New York City needs no preface, but here’s a fast one. Founded as New Amsterdam in 1624 and renamed for the Duke of York in 1664, the city grew into a global crossroads of finance, culture, and flavor. Five boroughs, 300+ neighborhoods, and countless stories—each subway ride promises something new.

From the Statue of Liberty to the High Line, Broadway to the Brooklyn Bridge, the city rewards curiosity. Its museums are extraordinary (The Met, MoMA, and the American Museum of Natural History), and its skyline viewpoints—Top of the Rock, Edge, and SUMMIT One Vanderbilt—turn sunset into spectacle. Between sights, dip into delis, slice shops, izakayas, taquerias, and diners that define New York’s restless appetite.

Practicalities: JFK is your gateway; the AirTrain links to subway and LIRR for quick access to Manhattan and Brooklyn. Tipping is standard (18–20% at restaurants). Use OMNY contactless on subways and buses. Book timed tickets for popular museums and observatories, and reserve coveted restaurants in advance.

New York City

New York is best explored by neighborhood: Midtown’s Art Deco canyons, Lower Manhattan’s colonial streets, the greenery of Central Park, and the waterfronts of Brooklyn and Queens. Each area carries a different rhythm—go slow, look up, and snack often.

• Top sights: Central Park, The Met, MoMA, 9/11 Memorial & Museum, Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island, The High Line, Grand Central Terminal, Rockefeller Center.
• Iconic views: Top of the Rock, Edge at Hudson Yards, One World Observatory, Brooklyn Heights Promenade, Westlight in Williamsburg.
• Eat like a New Yorker: bagels at Ess‑a‑Bagel, pastrami at Katz’s, pizza at Joe’s or F&F, Chinatown dumplings in Flushing, Greek feasts in Astoria.
• Fun fact: The NYC subway runs 24/7 and serves over 450 stations; Central Park is larger than Monaco; Broadway stages 40+ theaters nightly.

Where to stay: First-timers love Midtown (walk to classics), culture-seekers gravitate to the Upper West Side or Greenwich Village, and food lovers adore the Lower East Side and Williamsburg. Browse stays on VRBO or compare hotels on Hotels.com.

How to arrive via JFK: For flights, check fares on Trip.com or Kiwi.com. From JFK, the AirTrain to Jamaica connects to the subway (E/J/Z) or LIRR (fastest to Midtown). AirTrain is ~$8.50; subway is $2.90; LIRR from Jamaica to Manhattan is ~20 minutes (~$5–$10 off-peak with CityTicket). Yellow cab flat fare to Manhattan is $70 plus tolls and tip; rideshare varies by traffic.

Day 1: Arrival at JFK, Midtown Stroll, and a Rooftop Welcome

Morning: Travel day.

Afternoon: Land at JFK and take the AirTrain + LIRR to Midtown for the quickest transfer. Check in and shake out the jet lag with a gentle loop: Bryant Park’s leafy paths, the New York Public Library’s marble lions, and Grand Central’s starry ceiling (don’t miss the Whispering Gallery by the Oyster Bar).

Evening: Early dinner in Koreatown: try Kang Ho Dong Baekjeong for DIY grilled short rib and banchan or Her Name Is Han for home-style stews. Prefer Italian? Hit Jupiter at Rockefeller Center for silky tajarin and a spritz. Cap the night with skyline views at The Press Lounge (Hell’s Kitchen) or Nubeluz by José Andrés in NoMad—arrive near sunset for golden-hour photos.

Day 2: Rockefeller Center, MoMA, Fifth Avenue, and Broadway Night

Morning: Coffee at Culture Espresso (stellar chocolate chip cookie) and a classic NYC breakfast at Ess‑a‑Bagel (lox, capers, red onion on an everything bagel). Tour Rockefeller Center’s public art (seek out the Atlas statue and Prometheus), then ride up Top of the Rock for wide-open Central Park views.

Afternoon: Explore MoMA’s hits—Van Gogh’s Starry Night, Warhol’s soup cans, and contemporary installations. Lunch nearby at Urbanspace Vanderbilt, a curated food hall where you can sample Roberta’s pizza, ramen, and craft burgers under one roof. Stroll Fifth Avenue past St. Patrick’s Cathedral and window-shop at Saks.

Evening: Broadway time. For pre-theater dining, Joe Allen serves hearty American fare that’s show-friendly; Danji offers refined Korean small plates close to the theaters. Catch a musical or play, then celebrate with classic cocktails and piano at The Rum House near Times Square.

Day 3: Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island, 9/11 Memorial, and SoHo/Tribeca Dining

Morning: Early ferry from Battery Park to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island (reserve tickets in advance; pedestal/crown sell out). Learn the immigrant stories inside Ellis Island’s Beaux-Arts halls; it’s one of the country’s most moving museums.

