Start at the southeast corner of Central Park around 8:30 for a 1½-hour winter walk. The paths around The Pond, Gapstow Bridge and Wollman Rink give you classic skyline views; December mornings are cold, so bring gloves and shoes with good grip. Then head to The Museum of Modern Art on West 53rd Street—about a 15-minute walk from the park’s south end. It generally opens at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesdays; allow around two hours, and book timed tickets ahead (adult admission is about $30).
Walk a few blocks north to Rockefeller Center for the plaza and holiday decorations. The plaza is free to visit; the ice rink and observation deck require tickets, and holiday crowds can make timed reservations worthwhile. After an hour, take a taxi or walk about 20 minutes south to Keen’s Steakhouse in Midtown South. Reserve ahead for dinner, especially during the holiday week; budget roughly $60–$120 per person before drinks and tip. Finish with a 45-minute stroll through Times Square, a short walk or cab ride north. It’s especially striking after dark, but keep an eye on your belongings and expect crowds around the main pedestrian plazas.
After your flight, head straight to South Pointe Park byhare from Miami International Airport—allow roughly 30–45 minutes, depending on traffic. You’ll arrive too late for a true morning visit, but an hour along the waterfront paths is still a lovely first taste of Miami, with views of the cruise channel and South Beach. Continue north to the Art Deco Historic District for a 1½-hour stroll along Ocean Drive; take your time with the pastel façades and neon details, which are especially striking in daylight.
Have lunch at Joe’s Stone Crab (about $50–$100 per person); stone crab is in season in late December, but the famous restaurant can be busy, so check its hours and reserve if possible. From South Beach, take a rideshare to Wynwood Walls—roughly 25–35 minutes in typical traffic—and spend about 1½ hours with the murals. Check that day’s admission hours before setting out, as the outdoor-art attraction generally closes earlier than the neighborhood’s restaurants and bars.
Finish in Little Havana at Ball & Chain, around 15–25 minutes from Wynwood by rideshare. Set aside about 1½ hours for a drink, Cuban flavors and live music; check the venue’s schedule for the night’s performers. This is a full day after a travel morning, so if your flight lands late, keep the park and mural visits brisk and check opening times before leaving the airport—there isn’t much slack between the planned stops.
After landing, allow time to collect your bags and get across town; the drive from LAX to Hollywood can take 40–75 minutes depending on traffic. Start at the Hollywood Walk of Fame for about 1½ hours, taking in the sidewalk stars and nearby theater landmarks. It’s an outdoor stroll and free, but the sidewalks are busy and the area is more fun as a quick look than a long linger.
Head up to Griffith Observatory for the city views and a look toward the Hollywood Sign. Budget around two hours, including the uphill approach; parking is limited, and holiday crowds can make the last stretch slow, so a rideshare or the DASH Observatory shuttle from the Vermont/Sunset Metro station may be easier. Check the observatory’s holiday hours before setting out. Then continue downtown to Grand Central Market for a casual late lunch—vendors offer plenty of choices, with most meals around $15–$30 per person. Allow roughly an hour, though vendor hours can vary on New Year’s Eve.
Walk or take a short rideshare to The Broad for about 1½ hours; admission to the permanent collection is generally free, but timed reservations are recommended. New Year’s Eve hours may differ or the museum may be closed, so verify access before building your day around it. Finish at Grand Park for the New Year’s gathering. Expect crowds, security checks, and street closures; check the park’s current event details and transit updates, and arrive early enough to get settled. This is a packed day after a flight, so if your arrival runs late, keep the downtown stops close together and make the museum’s confirmed holiday hours your deciding factor.
Once you’ve checked in or dropped your bags, head to the Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas Sign for the classic photo stop; allow about 30 minutes, including a possible short queue. It’s at the south end of the Strip, roughly a 10–20-minute rideshare from the airport depending on traffic, and the sign is outdoors and accessible around the clock. From there, continue north to the Bellagio Conservatory & Botanical Gardens—the display is free, and usually open daily, but check holiday hours before setting out. Give yourself about 45 minutes to take in the seasonal arrangements; New Year’s Day can be busy.
Walk through the central Strip to Mon Ami Gabi at Paris Las Vegas for a leisurely French-style lunch and views over the boulevard. Budget about $30–$60 per person before drinks and tip, and reserve ahead if possible—holiday service hours may differ. After lunch, it’s about a 20-minute walk north to The Venetian Resort; wander the grand interiors and canal-side promenades for around 1½ hours. The Strip is longer than it looks, so take a rideshare between stops if you’d rather save your legs.
Head east from The Venetian Resort to Sphere for an evening event or to see its exterior display; allow about two hours, including getting in and out. Check the event calendar and book tickets in advance, as schedules and prices vary. The pedestrian route is straightforward but can feel long, so a short rideshare is a good option—especially on New Year’s Day, when traffic and queues may be unpredictable.
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