New York City itinerary for first-timers
The classic neighborhoods in an order that works, with a 4K street walk for every stop. Watch your trip before you take it.
Day 1: Midtown & Central Park
Skyscrapers and grand halls, an afternoon in the park, and Times Square lit up at night.
- 1
Morning
Midtown Manhattan
The New York of postcards: Rockefeller Center, St. Patrick's Cathedral, the main hall of Grand Central Terminal, the Public Library and the Empire State Building, all within a few blocks.
- Rockefeller Center
- Grand Central Terminal
- New York Public Library
- Empire State Building
Grand Central's main hall is free to walk through; look up at the painted ceiling.
Walk up Fifth Avenue to the park, about 20 min.
- 2
Afternoon
Central Park
Over 800 acres of meadows, lakes and stone bridges in the middle of Manhattan. Walk up from the south end past the Mall to Bethesda Terrace and the lake.
- The Mall
- Bethesda Terrace
- The Lake
- Bow Bridge
Snowfall in Central Park, New York
Video by Nomadic Ambience on YouTube
Walk down Seventh Avenue, about 20 min.
- 3
Night
Times Square
The giant screens are at their brightest after dark, with Broadway theatres letting out onto the streets around them.
- Times Square
- Broadway theatres
Discount same-day Broadway tickets are sold at the official booth under the red steps.
Day 2: Downtown & Brooklyn
Wall Street and the 9/11 Memorial, the walk over the Brooklyn Bridge, and the skyline at sunset.
- 1
Morning
Lower Manhattan
Where New York began: Wall Street and the Stock Exchange, the 9/11 Memorial pools, and Battery Park looking out to the Statue of Liberty.
- 9/11 Memorial
- Wall Street
- Battery Park
- Staten Island Ferry
The Staten Island Ferry is free and sails past the Statue of Liberty; ride it there and straight back.
New York City Financial District Walking Tour | NYC Lower Manhattan Walk with Captions [4K/60fps]
Video by HP Walking Tours on YouTube
Walk to the bridge entrance by City Hall, about 15 min.
- 2
Afternoon
Brooklyn Bridge
Walk across the 1883 bridge on its raised wooden path, with the Manhattan skyline behind you and Brooklyn ahead.
- Brooklyn Bridge walkway
- Manhattan skyline
Walk from Manhattan to Brooklyn so the skyline is behind you, and stop often to turn around.
Walking the Brooklyn Bridge
Video by Wind Walk Travel Videos on YouTube
Walk across the bridge and down into DUMBO, about 30 min.
- 3
Sunset
DUMBO & Brooklyn Heights
Cobbled streets under the bridges, the riverside lawns of Brooklyn Bridge Park, and the Promenade above it with the best skyline view in the city at sunset.
- Washington Street view
- Brooklyn Bridge Park
- Brooklyn Heights Promenade
Day 3: Harlem & the Village
Harlem in the morning, SoHo and Washington Square in the afternoon, and the West Village at night.
- 1
Morning
Harlem
The capital of Black American culture: 125th Street and the Apollo Theater, brownstone avenues and the north end of Central Park.
- 125th Street
- Apollo Theater
- Brownstone streets
- Central Park North
Many Harlem churches welcome visitors to Sunday services; be respectful and stay for the whole service.
Take the A train (express) from 125th Street to West 4th Street, about 15 min, then walk south.
- 2
Afternoon
SoHo & Greenwich Village
Cast-iron buildings and shops in SoHo, then north into the Village: Washington Square Park, MacDougal Street and quiet tree-lined blocks.
- SoHo Cast-Iron District
- Washington Square Park
- MacDougal Street
Walk west along Bleecker Street, about 15 min.
- 3
Evening
West Village
The most charming streets in Manhattan: crooked lanes, townhouses and corner bars that break the grid, busy but relaxed in the evening.
- Bleecker Street
- Bedford Street
- Commerce Street
Travelling with someone?
Send them this 3-day New York City plan, videos included.
Planning your first trip to New York City
How many days?
Three days covers Midtown and Central Park, Lower Manhattan and Brooklyn, and Harlem and the Village. Add the Lower East Side, Williamsburg, Chinatown and the High Line for five.
Where to stay
Midtown is the most convenient for a first visit; Greenwich Village and the Lower East Side feel more like living in the city. Compare areas →
Getting around
Tap a contactless card or phone at the subway gates and on buses; weekly fares are capped automatically. Walking ten to twenty blocks is often as fast as the subway.
New York looks overwhelming on a map, but Manhattan is a grid and a first visit splits into clear pieces. Midtown and Central Park fill one day, Lower Manhattan and the walk over the Brooklyn Bridge another, and Harlem with Greenwich Village a third. The subway does the long jumps; everything else is best on foot.
Every stop comes with a walking video filmed on those streets, so you can see the avenues, the crowds and the lights before you arrive. Use the buttons under each video to jump to the landmark, or press Preview to watch a whole day in a row.
New York City itinerary: common questions
Is 3 days enough for New York?
For a first visit, yes. Three days covers Midtown and Central Park, Lower Manhattan and Brooklyn, and Harlem with Greenwich Village. With five days you can add the Lower East Side and Williamsburg, then Chinatown, Little Italy and a walk along the High Line to Hudson Yards.
What order should I see New York in?
Group it by area: Midtown with Central Park, Lower Manhattan with the Brooklyn Bridge, and Harlem with the Village. See Times Square after dark and the Brooklyn skyline at sunset.
How do I see the Statue of Liberty for free?
Ride the free Staten Island Ferry from the southern tip of Manhattan. It passes the statue on the way out, and you can ride straight back. Landing on Liberty Island is different: it needs a paid ticket for the official ferry from Battery Park, and pedestal and crown access sell out, so book ahead.
Is it better to walk or take the subway in New York?
Both. Walk within each neighbourhood, where most of the sights are a few blocks apart, and use the subway for the long jumps between Downtown, Midtown and Harlem.
Travel times are approximate. Check opening days and any booking requirements before you go.
Where to stay in New York City
6 areas compared, each with a street walk so you can see the neighborhood before you book.
Read the guide →New York City self-guided walking tour
Times Square to the Empire State Building: about 3.7 km, 8 stops, with the whole route on video.
Walk the route →Keep exploring New York City
More 4K walking videos, top sights, food markets and dishes to try.
New York City city guide →