority of your time worrying and wondering if you might get lost. There are no easy hikes in Zion, but expert hiking guides can make a huge difference and help you with outfitting and getting access to all the information and tools you need to make the most out of your visit. The Zion Adventure Company, formed in 1996, specializes in tackling The Narrows , the best trail in Zion National Park, in addition to equipment rentals, guided tours, courses, biking, and shuttles. With more than 22 years of experience in Zion National Park, Zion Adventures can help you avoid any potholes and have only the best experiences possible. Get in touch with them now!

Extra tips for visiting Zion

-Make sure to park legally during your stay in Zion National Park. The parking space is limited and parking is only allowed in designated stalls. If you break the rules, your vehicle may get towed. In case all of the designated stalls in Zion are full, you can park in Springdale and take the free shuttle to Zion National Park.

-If you are staying at one of the campgrounds, make sure to make reservations at least three months in advance.

– Educate yourself about the various dangers you may encounter in Zion National Park. There have been accidents involving casualties in Angels Landing, The Narrows, and The Tunnel. Always be careful and prepared.

-Make sure you bring a walking stick if you are visiting the Narrows. The current can get pretty strong, especially as you go deeper. Having a stick will help you maintain your balance and prod the water to check for sharp rocks.

-Bring a pair of really good shoes . The soles should be hard and grippy . Regular sneakers will be insufficient, and you’ll feel the rocks under your feet. You may even hurt yourself.

– On a warm day, you may feel like swimming when visiting the Narrows, and there are a couple of places where you can do so. So, come prepared and bring a swimsuit.

-For longer hikes, bring some food and water with you. You should always have at least an energy bar with you to make sure you have enough energy to walk there and back again.

– Leave no trace . When hiking, you should stay on the trail. Do not touch the rock cairns and do not remove anything from the park. Most importantly, don’t leave any trash behind.

PIN FOR LATER!

If you have any other propositions for this One Day in Zion Itinerary, feel free to share them in the comments below!

Make sure you have everything you need

What to pack for your next trip.

Make your next trip as simple and as enjoyable as possible by packing smart. It’s amazing how much stress top travel items can save you, so choose carefully. Things like lightweight travel backpacks, for example, are ideal for short trips and allow you to move around with ease, and a passport holder will make sure you keep your documents safe at all times. Check our travel checklist guide for 2021 to make sure you haven’t missed anything, and travel to your next destination in style and with maximum comfort.

Related posts:

Anca is a travel writer and the founder of One Day Itinerary - the biggest collection of travel itineraries for those who are time-limited or just want to maximize their time while traveling. Although she easily becomes homesick for Croatia, she thinks travel is essential to her happiness. She has traveled to more countries than she is years old and doesn’t plan on changing that fact. In her travel guides she aims to inspire people to travel whenever they have a spare day (or two).

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Some great advice in the post I’m able to put to good use in my long term plans. Thank you for finding the time to share this, Most likely it will help a great many others as it has helped me personally.

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How to Spend One Perfect Day in New Orleans (Itinerary + Tips)

Only have one day in New Orleans to make the most of introducing yourself to the Big Easy?

Don’t worry: in a city more about food and good times than traditional sightseeing, you’ll have no problem letting the good times roll (or “Laissez les bons temps rouler ,” as they say in NOLA) for one memorable day in the city.

Whether you’re visiting NOLA in order to board a cruise, attend a sporting event, take a day trip to New Orleans from another destination, or even if you’re just passing through briefly on a southern road trip , you won’t be sorry that you took a day to appreciate this iconic American city.

New Orleans is one of our favorite cities to visit in the world, and we will never be tired of spending days eating unique local foods followed by evenings spent listening to jazz–and after spending even 24 hours in New Orleans, we hope you’ll also say goodbye to the city already eager to plan your next trip back.

Here’s how to make the most of one day in New Orleans, LA!

Table of Contents

The Ultimate One Day in New Orleans Itinerary

Where to stay in nola, more than 24 hours in new orleans, getting around during one day in nola, quick tips for seeing new orleans in a day, read more about visiting new orleans (and the south), your one day new orleans itinerary map.

Some links in this post may be affiliate links. If you make a purchase through one of these links, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Please see our disclosure policy for more detail.

Kick off your one day in NOLA at Jackson Square.

If you’ve seen photos of New Orleans, you’ve likely seen Jackson Square: a small park that sits in front of St. Louis Cathedral, the view of New Orleans’ beautiful white cathedral is one of the most classic shots of New Orleans (which is why we chose a photo of it for the top of this blog post!).

It doesn’t take long to walk around, but the real treat is what’s between Jackson Square and St. Louis Cathedral.

In this small walking area, you’ll often find energetic street performers, from jazz musicians to jugglers, as well as plenty of people willing to exchange a bit of touristy New Orleans voodoo for a fee.

The area is lively, exciting, and is a great first stop when visiting New Orleans.

If you have an extra moment–or are just in the mood for a bit of air conditioning–the St. Louis Cathedral has a beautiful interior, as well, that’s worth a quick look inside.

Eat your heart out on a New Orleans food tour.

Jeremy and I are big fans of food tours around the world, and there’s no doubt that New Orleans is one of the best cities on the planet to enjoy one!

Home to a complex, delicious, and legendary local cuisine that blends influences from its roots in France, the Caribbean, Africa, and more, NOLA’s food scene is one of the best reasons to visit the city.

If this is your first trip to New Orleans, you’ll no doubt find dishes you’ve never tasted (and possibly never heard of) pop up on menus throughout your visit!

And, with only 24 hours in New Orleans, a food tour where you sample a dozen dishes or more in one fell swoop is an excellent way to try more local foods than you may have a chance to otherwise.

Unfortunately, the exact food tour Jeremy and I stuffed ourselves on during our last trip to New Orleans has been discontinued, but several friends of ours have taken and  raved about this one  (and we’ll be trying it ourselves the next time we’re in town).

Book your New Orleans food tour  today!

Meander through the French Quarter.

New Orleans is all about meandering.

The French Quarter in particular is one of the most picturesque neighborhoods I’ve ever seen in the USA, full of beautiful architecture, bustling street life, and plenty of bars, candy shops, restaurants, and more urging you to indulge in them.

We spend hours walking the streets of the French Quarter when visiting NOLA, taking photos, people-watching,  ducking into bookstores , and picking up tasty treats.

Some landmarks to keep an eye out for include the photogenic Miltenberger Houses, the French Market, Cafe Beignet (in case you need a sugar fix throughout the day–though picking up a praline from a shop is also an excellent option), and the infamous Lalaurie Mansion.

Optional: take an afternoon stroll through the Garden District.

Depending on how early of a start you get and how speedy of a sightseer you are, visiting the Garden District as part of your one day itinerary for New Orleans may or may not be realistic–but if you wrap up in the French Quarter by early afternoon, it’s certainly worth hopping over to the Garden District for a quick stroll!

Home to New Orleans’ moneyed elite (and more than a handful of celebrities), the Garden District has a very different atmosphere than the French Quarter and is an excellent place to walk around and gape at gorgeous homes.

Whether you’re in search of Hollywood filming locations (the coven house from American Horror Story is here), familiar facades (the inspiration for the Haunted Mansion in Disneyland calls this neighborhood home), or celebrity homes (Sandra Bullock, John Goodman, and Anne Rice all lived here, among others), or you simply want to enjoy the architecture, there’s plenty to love about exploring the Garden District.

We tend to enjoy self-led walking tours here, simply exploring with a list of remarkable locations in hand, but if you’d prefer to have a guide pointing out the best spots,  guided walking tours of the Garden District  are also popular!

Take your pick for classic NOLA nightlife: Bourbon Street, Frenchmen Street, or beyond.

New Orleans is famous for its nightlife, and no New Orleans itinerary would be complete without including it.

This isn’t a place to call it quits and head back to the hotel after dinner!

The area offers tons of nightlife, but by far the two best-known streets are Bourbon Street (known for raucous partying and debauchery) and Frenchmen Street (known for live jazz playing in all of the clubs every night of the week).

We find Frenchmen Street to be more our style, but if you’re unsure, there’s no harm in checking out both.

Looking for a guaranteed, classic NOLA jazz experience in the French Quarter?

We enjoyed a performance at  the famous Preservation Hall  on our last trip and found it to be an incredibly memorable way to kick off the night–you can’t get much closer to the performers than this!

Interested in experiencing a classic New Orleans bar that has a very different vibe than, say, the average spot on Bourbon Street?

The iconic, rotating Carousel Bar inside Hotel Monteleone is just as memorable as you might expect a bar formerly patronized by the likes of Truman Capote, William Faulkner, Tennessee Williams, and the ever-traveling Ernest Hemingway to be!

… or hit the Mississippi River and/or chase down some spooky ghost stories.

Looking for some alternative ideas for enjoying your evening out in NOLA?

Two other possibilities include the ever-popular evening jazz cruise along the Mississippi River on the Steamboat Natchez, or signing up for a ghost tour throughout the French Quarter– this is our favorite ghost tour that we’ve ever taken!

Neither of these fun things to do in NOLA takes all night, so you can even combine one with a visit to Bourbon Street or Frenchmen Street later on if you like.

Book your New Orleans steamboat cruise or ghost tour today!

Wrap up your one day in New Orleans with a late-night plate of beignets at Cafe du Monde.

To say goodbye to your one day in NOLA, head back to where you began to indulge in a New Orleans classic: beignets and chicory coffee (yes, they have decaf!) at the 24-hour Cafe du Monde location across the street from Jackson Square.

The menu is very small–beignets are the only food that they serve, though there are a few other drinks on the menu–but there’s really no need for any other options when fried dough coated in an inch of powdered sugar is the classic choice.

Note that Cafe du Monde is cash only!

There’s an ATM hidden in a tourism office across the street, but if you end your NOLA itinerary here, it’ll almost certainly be closed by the time you make it to Cafe du Monde.

If your day in New Orleans also includes spending a night in the city, we recommend opting to stay within or very close to the French Quarter.

With this one day New Orleans itinerary, you’ll be spending the bulk of your time around the French Quarter–including at night, when you’ll no doubt want easy access to your hotel after making the most of the city!

We loved  the Best Western property where we stayed  on the edge of the quarter on our first trip, and were also impressed with  the One 11 Hotel  (also on the edge of the quarter, but by the river) on a later trip.

We’ve also included a couple of other suggestions below based on price point, reviews, and–importantly–location.

IHSP French Quarter House  — There’s no getting around it: New Orleans is a fairly expensive city to visit.

However, IHSP French Quarter House provides an excellent location near the French Quarter, as well as both private room and dorm options–making it an excellent choice for budget travelers.

Located just a 5-minute walk from Bourbon Street (and therefore an easy walk to many other highlights in the French Quarter) and boasting solid reviews, budget travelers can’t go wrong with a stay at the IHSP French Quarter House.

Check rates & book your stay at the ISHP French Quarter House!

Best Western Plus French Quarter Landmark Hotel  — We LOVED this property!

The hotel itself is beautiful in that classic New Orleans way, and the (included) breakfast is varied and tasty.

Best of all, this hotel is situated right on the edge of the French Quarter, meaning that all of the French Quarter and some areas beyond are within easy walking distance.

For the price, it’s hard to imagine a better deal in New Orleans, and we’d be more than happy to check in again.

Check rates & book your stay at the Best Western Plus French Quarter Landmark Hotel!

Omni Royal Orleans Hotel  — Located in the heart of the French Quarter, this beautiful hotel is known for its gorgeous building, attentive service, and lovely ambiance–plus its ghosts.

Yeah, that attentive service?

It just may come in the form of the ghost maid who likes to tuck guests in at night!

If your idea of the perfect one day New Orleans trip includes luxurious accommodations with a side of spookiness, the popular and stunning Omni Royal is the place for you. 

Check rates & book your stay at the Omni Royal Orleans Hotel!

No matter how well planning your day is, there’s simply no way to enjoy all the best things to do in New Orleans in 24 hours or less–so if you’re lucky enough to have longer, staying busy will be simple!

If you have extra time in New Orleans, consider paying a visit to museums like the National WWII Museum and Mardi Gras World (perfect for checking out floats outside of Mardi Gras season!), paying a visit to City Park, diving deeper into the Garden District, and touring the memorable St. Louis Cemetery No. 1 .

Our favorite ghost tour we’ve ever taken is also in New Orleans, and if you didn’t have a chance to include it on your first day in NOLA, we recommend adding it with any extra time!

And, of course, one of the best reasons to spend more than a day in NOLA is to keep eating your way through it!

We have more restaurant recommendations–plus additional suggestions on things to do in the city–in our longer 3 day weekend NOLA itinerary .

Since this one day NOLA itinerary is concentrated primarily around the French Quarter, you can easily walk the bulk of it without issue (and since New Orleans is famously flat, you won’t have to worry about hills, either).

The one exception to this rule is if you decide to explore the Garden District in the afternoon.

If you do, Uber or the streetcar system will be the easiest way to get there and back.

Unless you’re road-tripping into New Orleans, we don’t recommend renting a car to explore the city: having one will be more hassle and expense than it is worth.

Don’t overstuff your itinerary: New Orleans is about food and atmosphere more than anything.

While you could easily pack your New Orleans itinerary with tours, shows, restaurant reservations, and museum visits from dawn all the way until… the next dawn, you don’t need that much structure to enjoy the city!

It’s well worth choosing a few attractions and tours that appeal to you in order to make the most of only having one day in New Orleans, but be sure to leave yourself plenty of time to wander around on foot, duck into shops and galleries, and relax over a snack or drink, too.

NOLA is all about the atmosphere, and taking time to savor it is a big part of enjoying a trip to the Big Easy.

Explore on foot as much as you can.

The French Quarter and the Garden District, where you’ll be exploring throughout this itinerary, are extremely walkable, and staying on foot is by far the best way to get around.

The only downside to walking in NOLA?

If you’re visiting when it’s hot outside (which is most of the time in New Orleans), be sure to seek out shade, air conditioning, and cold drinks regularly throughout the day.

Keep an eye on the weather as you plan your 24 hours in NOLA.

While New Orleans is famously hot and humid, the weather can vary dramatically, so be sure to keep an eye on the expected temperatures and rainfall as you plan.

I’ve explored NOLA in January both bundled up in a peacoat and boots and wearing a sundress: you never know exactly what you’re going to get!

Make restaurant reservations in advance if you have your heart set on an iconic dinner out.

Famous New Orleans restaurants like Antoine’s, the Commander’s Palace, Cafe Amelie, etc., often book up well in advance, so if you have your heart set on a particular dinner spot, be sure to plan as far ahead as possible!

Some higher-end NOLA restaurants also have a dress code, including jackets for men, so check the website before committing to a meal, and pack accordingly.

Planning a trip to the Big Easy soon and want to keep reading?

You can browse all of  our 100+ USA blog posts here , or check out these guides:

• 21 Intoxicating Quotes about New Orleans to Inspire Your Trip
• 15 Cool Cities Perfect for Weekend Getaways in the USA
• NOLA for Bookworms: Best Books About New Orleans + The Coolest Bookstores
• 25 Best Weekend Getaways in Texas
• Savannah or Charleston: Which Lowcountry City is Right for You?

Take This Map With You! Click each highlight to pull up the name of the destination. To save this map to “Your Places” on Google Maps, click the star to the right of the title. You’ll then be able to find it under the Maps tab of your Google Maps account! To open the map in a new window, click the button on the top right of the map.

About Kate Storm

In May 2016, I left my suburban life in the USA and became a full-time traveler. Since then, I have visited 50+ countries on 5 continents and lived in Portugal, developing a special love of traveling in Europe (especially Italy) along the way. Today, along with my husband Jeremy and dog Ranger, I’m working toward my eventual goal of splitting my life between Europe and the USA.

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Finding the Universe

Travel tales, photography and a dash of humor

One Day in London – What to Do in London in A Day

Last updated: July 22, 2024 . Written by Laurence Norah - 74 Comments

Planning on spending just one day in London? Sure, it’s not very long, but you’ll be able to see a lot of London’s highlights even in such a short space of time.

In this post, we’re going to help you plan your perfect day in London. We’re going to take a look at some of our favourite sights in London, capital of the UK and a spot I was thrilled to call home for a couple of years before I set off on my travels.

This guide to what to do in London in a day makes for the perfect day exploring London. It would make for a great way to start a longer trip around the UK , or to see some of London’s top sights if you have a few hours stopover in one of London’s airports .

This itinerary would also help someone planning a general European adventure – take a look at our 2 week Europe itinerary for a suggestion of how to plan something like that.

