Ultimate New York City Travel Guide

By The Backseat View

Welcome to the bright lights and chaos that’s New York City. New York is iconic, making it the most visited place in America. While the classic sights and entertainment options are endless, the real magic is in the wandering. Get lost on purpose. Enjoy people-watching. Listen to different languages and chat with locals. This brings the feeling of being a part of the beautiful chemistry that’s New York City.

The Ultimate New York City Travel Guide breaks attractions down by location to help you build your itinerary. The top attractions are on the itinerary for first visits. However, remember to leave time to amble and discover the less traveled paths.

My Best Tips are:

1. You have less time than you think in a day. (weather, crowds, waiting for everything)
2. New York is going to cost more than you plan, every time.
3. You will walk more miles than you think possible.
4. The unpredictable weather will affect your plans.

New York Travel Guide

I love New York for the Broadway plays and The MET so let’s start in Midtown Manhattan. I need at least 2-3 days for this area.

Times Square

Times Square is a chance to soak in the energy of the city while sprinkling in a little nighttime magic. Let’s join the masses. Be overstimulated with flashing lights, loud music, and moving billboards. Experience this while shopping at M&M’s, Hershey’s, and the Disney Store. For the most part, shopping is affordable with Sephora, H&M, and Old Navy. The heart of Times Square is Broadway with all the best plays such as Harry Potter, Hamilton, Wicked, and The Lion King.

You came for the food, so, let’s make it memorable. I LOVE Ellen’s Stardust Diner with the new talent singing away at your table making it an unforgettable experience. Then, Carmine’s is a tradition with the best vodka ravioli. Finally, Junior’s Cheesecake and Serendipity’s Frozen Hot Chocolate are delicious dessert stops. Let’s review the basics of Broadway and then explore the rest of Midtown Manhattan.

Broadway

With $180 as the average cost for a popular show, where you get your tickets matters.

BIGGEST TIP: DON’T use StubHub for tickets because they are not partnered with the theaters. Tickets can have issues scanning as used or links that don’t work, resulting in you being turned away. Book with Ticketmaster, Broadway.com, or Broadwaydirect.com if you want help with ticket issues instead of a refund.

Cheapest Tickets: The TKTS booth in Times Square has deals on the less popular shows.

Broadway Rush Tickets– offers daily tickets for $45.

Architectural Landmarks

You came to see the famous buildings that make New York, New York, and provide epic views over the city.

Empire State Building

The Empire State Building is the world’s most famous building with fabulous views over six states. It costs $50 to enter the observation decks with timed entrance tickets bought in advance. It can take over an hour to enter due to crowds. For bad weather days, you can reschedule. Just down the street are Macy’s and Madison Square Gardens.

The Flatiron Building is triangular at Broadway and Fifth Avenue and a half-mile walk from the Empire State Building.

If I’m being honest, I’m coming for the Harry Potter Store that’s next to the Flatiron. I’ll walk an extra mile for Butterbeer and Fantastic Beast pets.

The Friend’s Experience is a street over with all the props and timed tickets starting at $60.

Macy’s Herald Square & Fifth Avenue

Macy’s is “America’s Largest Department Store” with 11 levels of fashion. I completely underestimated how much time I would need here. The jaw-dropping Spring Flower Festival (end of April to mid-May) and the Christmas decorations take an hour to explore on the main floor. When I realized the floors were divided by size and length (4 petite has an entire floor), I knew we were going to be there for a while.

Madison Square Gardens is home to the New York Knicks (basketball) and the New York Rangers (hockey). It is just a couple of blocks from Macy’s.

Levain Bakery is across the street from Madison Square Gardens with the most famous cookies in New York.

Chrysler Building allows visits to the lobby of this historic skyscraper. It is located between attractions. The Empire State Building is 5 blocks to one side. The Rockefeller Center is five blocks in the other direction.

Top of the Rock has stellar views from the top of the Rockefeller Plaza. Cost ranges between $40-$60 depending on the day. The iconic photos sitting on the Beam over the city are neat.

The Radio City Music Hall in the Rockefeller Center hosts concerts and has tours.

5^th Avenue

You have arrived at upscale window shopping with a few kid shops like American Girl, Nintendo, and Lego. There’s FAO Schwartz with the Jellycat Diner experience and a toy wonderland. St. Patrick’s Cathedral is an impressive 15-minute stop, just walk in.

Then, there’s Stand Bookstore which is famous for “18 miles of books” and I love a good bookstore.

Le Café Louis Vuitton is on 5^th Avenue. You need to grab a reservation at midnight 28 days in advance.

