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The best nyc itinerary: 3-7 days in new york city.

If you’re visiting New York for the first time, this is the perfect NYC itinerary to get your first taste of the city! And if you’re lucky enough to stay longer, check out the 4 bonus days I’ve included.

An Exciting 3-Day NYC Itinerary + 4 Bonus Days (2024)

Welcome to my ultimate NYC itinerary for first-timers! This guide will answer all your questions and give you an itinerary that’s easy to customize for your big trip to New York City. We’ve visited NYC just about every year for the last 10 years. It’s one of our favorite places and each time we go, we find something new to love!

I’ve already created an extensive NYC itinerary for kids and Christmas in NYC , but I’ve also been plenty of times without my kids, so I wanted to give you a more adult first-timers itinerary. When you’re planning an NYC itinerary, 3 days is the perfect amount of time to get a feel for the Big Apple. You can wander through Central Park, enjoy the views from the top of the Empire State Building, and explore the Museum Mile.

Make sure to book a Broadway show and a guided tour or 2. Plus, there are all the amazing restaurants and food that the Big Apple is known for. And don’t miss the chance to walk the legendary Brooklyn Bridge or take a stroll along the High Line.

Below you’ll get a top-notch 3-day itinerary, plus even more suggestions for additional 4 days in New York City. Get ready for all the charm and energy that an NYC adventure has to offer!

What to Know about NYC Before You Go

When you start to plan a visit to New York City for the first time, a lot of questions will probably come to mind! Here are some FAQs that will help you have the best experience in The City That Never Sleeps.

What’s the best way to get around in New York City?

For first-time visitors to NYC, the subway is the best way to get around. The subway is made to be easy to navigate with easy-to-read signs and a color-coded system. The extensive network of train lines takes you to all the most popular attractions, neighborhoods, and landmarks. Plus, it’s affordable, offers 24/7 service, and allows you to avoid traffic congestion.

However, if you prefer rideshare services, Uber and Lyft are widely available options (just watch out for price spikes). And for shorter distances, consider using Citi Bike , the city’s bike-sharing program. You’ll find stations throughout Brooklyn, Queens, and the Bronx where you can pick up and drop off bikes.

What apps should I use in New York City?

When you’re navigating NYC for the first time and want to make the most of your trip, several apps can help:

Citymapper : This essential app provides real-time directions for public transportation, ensuring you can efficiently navigate the subway and buses.
MTA Subway Time : The official MTA app is another great option that offers live updates on train schedules and service changes.
Uber and Lyft: You probably already have these ones on your phone, and they’re a must in NYC if you prefer rideshares.
NYCTaxiMeter : When all else fails, there’s always a yellow cab around somewhere! This awesome app helps estimate fares and track expenses.
TodayTix : If you want to secure discounted tickets to Broadway shows and other performances, TodayTix is super helpful.
Go City Card: I’m a big fan of Go City Card, which provides access to popular attractions with bundled savings! Purchase Go City New York Card here.
OpenTable : Looking for last-minute dinner reservations? This app offers easy booking and allows you to search nearby, by neighborhood, reviews, and more.

What airport should I fly into?

When flying into New York City, the 2 primary airports to consider are John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) and LaGuardia Airport (LGA). Each option has pros and cons you’ll have to consider.

JFK is the largest and accepts the most flights. You can also take AirTran to the subway, but it’s the longest train ride from Manhattan (often over an hour). LaGuardia accepts mainly domestic flights. It’s closer to Manhattan, but you’ll need to get a rideshare or taxi.

You could also fly into New Jersey’s Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR). It’s actually pretty convenient and affordable if you’re staying in Manhattan. You can take Amtrak or NJ Transit, and car services and taxis are pretty affordable from here as well.

Should I bring my car to New York City?

I don’t recommend bringing a car to NYC, especially if it’s your first time! First, parking in Manhattan can be expensive, scarce, and time-consuming. The streets are often congested, and navigating the city’s bustling traffic can be overwhelming. Plus, you have the subway and buses readily available. Public transit in NYC is efficient and cost-effective for getting around the city.

Manhattan is a pedestrian-friendly destination, with many attractions within walking distance or easily accessible by train. Public transit is the best way to have the most authentic experience and enjoy a stress-free exploration of all the iconic sights that New York City has to offer!

Are there neighborhoods I should visit outside of Manhattan?

Absolutely! Manhattan offers so many incredible attractions, but you’ll enjoy a more unique experience if you can plan even one afternoon to explore the other vibrant boroughs of NYC.

Brooklyn is a must-visit, with its vibrant arts scene, hipster havens like Williamsburg, and the picturesque Brooklyn Heights. Queens offers cultural diversity, with neighborhoods like Flushing, which is known for its vibrant food scene. And the Bronx boasts infamous attractions like the Bronx Zoo and Yankee Stadium.

Is NYC a safe place to visit? Where should I avoid?

New York City is generally a safe place to visit, with millions of tourists enjoying their time in the city each year. Overall, you can have an amazing visit to NYC by exercising some caution and staying aware of your surroundings.

The majority of neighborhoods in NYC are safe for visitors, including popular areas like Times Square, Central Park, and the Theater District. If you’re concerned about higher crime rates, you’ll want to avoid the South Bronx, East New York, and Brownsville in Brooklyn.

While the city is relatively safe, you should exercise more caution, especially at night. Stay in well-populated and well-lit areas, use only public transportation options, and avoid displaying expensive belongings.

Be sure to bring a travel safe bag, like this one, and always be aware of where your wallet and phone are, especially while riding in crowded trains.

What’s the weather like in New York City?

When you’re planning a trip to New York, it’s important to check the weather forecast in advance of your trip. NYC experiences 4 distinct seasons.

Summers (June to August) are generally warm and humid, with temperatures hovering between 70-90 degrees Fahrenheit. Spring (March to May) and fall (September to November) bring milder temperatures, ranging from the 50s to 70s. Spring and fall also bring the most rain to New York City.

Winters (December to February) can be cold, with temperatures varying widely, from below 0 to well into the 40s Fahrenheit. Snowfall is common in winter, but it varies from year to year.

When should I plan a trip to New York City?

The best time to plan a trip to New York City depends on your preferences and what you would like to experience. And it’s a pedestrian city, so you should be prepared for the elements no matter when you visit!

Spring is a great time to explore parks, enjoy outdoor activities, and see cherry blossoms in bloom. Summers are hot, but they also bring festive energy to the city. This is peak season, with outdoor concerts, street festivals, and more!

Fall brings vibrant fall foliage and festive events like the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. And winter in NYC can be cold, it’s also a magical time with holiday decorations, ice-skating rinks, and Christmas markets. Just keep in mind that winter is the city’s second peak season.

If you’re a Christmas fan, December is a really fun time for visiting NYC. The holiday decorations are amazing and plentiful and there are plenty of festive activities, restaurants, and bars to visit. Christmas in New York City is magical!

What should I pack?

There are some essentials I suggest packing for an NYC 3-day itinerary. However, if you forget something, don’t worry! You’re in one of the shopping capitals of the world! Packing will be a little different, depending on when you come to New York City, but here are some basics I recommend:

Comfortable walking shoes
Waterproof shoes for rainy days
Breathable separates for daytime exploring
A few nice outfits for dinners and shows
Rain jacket
Portable charger
Reusable water bottle
A good travel safe bag

What should I eat in NYC?

When visiting New York City, there are several iconic foods that every visitor should try. First and foremost, grab a classic New York slice of pizza from a neighborhood dollar pizzeria (skip Sbarros). Get a hot dog from a street cart at least once. And don’t forget to top it with mustard and sauerkraut!

If you’ve never tried a New York City bagel with cream cheese and lox, head to a bakery on the Lower East Side. A beef pastrami sandwich from Katz’s Deli is a must. We love it so much that we have the pastrami shipped to us in California on special occasions! It’s that good. And if you find yourself in Brooklyn, head to Juniors for a slice of their iconic cheesecake.

Black and white cookies are a New York tradition (and they make great food souvenirs!). And while you’re shopping in Little Italy, look for a pasticceria, where you can enjoy a cannoli and a cappuccino.

Book a Photoshoot

We always love to book a photoshoot when we’re traveling. As a mom, it’s tough to get in the photos since I’m always behind the camera. We love using Flytographer to capture our memories. You can get $25 off your shoot by booking with this link or using code WANDERLUST.

Are there tourist attractions I should avoid?

While Times Square is an iconic and bustling area, it can be overcrowded, especially during peak tourist seasons. If you prefer a quieter experience or get overwhelmed easily, you might opt out of this one.

And you might want to avoid Chinatown if you don’t want to get bombarded with vendors selling fake designer bags. And NEVER follow vendors into back buildings, no matter what they offer you! Instead, head to Little Italy for souvenirs and tourist-friendly dining.

This is your chance to lean into being a tourist! Just remember, it’s always a good idea to research specific attractions beforehand and decide which ones will be on your NYC itinerary.

How expensive is New York City?

New York City has a reputation for being an expensive destination. And it’s true that certain aspects, like hotels and upscale restaurants, can be costly. But with careful planning and research, it’s possible to enjoy New York City without breaking the bank!

The city offers a range of options to fit different budgets, including affordable dining options. You can stay in a vacation rental or a hotel outside of Manhattan to cut costs on accommodations. There are all kinds of free or low-cost attractions, like museums with suggested donations. And the subway is affordable and can help you save on transportation costs.

Are New Yorkers mean?

Not at all! If anything, I would say that New Yorkers are tough but very nice. Depending on where you’re from, NYCers are not afraid to get to the point, but it’s usually because they have somewhere they need to be. They’ll speak up if you’re slowing everyone down.

They’re from all over the world, and they’re used to dealing with large crowds of people, crowded trains, and long lines. But if you need anything, they’re helpful and very kind. So don’t be afraid to ask for directions if you’re lost!

Where’s the best place to stay in New York City?

Don’t make the mistake of thinking you can stay in Queens and travel every day to do things in Manhattan! For your first visit to NYC, I suggest staying in a central location like Midtown or Chelsea.

If you’re looking for something a little outside the hustle and bustle of the city, Williamsburg, Brooklyn has a wide range of fabulous hotels. Or book an apart-hotel in Park Slope. Both stops are only 20 minutes from the Financial District. Here are a few recommendations:

$$$$$ Lotte New York Palace in Midtown East

$$$$ The William Vale in Williamsburg

$$$ The Maritime Hotel in Chelsea

$$$ Sonder The Industrialist in Park Slope

$$ Moxy NYC Times Square in Times Square

$$ The SoHotel in SoHo

If you drive into New York City or plan on renting a car, just double-check that your accommodations offer parking. Also, confirm whether it’s long-term parking or if you can take your vehicle in and out during your stay.

Plan the Best 3 Days in New York City

You’re on your way to planning an amazing 3 days in NYC! Below I’ll suggest how to break up each day so you can get the most out of your limited time in the big city.

If you’re working simply with a 3-day itinerary, NYC neighborhoods to focus on would be in Manhattan. We’ll start in Midtown and move out from there. And keep in mind that if you have more than 3 days or want to switch things up, you have 4 bonus days to play with below.

Day 1 – Midtown Manhattan

You’ve arrived at the center of the universe! Midtown Manhattan is a bustling hub of activity that captivates visitors with its unique charm. This is where you’ll find Penn Station and Grand Central Station, both major transit hubs in and out of the city. If you’re taking the train from the airport, this is probably where you’ll end up.

Known for its iconic skyline and bustling streets, Midtown is a mashup of cultures, cuisines, and commerce. The area is filled with towering skyscrapers, world-class museums, bustling business centers, and luxury shopping destinations. Midtown is also home to Times Square, with its bright lights, Broadway theaters, and waves of visitors.

You’ll probably end up in this neighborhood throughout your entire visit to New York City, so it’s a good area to get familiar with! After you arrive at your hotel, I recommend a hop-on-hop-off bus tour to get your bearings. Then check out more of the best things to do in Midtown Manhattan!

Things to Do in Midtown

Be dazzled by the iconic intersection at Times Square
See a variety of Broadway shows in the Theater District
Visit the 2 observation decks at the Empire State Building
Savor Korean BBQ and check out the karaoke lounges in Koreatown
Explore the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA)
Enjoy shopping the flagship stores and designer boutiques on Fifth Avenue
Head to Rockefeller Center and the Top of the Rock observation deck
See the Rockettes Christmas Spectacular at Radio City Music Hall
See the stunning architecture of Grand Central Terminal
Take a picture with the lions outside the New York Public Library
Enjoy all the seasonal events and outdoor space at Bryant Park
Go up into the newest observation deck at Summit at ONE Vanderbilt
Walk through the regal St. Patrick’s Cathedral
Check out the Flatiron Building on your way to Madison Square Park
Day 2 – Financial District + Lower East Side

This is your 1 full day on your New York City itinerary, so let’s make the most of it! Below Houston Street, there are so many historical sites and iconic NYC attractions in one place. With so much to do, today will be all about the Financial District, the Lower East Side, and perhaps a quick jaunt through Little Italy and Chinatown.

The Lower East Side, known for its rich immigrant history, has evolved into a trendy and eclectic neighborhood. Here you’ll find historical landmarks, old-school delis, trendy eateries, and boutique shops.

Then there’s the Financial District, the bustling center of commerce and finance. It is home to Wall Street, the New York Stock Exchange, and the One World Trade Center. With landmarks such as Trinity Church, the neighborhood is a blend of old and new, with narrow cobblestone streets juxtaposed against sleek modern skyscrapers.

Both Little Italy and Chinatown are distinct neighborhoods that present rich traditions, flavors, and colors of Italy and China. You might be seeking delicious food, cultural immersion, or just a captivating stroll through vibrant streets, Little Italy and Chinatown provide unforgettable experiences.

I suggest beginning your day with a visit to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island . Then head out on foot to explore more of Lower Manhattan!

Things to Do Financial District + Lower East Side

See Wall Street up close, the home to the New York Stock Exchange
Take a picture with the bronze Charging Bull sculpture
Go up in the One World Trade Center observation deck
Book a tour of the 9/11 Museum & Memorial
Walk through the 17th-century Trinity Church
Take in stunning views of New York Harbor from the waterfront Battery Park
Ride the Staten Island Ferry for free past the Empire State Building and Ellis Island
Take a stroll along Mulberry Street to see the best shops and eateries of Chinatown and Little Italy
Learn about the lives of early immigrants at the Tenement Museum
Tour the Museum at Eldridge Street to learn about NYC’s Jewish heritage
Order pastrami sandwiches for lunch at the iconic Katz’s Delicatessen
Day 3 – Museum Mile + Central Park

On the 3rd day of your NYC itinerary, you’re on to more iconic NYC landmarks. You’ll spend your day exploring Museum Mile, located along Fifth Avenue on the Upper East Side. And if you have time, take a walk through Central Park!

Museum Mile is a stretch of road that spans approximately one mile and is home to renowned institutions such as the Metropolitan Museum of Art (Met), the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, the Museum of the City of New York, and more.

And when you’re visiting NYC, no trip is complete without a stop at Central Park! Situated in the heart of Manhattan, this massive urban oasis serves as a retreat from the bustling city. You can enjoy picturesque landscapes, special events, landmarks, and a variety of recreational activities.

Things to Do on the Upper East Side + Central Park

Visit the world-renown Metropolitan Museum of Art (The Met)
Explore the iconic Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum
Head to the Museum of the City of New York
Tour El Museo del Barrio to experience Latinx and Caribbean art and culture
See the Jewish Museum’s collection of artifacts and artworks
Peruse exhibits at the Museum of African Art
Admire the beautiful Bethesda Terrace and take photos by the fountain
Take an hour to visit the infamous Central Park Zoo
Pay tribute to John Lennon at the Strawberry Fields Memorial
Cross the Bow Bridge, one of Central Park’s most scenic spots
Relax on the expansive Great Lawn with other locals and tourists
Head to the west side of the park to visit the American Museum of Natural History
Rent a rowboat at The Loeb Boathouse or enjoy a meal overlooking the lake
Go ice skating in the winter at Wollman Rink, or rollerblading in the summer
Explore Shakespeare Garden, featuring flowers mentioned in the works of William Shakespeare

If You Have More Time In Your New York City Trip

If you have an additional 4 days to explore New York City, here are some additional neighborhoods to consider visiting:

Day 4 – Greenwich Village

If you have 4 days in New York, take the opportunity to immerse yourself in the history of Greenwich Village. Make a great start to the day by grabbing a bagel and heading to people-watch at Washington Square Park!

Often called simply “The Village,” this Lower Manhattan neighborhood is made up of both Greenwich Village and the West Village. It’s been home to many influential artists, writers, and musicians throughout history. Today, it’s where you’ll find a diverse range of dining options, iconic entertainment venues, and historic landmarks.

Greenwich Village has been a hub for creativity and counterculture movements for decades. It became synonymous with the Beat Generation in the 1950s and the folk music scene of the 1960s. The neighborhood also played a significant role in LGBTQ+ history as the site of the Stonewall Riots, a pivotal event in the fight for LGBTQ+ rights.

When planning a New York itinerary, 4 days will give you a chance to add some of these exciting Greenwich Village stops to your list.

Things to Do in The Village

See the famous art and street performers of Washington Square Park
Explore the boutique shops and cafes lining charming Bleecker Street
Visit the historic Stonewall Inn, where the Stonewall Riots began
Pay homage at the Stonewall National Monument at Christopher Park
Enjoy stand-up comedy performances at the renowned Comedy Cellar
Experience Cafe Wha?, where Bob Dylan and Jimi Hendrix once performed
Check out the restaurants, bars, and live music venues along MacDougal Street
Order a drink and listen to world-class musicians at the Blue Note Jazz Club
Head to the IFC Center for a line-up of independent and foreign films
Indulge in Magnolia Bakery’s recognizable cupcakes
Peruse artisanal cheeses at the historic Murray’s Cheese Shop
Attend an Off-Broadway production at The Cherry Lane Theatre
Have a meal at the White Horse Tavern and sit where Jack Kerouac once sat
Find the iconic buildings used for the exterior shots of Monica’s apartment in the TV show “Friends”
Day 5 – Brooklyn

Brooklyn, one of New York City’s boroughs, is a massive place. But you’ll get a good feel for it on day 5! Start with a walk across the Brooklyn Bridge and pizza in DUMBO before you jump on a train to historic Coney Island! Or take a walking tour of Bushwick’s street art .

Brooklyn is known for its thriving arts scene, with galleries, music venues, and street art everywhere. The borough is also home to beautiful green spaces, and its food culture is picking up steam. Exploring Brooklyn is a great way to experience authentic New York City neighborhoods, each with its own atmosphere and architectural style.

Brooklyn offers so many things that you need more than 1 day on a New York 5-day itinerary. For now, pick and choose a few of the best things to do in Brooklyn!

