A Handcrafted NYC 4 Day Itinerary: A Local’s Guide
Heading to NYC and don’t know where to start? The city is massive and it can be intimidating trying to narrow down what to see and the most effective way to see it all. After having been a tourist in NYC many times and now a resident of the city, I’ve hand-picked the best places you need to visit on your 4 day trip to NYC.
This itinerary is a general outline of how I would spend a trip in NYC if I only had four days. It hits most of the big tourist spots, while still leaving some wiggle room to add in your own stops.
Day 1
Day 1 of our 4 day NYC itinerary is going to be concentrated downtown. We are going to start at the bottom of Manhattan with a trip to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. Then we will work our way up to the 9/11 Museum and Memorial + the One World Trade Center. We will round out the day with dinner in Little Italy.
Morning: Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island (3-4 Hours)
Welcome to New York City! We are kicking off this 4 Day NYC itinerary by setting sail to check out two of NYC’s most well known landmarks: the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. You have two options to see these stops, either with a guided tour or a self guided tour.
Before heading out, I would highly recommend grabbing something to eat or packing snacks as there aren’t many food options available on Liberty or Ellis Island. For my gluten free readers, check out my post on my favorite gluten free travel snacks I always keep on hand.
Option 1: Guided Tour of the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island
There are several different companies that offer guided tours of the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island in one trip. These tours typically meet in Battery Park and include a ferry ticket, guided tour of both landmarks as well as the Statue of Liberty Museum and Immigration Museum.
There are 215 steps that climb the interior to the top of the Statue of Liberty’s pedestal and another 162 steps that climb to the crown. Most guided tours do not include interior access. If you are interested in climbing the steps, I would recommend taking a look at the self guided tour option.
If you are not planning to go inside the monument, this tour is a good option.
Option 2: Self-Guided Tour of the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island
If you are doing a self-guided tour, you will purchase one of three ticket options from Statue City Reserve’s website:
- General Admission: This option includes a round trip ferry ride to both Liberty and Ellis Island.
- Pedestal Reserve: This option includes a round trip ferry ride to both Liberty and Ellis Island + access to climb to the top of the Pedestal.
- Crown Reserve: This option includes a round trip ferry ride to both Liberty and Ellis Island + access to climb to the top of the Crown.
The ferry leaves out of Battery Park in downtown Manhattan every 20-30 minutes. It takes about 15 minutes to get to Liberty Island. From there you can get out, walk around the island, take pictures, and if you chose one of the “reserve” ticket options you can climb the inside of the monument. All ticket types include access to the Statue of Liberty museum as well. Depending on if you climb the Statue, I would estimate spending somewhere between 60-90 minutes here.
Next, you will hop back on the Ferry using your same ticket from earlier and head over to Ellis Island.
All three ticket types include access to the Immigration Museum at Ellis Island. You can catch a fantastic 30 minute documentary within the museum that goes in depth on the history and impact of Ellis Island. In addition to the museum, make sure you check out the other sites on the island such as the Wall of Honor or Abandoned Hospital Complex. I would estimate spending 1-2 hours here.
When you are done exploring Ellis Island, you can get back on the ferry and head back to Battery Park.
Afternoon: 9/11 Museum, Memorial, and One World Trade Center
On the agenda for the afternoon is the 9/11 Museum, Memorial, and One World Trade Center. This is a heavy visit, but the museum and memorial are extremely well done and informative to understanding the full impact that this tragedy had on the city. I promise you this is a visit you don’t want to skip.
The 9/11 Memorial is about a 15 minute walk from the ferry that dropped you off in Battery Park. You will be walking through the financial district so there will be many options for you to stop and grab food along your walk.
9/11 Memorial
Upon arrival, it will be hard to miss the memorial which is characterized by two man-made waterfalls. Along the perimeter is the name of every person lost in 9/11. Take some time to walk around and appreciate this memorial before making your way to the museum.
9/11 Museum
You can buy tickets in advance to the museum here. I would plan to spend at least a couple hours in the museum. There are so many stories, audios, videos, and artifacts to absorb and it isn’t something I would want to rush through.
One World Trade Center
Here is where you have some flexibility in your visit. If you would like, you can go to the top of the One World Trade Center to the observation deck which offers fantastic views of the city. However, if you would like to save money I think this is something you can skip. Throughout the rest of this visit you will find two other opportunities to go to an observation deck at the Empire State Building or The Edge so don’t feel that you have to go.
