Get ready to experience the absolute best of the Big Apple! This itinerary makes exploring New York City a breeze, ensuring you don’t miss a single must-see. Five days is the perfect amount of time to dive deep into the city’s culture without feeling rushed, and this itinerary is designed to help you do just that.
Disclaimer: This post is not sponsored by any of the attractions or accommodations I include in this post.
As someone born in New York City and who grew up nearby, I have had the opportunity to go to New York hundreds of times and explore all the city has to offer. This itinerary incorporates all of what makes New York the best city in the US to visit, including cuisine, entertainment, nature, museums, and historical landmarks, in only five days! Five days provides the perfect amount of time to experience the city’s highlights, including a visit to Brooklyn, without feeling rushed.
Important Notes
This itinerary keeps in mind five full days to explore New York City. This itinerary includes suggestions for managing your time at museums, helping you make the most of each visit while still having ample opportunity to explore other attractions. Other attractions do not have time constraints, giving you the opportunity to explore them at your own pace and considering potential traffic/delays on the subway.
Using the New York City Subway
This itinerary assumes that you will use the subway. I have a separate post all about using the New York City subway, describing all routes, local versus express trains, and more! Refer to this post for a detailed guide on how to confidently navigate the subway. The subway is the fastest way to get around the city, so it is recommended that you use the subway over taxis. You will also save a lot of money using the subway in New York City instead of taxis. You are also allowed to use contactless payment (credit or debit card) to pay for the subway. I talk about this in more detail later on. Each ride costs $2.90.
Even though you will be using the subway while following this itinerary, you will still be walking a lot. Wear sneakers or other comfortable shoes!
Day 1: Midtown
The Museum of Modern Art
How to get here: Take the subway to the 53rd St/5 Ave station, on the E and M lines and walk 2 minutes west until you see the museum. Arrive at the museum before it opens at 10:30 to avoid waiting in a long security line. I recommend spending up to 3 hours here; there are tours available on GetYourGuide and Viator if you want to take a tour.
The Museum of Modern Art showcases masterpieces like Van Gogh’s The Starry Night and Picasso’s Les Demoiselles d’Avignon, to groundbreaking works by Warhol, Pollock, and Kahlo. MoMA offers a compelling journey through the evolution of art from the late 19th century to the present day. Tickets cost $30 per adult, and children 16 and under are free. There are discounts for students, seniors, and more. Purchase tickets here.
Times Square
How to get here: Walk 10 minutes south (downtown) along 6th Ave until you start to see the crowds, digital billboards, and stores (like the M&M store) to your right. You’ll know when you see it!
Times Square is the most visited attraction in the USA, so expect a lot of pedestrian traffic! Times Square is a combination of light, sound, and endless activity. Its iconic billboards, world-renowned Broadway theaters, and street performers define it as a bustling hub in a breathtaking display of urban energy and entertainment. Because of the crowds, I recommend not spending more than 10 minutes here.
See Madison Square Garden (MSG), the world’s most famous arena
How to get here: Walk 10 minutes south (downtown) along 7th Ave until you start to see signs for Penn Station, which is underneath MSG. You might also see signs for MSG. MSG’s address is at Penn Station.
Madison Square Garden is a legendary arena in New York City. Home to the New York Knicks (basketball) and New York Rangers (hockey), it’s a global stage that has witnessed countless historic moments in sports, music, and entertainment, cementing its place as a true cultural icon.
See the Empire State Building
How to get here: Walk 10 minutes east (towards 5th Ave) along 34th Street until you start to see the building.
An Art Deco masterpiece, the Empire State Building remains an undisputed icon of New York City. Its silhouette defines the Manhattan skyline, brightly lit up each night, often in a dynamic array of colors to commemorate holidays, celebrate events, and honor causes.
