4 perfect days in New York City

As the saying goes, “New York is not a city—it’s a world.” You could spend a lifetime here and still never see everything. (And I can confirm: I’ve lived in NYC forever, and there’s always more to discover.) But in four days, you’ll be able to get a good taste that will leave you hungry for more.

On this trip, I’m going to take you on a whirlwind four-day tour of Manhattan (where I lived for a couple decades), hitting up some of the better-known locations (hello, Times Square) mixed in with insider finds that will help you experience the city like a local. Then we’ll stroll across the iconic Brooklyn Bridge to Brooklyn (where I live now) to see some of the borough’s classic—and cool—neighborhoods. Finally, we’ll hit up the multicultural streets of Queens.

To make the most of your short stay, I’ve handpicked top-rated spots and experiences from Tripadvisor. While this itinerary is packed with must-see attractions and local favorites, I’ve also included a few restful moments where you can stop and check out the views (and trust me—they are mind-blowing).

On this three-day itinerary, you’re going to take in some big highlights, but I suggest starting small—along the narrow, winding streets of the West Village, a quaint residential neighborhood. The Village is known for its bohemian history and artsy vibe. Wander through its tree-lined streets to Washington Square Park, a great spot for people-watching, listening to street musicians, and snapping photos under the giant arch (which frames a view of the Empire State Building). Grab a bite at one of my go-to breakfast spots: La Bonbonniere, a greasy spoon that’s been around forever and is known for its challah French toast and its heavenly pancakes (choose from banana, blueberry, or chocolate chip—or get a mix). A heads up: It’s cash only.

Then, make your way west toward the Hudson River to Gansevoort Street, where you’ll find one of the main entrances to the High Line, an elevated park built on an old rail line. Stroll along and enjoy the architecture, the public art installations, and the lush greenery. The best viewpoint is at 17th Street, which looks out at the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. (Put those on your list for your next visit.)

If you get hungry along the walk, you can pop into Chelsea Market at 15th Street for a snack. This former biscuit factory now has a massive food hall with everything from fresh baked treats (Sarabeth’s) to artisanal cheese (Saxelby Cheesemongers) to tacos (Los Tacos N°1).

Continue north along the High Line until you reach Hudson Yards, a modern development with lots of lunch options. The new outpost of the Lower East Side’s Russ & Daughters is a must-visit (and the line is much shorter here). This New York institution is the place for Jewish “appetizing” (as it’s called). Order the lox on a bagel with a schmear of cream cheese, the smoked fish, or the savory matzo ball soup.

Hudson Yards also has two jaw-dropping lookouts. There’s The Vessel, a striking honeycomb-like structure, but I’m partial to The Edge, the highest outdoor sky deck in the Western Hemisphere. It’s an experience not to be missed, with angled glass walls providing thrilling, unobstructed views from its vantage point 100-plus floors in the air.

NYC TOUR OPTIONS

For dinner, head uptown to Harlem, an area known for its soul food and rich history of Black culture. Sylvia’s—known as the “Queen of Soul Food”—is a local standby for fried chicken, collard greens, and cornbread. Or go high end at Marcus Samuelsson’s Red Rooster, a sultry, speakeasy-style restaurant that feels like a throwback to another era. Legend has it that former President Barack Obama is a huge fan of the short ribs. If they’re on the menu, order them.

After dinner, end things on a high note. This neighborhood has been a center of jazz since the Harlem Renaissance in the 1920s, and venues like the Apollo Theater or smaller clubs like Minton’s Playhouse present live music that captures the spirit of this creative, trailblazing area.

Begin your day at a New York breakfast favorite: Sarabeth’s Central Park South, which has a few locations around the city. You need to try the orange apricot marmalade, which is made from owner Sarabeth Levine’s 200-year-old family recipe.

Next, make your way south to Times Square in the early hours, when it’s as calm as it gets. Times Square is known as the “Crossroads of the World,” and as the day goes on, it gets busier and busier. (I used to work at a company based in Times Square, and while most New Yorkers avoid this touristy spot, I loved having the place practically to myself first thing in the morning.) Have a seat on the stairs next to the TKTS Booth to take in all. This booth, incidentally, sells discounted same-day Broadway tickets. If you want to scrap your plans tonight and see a show, the booth opens at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday (for matinee performances) and at 3 p.m. the rest of the week (evening performances).

Next, head north to Central Park for a midday escape from the city’s hustle and bustle. Rent a bike or simply stroll through the park’s many paths, visiting attractions like the Bethesda Fountain, the Central Park Zoo, and Strawberry Fields, a memorial to legendary musician John Lennon.

