Wondering Where To Stay In Nyc For Thanksgiving
The many hotels of Midtown Manhattan have you covered.
For a serene stay along the parade route check out 1 Hotel Central Park, a chic boutique hotel with several options for your parade viewing party.
A staple of the Midtown hotel scene, the New York Hilton Midtowns location along the parade route and just steps from Times Square couldnt be more convenient.
Looking for something a little quieter, but still close to the action?
The Library Hotel has you covered with cozy accommodations and plenty of books available to borrow.
Visit One Of The Many Museums Open On Thanksgiving Day In Nyc
Not sure which one choose?
A few ideas:
Honor the indigenous cultures of the Americas at the National Museum of the American Indian , or the indomitable spirit of the city and nation at the9/11 Museum and Memorial, both located in Manhattans Financial District.
Visiting with kids?
Check out Gullivers Gate, an immersive world of 3D printed miniatures in the heart of Times Square.
First Time Guide To New York City 5 Day Itinerary By A Native New Yorker
Im so proud to be a native New Yorker and I love to help first timers plan their first trip to New York City. Ive made a five day itinerary for NYC with advice on what to see and eat mostly in Manhattan for all budgets.
This post may contain affliate links. Please see my disclosure for more information. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases .
This is a local guide, so although I cover the famous sites, I encourage you to see the smaller neighborhoods/places that make New York special. The Big Apple has so much to offer year-round, so most of these tips can be also used over the holidays. Theres a FREE downloadable map with all the best places to see in New York City in 5 days.
FYI: This is a suggested itinerary for five days, so not everything may be your cup of tea. Feel free to pick from the days , but keep in mind that New York City is BIG, so you change up this itinerary, you might have a lengthy train or taxi ride between places.
How long to spend in NYC? 5 days in NYC is actually the perfect amount if its your first visit. You can spend 3 days in New York City, but its cutting it closeand youll need to come back again. If you have only one day in New York City, you can still see Manhattan!
Before you visit New York City: Download Google Maps & the FREE map at the bottom with all mentioned places as well as Yelp for food. Google has recently really improved their offers for food recommendations.
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New York Itinerary: What To Do And See In 5 Days In Nyc
Posted: 8/26/21 | August 26th, 2021
First settled by the Dutch as New Amsterdam in 1624, the city came under English control in 1664. The city was a major trading center thanks to its location at the mouth of the Hudson River. After the American Revolution, New York became the seat of Americas power and government, officially becoming the nations capital in 1789 when George Washington was sworn in.
While its no longer the nations capital , NYC is still the beating heart of the country.
Home to around 10 million people, NYC has tons of things to see and do. You can barely scratch the surface on a typical four- or five-day visit.
New York is impossible to see in one visit. This city is home to thousands of restaurants, hundreds of museums, attractions, plays, and quirky things to do. You just have to resign yourself to that fact, unless you move here , youre only going to see a fraction of what you hope to see. It takes a while to get around town.
As a traveler, how do you visit NYC? What are the best things to see and do here? What is the best itinerary for NYC? How do you make the most of your time here?
There are ways to make the most of the limited time travelers have in New York. You need at least three days to really see the main highlights . However, I suggest 4-5 days to see the main sights without rushing too much.
So, without further ado, here is my suggested five-day New York itinerary featuring my favorite things to do in the Big Apple:
Itinerary Overview
Everything You Need To Know For Your First Visit To New York City
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Has New York City captured your imagination with its sparkling night skyline, the endless things to see and do, and the nonstop energetic pulse?
Whether youre drawn to live here or visit, theres no denying the magnetizing pull to experience incredible NYC.
If youre planning your first visit to New York City, this guide has everything you need to know. From itinerary ideas with maps, tips on where to stay and eat, and how to get around, you have everything you need to make your first visit to New York City an absolute success!
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Not Quite Ready To Let Go Of Spooky Season Or Just A Big Fan Of Trees
Head to Park Slope for a Post Turkey Day Tourof Green-Wood Cemetery.
Learn more about the cemeterys long history and take in the trees and wildlife that make up this important urban greenspace.
Be sure to bundle up, as the city can be chilly in late autumn.
Need help capturing the best views in NYC with you in the photos? Book a private NYC Photo Journey, a walking tour that includes photos of your group to keep. Or step your game up even further with an NYC Influencer Shoot. Email with inquiries.
The Metropolitan Museum Of Art
Address: 1000 5th Ave., New York, NY 10028Phone: 535-7710Website
The Met, as it’s known to most, is the largest art museum in the U.S. and was the third most-visited art museum in the world in 2018. The Met’s collection includes more than two million pieces spread across three Manhattan venues, the largest of which sits on Fifth Avenue and overlooks Central Park. Don’t miss the Temple of Dendur, an ancient Egyptian temple that dates back to the first century B.C. or the rooftop.