After visiting these attractions, eat some pizza for lunch! I have tons of pizza places in my article about places to eat in Manhattan. I recommend going to Bravo Pizza, on 360 7th Ave between West 29th and 30 Streets. It is a 10-minute walk from the Empire State Building. To get there: walk along 33rd Street towards 7th Avenue. Make a left onto 7th Ave and then make a right onto West 30th Street. You will see Bravo Pizza on the corner.
Top of the Rock Observation Deck
How to get here: Walk 20 minutes north (uptown) along 6th Avenue and make a right on 50th Street, between 5th and 6th Avenue. The entrance is on the left side of the building. Or, you can take the subway to the 47-50 Sts-Rockefeller Center station, and you will see a sign that says “Top of the Rock” when you exit the station. Follow that sign.
The entrance is on the side of the building where you will see signs that say “Top of the Rock Observation Deck.” Located in Rockefeller Center, the Top of the Rock allows you to see Manhattan from three floors: 67th, 69th, and 70th, offering unobstructed, 360-degree views of the city! You get amazing views of the Empire State Building, downtown Manhattan (including the World Trade Center), and Central Park. You don’t have to spend very long here; I recommend staying for 30 minutes maximum, 10 minutes on each of the three floors to take photos and admire the views. I talk more about other observation deck options below, as New York City offers several options for viewing the skyline.
Tickets for general admission to Top of the Rock start at $40 per adult and $34 for children ages 6-12. Buy tickets in advance online here. Note: I recommend purchasing tickets 1 or 2 days before your visit so you can ensure there will be good weather on the day you plan to go.
Day 2: Uptown
Metropolitan Museum of Art
The Met is on the eastern side of Central Park, along 5th Avenue between East 80th Street and East 84th Street. How to get here: take the subway to 86th Street Station on the 4, 5, and 6 lines. Walk 10 minutes towards Central Park and you will start to see the museum on your right.
I strongly recommend getting to the museum before it opens at 10am so you do not have to wait in line for security. If you want to take a tour, there are tours available on GetYourGuide and Viator. If you want to go on a self-guided tour, spend as much time as you want! I purposely did not include several other activities on this day so you can spend as much time in this world-famous art museum!
The largest museum in the Americas and the most visited museum in the USA, the Met shows art from ancient Egyptian temples and Roman sculptures to European masterpieces and contemporary art. Its vast collection of objects takes you on a journey through 5,000 years of human history and creativity.
Tickets cost $30 per person, and children under 12 are free. There are discounts for students, seniors, and more. You can purchase tickets here.
Walk around Central Park and see the Strawberry Fields
Central Park is no doubt New York City’s most famous park, spread across 843 acres in the heart of Manhattan. From its iconic Bethesda Terrace and Bow Bridge to the vast Great Lawn, Central Park invites visitors to engage in everything from leisurely strolls and picnics to concerts and boat rides on The Lake. I talk about Central Park in more detail in my post on New York City’s best parks.
The Strawberry Fields is a 2.5-acre memorial dedicated to the memory of John Lennon, a member of The Beatles. Its focal point is the “Imagine” mosaic, a global symbol of peace and hope, drawing visitors from around the world to reflect and pay tribute to the legendary musician. How to get here within Central Park: walk 20 minutes west across Central Park around The Lake and Bow Bridge.
Consider eating at Tavern on the Green for lunch or early dinner. It is located right in Central Park.
Additional option: The Met Cloisters
The Met Cloisters, a branch of the Met, showcases art, architecture, and gardens of medieval Europe. It will not cost you more money to visit The Cloisters on the same day if you’ve already paid for admission to The Met. Once you purchase your ticket for one location, simply hold onto it (or your receipt/proof of purchase) and present it at the other location on the same day for entry.
The Cloisters are located at 99 Margaret Corbin Drive. This is in Fort Tryon Park, north of Washington Heights in Manhattan. This is far uptown. If you want to go see the Cloisters, take the subway to Dyckman Street on the A train and walk 10 minutes southeast until you reach the Cloisters.
