Spotlight: New York City

Monday  

Spend your Monday exploring the heart of Midtown Manhattan. With fewer crowds in Times Square and shorter lines at many attractions, Monday is the perfect day to get oriented. Spend the morning taking in iconic landmarks before heading to the Top of the Rock observation deck at Rockefeller Center.

If you’re a thrillseeker, recreate the famous 1930s construction photo atop The Beam, a unique photo experience inspired by New York’s skyline history. After getting a lay of the land from above, stroll along Fifth Avenue for classic shopping and sightseeing. In the afternoon, choose an experience that matches your interests: discover iconic modern art at the Museum of Modern Art, or head west to tour the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum housed aboard a legendary World War II aircraft carrier.

For dinner, choose from the many eateries in the Hell’s Kitchen neighborhood, featuring everything from affordable global cuisine to Michelin-starred tasting menus. End your first day with a nightcap at a rooftop bar such as Hudson VU at the Ink 48 Hotel or Chez Zou in Hudson Yards.

Tuesday

Start your downtown day at One World Trade Center, home to an observation deck, a major transportation and shopping hub, and the 9/11 Memorial & Museum. Pay tribute to the victims and first responders at the memorial pools, and visit the museum to learn about the events of September 11 and how the city continues to rebuild and reflect.

Next, head into the Financial District and walk along Wall Street, home of the New York Stock Exchange. Stop for photos with the Charging Bull, a symbol of New York’s financial power, and the Fearless Girl, a statue celebrating the power of women in leadership.

Continue south to Battery Park to board a ferry to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island to explore the story of immigration and opportunity in America. Book ferry tickets in advance, as this experience typically takes several hours. 

When you're back in Lower Manhattan, check out Battery Park’s SeaGlass Carousel, stop by Century 21 for deep discounts on designer goods, or get your French fix at the Parisien transplant Printemps department store. 

Grab dinner at Delmonico’s, a legendary steakhouse dating back to the 1830s, or head to nearby Chinatown for delicious dim sum or authentic hand-pulled noodles that are both stomach and budget friendly.

Wednesday

Start your morning on the wild side with a visit to the Bronx Zoo, the largest metropolitan zoo in the United States. Home to more than 11,000 animals—from the tiniest insects to the mightiest elephants—the zoo offers immersive habitats spread across expansive grounds. Don’t miss the Wild Asia Monorail, an unforgettable ride that feels like a safari and is especially stunning during fall foliage season.

From the zoo, walk about 15 minutes west or take a short rideshare to Arthur Avenue, the heart of the Bronx’s Little Italy. Stop by the Arthur Avenue Retail Market for a taste of the neighborhood’s culinary traditions like handmade fresh mozzarella available by the ball or piled high on celebrity-named sandwiches at Mike’s Deli. For a sit-down lunch, try the meatballs at Enzo’s or potato pizza at Zero Otto Nove. And whatever you choose, don’t leave without a freshly filled cannoli from one of the neighborhood bakeries.

In the afternoon, explore another side of the borough by learning how the Bronx became the birthplace of hip hop with a guided experience from Hush Hip Hop Tours. This immersive tour offers firsthand insight into the music, culture, and history that shaped a global movement.

If it’s baseball season, this is your chance to cheer on the best of the Bronx at a Yankee Stadium home game. Or head south to Harlem for a soul food dinner at Sylvia’s Restaurant and a show at the legendary Apollo Theater (performances held at the Apollo Stages at the Victoria as the theater undergoes renovations).

Thursday

Start your day with a museum visit—choose between the Metropolitan Museum of Art or the American Museum of Natural History—then enjoy a stroll through Central Park. For lunch, dine right in the park at Tavern on the Green, a historic spot you may recognize from films like Ghostbusters and Hitch.

In the afternoon, head downtown to explore SoHo and Greenwich Village, neighborhoods known for art galleries, charming streets, and unique boutiques. Among the city’s trendiest dining scenes, try to snag a table at celebrity favorites like Via Carota or Carbone (reservations are highly recommended).