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Nyc On A Budget: 15 Tips For Cheap Travel To New York
Sure, New York City can be expensive . But heres the thinga vacation to NYC really doesnt have to break the bank. In fact, there are a lot of ways to keep your trip to super affordable. Seriously! Here are 15 ways to travel to New York City on a budget.
Questions after reading our *two cents* ? Send us a message!
Our Road Trip Itinerary From Rochester Ny To Orlando Fl
Day 1: We decided to leave Tuesday afternoon and start our drive down to Orlando, Florida. We packed the car with sub sandwiches for dinner and made the 5 hour drive to Chambersburg, PA. Around 8:45pm we checked in to the Springhill Suites for the night.
Day 2: Day 2 was going to be our longest driving day but I was really excited for our stop at Driftwood Beach in Georgia. We stayed in Brunswick, GA, ate dinner at Willie Jewels BBQ, and drove to Jekyll Island.
Jekyll Island is a little under an hour drive and the last thing we wanted to do was get back in the car but I had heard so many amazing things about Driftwood Beach and we were so close.
We had to make a point to visit.
I am so happy we did because walking about the beach and watching the sunset was a great way to end the day. After our visit we headed to the Fairfield Inn for the night.
Day 3: We slept in until 7:00am and then started our drive to Orlando, FL. We wanted to stop at Buc-ees and arrive at Universal for lunch.
Our first stop was Buc-ees. Buc-ees is a gas stations/food stop but if you have visited one you know it is so much more.
They have food options, merchandise, and very clean bathrooms making it a great stop during a road trip.
I suggest trying the Beaver Nuggets and give yourself a bit of time to explore the store. There are a lot of fun options here.
We were very happy to arrive at our hotel. We stayed at the Hampton Inn. It was fine for the night but it was in need of an update.
Pin for Later:
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Getting To New York City
You can find cheap flights to New York City if you know the tricks on when to book, what days to travel and where you can find discount discounts.
Before you arrive, take a look at our post on transportation to and from New York Citys airports.
Its important to look in advance because you are likely to need to buy a subway card to get into the city.
If you want to save money on cellphone costs and wi-fi service, our posts, Which SIM Card to Buy? and Where to Find Free WiFi, will help you out.
TIP: If you are traveling between NYC and Washington. DC or Boston, see our posts on cheap buses to/from Washington, DC, or Boston.
The Best Of The Big Apple New York City Holidays
When you think of New York, what comes to mind besides Lady Liberty? This city is the unofficial birthplace of retail therapy. From Manhattan to Brooklyn, here are the places you should be headed to get the biggest bang for your buck.
- Brookfield Place on the Hudson River waterfront is the height of luxury shopping. Find upscale brands such as Diane von Furstenberg and Lululemon alongside food halls Le District and Hudson Eats.
- To bag yourself some retro bargains, head to Brooklyn Flea in Williamsburg for New Yorks best vintage shopping. Each weekend, 100 food pop-ups from Smorgasburg pitch up alongside dozens of stalls selling everything from antiques and jewellery to art.
- What would a trip to NYC be without a stop at Bloomingdales? The flagship store on 59th Street is the biggest and best place to fill up your little, medium and big brown bags.
Setting foot in the concrete jungle of New York is an experience straight from the silver screen. With so many incredible hotels to choose from, a little luxury goes a long way. From the serene and secluded to the loud and proud, heres where you should be staying for your city break in New York.
Known for its world-class museums, Art Deco skyscrapers and avant-garde galleries, New York is the top of the list when it comes to culture and the arts. Whether youre first in line for the latest Radio City showing or heading to the Brooklyn Bridge, NYC will keep you busy from dawn till dusk.
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The Worlds Largest Travel Site Know Better Book Better Go Better
At Tripadvisor, we believe in the power of travel and in helping you make the most of every trip. With over 500 million candid traveller reviews, we can help you make the right choice when you shop for hotels, restaurants, and attractions. You’ll also find low airfares, free travel guides, worldwide vacation rental listings, popular forums with advice about virtually every destination, and more. When its time to book, we can help you save up to 30% on hotels, checking 200+ sites to find you todays lowest prices. And when youre on your trip, our free mobile app is your ultimate travel companion.
What Is The Best Family
Exploring New York with the family is huge fun – I myself have been to our favorite city with my kids numerous times. Among my personal highlights is a trip to the Statue of Liberty, the visit to the One World Observatory, and Central Park with its lakes and playgrounds. Also really exciting is the Museum of Natural History, which will be familiar to many from the movie “Night at the Museum”.
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Twirl Glide And Maybe Fall Down A Few Times At One Of Manhattans Many Outdoor Skating Rinks
One of the best parts of visiting NYC in fall or winter is the ice skating rinks open up.
The most iconic of the bunch is The Rink at Rockefeller Center with its instantly-recognizable golden angel statue and classic midtown location.
Be sure to book your tickets for Rockefeller Center online ahead of time, as skate sessions sell out quickly.
