New York City grew from a Dutch trading post into the world’s most filmed, walked, and photographed city—an extraordinary urban experiment that never stops reinventing itself. From the grids of Midtown to the cobblestones of SoHo, it’s a place where Broadway legends, Wall Street, and corner-slice pizzerias coexist on the same block.

Expect a greatest-hits lineup—the Statue of Liberty, Central Park, the Brooklyn Bridge—balanced with neighborhood discoveries, independent coffee roasters, and late-night bites. Art lovers can wander the Met and MoMA; history buffs can reflect at the 9/11 Memorial; view-chasers can hop between dazzling observation decks.

Practical notes: the subway is usually the fastest way around; yellow cabs and rideshares fill the gaps. Book popular restaurants and shows ahead. For airport arrivals, JFK taxis have a flat fare to Manhattan, and AirTrain links JFK and Newark to the subway/rail network. Pack for walking, weather shifts, and the sheer delight of serendipity.

New York City

Few cities reward curiosity like NYC. One morning you’re eating a bagel on the Upper West Side; by lunch you’re under a Keith Haring mural; by sunset you’re peering across the Hudson from the city’s newest sky deck. Each neighborhood has a distinct accent—Greenwich Village’s literary past, Chinatown’s markets, Harlem’s music, Brooklyn’s maker energy.

• Top sights: Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, Central Park, Times Square, the Met, MoMA, the High Line, the Brooklyn Bridge, Rockefeller Center, Grand Central.
• Classic eats: NYC slices (Joe’s, Prince Street), deli icons (Katz’s, Russ & Daughters), bagels (Ess-a-Bagel, Absolute Bagels), steaks (Keens), and modern standouts (Via Carota, COTE).
• Fun facts: Broadway’s Theater District lights sparked the “Great White Way.” Central Park was America’s first major landscaped public park. The city’s 800+ languages make it one of the most linguistically diverse places on earth.

Where to stay: Browse stays on VRBO or check hotels on Hotels.com.

• Classic luxury: The Plaza Hotel (Central Park South grandeur, afternoon tea, storied suites).
• Old New York elegance: The St. Regis New York (butler service, Midtown Madison Avenue address).
• Best value Midtown: Residence Inn by Marriott Times Square (kitchenettes, space to spread out).
• Budget-friendly and central: Pod 51 Hotel (clean, compact rooms; walkable to Midtown icons).

Getting there: Fly into JFK, LGA, or EWR. Compare fares on Trip.com or Kiwi.com. Typical nonstop times: 2–6 hours from most U.S. hubs; 6–8 hours from Europe (overnight); 12–16 from Asia. From JFK: flat-fare yellow cab to Manhattan (~$70 + tolls/tip, ~45–75 minutes) or AirTrain + subway (~$11.40 total). From Newark: AirTrain + NJ Transit to Penn Station (~30–45 minutes). From LaGuardia: taxi or M60/SBS buses and subway (~30–60 minutes).

Day 1: Arrival, Midtown Icons, and Night Views

Afternoon: Arrive and check in. Stretch your legs with a stroll through Bryant Park to the New York Public Library’s lions, Patience and Fortitude. Duck into Grand Central Terminal to admire its celestial ceiling and the whispering gallery; grab an espresso at Culture Espresso (tiny shop, superb cookies) or Blue Bottle in the concourse.

Evening: Early dinner near Rockefeller Center at Szechuan Mountain House (fiery peppers and silky mapo tofu) or Jupiter (pasta and spritzes in an elegant hall). Then ride up to Rockefeller Center’s observation deck with this ticket: Top of the Rock Observation Deck New York City Ticket. The view frames the Empire State Building perfectly at sunset.

Night: Walk past the skating rink and art deco murals. For a classic nightcap, slip into The Campbell at Grand Central (gilded 1920s banker’s office turned cocktail bar) or head to Times Square for a brief, neon-lit whirl before calling it early to reset your clock.

Day 2: Lady Liberty, Wall Street, and the High Line

Morning: Fuel up with a lox-and-schmear bagel from Russ & Daughters Cafe (Lower East Side) or Ess-a-Bagel (Midtown). Then take the ferry to Liberty Island and Ellis Island with a guided experience: Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island Tour: All Options. You’ll hear immigrant stories that shaped the country.

Afternoon: Back on Manhattan, walk by the New York Stock Exchange and Federal Hall, then reflect at the 9/11 Memorial pools (free outdoor site). For lunch, try Leo’s Bagels (for a second round) or Luke’s Lobster on Greenwich Street. Head uptown to the Meatpacking District and wander the High Line—an elevated railbed turned garden with public art and Hudson views.

Evening: Dinner in Chelsea: Cookshop (seasonal American, lively), Shukette (fire-kissed Middle Eastern, shareable), or Chelsea Market’s Los Tacos No. 1 (hall-of-fame adobada). Cap the day with gelato at L’Arte del Gelato or a quiet glass of wine at The Ten Bells on the Lower East Side.

