At first I found this difficult because I wanted to do so much (but I knew I couldn't do everything in one day). I had to be selective (but I took comfort in the fact that I could come back).
The first thing I wanted to do was reserve tickets for a broadway musical. Unfortunately I wasn't able to do this because the showtimes I was hoping to get weren't available. I was trying to find 2 p.m. shows (this time slot was only available on Wednesday and Sunday afternoon, some Saturdays). Janice and I went on Friday impulsively. We planned our trip to coincide with a fair weather (it indicated to us when to go). I settled for the Empire and more time at the Met (It turned out to be a good decision).
In planning the itinerary, I sequestered enough time for each site and traveling and wait time in between. The bus trip from Philly to NY and back was four hours total (2 hours each way). I even considered the wait time for the Empire State Building. We woke up early to catch the 7 a.m. bus to NY.
Itinerary
6:00 a.m.- Leave Home, catch Septa Bus 38 to go to city
6:35 a.m.- Meet at Chinatown Bus station 11th and Filbert St.
7:00 a.m.- Bus departs from Phila.
9:00 a.m.- Bus arrives in NY Chinatown
10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.- Empire State Building
5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.- The Met
7:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.- Dinner at Chinatown
8:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.- Shopping at Chinatown
10:00 p.m.- Bus departs from NY Chinatown
12:00 a.m.- Bus arrives in Phila
12:30 a.m.- Home sleeping
The only thing that changed was the second half of the plan. We didn't wait as long as expected at the Empire State Building. We decided to eat in Time Square instead for conveniency and to socialize. I also arrived in Phila. an hour earlier than expected.
***Flexibility is important
"The good thing about plans is that you can change them and adapt them to the situation."