Things to Do in Brooklyn

Take in the New York City skyline when you walk the Brooklyn Bridge
Explore Brooklyn Museum, one of the largest art museums in the country
Enjoy outdoor activities in the expansive Prospect Park
Discover the hip culinary scene and vintage shopping in Williamsburg
Wander the cobblestone streets of DUMBO and take in views of the Manhattan Bridge
Spend a beach day along iconic the Coney Island boardwalk
See the world-famous cherry blossoms bloom in the Brooklyn Botanic Garden
Indulge in trendy and unusual culinary delights at Smorgasburg
Take in the Manhattan skyline and the Brooklyn Bridge from the Brooklyn Heights Promenade
Enjoy all the green spaces, playgrounds, and summer activities to be found at the massive Brooklyn Bridge Park
Take a stroll through historic Brooklyn Heights, with its beautiful brownstone houses
Visit the unique New York Transit Museum inside an old subway station
Ride Jane’s Carousel, located in Brooklyn Bridge Park
Day 6 – Chelsea + Hudson Yards

Heading back to Manhattan, you might need a low-key day with built-in views and casual things to do. This is a good time to enjoy some laid-back shopping, eating, and outdoor fun. So, head to the gorgeous neighborhoods of Chelsea and Hudson Yards on the Hudson River side of Manhattan.

This part of Manhattan was once the industrial part of town, and you can still see remnants of that time! Today, art galleries, boutiques, and hip restaurants fill old factories and warehouses. It’s also home to the High Line, an elevated park built on a historic railway line, offering unforgettable views and unique urban green spaces.

Hudson Yards, on the other hand, has been developed into a contemporary neighborhood of sleek luxury high-rise buildings. It’s become the newest area for tourists with great shopping, eateries, and landmark parks.

It’s worth planning half a day to visit these unique New York City neighborhoods. So, check out my suggestions for what to do in Chelsea and Hudson Yards.

Things to Do in Chelsea + Hudson Yards

Visit the fascinating Little Island, a park on stilts with views of the Hudson
Explore the High Line, with its scenic views and green spaces
Check out all the food vendors and trendy shops inside Chelsea Market
Enjoy a game of golf or go bowling at Chelsea Piers
Climb up into The Vessel for stunning views of the surrounding area
Enjoy an afternoon of shopping at The Shops at Hudson Yards
Peruse Mercado Little Spain, an authentic Spanish food hall and market
Day 7 – Bronx + Harlem + Upper West Side

Get the most out of the last day of your NYC itinerary by splitting your time between the Bronx, Harlem, and more iconic New York City attractions on the Upper West Side.

The Bronx, located north of Manhattan, is a diverse neighborhood known for its rich history, vibrant communities, and iconic landmarks such as the Bronx Zoo and Yankee Stadium. It also offers a range of outdoor spaces and parks.

Harlem, in northern Manhattan, played a central role in the Harlem Renaissance. The neighborhood fostered a thriving arts scene, becoming a hub for African-American intellectuals, musicians, and artists. Harlem is home to amazing cultural attractions and a vibrant culinary landscape.

The Upper West Side, located on the western side of Manhattan, exudes a residential charm and boasts iconic landmarks. There’s a relaxed atmosphere and a range of dining options, making it a popular area for visitors.

I suggest starting with an early visit to the Bronx Zoo and then getting lunch in Harlem before heading to the Upper West Side. Or take a walking tour of Harlem before a Yankee game that night! Check out more things to choose from in these iconic neighborhoods.

Things to Do in the Bronx + Harlem + the Upper West Side

Explore the Bronx Zoo
Visit the New York Botanical Garden
Catch a baseball game at Yankee Stadium
Enjoy a scenic hike at Pelham Bay Park
Experience the food scene on Arthur Avenue, Bronx’s Little Italy

Visit the historic Apollo Theater
Explore the Studio Museum in Harlem
Visit Abyssinian Baptist Church, known for its role in the civil rights movement
Indulge in soul food and Caribbean cuisine along Malcolm X Boulevard
Visit the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture

Upper West Side

Spend more time exploring Central Park and its many attractions
Visit the American Museum of Natural History
Take a walk in Riverside Park
Enjoy outdoor dining at a restaurant or cafe along Broadway
Attend a concert at Beacon Theatre
Explore the box stores, vintage shops, and boutiques along Columbus Avenue

In Conclusion, Here are My Recommendations for Planning a 3-Day NYC Itinerary

Take the subway and leave the car at home
Use apps like Citymapper and TodayTix to make last-minute planning easier
Both JFK and LGA are good options for flying into New York City
Check out attractions in Manhattan, but don’t forget about Brooklyn,the Bron, and Queens if you have time
For safety, stay aware of your surroundings, keep belongings close, and stay in well-lit areas
Each season offers a special experience, but be prepared to deal with the elements no matter when you visit
Think about the weather when packing, and don’t forget good walking shoes
Try all the food, but stay away from touristy pizza places
Embrace being a tourist, but be safe and avoid crowded attractions if you get overwhelmed easily
Plan on New York City is expensive, but look for all the great ways to save money
Don’t be afraid to ask New Yorkers for help
Stay in a central location, like Midtown Manhattan, and don’t go any further out than Park Slope or Williamsburg, Brooklyn
3 Days in New York is enough to see the main attractions, but 4 to 7 days will give you a more thorough experience

Wanderlust Crew

Plan Your Trip to NYC

Planning a trip to New York City can be exciting -- and overwhelming. We've curated the best advice to help you simplify your research and plan the trip of a lifetime.

Every season in New York City has something special to offer so make the most your visit, no matter what time of year.

There aren’t many other cities in the world where you have 3 options. Wondering which airport you should choose?

NYC airport transportation guide to understand the pros and cons of travel at JFK, LaGuardia, or Newark.

Where To Stay

A quick search for “New York City Hotels” will produce thousands of options. New York City has a mind-boggling number of places to stay, go and see… a simple “New York Hotels” Google search can leave even the most savvy traveler feeling overwhelmed. With literally thousands of options to choose from, how does one begin to decide? We think the best way is to first think about your wants, needs or goals for this trip, then narrow it down by neighborhoods that fit the bill -- then start your hotel or vacation rental/lodging search. We’re here to help with the first two.

Flatiron Neighborhood District Guide
Financial District Neighborhood Guide
Greenwich Village Neighborhood Guide
Lower East Side Neighborhood Guide
Times Square / Midtown Manhattan Guide
Upper East Side Neighborhood Guide
Upper West Side Neighborhood Guide
Chinatown Neighborhood Guide
Queens Neighborhood Guide
SoHo Neighborhood Guide

There is no shortage of amazing things to do in NYC. If it’s your first visit, we highly recommend taking a look at our tours and attractions, which you can purchase at a lower cost.

New York Skyline
Statue of Liberty
Traveling with kids? Use our guide to kid-friendly things to do in NYC
Insider's Guide to Woodbury Common Premium Outlets
72 Hours in New York City travel guide - a comprehensive recommendation for getting the most out of a 3-day visit.
NYC Day Trips
An Insider's Guide to Times Square
Popular Attractions In New York
Empire State Building
One World Observatory
Things to do in NYC at Night

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Weather & Climate

New York Airports

Neighborhoods to Know

Driving in NYC

NYC Public Transportation

NYC Attractions & Landmarks

Top Things to Do in NYC

Free Things to Do in NYC

Beaches Near NYC

Best Museums in NYC

Theater in NYC

NYC's Best Live Music Venues

One Day in NYC: Itinerary

Day Trips From NYC

The Best Food to Try in NYC

Family-Friendly NYC Restaurants

NYC's Best Bars

Breweries in NYC

Your Trip to NYC: The Complete Guide

New York City Guide: Planning Your Trip

M Swiet Productions/Getty Images

New York City is an iconic destination chock full of attractions — but it can also be overwhelming to visit. Which days are best to visit busy places like the Met and the Empire State Building, and how do you avoid tourist traps and discover local hangouts? Did you know the city has tons of outdoorsy activities for all seasons? And what about deciding between so many acclaimed bars and restaurants of all types?

Whether you want to spend the weekend in the city or a whole week exploring, planning your trip is important to ensure you make the most of your time. Let’s explore the best the city has to offer and help you decide when to visit, learn what to see and do, and discover where to eat, drink, and stay during your trip.

Planning Your Trip

Best Time to Visit: Figuring out the best time to visit really depends on what you want to do on your trip. New York City is a great destination year round, but each season has its own perks (and disadvantages). Winter is great for visitors who want to experience the wonders of the holiday season in New York City and after New Year’s crowds really dwindle and prices drop. Spring and fall are ideal in terms of mild weather and being able to take full advantage of everything the city has to offer. And while summer can get very hot and humid and it also brings lots of crowds, there are tons of free events and beaches , pools , and parks are in full swing.
Language: English is the official language of New York, but you’ll also hear a lot of Spanish , Mandarin, and plenty of other languages in this melting pot.
Currency : U.S. dollar
Getting Around: Public transportation makes getting around New York City easy, fast, and affordable. Quite often, you’ll find it’s best to take a bus or the subway to avoid traffic and save money. Before you give it a go, familiarize yourself with the routes by looking at maps so you don’t get lost or take the wrong train . Sometimes though, it can be more convenient or appropriate to take a taxi, Lyft, Uber , or car service . A cab is a good option for a group and might save money. You also might feel safer in a car late at night, although buses and the subway run all night long . Renting a car if you’re staying in the city is generally a bad idea as parking is difficult to find and/or very expensive. Plus, traffic is typically horrendous.
Travel Tip: Remember, New York City is more than just Manhattan and all five boroughs are worth visiting, especially Brooklyn and Queens , which are quite easy to get to from Manhattan. To avoid crowds, get an early start to your day and consider visiting the mot popular sites during the week if you can.

Things To Do

Whether it’s your first or tenth visit, New York City has so much to offer. It is brimming with attractions and activities, from world-class museums and monuments to stunning parks to shopping galore . There are things for kids and families , romantic activities for couples, and friend groups can be kept busy for days. Architecture fans, history buffs, entertainment lovers, foodies , shoppers , art hounds, and culture vultures will all be happy here. Don’t miss these activities:

Museums and Galleries: Visitors would be hard pressed to visit all the museums in NYC; from art to history to science and even food, there are hundreds of museums and galleries to see. Beyond the classics like the Met , MoMA , American Museum of Natural History , and the 9/11 Memorial & Museum , await the Brooklyn Museum , Queens Hall of Science , Museum of the City of New York, El Museo del Barrio, and the Museum of Food and Drink, to name a few.
Boat Rides: Remember that New York City is surrounded by water and seeing the sights by boat is a great experience. A number of companies offer boat tours and cruises around the city, pay a few bucks to ride the East River Ferry to a number of locations, or hop on the Staten Island Ferry for free.
Theater and Shows : Broadway shows are a highlight for many visitors and for good reason. There’s also plenty of Off-Broadway, Off-Off-Broadway, and experimental and avant-garde venues putting on some of the best theater in the world. And don’t forget the music scene — almost every band comes through NYC to play at one of its most famous concert venues, like Carnegie Hall, Radio City Music Hall , Lincoln Center , Bowery Ballroom, Kings Theatre, and Music Hall of Williamsburg.

Where to Eat and Drink

New York City is known for its plethora of food options, including iconic dishes that are must-eats on any trip. Be sure to grab a slice of pizza , a bagel with lox, a bodega egg and cheese on a roll, a classic deli sandwich, and a hot dog . And don’t forget to partake in brunch , a NYC tradition. But the best part about New York City is that you can find foods from across the globe here thanks to immigrants from around the world, be it inside Michelin-starred dining rooms or hole-in-the-wall eateries serving everything from Ethiopian to Burmese to Korean to Italian to Israeli to Mexican and beyond . You can go big at a steakhouse or find cheap eats throughout the five boroughs. And every neighborhood has something unique to offer if you look hard enough — even Times Square .

Drinking is just as important as eating in NYC and there are plenty of craft cocktail bars, historic taverns, breweries and taprooms, wine and Champagne bars, and even alcohol-free drink spots. And, there are some incredible coffee shops to start your day at.

Explore our articles on the most romantic restaurants , the best family-friendly restaurants, and the most expensive restaurants in NYC.

Where to Stay

Hotels are easy to find in New York City, but finding the right room for you is a different story. Where you stay is going to depend on which borough and neighborhood you prefer, if you’re alone, with a significant other , or with your family , and how much you want to spend . Midtown Manhattan is the most popular place to stay because it’s where most of the tourist attractions are but it is also one of the most expensive areas. If you’re willing to move north or south, there are some good budget-friendly hotels in Manhattan available. And of course, if you want to stay somewhere with a view of Central Park , near nightlife in Chelsea , or in the center of trendy SoHo , expect to pay a premium but be very happy. If you’re amenable to heading over the bridge to Brooklyn, there are some excellent options, and many people prefer its more low key vibe. Other options aside from hotels include short-term apartment rentals (a good value if you’re staying for three nights or more and may want to cook instead of eating out), hostels for those on a tight budget, and Airbnb rentals—although beware that these might be operating illegally .

Explore the different neighborhoods you can stay in, and see our recommendations on the best hotels in NYC with Pools and the Best NYC Airport Hotels .

Getting There

There are myriad ways to get to NYC: flying, by train, by bus, or driving. The main airports are:

John F. Kennedy International Airport is the largest and has the most international flights, but it can be intimidating and exhausting to traverse its many terminals. It is 16 miles from Midtown Manhattan and there are various ways to get there .
La Guardia International Airport in Queens is more manageable and recent upgrades have greatly improved its look, functionality, and services. It also has plenty of flights from most major carriers but less international options than JFK and EWR and some airlines, like Delta and United, use the other area airports as their hubs and so have fewer flights from La Guardia as a result. It is a little closer to Midtown Manhattan at 8.5 miles away and there are various ways to get there .
Newark Liberty International Airport in Newark, New Jersey, is 16 miles from Midtown Manhattan and sometimes flights there can be cheaper (but taxis generally cost more from there to NYC). It is the hub for United so almost all United flights will arrive and depart from here and it also has robust international offerings.

Amtrak trains to other major East Coast cities run fairly often to and from Penn Station and there are also trains to cities farther afield. Buses are usually the cheapest option, with Greyhound , Megabus , Bolt Bus, and smaller companies serving the city. And of course, driving is always an option but keep in mind that parking can be difficult and expensive.

Culture and Customs

New York City has a culture all its own and there are several unwritten rules that locals follow, including how to walk on a busy sidewalk (hint: don’t stop in the middle of it), subway etiquette , how to hail a cab, and proper bicycle behavior.

Tipping is important in NYC; be sure to tip taxi drivers, wait staff at restaurants, and bartenders.

Is New York City safe? It's a question visitors ask all the time and, in general, it is a safe city . However, swindlers and thieves can often spot “out of towners” so a little common sense is required.

Money Saving Tips

There are tons of awesome free activities , events , and places to visit in NYC, from parks to museums.
Several museums and attractions have certain days or times that are Pay What You Wish or are sometimes free .
If you plan on riding the subway and taking buses at least several times a day, you can save money by getting an MTA MetroCard for a day or week of unlimited rides.
Check out TKTS and other discount venues for cheaper Broadway tickets and don’t forget about standing room only .
Head to the outer boroughs for many excellent yet more affordable restaurants and eateries.

Watch Now: Planning Your Visit to New York City

U.S. Census Bureau. " Languages Spoken at Home ." 2018

MTA. " How to Ride the Subway ."

NYC & Company. " Museums & Galleries in NYC ."

The Official Website of the City of New York. " New York City Water Bodies ." 2014

Airbnb. " New York, NY ." 2020

The Economist Intelligence Unit . "Safe Cities Index 2017."

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Travel Itineraries | Luxury Travel | Travel Tips

7 Days in New York City | Travel Itinerary + Guide

“New York, New York (So Good They Named It Twice)” – Gerard Kenny, singer/songwriter

As a native New Yorker myself, I couldn’t agree more. New York City is a bustling city that never sleeps. Its streets are always alive with a vibrant energy that’s hard to describe until you’ve experienced it firsthand. And yes, NYC is active for 24 hours a day. Trying to cover all the attractions of New York City in just one week might seem daunting, but with the correct itinerary and plan, you can have an unforgettable experience. You can experience the best that NYC has to offer in this 7 day New York City travel itinerary. You’ll be able to explore all the tourist attractions plus get to enjoy things that native New Yorkers also love doing.

You can have many different types of things to do while in New York City, including such indulges as world-class cuisine or shopping in stores that can only be found in places such as Milan and Paris. Take a walk along South Street Seaport and see a glimpse of old New York, or take a ferry to Ellis Island and explore the Statue of Liberty. Come across cartoon characters that take pictures with you in Times Square and eat in hipster Brooklyn lined with restaurants that create new dishes all the time. New York promises the experience of a lifetime.

Keep reading this New York Trip Planner, as we take you through the best attractions, sights, and glimpses of New York that most visitors don’t get to see. New York City is a fantastic city with so much to offer, and we don’t want you to miss any of it. You’ll be in an Empire State of Mind in no time! (See what I did there.)

Day 1 – Arrival in New York City | Head right to the City Centre

Day 2 – visiting immigration history at ellis island, day 3 – central park, american museum of natural history and the met, day 4 – empire state building and the highline, day 5 – visit the next best borough – brooklyn, day 6 – 9/11 museum and downtown manhattan, day 7 – last day in nyc, top sights of new york city, where to stay in new york city, top new york city tours and activities, share this:, new york city trip guide – 7 days itinerary.

1 week in NYC | New York City Travel Itinerary | NYC Travel Guide

Pin this New York Trip Planner featuring a 7 Day New York City Tour Itinerary and Guide for your future Trip to NYC

PS – Useful Travel Resources to use while heading to New York City to tick off this 7 Day New York City Itinerary –

Book your Rental Car in New York City on Discover Cars and RentalCars.com
Book the best New York City Tours at GetYourGuide or Viator
Book your Accommodation in New York City on Agoda or Booking.com
Unlock Massive Savings by getting an All Inclusive New York City Pass from GoCity
Get an eSIM by Airalo to stay connected and Save on Roaming Fees
Sign up for a Priority Pass before flying to New York City, and get access to premium Airport Lounges.
Sign up for a Travel Insurance to enjoy a hassle free vacation in New York City.

Morning: You’ll arrive at either JFK or LGA airport. Make your way from the airport via the AirTrain to the subway at Jamaica, Queens, and experience the NYC Subway right from the start of your trip. You can get a 7-Day Metro card for unlimited rides at the station, which I highly suggest doing. The subway runs 24 hours a day (most trains). Check into your hotel in New York City , which should be located in Manhattan, to get the most out of your trip.

Afternoon: Head over to Times Square, the intersection between 7th Avenue, Broadway, and 42nd Street. From here, you can go to the M&M’s World New York Store and explore the 3 floors of chocolate goodness and pick up NYC-only M&M gifts. From right outside the store, you can walk and get your picture taken with some of your favourite cartoon characters. You’ll have to pay to get a photo, though.

Times Square | New York City | Photo by Victor He on Unsplash

Evening: Get dinner while in Times Square City Kitchen. Nestled in the Row Hotel, City Kitchen is a foodie lover’s paradise. A food hall with so many diverse food options. If you’re into comedy clubs, catch a show in Times Square. There are shows every night, and ticket prices vary from cheap to very expensive.

