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 inShearwater 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.

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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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Best Burgers In Manhattan

Burgers are love. Burgers are life. The age-old sentiment shared by people reading this blog all around the world. A perfect marriage of bread, veg, meat, and cheese. And sometimes, other more exotic things. Man Hattaners rejoice, finally you have a one-stop-shop for all your burger cravings. Finally. So fast for a day, and get ready to adorn your loosest belts. Here's our list of the best burgers in Manhattan. Featuring: Burger Joint Emily The Spotted Pig J.G. Melon And more... Burger Joint For the first burger on our list, you've gotta do a bit of searching. Head to Le Park Meridien hotel in Midtown West and raise your burger-seeking hand. Its light should guide you to a hidden room literally behind a curtain. Once there, feast on a no-nonsense, messy burger. Cooked to perfection. And then ponder on all the boasting you can do at work the next day. Because you will. And they'll hold you up, carry you through the office chanting "BURGER LORD". Or keep it to yourself, whatever. Emily Head over to the West Village to try the taste sensation that's sweeping the nation. PRETZEL BUNS. Truly as decadent as it sounds, Emily's delicious take on the American classic needs to be seen to be believed. Just look at that picture below. The Spotted Pig If you're familiar with the West Village, you're probably aware of The Spotted Pig already. It's a burger joint to the stars and is Dorsia-levels of hard to get a table. However, unlike Partick Bateman, resist the urge to take our frustration out on your co-workers. Even if they don't appreciate the magnificence of Huey Lewis. Simply persist, hungry one. Their noodle-cut fries are to die for. In hindsight, perhaps that's the wrong way to phrase it. Easily one of the best burgers in Manhattan, if you can get in the door. J.G. Melon Looking for a burger without any of the overindulgent trimmings? A classic burger. A burger that embodies the simple truth of the American Dream? Well, J.G Melon's might be just the thing. Just beef, lettuce, onion, pickles and cheese in a bun. It's simple. It's fantastic. Rumour has it that the J.G stands for Just Great. It probably doesn't. We just made that up. BarBacon Ever heard of a bacon flight? For the uninitiated, a bacon flight is a taster plate of bacon from different places, cured with different techniques, all with unique tastes. If that sounds like the best thing ever then you're right. It is. And BarBacon, in Hell's Kitchen, should be on your bucket list. Along with their salivating bacon flights, they also do burgers. Damn good burgers to boot. Why not compliment said burger and said bacon flight with some fried pickles? Then simply run around Manhattan for about 2 days to burn off all those amazing calories. Easily deserves its place as one of the best burgers in Manhattan. Burger & Barrel This SoHo joint doubles up as a 'winepub', so if you want to trick a date into thinking you're sophisticated, take them here. Alongside their diverse and delicious wines, they also have a signature 'bash burger' that's topped by a handsomely-sized portion of onion rings. A burger so good it's won the NY Food & Wine Festivals Event a grand total of five times. Just make sure to do all your neanderthalling in the bathroom. No one needs to see you picking stuff out of your hair and smelling it. Le Rivage Bonjour, mes amis. Want a little taste of the tricolor with your American burger? Le Rivage has you covered. It also has a French onion soup burger, covered in cheese sauce and onions. All of that between a decidedly English muffin, and topped with a pickled onion. Mon Dieu! Grade school French is finally paying off. Keens Steakhouse As you'd expect from a prestigious steak house like Keens, their burger is a meaty force to be reckoned with. A thick, juicy patty that would put some steaks to shame is partnered with lashings of cheese, onion, tomato, and pickle. If you don't have much work to do after lunch, go order one from the bar and then vegetate in the office until the end of the day. Whitmans Ever thought to yourself 'I'd love to eat a cheeseburger where the cheese is inside the patty'? How oddly specific of you. However, you are indeed in luck. It's called a Juicy Lucy, and it already exists! And thanks to the good folk at Whitmans, you can now pick one up on your doorstep, or thereabouts. With locations in the East Village, Hudson Yards and SoHo, you're sure to find an oozing patty within walking distance. 4 Charles Prime Rib We end this list, last but certainly not least, with this intimate supper club in the West Village. While not a burger joint per se, their American Cheeseburger is one of the best around. It's simple yet sublime, no gimmicks necessary. It's also served with a steak knife right through its heart. Definitely enough to sink your teeth into. Van Helsing would shed a tear. Apologies, I'm done with the vampire shenanigans. And that's our list of the best burgers in Manhattan. If these aren't enough to pique your fancy, then what the hell is wrong with you? Of course, Manhattan is teeming with delicious burger joints, so let us know if we missed any of your favorites in the comments below. Looking for something to do after you eat? Why not check out the best jazz clubs in town?
Dom Bewley
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Things to Do in NYC for European Visitors on Vacation

