The ultimate New York City in 4 days itinerary! Read on to discover everything to do, see, eat and experience in four days in New York. I grew up in Manhattan and never tire of exploring the city. There is so much to see and do and the energy of New York City is unmatched. It is truly a magical place! That being said, 4 days is a short time to visit. You can get a good taste of the city in 4 days but you’ll definitely want to plan to come back to spend more time exploring everything New York City has to offer.
Enjoy this four day NYC itinerary that is a fun mixture of top sights and local hidden gems!
New York City in 4 days
Where to stay in New York City
The Lucerne
Although, I grew up in NYC, we now live in Paris, so we book a hotel when we visit. We stayed at the Lucerne on the Upper West Side on our recent trip and absolutely loved it. We would definitely stay there again.
If you are looking to stay in a true, laid back, NYC neighborhood, the Upper West Side or the Upper East Side are good choices for your trip.
The Lucerne is a fantastic choice. The hotel is housed in a historic building located on the Upper West Side. The neighborhood is perfect, you will be surrounded by fabulous restaurants and shops. You will also be just steps away from Central Park.
Hotel Belleclaire
Hotel Belleclaire is a more affordable option in the same neighborhood as the Lucerne, on the Upper West Side. The hotel features simple, clean rooms, in a fantastic location just steps from Central Park.
Book your room at the Hotel Belleclaire
The Warwick New York
If you are looking for a hotel in Midtown close to a lot of the sites in the 4-day NYC itinerary below, The Warwick is a good choice! The Warwick New York is a historic hotel featuring marble bathrooms and antique furniture and can be reasonably priced depending on the time of year your are visiting New York.
Book your room at The Warwick New York
The Plaza Hotel
For the ultimate luxury NYC stay, book a room at The Plaza. The Plaza is New York City’s most iconic hotel, so why not make your stay extra special by booking a room here?
Book your room at The Plaza New York
NYC in 4 Days Itinerary : Day 1 Midtown
Empire State Building
Visiting the Empire State Building is one of the most magical, and quintessential, experiences you can have in NYC!
This itinerary takes you to the Empire State Building first thing in the morning so you have time to do everything in the 4-day itinerary, but you could also do it last thing in the evening (like we did!) and it would be equally as magical. With more time in New York, you may even want to visit twice to see the view in the morning and at night.
Book your Empire State Building Skip-the-Line ticket here
Saks Fifth Avenue
Saks Fifth Avenue is a New York City institution, a gorgeous department store located in midtown Manhattan. I spent a lot of my childhood here because my mom worked at Saks while I was growing up, so I may be biased, but I think it is the most magical store!
Pop in to see what’s fashionable now, to purchase a special piece of clothing or an accessory, or to buy a NYC souvenir (if you’re visiting around Christmas, pick up one of their beautiful, yearly keepsake snow globes!).
St. Patrick’s Cathedral
St. Patrick’s Cathedral is iconic and impressive. It is the largest gothic cathedral in the USA and definitely worth visiting during your time in New York whether you are religious or not. Visiting is always free, although you can choose to learn more with a self-guided audio tour.
Rockefeller Center
After visiting St. Patrick’s Cathedral, cross the street to walk around Rockefeller Center. In addition to the beautiful skating rink, Rockefeller Center has several boutiques and restaurants to enjoy.
Mid-morning cookie from Chip City
After a morning of exploring, you will be ready for a snack. Do yourself a favor, and stop by Chip City for a cookie!
Their cookies are out of this world. We’ve tried several flavors. Our favorites are the classic chocolate chip, maple syrup (not available all the time, so seize your opportunity to try it if they have them the day you visit!), peanut butter and dark chocolate and brownie.
You can even purchase a glass of milk to enjoy with your cookies if you’re in the mood for it!
Top of the Rock
One of the most beautiful observation decks in NYC is Top of the Rock!
You can choose a simple ticket to visit the observation deck or combine the simple observation deck with a ticket to the Beam Experience, where you’ll get to recreate the famous photo of construction workers sitting out on a beam extended high over NYC, during the building of Rockefeller Center.
You can purchase a simple ticket and upgrade your ticket when you get there if you choose to add the Beam Experience too.
Book your Top of the Rock Skip-the-Line ticket here
Lunch at Gallagher’s Steakhouse
If you want a quintessentially New York experience, make time for lunch in a traditional steakhouse. Our favorite NYC steakhouse is Gallagher’s Steakhouse. Lunch or dinner there is fabulous, but I think that their lunch offer is a really affordable way to get the full steakhouse experience. Their lunch menu offers a starter, main course and dessert for just $32 per person (at the time of writing this).