Pro Tip – To maximise on savings, grab the 5 Day All Inclusive New York City pass by GoCity , and visit as many New York City attractions as you want to.

Morning: Today, get *THE* iconic New Yorker breakfast. Bacon-egg-cheese with salt, pepper and ketchup on a roll. Yes, it’s ordered as one word, mainly because it’s said so fast. Ask where your closest deli or bodega is (your hotel will know) and get this delicious breakfast. Everyone from office workers to ambulance personnel will order this almost every morning. I promise you will see what you’re missing in life when you order this. Take the subway to Bowling Green. Here, head to Clinton Castle to purchase your ferry tickets to see the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island.

Afternoon: Explore the island that the Statue of Liberty is on and get a chance to walk up inside of Liberty to the Crown. Tip: Make sure to get your tickets BEFORE you arrive in NYC. From here, you can take the ferry to Ellis Island and research immigration in America by visiting the museum. You can also look up your family members who came here through Ellis Island. It’s a great way to spend the afternoon looking into the history of not only New York but of your family as well. You can also book the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island Half Day Tour here .

Statue of Liberty | Ellis Island, New York City | Photo by Pierre Blaché on Unsplash

Evening: Take the ferry back to Manhattan from Ellis Island and walk around Battery Park. You can take in gorgeous views of the Hudson River, find tucked-away monuments, and find plenty of food trucks and eateries to fill up on. From here, you can also explore the Skyscraper Museum or ride on the Aquatic Carousel.

Morning: On Day 3 in this New York Trip Planner, we recommend that you head out to visit Central Park. You could relax at Central Park, walking around the Upper West Side neighbourhood. There are many trails with lots to explore. You’ll see New Yorkers sunbathing on the grass in summer or bicyclists riding on the bike paths all over. Central Park also has a zoo you can visit. For fans of The Beatles, you can see Strawberry Fields while here.

Afternoon: Visit some of the most famous museums that line the border of Central Park – the American Museum of Natural History and the MET, which also happen to be some of the top things to do in New York according to this NYC Weekend Travel Guide . Visit the American Museum of Natural History to see the iconic dioramas and fossils. Every kid loves to explore this museum. Then, head to The Metropolitan Museum of Art also known as the MET, one of the most extensive and comprehensive art museums in the world. Take advantage of the rooftop sculpture garden with views of Central Park.

american museum of history nyc itinerary

⬆️ American Museum of Natural History (Left) | Metropolitan Museum of Art (Right)

⬇️ Central Park | New York City

Evening: Look to see if a concert is playing or if actors are performing in the evening at Central Park. Grab dinner at one of the many restaurants on Amsterdam Ave, about a block west of Central Park, between 77th St and 86th Street.

Morning: Take a trip to the world-famous Empire State Building. Once the tallest building in the world until 1971, this is where you can take in breathtaking views of the City from the observation deck on the 86th floor. From there, head to the High Line, a scenic park built on an elevated rail line with views of the Hudson River and the city skyline.

Empire State Building | New York City | Photo by Michael Discenza on Unsplash

Afternoon: From the Highline, you can visit Chelsea Market and see a bunch of food vendors and small boutique shops from local artists. After lunch, you can visit the Hudson Yards and walk to the top of The Vessel. It is a tall beehive-shaped structure that you can walk around and get great views of the Hudson and the City.

Evening: End your day with dinner at one of the City’s Michelin-starred restaurants, like Per Se or Le Bernardin. After dinner, head back to the Highline and grab a drink at the Rooftop Bar Gallow Green.

Morning: Today, take the subway to the base of the Brooklyn Bridge in Manhattan and walk the bridge to Dumbo, Brooklyn. You’ll see the historic part of Brooklyn mixed with cute boutique stores and great eateries/restaurants for you to get world-class dining. Brooklyn is a state of mind, and you’ll see more locals here than in Manhattan. Head to The Brooklyn Flea Market. It’s one of the most popular in NYC, and you can find a great selection of records and vintage clothing. If that’s not your style, then go to Brooklyn Bridge Park. Here, especially during the summer, you can sit out on the lawn, let kids run around, and get the best photos of the Brooklyn Bridge. Dumbo is a great community to walk around and explore for a few hours too.

Brooklyn Bridge | Dumbo, NYC | Photo by Miltiadis Fragkidis on Unsplash

Afternoon: From Dumbo, head over to Williamsburg, Brooklyn. It’s another old-school neighbourhood turned hipster and artsy but offers lots to do. Smorgasburg is open on weekends and has many vendors from all over NYC selling food at decent prices. New Yorkers from all over come every Saturday and Sunday and grab food. They then chill out near the water to eat and relax or hang with their friends. After eating, spend the day strolling through Domino Park through the many paths. The park designers left a nod to the old Domino Sugar factory that used to be here, by scattering old factory equipment in the park.

Evening: Head over to Brooklyn Bowl. In typical Brooklyn fashion, it’s an ordinary bowling alley mixed with a music venue and bar. It was called “one of the most incredible places on earth” by Rolling Stone Magazine. Grab dinner at any of the fantastic restaurants over here, and they have every type of cuisine, from Vegan to BBQ and everything else in between.

Morning: Head to the 9/11 museum today. The museum is held on the site where the towers once stood. It’s a very moving experience and helps you to understand what happened and how New York has coped with the aftermath. You’ll then see the memorial of where the Towers stood and the names posted around the edge of those who gave the ultimate sacrifice that day. You can even opt for the 9/11 Memorial and Museum Guided Tour , to get a much better immersive experience.

9/11 Memorial, NYC | Photo by Manuel Velasquez on Unsplash

Afternoon: Head over to Little Italy and Chinatown. Separated by Canal Street, both of these neighbourhoods are worth the trip to explore, but Chinatown offers better food options. The best way to explore the area is by taking the Little Italy and Chinatown Food Tour . There are many spots for great photos and shopping for gifts to take home.

Chinatown – New York City | Photo by Travis Grossen on Unsplash

Evening: Enjoy hanging out in Columbus Park for a few minutes before grabbing dinner. Columbus Park is like most other parks in NYC, but this park gives you a window into Chinatown. Make sure you stop for dessert at the Chinatown Ice Cream Factory. They offer flavors here you can’t get anywhere else, and it’s worth the visit.

Morning: In this New York Trip Planner, we recommend that you, make the most of your last day in New York and head to SoHo district. From here, you can walk around and see the original cobblestone streets of Manhattan and do some last-minute shopping at the 100s of stores in the area. Grab a coffee and sit at many outdoor cafes in the more excellent weather months and enjoy the sights and sounds of the City one last time.

SoHo, Manhattan, NYC | Photo by Diane Picchiottino on Unsplash

Afternoon: Stroll through Washington Square Park and watch street performers playing or grab a bite to eat from the food truck vendors that hang out on the Street. This is a great way to relax before you leave NYC. Then, return to the hotel to check out and catch your flight home.

Take in a Broadway Show – You can catch a show that’s playing, but make sure you get your tickets ahead of time.

Grand Central Terminal – This is where the trains come into Midtown Manhattan, and it is very historic with beautiful architecture.

Top of the Rock – Get a bird’s eye view of the City from on top of the Empire State Building.

Rockefeller Plaza – This is where the famous holiday tree stands, ice skating, and the favourite NBC studios are here.

St. Patrick’s Cathedral – The most famous catholic church in New York City.

New York Public Library – Open to visitors to explore and experience the history of this library.

Museum of Modern Art MOMA – Another fantastic art museum has works such as Van Gogh’s Starry Night.

One World Observatory – Top of the tallest building in the Western Hemisphere with more amazing views of New York City.

Here are some of our recommended hotels in New York City that you can choose from –

Or you can simply enter your dates, and hit the search button in the box below, to search and compare prices for the Best Hotels in New York City, based on your needs.

New York Bus Tour by BigBusTours | Chinatown and Little Italy Food Tour | Manhattan Architecture Yacht Cruise | New York City One Day Guided Sightseeing Tour | 9/11 Memorial Tour and Museum Ticket

Book the Best New York City Tours and Activities on GetYourGuide

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Book the Best New York City Tours and Activities on Klook

Don’t forget to Pin this NYC Travel Guide and New York Trip Planner featuring an exhaustive 7 Day New York City Travel Itinerary , carefully crafted and curated by a local, which will help you in planning for your trip to New York City.

7 Day Ultimate New York City Travel Itinerary | 7 Days in NYC | One Week in New York City

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New York City Travel Guide

Visiting NYC?

Then you're in the right place! Check out my New York City Travel Guide resources.

Maybe you're traveling on a budget and want to enjoy free NYC views and cheap things to do in New York .

Or perhaps you're seeking adventure through Manhattan hiking trails or a day trip from NYC to hike in the Hudson Valley — the Bull Hill Full Loop and Breakneck Ridge Trail are both epic and nearby!

Remember, too, that while there is a lot to do in Manhattan — like exploring SoHo , the Upper East Side , and Times Square — the other boroughs also have a lot to offer.

A few of my favorite neighborhoods include Long Island City in Queens and Williamsburg in Brooklyn .

To help you plan your perfect trip to New York City, find some helpful resources below.

You can also click here to grab my free PDF New York City travel guide .

Manhattan Travel Guides

When visiting manhattan, don't miss....

Brooklyn Travel Guides

When visiting brooklyn, don't miss....

Queens Travel Guides

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Long Island Travel Guides

Long island offers great day trips from nyc don't miss....

New York City Hiking Guides

When hiking in new york , don't miss....

NYC Day Trips

Looking for day trips from nyc these guides will help you visit the hudson valley , catskills, and more.

NYC In Winter

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NYC In Fall

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NYC In Spring

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New York City Guides & Resources

Check out these other things to do in new york city....

Common New York City Travel Guide Questions

*Note: Some of the below links are affiliate links to trusted partners!

Q: Are there guided tours in New York City ?

Yes! In fact, I'm a licensed NYC tour guide myself and I lead private photo tours around the city that include photos of your group to keep.

Traveling solo? The tours are also great if you're looking for things to do in NYC by yourself . No need to ask strangers to take your picture!

Additionally, you can click here to view hundreds of popular New York City tourism, events, tickets and other guided tours around the city.

Curious what kind of questions are on the tour guide exam?

Check out this video:

Q: How many days do you recommend visiting NYC for?

No USA travel guide would be complete without mentioning NYC, as here's why:

If you lived in New York City for your entire life you still wouldn't have enough time to experience everything the city has to offer.

That being said, if you don't mind packing activities into your itinerary, you can do and see a lot in a weekend. Ideally, you'll plan out a 4 day NYC itinerary or more though.

Just keep in mind that many popular attractions featured in major New York City guides — like the Statue of Liberty, Empire State Building, and Circle Line cruises — take a few hours each.

If you want to go beyond Manhattan and also visit Brooklyn , Queens , The Bronx , and/or Staten Island , you'll want to visit for at least one week. This will help you also explore some of the more unusual things to do in NYC .

Q: What are the best ways to visit NYC on a budget?

There are so many cheap things to do in New York City !

First of all, opt for public transportation like the subway, bus, NYC Ferry, and CitiBike.

You can also ride the free Staten Island Ferry, which offers gorgeous views of the Statue of Liberty and is exceptionally lovely after dark if you're looking for free NYC night tours .

Moreover, book budget-friendly New York hotels like the Hotel Edison , YOTEL New York City , or Pod 39 .

Finally, save money on food by using the Crave app, find inexpensive local events through newsletters like The Skint and Nifty NYC , and opt for free experiences like riding the Staten Island Ferry, attending park events, and walking the High Line.

The Crave App can help you snag budget-friendly meals in NYC

Q: Where are the best free views of New York City?

If you're seeking out views of the skyline from Queens , check out Gantry Plaza State Park in Long Island City and Hunter’s Point South Park.

That being said, there are loads of great free views in NYC featured in this New York City Travel Guide.

A few others include:

East River Park in Williamsburg, Brooklyn
The Roosevelt Island Tram in Manhattan
Governors Island in Manhattan

Also, don't forget to enjoy some stunning views in NYC at night !

And if you don't mind spending a bit of money, there are some great Manhattan skyline tours , like yacht excursions and helicopter tours, as well as NYC architectural tours that showcase the city's most iconic buildings.

Q: How do I take the New York City subway?

The easiest way to get a handle on the subway is to use an app like Google Maps or CityMapper, both of which provide step-by-step instructions from your location to your destination.

Most New York tourist information booths also include instructions!

While you don't need a MetroCard anymore (you can simply tap your credit card to enter), many people like to get one to keep as a souvenir from New York . You can purchase your MetroCard at almost all subway stations, which are marked by a green and white globe at the entrances.

Note that unless you purchase a single ride, your MetroCard is refillable.

As long as you ride the subway four or more times during your entire trip, it will be more economical to avoid single ride tickets and purchase a refillable card or even a weekly or monthly unlimited card.

One neat thing about the NYC subway:

There are no zones, so no matter where you're going you'll pay $2.75 (unless you have an unlimited card, in which case all your rides are included).

The subway is one of New York City’s easiest and cheapest ways to get around

Q: What areas of New York City do you recommend tourists avoid?

Overall, the streets of New York are safe to wander.

That being said, NYC is unfortunately a prime example of the differences in opportunities and justice caused by generational systematic racism.

Most violent crimes take place in the city's poorest neighborhoods, so tourists won't commonly find themselves in NYC's most dangerous places.

A few neighborhoods that tend to make dangerous area lists include Mott Haven (The Bronx), the South Bronx (The Bronx), and East Harlem (Manhattan), though I'll also say that as a local I've walked around all of these neighborhoods without a problem.

Furthermore, if you want to avoid getting pickpocketed , it's worth noting that this tends to happen semi-frequently in touristy Times Square. That's why I recommend pickpocket-proof garments .

Q: Is the New York City subway safe at night?

Yes, though you should always keep travel safety in mind.

Be alert and aware of your surroundings, trust your gut, and if you've had a few drinks consider hailing a taxi.

The above are also things I would suggest during the day, though are especially pertinent if you're exploring NYC after midnight .

You also might consider investing in some travel safety essentials for peace of mind.

Yes, you can ride the NYC subway at night. Just be sure to use common sense.

Q: Where can I go hiking in NYC?

People are often surprised to learn that New York City has over 1,700 parks — many of which include hiking trails.

That being said, some parks are more rugged than others.

If you're looking for a hiking experience that feels like you've escaped the city for the Catskills, check out Inwood Hill Park (Manhattan), Van Cortlandt Park (The Bronx), and Pelham Bay Park (The Bronx).

Pelham Bay Park is actually NYC's largest park at 2,772 acres!

Additionally, people often forget about Staten Island , which is just a 30-minute (free!) ferry ride away and is full of hiking trails. This New York City Guide includes plenty of NYC hiking opportunities.

Recommendation:

Check out Staten Island's six major Greenbelt trails . These offer a diverse array of hiking for all fitness abilities.

Now, if you're looking for something easy and scenic but not necessarily rugged for hiking in New York City, a few suggestions include:

Central Park (Manhattan). The park's three major woodlands include the North Woods, the Ramble, and the Hallett Nature Sanctuary (shown in the below video). Visiting Central Park is one of the top things to do on the Upper East Side NYC !
Randall's Island (Manhattan). The island park features an approximately four-mile scenic loop around the perimeter, though you can also venture inland to extend your hike. This is also a popular spot for an engagement photoshoot in NYC !
Prospect Park (Brooklyn). This park has the same architects as Central Park. The Ravine is particularly noteworthy for some stunning urban hiking in NYC.
Highland Park ( Queens ). Here you can walk around a lovely reservoir and enjoy beautiful views of the Ridgewood Reservoir, the Rockaways, and the Atlantic Ocean.

Q: How much should I save for a trip to NYC?

While there are ways to explore NYC on a budget , most travelers will want to save at least $300 per day, including a hotel, daily tours, meals, and subway transportation.

Q: What should you not miss in NYC?

Why is NYC so popular ? For one, because of all of the incredible experiences to be had!

A few things you shouldn't miss when visiting New York City are wandering Central Park, taking a cooking class, doing an NYC walking tour , eating bready foods like pizza and bagels, savoring one of the best bottomless brunches in NYC , taking a boat ride (there are also many options for hosting a birthday party on a boat in NYC ), and seeing a show (off-Broadway counts, too!).

There are also numerous Instagrammable restaurants in NYC and beautiful places to take photos .

Q: How do I not look like a tourist in NYC?

Don't ever stop in the middle of a sidewalk or block pedestrian traffic to take a photo or read a map.

Also, learn the small rules that locals abide by, like letting people off of the subway before stepping on and standing still on the right side of the escalator and leaving the left side open for walkers.

Q: Can you visit New York City without a car?

Absolutely! Unless you'll be doing a road trip from NYC , you can get easily get around the five boroughs via public transportation.

Q: What can I do in six hours in New York?

With such a short amount of time, it's recommended to choose one or two main highlights — like walking the Williamsburg Bridge or eating your way around the West Village — and creating an itinerary around that.

You might also opt for a walking tour, which can help you see and learn a lot in a short amount of time.

Here are a few fun options:

A Private & Custom NYC Photo Journey (Including Photos to Keep!)
Professional Photoshoot in NYC (Including 100+ Images!)
Greenwich Village Walking & Food Tasting Tour
Brooklyn Graffiti Lesson
Champagne Brunch Sail
Broadway Theaters & Times Square with a Broadway Actor

Click here for a full list of tours and experiences .

Q: What can you do in New York City for $20 or less?

There are many free and cheap things to do in NYC , like enjoying an al fresco meal at one of the many lovely NYC picnic spots , walking around one of the city's 1700 parks, doing a self-guided audio tour of the city , wandering the art galleries of Chelsea, and taking in the free New York City views from the Staten Island ferry.

What would you add to this New York City travel guide?

fun things to do in Long Island City Queens

4 Days In New York Itinerary: How To Plan The Perfect NYC Trip

by Mark and Kristen Morgan

Published: May 20, 2021

The Perfect 4 days in New York City itinerary Central Park Midtown Manhattan Lower Manhattan Brooklyn Yellow Taxi Grand Central NYC

Planning the perfect first time trip to NYC begins with one very important question: Should you map out a New York City itinerary for 3, 4 or 5 days? Well, we’re here to show you why 4 days is the magic number. We have condensed the very best things to do in New York City into an action packed, fun filled and unforgettable 4 day NYC itinerary.

After heavily exploring New York City for 3 non-stop months in early 2021, we have crafted the perfect 4 days itinerary blueprint for first time visitors to one of the world’s greatest cities.

If you follow this itinerary exactly, you will see all of the top rated paid attractions, walk around the cool and edgy neighborhoods and of course hit the best free things to do in NYC.

Remember, you can always use this example itinerary as a starting point and tailor it to suit your travel style and preferences.

Let’s break the iconic landmarks and neighborhoods of New York City up into 4 memorable days!

Why 4 Days?

We thought long and hard about 3, 4 and 5 days for the perfect amount of time for a first time visitor to explore NYC.