Breakfast at Tiffany’s, the Blue Box Café, is next to Vuitton for another famous option requiring reservations.

New York Public Library

The New York Public Library is the second largest library in the US behind the Library of Congress. Y’all, this place is a WONDER! The main reading room is the length of two city blocks with the ceilings displaying skies and clouds. We came to see the original Winnie the Pooh stuffed animals located in the Children’s Room. It’s free to walk through for five minutes and it’s four blocks from the Rockefeller Center. The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) and Grand Central Terminal are across the street.

Grand Central Terminal

The extraordinary historic building houses the trains and subway. It’s the world’s largest train station with 67 tracks on two levels and serves as a National Historic Landmark.

SUMMIT One Vanderbilt

The SUMMIT is across the street from Grand Central for a debatable “Best View of New York.” It’s indoors with a glass floor (called the Sky Portal) for those Instagram photos of the city. Tickets cost around $55. The best time to visit is about an hour before sunset. There are three levels and six immersive spaces taking around 60-90 minutes.

Central Park

Central Park is over 800 green acres in the heart of New York, it’s huge. You can spend a few hours or all day. Bikes are everywhere to rent for an hour and explore. The highlights are Belvedere Castle, Strawberry Fields, Bow Bridge, Bethesda Fountain, and the carousel. Y’all, some of my favorite memories are eating snacks in the park while enjoying the views. I think the famous Tavern of the Green restaurant is worth the hype, so make a lunch reservation.

Pedicab Tours

Several companies offer Pedicab Tours. You are pulled in a cab by a bicycle, starting at $25 per person. This is an easy way to see Central Park. There are Gossip Girl Pedicab tours too. However, pedicab tours aren’t allowed near the most popular attractions due to crowds.

You can also ride in a horse and carriage for around $100 for 30 minutes.

The MET and the Natural History Museum are near Central Park.

The Metropolitan Museum of Art (MET)

The MET is the most visited attraction in New York. I have been to museums all over the country and the MET is my favorite. I allot three hours to visit and we always end up staying longer being blown away by the exhibits. There’s no way to review The MET, you simply must see it for yourself. My personal favorites were the 30 Monet paintings, the Egyptian tombs, and the Armory exhibits.

They only allow small totes or purses and the entrance fee is $30, buy online to save time.

Other New York Museums are: MoMA, The Frick, Neue Galerie, The Tenement, The Cloisters and Fotografiska.

Museum of Natural History

The Museum of Natural History is impressive with dinosaurs, gems, a butterfly exhibit, and a planetarium. It’s an astounding museum with five floors that can take a few hours or the entire day. Tickets cost $30 and are bought online.

Tours

If planning your day feels like too much, just hire a tour guide like Luke of Real NY Tours and add the extra for a professional photographer. It costs around $300 for three hours or $500 for six hours.

The Ride NYC is a tour bus. Street performers show up during the tour, which costs around $75 for 90 minutes.

Chelsea Area (West Midtown)

It’s about a 1-2 mile walk from Times Square to explore the High Line, the Edge, the Chelsea Market, and Hudson Yards. This is a wandering experience.

The High Line is above street level with unique views of the city from the old train tracks. The 1.5-mile walk usually takes a couple of hours to explore the artwork, shops, and restaurants. The Hudson Yards is adjacent to the High Line with new and modern development and is located near Penn Station.

The Edge

The Edge has a large, wide outdoor view platform for the “Best Views of New York.” The Edge also has a small clear floor area for photos. There are other games to explore for extra charges. Tickets cost around $40.

Tip: Make a reservation at the restaurant on site, Peak with Priceless Restaurant & Bar, order cocktails and you can enter the Edge for free. The restaurant runs $100 a person so it’s fancy.

The Chelsea Market

The Chelsea Market is a world-famous food hall with over 40 options and 6 million visitors a year. The Doughnuttery is here and it’s extra famous for being Kim Kardashian’s favorite.

Walking along the Hudson River Piers you will find piers 15-17 are historic South Sea Port. Several restaurants have decks with amazing views.

The Intrepid Museum is located here with a space shuttle, submarine, spy plane, and dozens of other aircraft.

Greenwich Village

While we are wandering, the Friends apartment is about a mile south of here as we near Greenwich Village. Let’s see the Washington Square Arch then explore Bleecker Street for the heartbeat of Greenwich filled with unique shops. St. Luke’s Place is pretty to stroll along tree-lined streets with historic townhouses. Here’s a list of the highlights: Comedy Cellar, Blue Note Jazz Club, Cherry Lane Theatre, Mac Dougal Street for bookstores, Pasticceria for cannoli, and Joe’s Pizza.

