4 Days in NYC: The Ultimate (Massive) 4 Day 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, fads–they all come and go with ease in New York. Yesterday’s Instagram sensation is today’s quiet dessert shop is (possibly) tomorrow’s closed business.

A generation ago Little Italy thrived, now what’s left of the neighborhood has been given over to tourists, and the Italian community is over on Arthur Avenue.

On and on New York goes–in 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 isn’t quite the same city to any one person.

After more visits than we can count to the City That Never Sleeps and a wonderful almost year and a half spent living in Manhattan, here’s what we know about New York: it’s just as incredible as everyone says… and just as overwhelming, too.

We’ve put together this 4 days in New York itinerary to help curb that feeling of being overwhelmed, while also helping maximize the amount of joy and wonder that can be found in a short trip to New York.

A visit here is a dream trip for so many–and with only 4 days in New York, you want to get it right.

Who is this New York itinerary for?

There are as many possible New York itineraries as there are people in NYC (more than 8.2 million, that is), so this New York itinerary is designed with a particular visitor in mind.

If you’re a first-time visitor to the city who wants to hit up most of the iconic things to do in New York while also primarily traveling independently and occasionally stepping a bit away from the crowds and tourist buses, this NYC itinerary is for you.

We’ve designed it for an independent traveler, someone happy to jump on a unique tour or buy tickets to an amazing attraction, but who isn’t interested in being led around the city’s best-known spots in an enormous group of people or boarding one of the giant tour buses that you often see idling in traffic in the Financial District and Midtown.

While we’ve made an effort to streamline our recommendations as much as possible, there are a few places where we’ve opted to include a few choose-your-own-adventure style options that make sense geographically.

Of course, no 4 days in New York could hope to cover all the city has to offer–you’d need a lifetime for that, and still probably come up short in the end–but this itinerary will ensure that you leave feeling like you’ve sampled a wide array of neighborhoods, attractions, and cuisines that all contribute to making NYC the dynamic place that it is.

Looking for a more concise itinerary?

We also have a recommended 2 day New York itinerary and a very streamlined one day New York itinerary here on Our Escape Clause!

The Ultimate 4 Days in NYC Itinerary

Day 1 in New York Itinerary: Upper Manhattan + Midtown

Start your day at one of New York’s most iconic museums.

There’s no better way to kick off your 4 days in New York than with a peek inside one of the museums that make the city so famous!

New York is littered with museums, from the enormous and iconic to the tiny and quirky, but for your first morning in the city, we recommend opting for one of the big 3.

All 3 of these museums are located close to Central Park in Manhattan, but they’re all in different neighborhoods.

The Metropolitan Museum of Art (Upper East Side)

The Metropolitan Museum of Art, also known as the Met, is New York’s premier art gallery.

Here, you can find more than 2 million works of art, including everything from American paintings to an impressive collection of historic armor sourced from around the world to Egyptian artifacts to entire Parisian rooms that have been relocated to New York.

This is also where you’ll find the famous steps of the Met that have shown up in so many movies and TV shows over the years!

It’s impossible to see all that the Met has to offer in a single day–we’ve visited at least 10 times with various groups of family and friends and every trip is a bit different–but if you want to make sure you don’t miss the most iconic attractions, booking a guided tour like this is a great way to make the most of your time in the museum!

Want to make sure you don’t miss anything iconic?

Book your guided tour of the Met today!

American Museum of Natural History (Upper West Side)

Known for its impressive dinosaur fossils, including the first-ever found fossil from a Tyrannosaurus rex, the American Museum of Natural History is home to a mind-bogglingly large collection of specimens pertaining to the natural world.

This is one of our favorite museums in the world, and the one we personally chose to visit on our very first trip to New York!

Parts of the museum are a bit dated, but like everything in New York, the American Museum of Natural History is a living organism that is constantly being updated and reinventing itself.

Like the Met, it would be impossible to cover the full breadth of the museum in one visit, but if you’re looking for those famous dinosaur fossils, head directly to the 4th floor.

Book tickets to visit the American Museum of Natural History now!

The Museum of Modern Art (Midtown)

More of a modern art person?

Consider making your way to the famous Museum of Modern Art (commonly shortened to MOMA) to start your 4 days in New York.

The 5-floor museum focuses on art from 1880 through today and is home to, among many other things, Van Gogh’s Starry Night and works by Andy Warhol, Claude Monet, and Jackson Pollock.

Note that while timed-entry tickets are no longer absolutely required for visiting MOMA, only a limited number of tickets are available to purchase in person.

New York Travel Tip: Keep in mind that while the Met and Natural History Museum are both right next door to Central Park and located a mere 15-minute walk across the park from each other, MOMA is located south of the park in Midtown.

If you plan to visit MOMA, start your morning with a stroll through Central Park and then head to the museum, rather than the other way around.

Book your timed entry ticket for the Museum of Modern Art today!

Rickmouser45, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Stroll through Central Park.

What could possibly be more iconically New York than a walk through Central Park?

The park itself is enormous and could easily eat up an entire day’s itinerary, which you quite honestly don’t have time for when trying to see New York in 4 days.

Here are a few things to consider adding to your list: visiting Belvedere Castle, rowing across Central Park Lake in an adorable rowboat, checking out the Alice in Wonderland statue, strolling through the beautiful Bethesda Terrace Arcade, and snapping admiring the view from (and of) Bow Bridge.

You probably won’t have time to fit all that in–but all of these highlights are concentrated in the southern half of the park, south of the Met and the Natural History Museum, so make geographic sense for this New York itinerary.

If any particular Central Park attractions are must-sees for you, we highly recommend using your phone to navigate to them–otherwise, it’d be very easy to stroll through Central Park for ages and never see them, even if they’re technically just around the corner from you!

