Things to Do in New York City: Top Sights and Original 3, 5 & 7-Day Itineraries
New York City needs little introduction: from the Statue of Liberty and Times Square to Central Park, the Met and Broadway, it packs more icons into a few square miles than almost anywhere on earth. Distinct neighborhoods like Greenwich Village, SoHo and Williamsburg, world-class food and skyline views make every visit different.
This guide covers the best things to do in New York City, with itineraries for 3, 5 and 7 days, ideas for weekends, couples and families, local food, where to stay and how to get around.
Top things to see in New York City
Statue of Liberty
And Ellis Island.
Central Park
Iconic park.
Times Square
Lights and Broadway.
Empire State Building
Art deco tower.
The Met
Metropolitan Museum of Art.
High Line
Elevated park.
Brooklyn Bridge
Walk across.
9/11 Memorial & Museum
Ground Zero.
New York City in 3 days: an original itinerary
1Day 1 · Lower Manhattan
Take the ferry to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, then visit the 9/11 Memorial & Museum and the Oculus. Lunch in the Financial District. In the afternoon, walk across the Brooklyn Bridge to DUMBO for the classic Manhattan Bridge photo and skyline views, then dinner in Brooklyn.
2Day 2 · Midtown
Start at Grand Central Terminal, then the New York Public Library and Bryant Park, Rockefeller Center and St Patrick's Cathedral. Lunch nearby. In the afternoon, go up to an observation deck such as the Empire State Building, Top of the Rock or Summit One Vanderbilt, and see a Broadway show in the evening.
3Day 3 · Central Park and museums
Walk through Central Park from the Plaza to Bethesda Terrace and Bow Bridge, then spend the afternoon at the Metropolitan Museum of Art or the American Museum of Natural History. Lunch on the Upper East Side. Evening in the Upper West Side.
New York City in 5 days
Follow the 3-day plan above, then add these two days:
4Day 4 · West Side
Walk the High Line from Hudson Yards and the Vessel to the Chelsea Market and the Whitney Museum. Lunch at Chelsea Market. In the afternoon, explore Greenwich Village and Washington Square Park, with jazz in the evening.
5Day 5 · Downtown neighborhoods
Explore SoHo's cast-iron buildings and shops, Little Italy and Chinatown, then the Lower East Side's Tenement Museum. Lunch with dumplings. Evening drinks on a rooftop bar. The Tenement Museum's guided tours bring immigrant families' stories to life and must be booked ahead.
New York City in 7 days
With a full week, keep days 1 to 5 and finish with:
6Day 6 · Brooklyn
Visit Williamsburg's markets and street art, Prospect Park and the Brooklyn Museum, or Coney Island in summer. Lunch at a food hall. Evening back in Manhattan. Coney Island's boardwalk, Luna Park and Nathan's hot dogs make for a classic summer outing reachable by subway.
7Day 7 · Farewell
Bagel breakfast, a last stroll on Fifth Avenue for shopping, and a farewell dinner with New York pizza or a steakhouse before a nighttime view of the skyline. JFK and LaGuardia are reachable by subway, AirTrain or taxi in under an hour.
What to do in New York City on a weekend
Things to do in New York City on a weekend? Saturday: Statue of Liberty, 9/11 Memorial and Brooklyn Bridge. Sunday: Central Park, the Met and Times Square.
Thanksgiving Parade, holiday windows and the Rockefeller tree in December.
What to do in New York City in the evening
In the evening, Broadway, rooftop bars and jazz clubs.
Times Square lights.
New York City for couples
For couples, sunset from an observation deck, Central Park and a Broadway show.
New York City with kids
With kids, the Natural History Museum, Central Park Zoo, the Statue of Liberty and Coney Island.
What to eat in New York City
Pizza
New York slice.
Bagels
With lox.
Pastrami sandwich
Deli classic.
Cheesecake
New York style.
Hot dogs
Street food.
Where to stay in New York City: best areas
Midtown
Central.
Lower Manhattan
Downtown.
Brooklyn
Hip.
Upper West Side
Residential.
What to do in New York City when it rains
Things to do in New York City when it rains? The Met, MoMA, Natural History Museum, Broadway and Chelsea Market.
How much does a trip to New York City cost?
Expect $250–500 per night.
Practical tips for New York City
Best time to visit
April–June and September–December.
Getting around
Subway and walking.
Our practical tips
- Use the subway with OMNY.
- Book observation decks online.
- Comfortable shoes.
- Free Staten Island Ferry.
- Museum pay-what-you-wish times.
- Book Broadway early.
Mistakes to avoid
- Times Square restaurants.
- Costumed characters asking for tips.
- Taxis in rush hour.
- Peak summer heat.
Frequently asked questions
What are the best things to do in New York City?
Statue of Liberty, Central Park, the Met and Broadway.
How many days?
Four to five.
Free things to do?
Central Park, High Line and the Staten Island Ferry.
Best time?
Spring and fall.