New York City is a mosaic of neighborhoods layered with four centuries of history—from Lenape trading paths and Dutch New Amsterdam to the modern skyline that signals possibility to the world. Its icons—the Statue of Liberty, the Empire State Building, and the canyons of Wall Street—sit alongside pocket-size cafes and leafy stoops where the city’s daily life unfolds.

Come for the culture and you’ll find an embarrassment of riches: the Met, MoMA, jazz clubs in the Village, and the High Line’s gardens threading between brick warehouses and glass towers. Eat your way across boroughs—bagels at breakfast, Di Fara-style slices at lunch, and a tasting menu in the Financial District at night—then cap it with a river cruise past Lady Liberty.

Practical notes: Yellow cabs and rideshares are plentiful; the subway is often the fastest and cheapest option (tap-to-pay works). Tipping for restaurants and bars is typically 18–22%. Book major attractions, observation decks, and popular restaurants in advance—especially for sunsets, weekends, and Broadway.

New York City

NYC rewards curiosity. Peek inside Grand Central’s Whispering Gallery, browse indie shops in Nolita, and detour for a cookie from Levain or an espresso at Devoción. Save time for a ferry or yacht ride—the skyline makes its strongest case from the water.

• Top sights: Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island, 9/11 Memorial & Museum, Central Park, MoMA, The Met, Brooklyn Bridge, High Line, Times Square, Grand Central, Hudson Yards.
• Neighborhoods to savor: West Village for cafés and wine bars; DUMBO for river views; Williamsburg for boutiques and rooftop sunsets; SoHo for galleries and shopping.
• Food favorites: Bagels (Ess-a-Bagel), lox (Russ & Daughters), pizza (Scarr’s, L’Industrie), deli classics (Katz’s), modern Indian (Dhamaka), and refined American (Gramercy Tavern).

Where to Stay (Hotels & Vacation Rentals):

• Search vacation rentals: VRBO: New York City stays
• Search hotels: Hotels.com: New York City hotels
• Classic luxury: The Plaza Hotel (Central Park South; afternoon tea, storied address)
• Glam Midtown: The St. Regis New York (butler service, Gilded Age pedigree)
• Great value, central: Pod 51 Hotel (Midtown East; compact rooms, rooftop)
• Spacious suites: Residence Inn by Marriott New York Manhattan/Times Square (kitchenettes, easy to theaters and Bryant Park)

How to Get Here: Fly into JFK, LGA, or EWR. Compare fares and routes on Trip.com flights or Kiwi.com flights. Typical nonstop domestic flights run ~2–6 hours; transatlantic ~6–8 hours.

Airport to Manhattan: From JFK, taxi is a flat fare (~$70 + tolls/tip; ~45–75 mins). Public transit is usually fastest at rush hour (AirTrain + subway; ~$11–$12). From LGA, taxi or rideshare (~$35–$60) or the Q70 SBS to the subway (Q70 is free; pay regular subway fare). From EWR, taxi (~$70–$90) or AirTrain + NJ Transit to Penn Station (~45–60 mins).

Day 1: Arrival, Midtown Stroll, Broadway Lights

Afternoon: Arrive, check in, and stretch your legs at Bryant Park—the lawn and carousel sit behind the landmark New York Public Library. Duck into Culture Espresso (W 38th St) for a cappuccino and a sea-salt chocolate chip cookie, then wander to Grand Central to admire the celestial ceiling and the Whispering Gallery.

Evening: Dinner near Times Square or Koreatown depending on your mood. For classic NYC, Keens Steakhouse (since 1885) is famed for mutton chops and century-old clay pipes lining the ceiling. For lively K-Town BBQ, Jongro BBQ grills top-grade meats at your table; finish with bingsu (shaved ice) at Grace Street. If you want an early night photo-op, stroll Times Square’s billboards and street performers after dark.

Day 2: Midtown Icons, MoMA, and a Sunset Observatory

Morning: Coffee at Blue Bottle Rockefeller Center, then step into St. Patrick’s Cathedral and explore Rockefeller Center’s art deco reliefs. Venture to the New York Public Library’s Rose Main Reading Room if you skipped it yesterday, then detour for a bagel at Ess-a-Bagel (lox, scallion cream cheese, tomato for the win).

Afternoon: Spend 2–3 hours at MoMA with masterpieces by Van Gogh, Picasso, and contemporary installations. Lunch options nearby: The Modern Bar Room (refined yet relaxed), or Urbanspace Vanderbilt’s stalls (think ramen, tacos, and lobster rolls) a short walk away by Grand Central.

Evening: Time your observation deck for golden hour into twilight.

Book SUMMIT One Vanderbilt for mirrored, multi-sensory views over the Chrysler Building and Empire State. Dinner nearby at Le Rock (Rockefeller Center; French-leaning brasserie with a stellar wine list) or classic deli comfort at 2nd Ave Deli (pastrami, matzo ball soup).

Day 3: Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, and the 9/11 Memorial & Museum

Morning: Go early to beat crowds.

