Traveling to New York for five days is very enjoyable. The city if huge, and that lay out of your journey may determine whether you have a good time or not. In this broad day plan, I will give you tips on how to go through New York and see the most while feeling the mood of the city.
Day 1: Subjects;Location: Midtown Manhattan of New York City
Times Square
Any guide to New York cannot start without presenting the most popular and famous place in the city – Times Square. This area situated at the junction of Broadway and Seventh Avenue is triangular and has many establishments that includes bars, theater houses, museums, restaurants and shops; there are large hanging signs that flash.
Why Start Here?
Times Square represents New York City’s energy the most. It is the place that is most vibrant in the city and therefore serves as a perfect way of setting the pace of the city of New York commonly referred to as the Big Apple. It is full of people – tourists posing for photos, street performers who put up a show for the people passing by, and the numerous vehicles.
Iconic Celebrations
Another attraction which is very popular in the square is the New Year’s Eve where people converge in large numbers to see the ball drop. It originated in New York in 1907 and has over the years developed into a universal way of heralding the new year. If you happen to be in New York at that time, it is a spectacle hard to turn a blind eye on.
Best Photo Spots
From the red stairs of TKTS, one can get the best photos as it gives one the overall view of the square. These stairs are reportedly crowded almost all the time; therefore, one can start early in the morning to avoid congestion. Still, Times Square is much more unbelievable at night since the lighting makes it look like a light show.
Shopping and Dining
Of course, it is marvellous as a centre of attraction, but Shopping? Yes, Times Square is one of the best. Stores span from world’s known brands main outlet to New York boutiques. Similarly, the diversity of restaurants ranges from the famous Hard Rock Café and Planet Hollywood to the local Junior’s well-known for its deserts and, in particular, cheesecakes.
Empire State Building
Every person who gets into the city of New York should visit, the Empire State Building. Measuring over 380 meters at the time of construction in 1931 it was the tallest building in the world. It remains a part of the New York skyline till today.
Observation Decks
The Empire State Building has two observation decks: another one on the 86th floor, and the other on the 102nd floor. They are accommodating and give exquisite views of Manhattan and other surrounding areas. Having excellent views of the New Jersey, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, and Delaware states on clear days. The H falls above on the 86th floor and is an open-air structure while the H rises on the 102nd floor and consists of a clear dome like structure.
Avoiding the Crowds
Advertising its attractions successfully and becoming one of the most visited touristic attractions in New York, the Empire State Building can get rather crowded. To be modern, it is recommended to purchase the ticket online, or reach as early as possible, otherwise, you will have to stand in the long lines. Most of the tourist attractions offer New York Pass, New York Explorer Pass or the City Pass which guarantee you preferential entry.
Fifth Avenue
The latter is one of the most popular and prestigious avenues in New York and perhaps in the whole world. As long as seven kilometers, it adjoins luxurious residences and private houses, luxurious shops, and smaller houses of the most luxurious brands of the gorgeous world.
Luxury Shopping
So if you walk down the length of fifth avenue, you’ll be passing by such brands as Tiffany & Co., Cartier, Prada, Bergdorf Goodman, and Saks. This city is a shoppers delight though if you are not here for shopping then the window dressing of shops can be a good attraction.
Cultural Landmarks
The area extending from Empire State Building to Rockefeller center has the largest concentration of points of interest. Subsequently, you will see Bryant Park, which is actually the Manhattan’s green area and the New York Public Library showcased in its appearance of the marble lions and grand stairs.
Family-Friendly Stops
For children, it is recommended to visit NBA Store for basketball lovers or LEGO Store that has many entertaining stations and a great number of Legos for sale.
Bryant Park and the Public Library are two magnificent work of art located in the two most significant cities in the United States, which are New York and Los Angeles respectively.
Bryant Park has become common destination for New Yorkers and other people from different parts of the world. As a result of its location inside the concentrated commercial area within the city, Central Park serves as green lung for all the concrete jungles that surround it.