Before dinner or afterward, stop by Washington Square Park to snap a photo of the iconic arch. End the night laughing at the legendary Comedy Cellar, a stand-up institution famous for surprise drop-ins by famous comedians testing new material (The Cellar is down a narrow staircase, but the club’s Village Underground and Fat Black Pussycat rooms are accessible), or with an off-Broadway show at The Public, the vaunted off-Broadway theater that premiered original performances of hits like Hamilton, Hair, and A Chorus Line.

Friday

Start your morning at New York City Hall, admiring its elegant architecture inspired by French Renaissance and English Neoclassical styles. From here, walk across the nearby Brooklyn Bridge to reach the DUMBO neighborhood of Brooklyn.

Once in DUMBO, stop at Washington and Water Streets for the ultimate photo opportunity, where cobblestone streets and historic red-brick buildings perfectly frame the Manhattan Bridge. Head next to Time Out Market New York for brunch at Clinton Street Baking Company. Take your order to the rooftop terrace and enjoy pancakes with sweeping skyline views.

After brunch, stroll through the charming Brooklyn Heights neighborhood before visiting the New York Transit Museum, where you can explore the history of the city’s transit system and see vintage subway cars and buses up close.

In the early afternoon, take a rideshare or subway to Coney Island. Grab a classic hot dog at Nathan’s Famous, enjoy a walk along the boardwalk, and head into Luna Park for amusement rides or vintage arcade games. It’s a surprising reminder that New York City has a beach—right in the middle of it all.

In the evening, make your way to Staten Island for dinner at the cash-only Nonnas of the World. Reservations are essential as this intimate neighborhood favorite—featuring a rotating cast of grandmothers from around the world—became a hot ticket after its starring role in the Netflix film Nonnas.

After dinner, walk about 10 minutes to the waterfront and board the free Staten Island Ferry back to Manhattan. Not only is it one of the most efficient ways to return after a long day, but the ride offers unforgettable nighttime views of the Statue of Liberty and the city skyline.

Saturday

Enjoy a relaxed morning strolling the High Line, taking in public art and Hudson River views. Grab brunch at the iconic Chelsea Market, where you’ll find everything from bakeries and tacos to coffee and sweet treats.

After brunch, head uptown to the Theater District for a Broadway matinee—Saturday afternoons are a perfect time to catch a show without committing to a late night.

Once the curtain comes down, hop on the subway or grab a cab and head to Queens for dinner. If you’re visiting in summer or fall, make your way to the Queens Night Market. Inspired by traditional night markets found throughout Asia, this seasonal weekly event takes over part of Flushing Meadows–Corona Park and features more than 100 independent vendors representing dozens of global cuisines. Dishes are capped at $6 per plate—an incredible value—and most vendors accept cards or Venmo (though it’s smart to bring some cash).

If your visit doesn’t align with the Night Market’s schedule, head instead to Jackson Heights, one of the most diverse food neighborhoods in the country. Here you can sample everything from traditional Indian curries and Tibetan momo shops to standout Latin American restaurants, all within a few lively blocks.

Sunday

Spend Sunday exploring Brooklyn neighborhoods beyond the waterfront. Start in Williamsburg for boutique shopping, outstanding coffee or matcha shops, and people-watching—this creative neighborhood is a favorite for locals and visitors alike.

Afterward, take a relaxing walk along the East River at Domino Park, a beautifully designed green space built on the site of a former sugar refinery. Grab a casual taco lunch at Tacocina in the park. Sit, stroll, and soak in the views—it’s the perfect low-key afternoon reset.

Next, head to Bushwick to explore large-scale street art curated by the Bushwick Collective, which transforms the neighborhood into an ever-changing open-air gallery.

Head back to Williamsburg for dinner at Laser Wolf, a Middle Eastern hotspot (reservations are a must) perched high above the neighborhood. This open-air rooftop restaurant pairs bold flavors with unobstructed Manhattan skyline views, making it a memorable final meal of the trip.