If you would like to go to the One World Observatory, you can buy combination tickets with the museum here.
Evening: Dinner in Little Italy
To round out day one of our NYC 4 day itinerary we are going to head over to Little Italy for dinner! I love visiting Little Italy because it feels like an escape out of Manhattan and right into Europe. There are adorable little cafes, restaurants, gelaterias, and cannoli stands everywhere you look.
You have a few options getting there from the One World Trade Center or 9/11 Museum:
- You can walk there. It is about a 25 minute walk uptown (a little over a mile). If you are up for it, this is probably the option I would do if I had the energy!
- You can take a subway. If you are feeling subway savvy, this is a great option as well. It is only a couple stops up on the R or W trains but definitely consult with google maps in real time on the best subway option.
- Grab a cab. If you are new to taxi-hailing in NYC, here is the quick lowdown. Stand on any street corner and stick your arm out to every cab to signal that you are looking for a ride. If the taxi’s numbers on the roof of the car are lit up, it means it is available. If the numbers aren’t, then it is occupied already.
- Call an Uber or Lyft. If none of the other options peak your interest, you can always call a car!
As far as choosing a restaurant goes, I would recommend checking out this list. After having dinner, make sure you grab a gelato or cannoli to round out your evening!
If you have Celiac like me, unfortunately there aren’t any safe gluten free options that I have found in Little Italy since being diagnosed. I would recommend going a little further north to Risotteria Melotti, a dedicated gluten free Italian restaurant. Or, check out my guide to my favorite gluten free restaurants in New York City.
Day 2
On Day 2 we will spend the day in Midtown. For those unfamiliar with Midtown, this is what most people envision Manhattan to be. It encompasses Times Square, Rockefeller Center, Broadway theaters, and is where all the major shows and news networks film.
On today’s itinerary, we will head to the Empire State Building after breakfast, then walk over to Bryant Park for lunch, check out Times Square and Rockefeller Center, and end the day with a Broadway show.
Morning: Brunch and the Empire State Building
Brunch
Brunch in NYC is something you have to do while visiting. There are so many restaurants offering delicious brunch menus. This part of the day will be DIY so if you want to check out a neighborhood that isn’t in this itinerary feel free to explore a little. I highly recommend looking into brunch places in West Village. West Village is one of Manhattan’s quintessential neighborhoods complete with cobblestone streets, centuries-old buildings, dogs everywhere, and some of the best food in the city.
However, if you want to eat brunch closer in Midtown which is where we will spend the rest of the day, there are loads of options. Just make sure you call ahead, or make reservations, since this area is the most congested with tourists.
If you are gluten free like me, I recommend checking out Friedman’s! There are several options throughout the city including a midtown location (Friedman’s at the Edison).
Empire State Building
What better way to see all of NYC than from the top of one of Manhattan’s most famous landmarks: the Empire State Building! Featured in movies, tv shows, and an iconic piece of NYC’s skyline, I highly recommend making this a stop on your NYC itinerary.
You have two options for the Empire State Building, tickets to just the 86th floor observatory or for an additional cost you can go to the 102nd floor observatory as well. You can’t go wrong with either option as you will get spectacular city views either way. Personally, I’ve never gone to the 102nd floor but would consider this option if you are going on a clear, sunny day.
Note that you have to buy tickets to the Empire State Building in advance. Tickets are available for purchase here.
Afternoon: Lunch in Bryant Park, Rockefeller Center, and Times Square
Lunch in Bryant Park
After finishing the Empire State building we are going to head a few blocks north to Bryant Park (about a 10 minute walk).
There are a couple food options within the park, or you could stop somewhere along the way. This would be a great opportunity to try a NY slice of pizza! Once at the park, there are tons of chairs and tables you can grab a seat at and sit back to enjoy the buzz of the park.
Note that if you are visiting during November or December, the holiday market will likely be set up! This is one of my favorite markets in the city. There are hundreds of vendors set up for Christmas selling delicious food, gifts, and other trinkets. Plus, there is an ice rink set up that you can rent skates to go skating on!