Day 3: Downtown into Brooklyn and Chinatown
Walk the Brooklyn Bridge into Brooklyn
How to get here: Take the subway to the City Hall station, which is on the 4, 5, and 6 lines. You will see signs for the entrance to the bridge right across this station. The main pedestrian entrance is located across the street from City Hall Park, along Centre Street. You’ll likely see many other people heading in that direction.
The Brooklyn Bridge is a monumental achievement of 19th-century engineering. When it opened in 1883, it was the longest suspension bridge in the world and quickly became an iconic symbol of New York City’s innovation and ambition. Its construction pushed the boundaries of technology and design, forever linking Manhattan and Brooklyn and shaping the future of New York City.
Walk around Brooklyn Bridge Park
After you cross the bridge into Brooklyn, you will see on your right signs for Brooklyn Bridge Park, with many benches, the Van Leeuwen ice cream shop, and the Brooklyn Ice Cream Factory Shop. Relax and take photos of the Brooklyn Bridge and Manhattan Bridge behind it and the downtown Manhattan skyline.
Brooklyn Bridge Park is a breathtaking testament to urban renewal, stretching over 1.3 miles along the East River waterfront. It was once a collection of derelict piers and warehouses that have been reimagined into an 85-acre oasis, offering unparalleled panoramic views of the Manhattan skyline, the iconic Brooklyn Bridge, and the New York Harbor. Its thoughtful design creates a seamless blend of natural beauty and recreational opportunities, making it a beloved destination for both locals and visitors.
Walk to the Brooklyn Heights Promenade
Walk 10 minutes south towards the Brooklyn Heights Promenade. You’ll encounter clear signs directing you to the Promenade. The promenade is a very popular spot, and its entrances are designed to be easily found. Relax on the benches and take photos of the downtown Manhattan skyline!
The Brooklyn Heights Promenade offers one of the most breathtaking and quintessential New York City views. It is an elevated pedestrian walkway over the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway and provides an unparalleled panoramic view of Lower Manhattan’s majestic skyline, the graceful sweep of the Brooklyn Bridge, the serene expanse of the New York Harbor, and the Statue of Liberty in the distance. Lined with trees, wrought-iron benches, and seasonal flowerbeds, it’s a beloved spot for locals and visitors alike.
Walk back to Manhattan and relax in City Hall Park
After relaxing in the promenade, walk back towards the Brooklyn Bridge and across it to get back into Manhattan. Visit City Hall Park if you wish to relax for a little bit before walking to Chinatown to eat.
Get food in Chinatown
How to get here: Exit City Hall Park and walk 15 minutes north (uptown) on Broadway and make a right onto Canal Street. You’ll know when you’re in Chinatown when you see the abundance of Chinese restaurants, street signs in English and Chinese, produce markets, fish markets, bakeries, and more.
Manhattan’s Chinatown is an essential cultural and historical heart of New York City. It was established in the mid-19th century, particularly around Mott Street, and is the largest and oldest Chinatown in the US. Chinatown offers an authentic, vibrant experience characterized by its markets, iconic restaurants (especially dim sum), and blend of historic architecture and traditional customs. Chinatown is a living testament to immigrant perseverance and a constant celebration of Chinese heritage.
Food recommendations in Chinatown:
1. Mei Lai Wah: known for their pineapple pork buns. Location: 62 Bayard Street
2. Shanghai 21: known for soup dumplings. Location: 21 Mott Street, between Mott Street and Elizabeth Street
3. Wo Hop: You will see patrons outside the restaurant eating on the sidewalk. Location: 17 Mott Street, in Wo Hop next door (enter the basement restaurant via the stairs). This restaurant is cash only.
Day 4: Downtown– SoHo and Little Italy
Shopping in SoHo
How to get here: SoHo is located between West Houston Street and Canal Street (SoHo = “south of Houston Street”). Take the subway to Spring Street (on the A, C, E lines or on the 4 and 6 lines). You can also take the subway to the Broadway-Lafayette Street station on the B, D, F, M lines.
