
Four Days in New York: An Itinerary
Located on the USA’s East Coast, New York City (NYC) is a diverse and fun place with endless amounts to explore. Not only it is a fantastic year-round destination, but is a great option for all types of travel – whether solo, family or luxury. Although you can easily spend weeks or months here, four days in New York is the perfect amount of time for your first visit to the Big Apple. But the best part? NYC is easily accessible via interstate Amtrak services as well as three major airports.
Here is the Planes and Plans recommendation for how to spend four days in New York.
Last updated January 2025*.
Planes and Plans Map of New York
Contents
Table of Contents
Four Days in New York Itinerary
New York Day 1 - Central Park & Times Square


The MET
To begin the first of your four days in New York, take the Subway up to the Metropolitan Museum of Art (MET) on the Upper East Side. As one of the most famous galleries in the city, you may know it as the home of the MET Gala. Entry tickets can be purchased online or at the door for USD$30* per adult. Note that the museum is closed on Wednesdays.
Housing over 490,000 pieces of art from around the world, you could spend all day exploring the collections. So, I recommend focusing one or two areas you are most interested in. Perhaps check out the American Wing for a glimpse into some incredible works of American Art that you won’t find anywhere else in the world. Another great place to start is with the ‘100 Highlights Tour’ on the Bloomberg Connects App. Also bring some headphones to listen to even more Audio Guides along the way.
Central Park
This afternoon, head out to explore Central Park. Central Park covers a HUGE area of NYC, so the best way to explore is definitely via cycling. Citi Bikes are everywhere in New York, and you can rent one starting from only USD$4.99* per ride using the Citi Bike app.
Instead of spending all day getting lost in the park, cycle towards Columbus Circle from the MET. Along the way, stop at Shakespeare Garden, Belvedere Castle, Bow Bridge and Bethesda Terrace. If you are a music fan, be sure to also pay respects to John Lennon at Strawberry Fields. Sheep Meadow is also a great place to rest for a picnic after cycling.
Rockefeller Centre
The best views of the whole city, including of the Empire State Building, can be seen from the Top of the Rock. So next, head to the Rockefeller Centre to catch golden hour over NYC where you can observe the skyline as it lights up. Make sure to book tickets ahead of time to avoid the long queue, particularly at this time of day. Tickets can be purchased on the Top of the Rock website from USD$52* per adult during this time of day. However if you would prefer cheaper tickets, opt for an earlier or later ticketing slot.
Times Square
Finally, walk down to New York’s most famous sight – Times Square. Yes, Times Square is extremely crowded and touristy. But, it is certainly a must-see experience for your first time in the Big Apple! This is truly the place that makes New York feel like the city that never sleeps, as the neon billboards and crowds overwhelm your senses. In Times Square, you will find lots of attractions and flagship stores, including my personal favourites: M&M’s World and Madame Tussaud’s.
However, one of the best ways you can spend the night in this area at any time of year is by catching a Broadway show. Be sure to check out the Broadway website ahead of time to see what is showing during your visit and book tickets. Depending on your chosen seats, tickets typically range from USD$55* up to USD$700* for the best packages.
New York Day 2 - Chelsea & Financial District


The High Line
Spend the morning walking The High Line, my absolute favourite thing to do in NYC. The trail starts from Hudson Yards, where you will find the bee-hive shaped Vessel. Take your time walking the 1.45mi (2.3km) path – people watching, sun-baking, and apartment hunting along the way – as you transition from the modern skyscrapers of Hudson Yards to the industrial-style buildings in the Meatpacking District.
The High Line finishes near Chelsea Market, which is a great place to grab some brunch after the walk. A New York favourite is Los Tacos No. 1 for some of the best tacos in the city. The menu is small, so order a variety to try all their incredible toppings.
At the end of the High Line you can also find Little Island, a recently-opened public park on the Hudson River. Not only does it provide incredible skyline views, but also lots of hidden pockets of greenery to discover within the park itself.
Greenwich Village
To feel like a true New Yorker, head over to Greenwich Village for some more exploring. Firstly, stop by Murray’s Bagels for lunch on 6th Avenue to grab a fresh bagel with your filling of choice. Then, if you can resist, walk a few blocks to Washington Square Park to sit back and feast on your bagels. This is a great spot for people-watching and relaxing.
Financial District
This afternoon, head take the Subway to the Financial District, starting at the 9/11 Memorial & Museum. This area is a hauntingly beautiful site that honours the events of 9/11, and the impact it had on both the city and the world. Lying in the shadows of the new One World World Trade Centre, this experience cannot be missed by any first-time visit to NYC. For those wishing to learn more, I recommend downloading the free audio guide app for a 40-minute tour of the site rather than waiting in line to visit the museum.
The Financial District is also, unsurprisingly, home to Wall Street. This area truly feels like a concrete jungle, with the original New York Stock Exchange hidden amongst the skyscrapers. A great photo stop nearby is the Raging Bull Statue at Bowling Green, however be prepared to wait in line for a good shot.
Statue of Liberty
Another one of New York’s most iconic sights nearby is the Statue of Liberty. Catch the ferry across the state border to New Jersey to get up close to this sight. Depending on your preferences, there are two best options for reaching the Statue of Liberty.
Staten Island Ferry
A free option for those happy admiring the statue and skyline from afar is the free Staten Island Ferry. The ferry departs every 30 minutes from Whitehall Terminal towards Staten Island. However, being a commuter ferry, it is best to avoid rush hour in order to have better views and a more comfortable ride. The Staten Island Ferry website has lots of additional tips to make the most of your visit.
Statue City Cruises
Alternatively, general admission tickets for the Statue City Cruises ferry can be purchased for USD$25* per adult. This option departs every 40 minutes from Battery Park Terminal. The General admission ticket allows you to hop off the ferry at both Liberty Island and also Ellis Island. For history nerds, Ellis Island is definitely worth the visit as it is home to the National Immigration Museum.
New York Day 3 - Coney Island & Brooklyn

