New York City itinerary for 5 days or more

Need help with putting together the perfect New York City itinerary? Make every moment count with this carefully-researched plan.

New York City in 5 days

Our five-day plan is a great starting point, plus there are two add-on days if you're staying longer.

5 days
1ArrivalHalf day
Aerial view of Central Park in New York City

Our direct flights to New York fly into John F Kennedy Airport (JFK). Our alliance partners can also fly you into Newark Airport (EWR) or LaGuardia Airport (LGA). Catch a taxi from the airport to Manhattan, a journey of about 60 minutes from JFK or EWR and 30 minutes from LGA.

There's a flat fare from JFK to Manhattan in the famous yellow taxis, so you can relax and enjoy the sights, even if you're in slow traffic. Check the airport's website for details and example fares. Alternatively, you can take the AirTrain to Jamaica, then transfer to the subway. Or catch the Long Island Rail Road, which also stops at Jamaica.

For time-effective sightseeing, we recommend staying in the area between Central Park and Washington Square, where there are hotels to fit every budget.

Things to do when you first arrive

  • Get some fresh air in Central Park, 840 acres of nature, water features and monuments. With everything from shady glens and rocky ravines to grassy meadows and forests, New York's outdoor living space is full of surprises
  • Enjoy an iconic NYC eat - a mile-high sandwich of corned beef, sauerkraut, Swiss cheese and horseradish dressing on rye
  • Catch some jazz at Birdland Jazz Club, Dizzy's Club, Smalls, Winnie's Jazz Bar or The Flatiron Room
2One World Trade Center, 9/11 Memorial Museum and Statue of Liberty1 day
The Statue of Libery and the New York City skyline

Get your urban adventure off to a flying start with three of New York's biggest must-sees. Together these New York attractions provide context for your explorations over the next few days.

  • Head up the World Trade Center (Freedom Tower) to the One World Observatory, a journey of 102 stories in just 47 seconds. Highlights of this experience include the Global Welcome Center, See Forever Theatre and Sky Portal. Definitely buy tickets ahead for this attraction
  • Learn about New York's most tragic day at the 9/11 Memorial & Museum. The memorial's twin reflecting pools include the largest man-made waterfalls in North America and the museum uses the latest interactive technology to tell the 9/11 story
  • From Battery Park, at the southern tip of Manhattan, catch a ferry to the Statue of Liberty on Liberty Island. You can also discover heart-wrenching human stories at the museum on nearby Ellis Island, which was the gateway for millions of immigrants arriving in the USA
  • Want to catch a view of lady Liberty for free? Take a ride on the Staten Island Ferry
  • Finish the day with a classic wood or coal-fired New York pizza somewhere in Lower Manhattan. Contenders include Lombardi's, Rubirosa, Una Pizza Napoletana and Arturo's. Best topping? The jury's still out; some say meatball, others swear by artichoke, classicists insist on simplicity - tomato, cheese and lots of basil
    3The High Line, West Village and Washington Square Park1 day
    Man playing violin in Washington Square Park, New York City

    Today's a low-cost boho day, so dress creatively and wear comfortable shoes. You'll be walking an avant-garde park, exploring West Village and appreciating street performers in Washington Square Park. Finish with a laid back meal at an iconic village restaurant.

    • Stroll the High Line, NYC's elevated park that was once a rail track. It's 2.3 kilometres long, but you won't walk it in a hurry because there's a lot to see along the way. Enjoy flowers, greenery and outdoor art while you take in sensational views of the urban landscape
    • Roam around West Village, also known as Greenwich Village, an area of urban bohemia that's been home to all sorts of creatives - Robert Louis Stevenson, Salvador Dali, Jackson Pollock and Andy Warhol, just to mention a few. Best things to do here include shopping in Chelsea Market, drinking coffee at Madman Espresso and watching 'Sleep No More' (aka MacBeth) at McKittrick Hotel
    • Washington Square Park, at the heart of the village, is where you'll find chess players, busking musicians, monuments and a stately fountain. This park has been a place for play and interaction since 1827
    • Find some legendary West Village food, like Milanese Italian specialties at Sant Ambroeus or sea trout tartare at Mimi. For a cheaper night out, check out mac and cheese at Murray's Cheese Bar, a bistro burger at Corner Bistro, or oysters, mussels and donuts at Flex Mussels
    • • See a Broadway show tonight. Book ahead to see one of the all-time greats - like Chicago, The Book of Mormon or Hamilton, or nab discount tickets at TDF's TKTS Booth in Duffy Square
      4Guggenheim or Metropolitan Museum of Art (The Met) and Brooklyn1 day
      Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, New York City, United States.