Rockefeller Center
Once you are done with lunch in Bryant Park, we are going to walk even further north to Rockefeller Center- home to the iconic Rockefeller Center Christmas tree, ice skating rink, and Top of the Rock!
I recommend walking up Fifth Avenue to see some of the iconic, boujee stores that line the street between Bryant Park and Rockefeller Center. If you are visiting around Christmas time, this will be one of the busiest areas in the city. Saks Fifth Avenue does a holiday light display outside its store, and be sure to check out their holiday display through the windows!
Again, depending on the time of year you are there, Rockefeller Center may be decorated for the holidays and you may be able to view the ice skaters (or join in!). If you are there during the warmer months, Rockefeller Center is still a cool area to check out as there is always stuff going on in this area.
You can choose to buy tickets to the Top of the Rock observation deck, but we have an observation deck built into our day 3 plans so I wouldn’t deem this to be a “must-do”.
Times Square
After visiting Rockefeller Center, we are going to head back down a few blocks to the heart of New York City tourism: Times Square. While overwhelming, Times Square is a must visit if this is your first time (or even if it is not) in the city! This is home to the New Year’s ball drop, hundreds of billboards, bright lights, iconic stores, theaters, and restaurants. When you picture NYC this is probably what you are picturing!
While there is so much to see and do in Times Square, here is a short list of some quick things to check out while you are there:
- M&M’s World
- Disney Store
- Hershey’s Chocolate World
- The Red Steps
Read on here for a more extensive list of places to visit in and around Times Square!
Evening: Dinner and a Broadway Show
We are going to wrap up our second day in NYC with one of my favorite city attractions: Broadway. There are dozens of Broadway, off-Broadway, and off-off-Broadway shows available every night. What’s the difference between Broadway and off-Broadway? The theater size! Off-Broadway shows are in smaller theaters than Broadway shows, but the production value is still stellar so don’t let the title deter you from seeing one of these shows.
I typically use TodayTix to purchase tickets at discounted prices. You can scroll through all the different Broadway and off-Broadway options here.
Depending on the time of the show, you can either do dinner before or after your show. Most shows run 2-3 hours so keep that in mind. If you are seeing a Broadway show, the theater is likely near Times Square. If that is the case, there are tons of iconic restaurant spots you should definitely check out. If you are going to one of the more touristy options such as Hard Rock Café, Ellen’s Stardust Diner, or Carmine’s, I would definitely make a reservation in advance.
Day 3
We are going to spend day 3 of our 4 Day NYC itinerary outdoors for much of the day so you want to have good weather for this itinerary. We are going to start the day at one of Manhattan’s big museums, take a stroll through Central Park, then check out the High Line, and end the day with the Edge observation deck.
Choose Your Museum Adventure
You have three options of museums to start day 3: the Metropolitan Museum of Art (the Met), the American Museum of Natural History, or the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA). All three are great options and close to Central Park (our next stop) so it just depends on what you are interested most in seeing.
The Metropolitan Museum of Art
The Met, located on the Upper East Side, is the largest art museum in the United States. You can find art from around the world across thousands of years. Works from famous artists including Rembrandt, Degas, Van Goh, and more are within the museum.
This museum is huge so you can easily spend a whole day here if you wanted to. I would recommend taking a look at what exhibits are on display in advance. You can learn more about what is going on at The Met here.
If you are visiting during the warmer months, I recommend going up to the rooftop (it’s free!) for a pretty view of Central Park. And if you would like a refresher, you might check out the rooftop bar!
American Museum of Natural History
Another fantastic museum to check out in the city is the American Museum of Natural History. For Friends lovers like me, you will know this as Ross’ place of work. Located on the Upper West Side, this museum boasts tons of exhibits including mammals, birds, fossils, dinosaurs, gems, and a planetarium! If you are traveling with kids, this is probably the best option out of these three museums (though it is a great visit for adults and kids alike!).
This is another museum you could easily lose yourself in for a whole day, so check out the exhibits in advance on their website here.
Museum of Modern Art
MoMA is another fantastic art museum to check out whether you art an art enthusiast, or just want to see Van Gogh’s A Starry Night up close in person. This museum is several floors filled with notable modern artists and some very famous works of art.
The museum is located in midtown just south of the bottom of Central Park. To learn more about the museum, check out their website here.
