New York City began as New Amsterdam in 1624 and grew into a global capital of art, finance, theater, and food. Today, the skyline is a living museum—spires old and new guarding a patchwork of neighborhoods where languages mingle and every block tells a story.

From the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island to the Metropolitan Museum of Art and Broadway, NYC pairs grand history with street-level pleasures: a perfect slice, a sunlit stoop, a jazz riff drifting out of a Harlem club. Walk, ride the subway, and let the city unfold—there’s magic from dawn espresso to midnight neon.

Practical notes: Tap into the subway with contactless OMNY and expect 15–25% tips at restaurants. Book popular tables and Broadway seats in advance. Winters are festive and brisk; spring and fall are ideal for long walks; summers are vibrant but warm. This 10-day itinerary balances must-see attractions with local favorites and downtime to savor the city.

New York City

NYC is five boroughs, a thousand moods: Manhattan’s glitter, Brooklyn’s creativity, Queens’ global kitchens, the Bronx’s energy, Staten Island’s sea breezes. This plan mixes big-ticket sights with neighborhood wanderings so you leave with your own mental map and a list of new favorites.

Top highlights include the Statue of Liberty, Central Park, the High Line, the Met, MoMA, and skyline observation decks. Between them, you’ll detour for bagels in the morning, pizza in the afternoon, and cocktails under Art Deco ceilings at night.

Where to stay (central, walkable bases):

• The St. Regis New York — Old New York glamour, prime Midtown location.
• The Plaza Hotel — Landmark luxury on the edge of Central Park.
• Residence Inn by Marriott New York Manhattan/Times Square — Apartment-style rooms, good for longer stays.
• Pod 51 Hotel — Clean, compact, budget-friendly Midtown base.
• Compare more stays: Hotels.com: New York | Apartments: VRBO: New York

How to get here: Fly into JFK, LGA, or EWR. Search fares on Trip.com (flights) or Kiwi.com (flights). Typical nonstop times: 1–3 hrs from East Coast, 5–6 hrs from West Coast, 7–8 hrs from Western Europe, 14–16 hrs from East Asia (often 1 stop). Roundtrips vary widely: ~$150–$450 domestic, ~$500–$900 transatlantic off-peak.

Day 1 — Arrival, Midtown Stroll, Neon First Impressions

Afternoon: Land, drop bags, and stretch your legs around Bryant Park and the New York Public Library’s marble lions. Coffee pick-me-up at Culture Espresso (buttery chocolate chip cookies) or Blue Bottle Bryant Park.

Evening: Dinner in Koreatown: Tonchin (Tokyo-style ramen with silky broth) or Her Name Is Han (homey Korean set plates). Walk through Times Square’s theater lights, then a calm nightcap at The Campbell inside Grand Central—Gilded Age elegance under a painted ceiling.

Day 2 — Lady Liberty, Ellis Island, and the Old City

Morning: Bagels at Leo’s Bagels in the Financial District or a flat white at Black Fox Coffee. Head to Battery Park for your reserved tour of Liberty and Ellis—hearing immigrant stories in the very halls where millions arrived is a powerful start.

Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island Tour: All Options

Afternoon: Lunch at Fraunces Tavern (historic setting, colonial vibes) or Luke’s Lobster near the Seaport. Reflect at the 9/11 Memorial’s twin voids; step into Oculus for soaring Santiago Calatrava architecture.

Evening: Explore Chinatown and Little Italy: hand-pulled noodles at Tasty Hand-Pulled Noodles, Cantonese at Wu’s Wonton King, or red-sauce comforts at Rubirosa (thin-crust vodka pie). Cocktails at The Dead Rabbit (award-winning Irish tavern) in the Financial District.

Day 3 — Grand Central, Fifth Avenue, and a Sky-High Sunset

Morning: Breakfast at Ess-a-Bagel (classic lox) or Best Bagel & Coffee (oversized everything bagels). Admire Grand Central’s celestial ceiling, whispering gallery, and the famed Oyster Bar’s Guastavino tiles.

SUMMIT One Vanderbilt with Grand Central Terminal Tour

Afternoon: Window-shop along Fifth Avenue: St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Rockefeller Center, and Atlas statue. Lunch at Grand Central Oyster Bar (New England clam chowder, oysters) or Shake Shack’s Grand Central outpost for a quick bite.

Evening: Watch sunset views and mirrored art installations at SUMMIT, then dine nearby: The Modern’s Bar Room (contemporary seasonal plates) or Le Rock at Rockefeller Center (French brasserie classics). Late gelato at L’Arte del Gelato in Rockefeller Plaza.

Day 4 — Central Park and the Met

Morning: Central Park ramble: The Mall, Bethesda Terrace, Bow Bridge. Brunch at Sarabeth’s (pancakes, lemon ricotta toast) or Via Quadronno on Madison (legendary Milanese panini and cappuccino).

Metropolitan Museum Guided Group Tour

Afternoon: After your highlights tour, linger with the Temple of Dendur and the American Wing’s light-filled courtyard. Coffee at Bluestone Lane (inside the Church on 5th Ave) before a stroll along Museum Mile.

Evening: Upper West Side eats: Jacob’s Pickles (buttermilk fried chicken, biscuits) or RedFarm (playful dim sum). Catch live jazz at Dizzy’s Club (Columbus Circle skyline views) or Smoke Jazz & Supper Club on Broadway and 106th.

Day 5 — The Brooklyn Day: Bridge, Brownstones, and a Rooftop

Morning: Walk the Brooklyn Bridge early for quieter views. Pastries at Almondine or a savory breakfast at Butler in DUMBO; take photos at Washington Street with the Manhattan Bridge perfectly framed.