      Immerse yourself in NYC's art scene today, pausing half-way through for some fresh air and lunch in Central Park. Then continue your day in Brooklyn, an area of NYC that's full of character and charm.

      • The Met is one of the world's great art galleries, and it's certainly the most celebrated gallery in the USA. There are permanent collections, including Roman and Egyptian art; changing exhibitions of both historic and contemporary art; and a visually-stunning new area called The Met Cloisters, which is dedicated to the art of medieval Europe
      • The Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum is full of sensational art; it's also a piece of art in itself - a Frank Lloyd Wright building that's all coiled curves and uniqueness. Highlights include 'best of' works by Norman Rockwell, Pablo Picasso's and Wassily Kandinsky
      • Grab a classic NYC hotdog for lunch, then eat it in Central Park. Stretch your legs with a stroll around Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir
      • Jump on the subway and make your way to Brooklyn. If you want to walk over Brooklyn Bridge, take the A or C subway to the High Street-Brooklyn Bridge stop. When the bridge opened in 1883, it was the longest suspension bridge in the world
      • Start your Brooklyn adventure with a selfie at Dumbo (it's not an elephant, it's a sub-section of Brooklyn!) with Brooklyn Bridge in the background
      • If you love older NYC architecture, explore Bedford-Stuyvesant and Park Slope, which are rich with with late 19th- and early 20th-century brownstones
      • Brooklyn is oozing with exceptional eating and drinking opportunities. Look for Brooklyn Brewery, Blue Bottle Coffee, Van Leeuwen ice cream, Vspot vegan and Pig Beach for bbq. Or go deeper into Brooklyn for Asian and Latin food in Sunset Park, Polish food in Greenpoint and Caribbean cuisine in Flatbush
      • Finish with a big night out at Brooklyn Bowl, a legendary destination for live music, bowling, food and drink
        5Empire State Building, Grand Central Station and the Rockefeller Center1 day
        Empire State Building, New York City, United States.

        Today's a day for exploring exceptional feats of architecture – structures and places that are deeply enmeshed with NYC history.

        • The Empire State Building isn't the tallest building in NYC any more, but it's still the most famous. Completed in 1931, it's a monument to Art Deco on the grandest scale. You should definitely zoom up to the spectacular view, but don't forget to visit the interactive museum on the 2nd floor - you can snap a selfie with King Kong!
        • Grand Central Terminal (aka Grand Central Station) is a transport hub that was originally built for railroad baron Cornelius Vanderbilt in 1871, then rebuilt in the Beaux-Arts style in 1913. You can do a self-guided audio tour to see statues, the Tiffany glass clock, main concourse and the extraordinary ceiling, which depicts the constellations of the zodiac. You can also catch trains here!
        • At the Rockefeller Center, a national historic landmark built during the Great Depression, you can visit the 'Top of the Rock' for huge views and have a fancy lunch at the Rainbow Room on the 65th floor. Rockefeller Plaza houses NBC's television studios - for free entertainment, check out the live audience opportunities
        • Enjoying oysters, chowder or a pan roast at the Grand Central Oyster Bar can be the food highlight of your day. Don't forget to order Oreo Cookie Cheesecake for dessert
          6American Museum and the Lincoln Center1 day
          Dinosaur, American Museum of Natural History, New York City, United States.

          Blend education with entertainment today, beginning at the American Museum of Natural History and finishing with a show at the Lincoln Center, a hub for world-class performances since 1962.

