What to see in New York in 7 days: complete itinerary

New York is the place I consider my second home, and the city where I left my heart, the first time in the distant 2012. I then went back another 2 times, and the last with the idea of ​​a one-way ticket. Unfortunately things went differently and here I am again in Italy, but the 3 months spent there were the most intense of my life.
Visiting the Big Apple is everyone's dream, and for this here I have decided to summarize you what to see in New York in 7 days, in a classic itinerary ideal for those visiting this city for the first time!

Obviously, as a veteran of this place, I will also talk to you about less known and less touristy places in other posts, as I have already done here.
But I believe that the stops I am going to tell you about now cannot be missed during your first trip!

What to see in New York in 7 days

What I have prepared for you is very similar to the itinerary I followed my first time, and which I also prepared for my parents when they came to visit me in New York, in December 2016. More, I added the Hudson Yards complex which at that time was still under construction.
We will discover the symbols of this city, that will literally make you fall in love at first sight! At the end of the article I will also talk about how to get around in New York, but I already anticipate that you will do very long walks and that every evening you will be destroyed, as you will want to discover every hidden corner!

Travel itinerary

Day 1

Departure Naples (in my case) – New York

In New York there are 3 airports, the most famous of them is the JFK. Depending on the airline you have booked and the stopovers you will make, you could land here or at one of the other two airports (Newark or La Guardia), usually arriving in the States in the afternoon. We flew to JFK and arrived in the evening local time (remember that New York is located 6 hours behind Italy).
We took from the airport the Air Train, the fastest way to move between the various terminals and that arrives to the Jamaica Station stop. From here you can easily take the metro of the blue line that will take you to the center of Manhattan in approx 40 minutes.

You will probably run straight to Times Square on the first night, to have the first impact with the incredible city you are in!
For dinner you can stop by Dallas BBQ, which is right nearby. Although normally I would advise against eating near Times Square as it is the most touristic place in Manhattan, in this restaurant you will eat excellent burgers and excellent pork ribs, all at fair prices.

Day 2

Times Square & Midtown

Your discovery tour of New York can only start from its beating heart, the Midtown neighborhood.
If you weren't too late yesterday, you may not have resisted to a preview exploration of this area and the world famous Times Square. However, this is where we will start today from!
If you are staying in the center, you can easily get here walking, otherwise you can take the subway and stop at 42St.

Times Square is one of the most famous squares in the world, and undoubtedly one of the icons of New York. There are those who consider it the most touristic place ever and those who love it. I personally loved it. If there is a place where you will feel exactly at the center of the world, well this is Times Square.
I recommend that you see it both day and night, as it is precisely with the setting of the sun that the myriad of luminous advertising signs will create the real magic!

After the first impact with the majesty of New York, keep your journey. Don't waste much time in Times Square as you will pass through here countless times, especially if you are staying in the center.

Bryant Park

From Times Square you can easily get to Bryant Park.
Although less famous and smaller than Central Park, Bryant Park is a little gem, surrounded by Midtown skyscrapers and where you experience a truly unique atmosphere. During the Christmas period it is one of the most magical places in the city, where a huge Christmas tree is set up, an ice skating rink and splendid markets of all kinds. In the summer periods, instead it is a perfect stop for a relaxing picnic and to enjoy a suggestive green area right in the center of Manhattan.

Next to Bryant Park is the NYC Public Library, the ancient and beautiful library of New York, that you can visit for free!

Fifth Avenue

It will probably be done by lunchtime. Stop by Shake Shack to eat one of the best burgers and cheapest of New York (perfect combination)! I will soon write you a post dedicated to the best places to eat in NYC, stay tuned 🙂
From Bryant Park and the Public Library you can turn the corner and find yourself on Fifth Avenue, the most famous street in New York. A walk here is a real experience, that will make you feel all the magic of New York. You will feel tiny in front of the immense skyscrapers (and poor, in front of shop windows such as Cartier, Tiffany etc 🙂 ).

Enjoy your time here and continue until you reach St Patrick Cathedral, the largest Neo-Gothic Roman Catholic cathedral in the United States! From the outside, the cathedral will amaze you with its majesty and architectural beauty, but don't miss a tour inside as well. Admission is free!