Looking for things to do in NYC for European visitors? New York City is one of the top destinations in the United States for Europeans. If you're traveling to America from this area of the world and are looking for the top things to do in the city, we've got you covered. Our recommendations for our European visitors include: The Statue of Liberty The Met Cloisters One World Observatory The High Line Food on Foot Tours Broadway And more Free Entry with The New York Pass® Free entry to many of these popular New York attractions and activities are included on The New York Pass®. Used by over 3.5 million travelers, the New York Pass is the ultimate sightseeing pass, which includes admission to 90+ attractions, Fast Track Entry at select attractions, a free guidebook, & much more. Learn more about the New York Pass benefits & how to save up to 70% off attractions. Statue of Liberty The Statue of Liberty is an American icon that represents the freedom immigrants find when they arrive in the country. A gift from France, this is the perfect place for Europeans to get a glimpse into what makes the United States what it is. If you have ancestors who traveled to the US, you may even find their names in the American Family Immigration History Center found on Ellis Island. Getting in: Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island Immigration Museum and ferry tickets are included on The New York Pass. Please note: tickets for access to the pedestal and crown levels in the Statue of Liberty are sold separately and require advanced reservations. You will not be granted admission with The New York Pass. Times Square Many people are familiar with Times Square and its popular New Year's Eve celebration, but this area of New York is a true sight to behold throughout the year. As you walk through this busy area of the city, you will notice a vast array of people, making it ideal for people watching, along with costumed characters, bright lights, flashy billboards, musicians and more. It's the perfect place to spend some time shopping and taking in the unique sights of this popular city destination. Getting in: Times Square is free and open to the public. Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour A fully-guided hop-on hop-off bus tour is one of the best ways to start your trip. It's one of the most popular things to do in NYC for European visitors in particular because you can listen to pre-recorded narration of the tour in your choice of 10 languages. You'll learn all about some of NYC's most important history, see all the biggest landmarks and sights, and get a feel for the layout of the city so you can make a note of the attractions and areas you want to come back to and explore after the tour or later in your trip. Getting in: Big Bus Hop-On Hop-Off Tour tickets are included on The New York Pass. One World Observatory Get sky-high views of the city skyline from the top of the tallest building in the Western Hemisphere. Even though the observatory is located above floor 100 in the building, it takes a mere 60 seconds to get to the top via the unique elevators that allow you to look around while you are on your way to the top. This observatory is located at the top of the new One World Trade Center building. Getting in: One World Observatory tickets are sold separately. Food on Foot Tours The food you will find in New York City is diverse and unlike anything you have likely experienced anywhere in Europe. The Food on Foot Tours have earned a number of awards and is a great way to get a taste of the various types of foods available throughout the city. On the tour you'll get to walk through many of New York City's boroughs and experience the various culinary styles that can be found in each one. Getting in: Food on Foor Tour tickets are included with The New York Pass. SoHo - Little Italy - Chinatown Walking Tour New York truly is a melting pot of cultures, and it's quite evident when you spend time touring some of the most cultured areas of the city. The SoHo - Little Italy - Chinatown walking tour is the best way to learn more about the variety of customs that have made this city what it is. This tour is operated by experienced guides who can tell you a little about each area and its history and significance to New York culture. Getting in: Soho - Little Italy - Chinatown Walking Tour tickets are included with The New York Pass. Go to Yankee Stadium One of the most American things you can do is take in a New York Yankees baseball game. If you're an avid sports fan or simply want to immerse yourself in this popular American pastimes, consider taking in a game while you are in the city. Even if you are here during the offseason, you can get a glimpse into this important part of American culture by taking a tour of the stadium. Not only will you see one of the most famous stadiums in the country, but you will learn all about the 27-time World Champion team. Getting in: Yankee Stadium Tour tickets are included on The New York Pass - all games and other events are separately ticketed. The High Line By David Berkowitz from New York, NY, USA [CC BY 2.0], via Wikimedia CommonsIn a major metropolis like New York City, finding green space can be difficult. While most people are familiar with Central Park and it certainly is a must-do for most visitors to the city, the High Line can offer a unique experience in a similar atmosphere. Build on an old railway line that went out of service in the 1980s, this park runs from Hudson Yards to Chelsea, creating the perfect place for hikers to take in the sights and sounds of the city in a luxurious green space. Getting in: The High Line is free and open to the public. The Met Cloisters By Jose olivares (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0], via Wikimedia CommonsThe Met Cloisters is an interesting type of museum that will rival many of the museums that are commonly found throughout Europe and a favorite museum among NYC natives. This museum is home to the Met's medieval arts and architecture and consists of beautifully designed gardens and a castle that looks like it came straight out of medieval Europe. Even though this castle was built fairly recently, it was constructed from stone acquired from several French cloisters, giving it an authentic feel. Getting in: The Met Cloisters tickets are included on The New York Pass. Broadway Shows You haven't seen a show until you've taken in one of Broadway's finest - catching a Broadway show is one of the most popular things to do in NYC for European visitors-or any visitor of that matter. In this area of the city, you will find a vast array of show options, including musicals and plays. You will enjoy some of the most popular musicals and plays ever written, all performed by seasoned actors and actresses. This is an experience that is unlike any other theater event you will ever see.. Getting in: Broadway shows are separately ticketed events. Learn about Graffiti as an Artform Graffiti has become somewhat of an icon in a major American city like New York City. While Europeans aren't as used to the presence of this type of art, it has become an essential part of New York culture and truly makes the city unique. In fact, when you take the Graffiti & Art walking tour in New York City, you will be exposed to some of the most expressive pieces of street art in the country, all created by talented New York artists who have taken their art to the streets in a new medium. Getting in: Graffiti & Street Art Walking Tour of Brooklyn tickets are included on The New York Pass. Remember To Save On Attraction Admission Lots of the fun things to do in NYC for European visitors on vacation mentioned in this post are included on The New York Pass. Whether you’re interested in going on guided tours of the city, going museum hopping, or getting out on the water, an NYC sightseeing vacation that the whole family will enjoy is easy to plan with The New York Pass. If you plan on visiting multiple attractions, consider using the New York Pass which grants you free entry to over 90 attractions in New York City. That way you can do more when you sightsee and make the most of your time in New York City. For more information on the New York Pass, click here.
Casey Makovich

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