If you're planning to spend a week in New York City and are looking for an itinerary to help you make the most of your visit, you've come to the right place! Having fallen in love with NYC during my first visit in 2018, I recently returned for a second time, immersing myself in the city for a full seven days.
This isn't the exact itinerary we followed, as unfortunately, I was sick for the first few days of our trip and we had to rearrange some of our plans at the last minute. However, one of the benefits of spending a full week in New York is you can explore at a slower pace if you wish, so we still managed to see and do everything we wanted to.
If you're exploring the city for the first time and aren't sure where to start, this guide aims to help you plan each day of your trip effectively.
Day 1: Soho, West Village, Chelsea Market, and The High Line
Usually when travelling from the UK to the US, I wake up early on the first morning thanks to jetlag. Because of this, I try to keep the first day of the trip as flexible as possible and stick to exploring attractions where you don't need to book tickets in advance.
Looking to start your morning with some great food? Soho and the West Village have some of my favourite breakfast spots. I'd recommend The Grey Dog, Jack's Wife Freda, or Dominique Ansel Bakery (famous for their cronuts!)
If you're a fan of the TV show Friends, you might recognise this iconic building in Greenwich Village! Carrie Bradshaw's apartment from the TV show Sex and the City is also in this area (less than a 10-minute walk from the Friends Apartment).
If you're a book lover, stop at Barnes & Noble in Union Square and explore their four floors of books. The Strand is also located nearby (only two blocks south of Union Square) and is worth a visit for their variety of new, used, and rare books spanning more than 18 miles of floor space.
Finish the day by grabbing a bite to eat at Chelsea Market, located in the heart of New York's Meatpacking District. From there, enjoy a peaceful walk along the Highline; a public park built on a historic, elevated rail line (check opening hours as the Highline closes earlier in winter).
Day 2: Brooklyn Bridge and DUMBO
If you're still feeling jetlagged on your second morning, head to the Brooklyn Bridge early to watch the sunrise and snap some photos before the crowds build up. Around the corner, you'll find Pebble Beach and the Instagram-famous DUMBO photo spot. This area gets busy by mid-morning so arrive before 7am unless you're happy to wait in line for a photo!
If you decide to cross the Brooklyn Bridge to Manhattan, Chinatown is only a 15-minute walk away. I went for a meal in Chinatown on my first holiday to New York in 2018 and I wish we'd had time to visit on this trip.
Day 3: Grand Central Station, SUMMIT One Vanderbilt, Times Square, and Rockefeller Center
There are so many fun things to do in New York, and one of my top recommendations is to visit a viewing deck. My favourite is the SUMMIT One Vanderbilt, located next to Grand Central Station. We booked tickets in advance and after a 20-minute queue through security, we boarded the elevator to the top to check out the stunning views of the New York skyline. The sunset tickets are the most popular but we visited in the morning and found it was busy but not too crowded.
Top Tip: Check the dress code before you visit. There are mirrors on the floors so wear trousers or shorts (no skirts!) We visited in the middle of winter and it was hotter than I expected, so I'd also recommend wearing layers you can easily remove.
The SUMMIT is only a 10-15 minute walk from Times Square, and you'll pass the New York Public Library and Bryant Park on the way. From Times Square it's then another 10-minute walk to Rockefeller Center. While here, get lost inside FAO Schwarz (one of the world's most famous toy stores) and check out Magnolia Bakery's famous banana pudding!
If you're looking for an alternative to the SUMMIT One Vanderbilt, Top of the Rock also has incredible 360-degree views of the city. Having visited both, the main difference I found is that TOTR is 90% outdoors, whereas the SUMMIT is mostly indoors.
Day 4: Wall Street, Statue of Liberty Cruise, and 9/11 Memorial & Museum
Start your day at Liberty Bagels, which you'll find opposite the bronze Charging Bull of Wall Street sculpture. I ate A LOT of bagels on my last trip to New York, but the one from Liberty Bagels was my favourite! The dough was soft and the avocado cream cheese filling was so tasty.
There are a few companies that offer tours of the Statue of Liberty but we booked a 50-minute 'express' tour through Get Your Guide. Alternatively, you can catch the FREE Staten Island Ferry which departs from The Whitehall Terminal in the South Ferry section of Lower Manhattan. We decided to book a tour to guarantee good views of the Statue, as the last time I took the Staten Island ferry it sailed at a distance from the Statue and I struggled to get nice photos.
Visiting the 9/11 Memorial Museum was an incredibly moving experience. I was 10 years old when 9/11 happened, and although I can remember seeing the news reports on TV, there was a lot that I learned. We spent around 90 minutes walking through the exhibits, and I'd recommend paying extra for the audio guide, which is narrated by Robert De Niro.
Day 5: Central Park
The one thing you need to know about Central Park is it's HUGE. There are a few different entrances but I'd recommend starting at the southwest corner of 59th St. and 5th Ave (opposite the Plaza Hotel). Here you'll find the famous Gapstow Bridge - one of the most photographed locations in Manhattan!
If you're visiting New York in Winter, you may also want to book tickets to go ice skating at the Wollman Rink. Unfortunately, we had to cancel our tickets because I wasn't feeling well, but I'm so grateful we still managed to experience Central Park in the snow.
If your feet aren't too tired, head to the Upper East Side and spend the afternoon exploring some of its Museums. The Met and The Guggenheim are two of the most famous museums in this area, but there are many within walking distance of the Park. Alternatively, exit the Park on the Upper West Side and visit the American Museum of Natural History. Remember to book tickets in advance if you're visiting during peak times to avoid the queues!
Day 6: Shopping and a Broadway Show (or Sports Game)
New York is famous for its shopping and its most famous department stores include Macy's, Bloomingdale's, and Saks Fifth Avenue.
Finish your day with a Broadway show and soak up the atmosphere of Times Square at night. We saw Back to the Future The Musical and it was the most incredible experience. The acting was fantastic and we laughed out loud the whole way through. It was the perfect way to spend our last evening in New York.
Alternatively, the best thing I did on my first visit to New York was see a basketball game at Madison Square Gardens (home of the Knicks). The atmosphere was unlike anything I've experienced and you can sometimes see celebs sitting in the front-row!
Day 7: Home time
On our final day in New York, our flight home wasn't until 9pm, so we checked out of our hotel early and went for breakfast at our favourite place before spending a few hours at the American Museum of Natural History, as we hadn't managed to make it there earlier in the holiday.
We booked our flights and hotel package through British Airways and found the best deals were in January and February. We stayed at the Arlo Hotel in SoHo and although the room was small, it was in a great location.
I'm so grateful I was able to visit New York for a second time, and I'd love to visit again in the summer to experience the city in the warmer weather.
How would you spend 7 days in New York?