Rockefeller Center & Top Of The Rock

Right in front of St Patrick Cathedral there is the Rockefeller Center, the famous complex of commercial buildings in Manhattan, where you will find television studios, squares, shops and restaurants. The real gem of this place is the enormous Christmas tree set up here, which together with the ice skating rink, creates a perfect movie scenario in all its magic.

In addition to the NBC studies (well-known American television broadcaster) and to Radio City Music Hall (the famous Art Deco style theater which hosts some of the best known shows in the city, including the Radio City Christmas Spectacular), Rockefeller Center's most visited attraction is the Top Of The Rock.

The very famous New York observatory, located on the 70th floor, is one of the best places (if not the best ever) to enjoy a view of Manhattan that will literally leave you breathless, with a super close perspective of the Empire State Building. It is an outdoor terrace, surrounded by transparent glass that will allow you to have a view of 360 degrees over the city. My advice is to come here in the evening (also at sunset if you prefer, but it will be very busy) in order to enjoy the atmosphere in a relaxed way. The observatory closes at midnight, with the last lift that leaves at 23.15 (except the 24 and the 31 December when the closing is at 22.00), so you can easily organize your visit.

This was the best view for me of Manhattan overall, so I advise you not to miss at all this stop!
The ticket for the access to the Top Of The Rock has a cost of 38$ (if you have the City Pass it is included).
During the high season you may run into long lines at the ticket office, but I'll tell you a little trick! Just located 5 floors below there is the Bar SixtyFive, which you can access directly by skipping the line for the observatory and where you just need to buy a drink to enjoy the same view even at a lower cost! 🙂

Day 3

Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island

What to see in New York in 7 days- the itinerary continues 🙂

Today starts from Battery Park, where we take the ferry to Ellis Island and Liberty Island, discovering the Statue of Liberty. Also be prepared for long lines here at any time of the year, so try to arrive early in the morning.

The first stop of the ferry will be Ellis Island, the island where immigrants were welcomed in the past, and where you will still find a very interesting immigration museum. The visit to this place will be a touching experience and of great historical interest, where you will relive the expectations and anxieties of the immigrants of that time. You will also be able to access a online archive to trace the names of those who arrived here over time, allowing you to find your ancestors.

After stopping at Ellis Island, you will leave to Liberty Island, to finally have a close encounter with her majesty Lady Liberty! Already from the boat you will have an amazing view of the Manhattan skyline and of the Statue of Liberty in all its perspectives. But once you arrive on the islet, the emotion will be really great! Find yourself in front of the symbol of New York and retracing its entire history will be unforgettable and you will try to take as many photos as possible of the Statue from every angle 🙂

Personally, I do not recommend you to climb the crown. You will face 350 steps, you will pay an extra ticket that must be booked in advance by setting the day and time (so if it rains, you are screwed!) and the experience does not deserve it. Rather buy the basic ticket at the cost of 23$ which includes the boat, the visit to Ellis Island and access to Liberty Island (including the new museum inaugurated in 2019). And enjoy the experience on the island 🙂

Ps. To avoid the huge queues created at Battery Park to board, you can also take the boat from Liberty State Park, in Jersey City, much less crowded. Although physically in another state, Jersey City is easily accessible from Manhattan with the Path Train. And I am talking about it here

Wall Street

Once the visit to the Statue of Liberty is over, dedicate yourself to explore Wall Street, the most famous financial district in the world! Walk in the area of ​​the New York Stock Exchange and stop to admire the Federal Hall, the Trinity Church and the much photographed Bronze Bull! Be careful, don't forget to touch his genitals, it seems to bring good luck!

World Trade Center

After a quick lunch, keep staying in Lower Manhattan and continue towards the World Trade Center. This is one of the most touching places from the emotional point of view of New York, where the Twin Towers once stood.
Today you will find several points of interest here, first of all the Memorial of the 9/11. Two huge tanks built on the exact spot where the Towers were located, and on which the names of the victims of that terrible attack are engraved. Stop here for a few minutes in silence.

You can also visit the Museum dedicated to the victims of September 11th, at the cost of 26$, where you will find important testimonies and material of historical interest about that tragic event. I absolutely recommend a stop here.

A short distance away, a building with extraordinary architecture will catch your attention. It's the new futuristic station of the World Trade Center, called “Oculus”. You have probably already arrived here by metro, or it is likely that you will do it in the next few days, so don't dwell too long. Inside you will also find shops, and the famous Westfield World Trade Center, one of the largest shopping malls in New York!

