7-Day Family Adventure in New York City on a Shoestring Budget

Day 1: Exploring Central Park

New York City, USA

8:30AM

Breakfast at Sarabeth's Central Park South

Start your day with some delicious pancakes at Sarabeth's, just a short walk from the park.
Subway to 59th St., walk to Sarabeth's
USD25, 1.5 hours

10:00AM

Central Park Exploration

Stroll through the iconic Central Park, take photos at Bethesda Terrace, and explore the various playgrounds with the kids.
Walk throughout the park
Free, 3 hours

1:00PM

Lunch at The Halal Guys

Grab a delicious and filling lunch of chicken and rice at this famous street food vendor.
Walk to 53rd St. and 6th Ave.
USD20, 1 hour

2:00PM

Visit the American Museum of Natural History

Explore fascinating exhibits featuring dinosaurs and space, making it a fun learning experience for both kids and adults.
Walk to museum (15 minutes)
USD28 per adult, kids under 2 free, 3 hours

5:30PM

Dinner at Joe's Pizza

End the day with a classic New York slice at Joe's Pizza, a favorite among locals.
Subway from 79th St. to 14th St.
USD20, 1 hour

7:00PM

Evening Stroll on the High Line

Walk along the elevated park and enjoy the sunset views of the city.
Walk to the High Line entrance (30 mins)
Free, 1.5 hours
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Day 2: Discovering Downtown

New York City, USA

8:00AM

Breakfast at Ess-a-Bagel

Fuel up with a New York bagel and cream cheese to start your day right.
Subway to 51st St.
USD15, 1 hour

9:00AM

Visit the Statue of Liberty

Take the ferry to Liberty Island and soak in the history of this iconic American symbol.
Subway to Battery Park
USD25 per adult, kids under 4 free, 3 hours

12:30PM

Lunch at Shake Shack

Have a burger and fries at this beloved fast-casual chain.
Ferry back to Manhattan, walk to Shake Shack
USD30, 1 hour

1:30PM

Explore the 9/11 Memorial

Visit the serene memorial that honors the victims of the 2001 attacks.
15-minute walk from Shake Shack
Free, 1 hour

3:00PM

Explore Wall Street

Wander through the famous financial district and see the New York Stock Exchange.
Walk around the financial district
Free, 1.5 hours

4:30PM

Dinner at hot dog cart

Grab a classic New York street hot dog for a quick and tasty dinner.
Find a vendor on Wall Street
USD10, 30 mins
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Day 3: Cultural Flavors in Harlem

New York City, USA

8:00AM

Breakfast at Red Rooster

Experience a Southern-inspired breakfast at this famous Harlem restaurant.
Subway to 125th St.
USD30, 1.5 hours

9:30AM

Visit The Studio Museum in Harlem

Explore contemporary African American art that enlightens and inspires.
Walk to the museum
USD10, kids under 13 free, 1.5 hours

11:00AM

Walk Through Marcus Garvey Park

Let the kids play in the park while you enjoy the beautiful surroundings.
Walk to the park
Free, 1 hour

12:30PM

Lunch at Sylvia’s Restaurant

Savor some soul food, famed for its fried chicken and waffles.
Walk to Sylvia's
USD20, 1 hour

2:00PM

Visit the Apollo Theater

Take a tour of this legendary music hall and learn about its rich musical history.
Walk to the theater
USD15, 1 hour

3:00PM

Explore Strivers' Row

Walk through this historic neighborhood known for its beautiful brownstones.
Walk to Strivers' Row
Free, 1 hour

4:30PM

Dinner at The Crown Grill

Enjoy a hearty meal in the cozy atmosphere of this local grill.
Subway to The Bronx
USD25, 1.5 hours
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Day 4: Brooklyn Adventure

New York City, USA

8:00AM

Breakfast at Dough

Treat yourself to delicious doughnuts that are out of this world.
Subway to Brooklyn
USD15, 1 hour

9:00AM

Visit Brooklyn Bridge

Walk across this historic bridge and take breathtaking views of the Manhattan skyline.
Walk to the bridge
Free, 1 hour

