Visit All The Food Trucks Or And Markets
There are tons of awesome indoor and open-air markets in New York. The aforementioned Smorgaburg, Dekalb Market, and Chelsea Market are just a few of the best.
Check out this list of the best food trucks in New York City too.
Why stay in a naff hotel when you can stay in a cosy, stylish local house instead? And for half the money too!
Stay somewhere EPIC and save your hard-earned dollars from houses to barns to castles and caves, there is an Airbnb for every occasion!
Best Hostel In New York Chelsea International Hostel
The Chelsea International Hostel is the best cheap hostel in New York for budget travelers, hands down! They have free breakfast, free pizza every Wednesday, free wi-fi, and tons of attractions nearby, so you can travel on foot.
Other facilities include outdoor courtyard seating, two kitchens to cook your own meals, and a social lounge. All things considered, this is one of the best hostels in New York as you are in the heart of Chelsea!
Day : The Intellectual / The Partier
Walk the Highline for an amazing view of Manhattans skyline from above in a modern green space that used to be train tracks. The Highline is a public park that spans quite a few blocks, so give yourself at least an hour if you come here to enjoy the views!
Stop in Chelsea for a delicious brunch in any of the stalls before walking around chic Chelsea. This area, which used to be the meatpacking district, has great boutique shopping and antique shopping.
Walk down Greenwich Avenue or West 4th Avenue for scenic houses and interesting shops in Greenwich Village. Pass the Stonewall, the birthplace of the gay rights movement. There are many great cafes and coffee shops in this area.
Walk towards the iconic Washington Square Park . People watch & play a chess game before walking up to Union Square, which has a great weekend farmers market in addition to normal shopping. Stop in the Strand, one of New Yorks best independent bookstores. For dinner, you have so many great options from Japanese to vegan to pizza. Enjoy!
Note: It shouldnt take long to walk , so you should have plenty of time left for museum-going or must-sees if you set out early. Personally, Id skip the Top of the Rock if you go to a rooftop bar.
If chic cocktail bars arent your thing, New York has a lot to offer in terms of alternative culture. Check out the IFC movie theatre for rare indie movies or Comedy Cellar for late-night laughs .
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National September 11 Memorial
After our ferry ride, we walked towards the towering One World Trade Centre to see the National September 11 Memorial.
The memorial honours those individuals who died in the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. Their names are engraved on bronze panels surrounding two pools of water embedded in the footprints of the fallen Twin Towers. Water cascades down the edges of the memorial before disappearing into a hole in the centre of the pool.
It was a solemn place to visit and brought back memories of watching that shocking event unfold on television. While most people were there quietly paying respects, unfortunately there were also many people taking smiling selfies in front of the memorial. So inappropriate.
Pay Careful Attention To What Airport You Fly In And Out Of
What do JFK, Newark, and LaGuardia all have in common? They all service flights to New York Cityand theyre not particularly close to each other.
Be sure to check and double-check what airport youre flying into and out ofthe last thing you want to do is finish your 4 days in New York by heading from Manhattan to JFK when you need to be traveling from Manhattan to the airport in Newark!
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See The Statue Of Liberty & Visit Ellis Island
TripSavvy / Kelsea Watkins
You’ll undoubtedly be sharing the experience with throngs of other tourists, but navigating the lines and crowds is well worth it for the chance to gaze upon the modern-day colossus that is the Statue of Liberty. A symbol of American democracyand a one-time beacon of hope and promise for immigrants arriving at U.S. shores by boat via New York Harboris indeed, still today, an inspiring sight to behold. Dating to 1886 , the monumental 151-foot-high sculpture sits atop a pedestal out on Liberty Island, which guests reach via Statue Cruises ferry service from Battery Park in Downtown Manhattan. Just be sure to plan ahead, since access to the statue’s pedestal or interior can be arranged with reservations only.
While the statue may garner most of the glory, don’t overlook a visit to nearby attraction Ellis Island. Now a national museum of immigration, the complex once served as federal immigration station and processing center for new arrivals to the U.S. between 1892 and 1954. Expect an altogether insightful presentation, via artifacts, photographs, and multimedia exhibits, of the immigrant experience in America. Best of all, entry’s included with your ferry fare, so plan ahead to make a day of it.
Brooklyn Bridge & Dumbo Walking Tour
Take the opportunity to walk across the Brooklyn Bridge and marvel at its distinctive architecture and iconic silhouette. Learn all about the history of this famous bridge as you cross over into the DUMBO neighborhood of Brooklyn, known for art galleries, boutique shops, and trendy little restaurants.
