Head Back To Manhattan & Hit Up Washington Square Park
Washington Square Park is the center of NYU student life: campus buildings surround the square, its a great spot for people-watching , and its home to the famous Washington Square Arch.
D, the edible cookie dough Instagram sensation from a couple of years back, is nearby if youre looking for a trendy NYC dessertfix . And, while were on the topic of Instagrammable foodBlack Tap, famous for their freakshakes, is less than a 15-minute walk away.
If you choose to indulge in a sugary treat, keep it small, as theres more eating soon to come on this 4 day New York itinerary unless that is, youre a true sweet fiend who wants to prioritize sugar above all other cuisines for the afternoon, in which case I present to you the Greenwich Village Cupcake Tour.
Dessert lovers, book your cupcake tourtoday!
Pay A Visit To Rockefeller Plaza
Turn 180 degrees away from St. Patricks Cathedral, youll be facing Rockefeller Plaza.
Walk toward the plaza and youll be confronted with Rockefeller Center, numerous recognizable stores , the famous ice-skating rink in the winter, and Radio City Music Hall just slightly further down W 50th.
If youre ready for some epic skyline views of New York, this is also a great time to head to the Top of the Rock!
Want to experience incredible views from the Top of the Rock?
Who Is This 4 Day Nyc Itinerary For
This guide is for first time visitors planning to spend 4 days in New York City. This guide will cover most of the iconic spots, as well as local gems.
This 4 days in NYC itinerary will guide you through the top sights and food spots you simply cant miss for your first visit to New York City. This itinerary should give you a robust feel for the best of NYC and will definitely give you reason to return for more!
You May Like: New York Times Short Story Submission
New York City Nightlife
Tip to the wise: drinks in New York City are very expensive, I once paid $22 pre-tip at a bar. It was a gentle reminder to keep my personal problems to a minimum.
Top 3 bars to visit in New York City
- BlackTail: Call me biased, but Im a sucker for bars overflowing with plants. But lets get real, youre not here to talk about plants. The drinks at BlackTail are out of this world! Any libation your heart desires can be found on the novel-sized menu here. In addition to the drinks, the décor in this place takes you back to simpler times with thick leather booths and beautiful paintings. But my friends, I do not wish to lead you astray, you need a drink to justify paying the price. Coming in at $18 a pop .
- The Dead Rabbit: This little gem is oft considered a swanky version of an Irish pub. This bar came up time and time again from our friends. The menu is full of creative drinks with even more creative names. The drinks promise to please and palate and run around $17 a pop, pre-tip.
- has been around forever and comes highly recommended. Its a cash-only establishment with an upright piano in the middle of the room. A lively pianist serenades visitors every evening, and all are encouraged to sing along. Sing loudly, no one will be able to hear you anyways.
The Vessel The High Line Chelsea Market Times Square Radio City Music Hall Rockefeller Center Empire State Building
Day 3 is going to be a great day on your New York City Itinerary. You are now about to see all of the top attractions and we are going to start our day by the water. Today is your day to put that New York Pass to good use. We are going to keep you out until the wee hours of the morning, so get ready to experience what its like in the city that never sleeps.
You May Like: How To Pay Speeding Ticket Online Ny
Brooklyn Bridge And Dumbo Neighborhood Tour
- Regular price: $35 Adult $28 Child Free with New York Pass
- Duration: 2.5 hours
- Starts at 52 Chambers St. in front of Tweed Courthouse
- Winter Schedule : Tours depart M/W/Sa at 11am.
- Summer schedule : Tours in English depart Monday through Saturday at 11am. January & : Wednesday & Saturday
- Tours in Spanish depart at 10am 1pm on Mondays
- Reservations required, secure guaranteed tour space online at www.insideouttours.com
Once your tour of Brooklyn has come to an end, head back into Manhattans Financial District. We then want to send you to one of New Yorks most beloved locations, the 9/11 Memorial. This is something you do not want to skip out on. This is where the Twin Towers stood and where the 2,983 people who were killed in the attacks of 9/11/2001 and 2/26/1993 are being honored at. The museum and the two reflecting pools set in the footprints of the Twin Towers are truly amazing to witness. You will also see the Freedom Tower while you are here which is the new World Trade Center.
Day Three Evening: Broadway
After an hour relaxing in our Airbnb, we headed out to Broadway to see a show! Broadway is, of course, an unmissable bucket list item.
We bought tickets to see the Tony Award-winning Dear Evan Hansen and it was so beautiful and heartwarming. Its safe to say I shed a fair tear or two.
The cast were ridiculously talented and I couldnt recommend the show enough.
However, my favourite Broadway show will forever be The Book of Mormon, so you should definitely go see that if you get the chance. It is laugh out loud funny!
