One Week in New York City - 7 Days in NYC Itinerary

Create your own adventure in the city that never sleeps
By Casey Makovich

Got a week to explore NYC? We've got your itinerary covered. From dazzling viewpoints to vibrant neighborhood strolls, a week is enough time to get acquainted with the Big Apple.

One week in New York gives you enough time to see all the popular attractions, visit historic sites, and really start getting to know the city. We put together an example of a popular 7 Days in New York City itinerary to give you a little inspiration to start planning your own. Of course, this is just one of the many itineraries you could create with the over 90 included attractions to choose from. The possibilities are endless!

This sample 7 Days in NYC itinerary includes:
 

  • Big Bus New York Hop-on Hop-off Tour
  • Top of the Rock
  • Carnegie Hall Tour
  • Empire State Building Observation Deck
  • American Museum of Natural History
  • and more...

DAY 1 Big Bus New York Hop-on Hop-off Tour

Big Bus New york

Head downtown on the Big Bus Hop-On Hop-On Tour and view New York’s greatest sights from a double-decker tour bus. The downtown tour will make stops at Bryant Park, the Empire State Building, Union Square, and the Statue of Liberty. 

Tip: Your New York Pass is valid for a 1-Day Big Bus Ticket.

Getting in: Big Bus Hop-On Hop-Off Tour tickets are included on The New York Pass.

Shearwater Classic Schooner Cruise Tickets

Hop on board a historic yacht and cruise in vintage style around Manhattan’s tip–one of the most popular things to do in New York City for adults and couples. You’ll love the views of the iconic New York skyline, but the trip’s highlight has to be the waterfront, up-close-and-personal perspective of the Statue of Liberty. The Shearwater Classic Schooner has been plying the waters off Manhattan since 1929, and for good reason, too.

Getting in: Shearwater Classic Schooner Cruise is separately ticketed.

The Skyscraper Museum

Skyscrapers in NYC

New York is known for its unique and beautiful architecture, specifically the iconic skyscrapers that are synonymous with the city. At the Skyscraper Museum, you’ll get to see and learn about all of your favorite NYC architectural gems like the Chrysler Building, Empire State Building, and many more. 

Getting in: The Skyscraper Museum tickets are included with The New York Pass.

DAY 2 On Location Tours - Central Park TV & Movie Sites Walking Tour

Central Park tour

Get your day started with a morning tour of Central Park. But not just any regular tour in the park - On Location Tours provides a unique journey that will show you famous areas in Central Park that have appeared on the big screen and well-known television shows. 

Getting in: Central Park TV & Movie Sites Walking Tour tickets are included with The New York Pass.

The Paley Center for Media

Immerse yourself in brand-new technology and discover tomorrow’s forms of media when you visit the Paley Center for Media, located in Midtown. 

Tip: When you visit on Thursdays, you can enjoy two extra hours to explore the center. 

Getting in: The Paley Center for Media tickets are included with The New York Pass.

Madame Tussauds New York

Madame Tussauds New York
The images shown depict wax figures created and owned by Madame Tussauds

How would you like to meet Rihanna today? Or perhaps Lady Gaga? When you visit New York City’s beloved wax museum, Madame Tussauds, you will have the chance to see all of your favorite celebrities. The museum showcases wax figures of pop culture icons like movie stars, musicians, athletes, and politicians. 

Getting in: Madame Tussauds New York tickets are included with The New York Pass.

Top of the Rock

View from Top of the Rock

Enjoy an amazing panoramic view of New York City from the top of Rockefeller Center. Three observatory floors at the Top of the Rock allow you to see as far as Central Park and well into downtown Manhattan. 

Tip: this is a great location for photos during the day or night as Top of the Rock is open until Midnight. 

Getting In: Top of the Rock tickets are included with the New York Pass.

DAY 3 The Ride

Explore NYC in style on this 75-minute exhilarating tour bus ride. You’ll be on the edge of your seat for the entire trip with a beautiful full view of the greatest landmarks in the city and exciting special performances along the way. 

Getting in: The Ride tickets are included with The New York Pass.

Food on Foot Tours

Food on foot tours

Become familiar with the native tastes of New York City when you take the Food on Foot Tours. You have the choice of what neighborhood and the type of food you want your tour to be catered to with Food on Foot’s wide selection of NYC tours. You’ll get to know the best restaurants in the city and all of the mouth-watering dishes within each neighborhood. 

Getting in: Food on Foot Tour tickets are included with The New York Pass.

Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum

End the day viewing futuristic technology and innovative exhibits on display at the Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum. You’ll see over 210,000 objects in the museum's collection related to creative design. 

Getting in: Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum tickets are included with The New York Pass.

DAY 4 Brooklyn Bridge bike tour

Nothing beats cruising New York City on two wheels at your own pace. Treat yourself to a comfortable and convenient bicycle rental or join a group tour on which you can venture across Brooklyn Bridge and enjoy cityscape views of both Manhattan and Brooklyn.

Getting in: Brooklyn Bridge Bike Rental by Unlimited Biking is included with The New York Pass.

 

Brooklyn Bridge

Carnegie Hall

Learn about a historic New York City performance venue when you take the Carnegie Hall Tour. This guided tour will take you to the concert halls that once hosted shows for The Beatles, Led Zeppelin, and more. You'll also get a chance to see Carnegie Hall’s high profile memorabilia with artifacts from some of your favorite performers. 

Getting in: Carnegie Hall Tour is separately ticketed.

DAY 5 Little Italy Walking Tour

On this tour,  see the streets where legendary Italian-American director Martin Scorsese grew up and other locations immortalized on film and television shows, including The Godfather. Your expert guide will walk you through Little Italy's storied streets and regale you with tales and anecdotes of the neighborhood’s often troubled history.

Getting in: Official Little Italy Walking Tour tickets are included with The New York Pass.

Grand Central Terminal Audio Tour

Grand Central Terminal

In the afternoon, take a self-guided audio tour in Grand Central Terminal and learn the history behind one of the world’s busiest transportation stations. Look up and you can marvel at the beautiful design of Grand Central’s astronomical ceiling. 

Getting in: Grand Central Terminal is free to enter and the audio tour is separately ticketed

Empire State Building observation deck

Empire State observation deck

Visiting the Empire State Building is a perfect way to end the night and get views in every direction from the observation deck. 

Tip: the Empire State Building is open late, with final admission at midnight, you’ll be able to enjoy the sights of New York until two in the morning. 

Getting In: Empire State Building tickets are included with the New York Pass.

DAY 6 Graffiti & Street Art Walking Tour in NYC

Walk some of the most decorated blocks in New York City as you admire the vibrant street art created by local artists. The Graffiti & Street Art Walking Tour takes you to both Bushwick and Williamsburg in Brooklyn where you are sure to see some amazing visual creations. 

Getting in: Graffiti & Street Art Walking Tour of Brooklyn tickets are included with The New York Pass.

International Center of Photography Museum

You’ll find tons of intriguing photos on display at the International Center of Photography. The installations showcase photography techniques as well as the development of cameras and photography equipment. 

Getting in: International Center of Photography Museum tickets are included with The New York Pass.

Museum at Eldridge Street

Eldridge street museum

Make your way downtown and discover the beautiful interior design of the Museum at Eldridge Street. While exploring the museum, you’ll learn about its long history and significance to the Lower East Side of Manhattan. 

Getting in: Museum at Eldridge St. tickets are included with The New York Pass.

Dave & Busters Times Square

After a long day of traveling to popular attractions in the city, there’s nothing better than unwinding and letting loose. There are games and activities for everyone in the family as well as mouth-watering dishes and sports broadcasts - check for the latest promotions onsite.

DAY 7 American Museum of Natural History

Explore the many fascinating halls of the American Museum of Natural History, where you can find exhibits on the development of species over time including mammals, insects, and dinosaurs. You’ll be sure to find something new and exciting in each hall of the museum and be bursting with fun facts by the time you're through.

Getting in: American Museum of Natural History tickets are included with The New York Pass.

New York water taxi

Head toward Midtown on the New York Water Taxi which makes scheduled stops along the waterfront and gives you the option to decide where you want to get off. You can also use your ticket to hop back on another NY Water Taxi and cruise to your next destination. A great way to stay cool on a sunny day and take in the epic skyline views as you travel.

New York Water Taxi is ticketed separately. 

High Line – Chelsea – Meatpacking Tour

Walk along the path of perhaps the most unique park in New York City, the High Line. You’ll enjoy peering down at the city from the elevated park walkway and discover the many gems of the Meatpacking District. 

Getting in: High Line-Chelsea-Meatpacking Tour tickets are included with The New York Pass.

Experience everything New York City has to offer with The New York Pass®

Planning your New York trip? With The New York Pass®, you can explore big-name landmarks, local hotspots, and epic tours, all on one pass, all for one price. Not only that, but you'll enjoy savings of up to 50%, compared to buying individual attraction tickets.