New York City is one of the best places to visit in the USA but it is not a cheap place to take a vacation. Hotels, food, attractions and transport add up quickly.

However, there are so many awesome things to do in the city, so it’s important to get the balance right.

With just 3 days, you will be seriously cramming things in and you will have to cut one or two ‘big’ attractions or neighborhoods from your itinerary.
If you stay in the city for 5 days, you might find you have unexpected ‘dead’ time. Plus it starts to get really expensive.
Therefore, 4 days strikes the perfect balance between cost, time and making the most of your trip to NYC.

Getting Into NYC

Let’s take a quick look into basic travel logistics and useful tips for getting into the city. All transport terminals can be found on the map located at the end of the NYC itinerary:

Remember if you drive to the city, you will have to pay additional fees for hotel parking. There are tolls to pay as you cross bridges and tunnels, plus traffic is going to cost you time.

We highly recommend leaving your car in the hotel parking lot and using subways to get around once in the city.

The major Amtrak station in New York City is newly built Moynihan Hall, opposite Penn Station (which serves as one combined entity).

Greyhound bus terminal in NYC is at Port Authority, 8th ave and 40th-42nd street. Times Square and Penn Station are within walking distance.

International visitors will land at JFK or Newark, but domestic US travelers could also land at La Guardia. Here’s how to get into the city from each airport:

JFK to Manhattan – Take the air train to Jamaica Station and then the LIRR to Penn Station. The LIRR is much easier than taking the subway, especially if you have larger suitcases.
Newark to Manhattan – The Newark Airport ‘AirTrain’ will transport you from airport terminal to airport train station. Take the NJ Transit train or Amtrak train directly from Newark Airport station to Penn Station. Easier and quicker than JFK.
La Guardia to Manhattan – No direct train links. Take a bus to a subway line or take a taxi, private bus, or private car into Manhattan.

Where to stay on a 4 days in new york city itinerary 1 hotel central park top choice

Where To Stay In NYC

The hotel you decide to book will play an important role in the success and enjoyment of your visit to the city.

Our top tip is to book a hotel near a subway station. If you can help it, you don’t want a 5 or 10 minute walk each time you want to go anywhere in the city and the same back again later that night.

We won’t get into hotels in a big way in this 4 days New York City itinerary. Instead we will list just a handful of the top rated hotels in the most popular centrally located areas for first time visitors.

Read our comprehensive Where to Stay in New York City guide to find the perfect hotel for your travel style and preferences. It is a very detailed roundup of the top rated hotels in each of the 6 most popular NYC areas.

Important : A high proportion of first time visitors to New York will book a hotel near Times Square. Therefore, for the purposes of this 4 days in New York City itinerary, we will use Times Square as our home base.

Each hotel listed below has a rating out of 10 as per Booking.com included for reference. We have included the popular areas of Central Park, Times Square and Midtown South.

Click on any hotel name to see the prices for your dates:

Central Park – M Social Hotel 8.5
Times Square – Riu Plaza 8.6
Midtown South – Cambria 8.8
Central Park – 1 Hotel Central Park 8.7
Times Square – CitizenM Times Square 9.1
Midtown South – Archer 9.0
Central Park – The Whitby Hotel 9.5
Times Square – The Chatwal 9.1
Midtown South – The Langham 9.1

NYC Itinerary Tips

Spend as much time as possible exploring each day and night. You can sleep after your trip!
Depending on season, you might have one or two days of bad weather forecast. If there’s going to be a rainy day, switch up the itinerary to make sure you spend as much time inside as possible.
Fuel up during the day with the best bagels in NYC , endless slices of the best NYC pizza and hotdogs from street vendors – you are in New York City after all!
Visiting New York City at Christmas? Read our detailed guide to visiting NYC in Winter .
Book every single attraction you want to do in advance, whether it’s a museum, observation deck, cruise and even lunch or dinner if it’s somewhere popular. With just 4 days you can’t afford to lose time standing in lines or being on a waiting list.
Purchase a NYC attraction pass to save money when visiting many of the top attractions in the city. We will cover everything you need to know towards the end of this guide after the itinerary.

Infographic summarizing the best things to do on a 4 days NYC itinerary

Day 1 New York City Itinerary – Central Park, North Midtown & Times Square

Let’s kick things off on Day 1 with an iconic park, world famous art museums, shopping and the first of many observation decks.

Remember, the summer months of June, July and August are peak season in NYC. If you want to avoid the crowds but still have comfortable weather, consider visiting New York in April or another shoulder season month.

Central Park and North Midtown are overflowing with must-visit sights. It will be a busy first day with a lot of walking.

Central Park Bow Bridge in snow and ice winter plan a trip to nyc

Morning – Central Park

There are two awesome NYC bagel joints near Penn Station on 35th street between 7th and 8th avenue: Liberty Bagels Midtown and Best Bagel & Coffee . Either will set up you perfectly for the day ahead.

After breakfast, walk up 7th avenue from Times Square to Central Park or take the Yellow subway line from Times Sq 42 St to 5 Avenue on the Southeast corner of Central Park.

One of our top tips for your 4 days in New York City itinerary is to walk through Times Square before (or during) sunrise. It’s almost as crazy to see it empty as it to see it buzzing at night.

Central Park is a stunning part of the city you just can’t miss on a first visit to NYC. Walking through the park is up there with the very best free things to do in New York.

It’s also a 4 season urban oasis:

Spring – Cherry blossom
Summer – Emerald green leaves
Fall – Burnt orange foliage
Winter – See Central Park in the snow

Once in Central Park, follow this exact path:

The Pond -> Gapstow Bridge -> Wollman Ice Rink -> The Mall -> Bethesda Terrace -> Bow Bridge (but don’t cross it) -> Cherry Hill -> Wagner Cove -> Strawberry Fields -> Ramble Stone Arch -> The Ramble -> Belvedere Castle and finish at The MET .

The MET (Metropolitan Museum of Art) is our top pick for the best NYC museums . If you are only going to do one, make it this one. We spent 5 hours inside and left feeling like we’d missed a few important exhibits.

It is huge!

Afternoon – North Midtown

Once you manage to tear yourself away from The MET, either walk back through Central Park sticking close to the boundary with 5th avenue or walk on 5th avenue itself.

The park is more attractive but the luxury buildings of Upper East Side are impressive and intriguing.

When you reach the corner of 59th street and 5th avenue – where the Plaza Hotel from Home Alone 2 is located – you will begin walking down the world’s most expensive shopping street: Upper Fifth Avenue.

If shopping isn’t your cup of tea, why not go for a ‘proper brew’ with afternoon tea at The Whitby Hotel ?

Sandwiches, scones and desserts at one of the top rated hotels in NYC is a luxurious and relaxing way to refuel after standing for hours.

Alternatively, if you love art and can’t wait to travel forward in time from The MET, spend the next few hours perusing New York’s premier Modern Art display inside MoMA .

However you decide to spend the afternoon in North Midtown, be sure to walk by St Patrick’s Cathedral, Atlas, Saks Fifth Avenue and Rockefeller Center.

Top of the Rock is one of the best things to do on a 4 days in new york city itinerary

Evening – Times Square

After looking up at the impressive Rockefeller Center, there’s only one thing to do – stand on its roof. Walk the red carpet entrance on W 50th street, check out the exhibits and take the elevator up to Top of the Rock .

Pre-book your time slot for Top of the Rock and go for the hour before sunset. That way you can watch as Midtown and Downtown turn a golden yellow and orange as the city buildings cast huge deep shadows from block to block.

From Top of the Rock you have awesome views over Central Park, Edge and particularly the Empire State Building, which lights up at night.

Once you’ve seen enough and day has transitioned into night, it’s time to immerse yourself into the eccentric chaos that is Times Square. Even if you know you’re not going to like Times Square, you should at least walk through it one time to experience the electric atmosphere.

Look for the red staircase and take a seat to soak up the sensory overload scenes unfolding in front of you.

The time will come when you can’t take it anymore. At that point, make your way to Refinery Rooftop for a late dinner and cocktail or beer.

Views of the Empire State Building are great but you will need to book in advance.

Day 1 NYC Attractions Summary

If you want to keep track of any attractions you will visit on this 4 days in New York City itinerary, we will list major and minor attractions at the end of each day.

Central Park
Fifth Avenue
Top of the Rock
Times Square
St Patrick’s Cathedral
Saks Department Store
Rockefeller Center
NYC Rooftop Bar

Do you need help planning your visit to New York City? Our popular 40 + page NYC Guidebook & Itinerary covers every aspect of planning a trip to New York including hotels, restaurants, getting around, things to do, example itineraries and so much more!

Day 2 New York City Itinerary – South Midtown, Chelsea & Central Midtown

Day 2 gets you stuck into the meat of Manhattan, New York. The route is a nice, easy to follow square shaped loop and is best achieved by walking.

There are fewer ‘top attractions’ but more chance to walk through some of the residential areas in Manhattan.

Empire State Building in the new york city skyline is unmissable on any NYC itinerary

Morning – South Midtown

Start the day with a visit to the 86th floor of New York’s most iconic building of all – the Empire State Building. There are 50 tickets per day for sunrise but they are expensive.

So if you’re on a lower budget, we’d suggest waiting until right after the sunrise time slot.

Views circling 360 degrees consist of enormous skyscrapers and concrete towers bursting high above the streets of NYC. The exhibits are interesting and you can also pay more to visit the 102nd floor but be aware that floor is indoors.

Take Broadway as far as the Flatiron Building to gaze upon the famous narrowly rounded front edge.

Continue down Broadway passing through Union Square until you reach the incredibly popular and independent Strand Book Store .

By now there are likely to be lines to get in but it’s worth waiting around a few minutes to get inside.

The High Line street view of an ornate bridge

Afternoon – Chelsea

Next up is a 6 block walk along W 14th street as far as Chelsea Market.

Spend a few hours exploring Chelsea Market, find a great spot (such as Los Tacos ) for a quick take out lunch and enjoy the atmosphere.

Walk around Chelsea and the Meatpacking District for another hour or so, there are dozens of trendy bars and restaurants here to grab lunch if nothing takes your fancy inside Chelsea Market.

You will find The High Line starts just a few blocks South of the market and that’s where you’ll be heading next, right on the corner of Gansevoort and Washington.

The High Line is a peaceful and relaxing escape from crosswalks and relentless traffic. An old railroad line transformed into a 1.5 mile long garden oasis elevated above street level is as awesome as it sounds.

This place does get busy in Summer and on warm Spring or Fall days. But by late afternoon it should be beginning to get quieter after the midday rush.

Sunset on the edge at Hudson yards perfect place to visit on a 4 days in new york city itinerary

Evening – Central Midtown

As you walk North, you will see an eye-catching glass building with strange triangular shaped platform jutting out at the top. That is Edge at Hudson Yards and you will be standing on that very platform shortly.

Undergoing significant redevelopment, Hudson Yards has become a modern and futuristic looking area to enjoy. The High Line ends right at the Hudson Yards complex.

Start with Vessel, one of the most unique and awesome pieces of architecture in the city. Next to it is The Shed, a cultural center with retractable shell.

Move inside the main shopping mall at Hudson Yards. It reminded us of a mall in Dubai or Singapore with its pristine finish and upmarket feel. On the 4th floor you will find the entrance to Edge.

Spend time walking around the cool exhibits, explaining how renewable energy, waste and air filtration works in conjunction with the building.

The elevator ride from floor 4 to 100 is our favorite elevator in New York City. You will know why when you’re floating upward.

Views over NYC from Edge at sunset are astounding. We highly recommend this one.

When you’re ready, head up 34th street, passing Penn Station as far as Macy’s. You simply can’t miss one of the world’s most popular department stores on your first trip to NYC.

If you bought a New York CityPASS , you will have a ‘free’ second visit to the Empire State Building after 7pm. So if you’re not observation-decked-out, head back up to floor 82 to see New York shimmering at night.

Day 2 NYC Attractions Summary

Here are the top NYC attractions you have ticked off on day 2:

Empire State Building
Chelsea Market
The High Line
Strand Book Store
Flatiron Building
Meatpacking District
Penn Station

Day 3 New York City Itinerary – Lower Manhattan & SoHo

Days 1 and 2 have been action packed but day 3 takes things up a notch. Lots of coffee in the morning is a must!

Lower Manhattan is home to an overwhelming amount of touristy things to do in New York. However, with just one day to see it all, we’re going to prioritize only the most unmissable.

Statue of liberty is unmissable on a 4 days in new york city itinerary for first time visitors lady liberty holding torch high into the blue sky

Morning – Lower Manhattan Part 1

Take the red subway line from Times Square 42 St to the South Ferry terminal in time to jump on the very first ferry of the day to Liberty Island.

Again, you will need to book this in advance and we highly recommend you do make the first ferry. That way you get a good start on a long day and you also get Liberty Island to just the one group.

The ferry leaves from behind Castle Clinton in The Battery on Manhattan’s Southern tip.

Visiting the Statue of Liberty is one of the top bucket list activities on your 4 days in New York, and this is the only way you can actually step foot on Liberty Island.

The ferry leaves Liberty Island and makes a stop at Ellis Island before heading back to Manhattan. We thoroughly enjoyed and highly recommend getting off at Ellis Island to take the tour inside the National Museum of Immigration.

However, only do this if you either have a lot of interest in this museum or you are a quick explorer because there’s a lot more to get through today.

Once back in Manhattan, it’s time to explore the maze-like street of the Financial District. Start with Stone Street, Broad Street and William Street before reaching Wall Street.

Check out the Trump Building, Federal Hall, Trinity Church and NYSE with the Fearless Girl statue. Consider taking this popular walking tour of Wall Street and the Financial District.

Oculus is one of the most unique buildings in new york city and perfect to add to a 4 days itinerary for lovers of architecture or interior design

Afternoon – Lower Manhattan Part 2

Around 12pm – 1pm is the perfect time of day if you’re planning to take a luxury helicopter tour over NYC for a special occasion. We’d recommend waiting on lunch until after the flight!

If a helicopter ride isn’t on your radar, head straight up to Oculus at the World Trade Center complex. Oculus is one of our favorite buildings in New York.

It looks like a bright white winged dove from the outside and opens up into a vast and cavernous grand hall.

If you want to complete the set of observation decks, One World Observatory is the highest platform in the Western Hemisphere. It offers a unique city view, including Statue of Liberty and Brooklyn Bridge.

Otherwise, it’s time for a harrowing but unmissable part of your 4 days in New York itinerary – the 9/11 museum. Spend a few minutes walking around the memorial pools before heading inside.

Allow at least 2-3 hours the museum. It’s so sad but engaging and gripping. A timeline of events unfolding almost feels like a tense movie script, but it was a tragic reality.

The museum does a fantastic job of immersing you into the events.

SoHo is a great place to walk around with lovely shops and cobblestone streets

Evening – SoHo

Emotions will be running high but you’ll need to shake it off as you walk North up W Broadway through Tribeca and into SoHo.

SoHo is a ritzy residential / high end shopping area in which you can enjoy some of the best people watching in the city. Walk up and down the quaint grid-style cobblestoned streets, stopping to admire the rows of houses and shops.

If you fancy a sweet treat, don’t miss Dominique Ansel bakery and its legendary Cronut – a croissant / donut hybrid.

Still feeling like walking and exploring at this point? Continue on to Greenwich Village and West Village for more of the same picturesque residential rows.

If not, stick around in SoHo, find a posh place for dinner and relax.

Day 3 NYC Attractions Summary

Here are the top NYC attractions you have ticked off on day 3:

Statue of Liberty
Wall Street
One World Observatory
9/11 Memorial & Museum
Ellis Island
Trinity Church
Helicopter Ride

Day 4 New York City Itinerary – Brooklyn & Williamsburg

The last day of your 4 days in New York City itinerary is centered around crossing the East River into Brooklyn and back again into Manhattan. Maybe more than once!

One day is doing Brooklyn a disservice. But on a first visit to NYC, there are just so many places in Manhattan you can’t miss.

Let’s take a look at an efficient way to see some of the best bits in Brooklyn in one day.

Dumbo washington street manhattan bridge view is unique and gorgeous

Morning – Dumbo

If you don’t mind an early start, we highly recommend waking up before sunrise and making your way down to Brooklyn Bridge / City Hall on the green subway line.

Walking over the iconic Brooklyn Bridge at sunrise is one of the best free things you can do in New York. You will have the bridge almost entirely to yourself, perfect for snapping some selfies.

Serious photographers should try to be at Pier 17 during civil twilight. The sun rises behind Williamsburg and Pier 17 has one of the top places to watch sunrise in NYC.

Cross the bridge and once you reach Brooklyn, take the staircase and turn left. Walk 3 blocks straight down Washington Street and you’ll see the mighty Manhattan Bridge dominating the skyline through a tunnel of narrow buildings.

Early morning gives you a better chance of getting a selfie without dozens of others, plus the bridge will be glowing just after sunrise.

This unique spot in Dumbo is one of the best photography and instagram locations in NYC .

Bars and restaurants in Williamsburg Brooklyn

Afternoon – Williamsburg

You have so many options for places to explore in Brooklyn.

Prospect Park, Greenwood Cemetery, Red Hook, walk around downtown Brooklyn, pick any of the residential neighborhoods to see those typical Brooklyn houses with wide set steps at the entrance and the list goes on.

However, for the purpose of keeping things broader and to give you more of a complete visit to NYC, we recommend you jump on the light green line at Hoyt-Schermerhorn and get off at Metropolitan Ave in Williamsburg.

Trendy hipster Williamsburg is a cool residential neighborhood with tons of bars and restaurants spilling out into the streets centered around Bedford Avenue and Berry Street.

Start at Domino Park and walk all the way up Berry St / Bedford Av to really immerse yourself into Williamsburg around midday. Stop in for lunch and a beer at one of many awesome looking places.

If you’re into street art, make the extra effort to reach the Bushwick Collective. You can jump on the grey line at Bedford Av station and get off at Jefferson St to see entire streets covered in wall art.

Top tip : If you’re trying out pizza slices in each area of NYC, you can’t miss highly rated and always busy L’industrie pizzeria in Williamsburg.

Brooklyn Bridge lit up at night with nobody on the wooden pedestrian path

Evening – Brooklyn

Tear yourself away from the pubs in Williamsburg and head back to Hoyt-Schermerhorn St in Brooklyn.

Make your way over to Montague Street and walk as far as Brooklyn Heights promenade for your first of many Lower Manhattan skyline views. Turn right and follow this all the way around until you’re standing underneath Brooklyn Bridge.

Continue along Water Street and enter Time Out Market . On the river side of the market, you will be able to see the classic Brooklyn Bridge view. Take a ton of photographs from Jane’s Carousel, Pebble Beach and on top of Time Out Market.

Sunset is awesome from anywhere in this area. Grab dinner at a riverside restaurant in Time Out Market, then head back to the other side of Brooklyn Bridge again.

Follow the waterfront Pier 1 promenade until you reach Old Pier 1 for another unique but amazing view of Manhattan.

Finally, take one of the most unforgettable walks in New York City by crossing the Brooklyn Bridge at night when Manhattan begins to sparkle.