SoHo is known for its designer boutiques and chic galleries. Walk along the cobblestone streets and admire the stunning cast-iron architecture. SoHo has become one of Manhattan’s most fashionable and sought-after neighborhoods, so feel free to take some time to discover unique finds at independent shops!
Eat in Little Italy
How to get here: Walk 15 minutes, going east along Spring Street and make a right onto Mulberry Street. You’ll be in the heart of Little Italy.
Little Italy offers visitors and locals a glimpse into the Italian immigrant experience in the US. The neighborhood stands as a living testament to the vast wave of Italian immigration to New York City in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, and became a crucial first home for countless immigrants seeking new opportunities. While its physical size has diminished, largely due to the outward migration of Italian-Americans to other boroughs and the expansion of neighboring Chinatown, its historical importance remains. Little Italy is also famous for its annual Feast of San Gennaro, celebrating the rich culinary and cultural heritage of its immigrant founders.
Food recommendations in Little Italy:
1. Sofia’s of Little Italy: 143 Mulberry Street, between Baxter Street and Mott Street
2. IL Cortile: 125 Mulberry Street, between Baxter Street and Mott Street
3. Rubirosa: 235 Mulberry Street, between Lafayette Street and Mott Street
3. Ferrara Bakery & Cafe: 195 Grand Street, between Mulberry Street and Mott Street
Walk around NYU and Washington Square Park
How to get here: Walk 20 minutes north (uptown) along Mulberry Street and make a left onto Bleecker Street, then make a right onto LaGuardia Place, until you reach Washington Square Park.
Washington Square Park is considered the unofficial “quad” of NYU’s campus. Many of NYU’s main buildings, including libraries, academic centers, and dorms, are located around the park.
Day 5: Downtown– Financial District
World Trade Center and 9/11 Museum and Memorial Pools
How to get here: The closest subway station to the WTC is WTC Cortlandt station on the 1 line. You will see signs that say “World Trade Center” in the station when you get off the train. You will see the WTC when you walk onto the street from the station.
The 9/11 Memorial Pools are free to visit, but you need tickets to visit the 9/11 Museum. Tickets to the 9/11 Museum can be purchased here.
I recommend spending 2 or 3 hours in the museum to appreciate it. Tickets cost $36 per adult, $30 for children ages 13-17, and $24 for children ages 7-12. Children 6 and under and active/retired U.S. Military members are free. There are discounted tickets for college students, veterans, seniors, and active FDNY/NYPD/PAPD employees (65 and older). You can pay for a museum guided tour, a museum and memorial pools tour, or a family pass.
Visit The Battery (park) and see the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island
How to get here: Walk 10 minutes south along Trinity Place until you reach The Battery. The Battery is a beautiful park, providing a peaceful retreat from the city’s hustle and bustle. Here, you are at the southernmost tip of Manhattan, and you will see amazing views of the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island!
The Battery is a 25-acre park that is famous for its expansive waterfront views. Visitors and locals are treated to breathtaking views of the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, Governors Island, and the bustling New York Harbor. The Battery serves as the primary gateway for ferries to these islands, making it a place where millions embark on journeys to experience American history firsthand.
Optional: Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island ferry tour
You can find tours on GetYourGuide and Viator if you want to go to Ellis Island and Liberty Island (where the Statue of Liberty is located). You will also see people offering tours of both islands at The Battery. Choose whatever tour you wish.
After spending time relaxing in The Battery, walk 5 minutes east along Pearl Street and go to Fraunces Tavern to eat.
Other Observation Decks
I included the Top of the Rock Observation Deck to visit instead of other options because I think it is the best observation deck. It’s right in the middle of Manhattan and you get amazing views of the Empire State Building, downtown (including the World Trade Center), and Central Park! My second choice would be the Empire State Building observation deck, also located in midtown, giving you panoramic views of the city.