It is almost evening, and it's the perfect time to climb the Fredom Tower (also known as One World Trade Center), another of the buildings that symbolize the rebirth of New York following the 9/11 attack. The Tower is at the moment the tallest building in the western hemisphere and its design is truly amazing.
But the real attraction is represented by the’observatory located on the 102nd floor, from where you can enjoy a view of 360 degree of New York. Although you have climbed the Top Of The Rock, and I told you that it was my favorite view, the experience on the One World Trade Center will leave you breathless!

Once you enter the elevator to reach the top, the real magic will begin: in 60 seconds of ascent there will be projected beautiful images that tell the urban evolution of New York from 1600 to today. Once you get to the 102nd floor, the projection of images of the Big Apple will continue, until the most exciting moment: the sudden opening of the screen on the observatory windows and the impact with the incredible view of Manhattan from above!

After this little anticipation, don't miss the show! 🙂

For dinner if you want to delight your palate with a tasty burger in a very trendy place, stop by 5 Napkin Burger, there are several scattered around the city!

Day 4

Museum of Natural History

If yesterday's day was spent discovering the southern area of ​​Manhattan, today we will dedicate ourselves to the north, continuing the list of what to see in New York in 7 days.

The first stop that I recommend is the Natural History Museum.
Small premise: as visits to museums take a lot of time, I would tell you to choose in advance which one to visit among the Museum of Natural History, the Moma (Contemporary art museum) and the Met, and to devote the rest of the time to other Manhattan attractions.

The Natural History Museum is located between 79th Street and Central Park, therefore in a very convenient position if you intend to visit the latter on the same day.
If you have seen the movie “A night at the museum“, you will immediately recognize the main hall, with the huge T-Rex to welcome you! 🙂

This museum has fascinated adults and children for many years, retracing the history of the earth's evolution up to the present day, with interesting testimonies and reconstructions of natural habitats. The visit will take you at least half a morning, and for sure you won't be able to see all that this crazy place has to offer. So plan ahead for the rooms you want to visit. The entrance ticket costs 23$.

Central Park

Leaving the Natural History Museum, you will see coasting parallel Central Park, so enter and start enjoying this wonderful park!

I have visited Central Park at various times of the year, enjoying its atmosphere both with the snow in December, both with the most beautiful shades of red and yellow of the autumn period. It is precisely in this period that the park literally transforms itself into a magical place!

Obviously Central Park is so big that it will be impossible to visit it all. A good solution, mild weather permitting, could be to rent a bike, in order to appreciate the relaxed atmosphere even more.
If you entered at 81st street, near the Museum, head first to the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir, the largest lake in the park and in New York, around which a walkable path has been created admiring splendid views.

Proceeding south, other points of interest in Central Park that I recommend you don't miss are:

• The Belvedere Castle
• The very famous Strawberry Fields: the memorial dedicated to John Lennon
• Bathesda Terrace: stop here to admire the most bizarre and incredible street performers around the huge fountain
• The Wollman Rink: the ice skating rink
• The Pond: a pond that offers splendid views of the surrounding skyscrapers

But my advice is to simply get lost in the park, slowly discovering its most hidden corners and experiencing a truly suggestive experience.
Finish your visit before it gets dark.

If you want to have for dinner a steak you will remember for the rest of your days, head to Benjamin Steakhouse, at the intersection of Madison Avenue and 40th Street. Definitely an exclusive and not cheap place, but that really deserves a stop!

Day 5

Chelsea Market

Start your day by visiting Chelsea Market, at the intersection of 9th Avenue and 15th Street, a huge covered food market which has become one of the main attractions of New York!
Here you will find about fifty shops, restaurants and outlets offering meat, fish, fruit, American and international specialties and much more. You can also treat yourself to a tasty breakfast based on some delicacy that you will find in the market!

High Line

Near Chelsea Market, at the intersection of 10th Avenue and 16th Street, you will find the High Line, where you can enjoy a relaxing walk. The High Line is an elevated pedestrian path recreated on the basis of old disused railway tracks, which runs for about 2km in the heart of Manhattan. You can travel it from south to north (in this case) or viceversa. Either way your path will be surrounded by plants, trees, flowers and well-kept spaces. All accompanied by amazing corners and stunning views of the Empire State Building and Hudson River.
There are also numerous benches and places to stop and relax, enjoying the performances of some street artist who contributes to make the atmosphere even more suggestive.

