Start your trip with a visit to the iconic Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island for a glimpse into America's immigration history. Take a ferry to both islands and spend the day exploring. Be sure to reserve tickets in advance as the islands have limited daily capacity.
Spend a day walking through the 843-acre oasis of Central Park. Visit popular attractions like the Central Park Zoo, Bethesda Fountain, and the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir. In the afternoon, head to Museum Mile on 5th Avenue and visit The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Guggenheim Museum, and the Frick Museum.
Start your day walking along The High Line, a 1.5-mile-long elevated park that provides stunning views of the city. End your walk at Chelsea Market, a food hall with over 35 vendors offering different cuisines from around the world - perfect for lunch.
Walk the iconic Brooklyn Bridge and enjoy the stunning views of Manhattan and the East River. After crossing the bridge, explore the trendy neighborhood of DUMBO (Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass) filled with art galleries, boutiques, and cafes.
Experience the bright lights of Times Square and catch a Broadway show in the evening. Check out the TKTS booth in Times Square for discounted tickets for same-day performances.
Visit One World Trade Center, the tallest building in the Western Hemisphere, and spend time at the 9/11 Memorial and Museum to pay respects to the people who lost their lives in the September 11 attacks. In the evening, head to the bohemian neighborhood of Greenwich Village for dinner and drinks.
End your trip with a visit to the iconic Empire State Building, known for its observation deck on the 86th floor. Afterwards, shop around New York's Fifth Avenue for high-end shopping, including stores like Tiffany & Co., Bergdorf Goodman, and Louis Vuitton.
Your best options for transportation in New York City are the subway and walking. The subway runs 24/7 and a single ride costs $2.75. Taxis and ride-sharing services like Uber and Lyft are also widely available, but can be expensive during peak traffic hours. Allocate extra time for traffic, especially during rush hour.
If time allows, consider spending an extra day to visit other popular attractions like the 9/11 Tribute Museum, the Whitney Museum of American Art, or take a day trip to the nearby city of Philadelphia. If you have less time, consider shortening the visits to some of the locations or combining multiple attractions in a single day. Be sure to pack comfortable shoes and dress in layers as the weather can be unpredictable.
New York City has three major airports - John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), LaGuardia Airport (LGA), and Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR). JFK and LGA are located in Queens, while EWR is located in Newark, New Jersey. JFK is the largest and busiest airport in the city, while LGA is the closest to Manhattan.