5-Day NYC Itinerary at a Glance
Who This 5-Day NYC Itinerary Is For
This itinerary is designed for first-time visitors or return travelers who want to see the major sights—Statue of Liberty, Central Park, Brooklyn Bridge, museums—plus explore neighborhoods like DUMBO, Williamsburg, West Village, and Chelsea without turning the trip into a checklist marathon.
Expect 18–22k steps per day with built-in slow moments for bagel shops, rooftop bars, and neighborhood wandering. If you're traveling with kids or prefer a gentler pace, you can drop one museum or split a day in half.
Popular Activities
Top-rated tours and experiences in New York City
Central Park, Metropolitan Museum & Upper West Side
Ease into NYC with the city's green heart, world-class art, and a residential neighborhood stroll.
Morning
Central Park Highlights
Experience Central Park at its most peaceful—joggers, dog walkers, and empty paths.
How to Do It:
- • Enter at 72nd Street & Central Park West.
- • Route: Strawberry Fields (John Lennon memorial) → Bethesda Fountain → Bow Bridge → The Lake → Sheep Meadow → exit at Columbus Circle.
- • Grab coffee and a bagel from Absolute Bagels (108th St) or Zabar's (80th St) before or after.
Tips
- → Early morning (before 9am) means golden light, empty benches, and locals doing their morning routines.
- → Download the Central Park app for navigation and hidden spots.
- → Bring a blanket if you want to picnic on Sheep Meadow.
Afternoon
The Met (Metropolitan Museum)
From ancient Egypt to Van Gogh—5,000 years of art under one roof on Museum Mile.
How to Do It:
- • Book timed-entry ticket online to skip ticket lines.
- • Route: Egyptian Wing (Temple of Dendur) → Greek & Roman (Venus de Milo replica) → European Paintings (Vermeer, Rembrandt, Van Gogh) → American Wing → Rooftop Garden (May–Oct only).
- • Join a free highlights tour or download the museum app for self-guided routes.
Tips
- → The Met is enormous—focus on 3–4 wings, not the whole museum.
- → Rooftop garden (May–Oct) has Central Park views and a bar—perfect for sunset.
- → Wear comfy shoes—you'll walk 3+ miles inside.
- → Museum café is overpriced—eat nearby on Madison Ave after.
Evening
Upper West Side Walk + Dinner
See where real New Yorkers live—tree-lined streets, delis, bookshops, and family-run restaurants.
How to Do It:
- • Walk down Columbus Avenue or Amsterdam Avenue from 80th to 70th Streets.
- • Stop at: Zabar's (gourmet deli), Levain Bakery (famous cookies), local bookshops.
- • Dinner at a neighborhood bistro or Italian spot—reservations recommended for weekends.
Tips
- → Upper West Side is residential, safe, and less touristy than Midtown.
- → Levain cookies are massive—share one between two people.
- → If you're tired, grab takeout and eat in Central Park at sunset.
- → Budget $30–$50/person for dinner.
Statue of Liberty, 9/11 Memorial & South Street Seaport
America's most iconic symbol, moving 9/11 memorial, and waterfront evening.
Morning
Statue of Liberty + Ellis Island
The ultimate American icon up close, plus the powerful Ellis Island Immigration Museum.
How to Do It:
- • Book via the official Statue City Cruises website (linked from the NPS page) 2–4 weeks ahead—avoid third-party resellers.
- • Take the first 9am ferry from Battery Park (arrive 8:30am for security).
- • Ticket options: Grounds-only ($25), Pedestal ($25), or Crown ($29).
- • Spend 1–1.5 hours on Liberty Island, 2–3 hours at Ellis Island Museum.
- • Ferries return throughout the day—no rush.
Tips
- → Crown climb is 162 steep stairs—requires fitness and advance booking (months ahead for summer).
- → Pedestal is the sweet spot—great views without claustrophobia.
- → Ellis Island's Family History Center lets you search for ancestors who immigrated through here.
- → Pack snacks—ferry food is limited and overpriced.
