New York City’s story stretches from a Lenape homeland to Dutch New Amsterdam to a global capital of art, media, and food. Just across the Hudson, North Jersey—Hoboken, Jersey City, and Montclair—offers jaw-dropping skyline vantage points, neighborhood bakeries, and leafy streets with serious culinary cred. This 7-day itinerary lets you savor both sides of the river without rushing.

Practical note for arrival logistics: a taxi or ride-hail from JFK to Montclair typically runs about $100–$170 plus tolls and tip, depending on traffic and surge pricing. NYC yellow cabs can legally drop in New Jersey (metered fare plus tolls), but many travelers book a ride-hail or car service for a fixed quote. Prefer transit? AirTrain + LIRR or subway into Manhattan, then NJ Transit to Montclair takes roughly 1.5–2 hours total.

Expect world-class museums, Broadway nights, the High Line, and neighborhood eats in Manhattan. Then slow the tempo in Montclair with the art museum, gardens, indie coffee roasters, and skyline sunsets from Eagle Rock. Round things out with a Hoboken walking tour and New Jersey–based Hudson River cruises for those unbeatable Statue of Liberty and Manhattan views.

New York City

NYC is a collage of neighborhoods—Gilded Age mansions on Fifth Avenue, fire escapes in SoHo, jazz in the Village, and global eats on every corner. Spend your first half of the week ticking off icons while leaving room for cafés, parks, and people-watching.

• Top sights: Central Park, The Met or MoMA, High Line, Times Square, Grand Central, Brooklyn Bridge views.
• Good to know: Tap-to-pay works on subways and PATH. Broadway tickets are easier midweek; arrive 30 minutes early.
• Stay near Midtown or the Village for easy transit and dining. For lodging, browse VRBO in New York or compare hotels on Hotels.com New York.
• Flights: Check fares to JFK/LGA/EWR on Trip.com or Kiwi.com.

Day 1: Arrival, Midtown Landmarks, and a Night Stroll

Morning: Travel day. For flights into NYC, compare options on Trip.com or Kiwi.com. Pack a scarf or light jacket—museum A/C and river breezes can feel cool even in summer.

Afternoon: Land at JFK. Unless you’re heading straight to Montclair, take AirTrain JFK to Jamaica and the LIRR to Manhattan (35–50 minutes total). Check into your hotel near Midtown or the Village; drop bags and refresh. Grab a late lunch: Los Tacos No. 1 (griddled adobada and fresh salsas) or a New York slice at Joe’s.

Evening: Walk Bryant Park at golden hour, duck into the New York Public Library’s grand hall, then swing through Times Square’s neon. Dinner ideas: Sake Bar Hagi (yakitori and izakaya plates), Gallaghers for a classic steakhouse, or Ippudo for porky tonkotsu ramen. Nightcap at a low-lit speakeasy-style bar in Midtown West.

Day 2: Icons by Private Tour, Central Park, Broadway

Morning: Coffee at Culture Espresso (house-baked cookies are cult favorites) and a proper bagel at Ess-a-Bagel (order an everything with scallion cream cheese). Stroll Central Park’s Mall and Bethesda Terrace; keep an eye out for buskers near the arches.

Afternoon: See a lot efficiently on a private city tour (4 hours) with pickup and flexible routing—ideal for first-timers and photographers.

Featured Viator experience: Half Day New York City Private Tour — Book here

Post-tour snack: Breads Bakery (chocolate babka) or a knish from a classic deli counter. If time allows, head to Top of the Rock for skyline views framed by the Empire State Building.

Evening: Broadway night. For approachable favorites, consider long-running classics or a buzzy new musical; midweek shows often have better availability. Pre-theater dinner at Joe Allen (industry haunt) or Carmine’s (family-style Italian). After curtain, stroll the Theater District’s marquees lit up against the night.

Day 3: Museums, High Line, and a Skyline Dinner Cruise (from New Jersey)

Morning: Choose your masterpiece: The Met (ancient to contemporary) or MoMA (Van Gogh to Warhol). Fuel up at Daily Provisions (craveable crullers and breakfast sandwiches) or Bubby’s in Tribeca if you prefer pancakes.

Afternoon: Walk the High Line’s elevated gardens and public art. Dip into Chelsea Market for lunch—Miznon (roasted cauliflower and stuffed pitas) or Los Mariscos for tacos and ceviche. Browse a gallery or two on 21st–26th streets.

Evening: Cross the Hudson for an elegant dinner with a moving view—the Manhattan skyline from the water.

Featured Viator experience: City Cruises NYC: Skyline Dinner Cruise from New Jersey — Details & tickets

Departures are typically from Lincoln Harbor or nearby New Jersey piers; reach them via a short rideshare or NJ ferry/PATH. Expect live music, a chef-prepared menu, and glittering views of the Statue of Liberty, One World Trade, and the bridges.

Montclair

Montclair blends Victorian homes with indie shops, galleries, and a dining scene that draws chefs from the city. It’s a perfect counterpoint to Manhattan: slower, greener, and wonderfully local.

• Highlights: Montclair Art Museum, Van Vleck House & Gardens, Eagle Rock Reservation overlook, Church Street boutiques.
• Stay central near Church Street/Bloomfield Ave for walkability. See options on VRBO Montclair or Hotels.com Montclair.
• Transit tip: NJ Transit’s Montclair–Boonton Line connects Montclair (Bay Street, Walnut St., Watchung Ave.) to New York Penn and Hoboken; schedules are lighter on weekends.