This post is set up to help you see all of these key London sights in one day and I’ve ordered them in the way that I’d recommend you go about doing that.

Table of Contents:

1 Day London Itinerary Overview

Here’s a quick overview of what this plan has you doing, for quick reference

• The Tower of London & Tower Bridge
• The South Bank and London Eye, Shard or St. Paul’s Cathedral
• The Houses of Parliament and Westminster Abbey
• Buckingham Palace
• Trafalgar Square, Covent Garden and the West End
• Traditional London Pub

Now, let’s see how that looks in our detailed guide to what to do in London for a day.

One Day In London: What to Do in London for A Day

Below is a detailed guide to what to do in London if you only have a day, in the order that makes the most sense in terms of getting around and minimizing transport.

Ideally, you’ll start the day at opening time of the first attraction (between 9am and 10am, depending on the day of the week), and keep going until you’ve seen everything!

1. The Tower of London

History! If you like the TV show Game of Thrones (and who doesn’t?), then you’ll love the Tower of London . This place was home to so much plotting, scheming, death and betrayals that it almost makes George’s epic tale of Westeros seem pale in comparison.

Queens, princes and archbishops died here, and history was literally made on the grass underfoot.

Admittedly, there are less dragons in London.

Expect to spend a least two hours here, exploring all there is to see, from the tower, to the execution block, to the crown jewels themselves. You can see full ticket pricing information here . It’s free for holders of the  London Pass .

Otherwise, you will want to buy tickets in advance of your visit to ensure you are able to visit.

You can do so via GetYourGuide here , who we normally use for ticketing at attractions around the world. You can also check prices on the official website here , where you can also see opening times.

Note that tickets bought via GetYourGuide normally include free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance of your visit (although do check the ticket description prior to purchase to be sure).

While you’re at the Tower of London, you might as well take the opportunity to pop across the Thames on Tower Bridge, easily the most famous of London’s bridges, and for good reason!

You can also actually go inside this bridge and learn all about how it works by visiting the Tower Bridge Exhibition, which is often a place we love to take friends and family when we show them around the city as it’s quite a unique experience.

2. The South Bank and London Eye

Once you’ve crossed over Tower Bridge, you’ll find yourself on the South Bank, cunningly named because it’s on the south bank of the river Thames.

As you walk west along this lovely bit of pedestrianized riverway you’ll find yourself passing such sights as HMS Belfast (one of our favourite military museums in London ) and London’s City Hall.

You’ll also be walking past the recreation of Shakespeare’s famous Globe theatre, the Shard (Western Europe’s tallest building), the Millennium Bridge which leads to St. Paul’s cathedral and the quite magnificent Tate Modern Art Gallery, all of which are likely to tempt you in. Go on, I won’t tell anyone.

Once you’ve made it past all these attractions, and maybe grabbed a bite to eat at Borough Market just behind London Bridge, you’ll find yourself coming around the corner, with the Houses of Parliament swinging into view and the giant Ferris wheel known as the London Eye looming large.

If you want a spectacular view of London, take a spin in the wheel, and marvel as the city unfurls beneath you.

For tickets, it’s cheaper to book in advance than in person. You can book tickets and check prices on the official site here . It’s also included on the London Pass, which you can buy here .

We also have a complete guide to the London Eye here with lots more information to help you plan a visit.

Another option is to visit the Shard, which also offers spectacular views from a higher vantage point. The Shard has better views of Tower Bridge and the Tower of London, whilst the London Eye gets you close to the Houses of Parliament.

You can book tickets for the Shard in advance on Tiqets here (book online in advance for the best prices). It’s also included on the London Pass.

If you’d prefer not to walk from Tower Bridge to the Houses of Parliament, you can also take a river “bus” from either Tower Pier or London Bridge City Pier all the way down the river to Westminster Pier.

It’s a nice way to see London from the water, and prices for the river bus are pretty good value. See our guide to getting around London for tips on the different public transport options in the city.

3. The Houses of Parliament

After your London Eye ride, walk or boat ride (whichever you opt for!), you’ll want to pop across the river to take in the Houses of Parliament, home to the English lawmakers and the bell known as Big Ben.

This is one attraction that is easy to see from the outside, but not many people know that you can also drop inside if you want to, and go on a guided tour.

Tours aren’t quite “turn up and go in”, as they only run-on certain days, but with a bit of research and forward planning (and by visiting this site ), you should be able to visit the English home of power and authority without too much trouble.

You can also book a guided tour of both Westminster Abbey and the Houses of Parliament here .

If it is too much trouble though, fear not. The building is very impressive from the outside, and you can sate your thirst for history quite easily by popping to Westminster Abbey, which happens to be just behind the Houses of Parliament.

Westminster Abbey has played host to some of the most important historical events of the last thousand years in the UK, hosting 16 royal weddings, around 50 coronations and a host of memorial services, including that of Diana, Princess of Wales.

It is also home to some of Britain’s most famous dead, including Charles Darwin, Isaac Newton, notable royals, and many more. Very much worth a visit and free for holders of the London Pass. Full details on pricing and opening hours here . You can also book your tickets online in advance here .

4. Buckingham Palace

Ah, the King. Depending on you who you talk to in the UK, he’s either a lovely chap who the country needs, or a tragic waste of taxpayers’ money.

Whichever, he does happen to have a number of rather lovely houses to live in, the most famous of which is of course Buckingham Palace.

Here you can peer through the railings to watch the changing of the guard and wonder as to how the other half live, and wave frantically at the windows on the off chance that someone waves back.

On our itinerary, you’ll likely miss the Changing of the Guard (see when that happens here ), so you would need to move things around if that happens to be a priority for your visit. Missing it isn’t the end of the world though, as it gets really crowded at that time of day.

You can also visit and actually go inside Buckingham Palace in very narrow windows of opening during the summer. Tickets for that experience are available here . We’ve done this tour and can definitely recommend it.

Of course, whilst you’re at Buckingham Palace, you should probably take a moment to explore some of the other local attractions.

A quick stroll down the Mall will take you past the pretty St James’s Park, home to a number of pelicans. Then you can head out onto Trafalgar Square, where you can enjoy seeing the lions, Nelson’s famous column and sate your art appetite at the excellent, and free, National Gallery .

Note if art and museums is more your thing, you might want to schedule a visit to the British Museum in this itinerary. From Trafalgar Square it’s a 20 minute walk or a 12 minute tube ride to one of London’s most famous (and free) museums.

5. Trafalgar Square, Covent Garden and the West End

From Buckingham Palace you could either stroll up the Mall, or head back towards Westminster Abbey, and go up Whitehall. I’d advise the latter, and not least because one of the Harry Potter London locations is nearby .

Going up Whitehall takes you through the heart of government in Britain, and you’ll pass right by 10 Downing Street. Don’t be upset if you miss it though, you can’t actually see the famous door from the street.

As you walk along Whitehall you’ll find yourself passing the Cenotaph, one of Britain’s most well-known war memorials . You’ll also pass the Horse Guards, where you can get photos of the, well, Horse Guards atop their horses, before finally arriving at Trafalgar Square.

This is home to Nelson’s Monument and the National Gallery, and a photo with one of the lions is pretty much mandatory. From here, you’re an easy walk to the West End, home to the famous covered market of Covent Garden and a number of London’s most well-known theatres.

If you have time, you might now consider visiting the excellent Transport Museum in Covent Garden, where you can learn all about the history of London’s transport system. Alternatively, you can just take in a free show from one of the street entertainers here.

This is also where you’ll find Leicester Square, which is famous as where major films are first shown in the UK.

Here you might want to take in a show to round off your day in London – we can recommend the Mousetrap , the world’s longest running stage show in the world!

6. Visit a Decent London Pub

It’s not all hard work and sightseeing, you know. When you’re in London, you really should take the time to experience a truly British experience – a pub.

Enjoy a pint of something exotically named hand-pulled from a wooden handle, and marvel as to how the decor is likely not to have changed for a good couple of hundred years.

If you’re hungry, try out an English classic like fish and chips or steak and ale pie, and rejoice at how much of London you were able to see in one day.

If you’ve gotten to this point and think the idea of focusing on the pubs of London is more your scene, check out this walking tour which does just that.

For more food tour suggestions, see our complete guide to the best food tours in London , which has recommendations on lots of tours as well as detail on all the food and drink to try when you’re in London.

Map of 1 Day London Itinerary

To help you visualise the above we’ve put it into a map, which you can also see on Google Maps here .

Getting Around and Saving Money in London

For the day in London as described above, getting around by foot is entirely feasible – contrary to public opinion, central London is perfectly walkable. If you’re not so into walking though, then London is very well served by public transport.

The cheapest way to use that is with an Oyster card, a pre-pay system which works out much cheaper than paying for tickets, and available at nearly every transport hub. You can also use a contactless credit card or a device which supports contactless payments.

We have a detailed guide to using the London transport network here which covers all your options.

In terms of visiting attractions, a number of London sights are free, including some of the top museums like the Tate Modern.

However, places like the Tower of London, Westminster Abbey, London Eye, and St. Pauls Cathedral aren’t free, and if you think you’re going to be visiting a few sights, then you have a couple of options for saving money.

First is the  London Pass , a sight-seeing pass that gives you access to over 80 top attractions across the city.

From those listed on this page, the London Pass includes the Tower of London, Tower Bridge Exhibition, View from the Shard, London Eye, Westminster Abbey, St. Paul’s Cathedral and the Transport Museum.

If you plan on visiting all those attractions (we’d suggest either the London Eye or the Shard rather than both though), the entry fees as of July 2024 would be around £163 per person (assuming you pick either the Shard or the London Eye, it would be even more if you visited both!).

A 1 day London Pass currently costs £114, so that would save you around £50 per person. It also saves you the hassle of having to book separate tickets for each attraction or joining long ticket lines on site.

Check our full review and guide to the London Pass to see if it’s for you.

The second option we recommend is the GoCity London Explorer Pass . This lets you pick and choose from a set of attractions. You can choose to go to 2, 3, 5 or 7 attractions from the selection of over 60 attractions.

We think that both of these passes can save you money in London, the difference is largely down to which attractions you want to see, and how many attractions you want to see.

Get your London Pass online from the official site here .

What about a walking tour of London?

If you’d prefer to have a guide for all or part of your day in London, who can share with you some of the history of this city as well as more local knowledge and insights, then we can recommend this London in a Day tour .

This tour covers nearly everything we have in our one-day London itinerary, including the Tower of London, Tower Bridge, the Changing of the Guard, and Westminster Abbey.

It’s a full day tour, but we think is one of the better options if you would prefer an escorted experience and the input of a guide.

We’ve used the tour company “ Take Walks ” for walking tours around the world, and have always had a positive experience, and are happy to recommend this tour . They also have a number of other tours in London that are worth checking out.

Another option we suggest are  these tours by City Wonders , they offer a wide range of tours in London, from introductory tours through to more detailed and specific tours.

Harry Potter fans will want to check out this guided tour of Harry Potter filming locations in London .

We have a full guide to some of the best walking tours in London , which is also worth reviewing if you are interested in a walking tour while you are in the city.

Where to Go After Your Day in London – Day Trips & More

We’re often asked where to head to from London after this itinerary is over, or just for suggestions on good day trips from London.

We’ve done quite a  few day trips from London, including a day trip to Oxford and a day trip to Stonehenge from London , and we wanted to share some ideas, for both day trips from the city and longer trips to see more of the country.

• Stonehenge, Bath and the Cotswolds are really popular destinations, and you can easily do these together as part of a day trip from London. This tour features all of those destinations, as well as Windsor Castle. It even includes lunch!
• Lovers of Downton Abbey will want to visit Highclere Castle where the show was filmed. See our guide to visiting Highclere Castle , which includes tips for visiting as a day trip from London, then check out this tour .
• A tour of Oxford, the Cotswolds and Stratford . Three popular destinations from London that you can visit as part of a day trip. Also see my guide to visiting Oxford from London for more ideas.
• A private tour down to Portsmouth . This is a good tour for those of you with an interest in naval history and/or visiting a lovely English seaside city. Also see our guide to things to do in Portsmouth for more ideas.
• For a longer trip, check out my 10 day UK itinerary by public transport , which starts with a couple of days in London, but then has you touring some highlights of the rest of the country. We also have 1 week and 2 week self drive itineraries .
• Visiting Paris as a day trip from London is a popular option as well, and with the Eurostar train direct from central London to Paris in around 2 hours, this can even be done as a day trip. You can either do this yourself, booking train tickets here , or you can take a day tour like  this one . See our guide to spending a day in Paris for sightseeing tips.
• If you want to take a longer guided tour from London and see more of the UK, we recommend  this small group tour , which takes eight days to take you from London to Edinburgh.

Hopefully these give you a starting point for the next stage in your trip!

Where to Stay in London

If you’re planning on spending the night in London, you have no shortage of accommodation options, from hostels to luxury five star properties.

For this itinerary, we’d suggest placing yourself fairly centrally if you can, to minimise travel time. For a short stay like this, we’d definitely recommend using booking.com to book your property – whilst we love apartment rentals, we think they are less sensible for a whistle stop visit.

For examples of properties at different price points that are centrally located, here are some options:

• The Walrus Bar and Hostel – A well reviewed centrally located hostel
• The Z hotel in Shoreditch – excellent value in a lively and popular part of London with great dining options
• Lime Tree Hotel – A well reviewed boutique hotel, around nine minutes walk from London Victoria
• The Resident Victoria Hotel – a well reviewed and centrally located hotel offering excellent value for money
• The Savoy – true luxury as close to the city centre as you can get!

Generally when searching for somewhere to stay our first choice is booking.com. They’re easy to use, usually have the best prices, and have everything from hotels to hostels , guest-houses and even apartments . Try them for London and see!

If you prefer an apartment, then we recommend either Plum Guide or Vrbo .

Plum Guide doesn’t have quite so many choices, but they carefully curate their listings so their options tend to be of a very high quality whilst still being available at a range of price points. We’ve stayed at a number of their properties around the world, and you can see our  review of the Plum Guide here . See their listings for London here .

If you can’t find what you want from the above choices, or you want some new options to try out, we wrote a whole post on the best alternatives to AirBnB which you should check out!

Between these options, you should find the best prices and places to stay for your trip, as well as a good selection of reviews and feedback to help you make an informed decision.

We also have a complete guide to where to stay in London . That has over 60 recommendations for where to stay across a number of areas in London for all budgets. It also has tips on which neighbourhoods to stay in and things to know before booking a property. Well worth a read.

Practicalities for Visiting London

Electricity in London is of the 220v standard, with a three pin plug that isn’t found in too many other countries. Travellers from most of the rest of the world, including mainland Europe and the US will need an adapter like this .

In addition, US travellers will need to check their equipment supports the 220v standard – it will be written clearly on the power adapter.

As a general rule, we have found that laptops, phone and camera chargers and other small electronics are universal, whilst larger devices like hair dryers and hair straighteners are not.

See more on travel adapters and how to choose one for your trip in our guide to the best travel adapters .

London uses the British pound, which is accepted across the British Isles. You can get Pounds from ATM’s, banks and currency exchanges, although credit cards are widely accepted, and there is no need to carry large quantities of currency.

If you do use a credit or debit card, just make sure it doesn’t charge foreign exchange fees or have a poor currency conversion rate. There are a number of excellent credit cards for travellers, and it’s always worth checking to be sure you have a good deal before travelling and racking up unexpected fees.

Internet Access

Internet access is widely available in the form of WiFi all around the city, including in hotels and coffee shops, so you shouldn’t have any trouble getting online. You can also pick up local SIM cards if you have an unlocked phone. These are usually excellent value as data rates in the UK are very competitive.

For more options on getting online when travelling, check out our guide to getting online when travelling to help you figure out the best options. We also have a guide to picking the best travel router , which can help you extend a weak WiFi network and share it across multiple devices.

Water 

The water in the taps in London is safe to drink unless otherwise indicated. If you don’t like the taste, bottled water is widely available. We usually recommend you travel with a re-usable water bottle like this to save on having to buy water bottles.

London is a safe city in our experience, although as with any major city, of course you need to keep your wits about you – keep your possessions in view all the time, keep your wallet or phone in a front pocket (with a zip if possible), and don’t do anything that you wouldn’t do at home. If you’re going to use a taxi, make sure you use a licensed operator such as a black cab.

Further Reading on Visiting London

We have plenty of further reading to help you plan your trip to London, both content we’ve created based on our experiences, and third party content we think you’ll find useful in planning what to do in London, as well as the wider UK.

