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Going for a week to visit New York: 4 different types of itineraries

Going to New York for a week? Then, I advise you to plan and organize yourself wisely. You don’t have to follow the itineraries step by step, but this will come in handy in case you forget something and allow you to discover three museums and five neighborhoods.

On top of it, I’m not only suggesting one plan but four different ones: A “Cultural” plan, a “Street” plan, an “Enjoy” plan, and a “Never Tired” plan.
So you’ll be able to choose whichever one you like, whether if you’re the “Enjoy” type, “Street,” “Cultural” or just like me, “Never Tired” type. Depending on what you want to see of New York City and your passions…

Foremost, just like anywhere on my blog, the proposed itineraries are only suggestions from my part. You are welcome to change and customize these plans as you wish.

My 4 plan options

– The good tips to visit New York in one week “CULTURAL” edition:

This plan is for those who can’t imagine going to New York without visiting at least four big museums such as the MET, the MoMA, the Museum of Natural History, and the Guggenheim.

– The good tips to visit New York in one week “STREET” edition:

This plan is dedicated to those who are not museum fans but want to discover the streets of New York, its architecture, and New Yorkers in their daily lives.

– The good tips to visit New York in one week “ENJOY” edition:

This plan is for those who want to optimize their stay to the fullest with one thing in mind, “pleasure,” whether it’s with a helicopter or bus tour to spare you time walking. The options are limitless: enjoy a dinner cruise on a yacht or a photoshoot in Central Park and give yourself more time for shopping!!!!

– The good tips to visit New York in one week “NEVER TIRED” edition:

This plan is dedicated to people just like me!!! My friends happen to call me the “Makina” (aka the machine) because I gave them the impression of never getting tired and always wanting to see more. And yes, in 3 days, if you’re motivated just like me, you can combine the CULTURAL, STREET, and ENJOY editions!!!!
This plan is for those who, just like me, don’t want to miss anything during their New York trip. People think that resting while traveling is a waste of time, especially when visiting a city like New York. Of course, you’ll have plenty of time to rest at night; meanwhile, your schedule will be full to experience NEW YORK to the FULLEST. And if you’re motivated, you could do the CULTURAL, STREET, and ENJOY editions all at once!!!! 

Why 4 different itineraries?

Because each of us have different desires, passions and tastes.
This way, each can choose the type of plan they belong to, and of course, you’ll be able to personalize these plans as you wish! 

What are the times, places and great tips you can’t miss under any circumstances?

Personally, a week plan must incorporate at least a few activities in order to grasp and get to know New York, the beautiful:

– A visit at the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island

– A visit at the Empire State Building

– A visit at the Top of the Rock: to discover New York and Manhattan from above.

– A visit at the One World Observatory: because it is an amazing building and you will be near the 9/11 Memorial and the 9/11 Museum.

– A stroll in Central Park on a Sunday to see New Yorkers come to exercise, do sports and have fun in the heart of NY.

– A stop on Broadway in Soho for shopping: because it’s the place where all the cool, hip and affordable stores are. For shoes and sneakers shopping you’ll find brands like (just to name a few) Converse, Nike and for clothing American Eagle, Hollister, Levi’s. Ladies, if you’re looking for lingerie you must go to Victoria Secret and sports fans can rejoice with stores like Adidas, Puma, Quicksilver, Roxy..

– A walk in Times Square: the place where New York’s craziness is the most obvious. Lights everywhere, stores, people and tourists… You’ll have to see it to believe it.

– A stop at Union Square: the place to meet the locals and while you’re there, why not visit the organic farmer’s market.

– Go to a NBA game to see the New York Knicks in action. Basketball is the American sport of choice. The show is indeed part of the game and around the court, but the magic appears when the New York Knicks play at the mythical Madison Square Garden which has hosted major events. Besides, it’s the only high-level sport along with ice hockey being played in New York in the heart of Manhattan.

– A Broadway show because it’s always magical!!!

– A crossing of the Brooklyn Bridge and a stroll on the Brooklyn Heights Promenade to discover Manhattan from a different angle.

– A Gospel mass in Harlem to meet the locals and share unforgettable moments in a mass that is completely different from any other mass.

– Walks in the neighborhoods of Greenwich Village, Chelsea, Soho, Midtown..

– The Financial district neighborhood with Wall Street, Ground Zero, the September 11 Memorial, City Hall and the Century 21 department store.

What are the times, places and great tips you could choose for your week long trip to New York?

– The museums: the MOMA, the MET, the American Museum of Natural History, the Museum of the City of New York, Madame Tussauds, a visit of the top of the Statue of Liberty, the United Nations, Ellis Island, NBC Studios…

– The attractions: The Top of the Rock, the Empire State Building, a helicopter tour, a diner cruise on a yacht, Sex and the City Hot Spots Tours New York, the New York TV & Movie Sites Tour, the Tour, a photo shoot in Central Park, Circle Line Sightseeing…

– The neighborhoods and various spots: Meatpacking District, the High Line, Little Italy, Chinatown, East Village, Grand Central, St Patrick’s Cathedral, the Chrysler Building, the Flatiron Building, Washington Square, Radio City…

According to the weather, what are the places, times and great tips you would like during your week long trip to New York?

– In spring, summer or fall time: the Bronx Zoo, the Bronx Botanical Garden, Long Island & Coney Island beaches.

– In winter time: Ice skating on ice rinks in the City of New York.