Finish your journey on the High Line at 30th Street, and dedicate a little bit’ of time also to explore the Chelsea neighborhood, one of the most characteristic of Manhattan. Stop here for lunch.

Hudson Yards: The Vessel & The Edge

In the afternoon, head to the brand new Hudson Yards complex, which is located right near the exit on the 30th of the High Line. Here visit The Vessel and the panoramic terrace of The Edge. Unfortunately I have not been there, because they were still under construction, but it is really worth a visit here!

The Vessel is a futuristic oval-shaped building. It is composed entirely of external stairways connected to each other, that offer beautiful views of Manhattan, as you reach the top. Keep in mind, however, that doing the entire route on foot up to the 15th floor may turn out quite tiring, as they will wait for you that you will need approx 2500 steps. However, you can also choose to take the lifts to a certain point and keep walkng only for a few ramps. Anyway, you cannot miss the view from the viewing platforms!
Currently The Vessel is temporarily closed to the public. In fact, numerous cases of suicide have occurred right from its ramps, and the future of this futuristic New York structure is being decided.

The’ other gem of the new Hudson Yards complex is the panoramic terrace of The Edge. This is the’highest external observatory in the western hemisphere, and is located on the hundredth floor of the building 30 Hudson Yards. It includes both an internal area, and a breathtaking outdoor terrace, where you can enjoy an unforgettable view of Manhattan from.
You can buy tickets in advance on the official website . Beware that if you choose to visit it at sunset, the ticket has a higher cost.

Remember, however, that if you plan to visit many paid attractions in New York, you can consider the purchase of a City Pass, a card that gives you access to multiple monuments (even if most of the time it is not convenient).

Day 6

Dumbo neighborhood & Brooklyn Heights Promenade

The sixth day will be dedicated to one of the places I loved the most during my time in New York: the Dumbo neighborhood in Brooklyn and Brooklyn Heights.

Take the blue subway towards Brooklyn and stop at High Street-Brooklyn Bridge. From here start a quiet walk and arrive in the district of Dumbo. Start exploring the park area between the Brooklyn Bridge and the Manhattan Bridge, admiring the beautiful views of Manhattan. Stop and take some pictures at Pebble Beach and enjoy the view.
The perspective from here is truly breathtaking!

Keep going towards the Brooklyn Bridge Park- Pier 1 and continue your panoramic tour, with the Brooklyn Bridge ever closer to you. Here you will also find kiosks where you can stop for a drink or something to eat and you can sit on a bench getting lost among the huge skyscrapers on the opposite side of the river.

Push yourself up to Brooklyn Heights Promenade. This elevated pedestrian and cycle path will offer you an incredible perspective on the East River and Manhattan.
Finally explore the quaint neighborhood of Brooklyn Heights, flanked by splendid red brick buildings (the typical brownstones), tree-lined avenues and an almost European atmosphere.

If you want an alternative to the usual burgers for lunch, but just as tasty, stop by Juliana’s for a pizza. It is not the classic Neapolitan one, but it is very good.

Brooklyn Bridge

After photographing the Brooklyn Bridge from every possible perspective, what a better way to leave Brooklyn than crossing the bridge itself? Walk towards it, and let yourself be carried away by an unforgettable experience, walking on a piece of New York history and enjoying views that will leave you breathless.

Once back in Manhattan, if you are not too tired you can reach the Soho district (even with the metro).

Soho

Soho is one of the most charming neighborhoods in Manhattan, where you can breathe an authentic atmosphere away from the glitz and excesses of Midtown. Here cast iron buildings and typical red brick buildings with external fire escape stairs are the masters, and you will be immediately projected in the settings of many movies and TV series.
You will also find famous shopping streets, like Prince Street or Spring Street, trendy clubs and restaurants, and you will discover the most chic and trendy Manhattan.
You can pop in here even in the evening, when the neighborhood comes alive even more!

Day 7

Grand Central Station

The last day in New York can be organized according to your priorities and what you have been able to see or not in the previous days.
If you followed my itinerary, you have not yet made a stop at Grand Central Station, one of the most iconic and popular stations in the Big Apple.

