chloedickensonLast Updated on 24th October 2025
This 7 day New York City itinerary contains affiliate links.
Are you looking to spend a week in New York City? My ultimate New York City 7 day itinerary includes everything you need to know about planning the perfect trip for one week in NYC!
While I’m a firm believer that no amount of time is ever enough in NYC, one week in New York City gives you plenty of time to see, do, eat, and experience as many of the city’s highlights as possible. After creating hundreds of itineraries for members of my New York Facebook Group over the years, I know a thing or two about creating the optimal schedule for seeing as much of the city as possible.
In my ultimate 7 day New York City itinerary aimed towards first-time visitors to the city, you’ll find a thorough guide with a detailed breakdown of what to do each day during your 7 day trip to NYC.
I’ve also included recommendations for where to eat for breakfast and dinner, but I’ve left most lunchtimes free so you can grab something on the go or find a local place to eat while you’re out and about.
Need more help planning your trip to NYC? Check out my Ultimate New York City Travel Guide ebook which includes everything you need to know to plan the perfect trip!!
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Looking for more itinerary inspiration for NYC? Check out my one day NYC itinerary, 3 day NYC itinerary, 4 day New York itinerary, and my guide on how to plan your NY itinerary with Google Maps.
7 day New York City itinerary map & summary
You can find the complete 7 day New York itinerary and map here!
This 7 day NYC itinerary takes you on an incredible exploration of New York City. From seeing the iconic Times Square to exploring Central Park, the East Village, Brooklyn, and more, this 7 day itinerary covers everything you need to do in one week in New York!
- Day 1 – Midtown East/Midtown Manhattan (yellow pins)
- Day 2 – Chelsea/Hudson Yards/Broadway (purple pins)
- Day 3 – Upper West Side/Central Park/Upper East Side (dark orange pins)
- Day 4 – East Village/Brooklyn/Williamsburg (dark blue pins)
- Day 5 – Greenwich Village/West Village/SoHo (green pins)
- Day 6 – Lower Manhattan/Statue of Liberty/Ellis Island (red pins)
- Day 7 – Midtown/Murray Hill/Flatiron District (light blue pins)
P.S. Please bear in mind that the maps featured in each of the days’ itineraries below are just to give you a rough idea of what your route and itinerary will look like. Some of the days will involve taking the subway or a ferry to get to different places, so the timings and walking estimates won’t be entirely accurate! I’ve included as much information as possible about relevant subway lines and stops etc!
7 day itinerary New York City travel tip
Get the Go City New York Pass for your 7 days in New York trip to save up to 50% at top NY attractions such as the Top of the Rock, Empire State Building Observation Deck, Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island Cruise, 9/11 Memorial and Museum, and many more!
7 day New York City itinerary for first-time visitors
Day 1
Breakfast at Ess-a-Bagel
Begin your 7 day New York itinerary with breakfast at Ess-a-Bagel on 3rd Avenue between 50th and 51st Street (the first of many bagel spots in this guide!) where you can enjoy classic bagel fillings such as lox and cream cheese, grilled chicken or turkey, as well as many other sweet and savoury fillings.
You can dine inside this iconic bagel establishment or you can grab one to go and head along East 51st Street to your next stop.
Fifth Avenue
Fifth Avenue is one of the most famous areas in Manhattan and you could easily spend hours exploring the many sights, shops, and restaurants on Fifth.
As you’ll be spending 7 days in New York, you’ll likely revisit Fifth Avenue on numerous occasions throughout your trip, so you don’t have to check out all the highlights in one go.
Some of my must-visit spots on Fifth Avenue include:
- Empire State Building
- St Patrick’s Cathedral
- Tiffany & Co
- Saks Fifth Avenue
- Bryant Park
- The Plaza Hotel
- Flatiron Building
- and so many more!
Macy’s
Once you’ve explored as many sights and attractions on 5th Avenue as you want, head across 6th Avenue and Broadway to one of the most iconic department stores in the world; Macy’s.
Macy’s is a world-renowned institution, not only for its abundant shopping opportunities but also for the famous Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade that occurs every year.
It can be quite an overwhelming experience to visit Macy’s as it’s such an enormous place that runs across an entire block! You don’t have to spend very long inside Macy’s and you certainly don’t have to tackle any of the clothing stalls, but it is worth popping inside to see its enormity.
Lunch at Joe’s Pizza
A couple of blocks north takes you to Joe’s Pizza in Times Square, just one of the many Joe’s Pizza locations around the city.
A slice of pizza at Joe’s is a must-do during your 7 days in New York as it’s one of the best slices in NYC!
Bryant Park/New York Public Library
Bryant Park is definitely a spot that you need to have on your New York 7 day itinerary!
In the summer months, it plays host to dozens of outdoor movie nights that are free to attend, which makes for a truly awesome experience in the city.
In the winter, Bryant Parks hosts the Bank of America Winter Village, complete with a giant Christmas tree, a huge Christmas market, and one of the best ice skating rinks in New York City.
Top of the Rock Observation Deck
The Top of the Rock observation deck is not only my favourite observation deck in New York City, but it’s actually my number one favourite place in the whole world, which is why it’s featured on every single NYC itinerary that I write!
