Our Guide to Visiting New York City
Get inspired with our New York City itineraries
From the neon of Times Square to the calm of Central Park, New York packs more icons into a few blocks than most cities do in a lifetime. Whether you’re here for one day or four, with family, friends, or someone special, these itineraries will help you make the most of your stay near Times Square.
One Day in New York
Fuel up with coffee and a pastry from Café Otto, our grab-and-go spot just off the lobby, before heading into Times Square,, where Broadway marquees light up day and night. Walk to Rockefeller Center and then head up Fifth Avenue for flagship shopping. Savor Italian small plates and spritzes at Bar Sprezzatura, a buzzy Midtown favorite. Cap the night with a Broadway show—Buena Vista Social Club, this season’s must-see.
Two Days in New York
Add art and green space. Spend the morning at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, then visit the Central Park Zoo or the Ramble, a 36-acre woodland. Ride the subway to the High Line, an elevated art-filled walkway lined by Chelsea Art Galleries. End in the West Village with pizza at Joe’s and live jazz at Arthur’s Tavern.
Three Days in New York
Walk the Brooklyn Bridge, then stroll the Brooklyn Heights Promenade for skyline views. Ride Jane’s Carousel, explore DUMBO’s cobblestones, and line up at Grimaldi’s, a coal-fired pizza legend under the bridge.
Four Days in New York
Balance big sights with quieter moments. Visit the 9/11 Memorial & Museum, the towering Oculus, then ferry to the Statue of Liberty or Ellis Island. Finish with dinner downtown—SoHo, Tribeca, or Greenwich Village.
New York With Loved Ones Itinerary
Start the day at Zabar’s (Upper West Side legend since 1934, famous for bagels and smoked fish), Barney Greengrass (a.k.a. The Sturgeon King, beloved for smoked fish and eggs), or Sarabeth’s by Central Park South (a polished brunch spot with a devoted following).
Then it’s off to culture. Families can dive into hands-on science at the American Museum of Natural History, while couples may prefer the intimacy of the Frick Madison, followed by a leisurely stroll along the Upper East Side.
By midday, stretch your legs in Central Park — bike the loops, row across the lake, or people-watch at Bethesda Terrace. With kids, the Central Park Zoo is always a win.
In the afternoon, drop by Strand Books with its “18 miles of books” and then wander into the West Village for cafes and boutique shopping. Share a coal-fired pie at John’s of Bleecker Street before settling into the Blue Note Jazz Club, where world-class acts perform in an intimate setting.
At dinner, families gather around tabletop grills in Koreatown, friends celebrate a brasserie night at Balthazar, and couples can indulge in a French tasting menu at Le Coucou.
Kids love the neon glow of Times Square, while couples can opt for the skyline from the Empire State Building or Top of the Rock, then slip into Please Don’t Tell, a hidden speakeasy, for a nightcap that feels like a secret shared.