For the purposes of this 4 day NYC itinerary, we recommend exiting Central Park at the southeast corner, where you’ll find Grand Army Plaza at 59th & 5th, as well as the iconic Plaza Hotel.

Very close to this exit you’ll find the picturesque Gapstow Bridge and The Pond, which are worth a look, as well as the Central Park Zoo, where you can get a quick glimpse of the sea lions without actually entering the zoo or buying a ticket.

Once you wrap up in the park, it’s time to head south!

Make your way down Fifth Avenue.

Combining transportation with sightseeing is the best way to check out Fifth Avenue!

By exiting Central Park at the southeast corner, you’ll be well-positioned to stroll past some of the most famous Fifth Avenue attractions.

As you make your way further south toward the rest of the day’s highlights, be sure to slow down long enough to ogle Fifth Avenue’s famous stores and buildings!

Notable locations that you’ll pass on this section of Fifth Avenue include The Plaza, Tiffany & Co., and Bergdorf Goodman. 

The Saks Fifth Avenue is also just a smidge past St. Patrick’s Cathedral, so if you’re the shopping type, be sure not to miss that stop, either!

Check out St. Patrick’s Cathedral.

Arguably the most impressive religious structure in New York, the impressive Neo-Gothic St. Patrick’s Cathedral looks almost out of place on busy, modern, consumer-focused Fifth Avenue.

That’s part of its appeal, though, and the building is stunning and well worth a look inside.

And, if you like historic churches, the Gothic-style St. Thomas at 5th & 53rd is also striking (you’ll pass it a few blocks before St. Patrick’s, which is between 50th and 51st).

Pay a visit to Rockefeller Plaza (and maybe visit the Top of the Rock).

Turn 180 degrees away from St. Patrick’s Cathedral, you’ll be facing Rockefeller Plaza.

Walk toward the plaza and you’ll be confronted with Rockefeller Center, numerous recognizable stores (Lego, Nintendo, FAO Schwartz, etc.), the famous ice-skating rink in the winter, and Radio City Music Hall just slightly further down W 50th.

If you’re ready for some epic skyline views of New York, this is also a great time to head to the Top of the Rock, AKA the Top of Rockefeller Center.

(Here’s our guide to choosing whether to visit the Empire State Building or the Top of the Rock).

Want to experience incredible views from the Top of the Rock?

Buy tickets to visit the Top of the Rock today!

Grab an iconic New York meal at a deli or bagel shop.

Since you’re going to visiting Grand Central Station in a few minutes, I can’t resist pointing out a couple of my nearby favorites–because if you haven’t eaten, you’ll no doubt be starving by now!

While there are literally endless delicious restaurants in New York (including plenty of amazing New York brunches), for options within a reasonable walk of Grand Central, we can recommend Sarge’s Delicatessen & Diner for somewhere with a great New York vibe and reasonable prices for a deli.

While their pastrami sandwiches don’t quite live up to Katz’s, the food is tasty, the atmosphere wonderful, and the desserts phenomenal (order the peanut butter cheesecake, or if for some reason you truly dislike cheesecake, the German chocolate cake).

If you’d prefer a grab-and-go option, Ess-a-Bagel is widely considered one of the top bagels in the city (we agree) and is just over an 11-minute walk from Grand Central.

For something even closer that doesn’t draw crowds due to its fame, Bagel Express is nearby, tasty, inexpensive, and no-frills.

With either of these options, be sure to look up when you’re walking down Lexington Avenue to get a peek at the Chrysler Building, which is one of my personal favorite buildings in the Manhattan skyline!

(And if you’d rather wait a bit to grab a bagel, Zucker’s is another iconic NYC bagel and they have a location next to Bryant Park, where you’ll be heading soon).

Check out Grand Central Terminal.

Grand Central Terminal is just as busy as you might expect–and also just as beautiful.

Somehow, in all the TV shows and movies I saw the station featured in growing up, I never managed to catch sight of the stunning turquoise ceiling–I saw it for the first time in person, and it’s now one of my favorite features of the building.

For the best photos with your group, be sure to head up the staircases on either side of the main atrium (there’s an Apple store on top of one of them).

If you’re a fan of architectural quirks, be sure to also check out the Whispering Gallery, and if you’re hungry, consider also ducking down to the famous and incredibly beautiful Grand Central Oyster Bar to see a different side of the station.

And, if you’re hoping to see one of NYC’s newer observation decks instead of just the classics we highlight in this itinerary, it’s worth noting that Summit ONE Vanderbilt (famous for its interactive art installations of glass skyboxes) is right next door to Grand Central.

Marvel at the New York Public Library.

New York’s Public Library is made up of many buildings, of course, but the famous Stephen A. Schwarzman building on 5th is an unmissable piece of the city, especially for bibliophiles like us!

The iconic lion statues out front and the interior architecture are must-sees, and if you can swing stopping by during its limited visiting hours, the Rose Reading Room (pictured below) is incredible too.

Not only is the building gorgeous, but it’s also free to visit, which will give your wallet a much-needed break (as I’m sure you’ve noticed by now, working through a 4 day New York itinerary isn’t necessarily easy on the budget).

Depending on what time you visit, there’s a good chance you’ll see some wedding photos being snapped out front!

Still want to relax a little after visiting the library and not quite ready to move on?

Bryant Park is right next door and is a great place to rest your feet for a bit (it’s also one of the top Christmas destinations in New York, if you happen to be visiting during the holidays).

See a Broadway show.

Seeing a show on Broadway is the perfect way to spend your first evening in New York.

Personally, I adore the theater and we’ve always tried to prioritize seeing at least one show on every trip to NYC (and we saw quite a few when living in the city).

Even if you’re not generally a theater person, though, it’s worth experiencing the immersive experience of Broadway at least once.

