🇺🇸 New York City · Itinerary
4 Days in New York City: The Perfect Itinerary
Four days covers Manhattan’s icons and a couple of neighbourhoods, grouped so you explore on foot and only hop the subway between zones. Many of the best bits — the parks, the ferry, the bridge — are free.
Best for: First-timers wanting the icons, a Broadway night and real neighbourhood time.
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Day 1: Midtown icons
Based around Midtown Manhattan
Morning
Times Square early (quieter), then Top of the Rock or the Empire State for the skyline (book ahead).
Afternoon
Fifth Avenue, St Patrick’s, Bryant Park and the New York Public Library.
Evening
A Broadway show — grab same-day TKTS tickets or book ahead.
Day 2: Downtown & Brooklyn
Based around Lower Manhattan
Morning
The free Staten Island Ferry for Statue of Liberty views, then Wall Street and the Charging Bull.
Afternoon
The 9/11 Memorial & Museum, then walk the Brooklyn Bridge to DUMBO.
Evening
Dinner in DUMBO or Brooklyn Heights with a Manhattan-skyline view.
Day 3: Park & museums
Based around Central Park & Upper East Side
Morning
Central Park — the Bethesda Terrace, the Lake and Strawberry Fields.
Afternoon
The Met (Museum Mile) — pick a few wings, then a wander down the Upper East Side.
Evening
Dinner and a drink on the Upper West Side.
Day 4: Cool downtown
Based around Chelsea & the Village
Morning
Walk the High Line, ending at Chelsea Market for lunch.
Afternoon
Greenwich Village, Washington Square Park and the boutiques of SoHo.
Evening
A final dinner in the Village.
New York City itinerary tips
- Tap a card or phone with OMNY on the subway — it’s the fastest way between zones and runs 24/7.
- Wear comfortable shoes; you’ll easily walk 15,000+ steps a day.
- Many highlights are free — the parks, the Staten Island Ferry, the Brooklyn Bridge — which offsets pricey NYC.
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