• Jess’s detailed guide to the London pass , which will help you decide if this is a good way for you to save money on your London sight-seeing.
• Spending more time in London? Check out our itinerary for spending two days in London , as well as our detailed itineraries for 3 days in London and 6 days in London .
• We have a complete guide to where to stay in London , with over 60 recommendations across all the main areas in London we recommend.
• We have detailed guides to visiting the Tower of London and the London Eye which includes information on planning your visit and how to save money on these popular attractions
• A guide to public transport options in London , as well as the best ways to pay for public transport in London
• A guide to the best food tours in London
• Harry Potter fans will want to check out our guide to the key Harry Potter filming locations in London
• Jess’s guide to a 1-day walking tour of the highlights of London .
• A detailed London packing list to help you pack
• A guide to getting into central London from all London’s airports
• How about heading to Paris from London? We have a detailed guide to the best way to get from London to Paris to help you plan
• The Eyewitness Travel Guide to London , which has all sorts of information within, including more itineraries and ideas for your trip
• Rick Steve’s London guide, the #1 bestseller on Amazon for UK travel guides, and always an excellent source of relevant information
• The official TfL website , which will give you information on tickets, routes and any updates to services in the forms of delays or cancellations

And that sums up our idea of the perfect one day in London! Have you visited London? What would your perfect day look like. Let us know in the comments below!

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Lori Howard says

11th July 2024 at 9:57 pm

How many miles total is this particular walk? I will be recovering from a hip replacement done in March but should be able to do this in late August!

Laurence Norah says

12th July 2024 at 12:02 pm

I hope your hip replacement continues to heal well! So the total distance is 4.6 miles, although if you just did from the Tower of London to Buckingham Palace that would be 3.4 miles. It’s also all pretty flat with just a few stairs.

Have a great time in London!

Leeroy Jenkins says

22nd August 2023 at 8:11 am

This is the best guide I’ve found in looking for how to hoof it around London in a day. Exactly the itinerary I was looking for and practical guidance and helpful tips. Thank you, we are there tomorrow!

22nd August 2023 at 8:52 am

Thanks very much Leeroy! Have a great time and remember, stick with your team and watch out for dragons 😉

Ajitabh Gupta says

1st January 2023 at 10:26 pm

Hi there , this is a fantastic itinerary. Thanks for putting this together . We have a 12 hour layover at Heathrow and we are planning to book a private car for the entire duration. We land at 9 am on Sunday with return flight at 8:55 pm same Day. Will you suggest any changes to the itinerary since we will have a private taxi for the entire duration, if so , what ? Thanks in advance

3rd January 2023 at 4:39 pm

Hi Ajitabh,

It’s my pleasure! So I think you should have plenty of time with a vehicle. Traffic into and around London can be a bit slow, I’d estimate you’re looking at around an hour each way from Heathrow conservatively. But this should give you time to see the highlights as described. The only recommendation I might have it to do the itinerary in reverse. Depending on the day and how long it takes you to clear customs, you might make it to Buckingham Palace in time to see the Changing of the Guard in the morning. Then you can work your way through the sights in reverse and finish at the Tower of London. I believe it is still recommended to book timed entry for the Tower of London, so if you do that for the afternoon you don’t need to worry about getting there by a certain time in the morning, which could be stressful. I’d also recommend booking a timeslot for the London Eye / Shard if you plan on visiting one of those.

Other than that though, have a great trip!

Kelly Powell-Smith says

15th August 2022 at 6:27 pm

These are great tips! Thank you for posting them. My daughter and I will have a full day in London (plus the afternoon we arrive) and are looking at this one day itinerary and it seems perfect. High on our list of things to do are Tower of London, London Eye, and Westminster Abbey. I think we will start at the Tower of London when it opens at 9 am. Estimating about 2 hours there as you suggest. If we take the walking route shown, about how long might it be before we arrive at the London Eye? Trying to buy tickets in advance so trying to guess arrival time. Same for the Abbey. Thinking we’d do the latest afternoon tour and then stay for Evensong since there will be one of those services on that day. Thank you for any tips you can share.

16th August 2022 at 9:13 am

Thanks very much! So if you take the route I suggest, which crosses Tower Bridge and follows the South Bank, it’s about a 55 minute walk. However, you are going to see quite a few things along the way, including Tower Bridge from various angles, Shakespeare’s Globe, the Tate Modern and the Golden Hind ship. These will probably all have you stopping and taking photos, so I’d suggest planning for a 1.5 hour trip just to be on the safe side.

Then from the Eye to Westminster Abbey is a 15 minute walk, but again, you’ll be going past the Houses of Parliament, so I’d recommend planning for 30 minutes.

I hope this helps! Have a great trip and let me know if you have any more questions, I’m happy to help 🙂

27th September 2021 at 4:50 pm

Wow, you’re quick! Thank you Laurence, I appreciate your help.

We (my mom and me) fly to London Stansted around midnight and from there have a transfer to Victoria. We’re not staying at any hotel, but have an evening flight back, so have to transfer back to the airport from Victoria around 4pm, so basically we have 15 hours or so to spare. Unfortunately most of it is at night 🙁 We have only our backpacks, no other baggage, so that’s good. I’m so afraid we’re not going to see much and walk in circles or be late for the transfer back to the airport.

I thought we could first go from Victoria to walk around Soho and China town, then maybe to St Paul’s Cathedral and through Tower Bridge toward Tate Modern – but it opens at 10, so we have several hours to get there… After that I was thinking London Eye & Big Ben and, since it would be after 10am – The National Gallery, Buckingham Palace and back to Victoria.

What do you think?

27th September 2021 at 6:39 pm

It’s my pleasure 🙂

Ok, so that sounds pretty full on! Unfortunately, yes, London is going to be mostly closed. Obviously late night bars and clubs will be open, but other than that the sights will be closed. SoHo will be pretty lively I expect as there are a lot of bars and things there. Overall your plan sounds pretty good, as long as you don’t mind spending a fair amount of time with not too much open. You will at least see a side of London that is less seen, especially in the early hours of the morning! Should be an experience 😀

Let me know if I can help any more! I think you’ll have more than enough time to do everything you want 🙂

27th September 2021 at 11:45 am

Hi! How are you?

What free attractions do you recommend? And what could I see at night? I’m arriving at Victoria Coach Station at midnight and go back home from the same station around 4PM, so I have some time to sightsee but I don’t really know how to schedule all that 🙁 I would really appreciate your help!

Thank you so so much in advance

27th September 2021 at 12:59 pm

Good to hear from you! So I’m not sure from your message if you are planning to sleep somewhere or just sightsee. At midnight pretty much all the attractions will be closed in London until the following morning, although you can of course see the outside of all the sights. So I’d probably suggest sleeping until the morning and then getting up quite early and sightseeing. I’d suggest staying near the coach station so you can get to and from your accommodation, and ensure to pick somewhere that lets you store any bags you have as well as one which has late check in.

From the Victoria Coach station area you could easily follow our route in reverse if you just wanted to see sights from the outside. So that could include Buckingham Palace, the Houses of Parliament, Covent Garden, London Eye, South Bank, Shakespeare’s Globe, St. Paul’s Cathedral, Tower Bridge and Tower of London.

In terms of free attractions, it depends on your interests. I like the science museum, V&A museum and Natural History Museum, which are all close to each other in Kensington. The Tate Modern is good if you like modern art, and the Museum of London is awesome to learn about the history of the city.

I hope this helps a bit, let me know if I can provide any more input! Have a great trip!

David Bunting says

22nd September 2021 at 11:12 pm

Hi me and my wife are coming down to London in October we are trying to plan a good tour to see the sights I’ve just seen your walking tour in one day and it’s just what we are looking for we are staying in kings cross and would get the tube to the start point and walk it to finish up in convent garden area we are not planning on spending much but may do London eye or shard we may do a river cruise but we like to walk and take in the sights how far from start to finish is your walk if we start between 10 and 11 taking it steady calling for a couple of drinks and maybe the attractions I’ve mentioned would we be round for mid afternoon maybe or would it take longer we may not use the attractions we may just take the sights on foot we enjoy just walking your walk plan I think is ideal for us I think we will see all we want in the walk I hope you can help me it will be much appreciated. Cheers. David

23rd September 2021 at 9:50 am

So the total walking time you are looking at on this route is about 2 hours. I’d also recommend when you get to the Tate Modern, to cross over the millenium bridge and take a look at St. Pauls Cathedral. It only adds five minutes walk to the trip but is well worth the detour.

Obviously, depending on how long you stop to look at attractions / have a drink or two, the journey will take longer, but I’d say if you started around 10am you’d definitely be able to do this by mid-afternoon.

Have a great time in London, let me know if you have any more questions!

Deana Rasberry says

7th January 2020 at 4:09 am

I have been reading all your lovely suggestions and that is great information to have. I am planning a first time trip to London in May and arriving at 0900 in Heathrow and staying at Accor hotel right near that airport. My question is I have the full day from arriving to 7:30 where I booked tickets to see WICKED at Apollo Victoria Theatre, but in terms of sites to see in which order would you recommend with that event in mind? The morning after I fly ( on 16th) back to States. Its just one full day in London after 3 weeks around Europe, I am departing out of Heathrow so decided to arrive one day before. Thanks for your time in advance and look forward to suggestions. I already down loaded the LONDON city mapper for trans options….. wanted to see much as possible including Piccadilly and maybe Abbey Road studios.

7th January 2020 at 3:16 pm

I would actually say that the order in the itinerary should work just fine for you. The only change I might make would be to switch the last two stops around, but only if you don’t want to go inside Westminster Abbey. This is because the abbey closes fairly early, so if you get here late you will only be able to enjoy the outside (which is also magnificent). Otherwise, the rest of the itinerary should work fine in the order it is in, as the theatre is near Westminster Abbey 🙂

Let me know if I can be of any more help, and have a lovely time in London,

7th January 2020 at 5:14 pm

Osum!! Thank you For all the advice. I appreciate them. Deana

8th January 2020 at 11:56 am

My pleasure!

1st January 2020 at 7:15 pm

Such a helpful overview of 1-day in London! And one short ‘day’ is all we have. To make the most of our time I’m wondering if you can help fine tune our itinerary plan.

We arrive at Heathrow at 8pm on a Sat night in Sept, and fly out on Sun at 5pm. Given the relatively late arrival we’re wondering which neighbourhood we should stay in. We’re looking for something that would put us in good position to launch into the walking tour the next morning and at the end, be in a good position for picking up the luggage and whisking back to the airport. Accomodation-wise, we’re look for something moderate meaning charm and comfort but not luxury.

Also, are there any parts of the tour or off-tour suggestions that would be conducive to squeezing in 10pm-midnight on Saturday?

Look forward to any further advice you have for us!

Karen & Carla

1st January 2020 at 8:29 pm

Hi Karen & Carla,

Great to hear from you, and thanks very much.

So I would personally suggest staying at a hotel near Paddington train station. We stayed at this one a couple of weeks ago, which was just a five minute walk from the train station, and they held our luggage on our last day with no problem. It’s also a short walk to nearby tube, from where you can easily get to the start of your day. There are quite a few in the area. From Paddington, you can get the Tfl rail service direct to Heathrow for around £10 per person each way, and it takes around 30 minutes. There’s also the Heathrow Express, which is twice as fast and costs twice as much, so it’s up to you!

In terms of what you could squeeze in, obviously most indoor attractions will be closed at the time. However, Covent Garden and Trafalgar Square are pleasant to walk at night, and I always love walking across the Thames Bridges near the London Eye at night as it is so pretty and lit up.

I hope this helps – have a wonderful trip, and do let me know if I can be of any further assistance!

All the best, and Happy New Year,

2nd January 2020 at 1:06 am

Happy New Year to you as well, Laurence, and wishes for many more happy travels. Thanks for the advice. We’re booked and ready to go. 🙂

2nd January 2020 at 11:20 am

My pleasure – have a great time!

Vijay Patel says

3rd September 2019 at 6:10 am

It’s my dream to visit London for once in my life as I am very fond of places to visit in London. especially, the London Eye. The list of places and other things to do in London is just amazing. London is such an amazing place to reside and visit hence I will be definitely sharing this great blog with my friends and family. I am glad I came across this and thanks for investing time and sharing this informative post with us.

3rd September 2019 at 9:45 am

My pleasure Vijay, thanks for your comment 🙂

7th August 2019 at 11:41 am

These are some fantastic tips which I will definitely be going to follow on my next one day trip to London. And please suggest any of the budget hotels in North London which have all the necessary facilities and close to these attractions. Thanks

7th August 2019 at 8:52 pm

Thanks Ammy!

So the two properties in our list we’d suggest based on your criteria would be:

• The Walrus Bar and Hostel – A well reviewed centrally located hostel
• The Z hotel in Shoreditch – excellent value in a lively and popular part of London with great dining options

If those don’t work, the linked site should have plenty more options for you 🙂

21st March 2019 at 6:38 am

Hello Laurence, I stumbled upon your posts in Google, I found very helpful tips from your website. I’m thankful for such detailed, well-done posts. It will by our first time in London, I’m nervous because I’m bring my parents and will be there for only a day. Taking Euro Star train from Paris we will arrive Monday May 13, 2019 at St. Pancras @ 8AM and leaving same day at 8PM. Knowing that we won’t have a lot of time and afraid to get lost, your posts have eased somewhat my anxiety.

I’ve been watching other channels on YouTube but yours is the best by far and have met my needs. I saw your 1 day London itinerary & map. London has comes alive to me, I was so happy because I’ve been trying to study the map, city mapper, bus routes…and was so overwhelmed.

We’re on a budget so we’ll take public transportation and will do sightseeing only.

I was planning to take public bus but since you mentioned taking the Tube & River Boat/Bus will save some times from and back to St. Pancras is a great idea.

Is there any way you can give more details of how to take the Tube, bus numbers/routes efficiently for our trip?

I plan to go directly to Buckingham from St. Pancras to watch the changing of the guards then head to Sky Garden and Borough market for lunch. I’m excited to take River Boat and walk to some of your suggested sites as time allows before we head back to St. Pancreas.

Not to be greedy but do you think we can stop by and check out Little Niece on the way back to the train station and call off the day? Hopefully we can visit British Museum as well. .So sad already…

Lastly, will we have trouble of finding public toilets there?

Thanks so much again for your time & people like you to help out others via Internet of travel needs. Annie N.

21st March 2019 at 11:12 am

Thanks for your comment (and e-mail!).

So you have quite a lot of time – 12 hours should give you plenty of time to explore.

In terms of your route, the easiest way to plan a route in London, in my opinion, is just to use Google Maps. It has all the transportation options that you need and will pick the fastest route. Even if you don’t have data, there’s free WiFi available throughout London to help you.

It’s hard to give you an exact route plan as I’m not sure of your overall itinerary. However, from St. Pancras to Buckingham Palace, the best option is going to be the Victoria line ( https://goo.gl/maps/w9C3mATLCHu ).

From there to the Sky Garden you can take the Circle and District Line ( https://goo.gl/maps/nPLm5VNNi1q )

I would definitely advise downloading London as an offline Google Map to your phone, then you will be able to find your way around the streets.

I’m not familiar with Little Niece – where is that?

There are some public toilets in London, so you should be able to find them without too much trouble 🙂

Have a great trip, let me know if I can help any more!

22nd March 2019 at 5:44 am

Thank you Laurence for your quick reply! Sorry I meant Little Venice not Little Niece.

22nd March 2019 at 9:57 am

Ah, that makes sense. So you could try and squeeze that in, although you would be cutting it quite fine with everything else as well 🙂

22nd March 2019 at 6:50 pm

Thanks! One more question please, if we follow your suggested routes and start from St.Pancras to Towel of London…will we make it to watch the changing of the guard in time?

22nd March 2019 at 6:55 pm

The Changing of the Guard usually takes place from 10.45 – 11.30am. From St. Pancras to Buckingham Palace shouldn’t take you more than half an hour. So if you arrive into St. Pancras at 8am you will have more than enough time 🙂 I’d suggest seeing something else on the way. Unfortunately many attractions do not open until 10am, however you could explore Covent Garden and see Trafalgar Square in the meantime.

2nd March 2019 at 8:56 am

Hi, myself, husband and two teens (16 and 17) are visiting London in June for one day. Our first time visiting and feeling anxious. We would like to maybe visit some free places but also do a couple of paid sites. what would you recommend for us, and of interest to the teens. Is your itinerary doable by foot and how far between each site to walk? Thanks in advance

2nd March 2019 at 9:03 am

I understand the anxious feeling of wanting to see everything! I guess I would say that it is definitely possible to see many of the highlights in a day, but not to worry too much about trying to see everything London has to offer in just one day, as it’s a big city with hundreds of attractions! I’d try and focus on a few big items that you really want to see. My suggestions would be things like Tower Bridge, the Houses of Parliament, Westminster Abbey and Buckingham Palace, which are some of the more iconic landmarks in the city.