Tickets to long-running classics like Chicago and The Lion King are very easy to nab (even last-minute) and can be quite affordable, and even Hamilton is easy enough to see these days (almost a decade later).

We often use TodayTix to buy Broadway tickets, and you can also book tickets to popular shows through Get Your Guide and Viator.

As far as the dress code goes, don’t sweat it: you’ll see people wearing everything from jeans to cocktail dresses.

While you will probably want to dress up a little bit (a T-shirt and shorts will stand out in a too-casual way, khakis and a nice sweater or a sundress won’t get a second glance), don’t worry about packing any overly formal outfits for NYC just to see a show.

Drop by Times Square at night.

Yes, it’s cheesy. Yes, it’s touristy.

And yes, it’s worth seeing at least once.

Times Square at night is an absolute marvel, and finishing the night off here is a great way to end your first day in New York City, especially since you’ll likely be right next door after wrapping up at your show of choice.

Be sure to be cautious of your pockets here–it’s one of the riskiest places for pickpocketing in the city–but other than that, enjoy the lights and the photo ops.

Just remember: like any other tourist zone in the world, if you take photos of or make eye contact with one of the “characters” or street performers, they will want to be paid–we recommend not engaging with them at all.

Jakub Hałun, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Day 2 in New York Itinerary: Midtown + Museums

Start your morning in Union Square.

As one of the major intersections of NYC neighborhoods (and importantly for putting together the perfect 4 day NY itinerary, subway lines), Union Square is classic New York. Its southern border is 14th Street, which is also where Lower Manhattan–which generally contains the older parts of the city–begins.

The people-watching (and dog-watching) is excellent, and the Union Square Greenmarket is one of the most famous farmers markets in the city.

For first-time visitors, though the #1 reason to visit Union Square tends to be the iconic Strand Bookstore (which is an absolute delight).

Is our bias toward all things book related showing yet?

Seriously, though, this giant bookstore sells everything from new bestsellers to used books to rare books to fun book-related items ranging from tasteful to kitschy, and it is worth adding to your New York itinerary.

Ajay Suresh from New York, NY, USA, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Head up to the Flatiron District.

New York’s famous triangle-shaped Flatiron Building makes a great photo op, but if you’d like to stick around the area longer than it takes to snap a few shots, be sure to take a look around the immediate neighborhood!

In the immediate vicinity of the Flatiron Building you’ll find the lovely Madison Square Park (home of the original Shake Shack), the first Manhattan Eataly (though there are now three), and the Museum of Sex (which gets mixed, bordering on mediocre, reviews).

The currently wildly popular FRIENDS Experience is also nearby, where you can explore replicas of the sets (PIVOT!) and even hang out at Central Perk.

Also, on a completely related note: Shake Shack > In-N-Out any day of the week, and you should definitely stop by one whenever you’re craving a quick and (relatively) inexpensive burger during your 4 days in New York!

For lunch, head to Koreatown for barbecue.

While Chinatown is incredible, there is so much more to New York’s international food scene than that!

If you didn’t eat in the Flatiron District, as you continue north, you’ll be in a great location to hit up Koreatown for some truly epic Korean barbecue.

There are literally endless restaurants in the neighborhood, so we recommend googling to find out which options are near you, have great reviews, and are in your price point.

Personally, we love Miss Korea BBQ.

Of course, this is New York–restaurants only get so cheap–but you definitely don’t want to accidentally walk into a $$$ place when you’re looking to spend $, you know?

Korean barbecue not for you? Murray Hill, which is home to excellent Indian food, isn’t too far away!

Check out the Empire State Building.

Is there a more iconic building anywhere in New York than the Art Deco masterpiece that is the Empire State Building?

A visit to the Empire State Building–or admiring views of it at the very least–is a must-do during your 4 days in New York City!

If you didn’t visit the Top of the Rock or Summit ONE yesterday, or if you are addicted to viewpoints and want to visit more than one during your vacation, this is the time to head to the top of the Empire State Building!

After visiting all kinds of observation decks and viewpoints in NYC–including visiting the Empire State Building more than once–this classic is still my favorite.

Be sure to pre-book your tickets for the Empire State Building, or opt for a New York City Pass that lets you visit the building twice, including once during the day and once at night!

Get your New York City Pass or your timed-entry tickets for the Empire State Building today!

Wave hello to Macy’s at Herald Square.

While we wouldn’t necessarily allot much of your 4 days in New York to it, it’s worth noting that the Empire State Building is essentially next door to Herald Square and the famous Macy’s Flagship Store.

If you’re visiting New York during the Christmas season, be sure not to miss the enormous Santa display on the eighth floor of the store!

Enjoy a walk along the High Line.

Once a railroad track and now a park, the High Line is popular for many reasons.

It offers beautiful views of the surrounding area, it’s an improbable and eclectic use of space (why put a garden in the sky?), and it offers you a chance to get a whole new perspective on NYC.

The entire High Line is almost a mile and a half long, and don’t feel obligated to walk the whole thing–but definitely spend some time up there checking out the views and the art.

There are several places to access the High Line, and we recommend choosing one of the entrances further north (higher numbered streets are further north), and then walking south toward Chelsea Market, which will be your next stop!

And, while we didn’t opt to include it in this itinerary due to time and viewpoint overload, I will mention that you could easily add a stop at The Edge here, which is located at Hudson Yards and offers epic views of the city (we definitely don’t recommend doing this and the Empire State Building in one day, though–choose one or the other).

Pay a visit to the Chelsea Market.

Chelsea Market is practically overflowing with boutiques, shops, and endless delicious restaurants and food stalls (starting with the original location of Los Tacos No. 1, which is said to serve up some of the best tacos in New York).

