AN APPLE (IN) A DAY
Jake Murtagh enjoys a whistle-stop tour of New York, leaving London early morning and getting back by midnight
How does a day trip to New York City sound? Brilliant or bonkers?
Norwegian airline has a very early departure from Gatwick to the Big Apple and latenight flight back, which means you can get eight hours or so in the city that never sleeps –if you have the stamina. Here’s how... 04:00a Wake up the Bloc Hotel inside Gatwick airport’s South Terminal. (Doubles from £99.75, blochotels.com) I was buzzing with excitement, so only managed to get four hours’ sleep. Not the best prep for the mammoth day that awaits. 04:45Norwegian Check in at the
desk with just hand baggage, then through security and into the No 1 Lounge to get some much-needed pre-flight fuel on board. 06:45Take off in a brandnew Norwegian Boeing 787 Dreamliner jet. I got an upgrade to the plush Premium cabin and my seat with a 46in pitch had plenty of room to rest up and conserve my energy for the big adventure. Besides a nap, I watched a couple of the latest movies to pass the time and enjoyed a pleasant meal.
09:45After an eighthour flight, we touched down at JFK airport, whizzed through immigration checks (it helps that I’ve got a US passport) and boarded our shuttle bus into central Manhattan.
11:30Square Arrived in Times
and headed to our first stop, Gulliver’s Gate – a model paradise with more than 300 miniature buildings (gulliversgate. com, from $31). Quick tour and then lunch.
12:45Americans If it’s one thing the
do well, it’s grub, and there’s no better setting than the Charlie Palmer at the Knick (charliepalmer.com) inside the luxurious and historic Knickerbocker Hotel. We’d been on the go for more
than 12 hours, but the Chateaubriand Filet hit the spot. The wine flowed – probably not the best idea with a busy afternoon ahead!
14:15overran, Lunch inevitably but there was no time to waste, so we were given a sneak peek of the National Geographic Encounter – Ocean Odyssey – an entertainment experience that brings the Pacific Ocean to Manhattan. (This wasn’t actually open when we were in NYC, so was a building site. It’s open now, from $39.50, natgeoencounter.com.)
15:00but Starting to feel jaded we were off on foot to our next destination, the new-look Museum of Modern Art. An hour was just about long enough to browse the five floors of contemporary pieces on offer, but any art lover may want to clear their diary for the rest of the afternoon (moma.org, $25).
16:00to Back to Times Square
take in the bright lights and to make the most of the picture opportunities while we were there. Then off to find a rooftop bar for a well-earned beer.
16:30off Pitched up at a bar just the beaten track, less touristy and cheaper too. Sank a couple of swift ones before moving on to our final stop.
18:00Saved the best until last. It was time for a cocktail and some nibbles at Bar SixtyFive at Rainbow Room (rainbowroom.com/bar-sixty-five). Part of the Rockefeller Center, its 65th-floor location offers breathtaking views of the city’s skyline and is the perfect place to end the trip.
20:00Set off for the airport, and our shuttle bus navigated the traffic to JFK.
21:00luggage Checked in (hand only again so flew through), which meant into the lounge for more food.
23:00home. Overnight redeye flight I was well and truly cream crackered. Been on the go for 24 hours, so sleeping on the plane wasn’t a problem.
11:00Gatwick. Arrived back at My one-day bite of the Big Apple was a blast – but I was straight home to recover!