New York City
New York City rewards 4-5 days minimum: one day for Midtown icons (Times Square, an observation deck, Central Park), one for downtown and the Statue of Liberty, one for a major museum plus a different borough (Brooklyn is the easy choice), and a spare day for whatever you're personally obsessed with. Base yourself in Midtown or near a subway line — you won't need a car anywhere in the city. Budget $200-400/day per person including a mid-range hotel.
New York City is loud, fast, expensive, and somehow still worth every dollar of it. It's also the easiest big US city to visit without a car, which makes it the natural first stop for most international visitors — everything from the airport to the last slice of pizza at 2am runs on the subway.
How many days do you actually need?
Four to five days is the sweet spot. Fewer than three and you'll spend half your trip just getting oriented in a city where every block looks like a movie set you've half-seen before; more than a week and most first-timers start repeating themselves unless they're specifically chasing niche neighborhoods or a long list of restaurants.
Where to stay
| Neighborhood | Best for | Vibe |
|---|---|---|
| Midtown Manhattan | First-timers, easy access to everything | Busy, central, walking distance to Times Square and Central Park |
| Brooklyn (Williamsburg/DUMBO) | A more local feel, still 20-30 minutes to Manhattan | Trendier, more restaurants per block, better value hotels |
| Upper West Side | A quieter base near Central Park and the museums | Residential, leafy, family-friendly |
| Financial District | Proximity to the Statue of Liberty ferry and 9/11 Memorial | Quieter at night, more corporate by day |
Get an OMNY-enabled contactless card or just tap your own bank card or phone directly on the subway turnstile — New York's subway now accepts contactless payment natively, so you don't need to buy a physical MetroCard at all. A single ride is $2.90, and OMNY automatically caps you at the weekly-unlimited price ($34 as of 2026) once you've paid for 12 rides in a 7-day period.
What's actually worth your time
- The Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island — take the Statue City Cruises ferry from Battery Park (around $24.50 round-trip); book a few days ahead, more in summer, and reserve separately for crown access if you want it.
- Central Park — genuinely worth a slow morning, not just a walk-through. Rent a bike, find Bethesda Terrace, or just sit.
- An observation deck — Empire State Building (around $44-80 depending on tier) or Top of the Rock (around $40) — both good, pick whichever fits your route better.
- A major museum — The Met (suggested admission around $30) or MoMA (around $30) both deserve a half-day, not a rushed hour.
- A Broadway show — full price runs $80-300; the TKTS booth in Times Square sells same-day tickets at 25-50% off for shows with unsold seats.
Getting around
The subway runs 24/7 and covers the whole city; it's not glamorous, but it's fast and cheap. Walking works well within Manhattan for anything under 20 blocks. Taxis and Uber/Lyft are easy but genuinely expensive once you factor in Manhattan traffic — save them for late nights or luggage, not routine sightseeing.
What it costs
| Item | Approx. cost |
|---|---|
| Mid-range hotel, per night | $220-380 |
| Subway ride | $2.90 (capped at $34/week with OMNY) |
| Casual lunch | $12-22 |
| Sit-down dinner, per person before tip | $35-70 |
| Empire State Building (main deck) | ~$44 |
Mistakes worth avoiding
- Trying to "do" all five boroughs in one trip — Manhattan plus one borough (Brooklyn is the easiest) is plenty for a first visit.
- Skipping the tip on a restaurant bill because it "felt included" — it almost never is; see our tipping guide for the real percentages.
- Booking the Statue of Liberty ferry same-day in summer and finding it sold out — reserve at least a few days ahead in peak season.
- Wearing yourself out walking everywhere out of stubbornness — the subway is genuinely faster for anything over 20 blocks.
Book somewhere near a subway line — it makes the whole trip easier
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