Now, head to Central Park West, where you can pick up the subway at 81st Street (near the American Museum of Natural History), 72nd Street, or 59th Street. Hop on the C train downtown—in just 30 minutes you’ll be at the tip of Lower Manhattan. Visit the 9/11 Memorial & Museum to pay respects and learn about a pivotal moment in recent history. Then, walk around the Wall Street area, past the New York Stock Exchange and the Charging Bull statue.

I told you we were going to be hitting a lot today, so stick with me as we hop on the J train a few stops north to a Lower East Side icon: Katz’s Deli. If you ever watched the movie When Harry Met Sally, the hilarious “I’ll have what she’s having!” scene was filmed here. The restaurant is jam packed (and confusing), but the line moves fast. Order a pastrami sandwich, pickled tomatoes, and an egg cream, an old-fashioned drink that’s a mix of seltzer, milk, and chocolate syrup (no eggs), and thank me later.

After lunch, stroll down to the Tenement Museum, where you’ll get a glimpse into the lives of New York’s early immigrant population. The museum offers guided tours of restored apartments that show what life was like in the 19th and early 20th centuries.

FOOD TOUR OPTIONS

Cap off your NYC adventure in Chinatown, which has a mix of Asian cultures—from Cantonese to Fujianese to Vietnamese. This neighborhood put down its roots in the late 1880s—and a visit here feels like you’re strolling through the past. One tip: Dim sum is a breakfast food, but you can still get it in the evening. The lines are usually long at the Instagram-famous Nom Wah Tea Parlor, so I suggest the more traditional Golden Unicorn, where the dishes are served from rolling carts. Be sure to try the har gao (shrimp dumplings), the cheung fun (a steamed rice roll), and—for adventurous eaters—the fung jao (chicken feet). For dessert, head to Mai Lai Wah Bakery and sample the sugar-crusted pineapple bun, which has no pineapple but looks like a pineapple. Just trust me on this one.

Kick off your day with a scenic walk across the Brooklyn Bridge. Early morning is the best time to enjoy this landmark without the crowds and capture stunning photos of the Manhattan skyline. Once you’ve crossed the bridge, head to the former industrial neighborhood of DUMBO (“down under the Manhattan Bridge overpass”). Grab breakfast at the Time Out Market, where there are several options; I recommend Clinton Street Bakery’s bottomless brunch, served every day.

After breakfast, head to the intersection of Washington Street and Water Street for one of the world’s most Instagrammed locations: the DUMBO Manhattan Bridge view framing the Empire State Building in the distance. It gets packed as the day goes on, so this is your best chance for getting a crowd-free shot that will light up your feed. Then take a ride on Jane’s Carousel, a restored 1922 merry-go-round located in Brooklyn Bridge Park with stunning views of the city. (This pretty spot was also captured in the Oscar-nominated movie Past Lives.)

Now let’s head to the tree-lined streets of Brooklyn Heights, which was established in the early 1800s and was (fun fact) the first suburb in the U.S. For lunch, have a bite at Al Badawi, a Palestinian spot recognized by Michelin for its flatbread with melted cheese and pistachios.

From Al Badawi, it’s a 15-minute stroll (or five-minute taxi) to the Promenade (aka the Esplanade), a pedestrian walkway just off Montague Street. But it might take a bit longer to get there with all the architectural eye candy along the way, from the colorful townhouses and brownstones along Joralemon Street to the pretty carriage houses on Hunts Lane and College Place. Check out the Federal-style wooden house at 24 Middagh—built in 1824, it’s considered the oldest house in the neighborhood. You’ll also pass through the so-called “fruit bowl” of Brooklyn—Cranberry, Orange, and Pineapple Streets. You’ll finally reach the Promenade, which is cantilevered over the Brooklyn Queens Expressway, but you’d never know there are cars below—you’ll be too distracted by the bang-on views of Downtown Manhattan, the East River, and the Brooklyn Bridge and, yes, that lady, the Statue of Liberty.

If you’re into cuddling with cute kitties, a fun stop near the Promenade is the Brooklyn Cat Cafe on Montague Street. (If you fall in love, you can also adopt a cat. Talk about the ultimate New York City souvenir.)

BROOKLYN TOUR OPTIONS

As the afternoon turns to evening, catch the East River Ferry from DUMBO to Williamsburg, which will give you an affordable waterfront tour. Williamsburg—a former industrial area—has been transformed into one of the city’s trendiest neighborhoods with tons of cutting-edge restaurants and bars, plus great shopping along Bedford Avenue and N. 6th Street. My favorite shop in the neighborhood is Artists & Fleas on N. 7th Street. It’s open on weekends and sells vintage clothes and finds from local makers (candles, jewelry, pottery—you get the idea).

For dinner with panoramic views of the Manhattan skyline, you’ve got several options, but I’m a fan of Westlight, the 22nd floor rooftop bar at The William Vale hotel, where I have spent several birthdays and love to take family and friends when they’re visiting. It’s got inventive cocktails and an equally exciting menu from chef Andrew Carmellini (don’t miss the charred octopus skewers). It’s not cheap, but it’s worth it for the views alone.

