New York City packs four centuries of history into a walkable archipelago. Founded by the Dutch as New Amsterdam, it blossomed into a global port, immigrant gateway, and skyscraper pioneer—from the Art Deco Empire State Building to today’s glass-and-steel sentinels. Its grid hums with thousands of stories: jazz basements in the Village, fashion ateliers in SoHo, and food traditions from every corner of the world.

With five boroughs and hundreds of neighborhoods, NYC is best savored by area: Midtown’s icons, Lower Manhattan’s harbor heritage, and Brooklyn’s cobblestones and creative energy. Expect world-class museums (The Met, MoMA), landmark parks (Central Park, the High Line), and skyline views that reward every stair climbed and elevator whoosh.

Practical notes: tap to pay with OMNY on subways and buses, book timed-entry tickets for observation decks, and reserve buzzy restaurants early. Tipping is customary (generally 18–22%). Dress for the weather, carry a light layer, and wear comfortable walking shoes—you’ll easily hit 10,000+ steps a day.

New York City

The city that never sleeps also never bores. One hour you’re under Grand Central’s celestial ceiling; the next, you’re leaning over Hudson Yards’ glass floors or slurping noodles in Chinatown. Set your pace, then let the streets add their own surprises.

• Top sights: Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, Central Park, Times Square, the High Line, Grand Central, 5th Ave, Brooklyn Bridge, DUMBO, MoMA, The Met.
• Unmissable views: SUMMIT One Vanderbilt, Edge at Hudson Yards, classic river cruises, and sunsets from Brooklyn Heights Promenade.
• Where to stay: Midtown for first-timers; SoHo/Greenwich Village for dining and nightlife; Upper West Side for a calmer base; Williamsburg for a Brooklyn vibe.

Accommodation picks: Browse well-located apartments and hotels here: VRBO in New York City and Hotels.com – New York City. Prioritize walking distance to a subway line (A/C/E, 1/2/3, N/Q/R/W, 4/5/6, or F/M lines are especially handy).

Getting there: Fly into JFK, LaGuardia, or Newark. Search flexible fares on Trip.com flights or Kiwi.com. Typical taxi/ride times to Midtown are 35–75 minutes depending on traffic. Public transit (JFK/LGA/EWR connectors + subway/rail) often takes 45–70 minutes and costs a fraction of a cab.

Day 1: Arrival, Midtown Icons, and a Classic New York Steakhouse

Afternoon: Land, drop bags, and orient with an easy loop: Bryant Park (seasonal lawn, carousel, winter rink) and the New York Public Library’s marble grandeur. Step inside Grand Central to see the starry ceiling and the Main Concourse buzz.

Evening: Slice stop at Joe’s Pizza (fold it—grease blot optional), then a hearty dinner at Keens Steakhouse (historic pipe collection; the legendary mutton chop). Prefer lighter? The Modern’s Bar Room delivers polished small plates near MoMA. Cap it with Times Square’s neon theater—best viewed from the red TKTS steps.

Night: Drinks with a view at The Skylark (cocktails over the canyon of 42nd Street) or a classic martini at The Campbell inside Grand Central. Early night recommended to bank energy for a big week.

Day 2: NYC Highlights in a Day (Guided)

Maximize your first full day with a smart overview—perfect for first-timers and even repeat visitors who want context and efficient logistics.

Featured experience: New York in One Day Guided Sightseeing Tour

You’ll cover major neighborhoods by bus and ferry with a licensed guide who hops off with you for stories and photo spots. Expect Midtown landmarks, Central Park glimpses, the 9/11 area, and waterfront views—all in one streamlined day.

Dinner options nearby afterward: In Hell’s Kitchen, try Kashkaval Garden (Mediterranean meze and fondue), Pure Thai Cookhouse (no-frills noodle heaven), or Empanada Mama (late-night bites). Dessert: Schmackary’s cookies in the Theater District.

Day 3: Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, and the Financial District

Morning: Beat the crowds with an early ferry to Liberty Island and Ellis Island. The Ellis Island museum is a moving deep-dive into immigrant histories—set aside time for the audio guides and the Registry Room.

Featured experience: Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island Guided Tour with Ferry

Afternoon: Lunch in FiDi: Leo’s Bagels (hand-rolled bagels), Luke’s Lobster (Maine-style rolls), or Fraunces Tavern (Revolution-era haunt with hearty pub fare). Walk Wall Street, the Charging Bull, and the solemn 9/11 Memorial twin reflecting pools.

Evening: Golden-hour views from the Brooklyn Heights Promenade (sweeping skyline and harbor). Dinner in nearby Brooklyn Heights/DUMBO: Henry’s End (American game and seasonal plates), Juliana’s Pizza (coal-fired pies), or Cecconi’s (canalside-inspired Italian, waterfront tables). Nightcap at The Dead Rabbit back in Manhattan for world-class Irish cocktails.