The itinerary as I have laid it out is do-able on foot yes. You’re probably looking at a total of 2 hours of actual walking, but obviously you will take a lot more time as you’ll be taking pictures and looking at the sights. You’ll also need to get from wherever you are staying to the start and end point.

In terms of paid sites, I would definitely recommend the Tower of London. It’s home to the Crown Jewels and one of the oldest castles in the UK, and there is so much history to learn about here. After that, many of the attractions can be enjoyed from the outside, like the Tower of London and the south bank. You could also pop across the Millenium Bridge from the Tate Modern to visit St. Pauls. Even if you’re not into Modern Art, I can recommend a visit to the Tate Modern as there’s a great view from the balcony.

I hope this helps – do let me know if I can be of any more assistance 🙂

Melissa says

20th January 2019 at 12:52 am

Hello, I’m visiting in March for one day coming in on the Eurostar. What should be my first stop on your list ? And how can i get to it ? Thanks so much

20th January 2019 at 12:07 pm

Hi Melissa!

So the Eurostar arrives at St. Pancras. My suggestion is to follow this itinerary in the order it’s laid out, so your first point of call will be the Tower of London. This is easy to get to from St. Pancras, you just take the Underground. Specifically, you’ll want to take the Circle line (Yellow colour) from St. Pancras in the direction of Liverpool Street, and get off at Tower Hill. It’ll take around 10 minutes.

I hope this helps! I have a using the London transport network here which might be useful too 🙂

Have a great trip!

Kathleen Trakas says

27th January 2019 at 4:10 pm

Hello! My Husband & I also are in Paris for our 3rd trip in December & want to take the Eurostar to London for the day. Reading your suggestions we feel confident we can do your itinerary in just one day- we’re early birds so with this itinerary what train times do you suggest would give us a relaxing but full day? We can catch the 6am train and how long would this all take to get back to the train station without worry?

27th January 2019 at 4:38 pm

Hi Kathleen!

So it’s around a two hour trip to London from Paris, meaning the 6am train will get you in at just after 8am. The only thing to bear in mind is that many of the attractions in London don’t open until after 9am.

To make the most of your time therefore, you might want to reorder the day. I’d suggest starting with some of the outdoor sights like Trafalgar Square, Covent Garden and the Houses of Parliament first, and then Buckingham Palace. You can then make your way along the south bank past the London Eye, Tate Modern, Golden Hind and HMS Belfast before getting to Tower Bridge, and then seeing the Tower of London.

From the tower of London you can then hop on the tube for the ten minute ride back to St. Pancras, for the train. I’d advise giving yourselves plenty of time for all that, as you’ll likely want to eat at some point as well and not feel rushed, so a train at around 6 or 7pm would be my suggestion.

I hope this helps!

28th January 2019 at 4:55 pm

Thanks so much! Pretty excited to be Headed to London for a day! Cheers!

Helena says

20th December 2018 at 4:28 pm

Heey, I’m going to London with a friend inJanuary. He are arriving sunday at 9am at Gatwick and sleeping somewhere in Enfield and going to Southampton the next day. I enjoyed looking your guide for one day and i would like to ask your opinion on what to do in one day, knowing that the tickets are kinda expensives and we love nature and high-views. Thank you! And good work!

20th December 2018 at 4:39 pm

So are you asking for advice in London? I will assume so 🙂

For views, I would recommend the Sky Garden. It’s free to visit, but you do need to book a timeslot in advance which you can do on their website here . Tickets are released on a Monday for the following week, and they alway go very quickly, so you’ll want to set a calendar reminder. Another good viewpoint can be had in the Tate Modern museum, which is also free 🙂

In terms of more sightseeing, many of the sights and attractions in London are free, such as watching Changing of the Guard, and looking at the outside of the major buildings like Tower Bridge, the Houses of Parliament, Westminster Abbey and so on. So I would advise you to basically follow this itinerary fairly closely, but just to skip any attractions you don’t want to pay to see if budget is a key concern.

For nature, you will likely enjoy a visit to some of the parks, like Hyde Park or Green Park, which are just near Buckingham Palace / Trafalgar Square.

I hope this helps! Have a great trip

Kadeer says

13th December 2018 at 10:12 pm

Hello my family and I are traveling and have one day in London, we fly in to Gatwick at 12 pm and out of Gatwick the next morning at 7 am. We are staying at a hotel close to the airport…. would you recommend any changes or advice for us (kids ages are 11/13/15). I am not sure if we should take uber, train, the express train, or taxi. Also while in London should we do the hop on and off bus?

14th December 2018 at 2:47 pm

So from Gatwick one of the easiest ways to get into London is to take the train (see my full guide to getting to central London from all the airports here ). You can take the Gatwick Express, but these tickets are usually £20 per person each way, so if budget is a consideration i would instead suggest taking the normal train, which has tickets starting at £9.90. You can check ticket prices and times here – it’s always cheaper to buy in advance online, just make sure you get on the train that you buy the ticket for.

In terms of the itinerary, you will definitely have to reduce the sight seeing a bit as you only really have half a day. My suggestion would be to visit Tower Bridge and look at the Tower of London from the outside, then take the tube to Westminster where you can see Trafalgar Square, Westminster Abbey, the Houses of Parliament and Buckingham Palace.

I hope this helps – have a great time in London!

3rd December 2018 at 1:07 am

family of 4 person , visiting london for one day what tips you suggest for us. thanks alot

3rd December 2018 at 11:05 am

My advice would be to follow the itinerary, but to perhaps slow it down depending on the age and stamina of your family. Certainly, everything is do-able, but in hearing feedback from family travellers, travelling as a family will require you to take things a bit slower (depending on age).

Have a great time!

Amanda says

4th November 2018 at 7:16 am

Your itinerary sounds perfect everything I would love to see! I’ve been so anxious just thinking of how to plan my ONE day in London. Could you provide some tips on where to start the day? I will be arriving in London in the morning about 9 at Heathrow. My departure will be about 11 that evening from Gatwick. I’ll be using your itinerary as my guide. But need tips on how to use my time as efficiently as possible. I also want to make sure I make my flight that evening. Please help!

4th November 2018 at 9:04 am

Hi Amanda! Sounds like you have lots of time to see all the things on my itinerary, but I would suggest in a different order to make it more efficient based on your airport arrival and departure. 🙂 So from Heathrow the cheapest option is to take the tube, you could take this to Leicester Square. From here you can get out and see Trafalgar Square, then walk to the Houses of Parliament and Buckingham Palace – you should be in time to see the Changing of the Guard. From here you can then walk along the south bank of the river, from the London Eye all the way around, past Shakespeare’s Globe and HMS Belfast, the Tate Modern, the Golden Hind etc. You’ll finish near Tower Bridge and the Tower of London. Then, when you are done you can take the train from London Bridge train station which goes direct to London Gatwick airport 🙂

Hope this helps – have a great day out!

Nandini says

11th August 2018 at 11:55 am

Hi Laurence and Jessica! Thanks so much for the post! Most certainly, It gives a pretty good idea to plan a one-day trip! I will go to London from Birmingham on 31st August and leave on 2nd September. That gives me 1 evening and 1 full day and 1 morning to explore London! Would you please give me any particular suggestion so that I can utilize my stay to the best extent?

13th August 2018 at 9:23 pm

Hey Nandini!

Sounds like a fun trip 🙂 So, it’s a bit hard to give specific advice without knowing your interests, but our general advice would be to figure out what you really want to see, and try to plan your time so you can see them as efficiently as possible. So for example, if you have an evening in London, some attractions such as the London Eye or the Shard are open later, so you can go to them on your first day perhaps. Or you could catch a show. Essentially, try to make the best use of your time as possible whilst you are there 🙂 Hopefully this helps!

Talva Walker says

2nd August 2018 at 8:12 pm

Hi, I’ve been enjoying your post. Very insightful. I’m planning a trip to Paris Aug 31-Sept 5, arriving CDG at 7:20am on Sept 1, staying at the Mercure Paris Alesia. I am planning a day trip to London via EuroRail. Can you please suggest the best travel and sightseeing routes from Paris to London so I can get the most out of my day while in London. Thanks

2nd August 2018 at 8:21 pm

HI Talva, thanks for your comment. Could you just elaborate for me what you need – as you say you are taking the Eurail train, which will put you right in central London, are you looking for a tour guide or a suggested itinerary? There’s only one train option as far as I know, you just have to pick a time that works for you 🙂

8th August 2018 at 9:24 pm

Hi Laurence, thanks for your response. I’m sorry I wasn’t clear. I’m looking to find the best way to spend my day in London allowing time to/from the Eurorail. Is this doable.

9th August 2018 at 2:41 pm

Hey Talva! Well, that makes more sense. This itinerary is definitely do-able in a day but it does depend on what time your train gets in and leaves. If you are looking for the highlights, I’d suggest the Tower of London, walking across Tower Bridge, the London Eye or The Shard for great views, the exterior of the Houses of Parliament, Westminster Abbey, Trafalgar Square and Buckingham Palace. That should all be very achievable in a day 🙂

11th July 2018 at 4:52 am

Hi, We are planning a trip to England and visit to Scotland and/or Ireland in early August. This may be too optimistic coverage but we have 12 full days. Our flight lands in Gatwick and we come back via Shannon. What is your recommendation? I plan to rent a car after spending 3 days in London.

11th July 2018 at 9:46 am

My advice would be to check out our 2 week UK itinerary: https://www.findingtheuniverse.com/two-weeks-in-ukmy-perfect-itinerary/ and adjust it slightly to meet your time-frame and particular interests 🙂 We also have 1 week and 10 day UK itineraries, as well as loads of other content on travelling in the UK. So I am sure you will find the answers you need, but I’m always happy to provide further information as well.

Camilla says

1st July 2018 at 6:45 pm

I love the tips! We will be staying in a hotel near Covent Garden and will follow this! Any recommendations for places to eat around the area? I will be travelling with my in-lawsmy parents and my husband, we are not picky with food and we want to try where the locals eat.

3rd July 2018 at 10:30 am

Hey Camilla! Thanks very much 🙂 To be honest, we rarely recommend restaurants as recommendations can go out of date very quickly. Our advice would be to ask at the hotel reception when you get in, or look on Yelp / Google for nearby restaurants or pubs that have good ratings. A good pub meal is a must when visiting London. I would also add that there is a huge volume of visitors to London, as well as a very multi-cultural feel to the city, so most venues will cater to both locals and visitors 🙂

Beccare says

19th May 2018 at 10:38 am

Hello there, I will be heading into the Uk at the ending of this year and I have a list of places I would like to see in one day but not very sure how to see them all. I only have one day for sight seeing unfortunately. I plan on purchasing a one day london pass, the places are: British Museum, St Paul Cathedral, London motor museum, Charles Dickens museum, Globe Theater, Kensington Palace, London Zoo, London Bridge, West Minister Abbey, Tower Bridge, Tower of London, The view from the shard.

19th May 2018 at 7:09 pm

Hi Beccare!

I will be honest with you, I think you will struggle to see all of those locations in one day. I think you should be able to see a lot of them, but not all. My suggestion would be to start at the Tower of London, then Tower Bridge, Globe Theater, St. Paul’s cathedral, London Motor Museum and Westminster Abbey. Then head to the shard as that is open later. I think that would be achievable, but still you will have to go quite quickly. Otherwise you will rush so much you won’t see anything so well. I hope this works!

Alma J Saad says

16th May 2018 at 5:05 am

Excellent photographs. particularly the one of the Routemaster transport. Notwithstanding the 9 appeared, one additionally keeps running on the 15 (Heritage) course, which takes guests past numerous traveler spots (Tower of London, Trafalgar Square, St Paul’s Cathedral and so forth.) an incredible method to see London and considerably less expensive than a visitor transport!

17th May 2018 at 9:12 am

Thanks very much Alma!

Mohamed Haikel says

30th March 2018 at 3:35 pm

Im planning a honeymoon trip to europe and london is one of my stops and this article/post has been very helpful in narrowing down my list of places to visit. ill have a full day for sightseeing. Im staying at the Novotel Wembley in London. Any advice or recomendation on where i should start my sightseeing?

30th March 2018 at 3:48 pm

Hi Mohamed! Congratulations on your wedding 🙂 The easiest way to get around London is to take public transport, so my suggestion would be to take the tube (also known as the underground) from near your hotel. There are two easy options. First would be to take the Metropolitan line from Wembley Park Station to Aldgate Station, and then walk to the Tower of London. Alternatively, and I think my preferred option, would be to take the Jubilee Line from Wembley Park Station to London Bridge Underground Station, and then walk from there. It’s a prettier walk from the latter.

If you need information on getting around London, I have two posts to help, one on how to use the public transport system in London: https://www.findingtheuniverse.com/guide-public-transport-london/

And one on paying for transport in London: https://www.findingtheuniverse.com/pay-public-transport-london-oyster-contactless-best/

Andrea Heys says

26th March 2018 at 6:34 pm

Wow, This is really helpful, thank you. We are 4 ladies (3 Canadians and 1 Brit) staying around the Gatwick area at the end of April 2018. We have one full day and evening to see everything. We would love to see as much as possible (1 lady can’t walk a long way at a time but can rest for a few minutes and then carry on). The Canadians are leaving it up to me, the Brit (but from the North) to show them around. They want to sight-see and then take in a west end show in the evening. Can you recommend a route that can accommodate not too much walking?

26th March 2018 at 6:44 pm

Hi Andrea – delighted that you found the post useful 🙂 I’ll do my best to help out!

From Gatwick (I’m assuming the airport), my advice would be to take the train into central London – specifically London Bridge. This will put you almost directly across the river from the Tower of London, as well as a number of other great London sights (HMS Belfast, St. Pauls Cathedral & Tower Bridge). So a good place to start.

I’d then suggest after seeing all that you want in that area, that you take the River Bus service from either Tower Pier or London Bridge City Pier, and go to Westminster Pier. It’s pretty cost effective, and is a good way to see London from the water 🙂 Then you’ll be in the heart of Westminster, right next to Westminster Abbey, the Houses of Parliament, the Churchill War Rooms, and whatever else you want to see in that area. You could also do the London Eye quite easily. Then, from Westminster it’s a short walk up Whitehall past 10 Downing St to Trafalgar Square, from where you have your pick of the shows.

Hopefully that all makes sense! I wouldn’t advise doing everything in the comment, obviously pick and choose what you’re interested in. IF you are interested in going in a few of the different attractions, definitely check out the London Pass (linked in the post) to see if the cost savings make it a benefit to you.

Have an amazing time – do pop back and let me know how it went!

29th March 2018 at 3:37 pm

Thank you so much for your reply. I’ll definitely let you know what we chose. This is great information and I heard about the London pass so we’ll check it out. This is a fantastic website that I’ll be recommending to all I know in Canada. Great information about London. Thank you again ?

29th March 2018 at 4:19 pm

My pleasure Andrea – and thanks very much!

Dale Fisher says

25th March 2018 at 2:50 pm

Your itinerary sounds perfect since we are staying for one day. We, husband and two daughters 21 & 23, leave in a few days and I will use your itinerary. We are staying at the London Arch so should I still start my day at the Tower of London? What if I begin at Westminster Pier and take the River Cruise to the Tower? I have pre booked tickets to the Tower of London and Westminster Abbey. I plan to do it all walking. I value any opinions. Thank you!! Dale

25th March 2018 at 3:02 pm

Glad to be of help! It’s really up to you. From Marble Arch, it would probably make the most sense to go in the following order:

Buckingham Palace Westminster Abbey / Houses of Parliament River cruise or walk along south bank to Tower of London Tower of London Then you could either take public transport back or the river cruise again.

Alternatively you could take public transport to the Tower of London, and then the itinerary would finish near Buckingham Palace and be quite close to where you are staying 🙂

25th March 2018 at 3:23 pm

Thank you!! This was extremely helpful! We arrive the day before and have the evening free, any suggestions to make the most of our evening? All the best, Dale

25th March 2018 at 4:08 pm

My pleasure! There are a few options, you could try one of the following;

Take in a West End London Show (there are many to choose from, we know the Lion King is very popular!) Take a ride on the London Eye at sunset or head up the Shard for great views Pop out for a meal or a drink – there are so many dining and drinking options we don’t think you’ll struggle to find somewhere

simon harding says

26th November 2015 at 9:00 am

beautiful photos. especially the one of the routemaster bus. In addition to the 9 shown, one also runs on the 15 (Heritage) route, which takes visitors past many tourist spots (Tower of London, Trafalgar Square, St Paul’s Cathedral etc.) a great way to see London and much cheaper than a tourist bus!

