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I lived in New York City for four years and I still have so much I want to see and do in the Big Apple. While there is no way you can make a dent in all there is to see and do in New York in four days, you can cover a lot of ground if you have a solid plan like the one I am providing you below. My 4 day NYC itinerary is for first time visitors or anyone who missed the biggest attractions and iconic sights the first time around. This itinerary works well if you stay in Midtown or Times Square. You will be centrally located to everything there is to see and do.

If you have already seen the major sights, check out my 5 day itinerary that takes you to all five boroughs!

The New York Pass

All the attractions in this NYC four day itinerary can be done for free if you buy a four day New York Pass (expect meals & the Broadway show)! Currently the pass is $233 for an adult. If you purchase all the attractions separately it would come to about $336, depending on which you choose. As you can see it is a great way to save money in NYC and see all the famous places!

The pass includes the hop-on, hop-off Big Bus tours. The pass typically gives you a one day classic ticket. As of writing you now receive a two day ticket so you can do both the uptown and downtown routes that I include in the itinerary below. Not only is the pass a great mode of transportation, it is also the perfect way to learn more about the city. While the subway system is safe and easy to use, you don’t see the city. On your first visit I always recommend taking a bus tour so you have more understanding about how big the city is and can see the changing neighborhoods out your window.

This itinerary can be done in any order, but the last two days include taking the Big Bus.

Buy the New York Pass now and simply show the pass to gain admission to all the attractions. With the pass you receive fast track admission at many places.

4 Day NYC Itinerary: Day 1

Spend your first day in the heart of the city in Times Square and the Midtown area. It is the most touristy area of Manhattan, but also where the majority of the must-see sights are located.

Observation Tower

Start the morning off by touring one of the observation towers in central Manhattan, the Empire State Building near Herald Square or the Top of the Rock at Rockefeller Center. These two are only about 15 blocks away from each other so they offer similar views. The Empire State Building is more well-known and has more displays before reaching the observation deck. On the other hand from the Top of the Rock you can see the Empire State building from high up, which is a unique vantage point. It also has a larger indoor and outdoor viewing area.

Nearby the Empire State Building is the famous Macy’s in Herald Square. You could spend all day shopping in this giant store that spans an entire city block and 10 floors.

Food Truck Lunch

Food trucks can be found all around NYC, but especially in Midtown. It is a cheap and quick lunch that will save you both money and time to explore more! The Halal Guys are my favorite. You can find them on W 53 st & 7th Ave and W 53rd St & 6th Ave.

At any point throughout your four days in New York City that you need a delicious treat, find a Wafels & Dinges. This waffle food truck serves Belgian waffles with tasty toppings. You can find the food truck in many locations around the city including Times Square, Herald Square and Central Park.

Midtown Landmark Tour

In the afternoon, tour one or two of the most famous buildings in New York. Visit Radio City Music Hall and take the Radio City Music Stage Door tour. Radio City is home to the world-famous Rockettes. On this tour you get to go backstage and see the dressing rooms and learn secrets about what it takes to be a Rockette.

If you are more into sports than theater you might enjoy the Madison Square Garden’s All Access tour. Madison Square Gardens is home to the NY Knicks and NY Rangers. In addition to the sports teams, many concerts and events take place here. You can go behind the scenes and learn all about them on this tour.

Any history lover should take the Rockefeller Center tour. As you explore this impressive building you will learn about all the history while admiring the many works of art that are within the building.

St. Patrick’s Cathedral is a beautiful cathedral that you can walk through on your own or take a self-guided tour. As you go at your own pace you will learn about the architecture and history of the cathedral.

Dinner in Times Square

I usually don’t recommend eating in Times Square, especially in chain restaurants that you can go to in almost any US city. While there are so many great restaurants around the city for most of your meals, there are several famous restaurants in Times Square that are worth the visit.

Ellen’s Stardust Diner isn’t my first choice because of it’s food, but it is for the experience. Hopeful Broadway stars serenade you with well-known tunes throughout your meal. It’s so much fun!

Juniors is another good choice for diner fare and more importantly cheesecake! Be prepared for a long wait for a table at both of these places.

Therefore, make sure to allow enough time for your meal so you get to your Broadway show on-time. You will probably want to walk through Times Square and take a lot of photos too!

