7 Day New York Itinerary

Looking to spend a week in New York City? Check out our New York itinerary for the best recommendations and tips on how to see the best of NYC in 7 days. This day by day itinerary also includes tips to save money!

Other New York Itineraries

1 Day

2 Days

3 Days

7 Days

Our Budget Tip for 7 Days in New York

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Day 1 NY Itinerary – Bus Tour & Midtown

On day 1 you’ll be visiting:

• Empire State Building
• Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour (see map)
• Grand Central Terminal
• 5th Avenue
• New York Public Library & Bryant Park
• Times Square

Day 1 – Morning

You have arrived in NYC and you’re ready to explore – where to begin? Start your trip by exploring New York’s most iconic skyscraper: The Empire State Building! Going there early in the day means no wait time and amazing views as the city wakes up. To gain an impression of the city and what you might want to explore further in the coming 7 days, we definitely recommend a sightseeing tour. This is a hop-on-hop-off bus tour, meaning that if you drive past a sight you want to explore more, you can do so freely before getting back on the bus and continuing your tour.

Day 1 – Afternoon

After the bus tour and some much-needed lunch, we recommend that you continue with day 1 of your 7 day New York Itinerary by exploring the world-famous Grand Central Terminal and New York Public Library with the adjacent Bryant Park. It is simply not enough to see those landmarks from the outside – you need to be inside!

 

Day 1 – Evening

When the sun sets, it is time for you to head to Times Square to see the lights at night. We promise you will be blown away by the view! The perfect way to end the first evening of your New York itinerary by visiting a rooftop bar, from where you can enjoy the most breathtaking views of the city.

 

 

Day 2 NY Itinerary – Boat Tour & The High Line

On day 2 you’ll be visiting:

• Boat tour around Manhattan
• High Line Park
• Chelsea Market
• Meatpacking District
• Flatiron Building

Day 2 – Morning

Day 2 of the 7-day New York Itinerary will begin with a different perspective of New York: from the water. A great boat tour we recommend is the Circle Line Landmarks that starts at Pier 83. It’s the perfect opportunity to take stunning skyline pictures and also learn about the history of New York. Heading there first thing in the morning helps you avoid long lines! Especially during the summer, boat tours are extremely popular.

 

Day 2 – Afternoon

The Pier is only a short walk away from Hudson Yards and the High Line – a beautiful park that has been built on an abandoned section of railway tracks above the city. It will take you from Chelsea to the Meatpacking District. On the way, you should stop at Chelsea Market to get some delicious food. From there, you can walk through the Meatpacking district to the Flatiron Building, next to Madison Square Park.

 

Day 2 – Evening

This evening, you have time to enjoy a show on New York’s famous Broadway. If you are coming from further away and are still suffering from jet lag, then simply switch the day with another one later in the itinerary. This way you won’t accidentally fall asleep during the show! Alternatively, you can visit a rooftop bar in the area.

 

 

Day 3 NY Itinerary – Museum & Central Park

On day 3 you’ll be visiting:

• One of New York City’s best museum
• Central Park
• St. Patrick’s Cathedral
• Top of the Rock

Day 3 – Morning

Before starting day 3 of your New York itinerary by exploring Central Park, you may want to consider checking out one of New York’s renowned museums. The so-called ‘museum mile’ is located right on 5th Avenue, along Central Park. You will find the Met, the Guggenheim and many other museums on that street. The MoMA and American Museum of Natural History are also located in proximity to the park, which makes it a perfect combination for your NY itinerary.

 

Day 3 – Afternoon

Central Park is home to the largest amount of green space in Manhattan. While you can take bike tours and walking tours, there is so much that goes on in Central Park, we are not sure we can list it all for you! You will see picnics, parties, runners, bikers, horse and carriages, a zoo, lakes, boats, historic landmarks, stages, and the list goes on and on! Exploring a museum and Central Park will take up most of your day.

 

 

Day 3 – Evening

To end Day 3 perfectly, why not walk through St. Patrick’s Cathedral before watching the sunset or night sky from the Top of the Rock – our favorite viewing platform. You can spend as much time as you like up there.

 

 

Day 4 NY Itinerary – Statue of Liberty & Ground Zero

On day 4 you’ll be visiting:

• Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island
• Battery Park
• Charging Bull
• One World Observatory
• 9/11 Memorial

Day 4 – Morning

When you have 7 days in New York, you don’t have an excuse not to visit the State of Liberty! It’s New York’s most iconic symbol that everyone needs to see! The ferry to Liberty Island departs from Battery Park and will also take you to Ellis Island. If you are truly interested in learning about the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, take a guided tour that also includes access to the pedestal.