Claudia Luxembourg says

6th August 2015 at 11:43 am

You got it covered! I know London so well that whenever people visit me I take them on my very personal walking tour. I usually start in Covent Garden, walk to Leicester Square and Piccadilly Circus, then head to Trafalgar Square where we stop at the National Gallery. Keep on to Buckingham Palace and then continue to Big Ben, Parliament and Westminster. Then I go to the British Museum too. I taylor it depending on what people are interested in. But it usually works fine. It is an amazing city. I also love Chiswick. Perhaps my fav. part of London!!

Laurence says

7th September 2015 at 9:11 am

That’s one of my favourite routes 😀 I lived in Covent Garden for a couple of years, love that part of town!

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BEST of Milan in One Day (Most Complete Itinerary & Map)

By Author Jurga

Posted on Last updated: June 26, 2024

Are you thinking of visiting Milan for a day and wondering if it’s worth it and what to see and do in Milan in one day ? This guide and suggested 1-day itinerary will help you make the absolute most of your short visit to the city. Find out!

We have been to Italy so many times and visited so many amazing Italian cities . Yet somehow it took me years to finally get to Milan, and it surprised me beyond expectations! Milan is full of some amazing treasures, but you have to make some effort to escape the main tourist routes in order to truly appreciate it…

I have to admit that it wasn’t love at first sight, but if you take the time to look deeper, you will discover that Milan has so much more to offer than it looks on the surface!

Just like many first-time visitors, we only had one day in Milan. But because we visited the city by invitation of in LOMBARDIA regional tourism board and went with amazing local guides, we discovered so much more than just the ‘must-see’ places.

So in this post, I share the best tips and experience-based suggestions on what to see and do in Milan in one day , including all the top sights and tourist attractions, but also a few hidden gems and local areas that will make your visit so much more special. Find out!

Top-3 Milan experiences to book in advance:

• Duomo Cathedral + Rooftops (must-do).
• Da Vinci’s The Last Supper (highly recommended).
• Lake Como Day Trip (if you have an extra day outside the city).

Yes, there are many amazing museums in Milan, nice parks to visit, and lots of stores where you can admire all the latest fashion trends… But unless you have more than one day in Milan, you will probably not want to waste half of your time queuing at a museum or shopping at some of the world’s most expensive boutiques…

So this is my no-nonsense guide to the best things you can see and do in Milan in one day. It’s definitely not a complete guide to Milan – there is no way to see it all in such a short time. However, if it’s your first trip and you want to see the best of Milan in a day , then look no further.

This is the most complete guide that will bring you to some of the nicest places in Milan, not just the main landmarks, but also some modern and trendy areas, as well as some quirky hidden gems. Keep in mind that if you want to do everything from this itinerary in one day, it will be a long busy day, but it’s definitely doable.

Good to know: At the bottom of the post, you can find an overview of this 1-day itinerary , a map featuring all the places mentioned here, as well as the suggested walking route . We also share some practical tips to help you make the best out of your day in Milan.

TIP: If you are visiting Milan for just a day and want to make the most of your visit, you may want to consider taking a walking tour with a local guide. This is one of the most complete and best-rated city tours that covers the main, must-see attractions in about 3 hours.

Based on our experience, here’s what I recommend to see and do in Milan in one day:

Piazza del Duomo & Duomo Terraces

No trip to Milan would be complete without seeing the Cathedral, Duomo di Milano , an impressive gothic masterpiece that took several centuries to complete. To many, seeing the Duomo is the main and only reason to visit Milan.

As you will see in this post, there is so much more to Milan than just its famous cathedral. But yes, it’s the main landmark of the city. So no matter how much (or little) time you have in Milan, Piazza del Duomo is one place you don’t want to miss.

If you are visiting in high season, it will likely be very busy inside the cathedral. Its exterior is just as impressive as the interior, so if you have just one day in Milan, in the past I would have told you to skip it. However, now that they introduced ticketed entry, you can book timed slots for a visit. So if you plan well, you can see both – the interior of the Duomo as well as its rooftops.

No matter which option you choose – the Cathedral and/or the terraces , then be sure to get your tickets in advance . Alternatively, you can also opt for this highly-rated tour that includes skip-the-line tickets . Yes, it costs a bit more, but if you want to get the most out of your day in Milan, then it’s definitely worth it.

Must-see! Whether you visit the cathedral itself or not, make sure not to miss  Duomo’s Terraces . With its 135 towers and spires and over 2000 decorative marble statues, the rooftops of Duomo are a sight to behold.

The views from the top are amazing! Not only do you have Piazza del Duomo and the whole of Milan under your feet, but you can even see the mountains in the distance. But the most impressive sight is the close-up of the towers of the Cathedral that you can explore via a system of interconnecting stairways on the roof.

There are two ways to get to the rooftops of Duomo – by staircase or by elevator. You can get the tickets for either of the two options here . The price difference isn’t big and the elevator will save you some time and energy. We took the elevator.

TIP:   Beat the crowds and visit Piazza del Duomo first thing in the morning . It’s also the only time to get some pictures of the Cathedral without the crowds. The terraces are open from 9 AM every day. In November, we could just go in without any queue. However, it is much busier in the high season, so make sure to book your tickets in advance and arrive really early .

I recommend coming no later than 7.30-8 AM. That way, you also have some time to walk around the Duomo Square as well as Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II before the groups flood the place.

Insider tip: One of the nicest views of the Duomo can be found on the 7th floor of La Rinascente shopping center. There are several restaurants and cafes here, and you can enjoy a meal or a quick coffee with Duomo rooftops as the most magnificent backdrop.

Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II

Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II , Italy’s oldest and probably the most exquisite shopping mall, is a major landmark you have to tick off your list when visiting Milan. The impressive 19th-century glass-topped gallery has always been a place to see and to be seen, the meeting point for the Milanese bourgeoisie.

Inside you’ll find several cafes and restaurants, some as old as the gallery itself. As you drink your morning coffee at Biffi or Savini, try to let it sink in that these restaurants have been here since 1867 – more than 150 years. Who knows, maybe you’re sitting at the same table as Verdi, Puccini, Charlie Chaplin or Frank Sinatra…

Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II is a busy shopping arcade where you’ll also find some of the most expensive fashion boutiques of the world. Brands like Louis Vuitton or Prada have their flagship stores here, all with the same elegant black billboards and golden letters – obligatory uniform standard for any business in this gallery.

However, unless you just won the lottery, I’d leave the pleasures of shopping for another time. Also, you don’t want to waste too much time if you have just a day in Milan. Instead, admire the beautiful building, stunning detailed mosaics on the floors, and maybe have some tea or coffee – just to be able to see one of the historic restaurants.

TIP: Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II is just next to the Duomo and doesn’t require more than 5-10 minutes of your time. So if you can try to visit the gallery before you head to the Duomo and the Terraces.

In the morning you can have the whole gallery to yourself, whereas during the day you’ll have to squeeze your way between the tour guides with their umbrellas, inevitable selfie sticks, and impatient locals trying to make their way through the crowds…

Insider tip: Since recently, it’s also possible to visit the rooftops of Galleria Vittorio Emanuelle. However, based on the reviews, I think it’s ok to skip it if you only have one day in Milan.

La Scala Opera

As you walk from Piazza del Duomo all the way to the northern end of the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, you’ll arrive at the smaller town square, Piazza della Scala . This square with the statue of Leonardo da Vinci in the middle is a bit underwhelming, especially compared to the beautiful places you just came from. The main reason to be here is Teatro all Scala.

Dating back to 1778, Teatro alla Scala , aka the ‘Temple of Opera’, is one of the most famous theatres in the world. It may not look like much on the outside, but its interior is very impressive; its history – even more. Some of the most famous operas and composers are linked to La Scala, including Gioachino Rossini and Giuseppe Verdi to name just a few.

I’m not really sure what to recommend to you in terms of visiting La Scala, especially if you only have a day in Milan. There were rehearsals on the day when we visited, so we could only see a part of the theatre, watch the stage from a small balcony through a glass window, and visit the tiny La Scala museum.

Due to rehearsals, no pictures were allowed inside the theatre. It was interesting and another box ticked, but at the same time, it was a bit disappointing not to be able to visit the theatre properly and see it in all its glory.

There are official guided tours of the theatre and the museum on some afternoons. By that time, there are no rehearsals and you can actually admire the theatre. So if La Scala is on your bucket list, you may have to plan your day in Milan differently and make sure it works for your itinerary (more information and tickets here ). In that case, make sure to book in advance as La Scala is one of the most popular places to visit in Milan.

It is also possible to visit La Scala with an organized tour with a local guide: at 1 pm or at 2.30 pm . There are also tours that visit several landmarks in Milan including the theater, e.g. this tour visits the Duomo and La Scala .

Insider tip:  If you have just one day and don’t want to adjust your whole Milan itinerary just to be able to see La Scala, you can also try to get tickets for the opera itself (you can find the opera calendar here ). Seeing an opera at La Scala must be one of the most amazing experiences you can have in Milan!

Brera & Braidense National Library

One of the nicest neighborhoods in central Milan, Brera used to be an artsy, bohemian district. Nowadays it’s a more upscale part of town with a good mix of history, modern design, fashion, countless shopping, and dining options.

With lively cafes and restaurants, Brera comes to life in the evening. But if you want to see and do everything I recommend in this one day Milan itinerary, you’ll likely find yourself in Brera around noon.

With a variety of restaurants, you will have no difficulties finding a good place for lunch in Brera. Alternatively, wait just a bit longer – I have a really nice recommendation for lunch a bit further down the road.

Not to be missed is the Brera Academy which shares the same building with Pinacoteca di Brera, Milan’s largest museum of art, astronomical observatory, and  Braidense National Library .

Insider tip:  If you have just one day in Milan, you won’t have much time for the museum, observatory, or the adjacent botanical gardens, however a visit to Braidense library doesn’t require more than a few minutes, so don’t miss it. This 18th-century library is one of the most beautiful libraries in Italy, a real hidden gem in Milan.

The library is open daily except on Sundays (more info here ) and the entrance is free. Keep in mind that as a visitor you can only see the main room and you are not allowed to take close-up pictures of the books.

After visiting the library, stroll the streets of Brera in the direction of Sempione Park, your next destination not to be missed in Milan. On the way, pass Piazza Carmine with the 15th century Santa Maria del Carmine Church.

Sforzesco Castle & Sempione Park

Castello Sforzesco is a huge castle built on the remains of a 14th-century fortification. To tell you the truth, I never even heard of this castle before my visit to Milan, yet it’s a very impressive citadel, and definitely worth a visit.

Sforzesco castle now houses several art museums and another beautiful library. However, you would need at least half a day to visit even a small part of it. If you want to visit inside, you can find more information and book your ticket here .

Even if you only have one day in Milan, you can stroll through the grounds of the castle, admire the beautiful fountain, Fontana di Piazza Castello , and maybe even venture to the adjacent Sempione park.

One of the main landmarks of the park is Arco della Pace, Arch of Peace. It looks very much like Arc de Triomphe in Paris. So if you have the time, you can walk to it. Alternatively, take your time to explore the grounds of the castle a bit more.

Insider tip: Have lunch with a view at  Triennale Design Cafe . It’s located on the top floor of the modern Italian design museum  La Triennale di Milano .

You won’t find many tourists here, the food is really good, and the views are well worth a short walk from Castello Sforzesco.

The Last Supper or…

At this point, you have seen the main highlights of the old city, so it’s  time to decide where you want to spend the remaining half a day in Milan!

If you rather stick to the traditional landmarks of Milan, you could now head to Cenacolo Vinciano, where you can see one of the most famous paintings in the world, The Last Supper by Leonardo da Vinci . However, don’t expect to just arrive there and see the painting – the tickets are sold out months and months in advance. You can check availability for your travel dates here .

Alternatively, book one of the guided tours that include skip-the-line tickets for Leonardo’s The Last Supper . The organizing companies pre-book tickets in advance and therefore have much more availability even on short notice.

TIP: Take a look if there is any availability for this great and highly-rated 3-hr Milan walking tour with a local . It includes the Duomo Rooftop visit and the Last Supper tickets. If you have just one day in Milan, this tour is a great way to get to learn more about the city with a local guide.

We love tours with TakeWalks and try to do at least one in every city we visit. They are always amazing and always offer something unique. The only problem is that their Last Supper tour only runs a few times a week, so it might not always fit into your itinerary… In that case, see if you can do one of their tours in other cities in Italy – highly recommended!

Afterwards, you can continue with the last step of my suggested Milan one day itinerary and visit Milan Canals (see below). If you still rather stick to the old town, you can visit one more museum (pick one from all the places mentioned above) or visit a really special church.

In that case, I recommend San Bernardino alle Ossa , best known for its bone chapel. In fact, if you want to visit this chapel, you should probably go there right after you visit the Duomo – it’s in the same area and will save you quite some walking.

… or Porta Nuova District

If you want to get to know different facets of Milan, I recommend that you spend the afternoon far from the main tourist areas. I loved seeing this other side of Milan! It was such an eye-opening experience that made me realize how little I knew of this fascinating city and how diverse it actually is. There is so much more to Milan than the Duomo and the old town. Read on!

Porta Nuova district is a brand new upcoming area in Milan. If you feel fit enough you can get there on foot, walking via Sempione Park (1,5-2km, 20-30min walk from Sforzesco Castle). Alternatively, take a metro to Garibaldi FS station.

If you walk, you’ll pass Porta Garibaldi and walk Corso Como – a nice fashionable area with shops, bars, and restaurants. 10 Corso Como Café is apparently one of the most sought-after restaurants in Milan, but based on the reviews and the prices I’m not sure I’d recommend eating there.

Maybe just stop for a drink or a quick look inside. It’s a really nice place, one of those tiny hidden gems of Milan that you would just pass without noticing, so take a look inside the hidden passage leading towards the restaurant.

Just a few blocks further you’ll come to Piazza Gae Aulenti . It’s a new modern area surrounded by glass skyscrapers and some stunning samples of modern architecture.

It’s really hard to believe that this is the same Milan you visited just an hour ago! It feels as if you’re in some huge city in Asia or in the Middle East…

In fact, Milan Unicredit Tower was designed by César Pelli, the same architect who built the famous Petronas Towers in Kuala Lumpur and many other famous skyscrapers all over the world.

Take a walk through this new modern district of Milan. There are so many fine pieces of modern architecture!

One of the new landmarks of Milan, Stefano Boeri’s Bosco Verticale , won several awards including the  International Highrise Award (2014) and the Best Tall Building Worldwide (2015). The so-called Vertical Forest is a very innovative type of sustainable residential buildings that will impress even if you know nothing about modern architecture.

The whole Porta Nuova district is really unique and well worth seeing, even if you only have one day in Milan. This is a very different part of the city than the old center. But it gives you a much better image of what Milan is truly about.

City Life Area

Another brand new place to be in Milan is the City Life  residential area. With a new shopping center, cinema, restaurants, kids’ playgrounds, and lots of residential buildings this is probably more a place for the locals or those who are staying in Milan for a few days.

We managed to squeeze a short visit here during our day in Milan, but if you are running out of time, you can probably skip this area. On the other hand, it’s here that you find local modern Milan at its best…

The main highlight for me was the colorful modern sculpture by Pascale Marthine Tayou. It’s called Coloris and is located just near the Tre Torri area. If you like modern art and unusual places, then you may want to check it out.

To get here, you have to take a metro to Tre Torri station.

Navigli – Canals of Milan

Did you know that Milan has canals?! I had no idea!

The Navigli neighborhood, famous for the Naviglio Grande and Naviglio Pavese canals is one of the areas you really have to see in Milan, even if visiting for just a day. It has such a nice vibe and is probably my favorite of all the places that we visited in Milan.

We kept the best for last and visited Milan Canals in the evening. With picturesque canals surrounded by colorful buildings, lots of restaurants and bars, as well as small boutiques and art stores, Navigli is bound to become one of the main attractions in Milan. The whole area has a very cozy local feel and it’s a great lively place to be no matter the season.

Stroll along the canals, explore them by boat, get a drink at one of the many outdoor terraces, or have dinner at one of the local restaurants… Dinner suggestion – try risotto alla Milanese con midollo – a traditional local dish in Lombardy region.