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New York Cruises for Sightseeing

Imagine seeing the beautiful Manhattan Skyline from New York Harbor and the Hudson River. By taking a sightseeing cruise, you will have enough photo opportunities to fill your Instagram feed. Here are just a few of the most popular NYC attractions you will see from the water: Battery Park, Museum of Jewish Heritage, Ellis Island, Statue of Liberty, Wall Street, Brooklyn Bridge, Empire State Building, Chrysler Building, United Nations, Roosevelt Island, Gracie Mansion, Harlem, Yankee Stadium, Columbia University, Palisades of New Jersey, George Washington Bridge, Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Monument, The Intrepid, One World Trade Center and many more New York Pass exclusive arrangement with Circle Line Sightseeing Cruises entitles you to free admission to the following cruises - Liberty cruise - Harbor Lights sunset cruise The Circle Line Sightseeing Cruises are valued at $43 for an Adult ticket, but the New York Pass holders don’t pay a cent – another great reason to buy the New York Pass Circle Line Sightseeing Cruise Downtown Climb aboard this fun express ride to view the Statue of Liberty from the unique perspective of the waterfront and learn more about New York’s historic skyline. Circle Line Sightseeing Cruises Circle Line is billed as 'America's Favorite Boat Ride'. Cruise past some of New York's most memorable landmarks on the 'Best of NYC' cruise, the Landmark cruise, the dazzling 'Harbor Lights' sunset cruise and more. Clipper City Tall Ship – Statue of Liberty Cruise Join us for a shipboard experience you will remember for all of your life. Hop-On Hop-Off Water Taxi: All Day Access Pass The only harbor cruise that lets you hop off, explore, and hop on again! 1929 Shearwater – Statue of Liberty Sail For something different, see Manhattan By Sail! on the 1929 Shearwater, an 82-foot double-masted Great Gatsby Era sailing yacht.
Shashia Mitchell
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Pass It On: Erin Roach's VIP Day Out