          • To make your holiday budget go further, queue for the 'pay-what-you-wish' tickets at the American Museum of Natural History. Don't miss the Dynamic Earth Globe, Hall of Biodiversity, colossal pouty Olmec head, 8-metre python and life-size blue whale. There's a T Rex skeleton here too
          • Central Park adjoins the museum. For free sightseeing, discover Ladies Pavilion, Belvedere Castle and The Obelisk. In summer there are free outdoor Shakespeare performances at Delacorte Theatre
          • The Lincoln Center has an ever-changing parade of high-quality music, dance, cabaret, poetry and comedy performances, covering everything from Juillard School recitals to psychedelic soundscapes. Many of the performances are free, so check out their event calendar
          • Make tonight BBQ night and discover the joys of pit-smoked brisket, burnt ends, baby back ribs, Memphis pork ribs and rosy-rare beef. Finish up with a wedge of banana cream pie. Contenders include Virgil's Real BBQ, Dallas BBQ and Mighty Quinn's
            Kids' day: Visit Coney Island amusement parkAdd-on
            A big white Ferris Wheel in Coney Island, New York City

            Coney Island at the south end of Brooklyn has been NYC's playground since the 1830s. It serves the city both as a seaside resort and amusement park complex, so a trip to Coney can easily occupy an entire day and night.

            • There are two amusement parks - Luna Park and Deno's Wonder Wheel Amusement Park, where you'll find a 1918 Ferris wheel that's still going strong. Other iconic Coney Island rides are the Cyclone and the Parachute Jump
            • The Ford Amphitheater on the boardwalk is an open-air concert venue. If you're visiting in summer, see what's on here before you visit the island
            • It costs nothing to stroll the Coney Island Boardwalk to Brighton Beach. Seaside Park on the boardwalk is a year-round public play space. In summer you can swim here - there's a wide expanse of sand and the water temperature gets to about 20°
            • For just a few dollars you can get into the Coney Island Museum for a feast of bizarre and crazy stories about the island's past
            • During the height of summer, Coney Island puts on a free fireworks show on Friday night
              Shopping day and sports night: Score some bargains, then watch a live gameAdd-on
              Yankee Stadium, New York City, United States.

              You'll brush up against fantastic shopping opportunities everywhere you go in New York, but there are some specific places to look if you want outstanding value for money.

              • Century 21 in Dey Street is hardly a secret, but few tourists have heard of it. It's a place for deeply discounted fashion clothing and accessories
              • Nordstrom Rack is about big brands at little prices. There's one in Union Square and another at 31st & 6th
              • TJ Maxx at 620 6th Avenue is great for bargain hunting. In particular, look for shoes, active wear and home décor items
              • We recommend balancing the shopping with a live sports game. There are five sports to chase in New York - baseball, NFL, basketball, soccer and ice hockey. Of these, baseball is king, but any of the others will also deliver a big night of crowd dynamics and edge-of-the-seat sports action. NYC hosts the FIFA World Cup in 2026, so start planning!
              • See one of the major league baseball teams - Yankees or New York Mets - take on a visiting US team at Yankee Stadium or Citi Field. Eat hot dogs, drink beer and cheer until it hurts
                • The New York Knicks is the basketball team to watch. Their home games are played at Madison Square Garden, an arena they share with the New York Rangers ice hockey team
                • In the NFL season, the New York Jets play home games at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, a quick train ride from Manhattan

                Keep exploring New York City

                Empire State Building image courtesy of Kit Suman; Central Park image courtesy of Jermane Ee on Unsplash; Statue of Liberty and New York City skyline image courtesy of Pierre Blache on Unsplash; Man playing violin image courtesy of Josh Appel on Unsplash; Guggenheim Museum image courtesy of Leslie Holder; Dinosaur image courtesy of Aditya Vyas; Ferris Wheel in Coney Island image courtesy of Marcell Viragh on Unsplash; Yankee stadium image courtesy of Seth Hoffman; Statue of Liberty image courtesy of Bicad Media