New York City
4-DAY New York City, New York ITINERARY
New York City comprises 5 boroughs sitting where the Hudson River meets the Atlantic Ocean. At its core is Manhattan, a densely populated borough that's among the world's major commercial, financial and cultural centers. Its iconic sites include skyscrapers such as the Empire State Building and sprawling Central Park. Broadway theater is staged in neon-lit Times Square, per Google.
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To read about My Travels, click here.
Must do, must see, must try:
TAKE MY PICTURE
Times Square, take your photos in one of the most Instagram-worthy locations ever. Smile!
EAT EVERYTHING
NYC has incredible food - world's best pizza, world's best coffee and then some, try it all. No diets allowed.
REMEMBER
The history of NYC is one you should know. Take a moment to visit the site - Statue of Liberty and 9/11 Memorial.
The 4-Day New York City Itinerary
CLIMATE
April to June, September to early November is the nicest warmest weather and the tourist crowds isn't too overwhelming. Cheapest time is mid-January and the colder months.
TRANSPORTATION
Taxi's rule this city, do not rent a car. Additionally you can use Lyft to zip around the city if you can't reach your location by foot. Watch out for bike messengers, they don't stop.
ENVIRONMENT
Language is English
Currency: US Dollar
LIFESTYLE
New Yorkers have a place to be and while it's nice that you're taking in the city, don't get in their way while you're doing so. This city is moving fast so keep up; it's worth the ride!
New York or 'The Big Apple' attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors each year. Besides the bright lights of Times Square, New York offers delicious food, a beautiful park and historical landmarks.
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Love, love, love everything about NYC. The food, the weather, the interesting people, the lights, the activities, not to mention the shows, I mean, this list can go one forever. Taking a weekend trip gives you plenty of time to see NYC, and the next time you go will be entirely different. Every time is new and fun.
Day one
Early arrival in New York City
Check-in at the hotel
11 AM - Bike Tour of Brooklyn Bridge + Lower Manhattan; time spent is 3 hours, $36 USD (promo code: FTBF)​
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Sights include: Broadway, Brooklyn Bridge, Manhattan Bridge, Battery Park City, Wall Street, Charging Bull, Castle Clinton and more​
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While in Lower Manhattan, get a cookie shot at Dominique Ansel Kitchen ​($$, Bakery) or a cupcake from Georgetown Cupcake ($$, Bakery & Desserts)
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or rent a CitiBike and ride along the Hudson River Greenway
2 PM - Rest and clean up at the hotel
4 PM - Early dinner with cocktails at The View Restaurant & Lounge ($$$$, American)
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Or Utsav ($$, Indian) or Carmine's Italian Restaurant ($$, Italian)
6 PM - Get ready for the lights of Times Square
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Hop in M&M's World for a sweet treat​
7 PM - Broadway Show because you must
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Favorites include Lion King, Phantom of the Opera, Beauty and the Beast; also good are Rent, Mama Mia
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Look up lottery tickets​
Hungry after the show? Try a street vendor hot dog
Day Two
6 AM - Attend a taping of the TODAY Show - make a poster and wave
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​or a taping of a Live Show - Tonight Show: Jimmy Fallon; The View; Live with Kelly & Ryan; The Dr. Oz Show and more
8:30 AM - Get your picture in front of Radio City Music Hall
9 AM - Rockefeller Center
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If you want to use time from the park, go to the Top of the Rock; $35 USD
10 AM - St. Patrick's Cathedral
For all those Gossip Girl fans, enjoy the Gossip Girl Sites Tour; time spent is 3 hours, $60 USD - XOXO
11 AM - Metropolitan Museum of Art; time spent 3 hours, $​25 USD
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Eat at The Cafeteria ($, American), Petrie Court Café ($$$, European), The American Wing Café ($$, Sandwiches) or one of the bars
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Are you a member of the museum? Eat at the Members Dining Room ($$$, American)
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Other museum options: the Guggenheim ($25 USD) or The Museum of Modern Art - MoMA ($25 USD) or American Museum of Natural History ($​22 USD)
3 PM - Central Park for the day [rent a bike if you don't feel like walking], this orders makes loop to dinner:
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Alexander Hamilton Statue
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Frolic in the Great Lawn
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Walk across Bow Bridge Central Park and gaze at The Lake
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Walk down The Mall and Literary Walk
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Take a ride on the Carousel ($3 USD)
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Stretch your legs on Sheep Meadow
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The Boat Pond for Model Boat Sailing and Kerbs Boathouse
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Alice in Wonderland sculpture
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Other options in Central Park: Great Lawn, Strawberry Fields, Central Park Zoo, The Pond and more​