We had a wonderful lunch there. Hugo loved his — salad, filet mignon and key lime pie. I loved my cesar salad, filet mignon, and New York cheesecake.
MOMA
MOMA is one of the most amazing museums New York City has to offer. You can spend hours there and still not see everything.
Make sure you see the MOMA highlights, including Starry Night by Van Gogh, The Persistence of Memory by Dali, The Song of Love by Giorgio de Chirico, Jackson Pollack’s One : Number 31, Les Demoiselles d’Avignon by Picasso, Campbell’s Soup Can by Andy Warhol, Monet’s Waterlilies, Marcel Duchamp’s Bicycle Wheel, Drowning Girl by Lichtenstein, The Lovers by Magritte, Edward Hopper’s Gas Station, and Frida Kahlo’s Self-Portrait with Cropped Hair.
Book your MOMA Skip-the-Line ticket here
Greenacre Park
This is one of my favorite secret gardens in NYC. My mom used to take me for lunch there when I was little and it’s barely changed at all since I was a little girl.
Inside Greenacre Park you will find a peaceful haven, complete with a mini coffee shop and waterfull right in the middle of Midtown. Most New Yorkers don’t even know about this garden! It’s such a special, secret gem.
Pop into Bloomingdale’s
If you are interested in doing some shopping, pop into Bloomingdale’s on 59th street and take a look around.
You’ll find a variety of designers and a plethora of treasures to choose from once inside!
Frrrozen hot chocolate at Serendipity
Another favorite place from my childhood, Serendipity!
Stop here for a sugar break and enjoy a frrrozen hot chocolate, a frozen chocolate drink extravaganza! Get the classic chocolate drink or go a little crazy and order the s’mores version.
Walk up Madison Avenue
Next, head uptown on Madison Avenue. No trip to New York City is complete without a walk on one of the most beautiful shopping streets in the World.
Take your time walking uptown and admire the beautiful boutiques along the way. Pop into Ralph Lauren or Hermès to bring home a special, luxury souvenir from your NYC trip.
Drink at Bemelman’s Bar inside the Carlyle Hotel
The next stop is the legendary Beleman’s bar for a cocktail.
Take in the legendary painted murals by artist, Ludwig Bemelmans, creator of the classic Madeline children’s books. Choose a cocktail from the extensive cocktail list and enjoy it while listening to live music here.
Dinner on the Upper East Side
Have dinner on the Upper East Side to complete your first day in New York City. Pop into Quatorze for chic French eats or stop at the Penrose for American classic, tasty cocktails and live jazz.
NYC in 4 Days Itinerary : Day 2 Upper West Side & Upper East Side
The Metropolitan Museum of Art (The Met)
Start the day at the Metropolitan Museum of Art on the Upper East Side.
The Met is absolutely magical. If you only have a short time to visit, make sure you head straight to the Egyptian Wing and spend some time enjoying the Temple of Dendur.
Consider following the self-paced One Hour Highlights of the Met tour created by the Met Museum.
If you have a little longer to spend at the Met, start with the Egyptian Wing and then head to the American Wing where you can admire Tiffany stained glass and a re-crated classic American home featuring all kinds of treasures and antique furniture. It is so beautiful!
If you prefer a guided tour to experience the best the museum has to offer, join the Best of the Met Guided Tour.
Book your Best of the Met Guided Tour here
Central Park
Even if you only have 4 days in New York, make sure you leave time to explore Central Park.
Central Park has been featured in countless films, books, songs and more. It is truly magical and no trip to NYC would be complete without carving out some time to wander leisurely through Central Park.
Lunch at The Loeb Boathouse
Few places are more beautiful, or more romantic, than the Loeb Boathouse!
Whether you are traveling as a couple, with friends, or with kids, The Loeb Boathouse has something for everyone, so stop here for lunch on your second day in New York.
Some of the classics from the menu include the oysters, crab cake and New York cheesecake.
American Museum of Natural History
After lunch, walk to the American Museum of Natural History.
This museum is a New York City classic and a can’t-miss destination during your four days in New York!
Even if you have limited time to visit the museum, make sure you see the highlights, including the blue whale model, a 94-foot model of a blue whale attached to the ceiling inside the museum, the giant Sequoia tree, the African elephants, the Galapagos Giant Tortoise and the museum’s dinosaur mummy!
