Morning
Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island. Take the first ferry out of Battery Park — lines get long by mid-morning, and the early boat gets you back on land in time for lunch.
Afternoon
Brooklyn Bridge & DUMBO. Walk the bridge from the Manhattan side; the Brooklyn end drops you into DUMBO for a late lunch and the Manhattan Bridge photo spot on Washington St.
Evening
Times Square & an observation deck. Top of the Rock or the Edge for the skyline while there is still light, then Times Square after dark — it reads better lit up than in daylight.
Have more time? See the 3-day itinerary.