Take the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island Guided Tour with Ferry to learn immigrant histories in the restored Great Hall. Bring a light jacket—the harbor breeze can be cool even on sunny days.

Afternoon: After the ferry, walk to the 9/11 Memorial’s twin reflecting pools—a poignant pause in the city’s heartbeat. Then visit the museum:

pre-book 9/11 Memorial Museum Admission for timed entry. Lunch ideas: Eataly Downtown (quick pastas and focaccia), Leo’s Bagels (classic lox) or Luke’s Lobster (buttery lobster rolls) at Brookfield Place.

Evening: Cocktails at The Dead Rabbit (Irish accolades; superb Irish Coffee), then choose dinner at Crown Shy (seasonal American, wood-fired flavor) or The Fulton at Pier 17 (seafood with bridge views). Walk the Brooklyn Bridge at night for skyline photos and a peaceful return stroll.

Day 4: Brooklyn Bridge, DUMBO, and Williamsburg

Morning: Cross the Brooklyn Bridge from Manhattan to soak in the gothic arches and harbor vistas. In DUMBO, photograph the Manhattan Bridge from Washington St, then break for coffee at % Arabica or Butler. For lunch, Juliana’s (coal-fired pies) or Time Out Market’s upstairs terrace for a sampler of local vendors.

Afternoon: Subway to Williamsburg. Browse independent shops along Bedford Ave and North 6th; sip cold brew at Devoción (sunlit jungle-like roastery). Stroll Domino Park’s riverside esplanade with views back to the skyline.

Evening: Sunset cocktails at Westlight atop The William Vale. Dinner options: Lilia (handmade pastas, open-kitchen drama), Misi (vegetable-forward pasta temple), or L’Industrie (craveable slices; try the burrata slice). For a nightcap, check out TALEA Beer Co.’s bright taproom or Maison Premiere’s oyster bar and absinthe service.

Day 5: Central Park and the Upper Sides

Morning: Bagel breakfast at Absolute Bagels (UWS; cash preferred) or Daily Provisions (buttermilk crullers and breakfast sandwiches). Wander Central Park: Bethesda Terrace, Bow Bridge, the Ramble, and the Mall. Consider a leisurely rowboat at the Loeb Boathouse (seasonal) or a guided pedicab tour if you want to cover more ground.

Afternoon: Choose The Met (don’t miss the Temple of Dendur and rooftop in season) or the American Museum of Natural History (the luminous Gilder Center is stunning). Coffee and a slice of mille crêpes at Lady M (UES) or a warm chocolate chip cookie at Levain (several locations).

Evening: Dinner at Café Sabarsky (Viennese classics in a museum setting), or, for a splurge, Daniel (seasonal tasting menu). Prefer jazz? Head to Lincoln Center’s Dizzy’s Club for views over Columbus Circle with live sets, or to the Village later for the legendary Village Vanguard.

Day 6: High Line, Chelsea Market, West Village, and a Skyline Yacht

Morning: Start at Chelsea Market for breakfast—Los Tacos No. 1 (adored adobada) or Miznon (pita with roasted cauliflower). Walk the High Line’s elevated gardens to Hudson Yards; duck into Little Island’s whimsical pierscape for river breezes.

Afternoon: Explore the West Village’s tree-lined streets and SoHo’s cast-iron facades. Coffee at Joe Coffee Company (Waverly Pl) or a scoop at Morgenstern’s. Browse McNally Jackson for beautifully curated books and stationery.

Evening: See the city from the water at golden hour:

book the Manhattan Architecture Yacht Cruise for expert narration and wraparound skyline views. Post-cruise dinner in Tribeca: Locanda Verde (rustic Italian; sheep’s milk ricotta is a must) or Frenchette (neo-bistro classics). Finish with cocktails at Dante (aperitivo masters).

Day 7: SoHo, Nolita, Lower East Side Brunch, and Departure

Morning: Brunch at Balthazar (bustling French brasserie; order the steak frites or eggs benedict) or Russ & Daughters Cafe (iconic lox platters and potato latkes). Wander SoHo/Nolita boutiques—Reformation, Acne Studios, and independent jeweler Catbird for souvenirs that last.

Afternoon: If time allows, visit the Tenement Museum for immigrant stories of the Lower East Side, then grab a final slice at Scarr’s Pizza (naturally leavened dough; the pepperoni cups are cult favorites). Pick up sweet souvenirs at Economy Candy before heading to the airport.

Optional swaps and add-ons: Broadway (book early for hits), Edge at Hudson Yards or the Empire State Building for alternative observatories, the Whitney Museum for American art, the Cloisters for medieval serenity, or a dinner cruise on the Hudson for nighttime skyline sparkle.

One-day overview tour option: Prefer an all-in-one orientation?

Consider the New York in One Day Guided Sightseeing Tour to hit major landmarks efficiently with a licensed guide.

In seven days, you’ll have sampled the city’s greatest hits, crossed the East River for new angles, and found a few personal favorites—maybe a corner café, a quiet museum gallery, or a rooftop where the skyline feels like yours. New York never runs out of things to do, which is precisely why it’s worth coming back.