Here is the deal, NYC is notorious famous for having lots of things to do. So how can you put together the perfect 5-6 days in New York itinerary? Don't worry, I got just the right things for you! New York is alive in so many different ways. It is intense, big, intricate and ever-changing! Hero you can find tips on restaurants, stores, museums... and the best part is: you can do everything walking.
I recommend staying between Times Square, the 6th Avenue, and, the 5th Avenue. There you are one hour walking from every major attraction and neighborhood! Some of my top hotels in that area are Riu Plaza Manhattan Times Square, Park Central, The Towers & Park Terrace.
You can find a simplified guide in the bottom of this page!
Day 1 - Lower 5th Avenue
Brunch on Blue Dog Cafe: Blue Dog originally was made up of many family recipes that called for fried items, so they decided to give it a more healthy modern twist, removing the fried aspects of the recipe and changing it to a healthier cooking method. They are located at 308 West 50th Street - close to the park. I recommend trying any of their signature burgers, or their tailored omelets.
Columbus Circle Mall: The Shops at Columbus Circle – In the heart of Manhattan, an iconic indoor destination attracting more than 16 million visitors annually. It’s the place to shop, dine, live, work and be entertained. The soaring 2.8 million-square-foot landmark with stunning views of Central Park has transformed Columbus Circle into a cultural portal to Manhattan’s Upper West Side.
Central Park (west side): You’ll see a handful of helpful little stands throughout Central Park that are staffed with kind and knowledgeable folks eager to help you make the most of your visit to Central Park. The Park's Iconic Views tour highlights the Dairy, Sheep Meadow, Cherry Hill, the Lake, Bow Bridge, Bethesda Terrace, The Mall, and Literary Walk.
5th Avenue Shopping: Some of the famous clothing stores on 5th Avenue in NYC include Lord & Taylor, Armani, Bergdorf Goodman, Henri Bendel, Cartier, Ferragamo, Gucci, and the ever-popular American Girl Place. Other 5th Avenue shops like Free People, Ermenegildo Zegna, Saks Fifth Avenue, and St. John Boutique also draw crowds, along with stores that don’t specialize in clothing like Apple.
Dinner on Ill Mulino: The original Il Mulino restaurant was opened in Greenwich Village in 1981. The restaurant soon became one of the hot spots in New York and the founding Chefs Fernando and Gino Masci became famous as some of the best in the region on classic Italian cuisine. Make sure to make a reservation, and enjoy one of the best Italian places i have been. The price is average to expensive - but you get free couvert. I would not miss out the gigantic Chicken Parm and the the delicious (but small) Eggplant Parmesan.
Day 2 - Soho
Walk to Soho: Walk down to Soho via the 5th avenue all the way down to Canal St. This trip will take around 45 minutes - if you do not stop. During your way there you can find many different stores, and good coffee chops to have breakfast on - like Le Pan Cotidian.
Brunch / Lunch at NoMo Kitchen: You must have a reservation to this place. The restaurant is located on the new upscale Nomo Hotel. The restaurant is filled with modern art, and colorful paintings. The menu is very unique, with things like ricotta pancakes and turkey bacon wraps.
Soho Shopping: Soho is one of the City's prime shopping destinations. Throw a stone down Spring Street and you'll hit a number of high-end boutiques (Chanel and Burberry, to name two little labels), and there's plenty of classic stores like Uniqlo & Nike!
Ice Cream Museum: The Museum of Ice Cream in NYC is usually sold out, but if you reserve before hand, you will be able to be enchanted by ice cream. The Museum is 20$ a ticket, or 38$ a double. You do get a good amount of free ice cream (unlimited actually), fun attractions, and photo worthy moments. You get to see a sprinkle pools and go down the biggest indoor slide in NYC. I think it's worth the hype.
Macy's Store 6th Avenue: Macy's Herald Square is the flagship of Macy's department store. In fact, its the biggest store in the world. The building's 2.5 million square feet (230,000 m2), which includes 1.25 million square feet (116,000 m2) of retail space, makes it the largest department store.
Dinner at TAO: A 16-foot Buddha, which floats above a reflecting pool filled with Japanese carp, presides over the scene at Tao. This is a favorite among celebrities and athletes. The restaurant specializes in authentic Hong Kong Chinese & Thai cuisine. Tao offers three levels of dining including a private "skybox". There are in total 300 seats, and it includes a sushi bar, lounge and two bars. Food ranges from between $20-$60. Everything comes in small portions, so you will probably spend around $200.
Day 3 - Midtown Manhattan
Bryant Park: Bryant Park is a 9.6-acre public park located in the New York City borough of Manhattan. This is the largest expanse of grass below 59th Street, making it prime real estate for picnics in the summer and, come winter, ice-skating. There you can also find good places for a quick bite, like, Bryant Park Café, Wafels & Dinges, and Crepe Cafe.
Madison Park: Madison Square Park is a six point two acre green space at the heart of New York City that has been public land since 1686. The park offers spacious dog parks, colorful kid's playground, and large grassy area make for a happy escape from the busy midtown area in which Madison Square Park is located. Free Wifi is available which gives out the opportunity to work outside. Just around the corner you can find Eataly and a Shake Shack. This is a wonderful place to buy food from Eataly and sit outside!
Eataly: Eataly is a bustling Italian marketplace with 40,000 square feet overflowing with three restaurants, nine take-away counters, and a food university dedicated to the same high-quality food and drink offered just steps away in the full market. Exclusive to this location, I Ravioli serves up three varieties of fresh ravioli daily, including the classic ricotta and spinach. You can also take a free class at Foodiversità. You can always try free samples of every single food in the stands!
