New York 5-Day Travel Itinerary
The city that never sleeps – experience the best of Manhattan and beyond
Fall for foliage or Spring for weather
$250-800 per day including hotels
Central Park, Broadway, Statue of Liberty, The Met
Your 5-Day NYC Itinerary
Empire State Building or Top of the Rock
Midtown
Times Square, Bryant Park & NY Public Library
42nd Street
Grand Central Terminal & dinner in Hell's Kitchen
Midtown West
💡 Pro Tip:
Visit Top of the Rock for the best view of the Empire State Building itself.
Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island Ferry
Battery Park
9/11 Memorial & Museum & Wall Street
Lower Manhattan
Walk across the Brooklyn Bridge at sunset
Brooklyn Bridge
💡 Pro Tip:
Book the ferry at least 2 weeks in advance, especially for pedestal or crown access.
The Metropolitan Museum of Art (The Met)
Upper East Side
Explore Central Park (Bethesda Terrace, Gapstow Bridge)
Central Park
Museum of Natural History or Guggenheim
Upper West Side
💡 Pro Tip:
The Met is huge - pick 2-3 galleries to focus on to avoid museum fatigue.
Walk the High Line & visit Chelsea Market
Chelsea
Little Island & The Vessel at Hudson Yards
Manhattan West
Broadway Show & late-night pizza
Theater District
💡 Pro Tip:
Use the TKTS booth in Times Square for same-day discounted Broadway tickets.
Stroll through Greenwich Village & Washington Square Park
The Village
Brunch in West Village or shopping in SoHo
Downtown
Departure from JFK/LGA/EWR
Airport
💡 Pro Tip:
Leave for the airport 4 hours early - NYC traffic is unpredictable.
NYC Seasonal Guide
✓ Pros:
Crisp air, beautiful foliage in Central Park, comfortable walking weather
✗ Cons:
Prices are highest during peak foliage
✓ Pros:
Rockefeller Tree, window displays, festive markets
✗ Cons:
Freezing cold, massive crowds, peak hotel rates
✓ Pros:
Blooming flowers, pleasant weather, outdoor dining returns
✗ Cons:
Occasional rain showers
✓ Pros:
Lowest prices of the year, Broadway Week (2-for-1 tickets)
✗ Cons:
Bitterly cold, snow can disrupt travel
NYC Budget Estimates
| Category | Budget | Mid-Range | Luxury |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation (4 nights) | $800-1200 | $1500-2500 | $4000+ |
| Meals & Drinks | $250-400 | $600-1000 | $2000+ |
| Subway & Taxis | $40-70 | $150-300 | $600+ |
| Attractions & Broadway | $150-300 | $500-900 | $1500+ |
| TOTAL (per person) | $1240-1970 | $2750-4700 | $8100+ |
Navigating the Concrete Jungle
OMNY: Tap your credit card or phone at the subway turnstile
Download the 'Citymapper' or 'Google Maps' for subway routes
Avoid the empty subway car - there's usually a reason it's empty
Yellow Cabs are often cheaper than Uber/Lyft in Manhattan
The Staten Island Ferry is FREE and offers great views of the Statue
Comfortable walking shoes are non-negotiable - you will walk 10+ miles/day
New York Travel Mistakes to Avoid
Thinking you can see all of NYC in 5 days (stick to Manhattan/Brooklyn)
Only eating in Times Square (overpriced chains)
Taking pedicabs without confirming the price (they are very expensive)
Not using the subway (it's the fastest way to get around)
Waiting in line for the Statue of Liberty without a reservation
Tipping less than 18-20% at seated restaurants