Few cities reward curiosity like New York. Founded by the Dutch in 1624 as New Amsterdam, it grew from a harbor town into a global capital of arts, finance, and food. The 1811 grid, the 1904 subway, and waves of immigration shaped a dense, walkable city threaded with stories.

This 4-day NYC itinerary balances icons—Statue of Liberty, Central Park, Broadway—with neighborhood moments: a Village espresso, a DUMBO sunset, a Lower East Side deli counter stacked with pastrami. You’ll move efficiently, eat memorably, and see the skyline from multiple angles.

Practical notes: Subway rides cost $2.90 using OMNY contactless; yellow cabs from JFK to Manhattan are a flat fare (about $70–$80 plus tolls/tip). Reserve timed tickets for observatories and the Statue of Liberty where possible, and consider a multi-attraction pass if you’ll hit several museums.

New York City

NYC is a city of neighborhoods—each with a distinct accent. Midtown dazzles with skyscrapers and Broadway marquees. Uptown shelters masterworks at The Met and the American Museum of Natural History. Downtown stitches together SoHo’s cast-iron facades, Chinatown’s hand-pulled noodles, and the Lower East Side’s living immigrant history.

Top sights include the High Line, a park on a freight rail; the Brooklyn Bridge, a 19th-century engineering marvel; and Lady Liberty, the 1886 gift from France that greeted millions of arrivals to Ellis Island. New observatories—Edge, Top of the Rock, and SUMMIT One Vanderbilt—offer different, dramatic perspectives at sunset.

Food is half the itinerary. Start with bagels and smoked fish at Russ & Daughters, bite into a Katz’s pastrami on rye, hunt for the city’s best slice (Juliana’s or Joe’s), and book dinner at standouts like Via Carota, Dhamaka, Semma, or Cote. Cap nights with a martini at Bemelmans Bar or an inventive cocktail at Death & Co.

Where to stay (neighborhoods that work well for first-timers):

• Midtown for walkability to Times Square, Broadway, and major museums; great for first visits and theater nights.
• Greenwich Village / SoHo for a more local feel, cafés, boutiques, and easy subway access to uptown/downtown.
• Brooklyn (Williamsburg or DUMBO) for skyline views, creative dining, and quick rides into Manhattan.

Book stays: Browse apartments and townhomes on VRBO in New York City or compare hotels on Hotels.com in New York City. For first-time visits, aim near a subway line (A/C/E, 1/2/3, or N/Q/R/W) for quick cross-town connections.

Getting to New York City: Fly into JFK, LaGuardia, or Newark. Nonstops from major US hubs take ~2–6 hours; red-eyes arrive early for a full day. Search fares on Trip.com flights or Kiwi.com. From Europe, compare options on Omio flights.

Airport to city tips: JFK AirTrain + subway takes ~60–75 minutes (OMNY accepted). Newark AirTrain + NJ Transit to Penn Station runs ~35–45 minutes. LaGuardia has new bus links to the subway; rideshares are often 25–45 minutes depending on traffic.

Day 1: Arrive, High Line + Hudson Yards, Chelsea Flavors, Times Square Glow

Morning: Travel day. If you land early, drop bags with your hotel and grab a coffee at Devoción (lush, Colombian beans) or La Colombe near Bryant Park. Light bite: a chocolate babka slice from Breads Bakery or an everything bagel with scallion cream cheese from Best Bagel & Coffee.

Afternoon: Check in, then head to the High Line. Enter near Gansevoort Street and stroll north past art installations and city views. Pause at Little Island (a sculptural park on the Hudson). For lunch, explore Chelsea Market: try Los Tacos No. 1 (adobada on a handmade tortilla), Miznon (roasted cauliflower and stuffed pitas), or Lobster Place (sushi and bisque).

Evening: Continue to Hudson Yards for a sunset ascent at Edge—the glass floor thrills and westward views are prime at golden hour (tickets from ~$36). Snap a photo at the Vessel (viewing only), then subway to Times Square for that neon, thrumming “I’m in New York” moment. Dinner nearby: Gallagher’s Steakhouse (old-school grill), Danji (Korean small plates), or a fast classic at Shake Shack on 8th Ave. Nightcap at The Rum House (live piano, proper cocktails) or Bar Centrale if you can snag a reservation.

Day 2: Central Park, Museums, Fifth Avenue, Broadway Night

Morning: Start on the Upper West Side with coffee at Joe Coffee and breakfast at Daily Provisions (craveable bacon-egg-cheese on a roll, crullers). Wander Central Park: Bow Bridge, The Ramble, Bethesda Terrace, and the Mall. If you love science and dinos, the American Museum of Natural History is steps away; art lovers can ride across to the Metropolitan Museum of Art along Museum Mile.