Assuming you‘re at all hungry by this point (a reasonably big “if”, assuming you stopped for Korean barbecue), we recommend considering a Chelsea Market and Meatpacking District food tour to make the most of the market here.

With a short amount of time, this is a great way to taste some of the best that the market has to offer.

The tour includes a few architecture and history facts as well, so you’ll be sure to stay entertained and to learn a bit more about New York in between bites.

(Note that this food tour does visit the High Line, so if you plan to take it, skip visiting the High Line independently and head straight to Chelsea Market).

Book your Chelsea Market food tour today!

Enjoy a slice of New York nightlife.

There is far more to New York nightlife than Broadway and bars–though there are plenty of those, too!

For your second night in New York, make it a night of doing something memorable, exciting, and different than your usual night out–but what exactly that might be comes in all sizes and budgets!

Here are just a few ideas:

Attend a TV show taping.

This one requires a bit more advance planning and being in the city at the right time of year, but if you’ve always wanted to be in the audience for a TV show, New York is the place to do it.

See a comedy show.

Comedy shows are constantly going on in New York–find a nearby club with good reviews and get ready to laugh!

Check out Life and Trust.

The iconic Sleep No More finally took its last bow, but the same team has recently rolled out another immerseive theater experience: Life and Trust.

Enjoy the jazz scene in Harlem.

Whether you head to a show at the iconic Apollo Theater or a less-known venue, jazz and Harlem go hand-in-hand, and you’re bound to find some amazing music here.

Find a small concert.

No matter what your musical taste is, there’s a concert going on in New York City on any given night that suits it!

Many of them are fairly inexpensive–we’ve been to $20 shows in New York more than once.

Enjoy the classics.

The New York City Ballet and New York Philharmonic never disappoint!

Day 3 in New York Itinerary: The Statue of Liberty + Ellis Island + the Financial District

Before diving in to this day, let me just say that between Ellis Island, the Statue of Liberty, and the 9/11 Museum, this is the biggest museum day–and certainly the most emotionally heavy day–included this 4 day NYC itinerary.

Be sure to pace yourself, rest your feet, and take breaks–and if you decide to trim a few stops off, that’s completely understandable.

Start your morning by boarding the ferry to the Statue of Liberty.

I’ll confess: it took us several years and many trips to New York to finally visit the Statue of Liberty, and once we did, we enjoyed it so much that we returned many times (when living in NYC, we took almost all of our family and friends who visited us there over to the island).

Not only is the statue itself lovely, but the ferry ride itself is an amazing part of the experience!

If you ask us, both the ferryand Liberty Island itself are home to some of the best views of Lower Manhattan, and they’re tons of fun to visit.

We recommend boarding the earliest ferry to the Statue of Liberty that you can get tickets for!

The same ferry takes you to Liberty Island and Ellis Island, and essentially operates as a continually running triangle between those two spots and Battery Park in Manhattan.

Book your ferry ride to the Statue of Liberty + Ellis Island today!

Explore Liberty Island.

Liberty Island, the home of the Statue of Liberty, is extremely small, but lots of fun to visit!

The on-site Statue of Liberty Museum is fun and fairly quick to see. It also gives you a chance to get an up-close look at her original torch, which puts the size of the statue into immediate perspective!

You can circle the Statue of Liberty and the island on foot in a few minutes, or head to the flag pole to see if you can catch a free Ranger-led tour.

With advance planning, you can climb up to the Statue of Liberty’s pedestal (fun, but we wouldn’t call it a must) or her crown (competitive to get tickets to and controversial in whether it’s worth it, though we can’t speak to that personally).

When you’re done visiting the Statue of Liberty, it’s time to head back to the dock and catch your ferry to…

Explore American immigration history at Ellis Island.

Over the course of 62 years (1892-1954), an astounding 12 million immigrants landed on Ellis Island, passed various inspections, and then became Americans… and many others were detained or turned away.

The current Ellis Island Museum is housed in some of the original buildings and rooms. It is a fascinating and dense museum, complete with first-person testimony and all kinds of primary documents.

Parts of the museum are very narrowly focused on Ellis Island and its procedures, while others are broader in scope and explore the American immigration experience itself.

It’s one of my favorite museums in New York and an unforgettable place to visit–especially if, like so many Americans, you have family who first arrived in the USA by waiting anxiously in long lines on this tiny island.

Head back to Manhattan and walk over to Fraunces Tavern.

After arriving back at Battery Park, enjoy a short walk over to Fraunces Tavern and prepare to rest your feet for a bit!

Open since 1762 (not a typo!), Fraunces Tavern offers excellent food and drinks with an unforgettable history and ambiance.

George Washington bid farewell to his troops after the Revolutionary War here, and many other Founding Fathers visited before, during, and after the war.

For a history nerd like me, it’s one of the coolest places to visit in FiDi, whether you’re coming for a drink, the museum located upstairs, to enjoy live music, and/or a meal.

There’s several different rooms in the building, but definitely make sure you walk through the Dingle Whiskey Bar if you’re not seated there!

Say hello to the Charging Bull.

Located a very short walk from Fraunces Tavern, the Charging Bull is synonymous with the Financial District, and it’s hard to imagine that it wasn’t always there!

In reality, though, you don’t have to go far back in history to find the origin of the Charging Bull: artist Arturo Di Modica first debuted the statue (without permission) in 1989.

The bull was conceived as a testament to the grit and determination of the American people, and New Yorkers in particular.

Today, it is one of the most popular places to visit in the neighborhood, so prepare to wait in line (or arrive at dawn) if you want to grab a photo with it!

I took the photo included here by standing off to the side and snapping quickly while two people changed places.

Stop by the New York Stock Exchange.

Though visitors can’t go inside the Exchange anymore, it’s worth taking a quick look at one of the most famous buildings in the city when you’re already nearby.