Broadway

What’s a visit to NYC without attending a Broadway show? Whether you are an avid theater lover or have never seen a show in your life you need to make time for the Great White Way. During your four days in New York if you follow this itinerary and buy the New York Pass, this is the only activity you need to pay for separately. Don’t worry I have you covered with all the ways to get discounted Broadway tickets!

4 Day NYC Itinerary: Day 2

This wouldn’t be a proper New York City itinerary if it didn’t include the following well-known places. Your day will be spent on Liberty Island, Ellis Island and in the Financial District of Lower Manhattan.

Statue of Liberty

The Statue of Liberty doesn’t need any introduction. If there is one icon of the city that everyone knows it is Lady Liberty. With the pass the cruise to the island and ticket into the base of the statue is included. If you want to go into the pedestal or crown you need to buy a separate ticket ahead of time. Without pedestal or crown access you can still visit the museum and immersive theater on Liberty Island, as well as walk around the grounds. There is a cafe on the island for lunch. Take note that you will go through security before getting on the ferry to the island. You can’t bring any food or water with you. !

If you don’t have time to visit the island, find out how to see the Statue of Liberty for free!

!Ellis Island Immigration Museum

From the Statue of Liberty take a cruise to Ellis Island where you can listen to an informative audio guide about the millions of immigrants who passed through Ellis Island. You can walk around the exact building that the immigrants entered before they were hopefully granted access to the mainland of Manhattan to begin their new lives in America.

There is also a cafe on Ellis Island for lunch.

Battery Park & Wall Street

The Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island will take up most of your day. If you have any extra time you can walk around Battery Park & Wall Street. If you are traveling with children make a stop at the Sea Glass Carousel in the park.

Dinner on Stone Street

Eat along Stone Street in the financial district. In the warmer months tables fill this pedestrian cobblestone street and create a lively environment.

One World Trade Center

End your day with the magnificent views of Manhattan from the top of the One World Observatory. If you go in the evening you will enjoy 360 degree views of the sparkling lights of the city while you learn some history with the interactive displays. The last ticket sold is between 6:15 – 9:15pm depending on the time of the year.

I have done all three observations decks, some at night and some in the daytime. It is worth it to go to one at night and one during the day to get the different perspectives.

The 9/11 memorial museum is next to the tower if you happen to have more time.

4 Day NYC Itinerary: Day 3

Today’s itinerary takes you from Midtown to the Upper West Side (UWS). Then it continues on to Harlem and eventually back to Midtown through Central Park or the Upper East Side (UES). If it is a nice day you may want to spend most of it walking around Harlem and exploring Central Park. On a rainy or cold day, staying inside the many renowned museums that are located in these neighborhoods might be a better choice!

Big Bus Hop-on Hop-off Harlem Route

Take the Harlam route (the green route) through the Upper West Side. The route begins at Columbus Circle and is only about 13 minutes until the first stop.

Upper West Side Museum

Get off the bus at the American Museum of Natural History stop. Both the Natural History museum and the New York Historical Society are at this stop. While my favorite part of the natural history museum is the exhibits on human cultures, the museum is also home to exhibits on dinosaurs, space, biodiversity, mammals and more.

The New York Historical Society tells the story of the state of New York through various permanent & rotating exhibits. Read more about the wide variety of exhibits available in my full NYHS post.

Lunch in Harlem

After a morning at one of the museums take the bus to the Apollo Theater stop in Harlem for lunch. Amy Ruth’s and Sylvia’s are both classic soul food restaurants known for their southern comfort food. I always go with chicken and waffles or catfish and waffles! Harlem Shake is a retro diner with hamburgers and shakes.

Central Park

Central Park is gigantic and you really can’t see it in one visit. If you hope to visit another museum you can walk from Harlem through the park to the museum of your choosing. If you prefer more time to explore the park you can walk from the north end to the south end and check out many of the sights on your way. Personally I like the northern end the most because there are less people. You would never believe you are in a city of millions when you get lost in the North Woods section of the park.

Upper East Side Museum

You have probably heard of 5th Ave in New York. It’s claim to fame is being home to high-end stores such as Saks, Versace, Gucci and many more. Did you know it is also known as museum mile? Many of NYC’s major museums and art institutions call 5th avenue along Central Park on the Upper East Side home. There are quite a few museums along this mile. Read my NYC museums post for more suggestions on museums to visit. The following museums can all be visited for free with the pass.

