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Everything you need to have the best vacation ever with the best places to go, things to do, food to eat and places to stay in New York City!
New York City itinerary 4 days featuring the top things to do in New York City for first timers
New York City is so much fun! It’s one of the top travel destinations in the world and one of the best places to visit in the US.
If you are visiting NYC for the first time (or second…) I can help you experience the best of this big city!
There are so many “best things to do in NYC”–you could spend a week on your New York City vacation. I found the top things to do, so you can save time (and money) using this New York City travel guide and itinerary, which includes self guided walking itineraries.
I spent 4 days in NYC in the spring and loved every minute. When I was planning this trip, I spent a lot of time researching the top things to do and the best places to eat.
So, this itinerary is exactly what I did- the must-see in New York City.
The best way to see NYC? By walking from one place to the next (and a few Lyft or Uber rides here and there for convenience).
Since I love food, I indulged in delicious casual eats at some of the highest-rated eateries in NYC. You will see some of these in this New York City walking itinerary. All of the best food that I had is listed at the end of the post, along with other restaurants, and cafes… with top review scores.
I put together this incredible 4 day New York City walking tour, with visits to all of the most popular attractions in Manhattan. You can speed it up and make it a 3 day New York City itinerary, or slow down and make it a 5 day NYC itinerary.
This New York City tour plan works well for any month or any season. It’s perfect for adults and older kids or teens–enjoy the splendor of the biggest city in the United States. Make sure to pack your most comfortable walking shoes.
*Most of the places can be FREE to visit, with optional entrance or tour fees. Plan in advance where you want to spend your money because the fees can add up fast.
Ready to get the ultimate New York City 4 day itinerary and start planning your New York City vacation?
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4 Day New York City Itinerary- 4 Days in NYC
Where to Stay in New York City?
For your new york city trip, stay in the Upper West Side, closer to Midtown, and Central Park. It’s convenient and one of the nicest parts of town. There are great places to eat everywhere.
Looking for the best place to stay in New York City? Find the best prices at top-rated hotels here
- Hotel Beacon– 3 Star boutique hotel with suites available, in a great location on the Upper West side Click here for the latest prices
- Blakely Hotel– 4 Star boutique hotel in midtown (near Upper West) with suites Click here for the latest prices
- JW Marriott Essex House– Fantastic location in Midtown, across the street from the beautiful Central Park Click here for the latest prices
- Ritz Carlton Central Park– For a luxurious splurge, looking over Central Park Click here for the latest prices
Click here to read reviews and see prices on Booking.com or Agoda.com
Click here to search for an apartment in NYC
How to get around in New York City
There are so many fun things to do in New York City and walking is your best bet to see as much as possible. If you aren’t familiar with Lyft, it’s an app (similar to Uber, but better for NYC) you must get!
Anywhere you are you can order a ride, get picked up, and have it automatically charged to your credit card. This costs much less than a taxi–and it’s way faster.
Getting a ride from your furthest point or to your starting point for the day is great. It’s also nice to use for going out at night.
The subway is another great way to get around. It’s easy to figure out and if you have any questions just ask the person at the ticket book (underground at the station). If you are traveling with a family of 4, you may want to look at the price of a Lyft vs. the $2.75/per person price of the subway.
New York City Itinerary 4 Days with options for New York City 3 Days or New York City Itinerary 2 Days
New York Travel Tips
*Use your cell phone map to guide you from one place to the next. *If you are from out of the country and don’t have a wifi plan, get the CityMaps2Go App, download Manhattan, and plot all of these places in advance–as seen in my Best Travel Apps post.
*Get the TKTS app and check for a same day (or day before for matinees) discounted Broadway and Off-Broadway plays. There are three locations where you can buy your tickets.
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4 Days in New York City, visiting the best New York City tourist attractions
DAY 1
Have breakfast at Sarabeth’s on the Upper West Side.
Walk Broadway to West 59th street and check out the famous Plaza Hotel.
Take a photo at the LOVE sculpture.
If you didn’t already have breakfast, stop at The Little Beet for a healthy quick bite.
See the outside of Radio City Music Hall (there is a paid tour available to see the inside).
Visit the MOMA and walk around the Lobby to see some free art, or pay the admission to see the modern and contemporary art (we took a family vote and decided to spend our money at some other museums).
Walk around Rockefeller Center– If you want to go to the top for the outstanding view there is a significant fee for tickets.
Check out FAO Schwartz, one of the last remaining toy stores.
Stop and have a coffee and pastry from Bouchon Bakery, across from NBC Television Studios (You may see someone that you recogzize from TV!)
Visit the beautiful St. Patrick’s Cathedral.
Walk around Times Square then climb the stairs for a great Instagram photo opp. Don’t shop here–it’s a tourist trap!
Visit the New York Public Library.
Go into Grand Central Station, the main rail terminal in New York. Don’t forget to look up at the ceiling!
Look up at the Empire State Building. You can go into the lobby for free, but there is a big fee to go to the top floor.
Check out Madison Square Gardens.
Options, depending on your interests and energy level:
1) Walk down to see the interesting Flatiron Buiding and eat at Eataly Italian Market or at Lombardi’s Pizza (8th Street) in nearby Chelsea.