Back in sunny July, we decided to give one of you something amazing. Two day-long New York Passes, a VIP Tour of the Empire State Building, a $150 gift card to State Grill, the Empire State Building's beloved restaurant, and pedestal tickets to the Statue Of Liberty. All we asked for in return? A little story about your favorite hidden gem in New York, be it a street food cart that amazed you, a bookstore that inspired you or hairdresser who gave you the best bangs ever. And in August, we picked our winner. Erin Roach stole the show with her inspiring story about 'Westsider Rare and Used Books' on the Upper West Side. So we sent her two well-deserved passes with all the trimmings, with only two instructions to follow: have as much fun as you can, and let us know all about it. This is Erin, and her mother's, tale. Day One: The Journey Begins On any normal day leaving the house at 6am would have seemed a form of punishment, but this was an exception. Operating solely on caffeine and adrenaline, we made our way to Manhattan via a somewhat out-of-the-way (but completely rewarding) layover in New Orleans, which we may or may not have booked entirely to get beignets. Lady Liberty greeted our LaGuardia-bound flight before we landed to sunny skies and unseasonably warm weather. Our Super Shuttle driver provided us with an additional and somewhat unexpected tour of Harlem, which our fellow passengers did not appreciate. My mother and I, however, took in all the sights and sounds, as if we had never left the house our entire lives. We arrived at our hotel a little worse for wear but buzzing from all we’d already seen. Our room on the 23rd floor presented us with a glittering view of the city, which was just donning its evening attire of sparkling lights. Enchanting. Grabbing an unneeded umbrella and a power charger, we made our way to the Rock Center Café in Rockefeller Center for a much-needed meal. The restaurant’s view of Prometheus is enough to delight, but being the dark-humored people that we are, we mostly enjoy seeing the rookie ice skaters fall down. I’m definitely not much of an athlete, but you also won’t find me pulling my way around the rink wall. Parents marionette their well-meaning but clumsy children onto the ice in droves. It’s hard to say who is less inclined to be there in the first place. It’s hilarious. It’s a must-see in my opinion. Day Two: Renita, Jewel of the Empire State Building After waking up in the city that doesn’t sleep, we made our way to 50th Street to meet up with our tour guide for the On Location Tours New York TV and Movie Sites Tour. I find that even if you’re not a movie fan, (which I happen to be) the bus tours offered in Manhattan are a wonderful way to see the city without walking your feet down to nubs. We toured 5th Avenue, Chelsea, SoHo, NoHo, Washington Square Park, Midtown and the Meatpacking District. Our tour guide Roseanne pointed out celebrity homes and shooting locations while providing related clips. As if that wasn’t enough, we were given a black and white cookie for our time. Nothing says New York like a black and white cookie. After stopping for a brief lunch at the Seinfeld-fabled Soup Man (also seen on our tour) we made our way downtown to do a bit of thrift store shopping ala Carrie Bradshaw. We were even able to pop into the Starbucks Reserve Roastery without the golden ticket supposedly needed for admission. Willy Wonka himself would be hard-pressed - pun intended - to find a more exciting café. We decided it best to get our Hawaiian blends to go and made our way back to the hotel with just enough time to change before catching the train to our VIP Empire State Building tour. So many visitors seem apprehensive to use the subway to get around, but it can be an attraction in itself. In the few days, we were in the city, we passed gospel singers, violinists, orchestras and shamisen players. Also, we didn’t get caught in traffic once. The doorman at the 34th Street entrance greeted us and ushered us indoors. We waited only a few moments before Renita, the world’s best tour guide, met us in the lobby. I had been to the Empire State Building once before, but this was my mother’s first time. I think it may have ruined all future trips for me. Renita was warm and knowledgeable. She led us past the lines and down a red carpet, ending at a private VIP lounge. Champagne was promptly uncorked and our tour began as we were comfortably seated in the plush green room. Surrounded by memorabilia of previous celebrity guests, we were provided with a private bathroom and makeup room, as well as a live stream camera to take photos for their website. Did I mention champagne? There was also champagne. We felt very metropolitan. Renita explained the history of the art, the architecture, the marble, the construction and the renovation. She seemed to be more of a fixture there than King Kong, who we also ran into along the way. We were escorted to the front of the line at each exhibit and photo op, as any proper VIP should. We rode an express elevator to the exclusive 102nd floor, which offered a floor to ceiling glass view of the city in all of its 360-degree splendor before descending to the 86th floor observatory to mingle with all the commoners who were not afforded our posh lifestyle. It’s nice to rub elbows with those less fortunate once in a while. I had arranged for dinner at 8:30 after our tour, but misgauged a bit and arrived early. Renita proved invaluable yet again, speaking to the hostess on our behalf and moving the reservation up. I’m sure there are many great guides available on the VIP tour, but I truly can’t imagine having one as wonderful as she was. Renita was truly was the highlight of our day. Dinner at the State Grill and Bar was a delight. After our reservation adjustment, we were promptly seated by the window in a warm candlelit booth. We feasted on cheese plates, honeycomb, olives, pumpkin salad and seafood before reaching the limit of digestive endurance over a piece of chocolate cake. Agonizingly full, and having adored every moment of our meal, we rolled home. Day Three: Modern Art, and the Books that Brought Me Here “Don’t you just love New York in the fall? Makes me want to buy school supplies. I would send you a freshly sharpened bouquet of pencils if I knew your name and address.” Nora Ephron understood New York better than anyone and her true love was the Upper West Side. The setting of such films as You’ve Got Mail and When Harry Met Sally, it offers an unparalleled charm. It’s also home to the New York Gem that afforded me this trip when I wrote about it as part of the Pass It On Giveaway: 'Westsider Rare and Used Books'. I was surprised to see they had taken on a new employee since my last visit, a furry black cat named Pig. He was extremely