10:30AM

Explore Brooklyn Bridge Park

Let the kids enjoy the playgrounds and the stunning waterfront views.
Walk to the park
Free, 2 hours

12:30PM

Lunch at Juliana’s Pizza

Savor one of Brooklyn's best pizzas at Juliana’s; you won’t regret it.
Walk to Juliana’s
USD40, 1.5 hours

2:00PM

Visit Prospect Park

Explore this massive park and enjoy nature trails and the Prospect Park Zoo.
Subway to Prospect Park
USD15, 3 hours

5:00PM

Dinner at Smorgasburg (Seasonal)

Sample various foods from local vendors in this lively food market.
Subway to East River State Park
USD30, 1.5 hours
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Day 5: Downtown and Uptown

New York City, USA

8:00AM

Breakfast at Balthazar

Indulge in a French pastry and coffee at this iconic SoHo café.
Subway to SoHo
USD25, 1 hour

9:00AM

Shopping in SoHo

Explore boutique shops and unique finds in this trendy neighborhood.
Walk throughout SoHo
Free, 2 hours

11:00AM

Visit the Lower East Side Tenement Museum

Learn about the immigrant experience in New York at this fascinating museum.
Subway to Lower East Side
USD30, 2 hours

1:00PM

Lunch at Russ & Daughters Cafe

Experience authentic Jewish deli food from this famous establishment.
Walk to the cafe
USD20, 1 hour

2:00PM

Explore Chinatown

Wander through the vibrant streets filled with shops, bakeries, and cultural experiences.
Walk to Chinatown
Free, 2 hours

4:30PM

Dinner at Xi’an Famous Foods

Enjoy unique Chinese hand-pulled noodles that the kids will love.
Walk to the restaurant
USD30, 1 hour
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Day 6: Cultural Experiences

New York City, USA

8:00AM

Breakfast at Cafe Mogador

Have a delicious Moroccan-inspired breakfast in the East Village.
Subway to East Village
USD20, 1 hour

9:00AM

Explore the Tenement Museum

Delve deeper into NYC's immigrant history with an engaging tour.
Walk to museum
USD30, 2.5 hours

11:30AM

Visit the Brooklyn Botanic Garden

Explore beautiful gardens that will delight both adults and children.
Subway to Brooklyn Botanic Garden
USD15, 2 hours

1:30PM

Lunch at Brooklyn's Smorgasburg

Experience a vibrant food market, sampling bites from various local vendors.
Subway to Smorgasburg
USD35, 1.5 hours

3:00PM

Visit the New York Botanical Garden

Wander through the expansive grounds and enjoy beautiful floral displays.
Subway to The Bronx
USD15, 2 hours

5:00PM

Dinner at Shake Shack

Enjoy another delicious meal at Shake Shack, where the burgers are always a hit.
Subway to Central Park
USD25, 1.5 hours
View Hotel Availability

Day 7: Wrap-Up and Relax

New York City, USA

8:00AM

Breakfast at the Hotel Café

Enjoy a relaxed breakfast at your hotel café, saving on time and travel.
N/A
USD15, 1 hour

9:30AM

Visit the Metropolitan Museum of Art

Explore iconic artworks and exhibits that span centuries, a must-see for all ages.
Subway to 86th St.
USD25 per adult, kids under 12 free, 3 hours

12:30PM

Lunch at Gray's Papaya

Grab some delicious hot dogs and tropical fruit drinks for a quick meal.
Subway to 72nd St.
USD15, 1 hour

1:30PM

Take a walk on Fifth Avenue

Wander along this famous avenue, window shopping and taking in the sights.
Walk along Fifth Ave.
Free, 1.5 hours

3:00PM

Visit Times Square

Experience the bright lights and hustle of one of the world's most famous intersections.
Walk to Times Square
Free, 1 hour

4:30PM

Dinner at Carmine's

Enjoy a family-style Italian dinner that satisfies everyone’s cravings.
Walk to Carmine's
USD50, 2 hours
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