Below are other observation decks to choose from if you want to visit a different one:
- One World Observatory at One World Trade Center
- Location: 117 West Street between Fulton Street and Vesey Street (downtown, in the financial district)
- Tickets: starting at $42
- The Edge
- Location: 30 Hudson Yards (midtown)
- Tickets: starting at $42
- The Edge also features City Climb: participants walk up a 45-degree angled staircase and lean over the edge of the building. These tickets start at $185 per person.
- SUMMIT One Vanderbilt
- Location: 45 East 42nd Street, between Park Ave and Madison Ave, next to Grand Central Terminal (midtown)
- Tickets: starting at $46
- Empire State Building
- Location: 20 West 34th Street between 5th and 6th Ave (midtown)
- Tickets: starting at $48
FYI: The prices for tickets at observation decks are dependent on the season and time of day you want to go. Tickets at sunset are often more expensive.
What about the New York Pass?
The New York Pass by Go City offers passes that range from a 2-attraction pass to a 10-attraction pass. The pass offers access to 111 New York City attractions and tours and up to 30% savings versus buying tickets for each attraction you want to visit. The pass is valid for 30 days from your first visit. Click here to read more about the prices per ticket for adults and children.
For this itinerary, I don’t think getting a New York pass is worth it. It will only cover your Top of the Rock observation deck visit and the 9/11 Memorial and Museum. If you decide to go to a different observation deck, the New York Pass will cover the others I mentioned above, except for SUMMIT One Vanderbilt.
What about a Subway Pass?
Unlike Paris, as I mentioned in my 5-day Paris itinerary, New York City does not have a subway/travel pass for tourists to use on subways/buses/trains. The yellow New York City MetroCards that you have seen on the internet are likely to be out of use by the end of 2025, because the NYC subway system has now incorporated the OMNY system.
The OMNY (One Metro New York) system offers a convenient fare structure for tourists and locals alike. Each fare provides one complimentary transfer between the subway and bus, valid for two hours. Users can also pay for up to three additional passengers on the same card or device. A key benefit is the weekly fare cap: after 12 paid rides (costing $34.80) within 7 days (starting with your initial tap), all subsequent rides are free for the remainder of that period, provided you use that same card for every tap (payment). If you are confused about how it works, watch this video.
Where should you stay?
Luxury: Crosby Street Hotel; Baccarat Hotel New York.
The Crosby Street Hotel, located in SoHo, is praised by guests for its exceptional cleanliness and beautiful decor. The Baccarat Hotel is located in Midtown and is praised by guests for its crystal-inspired decor, attentive staff service, and the Grand Salon for its food.
Mid-range: Executive Hotel Le Soleil New York; The Carnegie Hotel.
Located in Midtown, the Executive Hotel Le Soleil New York is acclaimed for its friendly and accommodating staff and great location. The Carnegie Hotel is located in Midtown, close to Central Park. Guests love its proximity to restaurants and shops, Central Park, and the clean rooms.
Budget: La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Times Square South; HI New York City Hostel
It is difficult to find a budget hotel in New York City, but these two often offer rates for less than $150 per night. The La Quinta Inn is located just south of Times Square, and guests liked the views of the city from their rooms, the free breakfast, and the friendly staff. The HI New York City Hostel is located on the Upper West Side, close to Central Park. Guests liked the friendly staff, their rooms being cleaned daily, and the hotel’s amenities, including a living room, kitchen, and laundry room. If you have never stayed in a hostel, read about hotels versus hostels here to learn more.
Another option: Booking a vacation rental, like Vrbo (or Airbnb if you prefer) is also a good idea for lodging in NYC. A Vrbo or Airbnb will likely be less expensive than staying in a hotel. Read more about Vrbo in my essential travel apps post. Also, staying in outer boroughs such as Queens or Brooklyn is a good idea to save money on lodging, but just make sure that you stay near a subway station so you don’t have to worry about how to get into Manhattan each day for activities.