7 PM Dinner: Loeb Boathouse ($$$, American)
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or Tavern on the Greens ($$$, Steakhouse)
After dinner, splurge for a horse-drawn carriage ride around the park
10 PM - Ice skating in Rockefeller Center Rink; time spent is 2 hours, $25 USD
Day Three
8:30 AM - View the Statue of Liberty from Battery Park
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Fun Fact: there are 3 Status of Liberty's in the world - one in Paris, the other in Las Vegas
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If you have time, venture through Wall Street and see the Charging Bull and Federal Hall
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Morning Option: 8:30 AM - Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island Guided Tour; time spent is 4 hours, $57 USD​​
10:30 PM - Pay your respects at the 9/11 Memorial; time spent is 1.5 hours, $24 USD
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Around the corner is St. Paul's Chapel of Trinity Church Wall Street - where George Washington worshiped
1 PM - Chinatown
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Start in Chatham Square
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Grab lunch at: ​Golden Unicorn ($$, Dim Sum) or Great NY Noodletown ($, Cantonese)
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Tea? Nom Wah Tea Parlor
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Shopping - Yunhong Chopsticks, Unique Hype Collection, Tony Moly and No. 6 Store
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Ice Cream Break: Taiyaki NYC ($, Ice Cream)
5 PM - Visit the Empire State Building; time spent is 1-2 hours, $51 USD
Walk down the street to the New York Public Library and get your picture on the steps
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Extra time? Check out Bryant Park behind the library​
Continue walking around the corner to visit the Grand Central Station
8 PM Dinner in the Station: Shake Shack ($$, Burgers) or Park Avenue Tavern ($$, American Gastropub)
Dessert: 2Beans ($$, Coffee, Chocolatiers & Wine Bar)
Travel a GO-Go
Use the Google map on the left to get a lay of the land and see all the fun spots that you'll visit. Download the free PDF by clicking the icon below to have this itinerary at your finger-tips.
How to Use the Map: Click the tab in the top left hand corner to view the layers (days, points of interest, route).
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If you click the star, this map will be added to your Google Map account. To view, open your Google Maps, click the menu button "Your Places", select the map and it will open.
Day Four
9 AM - Self-guided walking tour of Greenwich Village​; time spent is 2 hours, free
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Sights include: The Stonewall Inn, The Friends Apartment, Washington Square Park, Washington Arch, New York University and more​
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Stop at Magnolia Bakery ($$, Bakery) for some banana pudding
Day Trip Option: Long Island's North Fork for wine and pie tastings
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30​ wineries close to the city → cheap tours
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Stop at Briermere Farms for the best pie of your life
Noon: Los Tacos No.1 ($, Mexican) in Chelsea Market for tacos
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Followed by Shopping in Chelsea (or 5th Avenue, Soho or Tribeca)​
3 PM - grab a glass or wine and stroll The High Line park
Check out of the hotel
Goodbye New York City. Head home.
MY TRAVELS
NEW YORK - dat dat dat da da datttt, start spreading the word...
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The is the top US city for any person, it's NEW YORK! Home to art, home to shows, home to food and drinks and this and that - it's a perfect melting pot of everything. NYC is a city that you can visit over and over again and never have the same experience twice; definitely try to visit it during all the seasons.
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Central Park during the fall, all the leaves are a different hue of yellow, red, orange; it looks like it's out of a movie. Then the snow, it layers and covers everything and you're bundled up and cozy. Summer, the people come out of the wood-work and the park fills out with blankets and picnic baskets as people bask in the sun for some much needed Vitamin-D, and then you have the lovely Spring when everything is perfect and tidy. Things are blooming, spirits are happy.
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Favorite Moment was Times Square and seeing all the lights and the boards changing. The amount of money spent on advertising here will make your jaw drop. And the amount of people that fit into the square - were did everyone come from?! Loved snapping pictures here before heading into the shows but the locals were not thrilled with visitors randomly stopping in the sidewalks - so try not to be that person.
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Least favorite moment was taking my shoes off at the end of the day and realizing how bad my feet hurt. Tried to wear cute shoes, but no. You need to be practical. On your feet all day touring, wear something that will support you.
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Loved the history tours and the other tourist that I met along the way. 9/11 Memorial was the most moving and there are no words for what was experienced that day and how it was captured in the museum. Looking forward to returning.
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Safe travels,
Itinerary Traveler