New York City. Dazzling lights. Incredible foods. Iconic sights. And believe it or not, all within easy reach from Clayton, NC, thanks to Adriane’s NC to NYC Bus Trips.
I’ve been a quiet member of this Facebook group for a long time. Adriane Sims, the group’s founder, runs trips to New York City throughout the year. The “Fast Track” trip option has always caught my attention. Here’s how it works:
- 8 p.m. Friday night – Board a charter bus in Clayton and ride through the night.
- 8 a.m. Saturday morning – Step out into the middle of Manhattan, with 12 hours to explore.
- 8:30 p.m. Saturday night – Board the bus for the overnight ride home.
- 8:00 a.m. Sunday morning – Get dropped off back in Clayton with a whole New York City adventure behind you.
To some, this may sound crazy. But for someone like me, who loves New York but doesn’t always have the time or budget to fly and book hotels, it felt like the perfect adventure to finally try.
Our trip came together on a spontaneous whim. One Thursday afternoon I saw Adriane’s post about a few open seats on an upcoming bus trip (leaving the next day). Less than 24 hours later, my 12-year-old daughter and I were rolling out of Clayton on our way to Manhattan.
Making the Most of Our Day
My daughter hadn’t been to New York since she was 6, and her interests had shifted a lot since then. This trip was an early birthday gift, so she got to pick the things she really wanted to see and do. Her focus was on specialty anime shops and eating our way through the city.
With only 12 hours to explore, we wanted to make the most of our day. The key for us was targeting stops by neighborhood so we could see as much as possible without losing time crisscrossing the city. Using the MTA app made subway planning simple. We alternated between short subway rides to cover distance quickly and long walking stretches to soak up the character of each neighborhood.
Here’s how our day broke down:
Breakfast & Battery Park (Downtown)
- Bagels at Liberty Bagel Wall Street
- A walk over to Battery Park for a ride on the whimsical Seaglass Carousel
Brooklyn Bridge & Neighborhood Wandering (Lower Manhattan)
- Photos at City Hall Park and the Brooklyn Bridge
- Wandering through Chinatown and Little Italy
- A stop at Shirokuro Café, a quirky black-and-white “2D” café, for appetizers and mochi ice cream
Bryant Park & Bookstore Heaven (Midtown)
- Relaxing in Bryant Park
- Browsing anime finds at Kinokuniya Bookstore
Times Square Festival & Broadway
- Street food at a pop-up festival in Times Square
- Matinee of Six (See “Budgeting the Day” section for lottery tips!)
Central Park (Uptown)
- Souvenir shopping at the vendor tables
- Climbing trees and boulders, enjoying a quick stroll
Sites & Bite (Midtown)
- Stunning ride on the Roosevelt Island Tramway
- Dinner at Nan Xiang Xiao Long Bao in Koreatown
- Dessert and tea at Prince Tea House
- Gazing up at the celestial ceiling mural at Grand Central Terminal
- Grabbing a classic New York slice for the bus ride home ($2 pizza slice)
Budgeting the Day
I’m a big believer that New York can be as expensive, or as affordable, as you want to make it. On this trip, we kept things simple and fun without breaking the bank.
- Transportation - We loaded $30 onto a MetroCard, which was more than enough to get us around. At the end of the day, we still had $4 left. Walking whenever possible and using the subway is definitely the most cost-effective way to navigate the city.
- Food & Fun - We sought out unique places but paid attention to prices, which honestly weren’t much higher than at home. Examples: $6 carousel rides at Battery Park, $2 pizza slices, $4 bagels, $30 dinner for two in Koreatown, $11 crepe cake at Prince Tea House.
- Broadway - If you’re flexible and not set on a specific show, the lottery is absolutely worth it. We entered three lotteries and won one, landing prime orchestra seats for Six at a fraction of the regular price.
Pro tip: Broadway lotteries must be entered the day before the show you want to see. Broadway Direct and Telecharge each cover different shows, so it’s smart to enter across both platforms. If you win, you’ll get an email and about an hour to lock in your purchase. The discounts are incredible. We paid only $45 per ticket to see a matinee of Six and sat just a few rows from the stage!
The Bus Experience
Now, about the bus ride. Full transparency, it’s not the most comfortable thing in the world. I thought I’d be able to sleep or just power through the discomfort, but my “old lady bones” needed at least one extra support pillow. For the price, though, it’s tough to beat.
Adriane does a great job keeping everyone in the loop, you always know what’s happening and when. She’s made this trip so many times that she knows all the ins and outs, and that makes the whole experience feel a lot less overwhelming.
A couple things to keep in mind:
- You can leave your belongings on the bus during the day, which makes packing easier.
- The bus makes two stops each way, including a longer one where you can change clothes before and after your city adventure.
It’s also worth noting that Adriane’s trips aren’t limited to New York anymore. While NYC remains the most frequent destination (offered as both fast track trips and overnight hotel packages), she’s added more pick-up stops across North Carolina and expanded into other destinations. It’s worth keeping an eye on the group to see what’s next!
Final Thoughts
If you love New York, or if you’ve been wanting to see the city for the very first time in a unique way, Adriane’s fast track bus trips are an affordable, adventurous option for a whirlwind getaway.