Day 3: Central Park, Fifth Avenue, and Modern Art

Morning: Start with coffee at Devoción (soaring, plant-filled space) or Breads Bakery (try the chocolate babka). Enter Central Park at 59th Street: stroll the Mall, Bethesda Terrace, and Bow Bridge; if you prefer a breezy overview, book a pedicab on-site or plan a guided ride later in the week. Exit near the park’s east side for museum time.

Afternoon: Choose one big museum: The Met (5,000 years, don’t miss the Temple of Dendur) or MoMA (Van Gogh’s Starry Night, cutting-edge design). For lunch, hit Via Quadronno (Milanese panini and cappuccino) or the Modern’s Bar Room (if at MoMA). Window-shop Fifth Avenue’s legends—Saks, Bergdorf—then pop into St. Patrick’s Cathedral.

Evening: Reserve dinner at Keens Steakhouse (since 1885; mutton chop and clay pipes on the ceiling), COTE Korean Steakhouse (Michelin-starred, DIY grills, outstanding banchan), or Don Angie (Italian-American, famous lasagna for two). If you have Broadway on your list, aim for a 7–8 p.m. curtain; otherwise, choose a craft cocktail at Dante (World’s 50 Best alum) or a piano serenade at Bemelmans Bar inside the Carlyle.

Day 4: Neighborhoods of Downtown—SoHo, Nolita, the Village

Morning: Espresso and a pastry at Dominique Ansel Bakery (yes, the cronut still sells out) or La Cabra (Scandi-style bakes). Explore SoHo’s cast-iron facades along Greene and Wooster Streets, then drift into Nolita for indie boutiques and murals. Stop at McNally Jackson for a local-lit browse.

Afternoon: Lunch in the Village: Buvette (tiny Paris, tartines and croque madame), Fairfax (all-day cafe), or Mamoun’s for classic falafel. Walk Washington Square Park under the arch, then follow MacDougal Street for record shops and comedy clubs. Detour to the Stonewall National Monument to connect with LGBTQ+ history.

Evening: Make it a downtown food crawl: start with oysters at Jeffrey’s Grocery, a pizza slice at Joe’s (Carmine Street original), and Sicilian squares at Prince Street Pizza. For dessert, go for Big Gay Ice Cream or a cannoli at Caffè Pasticceria Rocco. Jazz after dark? Village Vanguard or Blue Note—both storied rooms with intimate acoustics.

Day 5: Brooklyn Bridge Sunrise, DUMBO, and Skyline Thrills

Morning: Cross the Brooklyn Bridge early for golden light and elbow room. In DUMBO, order coffee at Butler or Arabica; snap the Manhattan Bridge shot on Washington Street; and wander Brooklyn Bridge Park’s piers. If it’s a weekend, browse the Time Out Market rooftop for quick bites and views.

Afternoon: Return to Midtown East to experience New York’s newest multi-sensory sky-high art space: SUMMIT One Vanderbilt Experience Ticket. Mirrors, clouds, skyline—bring sunglasses and be ready for surprising perspectives.

Evening: Celebrate with a harbor dinner cruise—live music, city lights, and the Statue of Liberty up close: New York City Dinner Cruise with Live Music. If you prefer land-based views, head to Edge at Hudson Yards for a glass-floor thrill, then explore the Vessel’s plaza and late-night bites at Mercado Little Spain (boquerones, patatas bravas, and a proper gin-tonic).

Day 6: Last Morning in the City—Choose Your Own Adventure

Morning: Keep it light before your afternoon departure. Choose one: a peaceful loop through the Conservatory Garden in Central Park; a final art stop at the Frick Madison collection; or a pastry breakfast at Daily Provisions (breakfast sandwich and crullers) or Levain Bakery (famous gooey cookies). If you want one more aerial perspective, go classic with this ticket to an Art Deco legend: NYC Empire State Building Observation Deck Ticket.

Afternoon: Pick up edible souvenirs—Jacques Torres chocolate, Economy Candy on the LES, or Zabar’s on the Upper West Side—then head for the airport with time to spare. Taxis and rideshares are easiest with luggage; subways/rail are fastest at rush hour.

Evening: In transit—scroll your photos, already plotting what you missed: a Yankees game, a Harlem gospel brunch, or a full day at the Met Cloisters next time.

Insider food notes: If you’re a planner, set reminders 30 days out for hot tables like Via Carota (walk-in list; try off-peak), Lilia in Williamsburg (resy alarms), or SAGA (sky-high tasting menu. For casual wins at any hour: Xi’an Famous Foods (hand-pulled noodles), Xiomara’s Cafe (Cuban sandwiches in Midtown), and Superiority Burger in the East Village (vegetable-forward cult favorite).

Local logistics: The subway runs 24/7; tap your contactless card at the turnstile. A 20% tip is standard at restaurants and bars. Expect security screening at observation decks and major attractions—travel light on those days. Wear comfy shoes; you’ll easily log 10,000 steps.

In six days you’ve traced New York’s skyline from multiple angles, walked neighborhoods where history is still audible, and eaten across continents without leaving the boroughs. Keep your MetroCard—or that mental map—handy; the city rewards return visits.