Planning a week in New York? New York City is a place everyone should see in their lifetime. A lively, fun city with something really for everyone, NYC will not disappoint. The only problems you’ll have in NYC is deciding what to do next and will you have enough time to fit in all the sights.
My Guide ‘A week in New York’ covers everything I have learnt during my multiple visits to this great city. Here you should have everything you need to plan your trip.
On top of the list for a week in New York has to be Central Park. Explore this 800 acre park in the heart of Manhattan. Consider exploring Central Park by bike, view my post on my bike ride through Central Park here.
Check out Wall Street to see where all the financial bankers work. On my most recent visit to New York I visited the Freedom Towers (One World Trade Centre) and 9/11 Memorial. Remember to reserve your time to visit the memorial.
While spending a week in New York, you need to walk the Brooklyn Bridge at least once. Walk the bridge on sunrise to avoid the crowds or on dusk to watch NYC come alive at night.
Either take a tour from Battery Park, snap a photo from the Staten Island Ferry or from a distance on the Brooklyn Bridge.
Courtesy of Kimberly Emerson
A must for any visit to NYC. Learn about America’s immigrant history by taking a ferry to Ellis Island.
See the Chinese influence in architecture through this part of the city. Chinatown is a must for cheap Chinese food.
Courtesy of Neil Zobler
My favourite NYC neighbourhood for amazing food and people watching from cute little cafes.
Take a walk along the 1.6km (1 mile) long elevated linear park through NYC’s Meatpacking District and Chelsea. Once a railway line, the linear park has been vegetated with various plants, decorated with public art and even contains a cafe.
The meat packing district is an interesting area. Once the industrial hub of the city, now an exclusive commercial and residential area of the city. Walk through the Meatpacking District via the High Line.
A former factory complex, the Chelsea Market is an indoor urban food court.
This brightly illuminated hub of the Broadway Theatre District is always busy. Sit in Times Square and watch the world pass you by.
Go ice skating at Rockefeller Centre!
Courtesy of Bart Barlow
Top of the Rock observation deck provides some amazing views over the city sky line including Central Park.
Visit the impressive Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), the Metropolitan Museum of Art (Met) and the American Natural History Museum to get your fix on world class art.
Between 49th – 60th Streets, 5th Avenue contains some of the world’s most prestigious shops and is perhaps the most expensive street in the world.
Located at 151 West 34th Street Macy’s is the world’s largest department store.
Chinatown – for cheap dumplings and amazing Chinese food.
West Village – I can’t point out just a few amazing places to eat here. The West Village is filled with amazing brunch, lunch and dinner places. You can’t go wrong in this NYC neighbourhood.
Juice Generation – this NYC Juice Generation chain has wonderful juices, muffins and other healthy snacks.
Ellen’s Stardust diner – (Broadway & 51st) A 1950s themed diner employs a number of up and coming performers/servers who perform while serving you. While in Times Square stop by, it’s well worth it.
Grimaldi’s – there is always a line at their Brooklyn store for their pizza- can you really argue with that? Try Grimaldi’s in Brooklyn or in Manhattan.
Chelsea Market – For a range of food in an indoor urban food court.
NYC Slice Pizza – When in Rome! Purchase NYC Slice Pizza from anywhere across the city.
Magnolia Bakery – Made famous by Sex and the City, these Magnolia Bakery cupcakes are located across the city (the original being in the West Village).
New York Metro Pass – Highly recommended for your NYC visit. While a single ride will cost 2.50, a 7 day pass will cost you $30. Considering the cost of cabs, $30 for a week of transportation is a great way to access all of NYC’s sights for minimal cost.
Walk – On a sunny day you can really cover a lot of ground walking the streets of this amazing city. Explore NYC’s neighbourhoods by foot!
Airbnb – My suggestion for a comfortable and affordable stay in NYC is to rent out an apartment through Airbnb. Airbnb is a website which contains thousands of homes and apartments for rent by their owner, and they are everywhere. You can rent out an entire home, just a room or even share a room. Airbnb provides an alternative to hostels and hotels (and are so much nicer!) You can save money cooking for yourself and have the flexibility to stay in residential areas of the city and live like a local! Sign up for free here.
City Pass – The City Pass offers you the chance to visit up to six of NYC’s hottest attractions. Buying a City Pass not only saves you 40% of what you would pay if you went to each attraction separately but also time. With this pass you can jump to the front of any of the six activities.
Free activities – There are tones of free things to do in NYC. Read my post on 12 free things to do in NYC.
Any season – NYC is amazing any time of year. While it is a bit more difficult to get around in the peak of winter while it’s snowing, there is something magical about NYC in the winter time, especially at Christmas time when the city is decorated with Christmas lights.
Bike Central Park – I highly recommend biking around Central Park. Read my post about my adventure on a bike around Central Park.