Day 4: Grand Central, SUMMIT One Vanderbilt, and Koreatown

Morning: Coffee at Culture Espresso (buttery cookies are a bonus) or Blue Bottle. Explore Grand Central’s whispering gallery and food market. Pop into the Chrysler Building lobby for a quick Art Deco fix if open.

Afternoon: Head up for a mind-bending skyline moment.

Featured experience: SUMMIT One Vanderbilt Experience Ticket

This multi-level, immersive observatory mixes reflective installations with knock-out views over the Empire State Building, Bryant Park, and beyond. Time it for late afternoon light.

Evening: Eat in Koreatown (32nd Street). Splurge at Cote (Michelin-starred Korean steakhouse), gather friends around grills at Jongro BBQ (old-Seoul vibe), or try comforting stews at BCD Tofu House (open late). Sweet finish at Grace Street (matcha donuts, shaved ice). If you have extra energy, sing at a K-town karaoke lounge.

Day 5: Brooklyn Day—DUMBO, Bridge Walk, Williamsburg, and a Yacht at Sunset

Morning: Take the subway to DUMBO. Coffee at Devoción (sunlit roastery) or Butler (buttery pastries). Photograph the Manhattan Bridge from Washington Street and stroll Pebble Beach. Walk the Brooklyn Bridge back toward Manhattan or vice versa; plan 30–45 minutes with photo stops.

Afternoon: Williamsburg wander: thrift at 10ft Single, browse McNally Jackson books, and snack your way through Smorgasburg on weekends (seasonal). Lunch ideas: L’Industrie Pizzeria (thin-crust slices), Birds of a Feather (Sichuan standouts), or Sunday in Brooklyn (stacked pancakes).

Evening: Return to Manhattan for an elegant, narrated cruise—architecture, bridges, and borough shorelines in a single sweep.

Featured experience: Manhattan Architecture Yacht Cruise

Dinner before or after near Chelsea/West Side: Cookshop (seasonal American), Los Tacos No.1 (top-tier adobada in Chelsea Market), or Pastis (bistro classics). For rooftop views nearby, try The Standard’s Biergarten or a Hudson River promenade stroll.

Day 6: Central Park and Museum Day + Broadway Night

Morning: Brunch by the park: Sarabeth’s (soft scrambleds, pastries) or Cafe Luxembourg (Upper West Side staple). Enter Central Park at 72nd Street for Bow Bridge, The Lake, and Bethesda Terrace. Consider a seasonal rowboat rental or simply meander the Ramble’s wooded paths.

Afternoon: Choose your museum: The Met (pharaohs to fashion, don’t miss the Temple of Dendur) or the American Museum of Natural History (dinosaurs, the Rose Center for Earth and Space). Coffee reset at Joe Coffee or Birch.

Evening: Broadway awaits. For pre-show dining, try Joe Allen (industry haunt), Gallaghers (old-school steak, quick service for curtain times), or Glass House Tavern (reliable pre-theater plates). Post-show drinks at Dante (award-winning Negronis) or Raines Law Room (speakeasy style).

Day 7: SoHo, Nolita, and the Lower East Side—Then Departure

Morning: Pastries and coffee at La Cabra (cardamom buns) or Dominique Ansel. Shop SoHo’s cast-iron blocks—A.P.C., Reformation, niche eyewear and fragrance boutiques—then wander to Nolita for independent designers along Elizabeth and Mulberry Streets.

Afternoon: Early lunch on the Lower East Side: Russ & Daughters Cafe (smoked fish platters and latkes), Katz’s Delicatessen (piled-high pastrami; grab a ticket at the door), or Scarr’s Pizza (retro slice shop with carefully sourced flour). If time allows, pop through Chinatown for dumplings at Joe’s Shanghai or hand-pulled noodles at Xi’an Famous Foods.

Departure: Head for the airport with cushion time. Subway/rail can be the most predictable during rush hour; rideshares are convenient off-peak. If you haven’t had one yet, grab a Levain Bakery cookie for the plane.

Optional Add-Ons (swap into any day as desired)

• Skyline by water: For a shorter spin, the 90-minute harbor cruise hits Lady Liberty, bridges, and the skyline glow at golden hour. New York City Statue of Liberty, Bridges and Skyline 90 min

Airport & transit tips: JFK yellow cabs have a flat fare to Manhattan plus tolls; Newark’s AirTrain connects to NJ Transit into Penn Station; LaGuardia’s Q70 bus links to the subway. Tap-to-pay (OMNY) works on all subways and buses, and weekly unlimited passes can pay off by Day 4–5 if you’re hopping around.

Where to book flights and stays: Compare airfare on Trip.com or Kiwi.com. For lodging, scan neighborhoods and deals via VRBO and Hotels.com.

Recap: In a week you’ll trace New York’s arc from harbor to high-rise: Liberty Island to Fifth Ave, Central Park to the Brooklyn waterfront, Broadway lights to river reflections. Return home with a camera full of skyline shots, a subway map etched in memory, and a list of restaurants to hit next time.