This is the ultimate 4-day New York City itinerary to cover everything you need to know before your NYC vacation.
No need to feel overwhelmed when planning your New York City vacation. Four days in NYC is plenty of time to see all the major attractions, hidden gems, shopping, and enjoy delicious food. The key is to be organized and plan your days around each area of the city.
Day 1 in New York Itinerary
Central Park
Central Park is a massive 800-acre park and is one of the top attractions in NYC. Exploring Central Park is one of the best free things to do in New York City.
We took a one-hour pedicab tour from Columbus Circle through Central Park and it was a great way to see the expansive park. It can take hours to explore all the most popular spots in Central Park and this a wonderful tour for first-time visitors to be able to see it all in a short amount of time.
Most Instagrammable photo spots in Central Park:
- Bow Bridge
- Bethesda Terrace and Fountain
- The Mall
- Belvedere Castel
- Gapstow Bridge
- Strawberry Fields
- Umpire Rock
Walk down Fifth Avenue
No trip to the Big Apple is complete without a stroll along Fifth Avenue for some window shopping at Bergdorf Goodman, Saks Fifth Avenue, Tiffany & Co., and a peek inside the Plaza Hotel.
Visit the Metropolitan Museum of Art
Located in the Upper East Side, this is one of New York’s premier art galleries that features everything from Claude Monet, Pablo Picasso, and Vincent Van Gogh. The MET is known as one of the largest art museums with more than 5,000 years of art from around the world.
Gossip Girls fans must stop by and get a photo on the steps leading up to the museum.
American Museum of Natural History
A museum that has something for everyone, from the planetarium, dinosaur bones, winter butterfly conservatory, Egyptian art, and more. This Upper West Side museum was also where Night at the Museum was filmed.
The Museum of Modern Art (Midtown)
Home to some great artists like Van Gogh, Andy Warhol, Jackson Pollock, and Roy Lichtenstein. MOMA is a must-visit for the modern art lovers.
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St. Patrick’s Cathedral
Step inside the massive Neo-Gothic St. Patrick’s Cathedral that opened its doors in 1879. This is a quick stop on your shopping excursion while on 5th Ave.
Rockefeller Center
Enjoy shopping (at stores like FAO Schwartz, Lego, Nintendo, etc.) ice skating, and Radio City Music Hall across the street. The stores have long lines, so prepare for enough time to walk through all the shops.
If you want to enjoy epic skyline views of the Empire State Building, then head up to the Top of the Rock. From the 67, 69, and 70th floors visitors can take in panoramic views of the city.
See a Broadway Show
Seeing a Broadway show is a great way to spend an evening in NYC. If you are looking to see a hit show like Hamilton, The Lion King, or Phantom of the Opera you need to prepare yourself to pay full price for tickets. If you are looking for cheaper tickets you can try the TKS booth in Times Square for discounted tickets.
Times Square
Yellow cabs, giant billboards, bright lights, and street performers are what you can find at Times Square. You need to visit during the day and then at night to get the full experience of this area.
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Madame Tussauds
In the heart of Times Square is the world’s greatest wax museum. Start the tour at the Glow Gala which is set in a NYC rooftop party with Leonardo DiCaprio, P Diddy, Angelina, and other celebrities. Throughout the rest of the museum, you can enjoy several themed rooms such as MARVEL, political figures, NY-themed TV shows, Warner Bros. Icons of Horror, and more.
Admission also includes admission to the MARVEL 4D Movie where the MARVEL heroes battle to save New York City.
Empire State Building
Take a stroll to the Empire State Building, but be sure to stop at the largest Macy’s in the world first. The skyscraper was completed in 1931 and at the time was the tallest building in the world.
Day 2 in New York Itinerary
Hudson Yards
Shops and restaurants aren’t the only things to enjoy at Hudson Yards. The Vessel is Instagram-worthy! An outdoor spiral staircase is a new landmark which is a 154-story honeycomb structure. Although the climb up the Vessel is temporarily closed, it’s still worth a visit.
Walk the High Line
Attached to Hudson Yards is the High Line, which is created from an abandoned railroad track that is turned into a New York City greenway. Start at the Vessel and walk the 1.45 miles along the High Line to Gansevoort St.
Along the path, guests can enjoy the green space, murals, photo-worthy spots, and unique views of the city. Stop at Chelsea Market, a food and shopping hall in a cool neighborhood.
Enjoy the view at the Edge
The Edge has some of the best views in New York City. Take the 52-second elevator ride up to the 100th floor to enjoy epic views of the city. Edge is the highest outdoor sky deck in the Western Hemisphere and is located at Hudson Yards. This sky deck gives guests 360-degree views, a glass floor, and a champagne bar.
If guests are feeling adventurous they can book the City Climb experience. Climbers scale the outside of a skyscraper more than 1,200 feet above the ground, then lean out and look down from the highest outdoor platform in New York City.
The Flatiron Building
One of New York’s most photographed buildings is a great place to visit for those who enjoy cool architecture. The Flatiron district is across the street from Madison Square Park and is near Italy. Tourists can also check out the Friends Experience which is located close by,
Grand Central Station
Take a train into the Grand Central Terminal and enjoy the beautiful marble facade, stunning constellation ceiling, whispering gallery, shopping, dining hall, or Oyster Bar and restaurant.