This is the largest terminal in the world and the first impact with its majesty will leave you speechless. You will be fascinated by the architectural elements and how this station manages to keep her elegance, despite the thousands of people who pass through it every day.
Grand Central Station is not just a station, but a real experience, where you will also find numerous shops and restaurants. In short, enjoy it :)

Chrysler Building

A short distance from Grand Central Station you will come across the Chrysler Building, one of the most beautiful skyscrapers in Manhattan. Probably you have already noticed this building, with its unmistakable spire, but admiring it up close will be even more exciting.
Unlike other skyscrapers, the Chrysler Building does not host observatories or viewing terraces inside, but it's mostly appreciable from the outside. The only space that can be visited by the public is in fact the atrium, which however does not offer much.

Flatiron Building

If you feel like walking, and I would say yes since it is your last day to discover the Big Apple, you can travel south on Madison Avenue to reach the Flatiron Building.
Madison Avenue is another of the most beautiful streets in Manhattan, and you will love walking among its skyscrapers, just like I did several times.
Staying on the subject of iconic buildings, the Flatiron Building certainly represents one of these.

Known as “iron” due to its particular triangular shape, the Flatiron Building is one of the iconic buildings of New York and one of the most beautiful to photograph. It is located at the intersection of Fifth Avenue and Broadway, in the Flatiron District, neighborhood that takes its name.

This is another lively and trendy area of ​​Manhattan, where you can also relax in the neighbor Madison Square Park, a very nice park where some squirrels will surely come to greet you!

Inside the park you will find Shack Shack, the famous hamburger chain I told you about at the beginning of the article, where (if it's not too cold!) you can enjoy your burger outdoors in complete tranquility!

Empire State Building

In the afternoon, move to the Herald Square area to reach the Empire State Building. Also in this case I advise you to walk, you are in the beating heart of Manhattan and the real attraction will be exploring every corner.

The Empire State Building is a must on every trip to New York and one of its unmistakable symbols. Looking at it from below will make you feel tiny and the real challenge will be photographing it in its entirety!
One of the must-see attractions of this building is its own observatory at the top, from which you can enjoy one of the most beautiful views of Manhattan. In particular the observatories are 2:

• The Main Deck located on the 86th floor, characterized by a breathtaking outdoor terrace
• The observatory on the 102nd floor, of more recent construction and completely indoors, from where it is possible to enjoy a privileged perspective on Central Park.

Certainly one of the best times to climb to the top of the Empire State Building is at sunset, but this will also be one of the busiest. Moreover, if you have climbed the Top of The Rock and the Freedom Tower and don't feel like visiting another observatory, you can also avoid it. If I have to advise you to choose the best view among the 3, I would definitely tell you the one from Top of The Rock.
But in all honesty, once you are in NYC, don't think about it too much and enjoy the show from as many vantage points as possible 🙂

The ticket costs 42$ for access to the outdoor Main Deck, while 75$ for combined access to both observers. I only visited the Main Deck, as the new observatory was not yet open to the public. But if you don't want to spend a fortune, I would say that this terrace is just fine 🙂
The Empire State Building is accessible every day from 8.00am to 2.00 at night, but remember that the last lift leaves 45 minutes before closing time.

The list of what to see in New York in 7 days ends.
Your last evening can be spent in the places you liked the most, not forgetting to once again experience the thrill of being at the center of the world in Times Square.
You will probably say goodbye to this city with a promise to return, because New York takes a piece of your heart and keeps it forever.

How to move

As last thing, I want to give you some useful info on how to get around New York.
As you may have understood from my itinerary, I recommend that you explore Manhattan walking as much as possible, because walking among its huge skyscrapers and fully breathing its atmosphere will be something you will not forget.

However, the efficient lines of the metro will meet you at any time and will allow you to easily reach every point of the city. Also it is right in the subways that you will experience even more the New York culture and its multiculturalism, and you will frequently see exciting performances by dancers and street artists of all kinds.

According to your needs and how you decide to organize every single day, consider purchasing the Metro Card. The Metro Card is a magnetic card that you can top up either with an amount of your choice, that will be scaled up gradually (Pay per Ride), both with subscriptions of 7 days that allow you to make unlimited rides on the metro and buses. The ticket for a single ride on the metro costs 2.75$ while the weekly pass 33$, then do two calculations based on your needs 🙂
Find more info here.

Remember that the’Unlimited Ride MetroCard cannot be used to pay for the Airtrain from JFK airport, while you can use Pay per Ride.
The MetroCard can be easily purchased at the automatic machines present in each station.

To conclude, I leave you here the metro map to download, so that you can orient yourself! 😉