Day 4 NYC Attractions Summary

Here are the top NYC attractions you have ticked off on day 4:

Williamsburg
Brooklyn Bridge
Manhattan Bridge
Bushwick Collective
Domino Park
Brooklyn Bridge Park

4 Days In New York City Neighborhood Itinerary

Does the itinerary above sound a little too touristy for your taste?

If you’re visiting New York City to see the good, the bad and the gritty, spend your days walking around neighborhoods instead of attractions.

Here’s an example of how you could spend 4 days in New York City:

1 – West Village, Greenwich Village and Chelsea
2 – Tribeca, Chinatown, Little Italy, Nolita and SoHo
3 – Bowery, East Village and Lower East Side
4 – Brooklyn and Williamsburg

4 Days In New York Itinerary Map

We have created a 4 Days NYC Itinerary Map for you to use as a reference. Each day is numbered by attraction or activity as listed in the itinerary above.

Click or touch your screen to activate the map.

Scroll around, zoom in and out, get to know the area and click on each icon to see how the 4 days New York City itinerary will work.

Understanding the geography of NYC will significantly help you get around and save time once you arrive.

Red icons = Day 1
Green icons = Day 2
Purple icons = Day 3
Blue icons = Day 4
Orange icons = Transport Hubs

Four major nyc attraction passes displayed in iPhones

New York City Attraction Passes

If you are planning to visit the top attractions in New York, we recommend you purchase a New York City attraction pass .

The idea is simple with these attractions passes; the more attractions you visit, the more money you will save .

Having used the NYC attraction passes ourselves when we lived in New York, we recommend the New York Sightseeing Pass because its extremely easy to use while offering both flexibility and big savings.

Many of the attractions on this New York Itinerary are included with the NY Sightseeing Pass and we have an exclusive 10% discount just for our readers.

Want To Save Money In NYC?

Use the button below to claim 10% off any NY Sightseeing Pass.

You can also read our guides below to help decide which is the perfect pass for your visit to New York:

NY Sightseeing Pass – The most popular NYC attraction pass option for visitors who want to see as many attractions as possible.
New York CityPASS and C3 Pass Review – How to visit select attractions in New York City at a competitive price point.
New York Pass Comparison – Detailed comparison between each of the 4 New York Passes and which one you should buy for your visit.

Travel Tip : If you have a New York attractions pass, you will not have to pay the extra fee for a sunset time slot at the any of the NYC observation decks when you reserve your timed entry ticket online.

Need Help Planning Your Visit To New York City?

NYC is a vacation planning beast and it can be overwhelming trying to get every aspect right. Trust us, we know!

After living in New York City, we created a comprehensive NYC travel guidebook & itineraries that will answer every question you have about where to stay, what to do, where to eat and how to get around the city.

Click see details below to read more about how we can help you plan your dream trip to New York City!

Our Popular NYC Guides

Attractions – Here’s our complete roundup of the very best things to do in New York City for all visitors covering free, cheap and iconic attractions.
Photography – Our guide to the best photography spots in New York City includes over 60 famous photo locations around the city.
Hotels – Here’s our comprehensive guide on exactly where to stay in New York City based on the six popular NYC neighborhoods.
Winter – Are you planning a trip to New York in December, January or February? There are 10 important things you need to know about visiting New York City in Winter .

Best Of New York City

Pizza – Sampling famous New York pizza is unmissable on any trip to the big apple, here’s our popular guide to where you can find the very best pizza in NYC .
Bagels – Bagels are the only thing you should be eating for breakfast in New York! Here’s our roundup of where to find the best bagels in NYC .
Museums – With over 100 museums in NYC it can be hard to narrow down which ones you should visit, here’s our version of the 10 best museums in New York City .
New York Attraction Pass – With so many popular NYC attraction passes how do you choose? In this guide, we give you a detailed comparison for all New York passes .

Want more New York City content? Head to our New York Travel Guides to explore more from the Big Apple as well as beautiful upstate NY.

We hope this New York City itinerary helps with planning the most amazing 4 days NYC trip!

Please let us know if you have any questions about planning your 4 day itinerary or New York City on the comments below.

Happy Planning ,

Mark and Kristen

Enjoy This NYC Guide? Pin If For Your Visit!

Perfect first time visitor 4 days in new york city itinerary every major attraction

Note : This article contains affiliate links. When you make a purchase using one of these affiliate links, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Mark and Kristen Morgan are travel, hiking and photography experts. Over the last 6 years traveling full time, they have explored more than 40 countries and 30 US states.

Where Are Those Morgans has been featured in USA Today, Gestalten, Get Your Guide, CityPASS and Condé Nast Traveler along with various other publications. Read more about us .

8 thoughts on “4 Days In New York Itinerary: How To Plan The Perfect NYC Trip”

Incredible!!! Thanks so much for this wonderful guide. It has really helped me.

Hi Elaine, glad to hear it! Let us know if you have any questions about your trip 🙂

Taking my teenage son during spring vacay and this was super helpful! thank you

You’re very welcome, Karine. We hope you have a fantastic time in NYC!

This is great!! How do we incorporate a broadway play or 2?

Hi Bonnie, if you’re planning to squeeze in a few broadway shows we would suggest doing one or two of the observation decks during the day instead of at night so you can do broadway on an evening instead. It might be worth considering staying close to Times Square so you don’t have to go far after your shows at night. We’d also recommend booking your tickets in advance, we are just leaving a few days in NYC and it is back to being extremely busy! Have a great time!

WOW. This was impressive. Your valuable effort and time does not go unnoticed with this post.

Thank you very much, Levi, we appreciate you taking the time to let us know you found our itinerary helpful. Have a great trip to NYC!

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Fab guide! i am going to NYC next week with my mum and daughter and was getting anxious trying to plan where everything was as they wont want to walk too much in one day! so this is perfect! Please send me the FREE BONUS New York City Travel Guide – Thanks Jade x

Please send copy of NYC insider guide to Jennifer cadle 300 s vandorn st 410 Alexandria va 22304

The printable version wasn’t all that accessible Looking forward to a real guide in my hands l thank you!!!

Hi Jennifer – we do not mail any guides. They are all printable. If you purchased our Printable Guide and are not happy with it for any reason, you are welcome to follow the instructions you received by email for a refund.

I’d like a print travel magazine mailed to 216 Richard St. Hot Springs, Arkansas 71913

Hi William – please review previous comments. Thanks!

I would like a copy of the travel guide mailed to me please!

sandra beebe 7813 69th St. Ct. S. Cottage Grove, MN 55016

Hi Sandra – we do not mail anything from our website. Everything we offer is electronic, downloadable and printable at home or viewed on your devices.

Hi Can I get a free NYC Guide sent to me as I don’t want to do it on line. I want to send it to a friend in England. Thanks, Brian

Hi Brian – we do not mail anything from our website. Everything we offer is electronic and downloadable and printable at home.

Planning a trip to NYC and would like a map of the city.

Hi Jill: Please feel free to download any of the free or paid guides and maps on our website. That’s why we offer them! Enjoy!

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1 Day in NYC: Must-do’s for First-timers + Interactive Map

Only have one day in New York ? Maximize your visit with my itinerary created especially for NYC first-time visitors . I have visited New York City several times. During my last two trips, I was accompanied by people visiting for the first time.

I recommend spending at least four days in NYC . However, even one day can give you a taste of this top travel destination.

Key Things to Know: Top things to do in NYC for a day

Essential Stops: Don’t miss the Statue of Liberty, the 9/11 Memorial, or Central Park for a mix of history and iconic landmarks.
Transportation Tip: Maximize your time by using the subway for faster travel between Manhattan’s attractions.
Customization: This itinerary is completely customizable to your particular interests and the exact amount of time you have in New York City.

Statue of Liberty in front of the New York City skyline

This post includes affiliate links. If you make a purchase through one of these links, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. See disclaimer.

One day in New York itinerary

9/11 memorial (and museum).

9/11 Memorial | Closest subway stops: WTC–Cortland St (1) and Cortland Street (R, W)

Start your day by spending your morning in Lower Manhattan.

In my opinion, your one-day in NYC itinerary should absolutely include the 9/11 Memorial. It’s one of my favorite free things to do in New York City .

The terrorist attack on Sept. 11, 2001, which destroyed the Twin Towers, forever changed the city and the United States. In fact, it’s one of the most moving and beautiful memorials that I have ever had the privilege of seeing.

The 9/11 Memorial typically is open to the public all day every day.

Optional: The 9/11 Memorial Museum is at the same location. Though I haven’t had the privilege of seeing it, I’ve heard great things. There is a charge for admission to the museum.

9/11 Memorial pool in New York City showing names engraved in bronze with buildings and trees in the background.

Statue of Liberty

Ferry from Manhattan departs from Battery Park | Subway stops: South Ferry Station (1), Whitehall Street (R), Bowling Green (4, 5) 

Your one-day New York City itinerary must include the Statue of Liberty, my absolute favorite place in the city

Buy your tickets ahead of time onlin e, especially if you want to climb up to the crown. When available, those tickets can sell out weeks or even months in advance.   

Even if you don’t want to go up onto the pedestal or the crown of the Statue of Liberty, you can purchase a ticket to enjoy the cruise over to Liberty Island (with great views of both Lady Liberty and Lower Manhattan). You can visit the new museum and walk around the monument’s exterior.

 If you only have a day in New York I recommend skipping a visit to Ellis Island even though it’s included in your ticket.

More things to do on a day trip to New York City

Explore NYC with a sightseeing helicopter tour over Manhattan .
Pay a visit to the top of One World Observatory with this skip-the-line ticket .
If you’re staying the night in New York, consider this sunset cruise in New York Harbor.

PRO TIP: If you have flexible travel dates you need to check out Going (formerly Scott’s Cheap Flights). You get amazing flight deals sent straight to your inbox with instructions on how to book directly with the airlines. Check out Going here. Going is my favorite way to find great travel deals.

Lunch options: where to eat

By the time you finish your visit to the Statue of Liberty, you’ll likely be ready for a bite to eat. The Crown Café offers a wide variety of burgers, salads, and sandwiches. Their menu includes vegetarian options as well as several items that can be made gluten-free upon request.

Battery Park (where you’ll disembark from your cruise to Liberty Island) is a great picnic spot. You can grab a cheap lunch from a food truck or assemble a picnic from a nearby market.

If a restaurant is more what you’re looking for, wander into the Financial District where you’ll find a variety of popular eateries for all budgets.

Empire State Building

20 West 34 Street | Subway stop: 34 St–Herald Square (B, D, F, M, N, Q, R, W), 33 St (M) 

Many believe that visiting the Empire State Building is a must on their trip to New York City.

I will admit right now that in all my NYC trips, I’ve only ever admired this iconic structure from the ground.  I do not like heights, nor do I generally pay money to stand atop them. But you who are not afraid of heights can go as high as the 102nd floor. The main observation deck is on the 86th floor.  

Time-saving tip: Upgrade your Empire State Building ticket to get skip-the-line access.

As an alternative, save the Empire State Building for after dinner, or even enjoy dinner at the State Grill and Bar.

New York City skyline with the Empire State Building.

Times Square

Subway stop: Times Square–42 Street (N, Q, R, S, W, 1, 2, 3, 7)

You’ve seen it in movies and TV shows. Of all the places to visit in New York City, it’s hard to think of anything else that’s more New York than Times Square. Soak it in, take a few photos, and wander through so you can say you’ve been there (it’s great at night also). Maybe even buy a cheap souvenir T-shirt or stop in at M&M’s World.

Times Square is just a 15-minute walk from the Empire State Building.

tall building in New York City with a sculpture in front

Rockefeller Center

Between 49th and 51st Streets between Fifth and Sixth Avenues | Subway stop: 47-50 Streets Rockefeller Center (B, D, F, M), 49 Street (N, R, W) 

A 10-minute walk from Times Square will take you to Rockefeller Center. It’s a New York City landmark that includes 30 Rockefeller Plaza (NBC Studios), Radio City Music Hall, and more.

In addition to some great shopping and dining, you can take a guided tour of Rockefeller Center, go to the Top of the Rock Observation Deck , skate at the Rink, and more.    

If you’re feeling snackish, I recommend stopping at Magnolia Bakery for something yummy. 

Grab your Top of the Rock ticket here.

Central Park

From North 110th Street to Central Park South (59th Street), and from Central Park West (8th Avenue) to 5th Ave | Subway stops: There are several subway stops around the perimeter of the park including 5th Ave/59 Street (N, R, W), 59 Street/Columbus Circle (A, B, C, D, 1), Central Park North (2, 3), and 6 stops on the west side of the park. 

Central Park is so quintessentially New York that you absolutely need to make time in your itinerary to see it even if only spending one day in New York.

Now, keep in mind that this park is huge. I mean it. Central Park covers 1.3 square miles (840 acres) of Manhattan. You could easily spend an entire day just exploring this place. 

To start I’d suggest looking at a map of the park and choosing a few things there you want to see. This might be the Central Park Zoo, the Alice in Wonderland Statue, Belvedere Castle, or the Conservatory Water (where you can rent a model boat to sail on the pond).  

The southeast corner of Central Park is just a 15-minute walk from Rockefeller Center. If you want to walk all the way to the Conservatory Water and the Alice in Wonderland Statue, expect a walk of closer to 30 minutes.

Time-saving Tip: Instead of walking to Central Park from Rockefeller Center, jump in a NYC cab.

Interactive map for your one day in New York City itinerary

Click on the yellow pins on the map below to see more information about each stop on your itinerary.

To see this map in your Google account just tap on the little star next to the map name.

Ways to modify this itinerary

With only one day in NYC, there are an incredible number of ways you could spend your time. Here are a few ways you could modify this one-day itinerary to fit your particular interests. It’s important that you get to see the things you want.

Take the subway to Brooklyn then walk across the Brooklyn Bridge, enjoying your view of the Manhattan skyline.
Enjoy a tour of either or both of two of the premier art museums in the world, The Metropolitan Museum of Art and/or the Museum of Modern Art.
Explore Greenwich Village, Soho, and other iconic neighborhoods.
End your day with a Broadway show.

View of Washington Square arch from below.

Short half-day itinerary for NYC

Even if you don’t have a full day or 24 hours to spend in New York City, you can still see a few of the major highlights. Here are a few options:

Focus on one area such as Lower Manhattan, grabbing a view of Brooklyn Bridge, followed by the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, and the 9/11 Memorial & Museum.
Explore the Empire State Building, Times Square, and Rockefeller Center, and then stroll up to Central Park for some more exploring.
Get the best of New York’s top art museums at The Met, the Museum of Modern Art, and the Guggenheim.

New York 1-day tours

Want to see the best of New York in a day, but rather leave the planning to someone else? Leave the planning to an expert tour guide.

Pack the very best of NYC into one day with this highly rate expert guided tour . See New York’s major landmarks in only 6 hours.
Go beyond Manhattan’s major tourist sites with this tour of Brooklyn, the Bronx, Queens, Harlem, and Coney Island .

Where to stay in New York City

If you’re thinking about spending more than a day in New York, you might be overwhelmed by the many hotel options.

Here are my recommendations for where to stay in New York City:

Hyatt Place Midtown South (52 West 36th Street): We loved staying at this hotel. It’s just two blocks from the Empire State Building and just around the corner from the 34th Street – Herald Square subway stop. Book Now
For a more boutique-style accommodation try Archer Hotel New York (45 West 38th Street). Book Now

How to get around New York City

I say this so often, but I will continue to say it over and over: use your feet and the subway.

I’m serious about the subway. You’ll get where you want to go cheaper than Uber or taxis and of course much faster than walking especially when traveling from one area of Manhattan to another.  You can find subway maps on the MTA website .

Taxis are a fine option for getting around New York City especially if you are in a time crunch or are going someplace that just doesn’t have an easy subway route or a nearby stop.

Final thoughts on one day in New York

There are so many amazing things to do in NYC in a day of course that you can’t possibly see as much as you would like, BUT you can see the best of the best if you have 24 hours in the Big Apple.

From historical monuments to stunning views from the best observatories in the world, you almost can’t go wrong with how you spend your day here.

What do you think everyone should put on their 1-day NYC itinerary?

Privacy Overview

The Ultimate 3 Days in New York City Itinerary (2024 Update)

Last Updated: April 17, 2024

If you’re looking for the perfect 3 days in New York City itinerary to make the most of your first time in the Big Apple, then this is the one for you!

The Big Apple, the city that never sleeps, the capital of the world – No matter how you’ve heard it called, there’s no denying that New York City is one of the most vibrant and fascinating cities on the planet.

Visiting this cosmopolitan metropolis has been a lifetime goal for millions of people around the world. With the bright lights of Times Square, the freedom the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island represent and the human element of everybody trying to make it big here on Hollywood movies and TV screens for decades.

There’s something incredible about exploring New York City’s many neighbourhoods, districts, and attractions that you won’t find anywhere else in the United States, or in most cities around the world.

Table of Contents

One World Observatory

9/11 memorial museum, battery park, statue of liberty and ellis island, wall street, cross the brooklyn bridge, brooklyn bridge park, get dinner in dumbo, take a walk on the high line, empire state building, american museum of natural history, metropolitan museum of art, central park, fifth avenue, see a broadway show, times square, little italy, new york city hall, greenwich village, washington square park, madame tussauds, bryant park, st. patrick’s cathedral, rockefeller center, top of the rock, buy a new york citypass, purchase a metrocard, start your days early, walk between places on short distances, best hostel in manhattan – jazz on columbus circle, best mid-range hotel – pod 51 hotel, best luxury hotel in manhattan – hotel giraffe by library collection, the property, what we liked, what we didn’t like, overall impression, how to spend a perfect 3 days in new york city.

Three days in New York City might not be enough to see the entirety of the city – after all, it is enormous – but those 3 days would be just enough to see a lot of its most popular attractions.

Check out our best tips for travel photography to help you capture some amazing pictures of New York City on your trip.

The best way to experience the city on your first trip to New York is to explore its attractions in sections, breaking it up area by area. Manhattan is massive with a lot of things to do, so by dedicating your time to particular locations you will end up with the most efficient use of your limited time here.

If you’ve never been to the Big Apple before and are feeling a bit lost on what to see in New York City in 3 days, we recommend buying the New York CityPASS , as it will give you access to some of the most popular things to see in town at heavily discounted rates.

So without further ado, here is our perfect 3 days in New York City itinerary and travel tips to help you get the most out of your first trip to the city that never sleeps.

Day 1 – Morning

After enjoying a delicious New York City breakfast (go either as big or as small as you like), it’s time to jump on the famous New York Subway and head to WTC Cortland Station.

It’s from here that you’ll begin the first activity of your 3-day New York itinerary.

The One World Observatory was officially opened in 2015 as the replacement to the Twin Towers that made up the World Trade Centre, and since then it receives thousands of visitors every single day.

It’s one of the best ways to start your three days in New York because you’ll be observing the city in all its majesty from the 100th, 101st and 102nd stories of the tallest building in the western hemisphere (a dizzying 1776 feet, or 541 metres, high).

