Your Ultimate NYC Itinerary for First-Timers
No matter where you’re from, planning a trip to New York City can be an overwhelming experience. But fear not, because with the right itinerary, you can make the most of your trip and experience the magic of the Big Apple. As a seasoned NYC traveler, I’ve put together a comprehensive guide to help you navigate the city that never sleeps and make your first visit unforgettable.
Night of Arrival: Explore Times Square
Chances are, you’re staying nearby, so head to Times Square for your ultimate main character New York moment. Soak in the dazzling lights, and snap some photos on the iconic red stairs. Just be wary of tourist traps and avoid getting roped into expensive photo ops with mascots. This is a great opportunity to do any souvenir shopping (I heart NY tshirt anyone?) so you’re not carrying it around all day.
We also like to use this time to walk around and find the theatres and any restaurant resos we’ve made and get a bit of the lay of the land.
Day 1: Explore Midtown Manhattan
Breakfast at the Hotel: Start your day with a hearty breakfast at your hotel. Opt for a hotel that offers complimentary breakfast to save time and money.
Top of the Rock, Rockefeller Center: Experience breathtaking views of the city skyline from the Top of the Rock observation deck. This is my go-to NYC activity because you get a great view of the Empire State Building and it’s so exciting to see the city from above. Tickets are reasonable and the elevator ride to the top is fun.
While at Rockefeller Center, check out the iconic ice skating rink and play the “Big” piano at FAO Schwartz!
Lunch at Rockefeller Center: Refuel with a quick bite at one of the fresh food options in Rockefeller Center’s lower level. Take advantage of the restrooms and the quiet seating areas.
Hot Tip: Public bathrooms are hard to find in NYC. Major dept stores like the Disney Store, American Girl ect have public bathrooms. Just be cool about it.
Take a Tour: One of my favourite ways to get acquainted with the city is to do a tour. Depending on your interests there’s a ton of tours to suit whatever you’re looking for. In 2010 I did a Sex and the City Tour, a few years later I took a Movie and TV tour and my first trip to NYC we did a generic NYC tour. All tours have been great to see a LOT of the city, often you’re on a bus from stop to stop (yay for saving steps!) and every tour guide I’ve had has been very fun and knowledgeable. I loved seeing the Ghostbusters headquarters, Carrie’s stoop, the Seinfeld diner, and the Flat Iron building.
Evening at a Jazz Club: Immerse yourself in the vibrant jazz scene of NYC with a visit to a renowned jazz club like BIRDLAND or Dizzy’s Jazz Club. Enjoy great music, delicious food, and soak in the electric atmosphere of the city after dark.
Day 2
After breakfast, start your day with a guided tour of Central Park to discover its hidden gems and iconic landmarks. Learn about the park’s history and take in the beauty of nature in the heart of Manhattan. I recommend booking a tour because there’s so much to see and learn the history and the stories of the park. My personal faves are The Dairy, Bow Bridge, The Mall and the Bethesda Fountain. Central Park is iconic and you may think it’s just another park, but there’s so much to see you don’t want to miss out.
Hot tip: Theres food and bathrooms in Lincoln Centre at Columbus square.
Natural History Museum: I love a museum and this NYC Landmark is a must visit. Give yourself some time and explore as much as you can. The giant whale is a great photo opportunity so don’t miss out! Wear good shoes because this is a heavy walking day.
Dinner and a show: I LOVE Broadway. It’s my second love. To be honest I’d see a show every single night if I could (I did this time around!). After a full day of walking, a show is the perfect way to end the night. Get some rest and see the best performers around. After the show you can “stage door” and wait for the performers to come out and get your playbill signed. It makes for an amazing souviner and a great experience.
Day 3
Subway tour: This was a top tier tour I took in NYC. Our tour guide Michael taught us how to use the subway (including the social rules). We explored Downtown, the meat packing district, Greenwich Village, and Grand Central Station. We also walked the High Line- a public park built on a historic freight rail line elevated above the streets on Manhattan’s West Side. Saved from demolition by neighborhood residents and the City of New York, the High Line opened in 2009 as a hybrid public space where visitors experience nature, art, and design.
Lunch: Chelsea Market. I had a poke bowl that I will think about daily until my next visit.