Navigli is a wonderful place to end your day in Milan and fall in love with the city. It will leave you wondering why you came to Milan for just one day and planning another trip very soon…

READ ALSO: Traditional Food of Lombardy

One day in Milan – itinerary

Here is my suggested one day Milan itinerary in a nutshell . The times are just for your reference, based on our experience. We visited in November so it was much less busy than in summer. On the other hand, the days are much longer in summer, so long waiting times are offset by more daylight hours, allowing you to see and do just as much.

Here’s our suggested Milan one day itinerary:

• 7 am. Start with a cup of coffee and a croissant at the Starbucks Reserve Roastery or one of the local cafes in central Milan.
• From there it’s just a short walk to Plazza del Duomo and Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II – explore both before the crowds come in.
• 9 am. Visit Duomo Terraces and potentially also the Cathedral itself (get the tickets for the terraces or for the Cathedral + terraces in advance and note that in high season you may need to stand in line well before it opens).
• Time for another coffee – try one of the historic cafés in Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II.
• 10.30 am. A quick visit to La Scala .
• Brera & Braidense National Library .
• Stroll through the grounds of Sforzesco castle .
• 12.30 pm. Lunch at Triennale Design Cafe (alternatively have lunch in Brera before heading to Sforzesco castle).
• 2 pm. Head to Porta Nuova district OR go and see Leonardo’s The Last Supper ( pre-booking is mandatory!). We took a metro to Porta Nuova, but the walk isn’t far either.
• City Life area (not a must if you are short on time).
• 4-5 pm.  Navigli – Canals of Milan. You’ll need to take a metro to get here. This is a nice area to have dinner as well.

Below, you can find a map of this 1-day Milan itinerary and practical tips for your visit. Read on!

Walking map

The old city center of Milan is not very big, so you can see and do quite a lot in one day. On the other hand, some great neighborhoods are a bit further away, off the beaten tourist tracks.

The good news is that Milan’s public transport network is cheap, easy, and efficient, so it makes it possible to venture out a bit outside the main tourist areas and see different facets of the city, even if you only have one day in Milan.

To help you plan your day in Milan, I created this map with a suggested walking route to give you a better idea of where all these places are located and how to best plan your time.

How to use this map:  Use your computer mouse (or fingers) to zoom in or out. Click on the icons to get more information about each place. Click the arrow on the top left corner for the index. Click the star next to the map’s title to add it to your Google Maps account. To view the saved map on your smartphone or PC, open Google Maps, click the menu and go to ‘Your Places’/’Maps’. If you want to print the map or see it in a bigger window, click on ‘View larger map’ in the top right corner.

Where to stay

If you can, stay close to the city center , but more importantly close to a metro station. I recommend staying for at least 2 nights, so you have one full day to see the best of Milan.

Keep in mind that accommodation in Milan is very expensive (and not just by Italy’s standards). So the sooner you book, the more choice you have, and the better the price you pay.

Here are some of the most popular hotels in the city center for all budgets:

• €€€€€+ NH Collection Milano President
• €€€€€ Room Mate Giulia
• €€€€ The Corner Duomo
• €€€ Worldhotel Cristoforo Colombo
• €€ WorldHotel Casati 18
• € Hotel Nettuno

TIP: Using the map below, you can compare hotels and accommodations in Milan. Simply insert your travel dates and group size, and you’ll see the best deals for your stay. Check it out!

Practical tips for visiting Milan

• Use public transport . The 24-hour ticket cost us just a few euros and made it possible to explore so many different areas of Milan in a day.
• If you are arriving in Milan by plane, you should know that the airports are located quite far from the city center. Here you can book airport transfers from Malpensa airport , and here – Linate airport transfers .
• Milan is one of the busiest tourist destinations in Italy, so try to book all your tours and tickets in advance . It will save you lots of time and frustration. We personally use and recommend the Get Your Guide website for ticket/tour bookings because they have the best customer service and the most flexible cancelation policy.
• Pack  comfortable walking shoes  – you will be walking a lot.
• If you can, visit Milan in the lower season . It was lovely and not busy at all when we visited in November – perfect for sightseeing. Here you can find more information on what it’s like to visit Italy in November .
• Don’t just go to Milan for a day and leave without exploring the nearby lakes – you’d be missing so much. Lake Como is less than an hour by train and is a perfect day trip from Milan . Don’t miss Bellagio , Varenna , and Como town ! Also Lake Garda is less than 2hrs away from Milan. The lakes are well worth it to be included in any Italian itinerary; also charming and quiet if traveling off-season.

READ ALSO: Lake Como Travel Tips & Useful Info & Best Things to Do in Lake Como

One day in Milan is just enough to scratch the surface and get a taste of the city. I am confident that this suggested itinerary will help you get a good idea of what Milan is all about and will make you want to come back for a longer stay next time. We’re definitely going back for more!

As I’m updating this article, I have to add that we did in fact return to Milan to explore it further. Below, you can find our guide to all the top spots in the city. Check it out!

READ ALSO: Best Things to Do in Milan

Disclosure: I visited Milan with the Lombardy tourism board, but as always all opinions are my own. This is the most complete one day Milano itinerary you can find. It is 100% based on my personal experience visiting all the best places in Milan in one day, following the best recommendations by the locals.

More tips for your trip to Italy:

• Where to go: Best Places to See in Italy
• What to eat & where: Authentic Italian Food by Region
• Rome: Best Things to Do in Rome &  Tips for Visiting Rome & Where to Stay in Rome
• Venice: Best Things to Do in Venice & Tips for Venice Gondola & 1 Day Venice Itinerary
• Verona: Best Things to Do in Verona
• Tuscany:  Best Towns in Tuscany  &  Tuscany Itinerary
• Florence: Best Things to Do in Florence & Florence 1-day Itinerary
• Siena: Best Things to Do in Siena & Siena Cathedral
• Amalfi Coast:   Capri Island  &  Amalfi Coast Itinerary & Where to Stay on Amalfi Coast
• Naples: Best Things to Do in Naples & Best Day Trips from Naples & 1 Day in Naples
• Cinque Terre: One Day in Cinque Terre & Cinque Terre Travel Tips
• Off the beaten path:  Emilia Romagna & Trentino
• Bucket list: San Marino & Best Places in the Dolomites
• Hiking:   Best Hikes in the Dolomites & Val di Fumo
• … for more destinations and detailed guides, please see our Italy travel guide .

If you found this post helpful, don’t forget to bookmark it and share it with your friends. Are you on Pinterest? Pin this image!

European cities – itinerary suggestions for the first visit:

• 1 day in Amsterdam
• 1 day in Barcelona
• 1 day in Paris
• 1 day in Madrid
• 1 day in Lisbon
• 1 day in Edinburgh
• 1 day in Glasgow
• 1 day in Manchester
• 1 day in Liverpool
• 1 day in Reykjavik
• 1 day in Rome
• 1 day in Salzburg
• 2 days in London
• 2 days in Rome
• 2 days in Amsterdam
• 2 days in Barcelona
• 2 days in Salzburg
• 2-3 days in Krakow
• 3 days in Amsterdam
• 4 days in Rome
• 4 days in Paris
• 4 days in Amsterdam
• … for more places, please see our  destinations guide .

READ ALSO: How to Plan a Perfect Trip to Europe

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Thursday 25th of May 2023

Hi Jurga, I'm travelling with a friend and we just found your blog in time for Milan. We decided to pay out for the Duomo, the Terraces, and Museum and were blown away - Excellent suggestion. Nothing else could top that. We followed several other suggestions and were not disappointed. Thanks for sharing your travels. Now I have to check your blog for Lyon and Paris.

Saturday 27th of May 2023

Glad to help, Helen. You can find quite some info about Paris on our blog, indeed, but not Lyon. I especially recommend that you check our 4-day Paris itinerary as it has a lot of useful info about so many amazing sites. Even if you have less (or more) time, you'll find plenty of tips that you can use. Have a great trip!

Sunday 14th of May 2023

Hello Jurga Thank you for all this info. We will be in Milan in late Sept this year we fly in in the afternoon and hope to go to lake como by train the next day. We would also like to travel to Cinque Terre before coming back to Milan for our last night. Very busy end of holiday trip do you think we can manage it in the short time (4 nights). Thanks again

Monday 15th of May 2023

Hi Vicki, I guess it is possible, but you will need to plan really well. Plus, you won't see much of each area, just a few of the highlights at best. Traveling by train from Milan to Lake Como is easy, but then Cinque Terre is completely the other way and - by train - it's 6-7 hours trip between the two. So you'll spend so much time traveling around and not much time sightseeing. Just an idea - if you absolutely want to see both areas. Stay in Milan so that you don't have to pack/unpack and change hotels. Explore some of the city on the day when you arrive and then take a day trip to Lake Como (with a tour or by train+boat) on one day and a day trip to Cinque Terre (with a tour to make the most of your day) on the next day. You'll probably see more that way and it will be a bit more relaxing. Otherwise, skip Cinque Terre and stay in Lake Como longer. Have a great trip!

Gayoung Lee

Thursday 28th of April 2022

Hi, Thank you so much for your information. I am going on the 10th of May. So, it is much help. After visiting here, I will share my experience.

Friday 29th of April 2022

Have a great time in Milan! And yes, feel free to come back to our blog after your trip and share how it went - it can help other readers too.

Monday 11th of January 2021

Thank you, Madam ! Milan - very sophisticated but very romantic too !

Thursday 14th of January 2021

Yes, indeed, Milan is a very unique city in Italy. Truly one of a kind.

Tuesday 28th of January 2020

Hi Jurga, Thanks for the great tips and recommendations. I'll be visitng Milan in March and hoping to go to all mentioned places. Just for clarification, is it better to go around with a guider or just go free and easy on my own?

Hi Asyraf, you don't really need a guide if you follow this itinerary. However, you should get the tickets for Duomo terraces in advance, but you don't need a guided tour if you don't want to. If you are planning to see 'The Last Supper' painting, then it's also essential to book in advance. IF you want a tour guide to show you around the most important places, check out this guided tour. It takes about 3 hours and covers all the main highlights. You can then afterwards explore the city further on your own. It's really up to you how to visit Milan and a lot depends on your interests, time, and budget. Hope this helps. Enjoy your trip!

One Day in a City

24 Hour Travel Itineraries to Make the Most of a Day in a Destination

Welcome to One Day in a City!

Short on time? You can still have an amazing, memorable vacation filled with top sites, good eats, and local culture. We’re here to help with the best 24-hour itineraries for destinations all around the world.

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One Day in New York

Make the most of your trip to new york.

Yes! You’re finally going to New York City. The only problem is that you have only one day to cover all the most famous New York attractions. To begin with, that is nowhere near possible, but we have come up with a suggested itinerary that will allow you to get a great overview of the city and help you guide your way through the concrete jungle. Our one day in New York itinerary covers the most important places, landmarks, and buildings as well as bars and restaurants recommended by locals. This combination will help you to spend 24 perfect hours in New York City.

Table of Contents

One Day in New York City Itinerary

One day in new york: morning.

8 am Make sure to get up early to make the most out of your New York trip and start your day with a delicious breakfast. Our one-day New York Itinerary starts in Uptown Manhattan, and there we recommend going to “Jacob’s Pickles” and enjoying delicious pancakes on the Upper West Side .

10 am Head towards Central Park to experience the green lungs of Manhattan. Depending on where your accommodation is located, you can also check out our list of amazing breakfast and brunch spots to find the location nearest to you. To see as much of Central Park as possible, pick up a Citi Bike and cruise around to see the beauty of the park. To find out how Citi Bike New York works, click here .

Noon Get ready for busy streets because now it’s time to hit the most famous New York attractions! Drop off your Citi Bike at Columbus Circle and walk down towards 50th Street to the next highlight of your day in New York: the Rockefeller Center with the observation platform Top of the Rock . We love the view from up here because it gives you a great view of the most iconic building of New York City – the Empire State Building . We recommend you to purchase the tickets for the Top of the Rock in advance in order to skip long waiting lines.

2 pm After that amazing view we’d guess you’re ready for lunch. There are dozens of restaurants in the Rockefeller Center. Our favorite is Bill’s Bar & Burger . If you still have room for dessert don’t miss out on the famous Banana Pudding at Magnolia Bakery which is right by the Rockefeller Center, too.

One Day in New York: Afternoon

3 pm Another thing you cannot miss during one day in New York City is Times Square . More than 50 Million people visit Times Square annually with more than 60 Million passing through its highly frequented subway station “Times Square / 42nd Street”. Approximately 460,000 people, many of them tourists, pass through Times Square on its busiest days. See all the bright and shiny advertisements and take the typical picture everybody has from their last New York trip. For a great view over Times Square go up on the red stairs.

4:30 pm After having seen one of the busiest parts of Manhattan it’s time to take the Subway to Brooklyn to see another top New York City attraction: The famous Brooklyn Bridge ! To get there, take the 2 or 3 train towards Brooklyn and get off at Clark Street. Walking over the Brooklyn Bridge is a must-do when you spend one day in New York City. We particularly love walking over the bridge towards Manhattan, as this gives you amazing views on the Manhattan Skyline.

One Day in New York: Evening

6 pm Back to Manhattan, we recommend walking south towards Wall Street to see the New York Stock Exchange and the Charging Bull – another New York City icon. Our last stop on the itinerary for one day in New York is Ground Zero and the One World Trade Center . It is very special to visit this memorial and can also be quite emotional. You will feel the atmosphere changing when you step on the grounds of where the 9/11 attack happened.

8 pm To finish up on a perfect day in New York we recommend checking out our favorite Mexican restaurant in the city: El Vez . The atmosphere of El Vez is very authentic and the decor adds just to the right touch. When you walk in, you just know that their food has to be good. Well, they do not disappoint! The menu is full of authentic Mexican options along with a well-sorted drink menu that includes their famous margaritas. Make sure to try the Guacamole and the Margaritas!

10 pm In case you aren’t completely exhausted yet after having spent one day in New York, one last thing to do would be going on a rooftop-bar and enjoying the beautiful view before you call it quits! Find our list of the best rooftop-bars in New York here .

General tips and tricks for a perfect day in New York

Getting around.

When you only have one day in New York City you have to be prepared to walk a lot. Wear your most comfortable shoes! To get around easily, download a subway app on your phone. One of our favorites is  “Transit” . It will give you directions and also tell you when the train is coming/if there are delays or re-routes. Another app you will want to download is  Uber . Yellow cabs are always available, but  Uber  is typically cheaper and more efficient. If you want to skip public transportation and cars, you should check out the option of renting a bike for one day in New York City. Citi Bike New York is a great way for you to get around and to see a lot of the city.

Guided Tour

You really want to make the most out of one day in New York and don’t want to miss out on anything in the city that never sleeps? Then we recommend you to take the guided tour for first-time visitors. You will experience New York in one day by boat and bus, see as much as possible and learn everything worth knowing from your guide, who will accompany you all day. The comprehensive tour takes about 5 hours and will help you get a great overview of the city. Afterward, you still have half a day to explore the city on your own!

more Guided Tour details

Enjoy the city

Even though one day in New York is definitely not enough time to see it all – don’t think about your New York trip as a sightseeing marathon. It’s really important to stop, sit down, take a break and breathe! The city is incredible and breath-taking and has its very own vibe. You won’t feel the New York vibe if you’re rushing through the streets. Try to soak it all up: the magic, the energy, and the city lights will give you the true New York feeling.

Have fun in New York!

I'm a true New York fan! Not only have I visited the city over 25 times but also have I spent several months here at a time. On my blog I show you the best and most beautiful spots of the city, so that you have a really good time! You can also find lots of insider tips in our New York travel guide . Also check out my hotel finder for New York !

Hole dir deine wöchentliche Dosis New York mit meinem Loving New York-Newsletter! Er ist vollgestopft mit den neuesten Artikeln, Videos, Erfahrungsberichten und allem, was gerade Interessantes und Wissenswertes im Big Apple passiert.

Ich selbst war über 25x in meiner Lieblingsstadt und möchte dir mit meinen Emails dabei helfen, eine sensationelle Zeit vor Ort zu haben.

Und als BONUS bekommst meine ✔️ "24 Tipps für deine New York-Reise" ✔️ die U-Bahn-Karte und ✔️ die offizielle NYC-Karte zugeschickt. Ganz KOSTENLOS!

Start of your trip: We will remind you with current events when you are in NYC!

New York City   Travel Guide

1-day Itinerary in New York City

• 1-Day Itinerary
• All Things To Do
• 2-Day Itinerary
• 3-Day Itinerary

Central Park Central Park free

This part-park, part-museum, part-concert hall swallows central Manhattan, and many of the city's most notable attractions are situated next to it or within its limits ( the Guggenheim , the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the American Museum of Natural History , to name a few). But travelers insist that you shouldn't just pass through Central Park on your way to another place. This 843-acre green space is a favorite of New Yorkers and tourists; you can come here to exercise, dine, go to the zoo and more.