Also Check: Ny Ez Pass Toll Calculator
What To Pack For 4 Days In New York City
What to pack for New York will vary depending on what time of the year you go. NYC gets all 4 seasons so what you pack for December will be different than what you pack for July. Always check the weather before you trip and dont worry if you forget something, theres so much shopping in New York, youll be able to buy what you need and then some.
Cross The Brooklyn Bridge & Dumbo
To start the day off lets head to the Brooklyn Bridge. This New York landmark is one of the best free things to do in NYC! The earlier you go, the fewer people you will find on the bridge if you are trying to take photos.
To get to the Brooklyn Bridge from Manhattan, you can take the 4, 5, or 6 trains to the Brooklyn Bridge/City Hall stop. You can also take the J or Z trains to the Chambers Street stop which is closest to the Pedestrian Walk Way. The walk across the bridge is around 1.1 miles.
Brooklyn Bridge fun fact: Originally when the bridge opened, there was a massive panic due to fear of the bridge collapsing and people even died. To prove the safety of the bridge, they had 21 elephants cross the bridge.
Fun Brooklyn Bridge Fact: It was one of the largest suspension bridges of the time.
Once you cross over the Brooklyn Bridge, take a stroll around DUMBO, Brooklyn. Did you know the neighborhood DUMBO actually stands for down under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass?
One of the most popular places to visit is the Insta-famous Manhattan Bridge photo location. You can find it at the cross-sections of Waters Street and Washington Street.
Additionally, you can wander down cobblestone streets, hang out on the lawns of Brooklyn Bridge Park, or walk down the piers. During the summers, they even have free movie nights at Brooklyn Bridge Park. During certain holidays, they will also do pop-up displays. Most recently they did a fall/Halloween display.
Read Also: How Much Are Tolls Between Dc And Nyc
Head To The Financial District And Say Hello To The Charging Bull
The Financial District on the southern tip of Manhattan is chock full of memorable sights and locations.
The best place to get started in the morning is the most famous of them all: the charging bull statue in front of the New York Stock Exchange.
This spot is usually jam-packed with tourists who often form literal lines to get their photo with the bull.
If you want your own, other-people-free photo with the bull, we recommend getting a very early start.
Must Try Foods During While In New York
When you think of New York you must think of all the food! For instance, we are most famous for our pizza, bagels and burgers along with plenty of international cuisines. If youre spending 4 days in NYC youll definitely be able to fit a few of these delicious locations into your 4 days in NYC itinerary!
Also Check: Wax Figure Museum Nyc
Planning 4 Days In New York
Before getting started, youll see this New York in 4 days itinerary has a lot of walking. Its the best way to see the city. Not just iconic sights but also the neighborhoods that make up the heart of the city.
If your legs need a break, the subway, a taxi, or an Uber are great alternatives to walking. Just remember, taxis, Ubers, and the like are subject to NYC traffic the same as any other car on the road. The subway will nearly always be the faster alternative when your legs just wont go anymore.
For help in planning a trip to New York for 4 days or any amount of time, check out this New York City planning guide.
Special Exhibits & Activities In Nyc
Depending on when you are visiting New York, you might also want to consider seeing some of the special exhibits instead of the activities above. Currently, some of the special exhibits happening in New York are:
- The Floral Escape: New Yorks newest popup screaming I am insta-worthy. If you love floral decorations and taking photos, consider checking them out at Queens Country Farm Museum. Find Floral Escape tickets here.
- ARTECHOUSE NYC: The nations first innovative art destination dedicated to the intersection of art, science, and technology. Located in Chelsea, NYC, it is one of NYCs newest hot spots! Get tickets and more information here!
- Immersive Van Gogh NYC Pier 36: The largest Van Gogh experience with a 75,000 square foot waterfront space located in Manhattans Lower East Side offering views of the East River and the Manhattan and Williamsburg bridges. Get tickets here.
- Helicopter Ride above NYC for the adrenaline seekers.
- See New York by the water with a Cruise.
I try to keep this list as updated as possible, but please double-check.
Don’t Miss: Nyc Pay Traffic Ticket Online
Statue Of Liberty And Ellis Island Wall Street 9/11 Memorial Museum
A visit to New York is not complete without going to the Statue of Liberty. We put this first on our NYC itinerary because it starts in the south of Manhattan and it is a good idea to get there first thing in the morning.
- Looking for where to stay in this neighborhood, we have an entire breakdown of New York City Neighborhood Hotels. But you may want to check out The Bowery Hotel Gorgeous lobby, loft-style rooms with Hardwood floors & floor to ceiling factory windows and an excellent restaurant. Check out Availability and prices on TripAdvisor or Booking.com
A Night Out In Greenwich Village
For a huge variety of restaurants and nightlife, the Village is THE place to go.
Heres our self-guided Greenwich Village Tour including a neighborhood guide with suggestions of where to eat, shop, and see live music or comedy.
