New York City and Las Vegas are two sides of the American coin—one a centuries-old harbor city that grew into the country’s cultural nerve center, the other a desert mirage that reinvents itself every decade. Across seven days, you’ll trace skyscraper canyons, cross storied bridges, and cap it off with a neon-lit night flight over the Strip.

In New York, history is never far: Dutch trading posts, Gilded Age towers, immigrant stories at Ellis Island, and the epic green sweep of Central Park. Food is a highlight—bagels, pizza by the slice, Jewish delis, and Michelin-starred temples—plus museum masterpieces and buzzy neighborhoods from SoHo to Brooklyn.

Las Vegas delivers spectacle with a wink: choreographed fountains, art-forward resorts, and quick escapes to red-rock country. Slot in a Grand Canyon day tour, sample America’s best Thai food, and toast the skyline at 1,000 feet. Pack layers (desert nights can be cool), book marquee shows early, and bring comfortable shoes.

New York City

New York is an anthology of neighborhoods. Ride the subway like a local, people-watch in Bryant Park, then rise to an observatory for sunset. Walk the Brooklyn Bridge at golden hour, linger over Negronis in the West Village, and let a harbor cruise rewrite your mental map of Manhattan.

• Top sights: Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, 9/11 Memorial & Museum, Central Park, the High Line, Times Square, Broadway, Grand Central, the Brooklyn Bridge, SoHo, and DUMBO.
• Why we love it: Museum density, late-night dining, bagels that ruin you for all others, and riverfront sunsets rivaling any coastline.
• Practical tip: Tap-to-pay (OMNY) gets you on subways and buses—no paper MetroCard needed.

Where to stay (NYC)

• Iconic: The Plaza Hotel (Central Park South classic; history and grand lobby).
• Five-star service: The St. Regis New York (butler service; Midtown elegance near 5th Ave).
• Great value: Pod 51 Hotel (compact, social, walkable to Midtown sights).
• Spacious rooms with kitchenettes: Residence Inn by Marriott New York Manhattan/Times Square.
• Browse more stays: Hotels.com: New York | VRBO: New York

How to get here: Compare flights to NYC (JFK/LGA/EWR) on Trip.com and Kiwi.com. From JFK, the AirTrain + LIRR or subway gets you into Manhattan in ~45–60 minutes; yellow cabs have a flat fare to Manhattan.

Day 1: Midtown Icons and Skyline at Sunset (Arrival PM)

Afternoon: Land and drop bags. Shake off the flight with a stroll through Bryant Park and into the Beaux-Arts splendor of Grand Central Terminal (look up for the zodiac ceiling). Coffee at Culture Espresso (buttery chocolate chip cookies) or a cortado at Joe Coffee on 40th Street.

Evening: Early dinner near your hotel: Keens Steakhouse for a New York cut and the historic clay pipe room; or Szechuan peppercorns at Wu’s Wonton King on the Lower East Side if you crave spice. Then ride to an immersive observatory: SUMMIT One Vanderbilt Experience Ticket—mirrors, art, and wide-open views over the Chrysler Building.

Nightcap: Gabriel Kreuther Bar (savory kougelhopf and Alsatian wines) or a martini at the King Cole Bar, reputed birthplace of the Bloody Mary.

Day 2: Lady Liberty, Financial District, and the Harbor by Night

Morning: Board the first ferries for the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island Tour: All Options. Your guide unlocks symbolism and immigrant stories that shaped America.

Afternoon: Walk Wall Street to the 9/11 Memorial pools, then visit the 9/11 Memorial Museum for exhibits that are moving and meticulously curated. Recharge with a classic New York lunch: thin pastrami on rye at Katz’s Delicatessen, or Roman pinsa and arancini at Trapizzino in LES.

Evening: See Manhattan from the water on the elegant Manhattan Architecture Yacht Cruise—teak decks, expert narration, and bridge-to-bridge panoramas at sunset.

Late dinner in Tribeca/SoHo: Bubby’s for chicken and pancakes; Balthazar for steak frites and oysters; or spicy Thai at Fish Cheeks (don’t miss coconut crab curry).

Day 3: Central Park, Museums, and Broadway

Morning: Fuel at Ess-a-Bagel (scallion cream cheese on an everything) or a smoked-fish board at Russ & Daughters Cafe. Explore Central Park: The Mall, Bethesda Terrace, Bow Bridge. Consider a pedicab for a fun narrated loop if your feet need a break.

Afternoon: Choose a museum: The Met (armor and Impressionism), the American Museum of Natural History (the Gilder Center’s curving atrium), or the MoMA (Van Gogh to contemporary installations). Coffee and a cookie at Levain Bakery (Upper West Side original) or Blue Bottle at Rockefeller Center.

Evening: Broadway night. Same-day deals appear at the TKTS booth in Times Square. Pre-show dinner: handmade pasta at L’Artusi (book early), cacio e pepe at Via Carota, or a West Village classic at J.G. Melon (famed burger). Post-show, toast at Dante (aperitivo artistry).

Day 4: Brooklyn Bridge, DUMBO, and West Village Eats

Morning: Walk the Brooklyn Bridge from Manhattan to Brooklyn—start early to beat the crowds. Coffee at % Arabica or Devoción in DUMBO, then photos under the Manhattan Bridge on Washington Street.

Afternoon: Pizza showdown: thin, coal-fired at Juliana’s or a modern slice at L’Industrie in Williamsburg. Browse indie shops on Bedford Ave. If you prefer staying in Manhattan, wander the High Line’s gardens and view art at Hudson Yards.