Afternoon: Return to Lower Manhattan for the 9/11 Memorial’s reflecting pools and the 9/11 Museum (allow 90–120 minutes; adult tickets ~low-$30s). For lunch, head to Eataly Downtown for pasta or pizza al taglio, or wander into Chinatown for dim sum at Nom Wah Tea Parlor or soup dumplings at Joe’s Shanghai. Explore the narrow curve of Doyers Street and the “Elevated Acre” pocket park for a hidden harbor view.

Evening: SoHo and Tribeca beckon. Try Thai at Fish Cheeks (zesty coconut curries, great seafood), or pasta at Locanda Verde in the Greenwich Hotel. Nightcap at Attaboy on the Lower East Side—no menu, just bespoke cocktails after a quick chat about what you like.

Day 4: Central Park, The Met or AMNH, and Lincoln Center Jazz

Morning: Start at Sarabeth’s Central Park South (lemon ricotta pancakes and strong coffee), then enter Central Park at The Pond and work north: Bethesda Terrace, Bow Bridge, and the Ramble. Detour to Strawberry Fields to pay respects to John Lennon.

Afternoon: Choose your mega-museum. The Met (non-NY residents ~$30) spans 5,000 years—don’t miss the Temple of Dendur and Arms & Armor. Or tackle the American Museum of Natural History, including the Gilder Center’s mesmerizing “insectarium” and soaring architecture. Refuel with Levain Bakery’s famous cookie and a late lunch at Jacob’s Pickles (fried chicken biscuit sandwiches) on the Upper West Side.

Evening: See what’s on at Lincoln Center or opt for jazz at Dizzy’s Club (Columbus Circle) with Central Park views. For dinner near the arts, Boulud Sud serves Mediterranean dishes—order the lamb tagine and a bright citrus dessert.

Day 5: Brooklyn Day—DUMBO, Brooklyn Bridge, and Williamsburg Views

Morning: Grab a croissant at Almondine or coffee at Butler in DUMBO. Photograph Manhattan Bridge from Washington Street, then walk the Brooklyn Bridge back toward Manhattan for skyline panoramas. Stroll the Brooklyn Heights Promenade for another postcard angle.

Afternoon: Lunch at Time Out Market (try Fornino for wood-fired pies and Clinton St. Baking Company’s pancakes). Subway to Williamsburg for indie shops on Bedford Avenue, murals on North 6th, and a waterfront breather at Domino Park. Coffee at Devoción—beans roasted on-site for an intense aromatic hit.

Evening: Sunset cocktails at Westlight atop The William Vale. For dinner, book Misi (handmade pasta and vegetables done with bright simplicity), or go casual at Fette Sau for dry-rub BBQ. Finish with a scoop at Van Leeuwen or a late craft beer at Other Half’s Williamsburg taproom.

Day 6: Queens Food Crawl—Flushing and Astoria

Morning: Ride the 7 train to Flushing for a breakfast that doubles as a food tour. Start with White Bear’s #6 wontons in chili oil, then try Nan Xiang Xiao Long Bao for soup dumplings. Browse the New World Mall food court for jianbing or hand-pulled noodles.

Afternoon: Walk off lunch in Flushing Meadows–Corona Park: the Unisphere, Queens Museum, and the grounds of two World’s Fairs. If you crave dessert, stop at Mango Mango Dessert for Hong Kong–style sweets. Transfer to Astoria and explore Steinway Street’s boutiques.

Evening: Greek dinner in Astoria: Taverna Kyclades (grilled octopus, lemon potatoes) or Bahari Estiatorio (whole fish, village salad). For drinks, choose Bohemian Hall & Beer Garden (a century-old institution) or The Bonnie for inventive cocktails and a relaxed neighborhood vibe.

Day 7: The High Line, Chelsea Market, and Departure

Morning: Coffee at The High Line Hotel’s Intelligentsia cart or Blue Bottle, then walk the High Line from the Meatpacking District to Hudson Yards—wild plantings, public art, and elevated city views. Detour into Little Island if time allows for a quick green escape over the Hudson.

Afternoon: Lunch at Chelsea Market: Los Tacos No. 1 (adobada on a hand-pressed tortilla), Miznon (roasted cauliflower, stuffed pitas), or Very Fresh Noodles (hand-pulled beef noodle soup). Pick up last-minute gifts at Artists & Fleas. Retrieve your bags and head to JFK via LIRR from Penn/Grand Central or taxi if you’re tight on time (plan 60–90 minutes before airport security and boarding windows).

Evening: Departure day.

Additional tips and practical notes: Reserve observatory and museum entries for mornings to avoid mid-day crowd peaks. OMNY contactless payments work on subways and buses; AirTrain accepts contactless at faregates. Popular restaurants (Lilia/Misi, Le Rock, Fish Cheeks) require reservations. For accommodations, compare neighborhoods and prices on VRBO and Hotels.com, and book flights into JFK via Trip.com or Kiwi.com.

In one week you’ve covered the classics and the corners: Broadway lights, museum halls, riverfront walks, and plates from three boroughs. New York rewards return visits—next time, pencil in Harlem jazz, the Bronx’s Arthur Avenue, and a summer ferry to Governors Island.