BE AT HANGAR
3:05 PM
FLIGHT
4:20 PM
PATH
4 rides · $13
YOUR BIRTHDAY · KNOW BEFORE YOU GO
  • FlyNYON flight F-164222 departs 4:20 PM from the NYON Hangar, 78 John Miller Way, Kearny NJ. Be there by 3:05 PM — FlyNYON says late arrivals forfeit the flight.
  • Dress like you’re going skiing: layers, gloves, a beanie, warm socks and tightly laced shoes. Bring photo ID.
  • FlyNYON makes its weather go/no-go call 4 hours before (~12:20 PM), so check your email and texts at lunch. Weather cancellations get a voucher, not a refund.
  • 9/11 Museum — book the 9:00 AM opening slot.

THE PLAN

  1. 8:30
    AM
    RIDE

    Harrison → World Trade Center

    PATH
    Harrison → World Trade Center
    WTC-bound · Newark–WTC line · 4 stops · ~22 min · no change

    A straight shot under the Hudson. You come up beneath the Oculus, right next to the 9/11 Memorial.

  2. 9:00
    AM
    SEE + DOMUSTBOOK AHEAD

    9/11 Memorial & Museum

    180 Greenwich St · opens 9 AM · pools free · Museum ~$33–36

    Go at opening, before the crowds. The twin reflecting pools sit in the footprints of the Towers; give the Museum about 1½ hours. Step into the white-ribbed Oculus on the way out.

    911memorial.org
  3. 10:45
    AM
    SEE + DOFREE

    Wall Street walk

    ~30 min on foot, ending at Bowling Green

    Trinity Church (Alexander Hamilton’s grave) → Federal Hall (Washington’s statue on the steps) and the Stock Exchange → Fearless Girl on Broad St → the Charging Bull at Bowling Green.

  4. 11:30
    AM
    RIDEFREEMUST

    Staten Island Ferry: free Statue of Liberty views

    FERRY
    Whitehall Terminal → St. George → back
    Free · 25 min each way · about every 30 min midday

    Whitehall Terminal is 3 min from the Charging Bull. Stand on the RIGHT side going out for the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. At St. George everyone gets off — walk through the terminal and catch the next boat back.

  5. 12:50
    PM
    EAT

    Birthday lunch at Fraunces Tavern

    54 Pearl St at Broad St · since 1762 · 5 min from the ferry

    Where George Washington bid farewell to his officers in 1783. Pub classics and pot pie, ~$20–30. Keep an eye on the clock — leave by 1:45.

  6. 1:50
    PM
    RIDE

    Head to the helicopter

    WALK
    Fraunces Tavern → World Trade Center PATH
    ~15 min up Broadway (or the 1 train South Ferry → WTC Cortlandt, 2 stops)
    PATH
    World Trade Center → Journal Square
    Board a Newark train · 3 stops · ~13 min · $3.25

    Don’t cut this close — FlyNYON says anyone who arrives after the check-in time forfeits the flight.

  7. 2:30
    PM
    RIDE

    Journal Square → NYON Hangar

    UBER
    Journal Square → 78 John Miller Way, Kearny
    Uber, Lyft or taxi · ~10 min · FlyNYON’s own suggested route

    Aim to walk in around 2:45 PM — a 20-minute cushion before the 3:05 PM cutoff.

  8. 3:05
    PM
    HEADS UPMUST

    Check in at the NYON Hangar

    FlyNYON · booking F-164222 · 78 John Miller Way, Kearny NJ

    Have photo ID ready. Expect a weigh-in, a safety briefing and, for doors-off, a harness fitting. Ask staff how to secure your phone or camera.

  9. 4:20
    PM
    SEE + DOMUST

    Birthday sunset helicopter flight

    FlyNYON flight F-164222 · departs 4:20 PM · sunset 4:39 PM

    You’ll be over the harbor and the Manhattan skyline as the sun goes down.

    Set your camera up before takeoff — FlyNYON doesn’t allow lens changes, filters or hoods in the air. If it’s very cold (below ~36°F) the pilot may keep the doors closed.

    FlyNYON FAQ
  10. 5:15
    PM
    RIDE

    Back into the city

    UBER
    NYON Hangar → Journal Square
    ~10 min
    PATH
    Journal Square → World Trade Center
    WTC-bound · 3 stops · ~13 min

    Wiped out instead? The hangar is a short Uber from Harrison — just head home.

  11. 6:00
    PM
    SEE + DOMUSTFREE

    Walk the Brooklyn Bridge, lit up

    Start at Park Row & Centre St, by City Hall · ~15 min walk from WTC · 1.1 mi across

    The skyline glows behind you the whole way. Keep to the raised wooden walkway.

    Too tired? Take the A or C from Fulton St → High St, 1 stop.

  12. 6:45
    PM
    SEE + DOFREE

    DUMBO at night

    Brooklyn side, between the two bridges

    Washington St at Water St frames the lit-up Manhattan Bridge with the Empire State Building behind it. Then Jane’s Carousel and Pebble Beach for skyline photos.

  13. 7:15
    PM
    EATMUST

    Birthday dinner at Juliana’s

    19 Old Fulton St · coal-oven pizza · open till ~10 PM

    Pizza legend Patsy Grimaldi’s place. No reservations — expect a short line.

    For a birthday toast afterward, the Time Out Market rooftop (55 Water St) looks straight at both bridges.

  14. 8:45
    PM
    GETTING HOME

    Home to Harrison

    AC
    High St–Brooklyn Bridge → Fulton St
    Manhattan-bound · 1 stop · ~5 min
    PATH
    World Trade Center → Harrison
    Newark-bound · 4 stops · ~22 min · no change

    At Fulton St, follow the underground passage to the Oculus and PATH (~5 min). Home by ~9:30 PM. Happy birthday!