Book your American Museum of Natural History Skip-the-Line Ticket here
Cupcake at Magnolia Bakery
After your visit, if you’re feeling a bit peckish, stop for a cupcake at Magnolia.
Every since I moved to Paris, I have had a Magnolia cupcake tradition. Basically, as soon as I arrive in NYC, I head straight to Magnolia and start my trip home with a classic vanilla cupcake with chocolate frosting. I also typically get one right before I leave!
I love these so much that once when my sister traveled back to New York for a trip and then flew to Milan to meet me where I was staying at the time, she brought me one in her handbag!
Magnolia’s cupcakes are the perfect consistency, not too sweet, just the right size and basically perfect in every way. Even with all of the incredible pastries in Paris, I miss these cupcakes so much.
Walk around the Upper West Side
I love the Upper West Side!
It’s a chic, yet down-to-earth neighborhood with beautiful architecture, cute stores, lovely cafes and more.
Leave some time in your NYC itinerary to just walk around and take it all in. Take photos, sit on a bench and read or just relax a little.
Drink
If you’re in the mood, stop for a drink before dinner.
There are lots of cute places to stop for a pre-dinner drink on the Upper West Side.
Some of the places we discovered on our last trip with friends who live in NYC are the Hawaiian tiki bar, Tiki Chick (the best pina coladas we’ve ever had!), Vin Sur Vingt Wine Bar (for a lovely selection of wines and chic interiors) and the Hopimist (for local beers).
Dinner at Han Dynasty on the Upper West Side
Don’t leave New York without trying New York-Chinese food.
On your second night in New York, have dinner at local Upper West Side Chinese restaurant, Han Dynasty.
They are famous for their Dan Dan noodles. They also make fantastic sesame noodles and scallion pancakes.
New York-Chinese food at its finest!
Alternatively, stop for an authentic slice of New York City pizza. We loved the pizza we had at Made in New York Pizza.
NYC in 4 Days Itinerary : Day 3 Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island & the Financial District
Statue of Liberty
On day 3 you’ll visit the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island!
No visit to New York would be complete without visiting the iconic Statue of Liberty.
A word of caution, a lot of websites sell tickets to visit the statue. There is only one official vendor that can sell tickets to take the boat to Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island and to actually access Liberty Island and that is Statue City Cruises.
Purchase directly on their website to avoid any surprises the day of your visit.
Other vendors will sail around the island without the ability to let you off to visit the statue. Some sites are scams. Beware when buying tickets to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island.
Book your Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island tickets here
Ellis Island
Ellis Island is such a fascinating place to visit.
Learn about immigration starting in the 1850s and going through the mid-20th century inside the Ellis Island Museum.
Learn about why people immigrated to America from different countries, what their journeys were like inside the large ships that brought them to the States, and what happened to them once they arrived in the Promised Land, on Ellis Island.
I was fascinated to be able to see the hall where people went when they arrived on Ellis Island, to learn about the health inspections (and sometimes treatment for disease) they experienced once they arrived and to see old documents and certificates dating back to the 1850s that recorded their journeys and experiences.
I am in awe of the courage of those who chose to leave their countries, often alone and without much money, in search of new opportunities in America.
Lunch at Fraunces Tavern
The Fraunces Tavern is a hidden NYC gem!
We stumbled across this restaurant by accident on our last trip to NYC and I’m so glad we did.
Basically, after spending the first half of the day visiting the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island with Hugo’s family whom we were showing around New York (their first visit!), we were starving and didn’t want to wait to go back up to the Upper West Side to the restaurant we had planned for lunch.
We did some last-minute research and discovered the Fraunces Tavern. What a hidden gem!
Fraunces Tavern dates all the way back to 1762. It’s officially a historic landmark and the oldest bar in NYC. George Washington even gathered his soldiers to thank them for their effort at Fraunces Tavern when the British soldiers left America at the end of the Revolutionary War.
In addition to the incredible history, the tavern is beautiful and offers an enticing menu that includes a selection of elevated American classics, like a bison burger, portobello and mozzarella sandwich, salads and more.
Pro tip : order the parmesan truffle fries! You will be so happy you did! If you’re in the mood for a bit of day drinking, get the spicy margarita, it is fabulous!
South Street Seaport
After a delicious lunch and rest, head to the South Street Seaport. Enjoy walking around and exploring the seaport, take in the views of the Brooklyn Bridge and the Manhattan Bridge.
Stop for a drink at Industry Kitchen and relax a little while enjoying the panoramic views.
Brooklyn Bridge
Now it’s time to walk across the Brooklyn bridge!