Day 4: Transfer to Montclair, Art & Gardens, Dinner on Church Street

Morning: Depart NYC after breakfast. From New York Penn Station, take NJ Transit Montclair–Boonton Line to Bay Street (about 45–60 minutes; ~$8–10). A rideshare from Midtown to Montclair usually takes 45–75 minutes depending on traffic.

Afternoon: Check in and grab lunch at Raymond’s (diner classics with a bistro twist) or Jackie’s Grillette for generous shawarma. Visit the Montclair Art Museum (noted for Native American and American art), then wander Van Vleck House & Gardens—free to enter, lovely for photos.

Evening: Dinner at Faubourg (modern French brasserie with a lively bar) or Ani Ramen (slurpable bowls and crispy bao buns). Nightcap at Montclair Brewery (local brews, frequent live music) or Egan & Sons (Irish pub with a garden).

Day 5: Hudson Views: Mimosa Brunch Cruise + Hoboken Walking Tour

Morning: Head to the waterfront for a festive brunch at sea with bottomless mimosas and skyline views. Departures are typically from New Jersey (Lincoln Harbor/Jersey City).

Featured Viator experience: City Cruises New Jersey Signature Bottomless Mimosa Brunch Cruise — See dates & book

Afternoon: Explore Hoboken with a local—brownstone streets, Sinatra lore, and stellar skyline overlooks from the waterfront. Stop for Cuban at La Isla or espresso at Choc•O•Pain.

Featured Viator experience: Private Walking Tour of Hoboken, Only Half a Mile from Manhattan! — Reserve your tour

Evening: Dinner in Jersey City at Razza (wood-fired pies with meticulous sourcing) or Cellar 335 (tiki-inspired cocktails and creative small plates). Return to Montclair via NJ Transit from Hoboken Terminal (often direct to Bay Street in 35–45 minutes) or rideshare (~35–55 minutes).

Day 6: Montclair’s Coffee, Hikes, and Golden-Hour Skyline

Morning: Coffee crawl: Paper Plane Coffee Co. (single-origin pour overs) and Montclair Bread Company (donuts worth the detour). Walk Mills Reservation’s forested trails or head to Eagle Rock Reservation for a sweeping Manhattan panorama.

Afternoon: Browse Church Street boutiques and watch street performers on weekends. Lunch at De Novo (upper Montclair—European comfort fare) or Jackie & Son for Mediterranean bowls and fresh-baked breads. Consider the Yogi Berra Museum & Learning Center at Montclair State University for baseball history and leadership exhibits.

Evening: Cap the day with a private skyline photography/insider tour from the New Jersey side—where the whole Manhattan silhouette lights up at dusk.

Featured Viator experience: New York Skyline Magic - The Real Skyline With a Real Local — Check availability

Celebrate afterward back in Montclair at Turtle + The Wolf (seasonal, hearth-driven) or Samba (Brazilian—feijoada Saturdays are a neighborhood favorite).

Day 7: Last Sips, Souvenirs, and Departure

Morning: If it’s a Saturday, swing by the Montclair Farmers Market for local produce, breads, and small-batch hot sauce. Otherwise, grab a final cappuccino at Java Love Coffee Roasting Co. and a pastry at The Little Daisy Bakeshop.

Afternoon: Depart for the airport. To JFK: NJ Transit Montclair–Boonton to NY Penn, LIRR to Jamaica, AirTrain to terminals (about 90–110 minutes; ~$18–$23 total). A direct car from Montclair to JFK typically runs ~$100–$170 plus tolls and tip, traffic permitting. To Newark (EWR): rideshare (~30–60 minutes) or NJ Transit via Newark Broad/Newark Penn plus AirTrain (~45–70 minutes). Check flight options on Trip.com or Kiwi.com.

Where to Eat & Drink (Quick Picks)

• NYC coffee/breakfast: Culture Espresso (Midtown), Daily Provisions (Union Sq/Upper West), Ess-a-Bagel (Midtown East).
• NYC lunch: Chelsea Market (Miznon/Los Mariscos), Katz’s Delicatessen (pastrami on rye), Los Tacos No. 1 (hand-pressed tortillas).
• NYC dinner: Sake Bar Hagi (izakaya), Via Carota (seasonal Italian; go early), Gallaghers (steakhouse).
• Montclair coffee/sweets: Paper Plane Coffee Co., Java Love, Montclair Bread Company, The Little Daisy.
• Montclair lunch/dinner: Raymond’s (all-day), Ani Ramen (noodles), Faubourg (French), Turtle + The Wolf (seasonal), Samba (Brazilian), De Novo (Euro comfort).
• Jersey City/Hoboken: Razza (pizza), Bread & Salt (bakery/Italian), La Isla (Cuban), Choc•O•Pain (French bakery), Pilsener Haus (biergarten).

Getting Around & Tips

• JFK to Montclair taxi cost: Plan roughly $100–$170 plus tolls and 18–20% tip; traffic and surge can move the needle. Yellow cabs can drop in NJ; ride-hail and car services offer fixed quotes.
• Transit: Tap-to-pay works on NYC subways and PATH. NJ Transit serves Montclair and Hoboken; check weekend schedules. Ferries and rideshares make New Jersey piers easy for cruises.
• Money & safety: Cards are widely accepted; keep a metro card/OMNY-ready card handy. Stick to lit, busy streets at night and use licensed cabs or trusted ride-hail.

Optional add-ons: If you crave more water time, consider a private sail from the Jersey side for Statue of Liberty views:

Private Sail Around New York City and The Statue of Liberty — Check private charter options

In one week, you’ll balance the big-city rush with North Jersey’s neighborhood rhythm—bagels and Broadway, gardens and galleries, river breezes and skyline lights. It’s an easy, deeply satisfying way to see the New York area from both sides of the Hudson.