 

 

Day 4 – Afternoon

Once you get back to Manhattan, you can walk through Battery Park to eventually get to Ground Zero. You can pass the Charging Bull Sculpture on your way. Once arrived at Ground Zero, we suggest you visit the One World Observatory for the highest views in New York City.

 

 

 

Day 4 – Evening

After some delicious dinner in the area, head back to Ground Zero to see the 9/11 Memorial when it’s lit up for the night. Standing in front of the two pools is an indescribable and very emotional experience.

 

 

Day 5 NY Itinerary – Brooklyn Heights & Lower Manhattan

On day 5 you’ll be visiting:

• DUMBO
• Brooklyn Bridge Park
• Brooklyn Bridge
• South Street Seaport
• Wall St
• 9/11 Memorial Museum

Day 5 – Morning

7 days in New York truly gives you time to explore each borough if you are up for it. Today, we recommend you head towards Brooklyn! This beautiful and trendy part of town is the place to be. It may not be as big as Manhattan, but don’t worry, there is just as much to do and see. After exploring DUMBO, head to Brooklyn Bridge Park where you can enjoy another picture perfect view of Manhattan’s incredible skyline.

 

 

Day 5 – Afternoon

Day 5 of our New York itinerary starts in Brooklyn for a reason: Walking over Brooklyn Bridge towards Manhattan will give you a much better view than the other way around! Once arrived in Lower Manhattan you will be super close to the newly restored South Street Seaport District that you can check out before heading to Wall Street.

 

 

 

Day 5 – Evening

When you are done exploring the Financial District, you will be in walking distance to the National 9/11 Museum – a must-see for anyone who is visiting New York. You’d be surprised at how many things you can learn about the day that changed the nation. By going there late in the day, you avoid the big crowds. Plan on being there for about 2 hours.

 

 

Day 6 NY Itinerary – Helicopter Ride & SoHo

On day 6 you’ll be visiting:

• Helicopter Ride or Sport Event
• SoHo
• Little Italy & Nolita
• Chinatown

Now any of these days from our New York itinerary can be done in any order, we just wanted to give you a guideline of all there is to see in the city as well as ideas on how to save. By day 6 you’re probably thinking how much more is there to do? Well, you yet have amazing things ahead of you!

Day 6 – Morning / Afternoon

One of the most memorable experiences we have made in New York was taking a helicopter ride. The view from the helicopter beats all viewing platforms. Flying over the concrete jungle gives you a totally new perspective of New York. If a helicopter ride is a little too expensive, a great alternative is attending a sporting event. New York is home to some of the best sports teams and there is always a game going on.

 

 

Day 6 – Afternoon / Evening

A helicopter ride or a sporting event will take up most of your day, but there is still time left to explore lesser toured neighborhoods, such as SoHo, Little Italy, Nolita & Chinatown. Simply stroll through the neighborhoods and get to know their individual charms. What you’ll find? Shopping spots, beautiful buildings, great food and street art around every other corner.

 

 

Day 7 NY Itinerary – Brooklyn

On day 7 you’ll be visiting:

• Prospect Park & Smorgasburg
• The Brooklyn Museum
• Brooklyn Botanic Garden
• Barclay’s Center

Day 7 of our New York itinerary may be the last but it is definitely not the least! At this point you have covered most of Manhattan, so why not head to a different neighborhood to experience something a little different?

Day 7 – Morning

Let’s head out towards Williamsburg! The first place we recommend you visit is Prospect Park! On Sunday’s this is where Brooklyn’s famous Smorgasburg is held. Smorgasburg is a food festival that is held during the warmer months on the weekends. Saturday’s it is in Williamsburg and on Sunday it is in Prospect Park.

 

 

 

Day 7 – Afternoon

Another favorite to visit is the Brooklyn Museum. This museum is home to over 1.5 million works and is known for its expansive collection of Egyptian and African art. And last but not least, Brooklyn’s Botanic Garden! Enjoy the 52 acres of pure bliss!

 

 

 

Day 7 – Evening

In Williamsburg, you will see beautiful brownstones, boutique shops, and restaurants as well as lots of street art. It definitely has a different feel to it compared to Manhattan. You may also find yourself near the Barclay’s Center. Basketball and ice hockey games are held here along with concerts. Its unique architecture makes it stick out against the grit, but it is a very cool building to pass by!

 

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