Seasonal Activities
Some of the activities that are held in Bryant Park include; During summer, you can take advantage of such events like, free outdoor movies or you can even watch a broadway show. During the cold season, there are skating on an ice rink and shops that are created especially for the Christmas atmosphere.
Architectural Beauty
It is designed in very high architectural style and the neighboring park to it is the Bryant Park Next to the New York Public Library is one of the most beautiful buildings in New York. It has the most beautiful façade designed in Beaux-Arts style that has marble lions and grand staircases, therefore, becoming a good photogenic zone. Within, there are splendid rooms for reading as well as extensive libraries encompassing special racks for antique and valuable books, manuscripts, journals and maps.
The place of visitation is at Rockefeller Center and in particular the Top of The Rock Observation Deck.
Carrying on your walk along Fifth Avenue you will arrive at the Rockefeller Center an assemblage of 19 buildings focusing on the GE Building or more popularly 30 Rock.
Top of The Rock
On top of it, stands conventional tourist attractions, the Top of The Rock observation deck which offers a bird’s eye view of New York city. Speaking of the interior design, the only area with a gorgeous view of Central park and the Empire State Building is the deck. The goblin marketplace can get rather crowded, which is why it might be best to arrange the visit in advance.
Photographic Exhibition
Subsequently, spend time reading and walking through the photographic panel on the construction of the Rockefeller Center. The photo collection also include historical elements, which make the visualization of the building’s history even more interesting.
Holiday Magic
Apparently, in the winter time, the facility, referred as the Rockefeller Center gets into substantial festive mood by setting up a giant tree and ice-skating rink. The tree lighting ceremony formally ushers the holiday season in New York.
St. Patrick’s Cathedral
Right next to Rockefeller Center you find the neo-Gothic beauty of St. Patrick’s Cathedral.
Architectural Highlights
The main structure of the cathedral is surrounded by the high-rise buildings of the modern Midtown Manhattan; however, its façade with the detailed carvings and two towers is rather impressive. Inside, excrescence organs with more than ten thousand pipes, also a super model of La Pietà through Michelangelo.
Interesting Facts
There are also 19 bells on St. Patrick’s Cathedral, named with the honors of the given saints. It is a church and also one of the most visited tourist attraction not only in the city but also throughout the world as it provides people with an opportunity to escape from the noisy city life.
The Museum of Modern Art better known as MoMA.
Across the street from the Church is a much more famous edifice, the Museum of Modern Art considered one of the greatest art collections anywhere.
Extensive Collection
The particular museum – MoMA today stores and exhibits over ten thousand art works of such famous artists as Cézanne, Matisse, Dalí, Miró and Warhol. It’s collection is in painting sculpture, Photography, film design and painting.
Must-See Works
Among the popular purchases one can distinguish ‘Les Demoiselles d’Avignon,’ ‘The Starry Night’ by Van Gogh, ‘The Persistence of Memory’ by Dalí and the Sculpture Garden with sculptures by Rodin and others.
Visiting Tips
New York Pass holders can visit the museum for free and have guaranteed entrance to the museum. On Fridays from 4:From 00 p. m. to 8:00 p. m. children and adults also have the benefit of free admission which makes it a good way to spend an evening.
Broadway
New York is of course famous all over the world for Broadway, so the best way to conclude the first evening in New York would be visiting one. Broadway houses some of the most admired theaters and musicals all over the world.
Popular Shows
The choice is simply amazing: there are such long-runners as ‘The Lion King,’ ‘Chicago,’ ‘The Phantom of the Opera,’ ‘Les Miserables,’ ‘Aladdin,’ ‘Cats,’ and many others every performance is different – one is offered great acting, another – fantastic décor.
Ticket Tips
Tickets are available at the box office; however, getting good seats, especially if the show is popular, would be better done when ordering online beforehand. However, you may come to TKTS located in Times Square, since tickets there cost less and are bought for the same day.