Almost everyone has a positive impression of the park, but no one has quite the same experience or recommends that you do quite the same thing. There's an almost impossible amount of sights to see here (hidden treasures, indeed), including more than 20 playgrounds, 48 fountains, monuments or sculptures, and 30 bridges. Here's a shortlist:

American Museum of Natural History American Museum of Natural History

Visitors love the American Museum of Natural History off Central Park West. Whether you're exploring the interactive exhibits on the land, the sea or outer space; user reviews take on a common theme. This museum is incredible. Even the cafeteria and gift shop are worth your notice.

There are more than 34 million artifacts inside, spread across four city blocks, 26 buildings and through 45 exhibition halls, so don't plan on seeing everything in one day. The Rose Center for Earth and Space is a particular favorite, but you should also plan on visiting the dinosaurs, the Dorothy and Lewis B. Cullman Hall of the Universe and the Butterfly Conservatory (accessible November through May), which houses nearly 500 butterflies. Local experts say the institution is one of the city's can't-miss museums , especially for families.

Rockefeller Center and Top of the Rock Observation Deck Rockefeller Center and Top of the Rock Observation Deck

This iconic plaza has it all – beautiful sculptures, an enormous skating rink, a fishbowl view of NBC Studios, plus a plethora of stores and restaurants. Though undoubtedly there will be intense crowds, this is an experience that's worth having at least once. During the wintertime holidays, the plaza sparkles with an illuminated Christmas tree and skaters gliding across the ice rink. But don't fret if your New York adventure doesn't take place during the cold months. There's plenty to do year-round. If you plan ahead, you can spend a morning watching a taping of the "Today" show, an afternoon admiring the city from the Top of the Rock Observation Deck and an evening catching a performance at Radio City Music Hall .

Travelers say the Top of the Rock offers some of the best views of Manhattan and say the experience is worth every penny. Visitors recommend booking the Rock Pass ticket that includes a tour of the building and observation deck access.

Times Square Times Square free

Some say that Times Square is like a five-block metaphor for New York City itself – it's exciting, colorful and always jumping. Others describe this area of midtown Manhattan as artless, overpriced and congested. Perhaps this commercial stretch from West 42nd to West 47th streets is a little of both, and though locals would advise you to avoid it, you should at least catch a glimpse of its neon lights.

Most travelers recommend visiting the area after dark to see the marquee displays. Many add checking out Times Square before or after a Broadway show is the perfect time to fit it into your schedule. However, if you're not a fan of crowds, reviewers suggest you avoid this area altogether.

Broadway Broadway

U.S. News Insider Tip: Start your day with a stop at the TKTS booth in Times Square or at the Lincoln Center location to snag discounted same-day tickets for an array of Broadway and off-Broadway shows. – Catriona Kendall, Associate Editor

Some out-of-towners spend their entire New York trip at one show or another on the Broadway circuit. And if you like plays and musicals, this is where you should be: "The Great White Way" represents the heart and soul of American theater. Considering that nearby Times Square is a dizzying maze of sights and sounds with no real starting point, some visitors suggest you can see all you need to of that neighborhood just by trundling back and forth between shows. 

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Travels & Treasures

A Local’s Guide to the Perfect First Day in Chicago

This post may have affiliate links which is used to cover administrative costs at no additional charge to you. I pour my heart into providing quality insights, and your support means the world to me. (Full Disclosure)

What should you do when you only have one day in Chicago?

We’ve written the ideal one-day itinerary for first time visitors who want to see the best of Chicago, and repeat visitors who are looking for something different.

Table of Contents

24 Hours in Chicago for First-Timers

You’ve arrived at your hotel and you’re ready to spend some time sightseeing. Great! We have an itinerary that will give you the best of Chicago’s landmarks with options to see and do more.

Chicago is a big city, so if this is your first time here, you’ll want to see what everyone has been talking about!

8:00 – 10:00 -> Breakfast

Start your day in the city center with breakfast at one of Chicago’s charming spots. If you’re looking for a unique experience, consider grabbing a coffee at Millennium Park before you head to breakfast. This green space is a great place to enjoy the morning.

More Options:

• Meli’s Cafe at 500 S. Dearborn: Wonderful variety of breakfasts items and great food.
• Pittsfield Cafe at 55 E Washington St: budget-friendly menu in a historic building.
• Starbucks Reserve Roastery at 646 Michigan: World’s largest Starbucks and great for a quick but relaxed breakfast.

10:00 – Noon -> Big Bus Chicago Hop On/Hop Off Tour

The best way to see all the main attractions in Chicago is by hopping on the Big Bus Chicago city tour . As you explore the Museum Campus and pass by iconic spots like Willis Tower (formerly known as Sears Tower), you’ll quickly realize why Chicago is one of America’s favorite cities. The tour offers great views of the tallest buildings in the city, including Skydeck Chicago.

Arrive early for your choice of seat on this open top double-decker bus. This 2-hour tour will give you access to all the iconic sights in the city with commentary. Multiple languages are available including French, Italian, and Spanish.

🚌 Find Tickets : Big Bus Tour Chicago for the best Chicago sightseeing experience!

You may be tempted to hop off but stay on for the full tour so that you can see all the top landmarks within a short amount of time.

12:30 PM to 1:30 PM -> Souvenir Shopping

When you return, be sure to stop by the Chicago Cultural Center , it’s a beautiful building that was a former Chicago Public Library. It’s a great spot to experience some of Chicago’s history and architecture.

After your tour, take a short walk to the Magnificent Mile , where you can find some of the best places to get Chicago souvenirs . You can find great deals at any of the following stores:

• Walgreens, 30 N Michigan (near Washington St)
• Chicago Sports & Novelty Store, 332 Michigan Ave
• Bye Bye Chicago, 320 Michigan Ave
• I Love Chicago, 316 Michigan Ave

1:30 PM to 2:30 PM -> Lunch

When it’s time for lunch, you can’t visit Chicago without trying its famous deep-dish pizza. Lou Malnati’s at 410 N Michigan Avenue is the perfect place to indulge in this delicious food. It’s within a 10 minute walk from the first Chicago bus tour stop on Wacker.

Not in the mood for pizza? Chicago has plenty of great options nearby, including eateries along the Chicago Riverwalk . Here are a few more options within a 10-minute walk.

• The Purple Pig, 444 North Michigan Ave
• Nutella Cafe, 189 Michigan Ave
• Broken English Taco Pub, 75 E Lake St

2:30 to 5:00 PM -> Art Institute of Chicago

Head over to the Art Institute of Chicago, one of the largest art museums in the United States. This world-class museum houses masterpieces that art lovers will appreciate. On your way, make sure to stop at Grant Park and snap a photo at Cloud Gate, also known as “The Bean.” This area is a perfect spot for some Instagram-worthy photos.

🖼️ Find Tickets : Art Institute of Chicago fast pass to see European masterpieces!

Visiting the world renowned museum is a must for first-time visitors. The Art Institute of Chicago has an impressive array of masterpieces. Visitors can marvel at iconic works such as Georges Seurat’s pointillist “A Sunday on La Grande Jatte,” Grant Wood’s “American Gothic,” and Edward Hopper’s “Nighthawks.” You will not want to miss the Thorne Rooms.

5:00 PM – 9:00 PM -> Navy Pier

Now, here’s the secret sauce! Get back on the Big Bus (the last bus leaves stop #1 at 5:25 PM) at the Art Institute (stop #3), and head over the Navy Pier (stop #8) for more entertainment.

Navy Pier is a must-see for any Chicago visitor. Not only does it feature a stunning Ferris wheel offering panoramic views of the city and Lake Michigan, but it’s also home to world-class museums like the Chicago Children’s Museum. Consider catching a show at the Chicago Shakespeare Theater or taking a boat tour to enjoy the city skyline from the water. And if you’re up for it, Navy Pier’s fireworks display is a great way to end your evening.

🎡 Find Tickets : Centennial Wheel for 360° views of Chicago and Lake Michigan!

The pier has numerous dining options, from casual eateries to upscale restaurants, many with waterfront views.

Visitors can take sightseeing cruises or dinner cruises from the pier to explore the lakefront. Along the way, you’ll see Chicago’s famous architecture from the Great Lake.

🚢 Find Tickets : Buffet Dinner Cruise with Fireworks on Lake Michigan!

The Chicago Shakespeare Theater offers world-class performances. Seasonal events, live music, and fireworks displays are common.

🎭 Find Tickets : The Yard Chicago Shakespeare Theater at Navy Pier!

The pier also houses shops, gardens, and public art installations.

You’ll have hours of evening entertainment at your fingertips!

If you up for some nightlife, take a pedicab from Navy Pier to Howl at the Moon (26 W. Hubbard St). It’s one of the best bars in River North.

24 Hours in Chicago Off the Beaten Path

For those who’ve already seen the main attractions, we’ve have an itinerary that takes you off the beaten path, showcasing Chicago’s hidden gems and local favorites in the Windy City.

You still won’t need a car in Chicago with this itinerary, the public transportation system will get you to every destination (and we’ll tell you how).

For a classic Chicago breakfast experience that’s beloved by locals, start your day at Lou Mitchell’s in the West Loop, a Chicago institution that’s famous for its hearty breakfasts. It’s a great spot to experience local flavor and history.

This is what makes it special. Located at 565 W Jackson Blvd, Lou Mitchell’s is a Chicago institution that’s been serving hearty breakfasts since 1923. While it’s well-known, it’s often overlooked by tourists in favor of trendier spots, making it a great choice for returning visitors seeking an authentic Chicago experience.

Famous for their fluffy omelets and crispy hash browns, Lou Mitchell’s also offers unique touches like serving complimentary donut holes and Milk Duds to waiting customers.

The diner’s vintage decor and busy atmosphere transport you to mid-20th century Chicago. It’s been visited by numerous politicians and celebrities over the years, earning it the nickname “The First Stop on the Mother Road” due to its location at the start of Historic Route 66.

10:00 – Noon -> Garfield Park Conservatory

This beautiful botanical garden is often overlooked by tourists. It features stunning plant collections in several themed rooms, including the Palm House and the Desert House. It’s free to visit and offers a peaceful start to your day.

The Garfield Park Conservatory is an often-overlooked green space that’s a perfect spot for a peaceful start to your day. You’ll love exploring the beautiful plant collections in this serene setting.

To get there from Lou Mitchell’s, walk north on Clinton St to the Clinton Station to catch the CTA Green line west, exit at the Garfield Park Conservatory station . The conservatory is on the north side of the street and less than a 5-minute walk from the station.

Noon PM to 4:00 PM -> Lunch & Museum

Next, head back on the CTA L at the Conservatory station and travel east towards downtown, then exit at Ashland station. DO NOT leave the platform. You’ll want to cross over to the other side to catch another train.

Instead of the Green line, board the Pink line that is on the north side of the platform and head to the Pilsen neighborhood (18th Street station).

And you can’t visit this neighborhood without visiting one of the best restaurants in the area.

For lunch, head to where you can enjoy authentic Mexican cuisine at 5 Rabanitos Restaurante and Taqueria (1758 W 18th St). Afterward, visit the National Museum of Mexican Art, one of the best things to do in this culturally vibrant neighborhood.

More options:

• Carnitas Uruapan at 1725 W 18th St (a 5-minute walk from the CTA station)
• Taqueria Los Comales at 1544 W 18th St (a 10-minute walk from the CTA station)
• Carnitas Don Pedro at 1113 W 18th St (a 25-minute walk from the CTA station)

From the station, it is a 7-minute walk to the National Museum of Mexican Art, located at 1852 W 19th St. Admission is free.

The museum is a great cultural institution that showcases Mexican, Latino, and Chicano art and culture.

4:00 PM to 9:00 PM -> Fulton Market

Next, we’ll visit a neighborhood that has become Chicago’s trendy culinary and entertainment hotspot.

To get there, board the CTA Pink line at the 18th Street station and head east, then exit at the Morgan station.

Spend your evening in the trendy Fulton Market district, where you’ll find some of Chicago’s hottest spots for dining and entertainment.

Check out Punch Bowl Social for a mix of games, food, and drinks in a lively atmosphere. Punch Bowl Social has a variety of entertainment options under one roof, making it a popular spot for both locals and visitors. This large venue combines dining, drinking, and games in a lively, retro-inspired atmosphere.

The space features multiple areas for different activities. You can enjoy classic bowling lanes, play table games like ping pong, billiards, and shuffleboard, or try your hand at vintage arcade games. For those who enjoy more immersive experiences, there are private karaoke rooms where you can sing your heart out with friends.

The neighborhood is also home to fantastic galleries like Kavi Gupta and Mars Gallery, offering a peek into Chicago’s contemporary art scene.

Fulton Market, once Chicago’s bustling meatpacking district, has evolved into a neighborhood offering unique experiences for travelers to explore for eating and a bit of fun.

If you want to return for more activities, sign up for an escape room experience.

🌱 Find Tickets : Outdoor Escape Room experience in Fulton Market!

Recommendations for Dinner:

• Time Out Market, 916 W Fulton – a large food hall with diverse fare
• Beatrix, 834 W Fulton – a quaint and modern restaurant for dining and drinks
• Velvet Taco, 910 W Randolph – great tacos with rooftop setting
• Shake Shack, 185 N Morgan – excellent burgers and custards
• Punch Bowl, 310 N Green – large complex with eats and entertainment

For those seeking elevated experiences, rooftop bars like Aba or The Hoxton’s Cabra offer stunning skyline views.

Food enthusiasts can sample dishes from acclaimed restaurants and explore the diverse foods available at Time Out Market, a sprawling food hall featuring some of Chicago’s best chefs.

Shopping opportunities abound, with unique boutiques like Maria Pinto for fashion and Morlen Sinoway for design objects.

Final Thoughts on a Chicago Itinerary

Exploring Chicago can be an exhilarating adventure when you have insider knowledge of where to go and what to see. As a local, I created these two itineraries that are easily accomplished in a day, showcasing some of the city’s most unique attractions.

These carefully curated plans will take you to see the best of the city, as well as beyond the typical tourist spots, offering a blend of iconic sights and hidden gems that capture the true essence of Chicago.

Whether you’re a first-time visitor or a returning traveler, these itineraries reveal facets of the city that even some locals might overlook.

Get ready to experience Chicago’s diverse neighborhoods and urban landscape in a way that’s both efficient and unforgettable.

Tanya, a writer and travel expert who has lived in Chicago for over 30 years, is your go-to local expert for Chicago's hidden treasures. Tanya's deep knowledge of various cities and attractions is acquired through personal exploration, making her articles a treasure trove for travelers and families. She has visited 43 of the 50 United States, France, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Japan, and the UK.

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Kamala Harris speaks with union leaders in Detroit on Labor Day

By Sara Powers

Updated on: September 2, 2024 / 5:33 PM EDT / CBS Detroit

(CBS DETROIT)  — Vice President Kamala Harris visited Detroit on Labor Day to speak with labor union leaders and workers.

During the event, Harris touted her record of putting workers first and showed her support for union members throughout her speech.

"For generations in Detroit and across our nation, the brothers and sisters of labor have stood together to righteously demand fair pay, better benefits and safe working conditions," Harris said. "And let me say every person in our nation has benefitted from that work." 

"Everywhere I go I tell people, look, you may not be a union member, you better thank a union member," said Harris. "For the five-day workweek. You better thank a union member for sick leave. You better thank a union member for paid leave. You better thank a union member for vacation time. Because what we know is when union wages go up, everybody's wages go up." 

Harris says her focus is on the future as election day approaches. 

"I'll tell you I think there has been a certain backward thinking approach over the last several years, which is to suggest some that the measure of the strength of a leader is based on who you beat down instead of what we know the true measure of the strength of a leader is based on who you lift up."

Harris said, "But as we fight to move our nation forward, Donald Trump intends to pull us back to the past. But, we're not going back." 

This statement was followed by chants from the crowd saying, "We're not going back." 

After the Labor Day celebration in Detroit, the vice president will travel to Pittsburgh to hold a campaign event with President Joe Biden. 

Harris' running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, will be in Milwaukee for Labor Day, and Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff will be in Newport News, Virginia.  

These stops are all part of a Labor Day blitz in battleground states with the purpose of the visits aimed at "underscoring the importance of American workers and unions to building a strong middle class and growing the economy,"  according to Harris' campaign. 

This comes as the union vote could be decisive in the 2024 election . UAW President Shawn Fain spoke at the Democratic National Convention wearing a red t-shirt that read, "Trump is a scab." 

