Four Day Itinerary for New York City

There’s so much to see in NYC that it can be overwhelming for a first time visitor. This four day itinerary for New York City will guide you on how to see all the must-see sights within only a few days.

Day 1

Chances are you will be arriving in NYC during the afternoon. After checking in at your hotel (see below for some suggestions), I suggest you head out as soon as possible to explore Midtown. It’s the densely packed epicentre of New York with lots of iconic sights and instagrammable photo opportunities. Why not start by heading straight to the heart of it and see Times Square? Located at the intersection of Broadway and 7th Avenue, it stretches from 43rd to 47th street and is a bustling, crowded, colourful intersection crammed full of the weird and wonderful.

If you’re seeing a Broadway show during your visit (and you really should), then you’ll likely be back to Times Square at night when it’s all lit up, but for now, once you’ve had your fill of the craziness that is Times square, walk east along 42nd street to Bryant park. It’s just one block away and is much more peaceful. The green space allows the city to breathe and makes the surrounding skyscrapers even more impressive. At the eastern end of the small park is the New York Public Library. Pop inside to catch a glimpse of the main reading room.

Continue walking east along 42nd Street. The elegant skyscraper you can see in front of you is the Chrysler Building which was briefly the world’s tallest building in the months before the Empire State Building was erected. In a couple of blocks you will reach the iconic Grand Central Station at 42nd Street and Park Avenue. Grand Central’s distinctive architecture and interior design is a must-see sight in NYC. You’ll want to see the Main Concourse – just follow the crowds – with its famous clock and celestial mural ceiling, and you may also want to try out the whispering gallery, located near the famous Oyster Bar restaurant, . On the lower level, called the Dining Concourse is a good food court with branches of classic NYC eateries such as Shake Shack, Doughnut Plant and Magnolia Bakery. There’s also a great, casual restaurant just outside the station, under the railway lines called Pershing Square (90 E 42nd St).

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Exit the station and walk back along 42nd Street two blocks to 5th Avenue and then head north along this famous shopping street. Walk eight blocks north to 50th Street and you’ll find St Patrick’s Cathedral on your right and opposite the Rockefeller Center, which is a huge complex stretching from 48th-51st streets between 5th and 6th Avenues. Have a stroll around between the various buildings and plazas and don’t miss great photo opportunities of the Atlas sculpture (on 5th Ave just opposite St Patrick’s) and the sunken plaza (a skating rink in the winter) with the bronze glided Prometheus sculpture.

Let’s cap off your first day with some great views. Top of the Rock Observation Deck (TOTR) is at 30 Rockefeller Plaza. The entrance is on 50th Street between 5th and 6th Avenues. I would highly recommend booking your tickets online before your visit to avoid waiting in line at the box office

It normally costs $38 for adults ($32 for children, with under 6 year olds admitted free) but by far the best time to visit is at sunset and as this is also the most popular time to visit, it costs an additional $10 per ticket. It’s so worth it though as you will be able to see the city lights come on and grab both daytime and night time views of NYC. And the views from TOTR are the best in town. You’ll see the Empire State Building in all its splendour and also get great views looking north to Central Park. Purchase your tickets and book your time slot here: https://www.topoftherocknyc.com/

If you haven’t eaten yet, you’re probably ready for some food by now. With all the travel and then walking today, something quick and easy probably sounds good. There’s plenty of good options near your location, including lots of food choices in the Rockefeller Centre itself. (Head to the lower level.). Or a ten minute walk will take you back to the Times Square area with loads of convenient restaurant. But if it was me, and the weather was good, I’d either walk 30 minutes south on 5th Avenue, or jump on the subway (D, F or M lines south from Rockefeller Center Subway station to 23rd Street station) to Madison Square park for a burger, fries and shake from Shake Shack in Madison Square Park. Eating burgers in the park surrounded by skyscrapers, including the iconic Flatiron Building (at 23rd St & 5th Ave) would wrap up the first day perfectly.

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Where to stay: there are hundreds of hotels across Manhattan at all price points. Try to find one close to a subway station. I’ve enjoyed stays at the Hotel Metro, which is has now been renovated and is called the Kixby Hotel (45 W 35th St, between 5th & 6th Ave) near Empire State Building and Herald Square, and easily walkable to Penn Station; at the Library Hotel (299 Madison Ave, at 41st St) near Bryant Park and easily walkable to Times Square; and, my favourite, the Hotel Giraffe (365 Park Avenue, at 26th St) near Madison Square Park and the Flatiron Building.