Otherwise, you could also visit some nearby cities for a day: Washington DC, Philadelphia or Boston.

Here are the four itineraries to visit the best of New York in 1 week

As you can see, I have made each weekly plan starting from Saturday to Saturday, mostly because that’s when most things happen. Now, if you’re traveling from Tuesday to Tuesday, you’ll have to adjust your planning. Whatever happens, the Gospel mass and Central Park must fall on a Sunday. Otherwise, you can do everything else any day.

Week PLAN to visit New York “CULTURAL” edition

Download in ExcelDownload in PDF

To avoid wasting time and add stress during your stay, I advise you to book most of the things you’ve seen on the “Cultural” planning, one week ahead on good tips in New York

Book your New York City Pass here

Book your New York Pass here

Book a NBA game here

Book a Broadway show here

 

Week PLAN to visit New York “STREET” edition:

Download in ExcelDownload in PDF

To avoid wasting time and add stress during your stay, I advise you to book most of the things you’ve seen on the “Street” planning, one week ahead on useful tips in New York:

Book your New York City Pass here 

Book a helicopter tour   here 

Book a NBA game here

Book a Broadway show   here

 

Week PLAN to visit New York “ENJOY” edition:

Download in ExcelDownload in PDF

To avoid wasting time and add stress during your stay, I advise that you book most of the things you’ve seen on the “Enjoy” planning, one week ahead on useful tips in New York:

Watch a NBA game  here

Book a Broadway Show here

Book the Top of the Rock here

Book a helicopter tour here +Hop-On Hop-Off bus tour for a day here 

Book a Dinner Cruise on a yacht here

Book the Sex and City Hot Spots Tour New York here

Book the New York TV & Movie Sites Tour here

Book the Gossip Girl Tour New York here

Book the Circle Line Sightseeing Cruises here

 

Week PLAN to visit New York “NEVER TIRED” edition:

Download in ExcelDownload in PDF

To avoid wasting time and add stress during your stay, I advise you to book most of the things you’ve seen on the “Never Tired” planning, one week ahead on good tips in New York:

Book the New York City Pass here
Book the New York Pass here
Book a NBA game here
Book a Broadway Show here

My own plan ! 

Finally, I’m giving you a 5th plan used when friends and family come to visit me in New York. It’s a bit personalized plan with the things I love to do in the NYC even after many years living in the city, it just never gets old.

Bonus Plan

Memo

My fist trip to New York was in 2007 when I was working for an airline company. I was born in the US, I lived in Mexico, in Europe in between Belgium, Spain and France… Well, let’s say I know about travelling! I bring my experience of NYC to the blog, to provide the best travel tips you could imagine!

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Going for a week to visit New York: 4 different types of itineraries

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  1. Mihnea says:
    Hi Memo,

    First of all, congrats on this very interesting blog. I am really enjoying it and found a lot of great advices.

    I am traveling to NYC with my girlfriend from 2-17 March 2020, staying in the Financial District. It will be our first trip to NYC and we are hardcore travelers like yourself, the Never Tired kind. 🙂

    We would like to see as much as possible (our to-do list is: The Met, American Museum of National History, Guggenheim, MoMA, The Frick Collection, Neue Gallery, Madame Tussauds, Battery Park, Liberty Island, Ellis Island Immigration Museum, Statue of Liberty Crown Level, Top of the Rock, Rockefeller Center, Radio City Music Hall, NBC Studios, Empire State Building day and night, 9/11 Memorial Museum, Ground Zero, One World Observatory, Wall Street, NY Stock Exchange, Trinity Church, Federal Hall, Federal Reserve Bank, Charging Bull, Chrysler Building, Flatiron Building, Central Park – Strawberry Fields, The Lake, Bethesda Fountain, Central Park Zoo, Belvedere Castle, Bow Bridge – Times Square, LOVE Sculpture, HOPE Sculpture, St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Carnegie Hall, NY Public Library, Grand Central Station, Broadway show – Phantom of the Opera, Theater District, NBA game – Houston Rockets – NY Knicks on 2nd of March 7 PM, NHL game – Washington Capitals – NY Rangers on 6th of March 7 pm, Madison Square Garden, Yankees Stadium, Brooklyn Bridge, DUMBO, Brooklyn Heights Promenade, The High Line, Intrepid Sea, Air, Space Museum, Little Italy, Chinatown, Bryant Park, Washington Square Park, Greenwich Village, 5th Avenue, Chelsea Market, Meatpacking District, Circle Line Cruise for 2-3 hours, SoHo, TriBeCa, Park Avenue, Union Square, Friends Building, Seinfeld Restaurant, Carrie Bradshaw’s Apartment, Fulton Center, Trump Tower, Penn Station, Helicopter tour for 15-20 minutes) and shop in stores like Apple, Macy’s and Century 21.

    We will be using Air Train and subway from and to JFK, MetroCard unlimited and walking day by day; we want to have a true American experience, so on the food menu there is a lot of burgers, pizzas, bagels, hot dogs, Budweisers, Coca Colas etc, so if you can recommend some good places to eat or grab on the go, it would be awesome.

    Would it be too much to ask of you to draft a 2 weeks plan to visit the city for us? Many thanks.

    Best,
    Mihnea
  2. Anah says:
    Such a well organised post about NYC itineraries. Thanks for taking the trouble to club thing to do according to the travellers interest. Will use the suggestions to explore NYC . Great Work !!!!