Hot Tip: Plan your meals ahead of time. It’s easy to get deep into a neighbourhood and have no idea of the food options nearby, and it can be dicey and pricey to walk into the first place you find. Making a food plan is the best way to ensure you save time and money!
The Met: Even if you aren’t an art buff, The Met is not to be missed. The Met presents over 5,000 years of art from around the world for everyone to experience and enjoy.
Evening: Improv at Upright Citizens Brigade.
The Upright Citizens Brigade is home for all things comedy. With shows seven nights a week, UCB has become the home for alternative comedy. Whether it’s improv comedy, sketch comedy, stand-up, or just plain weird shit.
UCB has nightly shows for under $20 per person making it a cool and affordable experience.
Day 4
Breakfast at a cool hotspot. It’s your last day, why not splurge!
10:00am line up at the TKTS booth in Times Square for discount tickets for that days performances. Depending on your plans you could even hit two shows in one day!
Walk to Bryant Park and tour the New Your City Public Library. You may think this is worth skipping, but you’d be wrong. The library is stunning and very memorable. I was pleasantly surprised by the sheer grandeur of this magnificent building.
Hop in an Uber and visit the Brooklyn Bridge! This landmark is a fave and makes for some stunning photos. Grab lunch on the other side and walk back to get ready for your Broadway show!
Dinner: Depending on your show, do some research about what’s nearby. Assuming you’re looking for a great meal, skip the chains and look for a cool restaurant. We had some fab pizza at Johns Pizzeria off Times Square that I recommend. Enjoy your show!
After the show take one last walk around Times Square.
And there you have it – your ultimate NYC itinerary for first-timers! So pack your bags, lace up your walking shoes, and get ready to embark on the adventure of a lifetime in the city that never sleeps. NYC awaits – are you ready to make your mark on the Big Apple?
Recommendations
There’s tons to do in NYC it’s difficult to narrow down exactly what to see. Below are some recommendations from my previous travels to the Big Apple:
Museum of Broadway: If you’re a theatre fanatic, brace yourself for a whirlwind of fun and excitement! Gushing over the Hamilton costumes up close and striking poses at the funky photo spots will have you grinning from ear to ear!
MoMA: Another fab art gallery experience. Great merch too.
Statue of Liberty: I’ll admit, I wasn’t too keen on the idea at first. But once we arrived, I was pleasantly surprised – I ended up loving it! The museum at the Statue of Liberty elevated the entire experience for me.
Madison Square Gardens: A must-do for sports and concerts enthusiasts alike!
9/11 Memorial: Just witnessing the pools is an experience in itself. While I’m grateful for the opportunity to visit the memorial and museum, I must admit, it can be emotionally intense at times. If you’re someone who is particularly sensitive, like me, it’s perfectly okay to consider skipping it. Although parts of the museum lingered with me, and I’m appreciative of the chance to honor and remember, it did cast a somber tone over the day (and even the days following).
Saturday Night Live: This recommendation might be a challenge because securing tickets either involves winning a lottery or waiting outside in line. However, as a huge SNL fan, I’ve been fortunate enough to attend twice! The first time, my girlfriend won the SNL Ticket Lottery, and we attended the Kevin Hart and Sia taping. The following year, despite braving a blizzard, my husband and I managed to snag tickets while standing in line. Although the show featuring Rhonda Rousey and Selena Gomez was one of SNL’s lowest-rated broadcasts, I was ecstatic because Tina Fey made a surprise appearance as Sarah Palin. Plus, it’s worth noting that these tickets are completely free!
Late Night Show Taping: Another cost-free activity in NYC is attending a taping of a Late Night show. While it requires booking tickets well in advance—often months or weeks beforehand—it’s a fantastic and complimentary experience! Tickets for shows like Jimmy Fallon’s fill up fast, but options like Seth Meyers and Stephen Colbert are also available for booking.
Broadway Show: Always a beloved choice for me. Over the years, I’ve had the pleasure of experiencing Hadestown, Wicked, Chicago, Book of Mormon, The Outsiders, & Juliet, and In The Heights in NYC. During my recent trip, we decided to wait at the stage door for the first time, and it was an absolute blast. The memories made there with my kids will be cherished forever, and made a cool souvenir!