When you get to the other side, you’ll be in DUMBO (Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass) and can take a photo in that iconic spot you’ve seen all over Instagram, specifically Washington Street between Front and Water streets.
Wander around the neighborhood and explore more of Brooklyn or head back to Manhattan on foot, via subway or take an Uber.
If you have more time in DUMBO, take a peek at this one day DUMBO Brooklyn itinerary.
For an off-the-beaten path Brooklyn experience, head to the Kings County Distillery for a whiskey tour or just a cocktail. You can even bring home a bottle of whiskey made on-site, in Brooklyn, from their shop as a unique NYC souvenir or gift.
Dinner
If you choose to stay in Brooklyn for dinner, consider having pizza at Juliana’s.
However if you are seeing a Broadway show in the evening (which we highly recommend, it’s so much fun!), head back to Manhattan and have an early dinner or go to the show and have a late dinner in the theater district.
Some of my favorite restaurants in the theater district are Sardi’s (a New York City theater district institution since 1921!) and Carmine’s (family-style, Italian American dishes and a lively, fun ambiance).
Broadway Show
If you love musical theater, make sure to book a Broadway show during your time in New York.
Broadway shows are an important part of my childhood memories. No matter how many times you go to a Broadway show, it never gets old.
Whether you are seeing an old classic or a new show, it will be a fun experience!
NYC in 4 Days Itinerary : Day 4 Midtown
One Vanderbilt
Day 4 starts at Summit One Vanderbilt, Midtown Manhattan’s tallest skyscraper. Here, you will have the chance to participate in a unique sensory experience you have probably seen all over your social media. Enjoy the incredible One Vanderbilt experience that combines amazing views, interesting reflections and immersive spaces.
Book your One Vanderbilt Skip-the-Line Ticket here
Time Square
Next, walk through Times Square, taking in the incredible energy of the area!
The Edge
After Times Square, you’ll experience The Edge.
The Edge experience is either seriously exciting or seriously terrifying depending on your taste for heights!
It offers the highest outdoor sky deck in the Western Hemisphere, suspended in mid-air, giving you the feeling that you are floating in the sky with 360-degree views of NYC.
Beautiful? Yes! Scary? Also, yes!
If you love seeing the city from above, make sure you book this experience as well.
Book your Skip-the-Line ticket for the Edge here
Alternatively, if are all observation decked out, head straight to the Highline for your last day in New York.
The High Line
Walk along the High Line, take in the greenery and make sure you take a moment to appreciate the beautiful architecture of the Zaha Hadid building, located right next to the High Line at 520 West 28th street.
Lunch at the Empire Diner
The Empire Diner is a legendary spot in New York! It’s been featured in all kinds of films, including Woody Allen’s 1979 classic, Manhattan.
The menu includes diner classics, like an egg sandwich, a New York pastrami sandwich and burgers, as well as modern updates, like freshly squeezed juices, homemade granola and creative cocktails.
Washington Square Park
Take a spin through Washington Square Park, taking in the beautiful Washington arch along the way, then head downtown to Soho.
Soho
Next, head to Soho (which stands for South of Houston street).
Walk around Soho, admire the cast-iron buildings that Soho is famous for, and pop into Dominque Ansel (189 Spring Street) for a cronut!
If you have time, walk around Little Italy and Chinatown.
Dinner Cruise
In the evening, enjoy a New York harbor dinner cruise and see beautiful New York City from the water!
Take in the gorgeous views from the water while experiencing a delicious meal and live entertainment.
Book your dinner cruise ticket here
If you have extra time…
Visit the Museum of the City of New York
The Museum of the City of New York is a great addition if you have extra time to explore New York City.
Through a variety of exhibitions including prints and photographs, paintings and sculpture, treasures from the theater, costumes and textiles, manuscripts and ephemera, furniture and decorative arts and archives, learn about the history of one of the most magical and iconic cities in the world!
Book your ticket for the Museum of the City of New York here
Activities to book in advance
Book your Best of the Met Guided Tour
American Museum of Natural History
Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island
Museum of the City of New York
Also, consider booking restaurants in advance as many people live in, and visit, New York City throughout the year. Popular restaurants fill up fast!
This 4 days NYC itinerary focuses on Manhattan with a quick stop in Brooklyn, but New York City is made up of 5 boroughs. Learn more about the other boroughs here.
New York City in 4 days
Use this New York City in 4 days itinerary to plan the perfect four days in New York! NYC is unlike any other city in the world. You are sure to have an amazing time on your trip!
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