Day 1: Visit the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island Museum. The statue is a symbol of freedom and Ellis Island Museum is an iconic landmark that celebrates American immigration history.
Statue of Liberty: (4 hours, $18 for ferry ride). Ellis Island Museum: (3 hours, $18 adult admission fee).
Day 2: Explore Central Park and the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Central Park is a beautiful urban park filled with elegant gardens, lakes and nature walks. Metropolitan Museum of Art houses a wide variety of art collections from several cultures and time periods.
Central Park: (3 hours, free admission). Metropolitan Museum of Art: (4 hours, $25 adult admission fee).
Day 3: Visit Times Square and Broadway. Times Square is known as "The Crossroads of the World" and features a variety of dining and shopping options. Broadway is the world-famous theater district offering live shows and performances.
Times Square: (2 hours free). Broadway: (3 hours, ticket prices vary depending on show and seat location).
Day 4: Visit Empire State Building and the Natural History Museum. The Empire State Building offers an elevated, panoramic view of the city. The Natural History Museum is an impressive museum that houses more than one million specimens of various life forms.
Empire State Building: (2 hours, $39 adult admission fee). Natural History Museum: (4 hours, $23 adult admission fee).
Day 5: Visit One World Trade Center and the 9/11 Memorial and Museum. One World Trade Center is the tallest building in the Western Hemisphere and a symbol of strength and endurance. The 9/11 Memorial and Museum honours and remembers the lives lost on 9/11 through exhibits, artifacts and stories.
One World Trade Center: (2 hours, $32 adult admission fee). 9/11 Memorial and Museum: (3 hours, $28 adult admission fee).
Time and Costs Estimates
Statue of Liberty (4 hours, $18 for ferry ride)
Ellis Island Museum (3 hours, $18 adult admission fee)
Central Park (3 hours, free admission)
Metropolitan Museum of Art (4 hours, $25 adult admission fee)
Times Square (2 hours free)
Broadway (3 hours, ticket prices vary depending on show and seat location)
Empire State Building (2 hours, $39 adult admission fee)
Natural History Museum (4 hours, $23 adult admission fee)
One World Trade Center (2 hours, $32 adult admission fee)
9/11 Memorial and Museum (3 hours, $28 adult admission fee)
Total Estimated Costs: $201 per person
Transportation
During your trip to New York, it is advisable to use the public transportation system which includes subways, buses, and taxis. The New York City Subway is the most convenient and cost-effective way to get around.
Budget for transportation should be $2.75 one-way for subway or bus. Travel time and distance will vary based on the mode of transportation.
Useful tips
If you have more time, consider taking a day trip to Niagara Falls, or a boat ride to Liberty Island and visit the Statue of Liberty Museumfor a more in-depth exploration.
If you have less time, you might want to skip museums and instead explore more outdoor attractions, such as Central Park and the Brooklyn Bridge.
Airports
There are three airports in the New York Metropolitan area - John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), LaGuardia Airport (LGA) and Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR). JFK is located in Queens, 15 miles away from Midtown Manhattan. LaGuardia Airport is located in Queens, eight miles from Midtown Manhattan. Newark Liberty Airport is located in New Jersey, 16 miles southwest of Midtown Manhattan.
JFK, LGA and EWR are all connected to the public transportation system to take you to and from the city. Travel time and cost depends on the location of your hotel and mode of transportation chosen.