OR
2) Walk around Greenwich Village (also known as “the Village”), a nice part of town with great cafes, bars, and restaurants.
Click here to search for a place to stay in NYC on VRBO
Click here to book a good tour, activity or get tickets now
Click here to join a dining experience, take a cooking class or go on a food tour with locals
4 Days in NYC
DAY 2
Start your day off with a Lyft to view the Brooklyn Bridge and walk across if you are up for it.
Have a snack at Joe’s Pizza by the slice
Visit Ground Zero, the incredible 911 memorial, and museum (we didn’t go in, but I have heard it is both interesting and sad).
Walk on Wall Street and see the outside of the New York City Stock Exchange.
Go inside the Federal Hall.
See the infamous Bull sculpture and take a photo if you must!
Go to Battery Park to catch the FREE 25 minute Staten Island Ferry and get the best view of the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. Don’t miss the incredible NYC skyline on the ride back.
Visit Little Italy for an espresso, China Town for some Chinese food, or a cafe in trendy Soho.
See a Broadway play at 7:00 (buy tickets in advance.) I highly recommend seeing at least one Broadway play while you are in New York City.
Click here to search for a place to stay in NYC on VRBO
Click here to book a good tour, activity or get tickets now
Click here to join a dining experience, take a cooking class or go on a food tour with locals
4 Days in Manhattan
DAY 3
Lyft or Uber to Absolute Bagels for breakfast. I didn’t know a bagel could taste so good!
Visit the Natural History Museum (tickets are FREE or by donation).
Walk through the incredible Central Park.
See the Lincoln Center of the Performing Arts and The Metropolitan Opera.
Take a short Lyft or the subway (or walk) and check out the High Line, an elevated park built on a historic freight rail line. “The Vessel” in the middle of Hudson Yards is a new addition- check out the spiral staircase masterpiece.
If you have any energy left, walk south to Chelsea Market for more great food!
See another Broadway play!
Click here to search for an apartment in NYC
Click here to book a good tour, activity or get tickets now
Click here to join a dining experience, take a cooking class or go on a food tour with locals
4 Days in New York City
DAY 4
Walk around the Upper West Side, or visit an area that you missed.
Gather a picnic at Just Salads for a fantastic healthy lunch to go (even the teens loved their salads!) Or get sandwiches from Zabars. Make sure to stop by Levain for some of their delicious chocolate chip cookies.
Dessert from Levain Bakery: The best cookie, ever!
Sit in Central Park near the Oak Bridge and relax and enjoy the view while you eat your incredible picnic (this was my favorite meal of the trip)!
The MET – This museum is well worth the entrance fee and highly recommended. *Grab an audio tour guide brochure to see what the museum highlights are.
Don’t miss the view from the Roof Garden Bar. It would take days to see everything. The tickets are good for 3 days, so if you think this is a place you will want to revisit, go on your 1st or 2nd day.
Click here to book a good tour, activity or get tickets now
***See below for the best part…Where to eat in New York City!
Founded in 1905, Lombardi’s was the first pizzeria in the United States!
Where to Eat in New York City
Click here to join a dining experience, take a cooking class or go on a food tour with locals
Some of the best (and highest rated) casual eats in NYC
Restaurants with several locations throughout Manhattan
Just Salad- delicious salads to go
The Little Beet- healthy food
Dig In- healthy salads, bowls, and plates
The Halal Guys (make sure it’s the official cart) or Moustache- Middle Eastern
Amy’s Bread- cafe with breakfast and lunch (sandwiches, salads…)
Shake Shack- burgers and fries
Fairway Markets
Uptown Eats
Barney Greengrass Deli- 100 years old, lots of smoked fish
Zabar’s Deli- a market with gourmet cheeses, Jewish selections, and a deli
Sarabeth- gourmet breakfast
Elios or Lincoln Restaurante- upscale Italian
Nanoosh- organic Mediterranean
Absolute Bagels- unbelievable bagels, fresh out of the oven
Levain Bakery- best chocolate chip cookie ever!
Midtown Coffee & Sweets
Culture Espresso
Toby’s Estate
Little Collins- cafe with lunch
Bouchon Bakery
The City Bakery (by Maison Kaiser)
Midtown Quick Lunch
Totto Ramen- the best ramen!
Margon- Cuban
Ivan Ramen
Gotham West Market
Murrays Cheese Shop- cheese samples, sandwiches, melts- Greenwich
Dig In- salad and plates
The Little Beat
Lower Manhattan Eats
Katz’s Deli- famous for their pastrami sandwiches (NYC must)
Lombardi’s Pizza- near Little Italy
Emily- Napolean Pizza, burgers…
Alidoro- Italian sandwiches and hoagies
Au Cheval- burgers
Some of the Best Bakeries in NYC
Épicerie Boulud
Breads Bakery
Levain (Zagat)- chocolate chip cookies
Bouchon Bakery
Momofuku Milk Bar
Some of the Best Pizza in NYC
Mama Too
PQR
Lucali
Di Fara
Joe’s
Emily
Bruno’s
Lombardi’s
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and travel news from Huffington Post