Day 2

Jetlag may well have you waking early today so make sure you get an early start for a busy day of sightseeing downtown. You’ll be heading to the Statue of Liberty this morning and you’ll need to pre-purchase your tickets as they do sell out. The different options are explained on the official site but I would highly recommend including the climb to the crown. It’s a once in a lifetime experience and not to be missed.

Grab a quick breakfast at your hotel and then jump on the subway to South Ferry Subway Station, right at the southern tip of Manhattan (although if it’s easier from where you’re staying, Whitehall Street station is only a couple of minutes away and works just as well). Walk through Battery Park and if you have purchased crown tickets, you will need to collect them at the Will Call window in Castle Clinton. Aim for the first boat of the day as the island will only get more crowded as the day goes on. You will join a queue to board the boat, go through airport style security and then can relax and enjoy the wonderful views of the financial district as the boat takes you across the water to Liberty Island.

Once you arrive on the island, if you have the crown ticket, you should head straight to the monument before it gets too busy – you can explore later. Check in at the crown entrance, leave your belongings (except your camera, of course!) in lockers, and take the elevator up to the pedestal level. (You can walk upstairs to this level as well but why bother when there is a lift?) From the pedestal level, you’ll need to take the stairs up to the crown. (Again, do this first and leave exploring this level until you come down from the crown). The 162 step climb up inside the statue to the crown is steep and tight but this early in the day it shouldn’t be too hot or crowded. Once you get to the top, you’ll likely be surprised by how tiny the crown is. Look out of the tiny windows, take some photos, and appreciate the amazing place that you are.

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After walking down the steps again pedestal level, walk out onto the viewing area and enjoy the views across the water but don’t forget to look up for another unusual perspective of the famous statue.

From here you can descend in the elevator and then visit the pedestal museum which contains lots of interesting information about the statue’s creation and history. Before leaving the island, take a walk around outside and maybe join the crowds of people taking selfies in front of Lady Liberty. 

When you’re ready, catch the ferry over to Ellis Island where you can explore the fascinating immigration museum which tells the story of the immigrant inspection station operating here from 1892 to 1954 during which time it processed approximately 12 million immigrants to the United States.

You might want to grab lunch here at the café here and remember to take a walk around outside to appreciate the fantastic views back to downtown Manhattan.

When you’re ready to leave, you may face a queue for the next ferry but before too long you’ll be sailing back across the water to Manhattan. When you arrive, walk through Battery Park and then walk north along Broadway where you’ll soon see crowds of people around the famous charging bull statue. (It’s not worth a long wait.) Continue north along Broadway and you’ll reach Wall Street (on your right, opposite Trinity Church) which is worth a quick detour to see the outside of the New York Stock Exchange and Federal hall, with its statue of George Washington outside. If you’re at all interested in history, you should pop inside Federal Hall (and it’s free). It’s the place where George Washington was sworn in as the nation’s first president and there are a few interesting exhibits inside.

Retrace your steps to Broadway, walk a couple of blocks north and then turn left onto Liberty Street which will take you to the 9/11 Memorial. Pay your respects at the memorial. There is a very interesting and well-done museum here as well but it requires a dedicated visit as it can be an emotionally draining experience so save that for another trip.

Just north of the memorial on Fulton Street is the new One World Observatory. If you still want more great views of the NYC skyline then this is worth doing. Book online in advance to avoid waiting. You’ll get great views over the water surrounding Manhattan and be able to spot the two islands you visited this morning. It’s a great bird’s eye view of Liberty Island.

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Pop into the Oculus to see an amazing new building which is now a downtown transport hub, then walk back to Broadway along Fulton Street. Turn left and walk a couple of blocks further north on Broadway and you’ll soon arrive at City Hall park, which can be an oasis of calm in the bustling financial district. Just opposite City Hall is the start of the pedestrian  path over Brooklyn Bridge. Take your time strolling across, enjoying the wonderful views of both the bridge and the Manhattan skyline. Both the Empire State Building and the Statue of Liberty can be seen during this iconic NY walk.

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When you reach Brooklyn, you’ll have earned a rest and some food, so why not enjoy some traditional NY pizza at the famous Grimaldi’s Pizzeria (1 Front Street) or at one of the other pizza options close by. After dinner you can take a stroll along Brooklyn Bridge Park which has amazing views over the East River to Manhattan. The best views of the bridge itself can be seen from just north of it at Main Street park. If you’re legs still have energy in them, you could consider walking back across the bridge after nightfall for a different perspective on the city lights, but you’ve probably walked enough for today and so can jump on a subway back to your hotel.