Take a Walk through Central Park
No matter which museum you opt to visit, you will wind up close to Central Park. The MET is located along Central Park on the east side, the Natural History Museum on the west, and MoMA is a few blocks south.
Central Park is HUGE and there is actually a lot to see! You can find baseball fields, the ice skating rink, the Central Park Zoo, Belvedere Castle, boat rentals, the reservoir, among more on just one walk. Feel free to check out any of the attractions while you are there, but even a simple walk around the park (or sit) in the park is fun and great for people and dog watching.
If you would like, there are a couple of restaurants and cafes to grab food from right in Central Park.
High Line and The Edge
We are going to wrap up Day 3 by heading down to the west side of Manhattan to walk the High Line and go to The Edge observatory deck.
The High Line is a public park built on an old, abandoned freight line. This 1.5 mile long walk features art installations, views of the Hudson River, and the opportunity to learn about a piece of New York City’s history as this rail line was used for a significant amount of New York City’s imports and exports during the Industrial Revolution.
There are several entry/exit points along the trail, so you don’t have to walk the full 1.5 mile span. However, I highly recommend doing the full walk so you don’t miss out on any of the awesome views it affords.
The Edge is located at the northern end of the High Line walk so the order you do these two attractions in will depend on which way you walk the High Line. I would recommend starting at the southern end of the High Line and planning to end at the Edge around sunset.
The Edge is the highest outdoor Skydeck in the United States and has some of the best views of New York City. Part of the Skydeck’s floor is made of glass so you can look down over 1000 feet to the ground below. Personally, I was too scared to walk on the glass floor but if you are more daring you will love this.
Disclaimer: If you have a fear of heights, this may not be for you!
Trivia in the Upper East Side
If heights are not for you, perhaps you want to stay in upper Manhattan and try your hand at trivia instead. Bar trivia is incredibly popular throughout the city, so you can find a trivia night just about anywhere, any night of the week. If you are interested in getting in on the NYC trivia scene, take a look at these trivia bars in the Upper East Side to get started.
Day 4
We are going to wrap up our NYC 4 day itinerary by heading over to Brooklyn via a walk across the Brooklyn Bridge, enjoying the park along the river, and then I highly recommend booking one of NYC’s many tour options.
Walk the Brooklyn Bridge
The Brooklyn Bridge is another fantastic spot to see the city skyline and get great photos of the city while enjoying the outdoors. The walk is about a mile long and will probably take you 30-45 minutes (depending on how crowded it is). The pathway on the bridge is a dedicated footpath so you don’t have to worry about walking alongside busy NYC traffic.
For this itinerary, we are going to start in downtown Manhattan and walk across the bridge to the Brooklyn side, but you can enter from either side.
Time Out Market and Brooklyn Bridge Park
Once you are on the other side of the bridge in Brooklyn, I recommend heading to Time Out Market to grab food (about a 10 min walk). Time Out Market is a huge food/drink hall featuring tons of local vendors with some of the best food and drink options.
However, if you have Celiac like me- Time Out Market isn’t the safest option. In lieu of the market I would recommend heading to Springbone Kitchen which is also a short walk from the bridge. Springbone kitchen is delicious and is a dedicated gluten free facility!
After grabbing your food, I recommend taking it to Brooklyn Bridge park (if its warm enough) which sits along the East River to eat your food and enjoy the view!
Go on a Tour!
To wrap up your 4 day NYC trip, I would recommend looking into one of the many tours offered around the city. There are food tours, ghost tours, boat tours, helicopter tours- you name it offered throughout the city.
I went on a ghost tour last fall around Greenwich Village that was super fun, informative, and filled with tidbits about NYC that I hadn’t known before.
If you are interested in a food tour, check out some of the best NYC food tours here!
For all other tours, I recommend perusing Viator to see what options you might be interested in!
Looking for More Inspiration for your 4 Days in NYC?
If you are visiting New York City, the planning doesn’t have to stop here! Check out my other guides to NYC:
Don’t Stop Exploring Here!
Check out my other itineraries for more travel inspiration!
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- Day Trip to Austin Itinerary: The Best of Austin in 1 Day
- How Many Days in Rome is Enough? The Perfect Itinerary for 2, 3, or 4 Day
- San Diego in One Day: Ultimate Guide
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