CBS News Detroit is streaming live coverage of Harris' Monday visit. 

Harris, former president Donald Trump, and their respective running mates have visited Michigan several times in the last few weeks. Last week, Emhoff held a campaign event in Grand Rapids , and Trump spoke in Potterville, where he said he wants to make IVF treatment free for families if he is reelected. 

Mr. Biden will be visiting Michigan on Friday to discuss "how his Investing in America agenda is benefiting communities across Michigan and ensuring Americans have a brighter, more prosperous future," according to his campaign.

• Kamala Harris

Sara Powers is a digital producer for CBS Detroit. A Detroit native, Sara has been covering local topics such as breaking news, politics and entertainment for CBS Detroit since 2021.

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A Day To Remember 2024 North American tour: New dates, presale, venues, & all you need to know

M ulti-platinum Florida rock band A Day To Remember has revealed that they will be hitting the road for their new North American headline tour- Couple More Shows. Their upcoming run will feature a series of performances across the Midwest and East Coast.

The tour will kick off on October 17, 2024, at the Fontainebleau in Las Vegas, Nevada, before eventually wrapping up with two homecoming shows in Florida in November.

A Day To Remember will also be delivering performances at the When We Were Young Festival in Las Vegas on October 19 and 20, 2024.

Following the Las Vegas shows, A Day To Remember will traverse across the country, stopping in cities like Wichita, Kansas, Cincinnati, and Ohio. The tour will feature support from August Burns Red and Stand Atlantic.

Tour dates and venues

The tour will take the band to the following major stops through October and November:

October 17 - Las Vegas, NV - Fontainebleau Las Vegas

October 19 - Las Vegas, NV - When We Were Young Festival

October. 20 - Las Vegas, NV - When We Were Young Festival

October 23 - Wichita, KS - Wave ICT

October 25 - Cincinnati, OH - Andrew J Brady Music Center

October 26 - Moline, IL - Vibrant Arena at The MARK

October 27 - Peoria, IL - Peoria Civic Center

October 29 - Huntington, WV - Marshall Health Network Arena

October 30 - State College, PA - Bryce Jordan Center

November 01 - Portland, ME - Cross Insurance Arena

November 03 - London, ON - Budweiser Gardens

November 04 - Syracuse, NY - Upstate Medical Arena at The Oncenter War Memorial

November 06 - Norfolk, VA - Chartway Arena

November 07 - Savannah, GA - Enmarket Arena

November 09 - Jacksonville, FL - Daily's Place

November 10 - Hollywood, FL - Hard Rock Live

Presale and more ticket information

Tickets for the Couple More Shows tour will be available for pre-sale, starting on Tuesday, August 27, at 12 PM ET. Fans eager to get ahold of the tickets need not fret, for they can do so during this window. The general on-sale begins not long after, on Thursday, August 29, at 10 AM local time. For more information, fans can check out the official website of the band.

The band's last tour, The Least Anticipated Album Tour, allowed them to perform at some of the most renowned venues in the country, including the KIA Forum in Los Angeles and the Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Denver. The tour stands for the band's biggest North American headline run to date.

A Day To Remember releases first single in two years

Apart from the success of their tours, A Day To Remember has also been making strides in their music; most notably with the release of their first single in two years, Feedback . The track was co-produced by Jeremy McKinnon, Drew Fulk (WZRD BLD), and Zakk Cervini. The music video was directed by Jeb Hardwick and earned widespread acclaim in its own right.

Alternative Press lauded the track for its "petrol-torched rock riff," while Kerrang! appreciated its "high-energy." Consequence appreciated the song's "driving guitar," and Revolver declared it the "official road anthem of the summer."

A Day To Remember debuted in 2003 and has since come to earn one platinum album, two gold albums, one platinum single, and four gold singles. Each of their full-length records has hit the number-one spot on the Billboard Rock, Indie, and/or Alternative charts. Their 2016 album Bad Vibrations hit number two on the Billboard Hot 100.

Apart from their record sales and chart-dominating positions, A Day To Remember has generated nearly two billion streams worldwide and sold over three million units.

I spend most of the year traveling, and there's one thing I always try to do on the first day of a trip

• I travel around the world at least two weeks a month, and food tours never get old.
• They are a great way to see the city, try new dishes , and learn about the destination.
• I always book the tour on my first day in town to give me ideas for the rest of the trip.

I love to travel. Luckily, between work and personal trips, I'm on the road for about two weeks of each month.

I've had the opportunity to visit multiple destinations in Europe , Asia, and the United States, and there's one activity I try to book everywhere I go: a food tour.

The tours, which usually cost around $100 or $150 a person, may seem gimmicky. But I think they're an incredible way to see major sites, try new foods, and learn about a city.

Even if you don't consider yourself to be a foodie, here's why I think you should book a food tour on your next vacation .

Food tours are a nice way to kick off a trip

I tend to book food tours on my first day in town because the guides are often gold mines of information about the city.

It's also a nice way to keep jet lag at bay on international trips since the tours are active and help me adjust to the local meal schedules.

Instead of ordering one dish at a restaurant, I can try a variety of delicacies

Most of the tours I've booked include four to six stops, and each place showcases something different.

On a recent tour in Reykjavik, Iceland , I tried fermented shark and the iconic Icelandic hotdogs, which are topped with three different sauces, raw onions, and fried onions.

In Savannah, Georgia , I tried everything from fried pork chops to a scoop of ice cream from the local parlor.

While sampling in Budapest, Hungary, I munched on multiple types of strudel plus a sharable charcuterie board filled with local meats and cheeses.

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Even if I ate out at a nice restaurant for every meal (which would be much more expensive), I don't think I'd get such a broad taste of the local cuisine.

The tours usually give a glimpse into the city's history

The best food tours I've been on weren't just about the food — the guides also made sure to give a glimpse into the destination's history.

For example, in Budapest, our guide shared a bit about World War II and its impact on the city. And on a tour in Savannah, I learned a lot about the history of the South and its role in the Civil War.

To me, that's like combining a museum with a meal, so I'm maximizing my time on a trip .

Walking between destinations helps me get a lay of the land

Learning a new-to-you city can be a challenge. I like that all of the food tours I've booked have been walking tours (as opposed to using buses or trolleys).

They give me a chance to explore the streets on foot and ask the guides about the easiest ways to get around .

In Budapest, my guide even gave me a few spare tram tickets. And in Reykjavik, we helpfully learned that the city's famous Rainbow Road is never too far away from anything — making it a great North Star.

I already think food tours are a good value, but it's also easy to find discounts

I genuinely think $100 or so for multiple dishes, a history lesson, and a tour of a city is a pretty great deal. But I'm still always looking for ways to save money on vacations.

It's easy to skim through different food-tour options on platforms like TripAdvisor or Viator, but I've found better prices by booking directly with the company.

I also always scour social media for discounts. In Reykjavik, I found an active 10%-off code on Facebook.

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7 Labor Day Trip Tips for Those Traveling with a Loved One with Dementia

(August 28, 2024) — If you are one of the many people taking an end-of-summer getaway this Labor Day weekend, there are special steps you should take if you are also traveling with someone who has dementia. The Alzheimer’s Foundation of America (AFA) is offering 7 tips to help caregivers traveling with a loved one with a dementia-related illness make their trip as smooth as possible.  “One last summer trip on Labor Day weekend can mean dealing with heavy traffic and packed airports, challenges which become even greater if you’re traveling with someone who has dementia,” said Jennifer Reeder, LCSW, AFA’s Director of Educational and Social Services. “Whether it’s a quick road trip or flying far away, there are preparations and adaptations caregivers should make to help their loved ones with dementia feel more comfortable and relaxed while traveling.” AFA recommends taking the following 7 steps: •  Simplify the itinerary.  Keep the travel schedule simple. Avoid tight connections or multiple stops if possible. Resist the urge to plan a trip with too many sights, destinations, and attractions. Focus on creating quality time, rather than on the quantity of activities.  •  Plan around the person’s abilities and routine. Incorporate the person, their abilities, and needs into the arrangements; if they travel better at a specific time of day, consider planning accordingly. Small changes can feel overwhelming and stressful to someone with dementia, so to the greatest extent possible, preserve the person’s routine. For example, if they normally eat around a certain time, build that into the itinerary. Choose the travel mode and scheduling that causes the least amount of anxiety and stress possible. •  Stock up before leaving.  Bring snacks, water, activities and other comfort items (i.e., a blanket or the person’s favorite sweater). Include an extra, comfortable set of clothing appropriate for differences and changes in climate. Take important health and legal-related documentation, a list of current medications, and physician information with you. Ensure that the person with dementia wears an ID bracelet with your contact information. If traveling by mass transit: •  Know the security procedures.  Inquire in advance with airports/train stations about security screening procedures. This way, you can familiarize the person beforehand with what will happen at the checkpoint, thus reducing potential anxiety. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) offers assistance with the screening process to air travelers with certain medical conditions, including dementia-related illnesses; contact their TSA Cares Helpline at least 72 hours prior to your flight to learn more. •  Advise the airline.  Let the airline know that you are traveling with someone who has memory impairment and inform them of safety concerns and special needs. •  Find a quiet space.  Some airports have designated quiet areas or rooms for individuals living with dementia, providing a more peaceful space away from the crowds and noise. If traveling by car: •  Build in break time.  Take regular breaks on road trips for food, bathroom visits, and rest. Families with questions about traveling with someone who has a dementia-related illness can speak with a licensed social worker through the AFA Helpline by phone (866-232-8484), text message (646-586-5283), or webchat ( www.alzfdn.org ). The helpline is available seven days a week.

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2024 Tour Championship leaderboard: Scottie Scheffler claims FedEx Cup payout with seventh win of season

Scheffler concluded an all-time campaign with the biggest money-earning victory of his career.

The final event of the 2024 PGA Tour season, the Tour Championship at East Lake Golf Club, was emblematic of the season as a whole. Everyone in the field attempted to catch Scottie Scheffler, and for a brief moment, a few even thought they might. Still, in the end, Scheffler slammed the door on their dreams, waltzed to yet another victory and claimed a $25 million bonus out of the $100 million FedExCup payout pool to go along with it.

Scheffler on Sunday became the first golfer since Tiger Woods in 2007 to win seven PGA Tour events in a single season. Only those two and Vijay Singh have won 7+ tournaments in the same campaign since 1983. Scheffler's scoring average of the 68 over the course of the season marked the lowest in Tour history.

It started going sideways for Scheffler, who took a five-shot lead into the Tour Championship finale, on the seventh hole when he nearly roped a drive out of bounds. The ball nestled up next to a tree, and Scheffler made bogey from there. Another bogey followed on the par-4 eighth hole when he shanked a bunker shot sideways and backwards from where he was aiming. Collin Morikawa birdied that same hole to cut the lead to two as everybody watching leaned forward in anticipation.

Then Scheffler birdied three straight holes to put a wrap on the 2024 FedEx Cup. He concluded his day with a 4-under 67 to finish at 30 under for the tournament and claim his first FedEx Cup trophy. The win brings his season-long total money earned to an astounding $62,228,357.

"I was a bit frustrated. I had a pretty simple up and down there," Scheffler said of the shank. "Outside of the ball being on the side slope, it's pretty basic. ... It definitely happened at the wrong time, [but] from there on out, I did some pretty nice stuff."

Scheffler claiming the FedEx Cup after already winning a Masters green jacket and Olympic gold medal -- along with his multiple victories in signature events -- is an extraordinary feat, but the way in which he came through Sunday deserves further perspective.

He reached a moment on Sunday when memories of blowing a six-shot lead in the final round of the 2022 Tour Championship could have crept into his mind and affected his play; instead, he went the other way, blowing open the tournament and destroying the rest of the best golfers in the world.

Scheffler is great because he's a huge talent who works extremely hard, but now he's bordering on legendary with 15 wins in the last 32 months and $125 million earned. He exists at a level mentally that few have ever reached. 

That was the story of his season. Over and again, Scheffler spoke about how much pride he took in his ability to stay focused and reset mentally. It's one thing to say as much but quite another to hit a shank with $25 million on the line and get back after it immediately. That's what Scheffler achieved, and few endings have more appropriately summed up the overall narrative season than the conclusion of the Tour Championship.

Winning the FedEx Cup is not Scheffler's most notable achievement in a career full of them, but it is the one most emblematic of the player Scheffler has become and why he is far and away the best golfer in the world. Grade: A+

Here are the rest of our grades for the 2024 Tour Championship.

2. Collin Morikawa (-26): It was such a great effort from Morikawa, who seemed incredibly freed up from the back nine in his first round onward. There is a strange argument to make that Morikawa had the best season of his career despite not officially winning a PGA Tour event. He did end up winning an OWGR event by taking the fewest number of strokes at the Tour Championship, but he did not claim an official PGA Tour event because of the starting stroke differential between him and Scheffler to open the tournament. Regardless, I'm bullish on him in 2025 to have some win luck swing back in his favor. Grade: A

3. Sahith Theegala (-24): What a wild game. Theegala called a penalty on himself Saturday in the third round that cost him two strokes, and ultimately, $2.5 million. He would have finished tied for second alongside Morikawa with those two shots back and would have won the OWGR event. That's an unfortunate part of the deal, but it would not have deterred Theegala's decision. He was lights out on the weekend playing his last 27 holes in 13 under par. He's also going to be electric at the Presidents Cup. Grade: A

T4. Xander Schauffele (-19): The clear-cut second-best player in 2024 did not play like that at the Tour Championship until the end. Schauffele was the only golfer who could, with a straight face, say that he was even close to Scheffler's universe in 2024. Unfortunately, he stumbled a bit over the first few days at a golf course where he has historically played spectacularly. After starting two back of Scheffler, Schauffele finished 11 back of him on Sunday. Three birdies at the end of his final round, though, made up for it a bit as he earned $3 million more than he would have with three pars. That included a wild chip in at the final hole to complete the birdie streak. Grade: B+

T9. Rory McIlroy (-16): It was a weird final stretch of the season for the normally consistent McIlroy. He was quite volatile after the U.S. Open and did not do much at this event until a final round 66 on Sunday. It was still a nice year but not what McIlroy expects. It speaks to his outrageous ceiling that finishing T9 in the FedEx Cup is his second worst finish of the last seven years. "It's been a long season, and I'm going to just have to think about trying to build in a few extra breaks here and there next year and going forward because I felt like I hit a bit of a wall sort of post-U.S. Open, and still feel a little bit of that hangover," he said.  Grade: B

T14. Justin Thomas (-14 ): Jumped from nearly last to middle of the pack with a good Tour Championship. His performance probably gets him onto the Presidents Cup team, and it was representative of the grind-it-out season he put together. Nothing amazing, but he's slowly building back into the player he's been for the majority of his PGA Tour career. In a somewhat under-the-radar way, too. Grade: B+

T21. Keegan Bradley (-8): It's not a bad showing given the spot Bradley was in a few weeks ago when he narrowly made it to the BMW Championship. However, given that he started the week at 6 under and could only manage to get to 8 under by the end of the week, that's nevertheless a huge disappointment. To provide better context, Bradley started in the spot that receives $6 million and ended in the spot that receives less than $700,000. That's a tough fall after such an amazing week last week at the BMW Championship. Grade: B

Russell Henley 62

The best round of Sunday goes to Russell Henley who made eagle at the last to shoot 62 and jump all the way up to T4.

Scottie has ended the festivities

The last event went just like the season went. Everybody trying to catch Scottie and thinking they possibly could, and then him slamming the door on their dreams and waltzing to another victory.

Bounce back birdies

Following his shank out of a bunker on the 8th hole, Scheffler birdies the next two to push his lead back to four over Morikawa. Big boy birdies and emblematic of what he's done all year. 

Scheffler shank

Scottie just shanked a bunker shot on the 8th hole and went on to make bogey to bring Collin Morikawa back into it. Morikawa now within two going to the 9th tee. 

Scuffling Scottie

OK, Collin Morikawa has cut the lead to four shots. Scottie has made two bogeys in his last three holes, and Morikawa is now within striking distance. I wonder now if what happened in 2022 -- when Rory McIlroy ran down Scheffler from six back of him to start the day -- is starting to creep into Scheffler's head. 

Scottie starts rolling

Scottie takes an early seven shot lead over Morikawa with a birdie at the first hole, although Morikawa has fought back to make it six with 14 holes left to play. The only other golfer within 10 right now is Sahith Theegala, who is -18.

Scottie and Collin ready to roll

18 holes for $25 million is crazy, but that's what two of the top 10 players in the world are about to play for during their final round at East Lake. 

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