The Museum of the City of New York is probably my favorite museum in the whole city. I have been a few times and there is always the main exhibit, “NY at its Core”, which takes you from the beginning of the city’s history to current times. In addition there are always changing exhibits on important events and New Yorkers, past and present. Read more about the museum here.

The Metropolitan Museum of Art is the largest art museum in the USA. You can spend hours here looking at the paintings, sculptors, and different art mediums from around the world. If you are looking to see some modern art head to the Guggenheim. The Cooper Hewitt Smithsonian Design Museum is an interesting museum full of historic and contemporary objects. El Museo del Barrio has a fine arts collection focused on Latino culture.

Big Bus Hop-on Hop-off Uptown Route

From the Metropolitan Museum of Art on the Upper East Side you can take the Big Bus Uptown Route back to Midtown. This will take you past Grand Central Station, St. Patrick’s Cathedral and many of the other major sites in Midtown.

Grand Central Station & Dinner

Get off the bus at the Grand Central Station stop. You will want to take some time to admire this impressive building on both the inside and outside. If you arrive before 6pm you can take an audio tour to learn more about all the hidden secrets within Grand Central.

By now you have probably worked up an appetite as well. If you want something quicker and cheaper the Grand Central Food hall has a wide selection of fast food options. All the eateries are local so don’t expect a McDonald’s or a Subway! You can try the famed Magnolia Cupcakes here or the popular Shake Shack. For something classier try one of Grand Central’s four fine dining restaurants. You can’t go wrong with the landmark Grand Central Oyster Bar and Restaurant.

4 Day NYC Itinerary: Day 4

One of the things that makes New York City so great is all the various neighborhoods. Spend some of your final day in the city in some of the unique neighborhoods in lower Manhattan. Finish off your day with a relaxing cruise and a night in Hell’s Kitchen.

Big Bus Hop-on Hop-off Downtown Route

Take the Downtown route (the red route) from Times Square to Chinatown. The route begins at W 42nd St & Broadway (in front of the Knickerbocker Hotel). You will drive through many interesting Manhattan neighborhoods on the way to Chinatown. The boutique shops within the SoHo and NoHo neighborhoods will delight the shopper within you.

Museum of Chinese in America

In Chinatown take some time at the Museum of Chinese in America. Manhattan is home to many large, impressive museums. What many people don’t know is that the smaller, lesser-known museums are just as good. This museum which is focused on the Chinese American experience is one of my favorites.

Lunch in Chinatown

While in Chinatown spend some time walking around and of course trying the food. A free Chinatown food tour is the best way to do both. You are able to learn more about the area, while trying some of the best foods.

Big Bus Hop-on Hop-off Downtown Route

Continue on the downtown route (the red route) from Chinatown to the circle line sightseeing stop. It will take about an hour to reach this stop from Chinatown. You will get to see and learn more about the many neighborhoods in lower Manhattan and along the western side of Manhattan.

Circle Line Sightseeing Cruise

With the New York Pass you have your pick of four different cruises. The Best of NYC cruise is a great choice because it fully circles Manhattan. It is the longest cruise and the only one that you can see Manhattan from all sides.

Dinner in Hell’s Kitchen

Walk along 9th avenue in Hell’s Kitchen to find somewhere that appeals to you for dinner. Whether you are looking for Thai food or Cuban food, you will find a large variety of restaurants, one after another in this area.

Over several visits and throughout my time living in New York I have personally done every activity in this itinerary. I used the New York Pass to visit many of these places. I hope you found this New York four day itinerary helpful and you fall in love with New York as much as I did on my first visit! 

Not quite what you are looking for? Don’t worry, I can help! Through my Personal Travel Planning service I can plan the perfect New York City itinerary to meet your travel needs…or any other place you dream of visiting!

More About NYC

BOOKS

• Historical Fiction Books Set in NYC
• Chick Lit Set in New York City
• Children’s Books about NYC

BROADWAY

• How to Get Discount Broadway Tickets

CHRISTMAS

• The Best Things to Do in New York in December

ITINERARIES

• 5 Days: One Day in Each Borough

LIFE IN NYC

• Moving to NYC Alone
• How to Save Money Living in NYC

MUSEUMS

• NYC Museums by Category
• New York Historical Society
• Museum of the City of New York

TOURS

• The Best NYC Tours

WHERE TO STAY

• Grandview Hotel (Queens)
• Where to Stay in Brooklyn

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