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Coney Island
This morning, take the subway out to Coney Island for a morning of adrenaline. Coney Island is home to Luna Park, an old-school theme park filled with rides and arcades. The Brooklyn Flyer is the best ride for low-adrenaline views of the Brooklyn area. Tickets can be purchased online or at the gate. You can either purchase a 4-hour wristband for unlimited rides, or you can pay per ride at the park.
Brooklyn
This afternoon, head back into Brooklyn to explore another of the NYC’s five boroughs. Since Brooklyn is huge, a good place to start is by having a picnic lunch at Prospect Park with the locals.
Another hidden attraction in Brooklyn is the New York Transit Museum. Here, you can learn about the history of one of the world’s oldest subway systems. Tickets should be purchased online for USD$10*.
Whilst in Brooklyn, make sure to head to the waterfront neighbourhood of Dumbo. Washington Street has the best view of the Manhattan Bridge, and its contrast with the Manhattan skyline in the background always takes my breath away! For some delicious food in Dumbo, head to Time Out Market New York, home to endless incredible restaurants. My recommendation is to try a small entrée or side dish from a variety of places. Also, make sure to check out the Roof Top Bar for incredible views of the Brooklyn Bridge.
Finally, head back into Manhattan on foot via the Brooklyn Bridge. This 485m suspension bridge provides some of the best views of the Manhattan skyline, as the traffic rushes by below. This is also an incredible spot to watch the sunset over the city.
New York Day 4 - Midtown & SoHo


United Nations Headquarters
Located in an incredible marble building on the East River is the United Nations Headquarters. They offer a range of multilingual guided tours around the venue that last for about one hour each. During the Focus on Women Tour, not only will you learn about the history and work of the UN, but specifically the role of women in the agenda. During my visit, I was also able to step inside both the Security Council Chamber and also the Economic and Social Council Chamber. Having studied economics myself, this experience which was extremely mind-blowing.
Tickets must be booked online ahead of time in order to clear security screening requirements. Tickets for the Guided Tour cost USD$26* and can be booked through the Visitor Centre website. Note that you will have to pass through passport and security checkpoints upon entry.
Midtown
Afterward, walk over to Grand Central Terminal for some sightseeing. The venue is so much more than just a subway station, and Gossip Girl fans will certainly appreciate this sight. Also make sure to check out the Grand Central Market in the basement to stock up on local treats. Take your food to nearby Bryant Park for a picnic lunch.
The New York Public Library is located on Fifth Avenue just behind Bryant Park. You can explore the Stephen A. Schwarzman Building with the free audio guide.
Continue down Fifth Avenue towards the Empire State Building. This recognisable landmark can be spotted from anywhere in the city, so you will not miss it as you pass by. Whilst there are incredible views from the top, I recommend heading to the Top of the Rock instead for an even better panorama.
Afterwards, stroll down Fifth Avenue for some of the best high-end shopping in the world.
SoHo
To end your New York City adventure, spend the evening exploring SoHo. This area has even more shops, restaurants and bars hidden among the loft-style buildings. You can easily get lost in the streets here. Two of my favourite restaurants in this area are SoHo Diner and Lombardi’s Pizza. SoHo Diner serves all-day brunch on the weekends, whilst Lombardi’s Pizza holds the title of New York’s first pizzeria.
*Please note that all prices are current as of January 2025.