The NYSE is located on historic Broad Street, which is paved with cobblestones in front of the iconic building.

You’ll also find the famous Fearless Girl statue out front!

Drop by Federal Hall.

Though the current structure is the third iteration of the original 1703 building, Federal Hall is worth dropping in on for its significance to a piece of American history that far predates the more modern vibe of the Financial District as a whole.

This is the spot where George Washington was sworn in as president, where the first US Congress was held, and also–a bit earlier than the other two events–a letter to King George was drafted by the colonists formally protesting “taxation without representation”.

Federal Hall National Memorial is operated by the National Park Service and operates as an interesting and free-to-visit museum, with guided tours given twice per day.

Check out Trinity Church.

The historic Trinity Church is still an active Episcopalian parish, and the Gothic revival building immediately sticks out on Wall Street as distinctly different from the more modern skyscrapers that surround it.

Hamilton fans will no doubt recognize Trinity Church, whose cemetery holds the Founding Father and his family.

Alexander Hamilton was also involved with the congregation, whose history (though not the current building) dates to the 17th century.

It’s worth taking a moment to step inside Trinity Church, as it’s free and quick to visit.

There is a quick security check, but we’ve never waited more than a minute or so to get in.

Entering the church will allow you to appreciate its gorgeous stained glass and also wander through the shaded graveyard (if you’re looking for the Hamiltons, you’ll find them on the south side of the cemetery).

Pay tribute to a terrible piece of history at the 9/11 Memorial and Museum.

Without a doubt, visiting the 9/11 Memorial and Museum is the most emotionally devastating part of visiting the Financial District.

It’s also, of course, inseparable from the neighborhood that once called the Twin Towers home.

The memorial and the museum are technically separate destinations, though they’re both located right next to each other at Ground Zero.

The memorial, which is located in the footprints of the two towers, is sobering and free to visit.

On the other hand, the museum is an intense, heartbreaking account of the events of 9/11 and the rescue and recovery events that followed, and is home to tens of thousands of artifacts and exhibits, including preservation of first-person testimony.

It’s an incredibly moving museum and absolutely worth visiting, but it’s heavy. We’ve been once in recent years, and probably won’t revisit it for at least a decade.

If you hope to visit the museum, you’ll need to purchase tickets in advance (and, if you can, schedule your visit for outside the peak hours in the middle of the day, as the museum can get very crowded).

Regardless of whether or not you tour the museum during your trip, we highly recommend taking a moment to reflect at the memorial (and if you don’t want to go inside, this blog post and the “more than 4 days in NYC?” section below both have plenty of other ideas for ways to fill your afternoon).

Buy tickets to visit the 9/11 museum here.

Close out the day with a visit to the unforgettable Oculus.

Part shopping mall, part subway stop, part memorial, part bizarre marvel, the Oculus is nothing if not unforgettable.

What do you see when you look at it: a whale, a bird, something else entirely?

And when you step inside–do you feel a bit swallowed?

It’s a bizarre place, but however strange, also an emotionally charged one: the Oculus is built right on Ground Zero, and, in addition to its other purposes, functions as a somewhat subtle memorial to 9/11.

While the building itself is absolutely worth seeing, in this 4 day New York itinerary, visiting also serves a practical purpose.

The subway station here will take you back to the neighborhood you’re staying in after a long day of experiencing some of the most iconic attractions in NYC!

Day 4 in New York Itinerary: Brooklyn + The Village + Other Lower Manhattan Neighborhoods

Start your morning in DUMBO.

When you’re prioritizing top attractions and trying to see NYC in 4 days, the inevitable result is that most of your time will be spent in Manhattan–but on your last morning, try squeezing in a tiny taste of Brooklyn!

DUMBO (Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass) is the Brooklyn neighborhood located right next door to the Brooklyn Bridge.

Here, you’ll find cobblestone streets, many boutiques, plenty of cafes, popular parks, bookstores, the famous Time Out Market New York, and a couple of the top photo spots in NYC.

Don’t miss the historic Jane’s Carousel or the skyline views from Pebble Beach!

The famous Brooklyn Flea is also held here on Saturdays and Sundays from April to October.

And of course–don’t forget to stop by the intersection of Washington Street and Front Street, where you can capture the iconic Manhattan Bridge photo for yourself.

Be sure to note the way that the Empire State Building is perfectly framed in the arch of the bridge!

Make your way to Manhattan by walking the Brooklyn Bridge.

What better way to head back to Manhattan for the day, than by walking across the iconic Brooklyn Bridge?

When it comes to iconic bridges in New York, there’s nothing quite like the circa-19th-century Brooklyn Bridge!

Stretching across the East River between Lower Manhattan and–of course–Brooklyn, the bridge is used by tourists and commuters alike.

By walking from Brooklyn to Manhattan rather than the opposite, you’ll be treated to stunning views of Manhattan’s skyline the whole way across.

The bridge is about 1.1 miles long, but it’s best to plan about an hour to walk the bridge in order to leave plenty of time for taking photos, navigating crowds, and soaking in the views (you can absolutely walk it faster than that if you’re determined, though).

Be sure to watch your pockets, be mindful of the commuters, and stay out of the bike lanes (especially at rush hour)!

When you arrive in Manhattan, you’ll be very right by the City Hall subway stop, which will make it easy to head to your next destination.

Wander through Chinatown (and possibly Little Italy and SoHo/Nolita).

Just a short walk from the end of the Brooklyn Bridge you’ll find Manhattan’s iconic Chinatown!

Packed to the brim with restaurants (this is a great opportunity for a quick dim sum snack) and shops, be sure to stop by Canal Street, Mulberry Street, and Mott Street.

For museums, the Museum at Eldridge Street and the Museum of Chinese in America are both popular.

