NYC Overview
Free Things to do in NYC:
New York City is an expensive city. However there still are some amazing free things to do.
Grand Central Station is extremely impressive. Grab food and drinks on the concourse, but just to see the ceiling in the main terminal and get a picture is worth a visit.
Take the Staten Island Ferry. Instead of going to the Statue of Liberty. Get great views of it on the Staten Island Ferry. Home - Staten Island Ferry (siferry.com)
Visit Central Park. Just walk through a corner of the southern end, or spend a good part of a morning walking through the park seeing Strawberry Fields or Belvedere Castle.
Walk through Times Square.
Visit The Beehive.
Visit Rockefeller Plaza (outdoors).
Visit City Hall Fountain.
The other place we really like to visit is the famous toy store FAO Schwartz. Even if you don't have kids, it's fun to walk the multiple levels and play with the toys!
Museums of NYC (admission fee):
MOMA is one of the best collections of modern art in the world. If you go to one museum this should be it. MoMA
If you go to two museums we would recommend also the Guggenheim. The structure of the museum is art in itself. Home | The Guggenheim Museums and Foundation
Can't Miss Casual Dining:
A ridiculously big sandwich at a Jewish Deli is a New York right of passage. Try Katz's. Katz's Deli - NYC's oldest deli (katzsdelicatessen.com)
There's lots of amazing pizza in New York. The coal oven fired pies at John's on Bleeker is the one we've come back for multiple times. John's of Bleecker St. - Greenwich Village, New York, NY (johnsofbleecker.com)
Can't Miss Cocktail Bars:
Dante Home | Dante NYC (dante-nyc.com) We have frequented this place for the atmosphere, small bites at various times of day and live music. Maybe one of the best places to day drink in the world. Italian theme with varied Negroni concoctions. All are wonderful. The even have Negronis on tap!
Double Chicken Please. We haven't been but it's at the top of the list. We've read through the menu 10 times. It's very highly rated and seems to have some of the most inventive cocktails you'll find anywhere.
A new, kitchy, underground establishment worth scoping out is Frog Club - The New Yorkiest Room in New York.
Travel Hack for Day of Arrival
The first day will likely be a travel day. Hotels sometimes don't allow early check in, but some do, you have to arrange with the front desk (or through your travel agent). It's based solely on availability.
Note: When you work with a Travel Advisor, one of the perks is early check-in with no additional cost. Ask us how - email: erin.woodward@fora.travel
Assuming you do not have early check in, and in the event you are coming in from an international flight, you'll want to check your luggage with hotel valet at no cost. If you are not going directly to the hotel, public transit stations such as subways and bus stations sometimes offer lockers for a fee.
International Traveler Tip - Overnight Travelers: if your pocketbook allows, book a hotel room for an additional night on the front of your trip, before you even get to the city/country. Or, go through a Travel Advisor to avoid this fee. Doing this guarantees you can head straight to your hotel, no matter the time, when you do arrive, you're not waiting for your room to be ready. The key to planning one extra unoccupied night, and how it's different from an early check in, is your willingness to spend money on one extra night on a hotel, that you won't be using. No matter what, let the front desk know you're still coming to not to give your room away! The spend we have found to be very worth it, buying ourselves guaranteed access to privacy, showers, a place to rest, fitness center (hotel specific), clubhouse/pool (hotel specific) in the wee morning hours or when we're exhausted from the time change.
Your arrival day is THE BEST day to walk around. The fresh air and movement can only help. Visit places within walking distance of your hotel. Generally, some good points of interest, that are free admission are a great way to acclimate to the city.
Sample Itinerary
Day 1 / Night 1 - Arrive NYC
See travel tip above about early check in.
Your arrival day is THE BEST day to walk around. The fresh air and movement can only help. Visit places within walking distance of your hotel. Generally, some good points of interest, that are free admission, scattered throughout the city, include Time Square, The Beehive, Grand Central Station, Rockefeller Plaza (outdoors), Central Park & City Hall Fountain - all are wonderful photo ops with excellent architecture and great people watching.
Early Lunch / Late Breakfast Suggestion:
Relaxed: Dominique Ansel
Dinner Suggestion:
Elegant: Le Bernadin
Elegant: Per Se
Frugal: Shake Shack
In the Moment: Approach any food truck!
After Dinner Suggestion:
Speakeasy: Dead Rabbit
Day 2 / Night 2 - NYC
Breakfast / Lunch Suggestions:
Elegant: Le Coucou
Sightseeing
Continue to check off free admission items suggested in this article.
Entertainment
Check the Play Bill and see what shows are performing on Broadway.
Visit Radio City Music Hall.
Check local venues for concerts.
Check the comedy lineup at Comedy Cellar.
Dinner Suggestions:
Upscale relaxed: abc cocina
Upscale relaxed :Cosme
Relaxed: Estela
After Dinner Suggestions:
cocktail bar: Dante
Day 3 / Night 3 - NYC
Breakfast/lunch Suggestion:
Paid Attractions / Points of Interest:
Visit Top of Rockefeller
Walking Tour of the City
Historical Ghost Tour of the City
Dinner Suggestions:
Elegant: Daniel
Upscale: Naro at Rockefeller Center
Italian Upscale: Babbo
Relaxed: Momofuku Noodle Bar
After Dinner Suggestion:
Speakeasy: Please Don't Tell
Day 4 / Night 4 - NYC
By now, we've usually eaten so much, we are fasting the morning and afternoon of day 4 in anticipation of another large meal later in the evening. Giving our bodies time to detox and process all the goodness we've packed in the prior couple of glorious days.
Paid Attractions / Points of Interest:
If you opted not to take the free Staten Island Ferry to view the Statue of Liberty, and want to get a closer view, schedule a visit to the Statue of Liberty / Ellis Island.
By now you're probably tempted to buy knockoff luxury handbags, belts, scarves, watches or sunglasses which can be found on every street throughout NYC. Go ahead, we won't tell!
Dinner Suggestion:
NY Institution Steakhouse Peter Luger
After Dinner Suggestion:
Day 5 - Depart NYC
We like to use travel days to still enjoy the local flare, but nothing overly complex. Flight departure time dependent, go for one last stroll around the city, walk through the park or find a casual eatery.
Breakfast:
Thanks for reading our NYC Guide. Provided herein is our exact itinerary that not only we created, but followed, and continue to follow ourselves. We love to maximize our time in any city, laying out a loose plan before we go, and enjoying new discoveries and surprises along the way. We've dined, in person, firsthand, at the establishments we recommend.
If the establishment is new to us, we point that out as well! Please don't hesitate to reach out for additional recommendations, suggestions, feedback, criticisms - email us at erin.woodward@fora.travel.
We have amazing hotel recommendations, and often we have access to BETTER RATES and MORE UPGRADES than you see on line, that we can pass on to you. We are certified IATA travel advisors and WE DO NOT CHARGE CUSTOMERS FOR USING OUR SERVICE! We do this because we love it. Happy traveling you rambling nomads!
xx, Erin & Brandon Woodward