Make sure to arrive as early as possible, since this is a very popular attraction and the lines can get pretty long. The wait is worth it though, and on a clear day you’ll have amazing views of the entire city (and beyond).

We recommend purchasing your tickets ahead of time though , so you can get the priority express lane and avoid any queues. Buy them for a discounted price here .

Once you’re done with the One World Observatory, you should head on immediately to the 9/11 Memorial Museum, which is just around the corner.

This is one of those museums that’s regularly packed with people, so get as early as possible to try and beat the crowds that will undoubtedly form.

The 911 Memorial is a very memorable site, and it feels quite distressing to learn more about the event that completely shook the world. No matter your views, it’s a tragic part of history.

Despite the confronting imagery and stories, you can easily spend hours there, so be sure to take that into account when planning your New York City itinerary.

If you have a personal connection to the tragedy of 9/11, or just want to pay your respects, you might want to set aside an entire morning just for this place.

We’ve been to a lot of museums and memorials around the world, and the 911 Memorial was honestly one of the most well thought out and moving museums we have been to.

Once you’re finished, be sure to check out the 9/11 Memorial Site outside, as it’s also a fascinating attraction in its own right.

The 9/11 Museum is included in your New York CityPASS.

Spending 3 days in New York City without seeing the stunning architectural wonder of The Oculus would be a shame.

It’s a beautiful reimagining and replacement of the previous PATH train station that was destroyed during 9/11, and is only a few steps away from the 911 Memorial and museum site.

This futuristic train station also serves as a shopping mall and plaza, so you’ll surely spend a lot of time looking around.

It’s a great way to wind down before going out to grab a bite to eat and continue on with your exploration of New York City.

Day 1 – Afternoon

After you grab some lunch from one of the many diners around the area (or you can grab a hot dog or something quick on the go from the street vendors), it’s time to continue the sightseeing.

You’re sure to love the afternoon, as you’re going to visit one of the most famous places in the entire city.

Take a short walk to the southernmost part of Manhattan and the famous Battery Park, which is where tour ferries operate to take you to visit Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty.

Battery Park has some amazing views of the waterfront and is a great place to stroll through.

Although it’s a generally relaxing place where many people simply walk around or chill out on the grass, you can also find a few attractions to visit.

There’s the Museum of Jewish Heritage and the Skyscraper Museum, which are great places to see in New York City if they pique your interest.

There are some unique artistic installations in Battery Park too, such as the beautiful sculpture called The Sphere.

Battery Park itself is free to enter, but some of the attractions have entrance fees.

If you’re just walking through Battery Park it will only take you a few minutes, then head down to the ferry dock and get ready to cruise over to the Statue of Liberty.

Visiting the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island will take most of your afternoon, but it’s one of the most satisfying places to see in the city.

The Statue of Liberty is one of those true New York City icons, with the famous ‘Lady Liberty’ representing freedom and opportunity for millions of overseas immigrants throughout the years.

Sent over as a gift to the US from France in the 19th century, the State of Liberty was dedicated on October 28th, 1886 and is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

This is a must-do during your New York City itinerary. So get in line and use your New York CityPASS to grab your included ticket.

Everyone that embarks on the ferry to Liberty and Ellis Islands will have to pass through security, which as you can imagine is a very important deal here.

Once you’re on the boat it’s a quick trip over to Liberty Island, where you can jump off to walk around the famous statue, and even climb up to the viewing platform if you’d like.

The next stop is Ellis Island, home to a fascinating museum dedicated to the city’s history of immigration.

Even if you have no intention of going to Liberty Island, you’ll still have to stop there before going to Ellis Island.

This is one of the most popular and must see attractions in the city so be prepared for large crowds. Both Liberty Island and Ellis Island are great experiences, so make sure to give yourself adequate time to explore both of them.

Visiting the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island is included in your CityPASS!

Statue Of Liberty 3 Days In New York City

Once you’re back from your great tour to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island it’s time to hit up another major New York City attraction – Wall Street!

You have no doubt heard of Wall Street, as it is the financial hub of the entire US and features in hundreds of Hollywood movies and TV shows.

So what is there to do on Wall Street?

First up spots like the statue of George Washington and the Federal Hall National Monument are pretty interesting sights to check out.

The New York Stock Exchange is another fascinating place to see on Wall Street, so you definitely shouldn’t skip out on it in your 3 days in New York City.

Unfortunately, you can’t enter the Stock Exchange (unless you are a registered stockbroker!), but the building itself is pretty impressive from the outside too.

But the number one thing to do on Wall Street is to get your photo with the famous Charging Bull!

This must see bronze sculpture is extremely popular (arguably one of the most iconic sculptures in the entire city), and you’ll find dozens of excited tourists crowded around trying to get their snap with the bull that represents market optimism.

If you’re feeling peckish at this point there are tonnes of other eateries around Wall Street, so grab a snack to take you into the evening.

Keen to learn more while you’re here? Definitely check out this fantastic tour with a Wall Street insider !

Day 1 – Evening

By now the sun should be getting low on the horizon, and it’s time to go check out New York’s funkier, hipster town away from the island of Manhattan – Brooklyn.

Starting from Wall Street it’s only a short walk to get to the Brooklyn Bridge on the east side of Lower Manhattan. And no NYC itinerary would be complete without walking it.

The pedestrian walkway is a little over a mile long and is kept separate from the zipping cars on your side, so you can wander across safely.

Once you start the walk over the Brooklyn Bridge you’ll probably want to take your time though for two reasons.

First, the crossing is something you’ll probably want to savour for the views. And second, the crowds on the Brooklyn Bridge are likely hectic (plus you’ll have to watch out for cyclists).

Crossing the Brooklyn Bridge is a perfect way to ease into the evening at the end of your first day in New York City.

Once you’ve made it over the Brooklyn Bridge, head to the west and start your exploration of the amazing borough of Brooklyn, which is one of the best places you must see when you visit New York in 3 days.

We’re going to start with walking around Brooklyn Bridge Park, which has been revitalised in recent times and is now one of the trendiest spots in town.

It stretches 85 acres along the Hudson River, on the west side of Brooklyn, and there are constant events happening there.

However as you’re there at night, the best thing to do is simply sit down and enjoy the view, which has some of the best vistas of the New York City skyline.

When you’ve finished taking pictures of the NYC skyline walk back to the other side of the Brooklyn Bridge and check out the cool area of DUMBO.

DUMBO (which stands for Down Under Manhattan Bridge Overpass) is a great neighbourhood to check out, and from here, you’ll have some of the finest views of both the Brooklyn and Manhattan Bridges.

The best thing to do when you are down here is simply walking around and soak in the atmosphere.

This is also the best spot to grab dinner before ending the first awesome day of your 3-day New York City itinerary.

Jump on the Subway to head back to your hotel for a well-deserved rest.

Day 2 – Morning

Make sure you set the alarm early today so you can have a nice breakfast, then continue your adventures in New York City.

We’re going to start the day with a pleasant walk through one of New York’s most surprising and chilled out places – The High Line. To get there take the Subway to 34th Street-Penn Station or 23rd Street Station and walk west.

The High Line is an attraction you wouldn’t want to miss, especially if your goal is to get away from the hustle and bustle New York City is known for a brief while.

This elevated pedestrian walkway is a public park built on what used to be an old freight rail line, and with its high platforms twisting around a small part of Manhattan it’s delightfully peaceful compared to the traffic below.

During the summer months, the High Line turns into a garden oasis of sorts, lined with plenty of gardens and flowers that are maintained by volunteers.

It’s a brilliant way to see a different side of New York City that is loved by locals and tourists alike. The walk won’t take you too long, and 30 minutes should be plenty of time to see most of it.

You can start your walk from a number of different entry points, but we began ours from the Hudson Yards railway area.

Grab a taxi or walk the 1 mile to the Empire State Building for a step back into New York history from atop one of the most famous buildings in the world.

The Empire State Building opens up at 8 am, and we recommend you arrive right around then to beat the crowds, as it’s one of the most popular attractions in New York.

A single hour can mean the entire difference between waiting in a long line or breezing right on in.

The Empire State Building is like the Statue of Liberty, in that it is an emblem that most people instantly associate with New York City, and it features in plenty of postcards and movies of Manhattan.

Use your New York CityPASS to skip the ticket line and head straight through the photo and story gallery, before jumping in an elevator to take you to the observation deck on the 102nd floor.

Gazing at the city under you from atop the Empire State Building observation deck is one of best things to do in New York City in 3 days.

As crazy, hectic and loud as New York City is, there’s a certain feeling of calmness as you’re looking at the sprawling city from way up in the sky.

Besides the views, you’ll also have the chance to learn all about the construction of what was the tallest building in the world when completed in 1931.

The whole experience should take you about an hour if you read all of the information dotted around the place. Don’t forget to climb to the very top of the observation deck for your photos.

Visiting the Empire State Building is included in your CityPASS!

Jump back on the Subway (B Line) and take a ride to the American Museum of Natural History – one of the most important museums in New York City.

This museum is one enormous complex comprised of over two dozen interconnected buildings.

It’s such a giant house of knowledge that even if you dedicate an entire year of your life, you still won’t have time to see everything in it.

The museum holds tens of millions of different items on display, and you’ll find some of the most fascinating bits of human and natural history here.

You’ll learn about Lucy, one of our ancestors from millions of years ago, as well as the Great Blue Whale, the rainforests, and so much more.

This museum is so massive and enthralling, you’ll want to stay for days. Our best recommendation to tackle it is to just pick a handful of exhibits that really interest you and focus on those, as you won’t be able to see everything in just a few hours.

Visiting the American Museum of Natural History is included in your CityPASS!

Day 2 – Afternoon

You can choose to grab lunch in the American Museum of Natural History, from one of the many street vendors scattered around the place, or wait until you wander over to The Met on the east side of Central Park, which is your next stop.

The Metropolitan Museum of Art (commonly referred to as ‘The Met’) is one of the most visited art galleries in the world and housed in a stunning building constructed in 1874.

The Met has over 250,000 works of art on display and it showcases over 5,000 years of art.

Here you’ll find works from Ancient Egypt, the Middle Ages, and even Japan, but also American Art from the 17 th century to the present day.

This museum is a place you can get lost in for hours and you’ll definitely want to go back again in the future to explore it a bit more.

This was honestly one of the best art galleries we have ever visited.

Visiting the Met is included in your CityPASS!

Considered as New York’s backyard, Central Park is absolutely one of the most iconic spots in the entire city.

After spending several hours in the nearby museums, you’ll definitely want to get out into nature and wander around this sprawling, scenic park.

Located right in the centre of Manhattan, in what is obviously prime and expensive real estate, it’s amazing to see that New York has prioritised keeping the city’s loveliest scenery.

From the Strawberry Fields, the Belvedere Castle, to the Zoo, there’s no shortage of things to see in Central Park.

No matter your plans for a trip to the Big Apple, you must see Central Park during your 3 days in New York City.

If you’re into shopping and fashion, then you absolutely need to visit the legendary Fifth Avenue, just across the road from the east side of Central Park.

You’ll find every kind of high-end fashion brand here, from Chanel to Luis Vuitton, and if your budget allows then you’ll probably end up walking away with something that will set you back way more money than you’ll want to think about.

Most tourists spend a lot of time just window-shopping this upper east side destination, as you’ll find some of the finest items in the entirety of New York City without having to spend a dime.

Day 2 – Evening

You’re probably tired after a massive day of sightseeing, but it’s not time to head to bed just yet, because there’s still plenty of amazing things to do on this New York City 3-day itinerary.

Visiting Broadway should be a must for any trip to NYC, and no matter how tired you are, always make sure to check a show if possible.

Here you’ll have some of the most memorable moments from your New York itinerary for 3 days.

However, if you do plan to catch a show, make sure you are well prepared because the best shows sometimes book out months in advance.

If you haven’t had a chance to grab tickets beforehand, or if you don’t have the budget to spend USD$200 for a show, check out the website Broadway for Broke People , where they have ticket lotteries every day.

After your Broadway show, you should definitely head on to Times Square, as it’s the place where New York’s energy truly comes to life.

It is not actually a square, but rather a spot where 7 th Avenue and Broadway intersect and create the surrounding four quarters.

No trip to NYC is complete without visiting Times Square, making it one of the most touristy spots in New York, and the bright lights are the main appeal for people who have constantly seen this place plastered all over TV screens.

You’ll find a lot of street performers working off tips, churches performing gospels, expensive but amazing restaurants, and so much more.

Even if you don’t want to take part in the current of people and energy, you can always sit down and watch the crowds of people.

To be completely honest we really disliked Times Square, as we felt it was just bright commercial lights with far too many advertisements and people around.

However we did a survey on our Instagram to see if anybody else liked the place and almost 50% said they loved Times Square, so head there for yourself and make your own judgment call.

Day 3 – Morning

Today is your last day in New York City and we’re going to spend exploring some of the best neighbourhoods in Manhattan to get a taste of what the city is really like.

If you don’t have breakfast already organised at your hotel we recommend holding off until you get to your first stop of the morning.

Jump on the Subway and make your way to Canal Street to check out Little Italy.

One of the most common misconceptions people have about Little Italy is that the only thing that’s worth visiting in the place is the amazing food.

In fact, there are plenty of things to see and do in Little Italy that are just as great as anywhere else.

Here, you will also find some of trendiest clothing stores in New York, as well as some of the best bars in the city.

If you’re lucky to catch the annual Feast of San Gennaro held during September, visiting Little Italy will definitely become one of your favourite things to do in New York.

No long weekend in New York is complete without visiting the famous Chinatown, and luckily it is just across Canal Street from Little Italy.

This is a popular spot for everyone as it includes history and community, as well as delicious food.

The entirety of this district feels like one giant attraction, which is very interesting to think about as it’s also the place where the largest Chinese community lives outside of Asia.

Here you’ll find a large number of genuine restaurants, quirky little shops, and street markets with a general sense of community.

Don’t forget to check out some of its many pharmacies to grab unique herbal remedies.

A short 15-minute walk from Chinatown is the City Hall of New York, which happens to be one of the oldest ones in the entire US.

It’s a stunning piece of architecture, and its style is one of the most iconic places in New York City. It’s appeared in a lot of movies and TV shows and is just as famous as many other landmarks in the city.

You can also enter the City Hall for a tour if you’d like, and learn more about its fascinating history.

You’ll find out about the inner workings of New York City’s government as well as the Mayor’s Office and the City Council’s office.

Day 3 – Afternoon

Jump back on the Subway and check out the West Village neighbourhood at the 9th Street Station, and legendary Greenwich Village.

Just like plenty of other locations in New York City, Greenwich Village has appeared in a lot of movies. So if you’re on a mission to visit all of the most famous spots in town, you’ll have to stop by.

The entire village used to be the rundown home of artists and bohemians in the 60’s, and it still counts as one of the trendiest spots in the city.

Today many of the ramshackle units have been replaced with trendy bars, cafes, and restaurants, and lots of amazing music venues, like at Bleecker Street, as well as plenty of unique architecture.

It’s only a 5-minute walk to get to Washington Square Park, where you’ll be greeted by the beautiful marble arch, impressive fountain and lots of lovely, shady trees.

This is a spot where many of New York City’s avant-garde artists gather, a place for people to enjoy games of chess, and you’ll find plenty of joyful children running around.

The famous district of SoHo is quite close too if you didn’t get your shopping fix over on 5th Avenue yesterday.

Jump back on your favourite public transport system, the Subway, and make your way to Times Square to see the surprisingly realistic wax figures of Madame Tussauds (HOT TIP – pre-purchase your entrance ticket for a cheaper price here ).

There is something eerie about standing next to a lifelike sculpture of someone you’re used to reading about or maybe seeing on TV.

However, it’s not only merely about taking selfies with the wax figures as much as it’s about atmosphere and presentation.

Unlike most other types of museums, Madame Tussauds in fact encourages interactivity.

Don’t forget, instead of simply standing idly and looking at the figures from afar, you’re encouraged to touch them, take pictures and do all kinds of funny poses.

Day 3 – Evening

You’ll find no shortage of places to eat around Times Square, so grab your favourite dish before continuing with the exploring.

Your final evening in New York City is going to take you to some beautiful places to see at night, especially if you have to see the bright lights that make the city so unique.

Bryant Park, only a short distance from Times Square, is a relatively calm place considering it’s practically in the centre of Manhattan.

Here you’ll enjoy the huge lawn surrounded by lovely gardens, and it’ll almost feel like you’re in an oasis between the chaos of the city.

While it’s not as green and lush in the colder months, it’s one of the spots in New York City with the best Christmas decorations.

An ice-skating rink is a place you wouldn’t want to miss if you are planning your 3-day trip to New York City in winter.

If you’re trying to figure out what to do in New York City in 3 days and St. Patrick’s Cathedral is not on that list, then you’re missing out on something special.

The cathedral was originally constructed in the second half of the 19 th century in a beautiful (and striking) style. However, due to years of wear and tear, pollution, and acid rain the exterior started to crumble.

The city decided to renovate the gorgeous building, both on the inside and out, and the renovation itself cost around $200 million.

That might seem like a crazy amount of money, but once you step foot inside you’ll know that it was entirely worth it.

It’s a must-see spot that has a lot of intricacies in its design, but it’s also incredibly important, both spiritually and historically.

You absolutely must see it as the sun starts to set and the lights turn on.

Rockefeller Center, just south of Central Park on the east side of Manhattan, is one of the most well-known spots in all of New York City as it houses different and important studios for various networks and programs.

From the NBC building to the Radio City Music Hall and even the American Girls Doll Store, the Rockefeller Center is a place to easily get lost in.

This is also the place where the Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon is filmed, and you might be able to join the audience if you’re a fan for a live show.

However, the real reason to visit the Rockefeller Centre is to head to the top…

Use your New York CityPASS to grab a ticket to take you to the very top of the Rockefeller Center, a spot that has been cleverly dubbed the ‘Top of the Rock’ Observation Deck.

Enjoying a nice evening view of Manhattan from the Top of the Rock observation deck is the best way to end your 3 days in New York City itinerary.

It’s truly lovely to see more and more lights in Manhattan come to life just as the night starts to settle in. However make sure you give yourself lots of time to head up, as it’s quite popular in the evenings.

Overall, viewing New York from so high atop is one of the best ways to experience the city. We think the view from here is actually better than others because you can look at the iconic Empire State Building all lit up just across the way.

Visiting the Top of the Rock Observation Deck is included in your CityPASS!

Tips for Making the Most of Your New York City Itinerary

Now that we’ve shared with you the perfect 3 days in New York City itinerary, we also want to let you know some of our best travel tips to help you make the most of your holiday.

Buyinga New York CityPASS is by far our number one travel tip for any NYC itinerary. We’ve talked about it a lot in this article, and that’s because the New York CityPASS is just great value. For only USD$136 you’ll get access to some of the most popular attractions in the city.

This includes the Empire State Building, the 9/11 Memorial and Museum, Rockefeller Center Top of the Rock, a Statue of Liberty or Circle Line cruise, entrance to the Met as well as the American Museum of Natural History.