If you plan to eat lunch here, note that many restaurants are cash only.

Want to make sure you see as much as possible? If so, this popular tour of Chinatown, Little Italy, and SoHo will give you a crash course in 3 iconic NYC neighborhoods!

Book your tour of Chinatown, SoHo, and Little Italy today!

Optional: get lunch at Katz’s Delicatessen.

Honestly, deciding whether to eat in Chinatown or Little Italy or head up to Katz’s when you only have one stomach to fill isn’t a problem that I envy.

I’d be remiss, though, not to point out that the absolutely iconic Katz’s Delicatessen is easy to add on to the final day of your NYC itinerary, and their pastrami sandwich is truly the best one I have ever eaten.

If you have a pastrami on rye on your NYC food wish list, yes, you should go. It’s worth it.

If you’re not into deli sandwiches at all, consider opting for another cuisine for lunch!

(And, while you would have to swap something else on this itinerary out to fit it in, if you’re looking for ideas, the Tenement Museum is very close to here and a fantastic experience).

Head to the Village and hit up Washington Square Park.

Washington Square Park is the center of NYU student life: campus buildings surround the square, it’s a great spot for people-watching (and more importantly, dog-watching), and it’s home to the famous Washington Square Arch.

The park is always busy with students and visitors alike, and gets crowded, but it’s worth a quick look.

Be sure to note the stretch of gorgeous 19th Greek Revival townhouses on the northern edge of the park: they are an early example of NYC city planning, on top of being beautiful.

Set off to admire explore the West Village and admire beautiful brownstones.

The West Village is one of the better-known areas of New York City and is full of classic New York charm.

This is one of the oldest parts of New York City, and the streets have a tendency to wind together somewhat incomprehensibly here, looping back in on themselves and generally feeling worlds away from the wide, manicured avenues of Midtown.

If you’re a 90s sitcom fan, the West Village is probably best recognized as the home of Carrie Bradshaw and the gang from Friends (if you’re the type to hunt down filming locations, you can find the buildings used for the exterior shots of both buildings nearby).

There’s also a national landmark in the West Village: the Stonewall Inn, which was the birthplace of the LGBT rights movement in 1969.

Today, you can find everything from trendy boutiques to delicious brunch spots to improbably small and photogenic coffee shops in the West Village, along with beautiful residential streets.

Pick a slice of nightlife in the Village to wrap up your New York vacation.

What better way to end your trip to New York than with dinner and a drink in one of the city’s best-known areas?

If you’re looking for a memorable final night in the city, here are a few bars in the Village to consider–they all have incredibly different vibes.

Marie’s Crisis Cafe

This tiny, sing-along piano bar is perfect for showtunes lovers!

If you want a final Broadway fix in the city, grab a drink and sing your heart out (don’t worry–it’s loud enough that no one can hear you!) at Marie’s Crisis Cafe.

Like so many places in New York, you’ll probably have to wait in a line to get in… but you can just write that off as participating in an iconic New York ritual in and of itself.

Stonewall Inn

Whether you’re looking for a chance to visit an iconic institution in the history of LGBT rights in the USA or simply looking for a great place to dance, you can’t go wrong with a visit to the famous Stonewall Inn.

Cellar Dog (Formerly Fat Cat)

Looking for a relaxed atmosphere, possibly some live music, pool tables, and board game rentals?

Cellar Dog is the place for you.

Art Bar

With a cozy vibe, reasonably-priced cocktails, and tasty burgers, Art Bar is a great option for a relaxed end to your trip to New York.

Be sure to walk through the front room and check out the cozy back room of the bar at some point!

Where to Stay in New York for 4 Days

There’s no getting around it: New York is expensive, and lodging is one of the major factors that will drive up your budget.

If you can, we recommend staying in Manhattan, ideally in the Midtown or the Financial District if you’re prioritizing ease of getting around. The Village is also a great (and trendier) place to stay, but make sure you’re near a subway station.

While Midtown and the Financial District aren’t necessarily the most trendy sections of the city, they are extremely well-connected and home to many iconic sights.

Basically all of NYC’s public transportation is designed to ferry thousands of commuters in and out of those neighborhoods–when it comes to the subway specifically, think of them as the center of a wheel, and all the other places in the city as spokes reaching out from them.

The traditional choices to try to save a bit of money on lodging by getting out of Manhattan–Williamsburg, DUMBO, Astoria, Long Island City–are all quite popular themselves now but definitely take a quick look out there if you’re trying to save cash.

Get much further out, though, and you’re going to be eating up your 4 days in New York by sitting on the subway, so be wary of that!

Our number one tip for choosing a place to stay in New York?

Make sure it’s within, say, a 10-minute walk of the subway. Any further, and your commute every time you want to rest up in the hotel for an hour will get on your nerves immediately.

Also: renting a full apartment for less than 30 days where the host is not present on Airbnb is illegal in New York. If you want to rent a private room in a place where the host is staying, have at it–but those prices are high, too (I know you’re shocked).

Here are a few well-reviewed and well-located hotel options that we can recommend in NYC!

Budget

POD 51 — With small, clean rooms, decent reviews, and an excellent location near some of the best things to do in NYC (you’ll be within walking distance of 5th Avenue, Grand Central, and Central Park, among others), POD 51 offers reasonable rates that don’t compromise on location.

While bathrooms are shared, the rooftop deck offers space to spread out!

Check rates & book your stay at POD 51 today!

Mid-range

Club Quarters Hotel Midtown (Times Square) — Times Square can be a surprisingly affordable (in relative terms, that is) place to stay in New York.

The reason to consider staying nearby has nothing to do with Times Square itself, and everything to do with how well-connected it is transportation-wise to the rest of the city–it is very easy to get around from Times Square.

