Immerse Yourself in New York City: A 4-day Cultural Itinerary

  • Day 1: The Metropolitan Museum of Art
    15 minutes (2 miles) from Times Square

    The Metropolitan Museum of Art is one of the world's largest and most comprehensive art museums. With over 2 million works of art spanning 5,000 years of world culture, visitors can immerse themselves in art from around the globe. Don't miss the Egyptian and Greek galleries or the American Wing, which houses decorative arts, sculpture, and paintings.

  • Day 2: Brooklyn Museum and Brooklyn Botanic Garden
    25 minutes (5 miles) from The Met

    The Brooklyn Museum is one of the oldest and largest art museums in the country. Its collection includes ancient Egyptian masterpieces, contemporary art, and everything in between. Afterward, walk over to the Brooklyn Botanic Garden, which is adjacent to the museum. The garden has over 12,000 types of plants in several conservatories and themed gardens.

  • Day 3: Greenwich Village and Washington Square Park
    20 minutes (2.5 miles) from Brooklyn Museum

    This charming neighborhood is known for its bohemian vibe and artistic heritage. Stroll through the cobblestone streets lined with historic brownstones and stop at the Washington Square Park, one of the city's best-known public spaces. The park has a huge central fountain, surrounded by performers, chess players, and students from nearby NYU.

  • Day 4: Museum of Modern Art and Central Park
    15 minutes (1.5 miles) from Washington Square Park

    The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) has some of the world’s best collections of contemporary art, including works by artists such as Van Gogh, Picasso, Warhol, and Lichtenstein. Afterward, take a walk through the Central Park. At the park, you can stroll through the famous Strawberry Fields, visit the Conservatory Garden, or take a ride on the Central Park Carousel.

Time and Costs Estimates

  • The Metropolitan Museum of Art (3-4 hours, $25 suggested admission fee)
  • Brooklyn Museum and Brooklyn Botanic Garden (4-5 hours, $16 suggested admission fee for both locations)
  • Greenwich Village and Washington Square Park (2-3 hours, free to explore)
  • Museum of Modern Art and Central Park (4-5 hours, $25 suggested admission fee for MoMA)
  • Total Estimated Costs ($91 without food)

Transportation

Consider getting a 7-Day Unlimited MetroCard for $33, giving you access to buses and trains in all five boroughs. Taxis and ride-share services are also available but can be more expensive depending on your location and the time of day. Plan for an additional $25 per day for transportation.

Useful Tips

If you have more time, consider visiting additional museums, such as the Whitney Museum of American Art or the Guggenheim Museum. If you have less time, focus on one or two neighborhoods in the city to get a better sense of the area. Be sure to try some of the city's famous food specialties, like pizza or bagels, and catch a Broadway show.

Airports

There are three main airports in New York City. John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) is located in Queens and is about 15 miles from Manhattan. LaGuardia Airport (LGA) is located in Queens and is about 10 miles from Manhattan. Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) is actually located in New Jersey, but it's about 16 miles from Manhattan. Transportation options from all airports include taxis, ride-share services, and public transit.

0