New York City’s story is one of relentless reinvention. From a Dutch trading post to a modern mosaic of five boroughs, NYC has welcomed dreamers and doers for four centuries, leaving behind a skyline of ambition and neighborhoods threaded with history. Today’s traveler can time-hop from Gilded Age landmarks to cutting-edge galleries in a single subway ride.

For seven days, you’ll sip coffee in beloved bakeries, glide past the Statue of Liberty, wander the masterpieces at the Met, and stroll the High Line’s elevated gardens. At night, watch the city light up from a yacht or an observation deck, then tuck into memorable meals—from iconic bagels to Michelin-starred tasting menus.

Practical notes: Tap to ride with OMNY on subways and buses; weekly fare-capping kicks in after 12 rides (Monday–Sunday). A yellow cab from JFK has a flat fare to Manhattan; rideshare and the AirTrain + subway are cost-effective alternatives. Book popular attractions and dining in advance, especially observation decks, the Statue of Liberty, and hot-ticket restaurants.

New York City

Skyscrapers, Broadway, delis, and deep cultural roots—New York City is a world capital of arts and dining. Spend your week exploring iconic sights in Midtown and Lower Manhattan, then cross the river for creative energy in Brooklyn and Queens.

• Top sights: Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, Central Park, the Met, MoMA, 9/11 Memorial & Museum, High Line, Brooklyn Bridge, Grand Central Terminal, Times Square, Rockefeller Center.
• Neighborhood vibes: SoHo’s cast-iron facades and boutiques, Chinatown’s late-night dumplings, DUMBO’s cobblestones and bridge views, Williamsburg’s indie cafes and waterfront parks, Astoria’s Greek tavernas.
• Dining highlights: Hand-rolled bagels (Ess-a-Bagel, Absolute Bagels), classic deli counters (Katz’s Delicatessen), wood-fired pizza (Scarr’s, Joe’s Pizza), modern American institutions (Gramercy Tavern), and award-winning cocktail bars (Dante, Death & Co).

Where to stay (affiliate): Browse stays on VRBO or compare hotels on Hotels.com. Favorites: splurge at The Plaza Hotel (Central Park views, storied Palm Court) or The St. Regis New York (Butler Service, Beaux-Arts glam). Midrange comfort: Residence Inn by Marriott New York Manhattan/Times Square (kitchenettes, central). Budget-smart: Pod 51 Hotel (compact, clean, Midtown East).

How to get here (affiliate): Search flights on Trip.com or Kiwi.com (typical nonstop times: 2–3 hrs from Chicago, 5–6 hrs from LAX, 3 hrs from Miami; economy roundtrip often $150–$450 domestically). Flying to/from Europe? Compare on Omio (6.5–8 hrs from London/Paris; $450–$900+ depending on season). From JFK to Midtown: 60–90 min by AirTrain + subway (~$8.75–$11.40 total with transfers) or ~45–70 min by taxi (flat fare plus tolls/tip).

Day 1: Arrival, Bryant Park, and a Midtown Welcome

Afternoon: Arrive and check in. Stretch your legs with a stroll through Bryant Park—watch chess games, peek at the carousel, and visit the New York Public Library’s majestic reading rooms. Coffee at Culture Espresso (buttery cookies) or Blue Bottle on 40th St.

Evening: Classic NYC dinner in Koreatown: try Baekjeong for lively tableside barbecue or Jongro for charcoal-grilled bulgogi and banchan. If steak calls, Keens (since 1885) serves legendary mutton chops and a ceiling of churchwarden pipes. Finish with Times Square’s neon walk—best after dark when the billboards glow.

Day 2: Rockefeller Center, MoMA, Grand Central, and Sunset at SUMMIT

Morning: Bagels at Ess-a-Bagel (generous schmear; try lox and scallion cream cheese). Explore Rockefeller Center’s Art Deco reliefs and the Channel Gardens; pop into St. Patrick’s Cathedral across Fifth Avenue for Gothic grandeur. Museum stop: MoMA for Van Gogh’s Starry Night and contemporary icons.

Afternoon: Lunch at Urbanspace food hall by Grand Central (ramen, tacos, and a great burger lineup). Step into Grand Central Terminal—gaze up at the celestial ceiling and find the whispering gallery by the Oyster Bar. Grab a cortado at Café Grumpy in the concourse, then browse the main concourse market stalls.

Evening: Time your entry for an electric sunset at SUMMIT One Vanderbilt—mirror-finished rooms, sky-high terraces, and dramatic city views.

SUMMIT One Vanderbilt Experience Ticket

Post-views dinner: The Modern Bar Room (elevated seasonal plates) or midtown trattoria I Sodi’s downtown sister Via Carota (if you’re headed to the West Village later) for perfect cacio e pepe and insalata verde. Nightcap at Overstory (FiDi) or Dante (Greenwich Village) if you feel like a destination cocktail.

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

Morning: Go early to beat crowds at Battery Park and board the ferry for Lady Liberty and Ellis Island. With a guided tour, you’ll get history, views, and smooth logistics—upgrade for pedestal access if available.

Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island Guided Tour with Ferry

Fuel up beforehand at Leo’s Bagels (try whitefish salad) or grab a pastry from La Colombe on Broadway.