We’ve personally stayed in this hotel and while the room was small, the customer service was excellent and the location was phenomenal.

For a big upgrade in room size but without moving to a full luxury hotel, we also love the nearby Omni Berkshire Place, though it stretches the definition of mid-range prices (especially during the more popular seasons to visit NYC).

You can’t beat being within walking distance of highlights like Times Square, Grand Central, and the Empire State Building!

Check rates & book your stay at Club Quarters Hotel Midtown!

Luxury

Library Hotel — As there is no end to the number of luxury hotel options in the city, I’ll go ahead and feature one that I’m personally eager to stay in!

The library-themed (and aptly named) Library Hotel, which is located right by the New York Public Library and boasts themed rooms, a stunning reading room, and a rooftop bar.

For bibliophiles–or just those looking for a swanky and popular property in a great location–you can’t go wrong with the Library Hotel if you’re looking for a piece of luxury during your 4 days in New York.

Looking for a more bucket-list-level property? The Plaza and The St. Regis are both icons well deserving of their status!

Check rates & book your stay at the Library Hotel!

More Than 4 Days in NYC?

Worried about missing things? Don’t stress about it: a lifetime would literally not be long enough to explore all of the nooks and crannies of New York!

There is a truly endless amount of things to do in the city, and its status as constantly evolving ensures that when one trend fades away, at least two more pop up in its place. Such is the nature of New York.

If you are lucky enough to have more than 4 days in New York City, here are just a few more things to consider adding to your wish list: visiting Flushing in Queens to see (read: taste) the city’s largest Chinatown, spending an afternoon at the Bronx Zoo, going shopping at the boutiques in SoHo, checking out Arthur Avenue in the Bronx for a taste of what Little Italy in Manhattan used to be, or paying a visit to Coney Island and nearby Brighton Beach.

Looking for more food experiences? Consider trying out a quirky brunch or afternoon tea, signing up for a neighborhood-specific food tour (like this one covering the Lower East Side) or food-specific food tour (like this dedicated cupcake tour of the Village).

For sports fans, consider seeing the Yankees in the Bronx or the Mets in Queens.

Looking for gorgeous views that don’t require a ticket to an observation deck?

Ride the Roosevelt Island Tramway to enjoy skyline views for the price of a subway ticket, and board the NYC Ferry for $4.50/ride and head out to either Roosevelt Island or Governor’s Island.

Want to hit the water for free? Ride the Staten Island Ferry out and back!

You can also consider adding on some of the city’s hundreds of fascinating and lesser-known museums to your itinerary: the Met Cloisters, the Frick Collection, the Museum of the City of New York, the Tenement Museum, the Queens Museum (home to an entire miniature replica of New York City!), and the New York Transit Museum are all great options.

… And of course, this itinerary only included one of the big 3 museums, so you can always add on visits to whichever museums you missed amongst the Met, MOMA, and the Museum of Natural History, too.

However, with more than 4 days to work with, it has to be said that one of the best things to do in NYC is to throw out the bucket list for an afternoon, pick a neighborhood, and wander.

Whether you opt for a Manhattan neighborhood like the Upper West Side or Upper East Side, head out to Brooklyn to see, say, Williamsburg or Park Slope, or head further off the beaten path with a visit to Queens or the Bronx, you’re bound to find something interesting by exploring an NYC neighborhood on foot.

Alternatively, if you want to relax, you will have a fantastic time on any beautiful day in NYC by picking a park, sitting down, and watching the city go by.

Getting Around During 4 Days in New York City

Wondering how exactly to get around during your 4 days in New York?

Exactly how you end up managing transportation will depend on a combination of your travel style, budget, and group size.

Here’s a quick rundown of your options.

Walk

Our number one tip for getting around in New York? Walk everywhere you can.

True, you’ll still likely need to pick up alternate transport a few times a day–New York is enormous–but by walking where you can, you’ll save money, see more of the city, and often not waste any extra time (seriously–check the time difference in driving, catching the subway, and walking–in some spots and especially during rush hour, you’ll be shocked at home little of a time difference there is).

We intentionally designed this 4 day NYC itinerary to be as walkable as possible, with everything grouped by geography.

Enjoying the city on foot is half the fun of seeing it!

Subway

New York’s subway is not known for being well-run–quite the opposite, actually–but it’s still often one of the best ways to get around the city.

It’s now operated using tap-to-pay, which makes visiting a breeze!

As of 2025, each ride costs $2.90, and you can find updated fare details and information here.

If you’re visiting NYC in the summer, be prepared for the fact that not all subway lines come equipped with air conditioning!

Uber and Lyft

Uber and Lyft are popular in New York (Uber a bit more so), and are great options if you want to be driven and are coming from somewhere that taxis aren’t common.

At one point, ridesharing generally a bit cheaper than the taxis, but changes over time plus many back-and-forth legal battles with the city have moved the needle enough that they’re normally about even on price.

Taxis

New York’s iconic yellow taxis are most commonly found in Manhattan, especially in and around Midtown, so if you’re looking to hail one, that’s the place to do it from!

The taxis are happy to take you anywhere, but good luck stepping outside and picking one up in, say, Brooklyn.

When the numbers on top of the cab are lit up, that means that the cab is open and accepting rides, and you can stick your arm out and hail it.

All New York taxi drivers are required to use the meter, and we’ve never had an issue with one trying not to. You can pay (including tip) by credit card.

Taxis are definitely a more expensive way to get around than the subway, but if you’re traveling with a group, it can be more economical than you might think.

Citi Bike

Want to bike in NYC?

Citi Bike makes it easy to do (but if you’re not used to urban biking, you may prefer to start in less crowded neighborhoods).

Buses

Due to traffic, New York’s buses aren’t known for always running on time, but if you’re looking to get somewhere via public transportation that doesn’t have a great subway connection during your 4 days in New York, they’re an option.