Also worth checking out are the rink at the Bank of America Winter Village at Bryant Park and the Wollman Rink in Central Park.
Doubletree By Hilton New York Downtown
Address: 8 Stone St., New York, NY 10004Phone: 480-9100Book Now
If you’re looking for a comfortable, spacious room at what’s going to feel like a bargain price, this is where you need to be. This hotel regularly offers some of the cheapest rooms at this level in the city, plus it provides easy access to the Financial District, Stone Street, and Brooklyn.
Address: 768 5th Ave., New York, NY 10019 Phone: 759-3000Book Now
If money is no object and you’ve always dreamed of sleeping in a castle, this is the hotel for you. It was built to resemble a French chateau and sits across the street from the southern edge of Central Park. A favorite of filmmakers, The Plaza is where Robert Redford and Barbra Streisand filmed “The Way We Were” and where MaCaulay Culkin spent Christmas in “Home Alone 2.” The Plaza underwent a $450 million restoration in 2008 and is known for its afternoon tea service.
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Check Out All The Awesome Free Historical Sights
If you love history, youre in luck: New York City is bursting with historical landmarks, monuments, and memorials. As public spaces, theyre totally free to check out. Some of our favorite places to visit in New York involve history .
Check these sites out for sure, but for total immersion in New Yorks history ask a local history buff to make you a custom walking map that hits the spots you want to see.
Get Into The Christmas Spirit At One Of The Most Iconic Shows In Town
The Radio City Christmas Spectacular, starring the world-famous Rockettes, has three shows on Thanksgiving Day, giving you plenty of opportunities to take part in this holiday tradition.
To make the experience even more special, book aRadio City Christmas Spectacular and Holiday Window Tour.
This includes seeing the famous Christmas tree at Rockefeller Center, as well as some of the best holiday window displays nearby.
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How To Get Around
Trains: The New York City subway is one of the most extensive public transit systems in the world. It connects Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, and the Bronx, and runs on Staten Island. Each ride costs $2.75. A seven-day pass is available for $33 and covers both trains and buses.
Buses: A network of buses offers easy access to the rare spots not served by nearby train stations and to New York’s LaGuardia Airport. Individual bus rides cost $2.75. Seven-day transit passes cost $33 and cover trains and buses. While buses can be convenient, traffic can sometimes make them easy to outwalk.
Ferries: One of the best ways to hop among New York’s boroughs in good weather is a ferry. Ferries connect Queens, the western coast of Brooklyn, the eastern side of Manhattan, and Staten Island. Rides are $2.75 each. Subway and bus passes aren’t accepted on New York ferries. The Staten Island Ferry is free.
Taxis: Cabs are all over Manhattan, but a little harder to find in parts of Brooklyn, Queens, and the Bronx. Green cabs offer service in northern Manhattan and the outer boroughs. To hail a cab, look for one that has its light on and raise your arm. All New York cabs are metered and required to accept credit cards.
Rideshare: Uber and Lyft are all over New York and offer similar pricing. Rideshare can be the best way to travel in parts of Brooklyn and Queens.
And What About That Pesky Luggage
Of course, the easiest way to get around either by subway or on foot is without carrying heavy bags. Many subway entrances have only stairs and sidewalks, restaurants, and other attractions are likely to be crowded and even restrict luggage and other big bags.
So be sure to drop off your luggage at your hotel as soon as you can. Most hotels will securely store your bags even if your room isnt ready for check-in yet.
Free of your bags, you can move around the city hassle-free, take in your surroundings, and focus on whether you should be heading uptown or downtown.
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What To Do In Nyc: Day 1
Take a Walking TourStart your trip off with a walking tour. The city is home to dozens of walking tour companies offering tours in every niche possible. History, food, booze, TV/film if you like it, chances are there is a tour revolving around it. Walking tours offer a unique look at the city that never sleeps from a local guide who can answer any and all of your questions. I always take my friends on at least one when they visit.
Three of my favorite walking tour companies not to be missed are:
But, for way more suggestions, check out my favorite NYC walking tours.
See the Statue of Liberty/Ellis IslandThough the line for the ferry from Battery Park is long, if you get there early, you can avoid most of it. The Statue of Liberty is spectacular to see up close , but the real highlight of this combo is Ellis Island. This is where you can learn about the immigrant experience and get a sense of the people who helped build NYC . Theres such a great sense of history there that you cant help but be impressed.
Tip: If the lines too long and you dont want to wait, take the free Staten Island ferry for photos of the statue and harbor instead. You wont get up close but its faster and cheaper
Battery Park, +1 201 604 2800, nps.gov/stli. Ferries operate from 9am3:30pm. Tickets are $23.50 for the ferry, which includes access the pedestal and Ellis Islands Great Hall. Tickets must be purchased months in advance.
1650 Broadway, Times Square, +1 212 956 5151.