How to Make the Most of Jet Lag When You Arrive in New York

What’s the time difference between New York and Europe?

• When it’s noon in Paris, Brussels, or Geneva, it’s 6 am in New York. That six-hour gap has real consequences: jet lag will likely have you awake at 4 or 5 am on your first morning in the city.
• Instead of tossing in bed, get up and use that early wake-up to explore New York when it’s almost yours alone. Here are 5 ways to make the most of it.
• The saying goes, “the future belongs to those who wake up early.” In New York, we’d say: “the future belongs to those who beat the jet lag!” 🙂

1/ Watch the sunrise over Manhattan

• Since you’re already up before dawn, catch one of the city’s most magical sights: the sunrise over the Manhattan skyline. You have several spots to choose from, and we’ve picked our 5 favorites in this guide to the best places to watch the sunrise in New York.
• Thanks to jet lag, getting out of bed won’t feel like a struggle. And the views will absolutely take your breath away.

2/ Be first on Liberty Island

• I’ve been to New York more times than I can count, and visiting the Statue of Liberty early in the morning remains my favorite experience. Take the subway to Chambers Street around 6:30 am for a quiet walk around One World Trade Center. Then head toward the marina at the World Financial Center and stroll down the Hudson River waterfront toward Battery Park.
• Leaving Chambers Street at 6:30 am gives you an hour for a leisurely walk to Castle Clinton. By 7:30 am, you’ll have time to explore Battery Park and be among the first in line to buy tickets for the Statue of Liberty at 8 am.
• From spring through summer, the first ferry departs at 8:30 am—we highly recommend this time because you’ll have Liberty Island almost to yourself and be among the first to board the statue. In winter, until April 1st, the first ferry leaves at 9:30 am, giving you more time to explore Battery Park before boarding.

3/ Photograph the Wall Street Bull

• Before heading to the Statue of Liberty, consider another early-morning option. Head to the start of Broadway, just steps from Battery Park, to see the Charging Bull, the iconic symbol of Wall Street. This massive sculpture draws crowds all day long, so if you want a photo without tourists, you need to arrive very early.
• Arrive around 6:30 am and you’ll have the Wall Street Bull practically to yourself. Or almost—you might run into other early risers who read this article! 🙂

4/ Experience Times Square empty

• Another spot worth visiting early: Times Square. Between 5 and 6 am, the city’s most famous plaza is remarkably quiet.
• Yet the neon signs and giant billboards still glow brilliantly. You’ll also see New York taxis on the move—proof that the city truly never sleeps.

5/ Have the Brooklyn Bridge to yourself

• If you visit the Statue of Liberty on your first morning, here’s another idea for day two. Wake early and head to the Brooklyn Bridge. Take the subway to Clark Street and walk toward the East River. You can then stroll up the Brooklyn Heights Promenade and watch the sunrise over the Financial District buildings.
• Then cross the Brooklyn Bridge. At 6 am, you’ll encounter only a few local joggers and cyclists. The atmosphere is completely different from late morning, when tourists flood the bridge.

Good to know

You’ll feel the effects of jet lag most strongly on your first two mornings. After that, your body clock will adjust to New York time and you’ll settle into the city’s rhythm.