SoHo (wandering)

SoHo is nearby with iconic buildings, art galleries, and diverse restaurants. The Museum of Ice Cream is here, but reviews are mixed. I love the cobblestone streets and window shopping the high-end boutiques and trendy stores. The outdoor flea markets are the perfect way to find homemade goods and spend a leisurely afternoon. SoHo has so many charming cafes with unique brunch menus. Lastly, the vintage stores create an unpredictable shopping experience for rare finds. On your second trip to New York, consider staying in SoHo.

TIP: There’s a NYC Vintage Map app that shows you where over 300 vintage and thrift stores are located.

Whew, that’s a lot of information, now let’s head to Downtown Manhattan, about four miles south.

Downtown Manhattan

Downtown Manhattan has Wall Street, the 9/11 Museum, One World Trade Center, Battery Park, Michelin Star restaurants, Chinatown, and the famous Eataly. The Brooklyn Bridge over to DUMBO and the ferry to the Statue of Liberty. The Ghostbusters Firehouse is technically in this area but it’s not close to anything.
Downtown is an easy 2-3 days.

Statue of Liberty

The Statue of Liberty needs no introduction, she defines New York.

• You decide if you have half a day to visit Ellis Island’s museum and Liberty Island properly. Otherwise, you can just wave at her from a passing ferry.
• I love climbing the 300 steps to the pedestal and crown for incredible views over Manhattan.
• You must book four months early to visit the crown and beware of SCAMMERS everywhere offering tours.
• There’s only ONE website for tours to the crown, Statue City Cruises with tickets costing around $35. Use “City Cruises Visitor Center” to find your way to the boat with Google.
• However, Liberty Island can be crazily crowded and lunch can be a $30 sandwich.
• Bring a jacket since it’s windy on the boats.
• This is my first stop of the day, to avoid the crowds.
• The security resembles the airport and takes as long to board the ferry.
• The Staten Island Ferry is free and it’s fine, but the pictures aren’t great being so far away.
• There’s no need to pay for a “boat tour” of the Statue when the ferry is free.

After departing the City Cruise, you are in Battery Park, if you want to walk around.

After a morning touring, I’m headed to Frances Tavern, with reservations, for lunch. Opening in 1762 makes it the oldest restaurant in New York.

The National 9/11 Museum

The 9/11 Museum is a moving experience and a somber reflection on the lives lost. Everyone should visit once for a couple of hours of reflection. The museum costs $35 and is open 9 am to 5 pm. Honestly, I didn’t like starting the day feeling sad so, try an afternoon visit.

The Oculus

The Oculus is the reimagined modern masterpiece of the World Trade Center with a transportation center, shopping mall and restaurants. It’s only a few steps from the 911 Memorial and around the corner is Eataly. The One World Observatory, tallest building in the Western Hemisphere at 102 stories, is here for views over New York.

Wall Street

You can’t enter the New York Stock Exchange to watch the frenzy and wild pace of trading stocks. There’s usually a long line to get your picture made with the big bull. I usually pass by on my way to something else.

Chinatown

Honestly, I’m not a fan. My friends love the chance at a good bargain or a look-alike purse. It’s a great place for a cheap dinner and cheap shopping.

Little Italy

Little Italy is near Chinatown and can be crowded. The famous Christmas shop, Christmas in New York, is here. Personally, I’d rather eat in SoHo.

Brooklyn Bridge

The Brooklyn Bridge is iconic, and everyone walks the mile across to DUMBO. DUMBO stands for Down Under the Manhattan Bridge and Washington Street is the most famous. DUMBO is full of cool restaurants, and trendy shopping on Front Street and Main Street. The Brooklyn Flea Market has vintage treasures. Atlas, don’t miss taking photos in front of the eight wall murals. Finally, take a ride on Jane’s vintage carousel and end the day at the Brooklyn Ice Cream Factory. Then, board the NYC Ferry and ride back across the river.

New York Sports

New York is packed with sports teams New York Yankees, Knicks, Rangers, Jets, Mets, and Giants. If any teams are playing, try to catch a game for the vibrant fan atmosphere!

Best Views of New York

There’s so much debate about the BEST VIEW. Ultimately, it comes down to weather, location, and crowd levels. These factors are out of your control. The new “BEST VIEW” battle is between The Edge and SUMMIT One. The Edge has a larger outdoor area with 360-degree views of New York. The SUMMIT is all glass for cooler photos and is the winner for today. The views from the Top of The Rock offer the best view of the Empire State Building. For FREE views try the Brooklyn Bridge Park or the Staten Island Ferry.