If you did all of these independently it would cost you $92 more, giving you a saving of 42%. Well worth it if you’re planning on seeing all the best things in this NYC itinerary.

Another great NYC itinerary travel tip is rather than buying single tickets for every single Subway journey, which will cost you $3 each time, grab yourself a MetroCard from the stations and save money in the long run.

You have to pay $5.50 for the card itself, but it is reusable and brings the cost of each fare down to $2.75. Plus for you get a 5% bonus each time you top it up.

So by adding $20 to the card, you actually get $21.

If you think you’ll be riding the Subway even more, or want to take buses too, you can get yourself a 7-day unlimited pass for $32. Great if you don’t feel like walking between sights, or are staying in New York City longer.

As you can tell from this NYC itinerary, your days are jam-packed, so make sure you start every day as early as possible to make the most of your 3 days in New York City.

This can of course be hard if you’re planning on hitting up some of the hundreds of awesome bars, clubs and speakeasies that the city is known for. But it’s worth laying off the expensive drinks if you have a limited time in town.

Walking around New York City can be crazy, and a couple of blocks may take a lot longer than you’d ever think because of all the people and traffic around.

But if you’re feeling fit and love to explore a city on foot, then New York is a great place to do it.

There are tonnes of excellent little shops, galleries, churches, bars and restaurants to be found if you simply wander around and keep your eyes open.

Another good resource for all things New York City is the NYC & Co website .

Where to Stay in New York City

There’s absolutely no shortage of accommodation in New York City, and the first thing you’ll need to do when deciding where to stay is to pick a Manhattan neighbourhood to use as a base.

It all depends on your budget and what you want to see when you’re in town, and there’s plenty of great articles online to help you decide which one suits you.

Best Accommodations in Town

We personally stayed in two different neighbourhoods – TriBeCa and Midtown West – and both are great options. TriBeCa feels a little more local, and has good access to the southern tip of Manhattan, while Midtown West is more central located on the west side of the island.

Staying downtown in Manhattan is always going to be expensive, but if you’re in a budget and still want to be in the heart of everything, then the absolute best hostel in town is Jazz on Columbus Circle .

It’s a small, boutique hostel and has been renovated to have modern amenities throughout. It has a funky vibe with some awesome decor, and the dorms are small with between 3-6 beds.

High-quality accommodation in New York City is not cheap, but the closest balance you can get between affordability and quality is at Pod 51 Hotel .

The rooms are no-frills, but clean, bright and more spacious than you might expect. The location is great, there’s fast wifi and an amazing rooftop garden to enjoy.

This is it – the top of the cream for hotels in New York that you can still get for well under $1000 a night.

The Library Collection has some of the best hotels all around the city, but our favourite is Hotel Giraffe. You’ll be treated like a king or queen here!

The rooms are enormous, breakfast is lovely, the hotel boasts some fantastic relaxing areas and lounges, but the best part is the 3-hour long wine & cheese receptions held every evening.

If it’s a special occasion in the city, splurge out and stay here for your 3 days in New York itinerary!

Hotel Review – YOTEL New York

We spent a couple of nights in the funky, futuristic YOTEL New York hotel in Midtown West, and it was one of the most interesting and unique places we’ve stayed in for a long time.

The YOTEL chain has been taking off around the world with its 21st-century approach to how hotels should be, introducing all kinds of elements such as computer check-ins, high tech rooms and even a robot to store your bags to make your stay pretty awesome.

If you also work online or need to conduct business while you’re travelling then you’ll love the co-working focus that YOTEL has.

Located a short walk from Times Square in one direction and the High Line in another, YOTEL New York is in a great spot and the building itself has some great hangout areas.

Once you check-in on the computers downstairs you head up the elevator to the 4th floor, which is the main hub of the property.

Here you’ll find a reception desk with staff ready to help you with any questions you might have and a large chill-out area with couches.

There’s also a couple of places to eat, drink and hang on this floor – The Green Fig for all your Middle Eastern fare, KOMYUNITI, the co-working space with a full cafe waiting to serve up coffee, and Green Room 42 for late-night parties and gigs.

This is also where you’ll be able to access The Terrace – one of the biggest rooftop terraces in all of New York City, with huge green spaces, lots of places to sit and even some games to entertain you such as mini-golf.

During the night it comes alive with guests mingling, sipping on cocktails and making the most of the beautiful New York evenings.

The rooms at YOTEL are known as Cabins and are the core of the futuristic side of things in this accommodation.

It starts with the bed, which is a super comfortable ‘SmartBed’, which you can adjust with a push of a button. It can go from upright positioning like a couch, flat for sleep mode and everything in between if you just want to lay down and read a book.

This is actually a great feature because the rooms in New York can be quite small, so by being able to turn the bed into a couch (without being a futon or fold-out) during the day gives you a lot of extra room.

The Smart TV connects to your phone and laptop so you can stream anything you want, and there’s plenty of charging hubs around the cabin.

The bathroom also makes the most of limited space, and the huge rain shower head is a great feature.

We really liked how bright the cabins were, and how they made use of limited space in really intelligent ways. The bed was amazingly comfortable and perfect for relaxing at the end of a big day exploring.

The chill-out spaces downstairs were also brilliant, and when we had to get some work done in between outings we’d much rather hang out there than in our rooms.

The wifi was also free and quite fast, which is great for us needing to work online and for anyone that likes to stay connected with their friends and family.

As great as YOTEL New York was, it wasn’t perfect, and there are a few things that we didn’t love about the place.

First up was the YOBOT, the futuristic robot that was used to store luggage. We arrived at the hotel before check-in and decided to use the YOBOT to store our luggage.

It was quite slow and there was a long line up of people doing the same thing. In the end, we stood in line for over 20 minutes, then when it finally came time for our turn the storage was full, so one of the helpers downstairs just took our bags and placed them out the back for a fee.

We felt like it was a huge waste of time, and even though the YOBOT was cool, it did seem kind of gimmicky. And we weren’t impressed that even though we were staying there we had to pay for luggage storage.

There’s also a ‘facility fee’ of USD$35 plus tax, which supposedly gives you some special features. These include access to the FOUR level, where the Terrace, bars and restaurants are, free wifi (not really ‘free’ then) and the use of the gym and co-working spaces.

Our issue with this is that anybody can access the FOUR level, even if they aren’t staying there, by just going up the elevator. The entire area is completely open to the public and you don’t need a room key to go up there. So essentially guests pay USD$35 for the same thing that anybody not staying there gets for free.

That being said we did talk to one of the managers there and they said they were planning on bringing in a bunch of extra features like free bike rental and other benefits to make the $35 worth the money.

At the end of the day, we did like YOTEL New York and would stay there again. The futuristic style was unlike anything we had seen before, and we can see many of these elements being brought into hotels around the world.

It is also pretty affordable for a hotel of this quality in what is a very popular area in one of the most expensive cities in the world.

If you want to stay in central Manhattan, be within walking distance of many great attractions and would like a funky, cool and comfortable place to rest your head at night, YOTEL is a great spot to stay for your 3 days in New York City.

Our trip to New York City was made in collaboration with ‘NYC and Company’. All thoughts, opinions and hours spent wandering the streets are, as always, our own.

Alesha and Jarryd

Hi, We’re Alesha and Jarryd!

We’ve been traveling the world together since 2008, searching for the planet’s best destinations and adventures.

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Kudos, for the incredible NYC insights! Following your advice, we savored the diverse cuisines in Hell’s Kitchen and marveled at the city lights from the Brooklyn Bridge. What a ride!

Nice Post. Thanks for writing the right information.

Thank you so much. Happy to help 🙂

Thanks for the information you shared about Romantic Places in New York City. I appreciate your efforts and taking the time and sharing this content.

The itinerary strikes a good balance between seeing the classic must-see sights and experiencing some of the lesser-known hidden gems of the city. However, as with any city as vast and dynamic as New York, it’s impossible to see everything in just three days. Visitors may need to prioritize based on their own interests and time constraints. Still, this is a valuable resource for anyone looking to make the most of their trip to New York City. Thanks!

Great information! Using it as a guide for my upcoming 3 days trip to NYC.

Happy the article could help. Have a great trip. 🙂

Thank you for taking your time and provide us with this helpful post.

Soon we will travel to New York and we already know a lot of things.

Glad the article was helpful. Have a great time in New York. 🙂

We have just returned from four days in New York and I just want to thank you so much for your itinerary. We followed it pretty much all the way and covered so much in ground and saw so many things. It was amazing. Thank you so much again!

Thanks for sharing this. I find it so help you.

Thank you SO much for such a great breakdown – I was worried 3 days would be impossible, but seeing how much you’ve fit in I’m feeling confident with some comfy shoes and a few coffees I can do this 😀

Hi Claire, NY is definitely overwhelming. We fitted a lot in when we were there. They were long days and a lot of walking but we thought “when are we going to be in NY again”. There is so much fun things to do. Have a wonderful time. Happy travels

Hi, thanks for the guide. We are planning our trip for April, so this will be really helpful. It sounds like a City Pass is the way to go! Jan

Hi Jan, that is exciting you are heading to NYC. It is such an incredible city with so much to do. When we were there, we had the city pass and it was so convenient. If you want to go to the locations that the city pass offers, then it is definitely worth it. As it was our first time visiting, it saved us money. Have a great time. Happy travels.

Hello and thanks for all the tips! We are going in April and I was trying to book a Crown visit for the Statue of Liberty. I saw somewhere you need to purchase tickets 4 months in advance but now I can’t find the site to do so. Plus I read a lot of scam sites. Do you recommend how to do this?

Hi Dannie, that is great you are heading to NYC. We never got book the crown visit for the Statue of Liberty. We only saw it from a cruise on the water. I went to the NYC Tourism Website ( https://www.nycgo.com/ ) and they link to the State of Liberty website here https://www.statueofliberty.org/statue-of-liberty/ . Maybe you could contact the State of Liberty and they may be able to help with your booking. Sorry we can not help. It would be an amazing view from the top. All the best and have a great trip.

Can you recommend any alterations to this itenirary if we choose to go around Christmas time?

Dawn, that is so exciting you are going there for Christmas. We would love to see NYC during the festive season one time. We only visited outside of the this time. We are not too sure about the Christmas activities that will be going on. This itinerary on our article would be good to follow and add in Christmas activities when you can. Have a great time.

Thanks on your marvelous posting! I seriously enjoyed reading it, you’re a great author. I will ensure that I bookmark your blog aand definitely will come back aat some point. I want to encourage yourself to continue your great job, have a nice weekend!

whoah this weblog is wonderful i really like studying your articles. Keeep up the good work! You already know, a lot of persons are lopoking round for this info, you can aiid them greatly.

Thanks for finally writing about > 3 Days in New York City – The PERFECT Itinerary (2020 Guide) < Liked it!

what an amazing city! now it is one of my favorite ones! i’ve been to different places but no city has impressed me as much as New York! I really like travelling and as the person who does it really often i can reccomend to everyone to use some car rental service to make the process much more comfortable!

So glad you enjoyed the city Michael. What was your favourite part of the city?

Hi, this is not a comment, just asking for advice which is the best time to visit New York? i suffer from arthritis so cant do winter, looking for inexpensive but comfortable accommodation in Manhattan for 4 people with a strict budget. Kind regards Pam from South Africa

Hi Pam, summer or spring sounds like a great time for you. Do give booking. com a look for the best budget rooms for the 4 of you. Here is the link – https://www.booking.com/district/us/new-york/manhattan.en-gb.html?aid=899664 Have a great tip. Happy travels.

your 3 day plan is great, however, if you could include the pricing of the attractions, will enable people to budget for the visit!!

Hi Pani, we purchased City Pass cards so all the attractions are included on this card. We feel it is the best way to see them all. You can even skip the lines sometimes if you have the card. Check out the card for yourself. 🙂 https://bit.ly/2ya654E

I am going with a group of 6 and we want to fast track the attractions with skip the lines access, etc. Does the City Pass allow this? Also, want to go to the crown of the statue of liberty. Is it worth that? And does City pass allow that?

Yes. You get to go in another line. I don’t know if it is the fast track line but we got in way faster than all the other people in the other line as we had a ticket all ready.

Just got back from nyc with my family (3 kids). I stumbled upon this blog when I started stressing about not having an itinerary of sorts. We followed it almost completely. Moved a few things around based off that we were there 3.5 days and our hotel location. But this was a lifesaver and helped us make the most of our time. I also like how it was a plan that used the city pass which we had already planned to use. Thanks!

Hi, Thank you for the information, this is really useful, but do think it would be still possible with 2 kids (2 & 5)? we will be there in Jul 24, booked in Staybridge hotel

Great article guys! I would also suggest a helicopter ride over the spectacular New York skyline, which is a sight to behold. These rides are absolutely safe for children as well; could be something of a mind-blowing experience for them.

Great information, thank you so much! I am going to New York this summer for a conference and hoping to use many of these tips during my free time, as it is the first time I am actually staying overnight in New York. I have the list of things I want to see while there, and this helped me to map the sights in my mind. Perfect timing with this detailed information!

Hi Anu – Riikka, we hope you have a great time. It is a big city and so much to do. Work out what you really want to do and concentrate on them. Happy travels

New York City trip planner

Nycmoov.com is a free mapping and route planning service for getting around New York City. You can find the fastest route and compare trips in all modes of transport such as subway, metro, bus , ferry, bike, pedestrian, and car for all over New York City. You can also get in real time the subway and bus schedule as well as the alerts published by MTA.

">Getting around New York City

Trip planner, schedule & map, stations near me.

MTA subway trains, buses, metro and rails trains, and ferries

About the public transport in New York City

The New York City Subway is a metropolitan transportation system serving New York City in the United States. All public transportation infrastructure is owned by the City of New York, which has transferred the operation of the network to the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) .

With more than 5 million riders per weekday, the subway is the busiest means of public transport in the New York megalopolis. It has 425 stations with 472 stops on 24 lines spread over 236 miles, making it the world leader in terms of the number of lines and stations served. The lines are almost exclusively underground in Manhattan, while they are mostly overhead in the rest of the city.

The bus networks, the Metro-North Railroad, the Staten Island Railway and the Long Island Rail Road are also managed by MTA.

1 Week NYC Itinerary For Free: Travel Plans, Sightseeing, Maps & Tips

How to explore nyc for free.

Do you want to experience a full week in New York City for free? In this article, we show you how to make this possible. Even when you are traveling on a small budget you won’t have to miss the best attractions in New York. We created an itinerary for 7 days in New York City on a budget. Without paying any entrance fees but having lots of free things to do in NYC and free admissions.

In New York City, there are a ton of free sights and opportunities to visit the best museums for free, attend the hottest events without paying a single dime and touring the city without spending any money. Check out our list of free attractions, museums, and events in NYC.

Finding your best itinerary for your trip within our recommendations isn’t easy, which is why we created a whole week of adventures for you, so you don’t have to worry when which attractions are free of charge. We make your trip planning as easy and convenient as possible. On top of that, there will be insider tips, maps and an entire route for every single day of your trip.

Regular advice about how to save money in New York City, cheap flights, hotels, and low budget restaurants can be found in our article about Low Budget Tips for NYC .

Important note: This itinerary also works for 3, 4 or 5 days in New York. Just leave out the days you don’t like. Of course, every day can be switched back and forth depending on your day of arrival.

Some tips are only valid on a weekday.

For further information click on the attraction or tour within the daily overviews.

Day 1 – Monday: Times Square, free Bustour & Rooftop-Bar

Times Square
Bus tour in Manhattan
Rooftop Bar
Optional: Big Apple Greeter Tour

Times Square:

After your flight to New York, start your first day in the city right by visiting the heart of Midtown. Times Square is the perfect place to dive right into the big city life of NYC. Take in the noises, the vibrant atmosphere, and the impressive billboards. Most of you probably only know this place from famous movie scenes or TV Shows.

Check out the famous red steps of TKTS and take some great pictures facing the entire area of Times Square in Manhattan.

Free Bus tour in Manhattan:

Save your money on the Hop on Hop Off buses and take a free bus tour in Manhattan instead. How? Hop on the Bus M20 on 7 Av/W 41 St and ride from North to South all the way to State St/Whitehall St through Manhattan.

From there transfer to the M15 back to Midtown and get off at 1 Av/E 26 St to get to 230 Fifth Rooftop Bar. If you purchase an unlimited metro card for 7 days or longer, the busses (not express busses) are included.

No entrances fees at a Rooftop Bar:

To finish up the perfect start into your vacation in NYC visit one of the biggest and most popular rooftop bars in Manhattan . At 230 Fifth Rooftop Bar near the Flatiron Building, you can see the Empire State Building and The Skylark on Times Square without spending money on an observation deck like Top Of The Rock or One World Observatory. For us, there is no better feeling than enjoying the city from a rooftop bar with a glass of wine.

Just because there are no free observation decks in New York , it doesn’t mean you cannot enjoy the view of the city from the top.

Are you looking for more rooftop bars near you? Check out our guide about the best rooftop bars in New York City.

Insider-Tip:

As an alternative for the day, we recommend exploring the city with Big Apple Greeter. This community was created by volunteers who are hosting three hours long tours for NYC visitors and explain the basics just like the Subway System. It’s free of charge but tips or donations are always welcome. It is advised to save your spot 3-4 weeks in advance to make sure that you’ll get a greeter for the day of your choice.

Day 2 – Tuesday: Free Ferry Ride, Statue of Liberty, Wall Street and Memorial

Staten Island Ferry & Statue Of Liberty
Battery Park
Charging Bull , Wall Street & New York Stock Exchange
Trinity Church
St. Paul’s Chapel
One World Trade Center
Ground Zero & 9/11 Memorial
Brookfield Place

Staten Island Ferry & Statue of Liberty:

On your second day in New York, we are heading south. The day starts with a free ride on the Staten Island Ferry. The 20 minutes ride on New York City’s most popular ferry offers you both a free boat trip in NYC and a close-up view of the Statue of Liberty.

Riding the Staten Island Ferry is one of our favorite free attractrions in NYC

Battery Park:

Right next to the Staten Island Ferry Terminal, there is Battery Park that has to be explored. This park is not only super beautiful but also has great importance when it comes to the history of the city of New York. The first Dutch immigrants arrived here when New Amsterdam was founded. Don’t miss Castle Clinton National Monument , the main sight at Battery Park.

Charging Bull, Wall Street & NY Stock Exchange:

Not too far away from Battery Park, you can find Wall Street and the NY Stock Exchange. Make your way from Broadway towards Wall Street. The Charging Bull at Bowling Green Park is near the New York Stock Exchange . Due to security, unfortunately, there is no option to see the Stock Exchange from the inside.

Trinity Church & St. Paul’s Chapel:

Pretty close to Wall Street you can find Trinity Church , one of the most famous churches in the city. During the attacks on September 11, the church was a place for firefighters to rest and recharge while saving the victims of these dramatic events in 2001. Today you can find several memorials inside the church that remember the people who died on 9/11.