Day 2: New York Central Park and Museum Mile
Central Park
For the second day, suggest starting with the visit to Central Park, which is one of the largest urban parks in existence. This marvelous park has always been associated with the aspects of calming and refreshing areas away from the intensity of New York and its inhabitants.
Expansive Green Space
Central Park is regarded as one of the numerous green tracts that spread over Manhattan and it is approximately 843 acres in size. Adjacent to the park is a playground, picnic area with barbeque facilities, gardens, lawns and walking paths for those lovely sunny strolls.
Scenic Highlights
Among the most beautiful places within the park, it is possible to point out The Lake and Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir where the amazing views at New York’s skyline can be seen. Paths such as Bow Bridge and Gapstow Bridge make for good scenery for photos, and sculptures such as the Alice in Wonderland bring in the element of fun.
Activities and Events
Activities and events are conducted in Central Park all year round. During the summer vacation one can work in the garden, go to concerts and theatres – it depends on preferences. During the winter, the park is synonymous with ice skating as it freezes and is flooded with ice skating rings. Another treat that many people explore is the Central Park Zoo with the Penguin Aquarium, sea lions, and polar bears displays.
The Museum Mile
Many of New York’s most well-known museums are also situated in the park vicinity, on the Upper East Side of Central Park in the so-called Museum Mile.
The Metropolitan Museum of Art more commonly known as the MET.
On one side of the Central Park, situated is the MET, which is amongst the greatest and most encompassing museums of art globally. The collection of the museum consists of more than two millions pieces of art and its exhibits cover 5 000 years of history of art of the different countries.
Exhibitions and Highlights
Thus, the collection of this museum encompasses paintings by the most prominent European artists such as Titian, Raphael, Picasso, El Greco, and others. This house boasts of an interesting Egyptian Room which houses the Temple of Dendur as its centerpiece. Rodin collection is also well represented in the museum and there are many sculptures scattered around the building.
Visiting Tips
However, to ensure that you do not have to wait in lines and you have the best of your time, then you should buy a ticket with a fast track entry. It itself is free with the New York Pass, and one can also give donations for attending the museum.
Guggenheim Museum
So, a few meters from the MET, there is the Guggenheim Museum with its interesting exhibitions located in a round building by Frank Lloyd Wright.
Architectural Marvel
The building which hosts the Guggenheim is work of art in itself as it is in spiral form with a number of uneven curves. This has earned this architectural masterpiece World Heritage site status and the exteriors alone are worth the drop-by.
Modern Art Collection
The museum is a museum of the modern art with the collection of Scheider and tales which contain exquisite works of Picasso, Manet, Van Gogh, and Kandinsky. The collection is therefore ongoing and remains ever expanding with new pieces being added from time to time.
Free Tours
The Guggenheim has free English guided tours between 11 a. m. and 1 p. m. that are informative in relationship to the museum’s collection. They are also produced in several languages as audio guides.
Food Establishments in the Vicinity of the Central Park
For food enthusiasts: it is assumed that after visiting museums you will be need a good meal. Concerning food, dining in Central Park is also possible, and the park has fine dining, mid-range, and fast food selling points including food trucks.
is technically annexed to the Loeb Boathouse but is in fact an entirely different entity The Loeb Boathouse Lakeside Restaurant
I would recommend going Special Dining either to The Loeb Boathouse Lakeside Restaurant with a view of The Lake. The menu content is varied; the restaurant offers fresh fish and seafood, as well as meat and poultry dishes, steaks, etc.
Food Trucks
If you want to taste something more cheap and funky, you can turn’s attention to the nearest food trucks in the park. The above trucks specialize in providing different foods such as the New York kiosks with hot dogs among others.
Grand Central Terminal
From the walk around Central Park, you may go by the subway to Grand Central Terminal of architecture interest in New York. This old train station was built in the Beaux-Arts style and the structure has an imposing front as well as a well designed internal layout.
