New York City is a metropolis of firsts—America’s first pizzeria, the first skyscrapers to define a skyline, and a subway so vast it became the city’s pulse. From the Lenape homeland to Dutch New Amsterdam to the world’s financial and cultural capital, the city has always reinvented itself. In one week, you’ll trace that story from harbor to highline, Broadway to brownstones.

Expect a kaleidoscope of neighborhoods: cobbled streets in the Village, museum miles uptown, lofts in SoHo, and brick warehouses turned galleries in Brooklyn. Balance icons—the Statue of Liberty, Central Park, Times Square—with local favorites like old-school delis, hidden speakeasies, indie bookstores, and pocket parks that locals swear by.

Practical notes: The subway is fastest (OMNY tap with your phone/credit card; weekly fare capping kicks in after 12 paid rides). Yellow cabs are plentiful; a flat fare from JFK to Manhattan is around $70 plus tolls and tip. Pack layers and comfortable shoes—New York rewards walkers with surprise views, bakeries, and jazz bars around every corner.

New York City

Gotham’s energy is contagious: you’ll hear it in the sizzle of a Midtown griddle, feel it on the walkway of the Brooklyn Bridge, and watch it glow at sunset from an observation deck. Spend your mornings in leafy parks and world-class museums, your afternoons in markets and neighborhoods, and your evenings with skyline views, theater, and late-night slices.

• Top highlights: Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, Central Park, The Met and MoMA, Brooklyn Bridge and DUMBO, the High Line, Broadway, Hudson River views.
• What to eat: Bagels at Ess-a-Bagel; pizza at Joe’s or Scarr’s; deli classics at Katz’s; handmade pasta at L’Artusi or Lilia; Levain’s famous cookies; cocktails at Dante or The Dead Rabbit.
• Where to stay (Hotels.com/VRBO): Browse stays on Hotels.com or apartment-style options on VRBO. Specific picks: Midtown classic The Plaza Hotel, old-world glamour at The St. Regis New York, smart-budget Pod 51 Hotel, and suite-style Residence Inn by Marriott New York Manhattan/Times Square.
• How to get here: Compare flights to NYC airports (JFK/LGA/EWR) on Trip.com or Kiwi.com. From JFK: AirTrain + subway (~60–75 minutes) or taxi (flat fare ~US$70 + tolls/tip, ~60–90 minutes).

Day 1: Arrival, Midtown Landmarks, and a Taste of Times Square

Afternoon: Arrive and check in. Stretch your legs in Bryant Park—grab an espresso at Culture Espresso nearby (tiny shop, big flavor) and watch locals playing pétanque. Pop into the New York Public Library’s Rose Main Reading Room for Beaux-Arts grandeur, then step into Grand Central to whisper in the Whispering Gallery and admire the celestial ceiling.

Evening: Wander through Times Square’s neon theater district. For dinner, try Korean barbecue in nearby K-Town—Baekjeong for sizzling short rib and banchan—or Keens Steakhouse for historic mutton chop and a clay pipe collection dating to 1885. Nightcap at The Rum House (live piano, classic cocktails) or rooftop views at The Skylark.

Day 2: The Harbor, Liberty’s Torch, and the Financial District

Morning: Bagels at Leo’s Bagels (hand-rolled, lower Manhattan standby) or Black Fox Coffee. Then head to Battery Park for your guided Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island experience.

Featured experience (Viator): Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island Tour: All Options

Reserve-entry gets you on the early ferries; docents bring immigrant stories to life at the Ellis Island National Museum.

Afternoon: Back on Manhattan, pay respects at the 9/11 Memorial’s reflecting pools and, if you wish, visit the museum. Explore the Oculus for its Santiago Calatrava architecture. Lunch ideas: Adrienne’s Pizza Bar (old-school square pies) or Luke’s Lobster (buttery rolls) on a quick stroll of Stone Street.

Evening: Dine in Tribeca at Locanda Verde (housemade pastas, great sheep’s milk ricotta) or Bubby’s (comfort food, legendary pies). Finish with award-winning Irish cocktails at The Dead Rabbit or a quiet pour at historic Fraunces Tavern.

Day 3: MoMA, Midtown Icons, and a Skyline Immersion at SUMMIT

Morning: Fuel up at Ess-a-Bagel (massive, chewy bagels; order “lox, scallion schmear, tomato” like a New Yorker). Spend a few hours at MoMA—don’t miss Van Gogh’s Starry Night and the contemporary design galleries.

Afternoon: Stroll Fifth Avenue by St. Patrick’s Cathedral and Rockefeller Center. Snack at Little Collins (excellent Aussie coffee) or Xi’an Famous Foods (spicy hand-pulled noodles) before walking into Grand Central’s Vanderbilt Hall.

Featured experience (Viator): Time your entry for late afternoon golden hour at SUMMIT One Vanderbilt Experience Ticket—a three-level, immersive art-and-views encounter that feels part gallery, part observation deck.

Evening: Dinner in nearby Koreatown: Cho Dang Gol (comforting tofu stews) or Jongro BBQ (wood-smoke flavors, retro décor). For a classic New York steak, Keens is a short walk away. Dessert at Magnolia Bakery (banana pudding) or milk-and-cookies at Milk Bar.