Day 3

It’s time to explore uptown today. Begin at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. (The 6 subway to either 767th or 86th Street will get you closest.) This has a good claim to be the best museum in the world (and it’s certainly my favourite).Even if you don’t like art, I promise you’ll find something to interest you here. There’s an Egyptian temple, Greek and roman statues, paintings by the world’s greatest artists, including a brilliant impressionist collection, arts of Oceania, Africa and Americas section, medieval art, European sculpture, an arms and armoury collection, an American wing, modern art…The list goes on. You can either tackle the huge museum by choosing a few collections that interest you or else just wander aimlessly around through 5000 years of human history and admire the beauty around you. Before leaving, you might want to visit the fantastic gift shop here as it’s a great place to buy some classy, arty souvenirs.

Upon leaving the Met, it’s worth a quick walk north on 5th Avenue to see the exterior of another museum: the Solomon R Guggenheim Museum. The Frank Lloyd Wright–designed modern-art museum is an architectural achievement. If you feel like more art, you could even visit the interior and walk down the spiral ramp gallery.

Now it’s time to explore Central Park. Covering 843 acres, it’s a wonderful oasis in the middle of bustling Manhattan. I would suggest you enter the park near the Met Museum and then take a leisurely walk in a southerly direction, aiming to see some of the highlights of the park on your journey: such as the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir, Belvedere castle, the Lake with Bow Bridge and the Loeb Boathouse, Strawberry Fields, Bethesda Terrace and Central Park Mall, the Sheep Meadow, Wollman Rink and Gapstow Bridge.

You can even pop into the Central Park Zoo to see the animals. Exit at the south, east corner and you’ll be at the intersection of 5th Avenue and 59th Street and can catch a subway back to your hotel for a rest before this evening’s activities.

It’s time to see a Broadway show! There are around 40 Broadway theatres to choose from so do some research online in advance and book your tickets before you arrive. Broadway Box is a great resource for checking what’s on and accessing some good discounts.  (https://www.broadwaybox.com/) Before the show, you’ll want some dinner and you won’t be short of choices in the theatre district. Near the epicentre at Times Square, you could try BBQ at Virgil’s (152 W 44th St), pizza at John’s (260 W 44th St), burgers and cocktails at 5 Napkin Burger (630 9th Ave) or a little further away but still walking distance to the theatres, you could try a lovely Italian at Basso 56 (234 W 56th St) or new American food and great views over the park at Robert (2 Colombus Circle). If you’re peckish after your show has finished, pick up a slice of NY cheesecake at Junior’s (1515 Broadway at W 45th St) to finish off the night.

Day 4

Time now to see another side of New York. Spend your morning walking the High Line, an elevated park and greenway created on an old railroad. It runs for a mile and a half on the west side of Manhattan between 34th Street in the north and Gansevoort Street in the south. Start at the northern end and walk south, admiring the unique perspective on NY’s streets and the Hudson river. There’s plants and installations to see and it’s worth exiting at Chelsea market (between 15th and 16th Streets) to browse the food stores and maybe grab a snack or late breakfast.

When you descend at Gaansevort Street, walk a couple of blocks east and then turn right onto Hudson Street which will take you down to Bleecker Street and the Village. Spend your afternoon strolling around Greenwich Village and enjoy the neighbourhood feel of this quieter part of NYC. This is also a great are to do a food tour. You can either book an organised tour such as the fantastic Foods of NY Original Greenwich Village walking tour (https://www.foodsofny.com/foods-ny-tours-2/original-greenwich-village/) or do your own spontaneous walk sampling delicious food as you go. If you go for the latter option, make sure to try a slice of pizza at Joe’s (7 Carmine St), some Belgian fries at Pommes Frites (128 MacDougal St), a cupcake at Magnolia Bakery (401 Bleecker St) or Molly’s (228 Bleecker St), a popsicle at Popbar (5 carmine St) and treat yourself to some cheese and wine at Murray’s Cheese Bar (264 Bleecker St).

Don’t leave the area without checking out Washington Square Park (at W 4th and MacDougal Streets).

If you have some time left today and feel in the mood for shopping, Soho is just to the south and Union Square to the north.

This evening why not return to the Village for dinner? There are loads of great options here but my favourite is Little Owl (90 Bedford St). It’s a lovely, quaint and friendly restaurant located in the building whose exterior was used for the Friend’s apartment in the TV show. But even without that novelty factor, the food is wonderful and well worth a visit. After dinner, you could go to  one of the jazz or comedy clubs in the area. Or you  could finish your trip in style with a night time visit to the Empire State Building (20 W 34th St, entrance on 5th Avenue). The queues can be really long here so it’s best to pre-book and maybe even splurge for the VIP express pass to skip all lines (https://www.esbnyc.com/) . The city skyline at night will be a great way to finish off your first trip to NYC.