Afternoon: Return to Lower Manhattan for the 9/11 Memorial & Museum. The twin reflecting pools are solemn and moving; the museum’s artifacts and personal stories provide context and remembrance. Allow 2 hours to absorb it at an unhurried pace.

9/11 Memorial Museum Admission Ticket

Evening: Wander Tribeca and Soho’s cast-iron canyons. Dinner options: The Odeon (neighborhood institution, steak frites), Balthazar (buzzy brasserie classics), or in Chinatown—Nom Wah Tea Parlor (old-school dim sum) and spicy hand-pulled noodles at Xi’an Famous Foods. For dessert, Taiyaki NYC’s fish-shaped cones are a whimsical treat.

Day 4: Brooklyn Bridge, DUMBO, and Williamsburg Nights

Morning: Coffee at Devoción (Williamsburg or Downtown Brooklyn; beans roasted onsite) and croissants at La Cabra (Union Square or SoHo if you haven’t crossed yet). Walk the Brooklyn Bridge from Manhattan to Brooklyn—linger for skyline photos by the wooden promenade and Gothic arches.

Afternoon: Explore DUMBO: the Washington St. view of the Manhattan Bridge, Jane’s Carousel, and the Brooklyn Bridge Park piers. Lunch at Time Out Market’s top-floor vendors (try Juliana’s-style pizza slice, fried chicken sandwiches, and local ice cream). Ferry up to Williamsburg for waterfront views at Domino Park.

Evening: Dinner in Williamsburg: Lilia (wood-fired Italian, tough reservation but stellar), Fette Sau (smoky BBQ and craft beer), or Laser Wolf (skewers and airy terrace). Rooftop drinks at Westlight (panoramic skyline) or a low-lit amaro at Fresh Kills Bar.

Day 5: The Met, Central Park, and Upper West Side Jazz

Morning: Enter Central Park at the south end for Gapstow Bridge, then stroll to the Mall, Bethesda Terrace, and Bow Bridge. Brunch at Sarabeth’s (Upper West) or a classic deli pastrami sandwich at Pastrami Queen (Upper East).

Afternoon: Spend 2–3 hours at The Metropolitan Museum of Art—Greek and Roman sculpture, Temple of Dendur, and Impressionist galleries are perennial favorites. Exit along Fifth Avenue’s “Museum Mile” and enjoy a pick-me-up at Ralph’s Coffee cart by the steps or Levain Bakery’s famous chocolate chip walnut cookie nearby.

Evening: Catch a sunset wander along Central Park’s Reservoir track or the UWS brownstone blocks. Dinner at Jacob’s Pickles (Southern comfort and biscuits), RedFarm (playful dim sum), or Nice Matin (Provençal mains). Cap the night with live jazz at Smoke Jazz Club or a cocktail at The Dead Poet.

Day 6: Queens for Art, Views, and Global Eats

Morning: Head to Long Island City. Espresso at Sweetleaf, then contemporary installations at MoMA PS1 (rotating shows and a rustic courtyard). Walk to Gantry Plaza State Park for East River boardwalks and postcard views of the Midtown skyline.

Afternoon: Lunch at Adda Indian Canteen (comforting dal and biryani, bold spices) or in Woodside at SriPraPhai (Thai classics, sprawling menu). Ride the Roosevelt Island Tram for bird’s-eye vistas and stroll the waterfront to Franklin D. Roosevelt Four Freedoms Park.

Evening: Sunset drinks at Panorama Room atop Graduate Roosevelt Island (floor-to-ceiling glass). Back in Astoria, feast on Greek seafood at Taverna Kyclades (grilled octopus, lemon potatoes) or Bahari Estiatorio. If you prefer Manhattan, see a Broadway show—same-day tickets can often be found at discount booths or apps.

Day 7: SoHo, Nolita, and Farewell Flavors

Morning: Coffee at La Colombe SoHo or the airy Nolita outpost of Butler (buttery kouign-amann). Shop SoHo’s cobblestone streets and galleries; dip into McNally Jackson for a final bookish souvenir.

Afternoon: Early lunch: Katz’s Delicatessen (towering pastrami on rye), Prince Street Pizza (pepperoni squares with the famed “roni cups”), or Los Tacos No. 1 (griddled adobada and fresh tortillas). If time allows, a final views-filled cruise around Manhattan is a relaxing send-off.

Manhattan Architecture Yacht Cruise

Evening: Departure day—if you’ve got a late flight, end at the High Line’s landscaped rails-to-trails path and Hudson Yards for shopping or a quick bite. One last scoop at Van Leeuwen or a soft-serve swirl from Big Gay Ice Cream, then onward.

Optional: One-Day NYC Overview if You Want a Guided Primer

If you’d prefer an expertly narrated overview that hits multiple highlights by coach and on foot, the following is an excellent choice—swap it into Day 2 or Day 7 depending on your interests.

New York in One Day Guided Sightseeing Tour

Getting around: Use OMNY contactless on subways and buses; after 12 paid rides in a Monday–Sunday week, additional rides are free. Yellow cabs are abundant; rideshare is widely available. Ferries connect piers in Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Queens for scenic commutes.

In one week you’ll have crossed boroughs, tasted the city’s greatest hits, and found your own favorites tucked into side streets and waterfronts. New York rewards curiosity—leave a little unplanned time each day for detours. You’ll fly home with a camera roll full of sunsets and a list of places you can’t wait to try next time.