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Start The Day With A Stroll Across The Brooklyn Bridge
The iconic, magnificent Brooklyn Bridge is an absolute must-see during your 4 days in New Yorkso I sure hope youre willing to get up early!
The earlier you get here, the better: the Brooklyn Bridge gets extremely crowded with both tourists and commuters alike, and youll have a much more peaceful experience by showing up early.
We recommend starting on the Manhattan side of the bridge and walking toward Brooklyn for the sake of this 4 day New York itinerary.
Day 2 Of 5 Days In Nyc: Midtown
Breakfast at Breads Bakery
1890 Broadway New York, NY
If youre visiting New York City in 5 days, you must include a bakery on your list of stops. Its the law! We make some of the best breads out there and the aptly named Breads Bakery is all the proof you need. Snag a flaky, marzipan-filled almond croissant or a decadent chocolate babka and an espresso before you head out for the day!
Central Park
Maybe youve heard of it?? Yes yes, its by no means a hidden gem , but this well-loved landmark is a must on your 5 days in NYC.
In warm weather, enjoy a picnic in Sheeps Meadow or Strawberry Fields . In the winter, make sure to stop by Wollman Rink for holiday skating. Entertaining the family? Head to the Central Park Zoo. No matter when you go, stop by the Bethesda Terrace Arcade for one of the most romanticized spots in the city.
Need a cocktail after entertaining the family? Tavern on the Green. Its all here. Thanks, Frederick Law Olmstead!!
Lunch at Sophies Cuban Cuisine
947 8th Avenue
Sophies Cuban Cuisine is a place that would be easy to miss in the hustle and bustle of 8th Avenue and its many national chain restaurants. But youd be remiss to miss out on this truly excellent lunch spot serving up top-notch Cuban fare, the crown jewel of which is their Cuban sandwich. Grab some and bring them to the park! Or take your lunch al fresco and walk west to Hudson River Park for waterfront views!
Wintertime Radio City Christmas Spectacular
1260 6th Ave, New York, NY
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Need Ideas For Quick Us Trip Destinations
We highlight 20 of the best destinations in our blog post, The Best Weekend Getaways in USA. Also check out our top Underrated US Destinations!
Find all of our United States travel tips on our USA Travel page and use our Travel Destinations Page to find tips for worldwide travel!
We want to know: Do you have any tips for cheap trips to New York? What would you add to our 4 Days New York Itinerary? Give us your best tips and advice in the comment section!
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New York City: Tours And Tickets
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Stop #: Museum Of Modern Art
Spend the remainder of your afternoon in one of the best art institutions in the world the Museum of Modern Art . Located in an airy and contemporary space, their significant collections of painting, sculpture, drawing, photography, and more are thought-provoking and inspiring.
The worlds greatest artists are all represented at this museum. Youll see works by Monet, Warhol, Seurat, Dali, Picasso, Pollack, and more. Be sure to check out the gift store before you leave! We recommend reserving between 2-3 hours for this attraction.
Getting In: The Museum of Modern Art tickets are available as an option on the Go New York pass.
Take A Food Tour In Manhattan
Little Italy and Chinatown are places that are frequently listed in guidebooks. For years, we loved spending an afternoon wandering through Chinatown or dining at a restaurant in Little Italy. However, in recent years, things have changed. Now, most of the restaurants in Little Italy are mediocre, overpriced restaurants that are well worth skipping. On our most recent visit to New York, Tim and I stopped into one of these restaurants for a drink and even the wine was mediocre.
Little Italy | 5 Day New York City Itinerary
If you are curious about Little Italy and Chinatown, they are still worth a quick visit. But you should know that there are much better places in New York for quality Italian and Chinese food.
A better way to spend the afternoon is to take a food tour in Manhattan. This 2-hour walking food tour of Hells Kitchen gets rave reviews. If you like the idea of combining a walking tour with a food tour of Greenwich Village, I recommend taking a look at this tour. Finally, on this 3-hour food tour on the Lower East Side you will sample German, Dutch, Italian, Chinese, and Jewish dishes and hear stories about the immigrants who settled here.
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Hit The Farmers Market And Picnic In The Park
Whenever I visit a new city, I love checking out the local farmers markets. I know that Union Square in Manhattan has one of the biggest ones, operating four days a week.
Grab some delicious, fresh food and cook up some dinner at your hotel, or take-away a picnic to the park! Its a great way to take a break from the madness of the city!
