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Day 1: Arriving in New York City
Your first day in New York is all about settling into the city and enjoying your first moments in Manhattan. After arriving and checking into your hotel, spend the evening exploring one of the busiest and most exciting areas in NYC.
Arrival Day: Transfer to Manhattan
After landing at JFK Airport, Newark Airport or LaGuardia Airport, travel into Manhattan and make your way to your hotel. Booking a transfer beforehand can save time and make your arrival much more comfortable after a long flight.
Afternoon: Hotel Check-in & Relax
Once you’ve checked into your hotel, take some time to unpack and recharge before heading back out into the city. Staying in Midtown Manhattan makes it easy to reach many attractions during your trip.
Evening 19:00 – 20:00: Times Square
Kick off your New York adventure with a visit to Times Square. The flashing billboards, busy streets and lively atmosphere make it one of the city’s most famous locations.
Evening 20:00 – 21:30: Dinner in Midtown Manhattan
Enjoy your first dinner in New York at one of the many restaurants around Times Square and Midtown. I recommend having a pizza at the iconic John’s Pizza, which is on my list of the best pizzas in New York.
Day 2: Midtown Manhattan & Evening Views
Day 2 of this New York itinerary for 6 days is all about exploring Midtown Manhattan, combining famous landmarks with incredible skyline views and a relaxing sightseeing cruise along the island.
Morning 08:00 – 09:00: Breakfast
Start your first full day in New York with breakfast at Ellen’s Stardust, where, during your meal, you can enjoy the performances of the singing waitstaff.
Morning 09:00 – 11:00: Hop on Hop off Downtown Tour
Take the Hop on Hop off bus through Downtown Manhattan to get familiar with the city and its neighbourhoods. Along the way, you’ll pass famous landmarks while learning more about New York’s history and culture.
Afternoon 11:00 – 12:00: Uptown Loop or Lunch at Grand Central
Continue with the Uptown Loop right after, if you’re enjoying this way of sightseeing. If you prefer a break, I recommend getting off near Grand Central Terminal.
Enjoy lunch here before taking a look inside this iconic station, famous for its celestial ceiling and beautiful architecture.
Afternoon 13:00 – 15:00: SUMMIT One Vanderbilt & Midtown
Spend the afternoon discovering Midtown Manhattan. Visit SUMMIT One Vanderbilt for spectacular city views and continue exploring nearby landmarks such as Bryant Park and the New York Public Library.
Afternoon 15:00 – 18:00: Circle Line Sightseeing Cruise
In the afternoon, step aboard a Circle Line sightseeing cruise and see Manhattan from the water. The cruise offers fantastic views of the Manhattan skyline and highlights like the Brooklyn Bridge and Statue of Liberty.
Evening 18:00 – 19:00: Dinner near Times Square
After the cruise, head back to Midtown for dinner near Times Square, where you’ll find countless restaurants and a lively evening atmosphere.
Evening 19:00 – 21:00: Empire State Building
End the evening at the Empire State Building. Visiting after sunset gives you the chance to admire the illuminated skyline and the city lights stretching across Manhattan.
Day 3: Brooklyn, Downtown & Sports
Today we’ll combine iconic sights with local neighbourhoods, ending the day with a classic New York sports experience.
Morning 08:00 – 09:00: Breakfast
Start your day with breakfast before heading to Brooklyn for a scenic walk in New York City.
Morning 09:00 – 11:00: Exploring Brooklyn
Take the subway to Brooklyn and walk across the Brooklyn Bridge towards Manhattan. The bridge offers unforgettable views of the skyline and the East River.
Before you start walking the bridge, you can also explore DUMBO, one of Brooklyn’s trendiest neighbourhoods. The cobblestone streets, waterfront views and famous Manhattan Bridge photo spot make this area especially popular with visitors.
If you like to do a self-guided walking tour, then download Eric’s New York App and choose the ‘DUMBO – Brooklyn Bridge’ route.
Morning 11:00 – 13:00: 9/11 Memorial & Museum
Head to the 9/11 Memorial and 9/11 Museum in Lower Manhattan. This moving memorial honours the victims of September 11 and tells the story of the events that changed the city forever.
Afternoon 13:00 – 14:00: Lunch at Eataly Downtown
Enjoy lunch at Eataly Downtown, a lively Italian marketplace with fresh pasta, pizza and pastries. It’s only a few minutes’ walk from the 9/11 Museum.
Afternoon 14:00 – 16:00: Helicopter Flight
Take a helicopter flight along Manhattan for incredible aerial views of Central Park, the Statue of Liberty and the skyscrapers of Midtown and Downtown. If you ask me, it’s one of the best activities in New York you can do!
Afternoon 16:00 – 19:00: Chinatown, Little Italy & SoHo
Spend the afternoon exploring Chinatown, Little Italy and SoHo. Each neighbourhood has its own atmosphere, from authentic Italian restaurants to trendy boutiques and cafés.
Evening 19:00 onwards: Sports Game & Dinner
Experience New York like a local by attending a live sports game. There are always various sports to watch, depending on the season, while enjoying classic stadium food.