Afternoon: Explore Brooklyn Heights Promenade and cobblestoned streets, then lunch on classic coal-oven pizza at Juliana’s or neighboring Grimaldi’s. Ferry up to Williamsburg for waterfront views; coffee at Devoción (sunlit roastery with floral aromas).

Evening: Dinner at Lilia (wood-fired Italian; book ahead) or L’Industrie Pizzeria (paper-thin slices with burrata). Finish with a skyline cocktail at Westlight atop The William Vale or oysters and absinthe at Maison Premiere.

Day 6 — MoMA, Midtown Icons, and Night Views

Morning: Coffee and crullers at Daily Provisions near Rockefeller Center. Visit MoMA’s heavy hitters (Van Gogh’s Starry Night, Warhol, Matisse). Stop by St. Patrick’s Cathedral for soaring Gothic revival serenity.

Afternoon: Lunch at Le Rock (steak frites, artichoke vinaigrette) or pick up a quick bowl at Fieldtrip Rockefeller (harissa salmon over grains). Wander Rockefeller Center’s art deco reliefs and Radio City Music Hall’s marquee.

Evening: Classic skyline moment at the Empire State Building after dark (shorter lines, glittering cityscape). Late-night Korean dessert at Grace Street (honey butter brick toast, bingsu) or soju and pancakes at Cho Dang Gol.

Day 7 — Queens: Design, Skyline Parks, and a Flushing Feast

Morning: Astoria start: coffee and cakes at Martha’s Country Bakery or a flat white at Kinship Coffee. Visit the Noguchi Museum (minimalist Zen by Isamu Noguchi) and Socrates Sculpture Park along the East River.

Afternoon: LIC lunch: Taverna Kyclades (grilled octopus, lemon potatoes) or Adda Indian Canteen in nearby Long Island City (spiced, homestyle curries). Stroll Gantry Plaza State Park for postcard Midtown views; espresso at Sweetleaf.

Evening: Flushing food crawl: White Bear (legendary #6 wontons with chili oil), Nan Xiang Xiao Long Bao (soup dumplings), and Tianjin Dumpling House (lamb coriander dumplings). If you prefer Thai, pivot to Elmhurst’s Ayada for vibrant, spicy plates.

Day 8 — Harlem Soul and the Cloisters

Morning: Latte at Lenox Coffee Roaster. Walk past Striver’s Row and the Apollo Theater, touchstones of Black culture and music history.

Afternoon: Lunch at Sylvia’s (Southern comfort classics) or Red Rooster (fried yardbird, cornbread). Continue to Fort Tryon Park and The Met Cloisters for medieval art, herb gardens, and Hudson River vistas.

Evening: Dinner at Melba’s (short ribs, mac & cheese). For live music, try Minton’s Playhouse (birthplace of bebop) or the intimate, BYOB-style Bill’s Place (Friday/Saturday speakeasy jazz).

Day 9 — SoHo, Nolita, Greenwich Village + Broadway

Morning: Espresso and a cardamom bun at La Cabra in the East Village or a DKA at Dominique Ansel Bakery in SoHo. Browse indie boutiques, design shops, and cast-iron facades.

Afternoon: Lunch at Prince Street Pizza (crispy pepperoni squares) or a sit-down Italian feast at Rubirosa (tie-dye vodka pie). Meander through Washington Square Park, then cappuccino history at Caffè Reggio or Stumptown on Waverly.

Evening: Pre-theater dinner near Times Square: Becco (three pastas of the day) or Los Tacos No. 1 (adobada on handmade tortillas). Curtain time:

Wicked on Broadway Ticket

Post-show drink at Jimmy’s Corner (boxing memorabilia, no-frills prices) or a refined pour at Bar Centrale if you can snag a seat.

Day 10 — High Line, Chelsea Market, and Farewell

Morning: Breakfast at Hector’s Diner (vintage NYC near the Meatpacking) or Citizens at Manhattan West (healthy bowls, good coffee). Stroll the High Line’s gardens, art installations, and city overlooks.

Afternoon: Lunch at Chelsea Market: Los Tacos No. 1 (top-tier tacos), The Lobster Place (bisque, lobster roll), or Miznon (roasted cauliflower pita). Last looks at Hudson Yards before your departure.

Evening: Departure day—grab a final slice at Joe’s Pizza or a black & white cookie for the plane. Until next time.

Optional adds and swaps (if you want more shopping or views): Woodbury Common outlet day (tour bus from Midtown), or trade one evening for Edge at Hudson Yards (glass floor thrills). If you’re an art lover, add the Whitney Museum in the Meatpacking District or the Guggenheim for Wright’s spiral masterpiece.

Included featured experiences via Viator (book early):

• Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island Tour
• SUMMIT One Vanderbilt with Grand Central Terminal Tour
• Metropolitan Museum Guided Group Tour
• Wicked on Broadway Ticket

Insider tips:

• Subway: Trains run 24/7; use OMNY with your contactless card/phone. Aim for off-peak (10 a.m.–3 p.m.) for breathing room.
• Reservations: Tough tables (Lilia, Via Carota, The Modern) open 7–30 days out; join waitlists or try lunch.
• Views: Daylight for orientation; blue hour for drama; late night for shortest lines.
• Weather pivots: If it rains, swap in the Tenement Museum, New-York Historical Society, or the Morgan Library.

One more skyline moment: If you still want a classic, the Empire State Building at night feels like an old movie—an unforgettable capstone to 10 days in New York.

Summary: In ten days you’ve sailed to Liberty Island, wandered Central Park, tasted the city’s global kitchens, stood inside masterpieces, and watched the skyline change colors. NYC rewards curiosity—there’s always another block to explore when you return.