Lunch on Serra by Berrera: Serra by Birreria has bloomed for Spring into its iconic rooftop featuring rustic dishes, vibrant handcrafted cocktails, an immersive floral look, and more. The rooftop changes along with the menu within every season. The place is open and beautiful. Every food is locally sourced from the NYC Farmer's Market, making everything organic and fresh. I highly recommend making a reservation before going.
Summit One: SUMMIT is a new global cultural experience that breaks the mold—awakening your senses, your curiosity, and your imagination in the heart of New York City. Even though the views are surreal, I found the tickets very expensive. The average ticket is $40, and it only gives you access to the bottom floor. However, if you are looking to see some really interesting designs and views, then this is the attraction for you.
MoMa: Very spacious, airy and well lit. Well organized superb exhibits catering for every taste in Art, Design and Sculpture, from Medieval armor to American contemporary Art. Every Thursday you can enter for free! You can find art from great famous artists that marked our art history! I recommend spending at least 2-3 hours in the museum.
Dinner on Fig & Olive: This is an upscale restaurant & bar serving seasonal Mediterranean meals prepared with flavored olive oils. The restaurant is small and cozy, and it serves lunch and dinner. The food is not heavy, and it is perfect option to escape the greasy food from New York.
Day 4 - East Upper Side
Le Pan Quotidian: Le Pain Quotidien operates more than 260 bakery-restaurant locations worldwide in 20 countries. In NYC alone there are over 30 locations. The place serves classic French Breakfast with fresh baked goods every day. There is indoor seating with a full menu, however, I don't think is worth it. I think it is better to grab and go the delicious fresh breads and spreads from the counter.
Bike on the East Side of Central Park: You can enjoy Central Park as you pedal along comfortably at your own pace with a Central Park Bike Rental. Explore attractions like Belvedere Castle, Strawberry Fields, Alice in Wonderland, Bethesda Fountain and more. Remember to bring your camera and wear comfortable biking shoes! I would recommend this for the warmer weather, as during the winter the roads get really icy.
MET Museum: If you only want to go to one museum in New York, make it the MET. Even if you are not an art fan, this museum will impress you. There are more than 2 millions objects that covers 5000 years of world history. You can see decorative arts, incredible garments, modern art and classic Rome sculptures. Tickets are not too expensive, and if you are a student you get a discount.
Ralph Lauren Cafe: Elegant in-store venue with a retro vibe serving organic coffee, baked goods & light breakfast fare. The 888 Madison Avenue location is in the Ralph Lauren's women's and home mansion. It's a treat to have this chic coffee in the beautiful mansion. If you are not satisfied with the menu, you can oder any drink of your choice, such as a Chai Latte.
Broadway / Times Squares: Make sure to stop by Broadway and Times Squares. You are welcome to catch on any Broadway show. Just remember to plan accordingly, as the times are usually from 7 pm to 10 pm. I would also recommend buying the tickets at the theatre, as they will be way less expensive than the website.
Dinner on Eleven Madison Park: Chef Daniel Humm menu offers classic affordable fine dining. The restaurant is completely red meat free and it offers a full vegan 8-10 course tasting menu. The restaurant is all about ingenious plant based creations that present different textures of fresh locally sourced vegetables. There is no dress code, but I would make a reservation before hand.
Day 5 - Chelsea
Walk to Chelsea via 7th Av: Walking from midtown to Chelsea can take around 45 minutes, if you do not stop. During this walk you can see lots of local business and plenty of department stores.
Whitney Museum: The Whitney museum also hosts prestigious assessment of contemporary art in America. At the Whitney Museum you will dive into an artistic world which defines what is innovative and influential in American art since the twentieth century. It houses 50,000 square feet of indoor galleries, four outdoor exhibition spaces and terraces, a theater, a library and reading rooms, a ground-floor restaurant. Just make sure to reserve your tickets before hand, and check if all floors are opened. Tickets range between $18 to $25.
Chelsea Market: Chelsea Market has become an internationally-renowned brand and is considered one of the greatest indoor food and retail marketplaces in the world today. From tacos to thai to doughnuts, cheese and gelato, you can find options for any craving. Among many other in-demand eateries, you can on delicious Thai food from Ayada without having to go to Queens, pick up a bagel from Black Seed, or devour Israeli street food from Miznon. Chelsea Market is also home to some stores. You can find everything from gifts and flowers to home goods and gourmet specialty foods.
Lunch on Miznon: Don't be afraid of the line, because the food is worth it. There is no seating, but you can seat outside or around the market. I would order the world famous baked cauliflower and roasted shredded chicken.
Highline (walk back): The High Line is a 1.45-mile-long elevated linear park, greenway and rail trail created on a former New York Central Railroad spur on the west side of Manhattan in New York City. You can walk back to Midtown via the HighLine, just make sure to turn it before the end. This is a good spot to sit down and enjoy the views of the water font.
Dinner on Bill's Burger: Bill’s Bar & Burger Rockefeller Center opened with 400 seats, making it the biggest standalone burger joint in the country. Every burger, shake, and fry, in dozens of varieties and counting, at Bill’s is made fresh daily. Bill’s had great pricing, and honestly one of the best sweet potatoes I have ever had. They have burger options for everyone, they have turkey burger, keto burger and vegan options too.
Simplified Guide
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