Day 4: Fifth Avenue & Central Park
Today focuses on some of Manhattan’s most famous sights, combining shopping streets, an observation deck and time to unwind in Central Park.
Morning 08:00 – 09:00: Breakfast
Enjoy breakfast before starting another full day of sightseeing in Manhattan.
Morning 09:00 – 10:30: Top of the Rock
Visit Top of the Rock at Rockefeller Center for panoramic views over Manhattan, including Central Park and the Empire State Building.
Morning 10:00 – 12:00: Fifth Avenue Highlights
Walk along Fifth Avenue past many famous locations, including St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Rockefeller Center, Trump Tower, Tiffany & Co. and The Plaza Hotel.
Afternoon 12:00 – 14:00: Central Park
Head into Central Park for a more relaxed afternoon. You can walk through it, rent a bike to be able to see more of the park, or simply enjoy a picnic lunch surrounded by greenery. I recommend getting a bite to eat at Whole Foods on Columbus Circle and bringing that to the park.
Afternoon 14:00 – 16:00: Museum Visit
Multiple museums are close to Central Park. So for the afternoon, choose between visiting MoMA or the American Museum of Natural History, both among the most famous museums in New York City.
Afternoon 16:00 – 18:00: Rest
Take some time to relax after this full day of sightseeing, to recharge for another memorable evening in the city.
Evening 18:00 – 19:00: Dinner
Choose a place to have dinner in Midtown Manhattan, or grab a bite at one of the New York street food places like a true New Yorker.
Evening 19:00 onwards: Broadway Musical
In the evening, head to the Theatre District to watch a Broadway musical, one of the highlights of any trip to New York.
Day 5: Hudson Yards & Williamsburg
Today is about modern Manhattan combined with some of the city’s most charming and creative neighbourhoods.
Morning 08:00 – 09:00: Breakfast
Start your morning with breakfast; for example, grab a bagel at one of my favourite New York bagel places before exploring Manhattan’s west side.
Morning 09:00 – 11:00: The High Line
After breakfast, we’ll explore the west side of Manhattan. Walk around the Meatpacking District and Little Island, and stop at Chelsea Market for snacks, coffee or lunch. The indoor food hall is one of the most popular culinary spots in Manhattan.
Then walk along the High Line, the elevated park built on a former railway track. Along the route, you’ll enjoy city views, gardens and modern architecture.
If you don’t want to miss any highlights along the way, then choose the ‘High Line Park – Hudson Yards’ walking route on Eric’s New York App.
Afternoon 11:00 – 13:00: Edge Observation Deck & Lunch
Visit Edge at Hudson Yards, one of New York’s observation decks with impressive views over the skyline. Grab lunch in Hudson Yards, for example at one of the many restaurants at the Hudson Yards shopping mall.
Afternoon 13:00 – 17:00: Williamsburg
We’re heading to Brooklyn! Take the subway to Williamsburg, and walk the Williamsburg – Greenpoint route on Eric’s New York App.
Evening 17:00 onwards: Dinner & Rooftop Bar
Pick a nice place to have your last dinner in the city. If you feel like having a good steak, you can choose one of the steakhouses in New York.
End your evening with drinks at a rooftop bar while taking in views of the Manhattan skyline.
Day 6: Roosevelt Island & Departure
Spend the final day of this 6-day NYC itinerary exploring a quieter side of the city. You will enjoy the skyline views on Roosevelt Island before heading to the airport.
Morning 08:00 – 10:00: Breakfast & Check-out
Start your last day in New York with breakfast at your hotel or a nearby breakfast place. After checking out, leave your luggage at the hotel or at a luggage storage, so you can enjoy the rest of the day without carrying your bags around Manhattan.
Morning 10:00 – 11:00: Roosevelt Island Tramway
Take the Roosevelt Island Tram from Manhattan across the East River. The tram ride itself offers aerial views of Midtown Manhattan, the Queensboro Bridge and the East River. Once on Roosevelt Island, enjoy a quieter atmosphere away from the busy streets of Manhattan.
Late Morning & Afternoon 11:00 – 14:00: Explore Roosevelt Island
Walk along the waterfront promenade and discover Roosevelt Island’s parks and skyline viewpoints. The island is a hidden gem in New York, offering beautiful photo opportunities overlooking Manhattan.
Afternoon 14:00 onwards: Transfer to the Airport
Pick up your luggage from the hotel and travel to JFK Airport, Newark Airport or LaGuardia Airport for your flight home. Be sure to leave enough extra time for Manhattan traffic and airport security.
Are you staying less or more than 6 days in New York?
See here for a 4 day New York itinerary
See here for a 5 day New York itinerary
See here for a 7 day New York itinerary
See here for an 8 day New York itinerary
FAQ
Six days is a great length for a New York trip. You get the most out of your days, take a look at my New York itinerary for 6 days.
If you want to enjoy the city to the fullest during your trip, you need good and efficient planning. My 6-day NYC itinerary helps you combine nearby attractions and makes sure you won’t miss any highlights.
You can never stay in New York too long! Six days is a great length to enjoy many of the city’s attractions and other sights.