Afternoon
9/11 Memorial + Financial District
Moving tribute to September 11 victims, plus the birthplace of American capitalism.
How to Do It:
- • 9/11 Memorial (twin reflecting pools) is always free and open.
- • Optional: 9/11 Museum (around $36, book timed tickets online)—allow 2 hours for the emotional experience.
- • Walk through Financial District: Wall Street, Charging Bull, Federal Hall, Trinity Church.
Tips
- → 9/11 Museum is powerful but heavy—skip if you're emotionally drained.
- → Charging Bull is mobbed midday—best photos early morning (7–8am).
- → Financial District is quiet on weekends; weekdays have office workers everywhere.
- → Grab coffee at Eataly Downtown or a food truck near Wall Street.
Evening
South Street Seaport + Dinner
Historic seaport with Brooklyn Bridge views and great restaurants.
How to Do It:
- • Option 1 (Seaport): Walk to South Street Seaport for waterfront dining and Brooklyn Bridge views at sunset.
- • Option 2 (Lower East Side): Subway to Delancey Street for Katz's Deli (pastrami), Russ & Daughters (bagels & lox), or speakeasy bars.
Tips
- → South Street Seaport is touristy but has great views—best for sunset drinks.
- → Lower East Side is authentic NYC food culture—delis, bars, and late-night energy.
- → Katz's Deli ($25+ sandwiches) is iconic but lines are long—go before noon or after 2pm.
- → Budget $30–$50/person for dinner.
Brooklyn Bridge, DUMBO & Williamsburg
Cross NYC's most famous bridge, explore Brooklyn's coolest neighborhoods, and eat excellent food.
Morning
Brooklyn Bridge Sunrise Walk
Catch the bridge nearly empty with golden sunrise light and perfect Manhattan skyline views.
How to Do It:
- • Subway to High Street-Brooklyn Bridge station (Brooklyn side).
- • Walk Brooklyn → Manhattan so skyline views are in front of you.
- • Stay in pedestrian lane (marked)—cyclists get angry if you wander.
- • 45–60 minutes for the 1.2-mile walk with photo stops.
Tips
- → Sunrise (6–7am) means empty walkways—best photos and peaceful experience.
- → Midday summer crossings are brutally hot with no shade.
- → After crossing, explore DUMBO before brunch.
DUMBO + Brooklyn Bridge Park
Cobblestone streets, the iconic Manhattan Bridge photo, and waterfront parks with skyline views.
How to Do It:
- • Walk Washington Street for the classic Manhattan Bridge framed shot.
- • Explore Brooklyn Bridge Park waterfront—piers, lawns, Jane's Carousel ($2 ride).
- • Brunch at Juliana's Pizza or Time Out Market (food hall).
- • Browse art galleries and boutiques on Water Street.
Tips
- → Washington Street photo spot gets crowded 10am–noon on weekends.
- → Brooklyn Bridge Park is perfect for picnics if you grab food beforehand.
- → Grimaldi's vs. Juliana's pizza debate—both are excellent, Juliana's has shorter lines.
- → Budget $15–$25 for brunch.
Afternoon
Williamsburg Walking Tour
See where Brooklyn's creative renaissance happened—murals, indie shops, rooftop bars.
How to Do It:
- • Subway to Bedford Avenue (L train).
- • Walk Bedford Ave and Wythe Ave: vintage shops, record stores, boutiques, street art.
- • Visit East River State Park for Manhattan skyline views.
- • Saturdays: Smorgasburg Williamsburg (Marsha P. Johnson State Park, 11am–6pm, April–Oct)—100+ food vendors. Sundays: Smorgasburg Prospect Park (Breeze Hill).
Tips
- → Williamsburg is more expensive than it used to be—still cool but gentrified.
- → Best street art is on side streets off Bedford—wander and explore.
- → Smorgasburg is NYC's best outdoor food market—bring $20–$30.
- → Browse Artists & Fleas market for vintage clothes and local crafts.