Evening: West Village tapas crawl: Faicco’s Italian Specialties for heroes, then Bar Pisellino for spritzes and cicchetti. For a sit-down finale, Gramercy Tavern’s tavern room delivers seasonal plates and warm service. Jazz fans: Village Vanguard’s acoustics are sublime.

Las Vegas

Las Vegas is theater—lush conservatories, inventive restaurants, and architecture-as-art from the Sphere to the pyramids of Luxor. Between pools and showrooms, it’s a launch pad to the Grand Canyon, Hoover Dam, and kayak-blue coves.

• Top sights: The Strip (Bellagio Fountains, the Venetian canals), Fremont Street, the Sphere, Neon Museum, Red Rock Canyon, Hoover Dam.
• Why we love it: Culinary range from chef-driven tasting menus to late-night tacos, plus easy day trips to bucket-list landscapes.
• Practical tip: The Las Vegas Monorail zips behind the east side of the Strip; rides start around $5.50, and day passes save money if you’ll hop around.

Where to stay (Las Vegas)

• All-suite grandeur: The Venetian Resort (spacious suites, great dining promenade).
• Mid-Strip value: The LINQ Hotel + Experience (High Roller access, lively pool).
• Budget-friendly with rides and a big pool complex: Circus Circus Hotel & Casino.
• Resort with beachy pools and a stellar shark aquarium: Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino.
• Browse more stays: Hotels.com: Las Vegas | VRBO: Las Vegas

Getting here from NYC: Fly NYC→LAS in the morning (about 5–6 hours; three-hour time gain). Expect $120–$300 for economy on popular carriers; compare on Trip.com and Kiwi.com. Rideshares and taxis are plentiful at LAS; the rideshare pickup is well-signed.

Day 5: Fly to Vegas, Pool Time, and Skyline by Helicopter

Morning: Fly to Las Vegas; check in and decompress. If your room isn’t ready, leave bags with bell staff and grab a light lunch at Eataly (Park MGM) or the food court at the Cosmopolitan (seek out Secret Pizza for a classic slice).

Afternoon: Pool time. At the Venetian, cabanas and cocktail service feel like a mini-holiday; at Mandalay Bay, float the lazy river. Coffee run to Sambalatte (Boca Park) if you’re venturing off-Strip, or Vesta Coffee Roasters in the Arts District.

Evening: Early dinner: Lotus of Siam (deep, aromatic Northern Thai—khao soi and crispy rice salad are standouts) or Best Friend by Roy Choi (Korean-Mexican fun; the “bodega” entrance sets the mood). Then take a glittering flight: Las Vegas Helicopter Night Flight and Optional VIP Transportation over the Strip and downtown.

Alternative if you prefer wheels to rotors: Big Bus Las Vegas: Sightseeing Night Tour by Open-Top Bus for a narrated overview with photo stops.

Nightcap under a chandelier of crystals at The Chandelier (Cosmopolitan) or skyline views at SkyBar (Waldorf Astoria).

Day 6: Grand Canyon West and Hoover Dam (Full-Day Tour)

Set out on a bucket-list desert day: Grand Canyon West with Hoover Dam Stop and Optional Skywalk. Expect early pickup, photo ops at the Dam, and jaw-dropping views at Eagle and Guano Points. Add the glass-bottom Skywalk if you’re brave. Pack sunscreen, a hat, and a power bank—desert sun is no joke.

Return in the evening. For a relaxed dinner, Peppermill’s Fireside Lounge is gloriously retro (think neon and shareable plates), or head to Raku off-Strip for pristine yakitori and tofu made in-house.

Day 7: Brunch, Neon Memories, and Departure (PM)

Morning: Brunch with a view at Mon Ami Gabi (sidewalk terrace facing the Bellagio Fountains) or Sadelle’s at Bellagio (bagel tower, grapefruit brûlée). If time allows, pop to the Neon Museum for vintage Vegas signs or browse local art in the Arts District (check out Makers & Finders for one last latte).

Afternoon: Depart for the airport. If you have a late flight, add a quick wander through the Bellagio Conservatory or a final spin on the LINQ High Roller for sweeping city views.

Optional Add-Ons (Season and Energy Permitting)

• Kayak the Colorado River’s glassy waters on the Half-Day Emerald Cave Kayak Tour—ideal shoulder-season adventure.

Daily Coffee, Lunch, and Dinner Cheat Sheet

• NYC coffee: Joe Coffee, Blue Bottle, La Colombe; sweet treat at Levain Bakery.
• NYC lunches: Los Tacos No. 1 (Chelsea Market), Russ & Daughters, Katz’s Delicatessen.
• NYC dinners: Keens, Gramercy Tavern, L’Artusi, Via Carota, Fish Cheeks.
• Vegas coffee: Vesta Coffee Roasters, Sambalatte, PublicUs (Downtown).
• Vegas lunches: Secret Pizza (Cosmo), Tacos El Gordo, Eataly.
• Vegas dinners: Lotus of Siam, Best Friend, Barry’s Downtown Prime (Circa), Mayfair Supper Club (Bellagio).

Intercity and Flight Booking: For best fares and schedules across your NYC arrival and NYC→LAS hop, compare on Trip.com and Kiwi.com. Morning departures help maximize time on the ground; remember the three-hour time change when flying to Nevada.

In a week, you’ll have traced American stories from Liberty Island to Hoover Dam, tasted your way through deli counters and chef hotspots, and seen two skylines from the water and the air. Keep the walking shoes handy—you’ll want an encore.