Food

There’s no way to make a list of food for New York. Everyone has their preferences and mine are Ellen’s Stardust, Carmines, and Tavern on the Green. Bagels (Liberty Bagels), Junior’s Cheesecake, Serendipity Frozen Hot Chocolate, and thin crust pizza (Angelo’s since 1930). Levian Bakery for the famous NY cookies. BonBon a swish candy company is Tick Tock Viral along with Dylan’s Candy Bar. My favorite French Bakery is Laduree.

Night Life

• Rooftop Bars with views such as West Light, Mr. Purple, and Catch are popular.
• Dinner cruises on the Hudson River for skyline views.
• Speakeasies such as “Please Don’t Tell “with the entrance in a phone booth and required reservations.

Girls Trip Goals

• .TickTock Viral $30 Blowouts at Lee Ren include scalp massage, wash, style, and mini shoulder massage.
• A 60-minute Foot & Calf Massage at Renew Day Spay for $50.
• Pier 35 swings
• Custom perfume making at Olfactory
• Sarabeth’s Restaurant
• Magnolia Bakery’s Banana Pudding
  

Hotels

• There are a million different choices and budgets, but I’ll list a few.
• Westin Times Square
• Radio City Apartments has 1 & 2 Bedroom options.
• Hilton Garden Inn NY Times Square has eight locations on different blocks.
• The Shelburne has 1&2 Bedroom Suites.
• Solita in SoHo
• 45 Times Square Hotel

Day Trips

• Coney Island is an hour subway ride to the historic amusement park and beach. The New York Aquarium is located here too.
• The Bronx Zoo is rated one of the best in America and is a 40-minute subway ride.
• The American Dream is seven miles from Times Square, 25 minutes on the subway. The mall has the largest indoor waterpark and theme park, and the only real snow year-round ski resort.
• Take the short flight over to Niagara Falls.

Tips

1. COMFORTABLE shoes for 10 miles a day of walking!
2. Prioritize your top attractions then leave room on your schedule for new things or exhaustion.
3. Leave room in your suitcase for souvenirs and new clothes.
4. Waterproof coat because the weather is unpredictable.
5. Update yourself with the newest SCAMS on YouTube. The current scams involve loading the ferry to the Statue of Liberty. People in legit uniforms are pointing you to the wrong ferry. Scam companies sell tickets and tours to the Statue of Liberty, there’s only one place to buy tickets.
6. Bring two portable chargers. You are on your phone constantly for directions and photos.
7. BRING CASH since a lot of Chinatown and street vendors run on cash.
8. After planning your itinerary, see if any of the three New York City Passes save you any money.
9. New York opens at (10 am) and closes well after midnight.
   

Transportation

• Fly into JFK (International flights) or LaGuardia (LGA) closest to Manhattan and mainly domestic flights. From LaGuardia to Manhattan, we just grabbed an Uber/taxi back and forth.
• When landing at JFK, we took the AirTrain to the subway in Manhattan. You board the train at the airport and get off at Howard Beach Station to catch the A Train. It costs around $8 but it’s a lot of steps with luggage. Traveling by Taxi can cost around $60.
• Everyone rides the Metro and you figure it out with Google Maps.
• The Uber Shuttle picks you up at Penn Station or Grand Central Terminal and takes you to LaGuardia for $10 (coupon price) to $20.

Trip Itinerary

Day 1- Arrive/ Times Square shopping with dinner or dessert at Ellen’s Stardust

Day 2– Explore Midtown Manhattan- Empire State Building, Macy’s, Flat Iron Building, Harry Potter, Rockefeller Center, shop 5^th Avenue, St. Patrick’s, New York Public Library, Grand Central, and end with sunset at Summit One. (lunch reservation at The Café Louis Vuitton)

Day 3– The MET, lunch at Tavern on the Green, explore Central Park, dinner at Carmine’s then Broadway.

Day 4- Start the day at The Edge, walk the High Line, enjoy the Chelsea Market then head to Greenwich or SoHo for shopping and wandering.

Day 5- Statue of Liberty and visit Liberty and Ellis islands, lunch at Frances Tavern, 9/11 Memorial, Oculus, Financial District then a Broadway show.

Day 6- Brooklyn Bridge & DUMBO, ferry back, visit Chinatown & Little Italy (or SoHo) then a Yankee’s game, or a Madison Square Garden event.

Regardless of which activities you choose, the New York vibe delivers on all levels. Thank you so much for walking all these steps with me on this Ultimate New York Travel Guide.