hospitable, although he didn’t provide many recommendations. I left with Steve Martin’s Pure Drivel and a signed copy of Tarzan on Broadway before heading across the street to soak up all the aromas of Zabars. Sadly, this was not a free sample day. We begrudgingly departed the Upper West Side and made our way across Central Park in time for our lunch reservations at the Central Park Boathouse. If the lake views and fall foliage weren’t enough reason to visit, the pressed octopus and pretzel rolls should be. After lunch, we strolled beneath golden canopies of turning leaves and past musicians and street performers. A stranger asked if we would mind taking a picture of him standing naked in the Bethesda fountain. We declined. I love New York! Uniqlo sponsors free admission night on Fridays at the MoMA, so we were thrilled to hear it had reopened after a lengthy renovation just in time for our visit. We spent the rest of the evening viewing the many works there before retiring to Junior’s for dinner. Their cheesecake is not to be missed. We were too full. We missed it. Next time. Day Four: We Just 'Met', and a Walkabout Saturday was the day we had chosen to use our New York Pass. It was also, unfortunately, the day the trip started to catch up with us, so we slept in a bit. We were able to function after a couple gallons of coffee and arrived just in time to meet our tour guide George in front of the world-renowned Plaza Hotel for our On Location Tours Central Park TV and Movie Sites Tour. We were able to take in all the sites I had wanted to see on previous trips but had never taken the time to scout out. We visited the rink from Serendipity, the bridge from Home Alone 2 and The Mall from Kramer vs Kramer. Each site was more illuminated with the rapidly changing colors of the season, without all that pesky cold. Our guide was delightfully snarky and well-informed and kept the tour going at a good pace. Our second tour of the day, When Harry Met Seinfeld, was canceled due to unforeseen and unexplained circumstances, so we used lunch as an excuse to return to the Upper West Side and grab a nova sandwich at Café Lalo (the café where Joe Fox meets Kathleen Kelly in You’ve Got Mail). Freshly fueled and lightly rested, we headed to the Metropolitan Museum of Art to rack up another use of our New York Pass. We had planned to visit the Top of the Rock Observatory, but got distracted by something shiny and stayed until the Met had closed. After a brief hike and short train ride, we ended our day in the corner booth of Sardi’s. Day Five: Storm Over the Statue Sunday was, unfortunately, our last day. And the wettest. We had arranged for our Statue of Liberty pedestal tickets this day, much to our chagrin. After arriving at Ferry Street Station, we opted for a brief rest before continuing our swim through Battery Park. Walking against the wind with our pants legs soaked to the hip, we battled our way into the ticket pickup location, come hell or high water. We presented our soggy passes to the security officer, who directed us upstream past a forsaken umbrella case and a family of huddled trash bag wearers. Give us Liberty or give us death. I’m sure some would have found this experience less than ideal, including the gentleman in front of us whose wife commented she was “sure having a blast”. But my mother and I are always up for an adventure. The sea was as angry as....well, that old man in front of us as we departed from the harbor. We managed to procure a seat before we began heaving towards Liberty Island. I wondered aloud if we should have stayed on deck? It was still monsooning, but what better place to get a picture? We made our way to the stern, colliding with other onlookers in a deluge of humanity. I snapped a quick picture of Lady Liberty while my mom snapped a picture of me wincing as the rain pummeled me into oblivion. Memories. We departed the ferry and reassembled our battered umbrellas before trudging to the pedestal like Lewis and Clark. We were wet and broken, but our resolve was absolute. My umbrella caught the wind and whipped backwards while my mother wrapped her soggy trench coat over her purse. We were explorers. We ascended to the pedestal, and stepped onto the observation deck. I’m told you could see the city from there, but all I saw were my long tresses of hair reaching from the sides of my face to blind me. My umbrella screamed in agony as we reentered the structure. “Wanna go again?” I asked. “That’s ok” my mother replied. We returned back to the ferry. “Did you still want to stop at Ellis Island?” I asked hesitantly. “I mean, I’d still kinda like to see it” she replied, undaunted by the experience. The clock was betraying me and I knew we didn’t have much time left on our whirlwind tour of NY, so we stopped at Ellis Island long enough to take in the 30-minute movie and peruse the gift shop before heading back to Lower Manhattan. Even with two broken umbrellas and soaked clothing, I wouldn’t have missed it for the world. The battle we faced was nothing compared to that of those that originally traveled here to seek freedom and a new life. As someone who has been to the city many times, I had never been to the Statue of Liberty before and I felt so glad to have an opportunity to see it. I’m not sure it would have had the same impact on a sunny day. So, even if the weather isn’t what you’d hoped for, you should still take the opportunity to visit. The lines were greatly reduced and the museum and exhibits are indoors. Just allow a change of clothes or dress like the Gordon’s fisherman. We had just enough time to make a final pilgrimage to the Upper West Side one last time. Zabar’s greeted us with hot soup and an incredibly tardy sunny sky. We people watched from the bar seating before pillaging the connecting market and beginning our stroll back to the hotel. Finale There’s a reason so many songs have been written about New York. Where else can you see the things we were able to experience in just five days-time? So many people translate “If you can make it there, you can make it anywhere” to mean once you’ve been you can handle anything, but perhaps what they mean is you can literally make Manhattan be anywhere you want it to be. It can be China. It can be Italy. It can be an enchanted forest. It can be whatever you need it to be. If you’ve been to New York, I think you know what I’m talking about. If you haven’t been, what are you waiting for? “It’s up to you. New York, NY.”
Dom Bewley
Hands forming a heart shape at the Pride festival
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Things to do in New York for Pride Day

New Yorkers know how to throw a party, and the NYC Pride parade and associated PrideFest street fair are no exception.
Stuart Bak

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