Evening
Rooftop Bar + Williamsburg Dinner
Brooklyn rooftop bars have the best Manhattan skyline views—better than Manhattan's own rooftops.
How to Do It:
- • Book ahead: Westlight (William Vale Hotel) or The Ides (Wythe Hotel) for sunset cocktails.
- • Dinner at a Williamsburg favorite: Lilia (pasta, book weeks ahead), Llama Inn (Peruvian), or Peter Luger (legendary steakhouse).
- • Or go casual: pizza, tacos, ramen—Williamsburg has everything.
Tips
- → Rooftop bars require reservations 1–2 weeks ahead for sunset.
- → Cocktails are $18–$25—budget accordingly.
- → Dress code is smart casual—no gym clothes or flip-flops.
- → Subway back to Manhattan runs until 1–2am.
MoMA, Times Square & West Village Evening
Modern art, Times Square chaos, and the city's most charming neighborhood.
Morning
MoMA Highlights
The world's best modern art collection—Starry Night, Warhol's soup cans, and cutting-edge contemporary works.
How to Do It:
- • Buy timed tickets online to skip lines.
- • Route: Floor 5 (1880s–1940s, Starry Night, Picasso, Monet) → Floor 4 (1940s–1970s, Warhol, Pollock) → Floor 2 (Contemporary).
- • Sculpture Garden (Floor 1) is a peaceful break.
Tips
- → Friday 4–8pm is FREE but absolutely mobbed—only worth it if you're on a tight budget.
- → MoMA is less overwhelming than the Met—focused modern art only.
- → Design Store (separate entrance, free) has beautiful books and gifts.
- → Grab lunch in Midtown after—plenty of options nearby.
Afternoon
Times Square + Bryant Park
See Times Square once, take your photo, then relax in Bryant Park's green oasis.
How to Do It:
- • Walk through Times Square—LED screens, street performers, chaos.
- • Check TKTS booth for discount same-day Broadway tickets if interested.
- • Walk to Bryant Park (behind NY Public Library) for free WiFi, lawn chairs, and people-watching.
- • Grab afternoon coffee or snack from park kiosks.
Tips
- → Times Square is best at night—return after dinner for full LED effect.
- → Avoid all Times Square restaurants—walk to Hell's Kitchen (9th/10th Ave) for better food.
- → Bryant Park has free movies and events in summer, ice skating in winter.
- → NY Public Library's Main Branch (next to park) is stunning—free to explore.
Evening
West Village Evening
Tree-lined streets, brownstones, cozy bistros, and legendary jazz clubs—peak New York romance.
How to Do It:
- • Start at Washington Square Park for sunset.
- • Wander: Bleecker Street, Grove Court (hidden mews), Commerce Street (curved street).
- • Dinner at a classic Italian or bistro—book ahead for weekends.
- • End at a jazz club: Blue Note (famous but pricey), Village Vanguard (intimate), or Smalls ($20 cover, no drink minimum).
Tips
- → West Village is NYC's most romantic neighborhood—pure wandering bliss.
- → Joe's Pizza (Bleecker St) is legendary—$3.50 slice, fold and eat standing.
- → Jazz clubs have 2–3 sets per night (8pm, 10pm, midnight)—book online ahead.
- → Budget $40–$60/person for dinner + $30–$60 for jazz club.
Empire State Building, High Line & Chelsea Farewell
End with NYC's most iconic view, an elevated park walk, and food hall feast.
Morning
Empire State Building 86th Floor
360° views of Manhattan, Brooklyn, and beyond—the classic NYC skyline experience.
How to Do It:
- • Book 8am opening slot online (or go after 10pm for empty decks).
- • 86th-floor Main Deck is the iconic open-air platform—all you need.
- • Skip 102nd floor ($30 extra)—minimal added value.
- • Admire the Art Deco lobby on your way out—one of NYC's finest interiors.
Tips
- → Early morning = smaller crowds and often clearer visibility.
- → Top of the Rock (Rockefeller Center) is an alternative with better Central Park views.
- → Express passes ($90+) aren't needed if you book online and go at opening.