Grand Central opened on February 2, 1913, and today more than 750,000 visitors walk through the doors a day. It’s now considered to be the second most visited place in New York with Times Square being number one.
Bryant Park & The New York Public Library
Take the 7 train from Grand Central Terminal or walk 6 minutes to Bryant Park. During the winter the park has a Christmas tree, Christmas Market, and ice skating rink.
There are also multiple dining options in the park. Year-round, visitors can enjoy free events such as movies, concerts in the park, and exercise classes.
Next to Bryant Park is the New York Public Library. With its beautiful facade and two lions sitting on the steps, makes for a wonderful photo opportunity. Founded in 1895, has been serving New Yorkers with free books, a place to study, and an architectural masterpiece!
Day 3 in New York Itinerary
Brooklyn Bridge
This New York landmark is one of the best free things to do in NYC! Be prepared for lots of people, unless you go early in the morning. Along the bridge are vendors selling water and various souvenirs. But regardless of how crowded the bridge is, it’s worth a visit.
DUMBO
This was one of my favorite things we did on our trip. DUMBO which stands for down under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass, is where you’ll find the famous Manhattan Bridge photo location. Located at Waters Street and Washington Street, is where you can take great photos on the cobblestone street.
This location is guaranteed to be packed with tourists taking a photo. But if you want a less crowded photo, go one street over and you can get the same backdrop without people in the background.
While in the neighborhood, stroll down to Pebble Beach for stunning sunset views of Brooklyn Bridge & the Manhattan skyline.
Financial District
Located in lower Manhattan, head to the New York Stock Exchange on Wall Street and take a photo by the Charging Bull. There is typically a line of tourists waiting to get a photo in front of the bull, so if you want one without other people, be sure to start your day early.
Statue of Liberty
See the Statue of Liberty for free when you cruise on the Staten Island Ferry. The Staten Island Ferry travels between the St. George Ferry Terminal in Staten Island and the Whitehall Ferry Terminal (also known as South Ferry) in Manhattan. Each trip takes about 20 minutes and is a fun and free way to see the monument.
Other tours allow you to visit Liberty Island and Ellis Island. Tours sell out, so it’s best to book in advance.
Oculus
Take the subway when visiting the 9/11 Memorial and Museum and you will have the chance to walk through the Oculus. The Oculus is a shopping mall, subway station, memorial, and architectural marvel. It’s located on Ground Zero and is a beautiful design.
9/11 Museum
The 9/11 Memorial is located where the Twin Towers once stood. Visitors can learn about the 9/11 attacks the story of how the day unfolded the aftermath, and the people who experienced the event. The museum is filled with artifacts, photos, and videos of the terrorist attack. It’s an extremely emotional museum, but also one that everyone should visit.
One World Trade Center has an observation deck, but I recommend The Edge over it.
Little Italy
Located in Soho, visitors can explore Little Italy, Chinatown, and walk down Canal Street, which is known for having fake designer goods.
Day 4 in New York Itinerary
Yankees Baseball Game
If you visit NYC in the spring or summer, a trip to the Bronx is a must-do! Whether you are a baseball fan or not, experiencing a game at Yankees Stadium is amazing.
Washington Square Park
Located in Greenwich Village (also known as the West Village), is a great place to meet up with friends, play chess, play sports, or relax by the fountain. Take a photo in front of Washington Square Arch, which was named after President George Washington.
Souvenir Shopping
I’m always about making time to do a little souvenir shopping. If you didn’t stop in any of the shops for a magnet, t-shirt, Christmas ornament, or trinket, this is the day to do it.
Gallagher’s Steak Dinner
If you are looking to dine at an iconic New York steak house, then Gallaghers is one of the best places to dine at. Located in Manhattan’s Theater district since 1927, has a great raw bar, seafood options, and amazing steaks. What makes this establishment unique and special is the meat locker that you can view as you walk into the restaurant.
Getting Around New York City
Now that you have the perfect 4-day itinerary, you need to figure out public transportation! Purchasing a Metro card is the best way to move around the city quickly and without breaking the bank.
Purchase a 7-day unlimited-ride Metro Card. This is the easiest and cheapest way to get around the city. A 7-day unlimited pass is $33 and is worth every penny.
Where to Stay in New York City
There are everything from budget hotels, family-friendly hotels, and luxury condos to everything in between that will fit your needs for your ultimate trip to NYC. I recommend booking a hotel close to a subway station and the area where you want to spend the most time during your stay.
Best Time to Visit New York
A trip to New York City is going to be great no matter the time of year. But if you want cooler weather or fewer tourists, then April to June and September to November are the less crowded.
Travel Tips for NYC
Wear comfortable shoes
Even when taking a cab or subway, you will be walking miles a day. Comfortable walking shoes are a must and you will be glad you wore tennis shoes.
Book Attractions Online
Most of the major attractions require that tickets be purchased online ahead of time. Some may sell out months in advance, so it’s best to book early.