Times Square New York
If youve never been to New York, Times Square is a must on any NYC bucket list! From giant billboards, the yellow cabs, and the hustle and bustle, there is something quite magical inside of all the chaos, although we locals try to avoid it. Start your Times Square adventure on 42nd St. and 7th Ave. and just walk around from there.
While I listed Times Square as your first activity, I highly suggest visiting Times Square at night as well so you can see the city all lit up! I used to always love going into the M& M World store.
New York Food Travel tip: While I dont recommend eating around Times Square, if you do, I can recommend Carmines which is a family-style Italian restaurant.
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Travel Insurance For The United States
Traveling with travel insurance is almost obligatory, especially in places like the United States, where healthcare is expensive.
Its always good to travel insured for what can happen, and even if youve paid for your credit card ticket, the insurance it includes is not comparable to good travel insurance.
We are pleased with:
- WorldNomads. They have excellent prices, but the biggest advantage is that the insurance customizes it to your needs. So youre not over-insured and pay only for what you need.
- Chapka: we recently started working with Chapka, and were really delighted. They have outstanding customer service and respond at full speed.
- Read on: Traveling with Travel Insurance
Days In Nyc: The Ultimate 4 Days In New York Itinerary
Trying to put together the perfect 4 days in New York itinerary for your first visit to the city? You have your work cut out for you!
New York is alive in a way that few cities are. It is intense, enormous, intricate, invigorating, and ever-changing.
Restaurants, storefronts, fadsthey all come and go with ease in New York. Yesterdays Instagram sensation is todays quiet dessert shop is tomorrows closed business.
A generation ago Little Italy thrived, now whats left of the neighborhood has been given over to tourists, and the Italian community is over on Arthur Avenue.
On and on New York goesin every neighborhood and every borough, change is the constant heartbeat of the city.
And yet, there is the iconic side to New York as well: the Empire State Building, Grand Central Station, Central Park, the Brooklyn Bridge: any first trip to New York is likely to include those.
But ultimately, no one person experiences New York the same way, because New York isnt quite the same city to any one person .
After many visits to New York, often led around by our local loved ones and occasionally dragging them off to see iconic sights theyd rather skip , this is what we know about New York: its just as incredible as everyone says and just as overwhelming, too.
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Day : Top Of The Rock Central Park A Musical
In New York, there are 3 famous observatories where you can enjoy this great city from above:
- Top of the Rock at Rockefeller Center
- Empire State
- One World Observatory.
If you want to climb one of the citys observatories, visit the Top of the Rock at Rockefeller Center. From here, you have the best views of the city. Youll see Central Park and the Empire State Building, among others.
*Note: it is recommended to visit these observatories late in the afternoon, one hour before dark, to enjoy the day and night views of New York.
Central Park
In the afternoon, enjoy Central Park. If you go during the winter, you can skate on its famous skating rinks.
Throughout the year, there are hundreds of tours: movies, TV series, bike rides, walking, and skating. Definitely a must-see in New York City.
Musical at Broadway
In the afternoon/ evening, enjoy a musical on Broadway. We went to see The Lion King, but there are many other options.
Read our experience in the Lion King musical.
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What To Do In Nyc: Day 3
Stroll around Central ParkThe perfect way to relax in the city and leave the crowds behind is to spend the day in Central Park. Its free, there are lots of paths to walk , bike lanes, lakes to row in, and a zoo. Since the park covers over 150 square blocks, its easy to spend hours wandering around. During the summer months, there are often free concerts and theater productions . From the late spring to the early fall, there are free guided walks run by the parks service on Saturdays at 11am. Im a big fan of laying out in Sheeps Meadow on a hot, sunny day with a book, some food, and a bottle of wine.
Several excellent museums can be found in or on the edges of Central Park too .
Visit the The Metropolitan Museum of ArtThe Met is one of the biggest museums in the world, and if you only see one museum in New York, I recommend this one. It has a wide array of art, historical artifacts, photographs, and other exhibits. I like its expansive Impressionist and Greek exhibits. Its chaotic and filled with people, especially on the weekend, but since it is so big, you can usually find some quiet spots away from the crowds. Budget at least a half-day here as a few hours wont do this place justice.
1000 5th Avenue, Central Park, Upper East Side, +1 212 535 7710, metmuseum.org. Open SundayTuesday from 10am5pm, Fridays and Saturdays from 10am-9pm. Admission is $25 USD .
- The Lion King