Leave Broadway and walk towards this odd, white building that was named The Oculus . Inside you’ll find the Westfield Shopping Mall, several subway lines, restaurants and coffee shops. From here you can either walk all the way to Fulton Center (without leaving the Oculus) or walk towards the water into Brookfield Place. All underground. Brookfield Place is another shopping center in Lower Manhattan luxury shops and a food market.

One World Trade Center & 9/11 Memorial:

Right in front of the Oculus, there’s the One World Trade Center & 9/11 Memorial . Heading up to the Observation Deck is a little pricey so just enjoy the view from here. It’s the tallest building in New York and super impressive to look at.

Adjacent to the One World Trade Center there’s the 9/11 Memorial . The footprints of the former World Trade Center remind of the twin towers, the victims of the terror attacks and the massive rescue that followed after September 11. It’s a very emotional experience.

The 9/11 Memorial Museum: Free admission

The 9/11 Memorial Museum is highly recommended and one of the highlights that you can experience in NYC for free. Every Tuesday the museum offers Free Admission Tuesday where you can grab your tickets starting at 4:00 PM every Tuesday. Make sure to get there early and reserve your tickets online.

Brookfield Place & Hudson River Promenade:

At the end of your tour through Lower Manhattan and the Financial District head over to Brookfield Place and the Hudson River Promenade. There is lots of shopping inside Brookfield Place as well as restaurants and bars. Outside by the water, you will be able to watch the sunset which you shouldn’t miss while being in NYC.

Day 3 – Wednesday: Hudson Yards, High Line Park & Brooklyn Bridge

Hudson Yards
The High Line Park
Chelsea Market
Meatpacking District
Brooklyn Bridge & Brooklyn Bridge Park

The Vessel & Hudson Yards:

On day three we are going all the way up. We are starting at Hudson Yards, New York City’s newest neighborhood and the place to be for very wealthy people. Back then this area was shady and unsafe, while today Hudson Yards is upcoming and super trendy.

Even though this area won’t offer much on a small budget, there’s still one attraction you shouldn’t miss and believe it or not but it is free of charge. The Vessel at Hudson Yards.

Climb the 2.500 steps to the top and enjoy the views of Hudson Yards , New Jersey and parts of Midtown.

Tickets for the Vessel are free

To visit the Vessel, you’ll need tickets, but the tickets won’t cost you anything. There are only a limited number of tickets available per day. Make your online reservation in advance to secure your visit.

CHECK TICKETS

The High Line Park:

Right after the impressive and probably exhausting workout at the Vessel, your adventures continue on the famous High Line Park. Walk your way Downtown to Meatpacking District . The High Line was built on a historic freight rail line elevated above the streets on Manhattan’s West Side. On your way, you will pass by different neighborhoods, landmarks, art and locals selling everything from souvenirs to ice cream.

The High Line Park is a public park and admission free.

Meatpacking District & Chelsea Market:

Following the path of the High Line, you will reach Meatpacking District . A place to go out at night and shopping during the day. Before you walk further into the neighborhood make sure to check out Chelsea Market . You don’t need to spend any money here even though you possibly could.

In the past this was the place where the delicious Oreo Cookies were invented, today you’ll get to experience food spots, wine bars, coffee shops, a flea market and oftentimes there are sample sales inside Chelsea Market as well.

Brooklyn Bridge & Brooklyn Bridge Park:

Head over to the Subway Station 14th Street and take the A or C to Fulton Street Subway Station. From there you will walk your way to the iconic Brooklyn Bridge.

Insider-Tip : Cross the bridge with the bike. Rent a Citi Bikes (even though this won’t be free of charge) and ride all the way to Brooklyn. On your way back, take a walk. Check out our New York Citi Bikes Guide .

But before you cross the bridge back to Manhattan, enjoy the night at Brooklyn Bridge Park. Take pictures of the skyline, check out the area and maybe grab a coffee.

Day 4 – Thursday: SoHo, Little Italy & Chinatown

Little Italy & Nolita
New Museum of Contemporary Art

SoHo & Broadway:

Day 4 of your free week in New York City starts at my favorite neighborhood in the city. SoHo ! The artsy and hip area is well known for its cast-iron architecture, great restaurants, and shopping. Most likely you will feel like you’ve been to SoHo before because SoHo is a very popular filming location for Hollywood blockbuster, commercials and TV shows.

Little Italy:

From SoHo to Italy. Literally. Even though Little Italy has become super touristic it is still a fun place to go to and it won’t cost you anything. Follow the path on Mulberry Street until you’re getting into Little Italy. Northern from Little Italy there is Nolita „North of Little Italy” – which is a great place to check out as well.

Are you ready to continue our world journey? Let’s head over to Chinatown. Everything on or near Canal Street, Mott Street, Pell Street, and Doyers Street is considered as worth exploring in Chinatown. Authentic restaurants, fish markets, and fun souvenirs shops are part of the Chinatown experience.

Insider-Tip: Every first Thursday of the month the entrance to the Museum of Chinese in America is free.

Free admission to the New Museum of Contemporary Art:

It’s only a quick walk from Chinatown to the New Museum of Contemporary Art . Every Thursday you will also get free admission there. It starts at 7:00 PM.

Day 5 – Friday: Bryant Park, Public Library & 5th Avenue

Grand Central Station
New York Public Library
Bryant Park
Radio City Music Hall
Rockefeller Center
St. Patrick’s Cathedral
MoMA / Museum of Arts and Design

Grand Central Station:

Start your day just like many other locals will start their day. Welcome to Grand Central Station . It’s going to be busy and crowded when thousands of commuters will pass through Grand Central, but it will be worth it. After checking out the main hall walk your way to Grand Central Market, the Oyster Bar, and the Whispering Gallery.

New York Public Library with a free tour:

Only 5 minutes walking distance away you will reach your next location on our itinerary. The beautiful New York Public Library . Please don’t miss out on the stunning Rose Main Reading Room on the third floor.

Insider-Tip: There is a daily free tour through the entire library starting every hour from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM.

Bryant Park:

Step out of the library and take a break at Bryant Park which is literally right around the corner. It’s the best place to relax and enjoy the special atmosphere.

Radio City Music Hall, Rockefeller Center & St. Patrick’s Cathedral:

The good thing about Midtown is that most attractions are pretty close together and you can just walk everywhere. Our next stop is Radio City Music Hall and Rockefeller Center . Did you know that the Comcast Building is the tallest building of the complex?

Across the street of Rockefeller Center, you can visit St. Patricks Cathedral on Fifth Avenue. The church is a decorated Neo-Gothic-style Roman Catholic cathedral church and you can enter it for free.

Museum of Modern Art: Free admission

Do you enjoy art? The Museum of Modern Art is the mecca for art enthusiast in Midtown. NYC’s Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) is not only the most popular museum in the city but also is also devoted to stunning works which makes it so famous all over the world.

Important note: The museum will be temporarily closed to expand its galleries from June 16 through October 21, 2019.

On “Free Friday Nights” at 4:00 PM you can visit the MoMa for free. Just make sure, that you arrive around 6:00 PM because that’s when most visitors are either already inside or are leaving the museum already.

Option: Instead of heading to the MoMa you can also visit the Museum of Arts and Design at Columbus Circle.

5th Avenue:

Known as the most expensive shopping area in the world, 5th Ave is also one of the main sightseeing attractions, that won’t have to cost you a single Dollar. From Tiffany, Gucci and Prada to Louis Vuitton you can enjoy window shopping for free.

Day 6 – Saturday: Roosevelt Island Tram, Central Park & Museum

Roosevelt Island Tram
Central Park
American Museum of National History
Guggenheim Museum

Roosevelt Island Tramway:

While traveling to NYC on a budget one of our favorite things to do is riding the Roosevelt Island Tramway which that spans the East River and connects Roosevelt Island to the Upper East Side of Manhattan. For the price of $2.75 (when owning an unlimited metro card), you will get to see stunning views of the East River and Manhattan. Roosevelt Island is a peaceful escape of the hustle and bustle in the city which is why today we are starting our sightseeing tour for day six at the island.

Central Park:

After returning from Roosevelt Island we are heading to New York City’s biggest and most popular park. Central Park is an excellent choice during every season of the year. Climb the Umpire Rock an outcrop of Manhattan schist and enjoy the views and quietness. On Sheep Meadow you can lay on the grass and soak in the sun, explore the 13 bridges that are located in Central Park, or maybe you are interested in exploring the Strawberry Fields, a memorial dedicated to the legend, John Lennon.

During the summer there are free concerts in the park, Shakespeares in the park and many other events and shows.

Check out more information about our favorite park in our Central Park Guide .

Free admission at the American Museum of National History

Pretty close to Central Park you’ll be able to visit the American Museum of National History. Even when you’re not the museum type of person, the American Museum of National History is for everyone. It is impressively big, offers many interesting exhibitions and was the filming location of the movie “A night at the museum” with Ben Stiller.

Every day you’ll “Pay What You Wish”. This can be anything between $1 and up.

Insider-Tip : On Saturdays, there is also “free admission” at the Guggenheim Museum starting at 5:00 PM. You pay as well as you wish and should be here at least 30 minutes early.

Day 7 – Sunday: Gospel, Madison Square Park or Governors Island

Gospel Choir
Flatiron District Free Tour
Governors Island

Gospel Choir:

Make your Sunday morning in New York City a special one and head to Harlem for a gospel mass. From 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM most churches Uptown have the best gospel choirs singing during the mass. It is a magical experience that you won’t forget. Attending a mass is free of charge (donations to the church are welcome) but please be respectful with the community and dress properly and turn off your cell phones.

We recommend attending a mass at the Abyssinan Baptist Church , Bethel Gospel Assembly and the Cathedral of Saint John the Divine .

Flatiron District Free Tour:

Another option to start your day is a free tour of the Flatiron District. Meet up point is every Sunday at 11 AM in front of the Flatiron Building. The 90 minutes walking tour operated by Flatiron 23rd Street Partnership . takes you through the neighborhood and points out the main highlights of the area such as the New York Life Insurance Building, the MetLife Clock Tower and Madison Square Park .

Governors Island:

Super interesting for visitors on a low budget is one of my favorites spots in NYC. Governors Island is perfect for a quick city escape. The ferry charges $3 and on the weekends before 11:30 AM you can even ride for free. Enjoy the city views, beach clubs and food trucks and a lot of green spaces. Governors Island is great for families with kids. There is so much to explore and to do on the island.

I'm a true New York fan! Not only have I visited the city over 25 times but also have I spent several months here at a time. On my blog I show you the best and most beautiful spots of the city, so that you have a really good time! You can also find lots of insider tips in our New York travel guide . Also check out my hotel finder for New York !

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New AAA Five Diamonds Shine with Style and Sophistication

Properties in boston, new orleans, new york, honolulu, and quebec received the prestigious designation.

WASHINGTON, DC (April 29, 2024) – Two hotels and four restaurants are the newest additions to AAA’s Five Diamonds list. Throughout the year, AAA Inspectors visit hotels and restaurants across North America, the Caribbean, and Costa Rica to verify the 4 Cs of AAA Diamonds: Cleanliness, Comfort, Cuisine, and Consistency.

This month, properties from Canada to Hawaii earned the prestigious AAA Five Diamond designation . Five Diamonds are the highest designation and offer ultimate luxury and leading-edge cuisine.

Emeril’s, New Orleans, Louisiana
Jungsik, New York, New York
Le Hatley Restaurant, North Hatley, Quebec, Canada
Mandarin Oriental Boston, Boston, Massachusetts
Mugen, Honolulu, Hawaii
Raffles Boston, Boston, Massachusetts

Eight hotels and one restaurant received the distinguished AAA Four Diamond designation this month. Four Diamonds offer upscale amenities and distin ctive fine dining.

Amar, Boston, Massachusetts
Dreams Flora Resort & Spa, Punta Cana, Dominican Republic
Hilton La Romana, Bayahibe, Dominican Republic
Hotel William Gray, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Manoir Hovey, Relais & Chateaux, North Hatley, Quebec, Canada
Margaritaville Island Reserve Resort Cap Cana Hammock, Punta Cana, Dominican Republic
Margaritaville Island Reserve Resort Cap Cana Wave, Punta Cana, Dominican Republic
The Stavrand, Russian River Valley, Guerneville, California
The Wall Street Hotel, New York, New York

Diamond lists are updated monthly, as AAA Inspectors visit hotels and restaurants throughout the year.

Currently, there are approximately 140 Five Diamond hotels and 60 Five Diamond restaurants, and 1,700 Four Diamond hotels and 500 Four Diamond restaurants.

Plan a visit to Diamond properties on Trip Canvas, AAA’s free travel planning tool, or connect with a AAA travel agent for recommendations and hotel reservations.

About AAA

Started in 1902 by automotive enthusiasts who wanted to chart a path for better roads in America and advocate for safe mobility, AAA has transformed into one of North America’s largest membership organizations. Today, AAA provides roadside assistance, travel, discounts, and financial and insurance services to enhance the life journey of 64 million members across North America, including more than 57 million in the United States. To learn more about all AAA has to offer or to become a member, visit AAA.com

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MAY THE FORCE BE WITH YOU IN JAPAN: THE 2024 JAPAN PARADE IN NEW YORK

New York – April 26, 2024 : On May 11, 2024, the Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) will be celebrating the U.S.-Japan Tourism Year with a commemorative “May the Force Be With You in Japan” float at the third annual Japan Parade in New York. The festivities will kick off at 1pm, with the parade route stretching from 81st Street to 67th Street along Central Park West.

The float will include costumed fans who have been officially invited by Lucasfilm , in conjunction with Japan Parade and members of Japan Society . Star Wars Celebration , the ultimate Star Wars fan event, will be held at Makuhari Messe in Chiba, Japan from April 18-20, 2025. In honor of that, JNTO will roll out a sweepstakes to win a free trip to Japan, which will run until September 30, 2024. Further details of the sweepstakes will be announced online on May 11. Wheelchair tennis star and four-time Japanese Paralympic gold medalist Shingo Kunieda has been named this year’s Grand Marshal, and the parade will also feature a live performance by the cast of Demon Slayer: The Stage, the musical stage adaptation of the popular anime and manga series, Demon Slayer. The parade will also feature performances from taiko bands, bon-odori dance troupes and martial arts groups.

Alongside the Japan Parade, Japan Street Fair will be held on West 72nd Street, with over 20 food tents serving authentic Japanese street cuisine. The street fair will also feature a JNTO tent, highlighting the best of travel to Japan, and cultural activities including calligraphy, water balloon yo-yo fishing, origami and a photo opp with Hello Kitty. A charity tent will collect donations for Noto earthquake victims, providing a free Japan Parade tote bag as a thank-you gift. In addition, JNTO has recently released a special video message from Boston Red Sox player Masahiro Yoshida, whose hometown in the Hokuriku region was affected by the earthquake.

For more information on the Japan Parade, please visit https://www.japanparadenyc.org/ .

ABOUT U.S.-JAPAN TOURISM YEAR

2024 will mark the first time both the United States and Japan have developed this kind of union, which seeks to promote increased travel, mutual tourism, and cultural exchanges between the two countries. The Tourism Year agreement is a project of Japan National Tourism Organization(JNTO), the Japan Tourism Agency (JTA) and the Japan Association of Travel Agents (JATA), in conjunction with the U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Travel and Tourism Office and U.S. Commercial Service, the U.S. Embassy in Tokyo and Brand USA. For more information, visit https://www.japan.travel/en/us/us- japan-tourism-year-2024/ .

ABOUT JAPAN NATIONAL TOURISM ORGANIZATION (JNTO)

As the official tourism board, JNTO seeks to inspire international travelers to visit Japan. Focusing on sustainability, diversity and preservation of its history and culture, JNTO encourages travelers to explore the country while supporting local businesses, learning about indigenous cultures, and helping conserve its natural sites.

For more information about travel to Japan, visit https://www.japan.travel/en/us or the JNTO pages on Facebook , Instagram and Youtube . To contact the New York office of the Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) directly, please e-mail [email protected] .

ABOUT STAR WARS CELEBRATION

Star Wars Celebration is the ultimate fan experience focused on the galaxy far, far away… The event is filled with major announcements, immersive exhibits, an interactive show floor, screenings, exclusive merchandise, celebrity guests, panels, autograph sessions, fan-inspired activities, costumes, and other surprises celebrating all things Star Wars! Star Wars Celebration is truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience where memories are made, families are brought together, old friends are reunited, and new friendships forged — all in the setting of the ever-evolving Star Wars universe.The event is produced by Lucasfilm in cooperation with ReedPop, the organizers of New York Comic Con, C2E2, PAX, and many more events all over the world. The event will be held at Makuhari Messe in Chiba, Japan April 18-20, 2025 .

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The Vessel at Hudson Yards. Climb the 2.500 steps to the top and enjoy the views of Hudson Yards, New Jersey and parts of Midtown. Tickets for the Vessel are free. To visit the Vessel, you'll need tickets, but the tickets won't cost you anything. There are only a limited number of tickets available per day.
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May the Force Be With You in Japan: the 2024 Japan Parade in New York
New York - April 26, 2024: On May 11, 2024, the Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) will be celebrating the U.S.-Japan Tourism Year with a commemorative "May the Force Be With You in Japan" float at the third annual Japan Parade in New York. The festivities will kick off at 1pm, with the parade route stretching from 81st Street to 67th Street along Central Park West.

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Things to Do Financial District + Lower East Side

Things to Do on the Upper East Side + Central Park

If You Have More Time In Your New York City Trip

Things to Do in The Village

Things to Do in Brooklyn

Things to Do in Chelsea + Hudson Yards

Things to Do in the Bronx + Harlem + the Upper West Side

Upper West Side

In Conclusion, Here are My Recommendations for Planning a 3-Day NYC Itinerary

Wanderlust Crew

Plan Your Trip to NYC

Where To Stay

New York City Guide: Planning Your Trip

Planning Your Trip

Things To Do

Where to Eat and Drink

Where to Stay

Getting There

Culture and Customs

Money Saving Tips

Watch Now: Planning Your Visit to New York City

7 Days in New York City | Travel Itinerary + Guide

Day 1 – Arrival in New York City | Head right to the City Centre

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New York City Travel Guide

Manhattan Travel Guides

Brooklyn Travel Guides

Queens Travel Guides

Long Island Travel Guides

New York City Hiking Guides

NYC Day Trips

NYC In Winter

NYC In Fall

NYC In Spring

New York City Guides & Resources

Common New York City Travel Guide Questions

Q: Are there guided tours in New York City ?

Q: How many days do you recommend visiting NYC for?

Q: What are the best ways to visit NYC on a budget?

Q: Where are the best free views of New York City?

Q: How do I take the New York City subway?

Q: What areas of New York City do you recommend tourists avoid?

Q: Is the New York City subway safe at night?

Q: Where can I go hiking in NYC?

Q: How much should I save for a trip to NYC?

Q: What should you not miss in NYC?

Q: How do I not look like a tourist in NYC?

Q: Can you visit New York City without a car?

Q: What can I do in six hours in New York?

Q: What can you do in New York City for $20 or less?

What would you add to this New York City travel guide?