You can use tap-to-pay for buses as well, it’s operated by the MTA (Metropolitan Transit Authority) just like the subway).

Rental Cars

Don’t bother driving on a trip to New York. Just… don’t.

Travel Tips for Visiting New York City

Pay careful attention to what airport you fly in and out of.

What do JFK, Newark (EWR), and LaGuardia (LGA) all have in common?

They all service flights to New York City–and they’re not particularly close to each other (for the record, JFK is in southeast Queens, LaGuardia is in northwest-ish Queens, and Newark is in the city of Newark, New Jersey).

Be sure to check and double-check what airport you’re flying into and out of.

The last thing you want to do is wrap up your first time in New York by heading to JFK when your flight is leaving from Newark!

Consider picking up the New York City Pass.

If the Empire State Building, the American Museum of Natural History, and 3 other major attractions (the Statue of Liberty/Ellis Island and the 9/11 Museum are both optional inclusions, for example), then the New York City Pass can be an excellent deal!

We rarely recommend city passes in general because they’re often designed to ferry people to less-visited corners rather than help them save money (a worthy goal for cities, absolutely, but not always what first-time visitors are looking for).

That is not the case in New York, though.

We tested the pass first-hand when one of my brothers came to visit us, and found it to be a bargain!

Get your New York City Pass today!

Don’t let yourself get out-museumed.

New York is known, among many other things, for its world-class museums–and if you try to visit every museum you’ve heard of during your 4 days in New York, you’ll no doubt walk away incredibly tired of them.

Save some–make that most–for a later trip, and prioritize just your two most coveted museums on this one.

Avoid empty subway cars.

If a subway car is empty, there’s a reason for it.

Your nose will thank you for braving the crowded car next door instead!

If you want to visit an Instagram sensation, prepare to wait… and pay.

The FRIENDS Experience. Edible cookie dough. The Color Factory. The Museum of Ice Cream. Colorful, instagrammable NYC cafes.

Whatever the Instagram sensation is that recently happened across your social media feed, if it blew up within the past year or two, be prepared to wait in a long line to get your hands on it… and to pay a hefty fee.

There’s nothing wrong with trying these things out–some are fabulous, some are mediocre–but don’t plan your entire trip to New York around them, or you’ll find yourself eating up too many precious sightseeing hours in line for gimmicks.

Consider picking one unmissable dish or experience, and then saving the rest for a different trip.

Bring cash.

A surprising number of New York bars and restaurants are cash-only, so come prepared!

Step out of the way if you need to stop on the sidewalk.

If there’s one thing New Yorkers are notorious for, it is moving fast and being abrupt–or even rude–on the street.

They’re not rude, they’re just busy, and wondering why in the world someone is staring around like a lost puppy in the middle of their commute!

If you need to stop on the sidewalk to check directions, especially if you’re in a crowded area, step off to the side first.

Expect to pay full price to visit the top museums in New York City–and to frequently book tickets in advance.

Generally speaking, free nights and pay-what-you-wish policies have either disappeared or been severely limited in the last 5 years.

If you happen to live or work in New York City (or in some cases, the tri-state area), you can still take advantage of certain perks (MOMA has free nights for residents on the first Friday of the month, the Met and the Natural History Museum still allow pay-what-you-wish for New Yorkers), but standard visitors should prepare to pay full price for tickets.

You can still find some exceptions, like at the Guggenheim during very specific hours and the Morgan Library and Museum, but free or very cheap museum visits are definitely harder to find than they used to be.

The other major change with visiting museums and major attractions like observation decks is that booking timed-entry tickets in advance is now highly encouraged, or in some cases, required.

If you can plan at least the major beats of your days in NYC in advance, your schedule will be easier for it!

Wear very comfortable shoes.

Any New York itinerary is bound to involve lots and lots of walking, and this one is no different.

Bring shoes that you feel comfortable wearing all day, and your trip will automatically improve.

When you can, book in advance (including for popular restaurants).

New Yorkers are big on reservations, and they’ve only become more popular in the city (and across the world, honestly) over the last 5 years.

If you have your heart set on visiting a popular attraction or restaurant–especially if you found out about it because it blew up on social media–make a reservation before visiting if you can.

For example, we lived a short walk away from Le Relais de Venise L’Entrecôte when it blew up online and watched it go from a typical restaurant to a place with lines down block before it opened for the day almost overnight!

Check restaurant reviews before sitting down.

New York’s restaurant scene is consistently amazing… and constantly evolving.

Every day, new restaurants open, old ones close, local favorites come under new management–it would literally be a full-time job to keep up with them all.

For that reason, we strongly recommend checking the online reviews of restaurants before picking a place to eat.

It’s the most reliable way to get up-to-date information about a location and ensure that you won’t be disappointed with a single meal you eat during your 4 days in New York City!

Read More About Visiting New York (and Beyond)

If you found this guide to planning a 4 day NYC vacation helpful, we’d love to continue to be part of your travel research here on Our Escape Clause!

You can check out our 100+ blog posts about the USA here, or browse these guides:

• Empire State Building or Top of the Rock: 9 Crucial Things to Know
• 19 Cool Cities Perfect for Weekend Getaways in the USA
• 10 Essential Tips for Planning the Perfect NYC Babymoon
• 21+ Fun Things to Do in Midtown, NYC (Beyond Times Square)
• 25 Best Christmas Vacations in the USA

Your Downloadable 4 Day NYC Itinerary Map

Take This Map With You! Click each highlight to pull up the name of the destination. To save this map to “Your Places” on Google Maps, click the star to the right of the title. You’ll then be able to find it under the Maps tab of your Google Maps account! To open the map in a new window, click the button on the top right of the map.