What happens when you try to walk the entire length of Manhattan in a single day? With 13.4 miles from top to bottom — and plenty of detours — the journey is no small feat.

In the video I Walked the Length of NYC in 1 Day, creator Taylor Bell takes on the challenge, clocking over 21 miles from Inwood Hill Park to the southern tip at Battery Park. Along the way, she discovers food, culture, history, and plenty of iconic New York moments.

👉 Watch the full video here:

Starting at the Top: Inwood Hill Park

  • The northernmost tip of Manhattan, lush with greenery and hills.
  • Taylor admits she started in the wrong direction — adding extra steps before even getting on track.
  • From the start, the challenge was about more than fitness: it was about adventure, reflection, and pushing limits.

Through Harlem and Columbia University

  • Passed the George Washington Bridge, realizing just how far downtown really was.
  • First major stop: Columbia University, with its iconic campus.
  • Grabbed a bag of cherries and later a bagel with lox and cream cheese at Zabar’s, fueling the miles ahead.

Coffee Stops and Sweet Treats

  • Stopped at the Seinfeld-famous Tom’s Restaurant for diner coffee.
  • Saved room for a sweet treat later: the legendary banana pudding from Magnolia Bakery in the West Village.
  • Snacks became milestones, helping to break up the miles and mark progress through the city.

Central Park and Upper West Side Charm

  • Entered Central Park at mile 12, marveling at the quiet trails, green meadows, and iconic landmarks like the Mall.
  • Reflected on the blend of old and new architecture along the Upper West Side’s brownstones.
  • A reminder of how Manhattan changes block by block.

Times Square, Hudson Yards, and Memory Lane

  • Walked through Times Square, soaking in its chaotic glow.
  • Stopped at her first NYC apartment building on 42nd Street to visit old doormen and reminisce.
  • Passed Hudson Yards, the Javits Center, and even her old office — connecting past memories with the present adventure.

Downtown: Soho, Tribeca, and the Oculus

  • Admired cobblestone streets and lofts in Soho.
  • Passed the Staple Street Sky Bridge in Tribeca.
  • Paid respects at the 9/11 Memorial and admired the Oculus, before pushing toward the finish.

 

The Finish: Battery Park & Statue of Liberty Views

  • As the sun set, Taylor jogged the last stretch to make it in time.
  • After 21 miles total, she reached the tip of Manhattan, gazing out at the Statue of Liberty.
  • Exhausted but exhilarated, she reflected on the city’s layers, its people, and how much New York had shaped her.

Why Walk Manhattan?

For Taylor, the journey wasn’t just about steps:

  • Prove you can do hard things.
  • Slow down and notice details — the architecture, people, and moments that make NYC unique.
  • Have fun and capture memories.

“Step by step, block by block, it felt like I was stitching all those versions of myself together.” – Taylor

Bottom Line

Walking the length of Manhattan is part endurance test, part love letter to New York. It’s sore feet, sweet treats, skyline views, and memories that last a lifetime.
👉 Credit: Taylor Bell. Watch the full video here: I Walked the Length of NYC in 1 Day

Photo by Spencer Imbrock on Unsplash