Afternoon: Head south along Fifth Avenue window displays to MoMA for star turns from Van Gogh and Warhol. For lunch, try The Modern’s Bar Room (refined but relaxed), The Smith (all-American brasserie), or a levain-style cookie run at Levain Bakery for a sweet intermission. If you’re choosing one observatory this trip, consider Top of the Rock for that postcard-perfect view of the Empire State Building.

Evening: It’s Broadway night. Same-day bargains are sometimes available at the TKTS booth in Times Square; otherwise, pre-book. Pre-theater dinner: Becco (endless pastas, good value), Joe Allen (theater crowd institution), or Sake Bar Hagi (late-night izakaya classics). After the curtain, try Schmackary’s for fun cookies or Juniors for classic cheesecake. Celebratory cocktails at Bemelmans Bar (hand-painted murals, jacket vibe) if you’re up for cabbing to the Upper East Side.

Day 3: Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island, Wall Street to 9/11, Brooklyn Bridge into DUMBO

Morning: Be downtown early. Grab a bagel at Leo’s Bagels in the Financial District and coffee at Black Fox Coffee. Catch the ferry from Battery Park to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island (plan 3–4 hours; base tickets from about $24, pedestal/crown extra). Ellis Island’s Great Hall exhibits are moving—budget time to look up family names.

Afternoon: Back in Manhattan, walk past the New York Stock Exchange and the Charging Bull, then reflect at the 9/11 Memorial pools; the museum warrants ~90 minutes if you visit (tickets ~30+). For lunch, head to Eataly Downtown (pasta, pizza, and gelato under one roof) or Blue Smoke for BBQ at Brookfield Place. Then set out across the Brooklyn Bridge toward DUMBO—allow ~25 minutes, pausing for skyline photos.

Evening: Explore DUMBO: the Instagram-famous Washington Street view, Time Out Market food hall, and the waterfront parks beneath the bridge. Dinner picks: Juliana’s (coal-fired pies; order a Margherita and a white pie), Cecconi’s (Italian with waterfront patio), or Westville (seasonal, veggie-friendly). Dessert at Jacques Torres (hot chocolate in cool months) and a rooftop toast at Harriet’s Rooftop in 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge for sparkling night vistas.

Day 4: SoHo, Chinatown, and the Lower East Side — Then Departure

Morning: Check out and store bags. Brunch at Russ & Daughters Café (lox, sable, latkes) or Clinton St. Baking Company (blueberry pancakes, expect a queue). Wander SoHo’s cobblestones and cast-iron fronts; coffee break at La Cabra (Scandi pastries) or Blue Bottle. Dip into Chinatown for a quick dim sum at Nom Wah Tea Parlor or flaky buns at Mei Lai Wah, and if time allows, tour the Tenement Museum on the Lower East Side for an intimate slice of immigrant life (reserve ahead).

Afternoon: Pick up a final New York slice at Prince Street Pizza (spicy square) or a pastrami to-go from Katz’s Delicatessen. Retrieve luggage and head to the airport: subways run every few minutes; JFK and Newark are ~60–90 minutes door-to-door depending on transfers; rideshares vary with traffic.

Evening: If you have a late flight, fit in a last-hour stroll on the Brooklyn Heights Promenade or a quick art stop at the Whitney Museum near the southern end of the High Line. Otherwise, it’s wheels up—until next time.

Optional swaps and add-ons:

• Greenwich Village food stops: Dante (Negroni variations), Via Carota (Tuscan hits), Mamoun’s (late-night falafel).
• Harlem: Sunday gospel services (dress respectfully) and evening jazz at local clubs; pair with soul food at Sylvia’s.
• East Village: Xi’an Famous Foods for hand-pulled noodles, Death & Co for cocktails, and indie shops along St. Mark’s.
• Observatory choice guide: Edge for thrill factor and west views; Top of the Rock for Empire State vistas; SUMMIT One Vanderbilt for mirrored art-meets-view spectacle; Empire State Building for history.

How to book your logistics fast: Compare hotels via Hotels.com or apartment-style stays on VRBO. Lock flights with Trip.com or Kiwi.com (Europe-based travelers can compare on Omio).

Four days in New York City will fly—yet this route gives you the hallmarks and the in-between moments. From ferry wakes and bridge walks to deli counters and curtain calls, you’ll leave with the city under your skin and a shortlist for your return.