Architectural Beauty
The primary focal point is the main hall, which is circled by the terminal, that has the terminal’s celestial ceiling with more than 2,500 stars. This station has got luxurious stairs and the clock made up of Tiffany glass further enhanced the majestic feature of the station.
Shopping and Dining
There are over 60 outlets that range from clothing shops to restaurants – you can shop or dine at Grand Central. The Whispering Gallery is a must-visit since sound can be passed from one side of the hall to the other as if one is speaking softly.
Chrysler Building
After Grand Central, cross the street to another Must-See Arch: the Chrysler Building that is one of the landmarks of New York.
Art Deco Masterpiece
Originally built as an office building, it earned architect William Van Alen reputation and is a notable work of Art Deco style. Many can vouch for eagle-like gargoyles and a 60-meter steel antenna that adorn the building.
Visiting Tips
Even though, as already mentioned, the Chrysler Building does not have observatory deck, the lobby is open for the public and it is definitely worth a visit. From a design perspective, the intricacies of details in the lobby and classy finishes give a feel of the structure’s history.
United Nations
Next, you should visit the United Nations headquarters to gain more information about this world significant organization.
Guided Tours
Visiting the United Nations one can go through the Security Council hall, the hall of the General Assembly and other halls. These tours afford stock of the operations of the UN and decisions that influence global polices are availing.
Architectural Highlights
The UN building itself is remarkable and has been designed by such architects as Le Corbusier and Niemeyer. If you don’t go for a tour, the facade of the building can catch your attention at least.
Madison Square Garden
Your last sightseeing in the second day should be at the Madison Square Garden located close to the Empire State Building. This tangled hall is the base for New York Knicks and welcomes concerts, games, and various performances.
Attending an Event
It is always possible to buy tickets to watch a specific NBA match or an event of some kind at MSG if you are in New York for five days. The American culture when it comes to sporting events is something that cannot be described, and going to a game in New York is something I consider as a must.
Day 3: Some of the essential aspects include; Lower Manhattan and details of Historical Landmarks
Battery Park
Begin your third day in Battery Park, a picturesque park established to have vantage points of the Statue of Liberty, and the port.
Park Highlights
Battery Park is one of the oldest parks in New York and among the attractions it has, several are special. Currently, one of the fortresses erected as a defense against the British is Castle Clinton selling tickets to the Statute of Liberty and Ellis Island. The park also contains monuments; for instance, the Memorial to the First Jewish Immigrants and Fritz Koening Sphere protesting the victims of the glad September 11 attack.
Ellis Island
Next, the Battery Par is suggested to visit the Ellis Island, as being an important landmark of the immigration history of the United States.
Historical Significance
Immigrants arriving to United States between the years 1892 and 1954 first landed in Ellis Island. Currently it operates as a museum for narration of the history of these immigrants and their experiences.
Immigration Museum
Most of the items that visitors will get to see when visiting the Immigration Museum include photographs, artifacts, and other aspects such as personal stories of the immigrants who passed through Ellis Island. The Wall of Honor which depicts over 600,000 immigrants’ names makes visitors to the place to remember the rich multiethnic background of this nation.
Statue of Liberty
After walking around Ellis Island, the next island that is recommend to visit is Liberty Island where you will find the Statue of Liberty one of the most famous sculptures in the world.
Symbol of Freedom
They also represent a token of friendship for the United States via the Statue of Liberty which was a French-built gift in 1886 to mark the hundred years of America’s freedom. Since then it has become the sign of liberty and democratic state.
Observation Deck
Go to the top of the statue to get eye level views of Manhattan and other surrounding regions. There is also an attached museum that gives the full history and meaning of the pedestal and the statue.
Financial District
After that, you should explore the Financial District, also called FiDi because of such popular addresses as Wall Street and the main financial center of the country.
Key Attractions
The main street for finance and business, Wall Street is home to the New York Stock Exchange and Federal Hall, at which George Washington began his presidency. Another landmark is indeed Charging Bull sculpture which is known as an emblem of PGD in is reflected the toughness in the financial business.