A Fun 5 Day Week in New York City Post

Are you looking for the best itinerary for a week in New York City? Read along and get inspired by the recommended neighborhoods, tours, museums, shows, and food to enjoy during your trip.

Planning a trip to New York City is very exciting! If you’re anything like me, you’re here because you love to research and plan your trip ahead of time. New York City is known for its culture and vibrant lifestyle. There is something fun for everyone! From tours to museums, Broadway Shows and endless restaurants, there is so much to see and do. This travel guide will give you some ideas of how to make the most of a week in New York City.

You will learn about which neighborhoods to visit, what activities to do including going on a tour of Central Park, visiting the MET and watching Broadway shows. After gaining some ideas, you are going to be ready for your weeklong New York City travel adventure!

This post is about a fun 5 day week in New York City.

Day One: Walking Tour

Start your week in New York City with a walking tour! There are so many walking tours available throughout the city. From specific neighborhood tours like Times Square, Manhattan, and Greenwich Village to activity based tours like food, gangster history, and architecture, there are so many to choose from!

You may want to try walking tours through Viator, Get Your Guide, or Tours By Foot. Guru Walk offers free walking tours. Or if you’re feeling adventurous, download a self-guided walking tour!

Once you’ve worked up an appetite, I highly recommend eating lunch or dinner at Souvlaki GR, a Greek restaurant. It is affordable with large portions, has a cute interior that makes you feel like you’re stepping foot in Santorini, and the food is delicious. I recommend ordering any of the skewers, chickpea salad, and if available, the gigantes beans.

If you are interested in any Broadway Shows, consider lining up at the TKTS booth near Lincoln Center to buy discounted tickets for the following day.

Day Two: Times Square & Broadway Shows

Times Square is obviously a must-see in NYC. With its iconic digital screens, 24/7 entertainment like the naked cowboy, mascots and superheroes, and classic food truck vendors, it’s a not to miss scene. Walk around and enjoy the scenery. You may want to check out some of the popular restaurants in the area like the Hard Rock Cafe or Carmine’s.

While you’re in Times Square and if you plan to see a Broadway show, I recommend purchasing tickets from TKTS. As mentioned in Day One, there is a location in Lincoln Center, as well as in Times Square. You can line up the morning or day before a show to buy tickets at a deep discount, anywhere from 20%-50% off. I recommend downloading the TKTS app to see open hours of each location and a list of possible shows available for purchase.

Alternatively, you can purchase tickets online or through the app Today Tix. This company offers discounted show tickets as well, however, they may not be as discounted as TKTS. This is a good option if you’re looking to purchase tickets farther in advance.

You can also check out show websites to see if they offer any lotteries. I entered multiple days in a row for The Lion King lottery, however, did not win.

While we were in New York, we were fortunate enough to see the following shows: Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, SIX, And Juliet, and The Lion King. Wow, they were all amazing shows! Our favorites were SIX and And Juliet. SIX is a short, hour and a half show about the six wives of Henry VIII. And Juliet is a pop music filled show that offers an alternate ending to Shakespeare’s Romeo & Juliet.

For a pick-me-up, consider trying Hey Tea. I became absolutely obsessed! It is the best milk tea I’ve ever had. They focus on high-quality ingredients and use real fruit in the fruit-based drinks. They specialize in cheese tea, a milk based foam on top of their tea drinks. It is so good!

Day Three: Central Park Tour & The Upper East Side

In the morning, consider going on a Central Park Tour with the Central Park Conservancy. You can sign up for the free tour by going to the conservancy’s website. Each tour is unique based on the tour guide. It is a great tour to learn history about the park and details about its specific features and installations.

In the afternoon, consider checking out the Metropolitan Museum of Art (MET). One of the most famous museums in the city, it can easily take a whole day to explore. Whether you have all day or just a few hours, be sure to sign up for a free tour! They are offered throughout the day, usually take about an hour, and give you an in depth look at certain items in the museum. I found the tour helpful to not feel overwhelmed by the size of the museum.

If you’re not interested in museums, or want to squeeze a bit more into your day, make sure to check out the shopping of the Upper East Side. There are many luxury stores and boutiques like Le Labo, Ralph Lauren, Reformation, Love Shack Fancy, and luxury second-hand stores like Michael’s and Designer Revival.

For dinner, check out Carmine’s Italian Restaurant! They have locations in Times Square and the Upper West Side. The food is amazing! They are famous for their vodka pasta and the bread comes with the most delicious garlic oil. Be prepared for very large portions as all the items are served family style. This may be a good restaurant option for groups or if you have a big appetite!

Day Four: 9/11 Memorial & Museum and The Oculus

During your week in New York City, you must visit the 9/11 Memorial and Museum. Located at the heart of the World Trade Center complex, the memorial is a tribute to the lives lost on that fateful day and a reminder of the resilience of the human spirit. The outdoor memorial is free and open 24/7.

The museum allows you to embark on a journey through the events that took place that day. You’ll see artifacts that were recovered from the wreckage and debris, and read stories from survivors. It is a very sobering experience, but well worth it. There is an admission fee to enter the museum.

Nearby you’ll find The Oculus. This unique building is worth checking out just for its architecture, but it also offers a lot of shopping!

For dinner, consider eating at Bleecker’s Pizza in Manhattan. One of the best restaurants for New York City pizza! The lines go quickly, and you can order by the slice. I recommend trying the Grandma Mary pizza.

Day Five: Hudson Yards

On your final day of a week in New York City, check out the Hudson Yards. Another great shopping center. They also offer unique adventure experiences like a tour of The Vessel and tickets to Edge Observation Deck. If you’re looking for a slower pace on your final day in the city, this is a great place to check out because it offers several things to do in one place.

For a final food recommendation, try Patiala Indian Grill. It’s a laid back restaurant that has a vegan section of the menu. It is located near the Hudson Yards. I recommend trying the vegan chana masala and vegetarian egg curry.

A five day week in New York City is very doable! You’ll have ample time to explore many neighborhoods, museums, restaurants, and tours. It’s a very walkable city, so make sure to wear comfortable shoes! I recommend using Google Maps to help navigate the subway and bus systems. If you’re not comfortable with public transportation, there are always taxis and ubers available too! I hope this sample itinerary gives you some ideas of what to do when you visit the Big Apple!

A Fun 5 Day Week in New York City