If you are interested in a more thorough exploration of this cultural and historical neighborhood, we offer several pay-what-you-wish guided tours.
We have a Greenwich Village Neighborhood Tour, a Ghost Tour, and to sample different foods in the area, try our two-hour guided Food Tour.
To eat at your own pace, here is our self-guided Food Tour. No matter how you choose to explore Greenwich Village, we guarantee that you spent time in this one-of-a-kind New York neighborhood.
Don’t Miss: Legal Name Change New York State
Tenement Museum A Fascinating Educational Place To Visit In New York
Reading Tom
- Fascinating insights into life as an immigrant
- Once housed around 15,000 people from around the world
- Aims to promote tolerance
- Brings history to life
Why its awesome: The Tenement Museum is spread over two large former housing tenements. The apartments were still used as living quarters up to the year 2011. They were first used as accommodation in 1863 around 15,000 people once lived in the buildings, with occupants from various parts of the globe. Today its a museum. There are restored homes and shops, complete with historic items and archives. The museum shows how immigrants to New York lived and seeks to promote tolerance and understanding. For me, this is one of the great places to go in New York for a real sense of the cities history.
What to do there: Take a tour of the Tenement Museum, looking into restored apartments and shops, to gain greater understanding of immigration in the wider citywide and nationwide perspective. Hear real-life stories about people who once lived in the buildings, learning about the dreams of immigrants, the challenges they faced, and how they helped contribute towards making America what it is today.
See the wide collection of artefacts to really help bring the past to life, with clothes, household items, toiletries, documents, furnishings, and more, and feel a sense of connection and empathy as you look at the large collection of photographs of people from times gone by.
Day Four Late Afternoon: Stone Street
The contrast between Wall St and Stone St is surprising considering they are only a mere four-minute walk from each other!
This little slice of Ireland brings some old world charm to built-up New York.
Its a great place to wind down at the end of the day, basking in that much-loved Irish atmosphere and sipping on a pint of Guinness.
Top tip: be sure to pop around the corner to Insomnia Cookies to grab the best cookies in New York!
Read Also: Ny Times Submission Guidelines
There Are A Few Different Ways You Can Visit/see The Statue Of Libertyferry + Tour Of Statue Of Liberty
Most first-time visitors to New York City default to visiting Liberty Island to climb the Statue of Liberty or tour the grounds. There are numerous legit and non-legit tours to the Statue of Liberty, so how should you choose? The only legally authorized ferry and tour company to visit the Statue of Liberty is Statue Cruises. DO NOT be fooled by other companies because you will either get scammed or pay much more . I know someone who paid for those random Statue of Liberty tours then they were shuttled to somewhere in New Jersey and wasted about 2-3 hours of their time for the same price
There are 3 types of tours you can do at the Statue of Liberty: Tour the Grounds: the grounds of Liberty Island is free to tour. You just need to pay for the ferry to get there. However this means you can only look at the Statue of Liberty from the bottom, you cannot enter or climb up Statue of Liberty or access the museum.
Pedestal Tickets: Pedestal tickets allow visitors to access up to the top of the pedestal, which includes lower pedestal levels and the museum. Need reservation and limited quantity.
Crown Tickets: Crown tickets allow visitors to access the crown, pedestal, and the museum. Need 6 months+ advanced reservation for summer months.
If you are serious on visiting the Statue of Liberty and climbing it, you will need to make advanced reservation on the official Statue Cruises website. If pedestal or crown tickets are sold out, you can still visit the grounds of Liberty Island.
New York 4 Day Itinerary
I’m visiting New York from Manchester for 4 nights. I arrived 12 at dinner on Sunday 5th Jan to Newark and depart Thursday 9th Jan in the evening.
We’re looking at staying in Times Square and plan on doing lots of shopping, Empire State, Rockafella Centre, Statue of Liberty, Central Park, Ground Zero, Etc.
It’s my first ever visit to New York so not sure on distance and the best way to get around.
Can anybody help me establish an itinerary? So whatever the best way of getting all this done wirhin my timeframe?
Thank you!
Happy Planning & Have Fun!
The subway system is usually the best way to get around. I like to use google maps and plot the locations on the map You then can select the public transportation directions . Try to do things in one area together, such as the Statue of Liberty and 9/11 Memorial.
If you want to go to the SOL and Ellis Island, you need to book in advance at www.statuecruises.com
Your guidebook should have a map, if not, you should get one and you can also pick up a hard copy of the subway map when you are here in the meantime, you can look at it online:
You can then easily plot out your desired sites on the map/subway map so they are grouped together.
Thanks for your great responses, I’ll check all links out!
What would you say is the easiest way of getting from Newark Airport to a hotel located within Times Square?
Also, what main tourist attractions are together and anyone could recommend visiting within the same day?
Edited: 8 years ago
Don’t Miss: What Do I Need To Register A Vehicle