Day 4: Central Park, Museum Mile, and Broadway Night

Morning: Enter Central Park at 72nd Street; row a boat at the Loeb Boathouse (seasonal) and visit Bethesda Terrace. For brunchy bites, Daily Provisions does standout crullers and breakfast sandwiches; Sarabeth’s is a beloved classic near the park’s south edge.

Afternoon: Choose your museum: The Met (Egyptian Temple of Dendur, Impressionists) or the American Museum of Natural History (The Titanosaur, Hayden Planetarium). Cookie stop at Levain (thick, gooey, shareable). Wander tree-lined streets of the Upper West Side.

Evening: Pre-theater dinner on Restaurant Row: Becco (affordable pasta trio) or Joe Allen (industry haunt). Then curtain up with a blockbuster musical.

Featured experience (Viator): Secure your seats for Wicked on Broadway Ticket and let Elphaba and Glinda belt you into goosebumps.

Post-show, slip into Jimmy’s Corner (cash-only, boxer’s bar) or Dante (World’s 50 Best Bars alum) for a nightcap.

Day 5: Brooklyn Day—Williamsburg, DUMBO, and the Bridge

Morning: Start in Williamsburg with coffee at Devoción (beans roasted on-site) or Butler (buttery kouign-amann). Browse Bedford Avenue boutiques and indie bookshop McNally Jackson. Street art fans should wander North 6th to 12th Streets.

Afternoon: Lunch at Lilia (wood-fired pastas; book far ahead) or alternatives like Misi (vegetable-forward), Fini Pizza, or Fette Sau (smoked meats). Head to DUMBO for the postcard view of the Manhattan Bridge from Washington Street, ride Jane’s Carousel, then walk the Brooklyn Bridge back to Manhattan at golden hour.

Evening: Riverfront dining: Cecconi’s (water views, Venetian classics) or The River Café (special-occasion tasting menu). For skyline drinks, try Westlight atop The William Vale or Harriet’s Rooftop at 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge.

Day 6: The High Line, Chelsea Market, Hudson Yards, and a Night on the Water

Morning: Grab a cappuccino at Intelligentsia inside The High Line Hotel or breakfast tacos at Los Tacos No. 1 (Chelsea Market location). Walk the High Line’s elevated gardens and art installations from the Meatpacking District to Hudson Yards, with time for the Whitney Museum at the southern end.

Afternoon: Graze through Chelsea Market—Miznon (cauliflower, fluffy pitas), Cull & Pistol (oysters), or Seed + Mill (tahini/halva sweets). Explore Hudson Yards shops; admire the Vessel’s honeycomb design from the plaza. If you want another sky-high moment, consider Edge for its glass floor and sharp angles.

Evening: Dress for a chic night afloat: a dinner cruise showcases the skyline, bridges, and Lady Liberty as the city lights up.

Featured experience (Viator): New York City Dinner Cruise with Live Music pairs panoramic views with live tunes—time your booking for sunset for unforgettable photos.

Post-cruise, sip under twinkling vines at Gallow Green (seasonal rooftop) or settle into a speakeasy like Please Don’t Tell (PDT) for inventive cocktails.

Day 7: Village Vibes, SoHo Style, Nolita Bites, and Departure

Morning: Brunch at Buvette (petite plates, waffles) or Jack’s Wife Freda (Middle Eastern–leaning comfort). Stroll Washington Square Park to hear buskers and see the famed arch, then browse SoHo’s cast-iron blocks and design shops.

Afternoon: Eat your way through Nolita and Chinatown: Prince Street Pizza (thick pepperoni squares), Rubirosa (vodka pie), Nom Wah Tea Parlor (dim sum), or Taiwanese gua bao at May Wah. Coffee at Stumptown on 8th Street or Happy Bones (minimalist micro-cafe).

Evening (departure day): Pick up last-minute souvenirs at McNally Jackson or Strand Book Store before you head out. If time allows, savor one more New York classic at Katz’s Delicatessen (pastrami on rye, mustard only) or a sweet ending at Dominique Ansel Bakery.

Optional Add-Ons (swap into any evening if you prefer)

• Observation deck alternatives: Top of the Rock (best view of the Empire State Building), or the Edge at Hudson Yards (outdoor sky deck with glass floor).
• Jazz night: Village Vanguard or Blue Note for intimate sets; get tickets ahead.
• Sports: Catch the Knicks or Rangers at Madison Square Garden, Yankees in the Bronx, or Mets in Queens (seasonal).

One more skyline moment (if you didn’t do SUMMIT):

Featured experience (Viator): For another perspective, consider NYC Edge Observation Deck at Hudson Yards Admission Ticket on a different day for variety—glass-floor thrills and open-air photos.

Getting around tip: Subway rides are $2.90; tap with OMNY and after 12 paid rides in a Monday–Sunday week, the rest are free. For airport flights home, compare options on Trip.com or Kiwi.com, and budget 60–90 minutes to reach JFK/EWR depending on traffic.

Summary: In a week you’ve sailed past Liberty’s torch, strolled the High Line gardens, crossed the Brooklyn Bridge, and watched Broadway sparkle. You tasted bagels, pizza, pasta, dim sum, and night-skyline views—classic New York in every sense. Come back in another season: this city always saves a new neighborhood and a late-night slice for your next visit.