- → The building itself is an Art Deco masterpiece—worth seeing even if you don't go up.
Afternoon
High Line + Chelsea Market
A 1.5-mile elevated park on old train tracks with wildflowers and Hudson River views, plus the ultimate food hall.
How to Do It:
- • Subway to 14th Street, enter High Line at Gansevoort Street.
- • Walk north to 34th Street (full 1.5 miles, 45 min) or shorter sections.
- • Descend at 16th Street stairs to Chelsea Market below.
- • Lunch at Chelsea Market: tacos (Los Tacos No. 1), lobster rolls, Thai, Italian, donuts, artisan everything.
- • Browse shops inside the market—books, kitchenware, local goods.
Tips
- → High Line is totally free and open year-round.
- → Summer weekends get packed—weekday mornings or late afternoons are quieter.
- → Chelsea Market lunch rush (noon–2pm) is chaos—arrive before noon or after 2:30pm.
- → Budget $15–$30 for Chelsea Market feast.
- → Public art installations on the High Line change seasonally.
Evening
Chelsea Art Galleries + Dinner
Chelsea has NYC's highest concentration of contemporary art galleries—all free to browse.
How to Do It:
- • Walk the gallery district: West 20th–27th Streets between 10th–11th Avenues.
- • Most galleries are free and open Tue–Sat 10am–6pm (closed Sun–Mon).
- • Dinner options: Stay in Chelsea, return to a favorite neighborhood, or try Meatpacking District (upscale, trendy).
- • End with rooftop drinks if weather is nice—celebrate your NYC week.
Tips
- → Gallery hopping is completely free—just walk in and browse like a museum.
- → Pace Gallery, David Zwirner, and Gagosian are major names worth visiting.
- → Book final dinner reservations 1–2 weeks ahead for popular spots.
- → If you have an early flight tomorrow, keep dinner closer to your hotel.
Arrival & Departure: Flights and Airport Transfers
Fly into JFK, LaGuardia (LGA), or Newark (EWR). For this 5-day itinerary, aim to arrive by early afternoon on Day 1 and depart on the morning of Day 6.
From JFK: AirTrain ($8.50) + subway ($2.90) ≈ $11–12, 60–75 min or Uber/taxi ($60–$80, 45–60 min). From LaGuardia: M60 bus + subway ($2.90, 45 min) or Uber/taxi ($40–$60, 30 min). Optional: Q70 LaGuardia Link bus is free, then pay $2.90 subway fare. From Newark: NJ Transit train ($15.25, 30 min) or Uber/taxi ($70–$100, 45 min).
Get a MetroCard or use contactless payment on subway/buses—$2.90 per ride. For a 5-day stay, consider the 7-day unlimited MetroCard ($34) if you're taking 3+ rides per day. If using OMNY contactless, fares automatically cap at $34 per rolling 7-day period.
Where to Stay for 5 Days in NYC
For a 5-day trip, location and good subway access matter most. Best Manhattan bases: Midtown (central to everything), Upper West Side (residential, near Central Park and museums), Chelsea/Greenwich Village (trendy, great restaurants), or Lower Manhattan (Financial District, near Battery Park).
Brooklyn option: Williamsburg or DUMBO—one subway stop to Manhattan, 30–40% cheaper hotels, and a more local experience with excellent restaurants and bars.
Avoid: Far outer boroughs with limited subway access (Zone 3+). Saving $30/night isn't worth 90+ minutes of daily commuting.
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About This Guide
Written by: Jan Křenek
Independent developer and travel data analyst based in Prague. 35+ countries visited across Europe and Asia, 8+ years analyzing flight routes, accommodation prices, and seasonal weather patterns.
Published: November 20, 2025
Updated: November 20, 2025
Data Sources: Official tourism boards and visitor guides • GetYourGuide and Viator activity data • Booking.com and Numbeo pricing data • Google Maps reviews and ratings
Methodology: This guide combines historical climate data, current tourism patterns, and real traveler budgets to provide accurate, actionable recommendations for New York City.