Queens can surprise even those living a dozen subway stops away. Known for its incredible diversity, it’s a place where you can explore a world of cultures within just a few blocks. Begin your day in Astoria, a neighborhood that is known for its strong Greek heritage. For breakfast, head to To Laiko, which describes itself as a “little coffee shop” and is known for its frappé (a frothy coffee creation) and traditional bites like koulouri (Greece’s sesame-crusted take on a bagel).

Check out the Museum of the Moving Image, which is dedicated to the art and history of film, television, and digital media. With interactive exhibits and screenings, it’s a must-visit for film buffs. And a heads up for Muppets fans: The Jim Henson Exhibition showcases the work of this innovative artist and has 47 puppets on display—including Kermit the Frog, Big Bird, and Elmo.

After your museum visit, stroll through Astoria’s tree-lined streets and make your way to Astoria Park, located along the East River. This park has staggering views of the Manhattan skyline and Hell Gate Bridge (which passes over a dangerous channel in the East River).

Manhattan’s Chinatown isn’t the only game in town. Fun fact: New York City has nine Chinatowns, including one in Flushing. In Manhattan, you’ll mostly find Szechuan and Cantonese food. Flushing is a showcase for regional Chinese cuisine, plus Korean, Indian, and more. And while you’ll still discover mom-and-pop stalls hidden down alleyways, the neighborhood also has a new breed of glitzy malls with the kind of restaurants and shops that you’d find in Asia. For lunch, head to the food court at the New World Mall. My rec: the savory soup dumplings at Pan Bao 66. Get them pan-fried—experts tell me they come as close as possible to what you’d have in Shanghai.

After lunch, explore the buzzing streets that make Flushing feel like a mini Hong Kong. The Tangram Mall is fun to check out, with shops selling everything from Chinese teas to cult Korean beauty products.

QUEENS FOOD TOUR OPTIONS

Hope you saved room for dinner. Hop on the 7 train, and in just a couple stops you’ll be in Jackson Heights, one of the best food destinations in New York City. This neighborhood has bites from nearly every corner of the globe represented—Indian, Tibetan, Mexican, and more.

Start your culinary adventure at Birria-Landia, a taco truck on Roosevelt Avenue opened by two brothers from Puebla, Mexico. It’s become a local favorite for the Tijuana-style birria (a marinated beef). There are only four things on the menu, and I recommend ordering everything. But if you have to choose, get the tacos and an extra helping of the consome, a rich, meaty dipping sauce. The line might be long, but it’s worth every minute of the wait.

After, take a stroll down 37th Avenue, which is lined with shops selling everything from Indian spices to Tibetan jewelry. Wrap up your evening with a stop at Maharaja Sweets, an Indian candy store. Order the sandesh (a combo of paneer cheese, sugar, and cardamom powder), and your night will be complete.

Midtown: This neighborhood at the heart of Manhattan is ideal for first-timers wanting to be close to Times Square, Broadway theaters, and Central Park. The area is home to countless hotels. The Plaza (made famous by the Eloise book series) offers timeless luxury right at the corner of 5th Avenue and Central Park South. The nearby Aman New York has a three-story spa, a 65-foot indoor swimming pool, and a jazz club that’s open to the public. 1 Hotel Central Park is an eco-friendly option that brings a touch of nature into the city with its organic materials and green ethos. And if you’re on a budget, Yotel New York is known for its tech-savvy approach and rooftop terrace (though the rooms are tiny).

Lower East Side: The Lower East Side’s rich history and great food scene are best experienced by staying in the heart of it all. Hotel Indigo Lower East Side has a rooftop pool and bar, stunning views, and a location that puts you steps away from legendary eateries like Katz’s. The new Nine Orchard is a chic opening in an old bank.

Lower Manhattan: This area is ideal for travelers interested in checking out the Financial District and the 9/11 Memorial—it’s also got easy access to the Statue of Liberty. The Beekman, a Thompson Hotel combines old-world glam with contemporary style, while the Conrad New York Downtown has sleek, all-suite accommodations.

Harlem: After exploring the jazz and soul food scene in Harlem, a stay in this culturally rich neighborhood can extend the experience. Aloft Harlem offers a stylish stay close to landmarks like the Apollo Theater.

Brooklyn: Set right on the East River right between DUMBO and Brooklyn Heights, 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge has killer views of the Manhattan skyline and a nature-inspired vibe with lots of plants. In Williamsburg, The Hoxton Hotel is a British import, and though the rooms are on the small side, the price is right; don’t miss the rooftop Israeli restaurant, Laser Wolf.