When my cousin got married in Maryland it was the perfect opportunity to piggy back a trip, in a trip. We were going as a family so I asked my brother if he would want to catch a train with me to New York on one of the days we were visiting.

From where we were in Maryland, we were able to catch a train to New York for $130 round trip, per person. There were tickets for less than these (as low as $56 RT) but the departure times didn’t work for us.

Since we were only planning on doing a day trip we wanted to make sure we got the most out of it. The train ride was 2.5 hours so leaving early in the morning meant that by the time we arrived in New York it would be mid morning and still have a decent amount of the day left.

We only stayed for a total of about 8 hours but here is everything we accomplished in that time!

Let’s Chat

Nowhere! The most cost effective bonus to this trip was the fact that since we weren’t planning to stay long, we didn’t have to allocate a budget for a room. We were able to see the city for free and picked a wide array of things to do and see that were also free.

Total trip cost at this point is train tickets and a good pair of walking shoes.

Sadly, this was not a foodie trip to New York. We had too much to see in such a short time to make this one about food.

We stopped to eat lunch in Chelsea Market and then explored a little around the Pearl River Mart.

The Pearl River Mart is located on the lower level of Chelsea Market and it has a little bit of everything, all in one place.

You walk in and are met with an eclectic mix of home goods, kitchenware, snacks, apparel, and unique gifts. This shop has everything from beautiful ceramics and traditional tea sets to quirky trinkets and hard-to-find Asian pantry staples. Pearl River Mart also features a rotating lineup of incredible vendors serving up everything from dumplings and hand-pulled noodles to rice bowls and traditional pastries.

We were arriving at Moynihan Train Hall at Penn Station so I wanted to map a route for things that were within walking distance.

There were a few things we knew we wanted to see but the route I mapped out allowed plenty of flexibility for other things to pop up.

So here’s the route:

Train Station → The Vessel → The High Line → Chelsea Market → Little Island →Pier 45 →Lower Manhattan→The Brooklyn Bridge. Then do it in reverse to get back home.

Time got a little close towards the end so we actually didn’t make it to the Brooklyn Bridge, but we got about as close as the map shows.

In total we walked about 10 miles for the day! I did not plan on walking this much but it was very easy to do. The walk was so beautiful and the weather was perfect so it didn’t feel anywhere near 10 miles long.

The Vessel, Hudson Yards

The Vessel is a beautiful architectural piece in Hudson Yards. It is a honeycomb structure made up of 154 interconnecting staircases and it is even more stunning to view from the inside. The Vessel has no charge for viewing.

Hudson Yards is a newer development with luxury shopping and dining. It’s also home to EDGE, the highest outdoor sky deck in the Western Hemisphere.

The High Line

The High Line is another one of NYC’s public parks, the cool thing about this one is it was built on a former elevated railway track. We used the High Line as our “Yellow Brick Road”. It allowed us to hop and off as we got close to things we wanted to see without getting too far off track when navigating our way around.

The High Line has an entrance near Hudson Yards so we got on and started walking. This scenic walk path is lined with lush greenery, art installations, and incredible city views. All for free.

Since it’s built on the old railway the elevation offers a refreshing break from the busy streets below. Plus, there are plenty of benches and lookout points along the path, giving you the perfect place to rest your feet, sit and take in the city.

Little Island

We hopped off the High Line when we got close to Chelsea Market and stopped for lunch. Which ended up being a great midway point for us because after we finished eating we walked across the street to Little Island.

Little Island is a man made island park that seems to float above the Hudson River. There are art installations, live performances, a waterfront amphitheater, 2.5 acres of beautifully landscaped plants and flowers, and 3 separate outlook points free of charge.

The South Overlook has a stunning view of Lower Manhattan, One World Trade Center, and the Statue of Liberty.

The East Overlook is a great spot to take in the city skyline.

The North Overlook offers a clear view of Hudson Yards and the Empire State Building.

Pier 45 at Hudson River Park

Next we made our way over to Pier 45. This water front spot in Hudson River Park has a huge grassy lawn, plenty of benches, and some of the best sunset views in the city, and you guessed it. All for free.

It’s the perfect place to stretch out, enjoy the river breeze, and take in the skyline. Since it’s right off the Hudson River Greenway, it’s an easy stop if you’re already walking along the waterfront. This was the most populated,yet relaxed place we stopped. There were people everywhere enjoying themselves! Some having picnics, others walking dogs, sunbathers, bikers, roller skaters, runners, you name it – they were there.

Lower Manhattan

From Pier 45, we ran out of High Line and wandered down into Lower Manhattan, letting the city guide us toward the Brooklyn Bridge. The walk took us through the charming streets of the West Village, past historic brownstones, tucked away cafes, and cute hidden little storefronts.

We passed through Tribeca, and could see the Brooklyn Bridge but we were getting close to time to head back. We decided to play it safe and not make the journey to visit the bridge.

I wouldn’t change a thing!

I had a great time with my brother. We have vacationed together before but never just the two of us, and possibly never as adults. This mini trip was such a special sibling moment and I hope we get to do it again in another new place.