Located in Midtown, just a short walk from Times Square, Fifth Avenue, and Central Park, the Top of the Rock observation deck at Rockefeller Plaza offers some of the best views of New York City.
It’s open daily from 9 AM to 11 PM, but it’s best experienced at sunset as you can enjoy spectacular views of the city at golden hour.
Sunset tickets are a little more expensive but so worth the additional cost; I promise that you won’t regret it!
Dinner at Ellen’s Stardust Diner
Many locals will tell you to avoid Ellen’s Stardust Diner and claim that it’s just a “tourist trap”. While I do agree to some extent that it’s very much catered towards tourists, you are in New York City for the first time as a tourist, after all, so I don’t think there is anything wrong with embracing the full tourist experience!
Not only is the entertainment at Ellen’s super fun and lighthearted, but the food itself is actually surprisingly good, so if you’re looking for a unique and exciting dining experience in NYC, definitely check out Ellen’s Stardust Diner!
Note: you cannot pre-book a table at Ellen’s, so you just have to queue up at the time that you want to eat and wait for a table.
Times Square
Conclude your first day in NYC with another one of the city’s most-visited tourist attractions; Times Square.
Times Square is another place that many people either love or hate and I can totally see why. I personally love the energy and buzz in Times Square, but I can understand that it can be quite full-on and overwhelming for many people, especially when there are people constantly trying to sell you things or get you to pay for a picture with people dressed up in Marvel costumes…
I’d still recommend checking it out briefly while you’re nearby, but then you don’t have to return again for the rest of your visit if it isn’t for you!
Day 2
Breakfast at Chelsea Market
Day 2 of your 7 days in New York itinerary begins with breakfast at one of my favourite eateries in the city; Chelsea Market.
It’s a huge indoor food and retail marketplace, with dozens of amazing food stalls for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Some of my favourite places to eat inside Chelsea Market include Doughnuttery (literally the best doughnuts I’ve ever had in my life!), Los Tacos No.1, Berlin Currywurst, and Black Seed Bagels.
Little Island
Little Island is just a 5-minute walk from Chelsea Market, so you can head straight there with your food to have a little picnic on this awesome manmade island.
It’s one of the newest attractions in the city, having only opened in 2021, but it’s already established itself as one of the best outdoor spaces in New York. It’s free to visit, so it’s a great place to add to your NYC itinerary if you’re looking to visit on a budget.
The High Line
The High Line is another one of the best free things to do in NYC that’s located super close to Little Island and Chelsea Market.
Built on an old abandoned railway line above the city, the High Line runs for 1.45 miles along the west side of Manhattan, beginning in the Meatpacking District at the corner of Gansevoort Street and Washington Street, all the way to Hudson Yards on West 34th Street.
It can get incredibly busy and crowded in the summer months, but you don’t have to walk along the entirety of it as there are numerous places to get on and off if you’ve had enough!
Hudson Yards/Vessel/Edge
If you’re visiting New York when it’s a bit quieter, I’d highly recommend joining the High Line near Chelsea Market after you’ve spent some time on the Little Island and walking all the way up to Hudson Yards where it concludes.
Hudson Yards is a relatively new real estate area in New York that comprises numerous buildings, skyscrapers, tourist attractions, shopping malls and bars and restaurants.
You can find the Vessel at Hudson Yards which is an incredibly cool and quirky tourist attraction that resembles the shape of a beehive.
If you want to add another observation deck to your New York bucket list, check out Edge while you’re at Hudson Yards. It’s the highest outdoor sky deck in the Western Hemisphere that boasts remarkable views of the city from its glass-bottomed observation deck and it’s worth heading to the top if you want to take in the views of the city from the west side of Manhattan.
The Lion King on Broadway
It’s now time to enjoy yet another one of the most iconic New York experiences; a Broadway show!
There are dozens of incredible Broadway shows to choose from, including classics such as The Lion King, Hamilton, Chicago, and Six, plus so many more!
I’ve been lucky enough to see The Lion King and Jersey Boys on Broadway and even though I’m not the biggest musical theatre fan, I was truly blown away by how incredible they were.
There are numerous ways to get tickets for a Broadway show. You can purchase them on the day of the show of your choosing at a discounted rate of up to 50% at the TKTS booth in Times Square or you can buy tickets online in advance through TodayTix, the official Broadway.com website or via Ticketmaster, as well as from the official box office at each show’s theatre.
If you know exactly which show you want to watch before you head to New York for 7 days, I would recommend purchasing Broadway tickets in advance as many of the popular shows sell out days and weeks in advance. However, if you don’t mind which show you want to watch and you’re happy to get discounted tickets, purchasing them on the day of the show from the TKTS booth is a great idea.
Late dinner at Los Tacos No.1
Once you’ve enjoyed one of NYC’s most famous Broadway performances, it’s time to head to Los Tacos No.1 for dinner.
There are several branches of Los Tacos around the city, but I’d suggest heading to the one in Times Square as you’ll already be in the area anyway. Los Tacos No.1 is my favourite taco place in NYC; order the carne asada, pollo asado, and the adobada and thank me later!
Day 3
Breakfast at Broad Nosh Bagels
Broad Nosh Bagels is another one of my favourite bagel spots in Manhattan, and for breakfast on day three’s itinerary, I would suggest heading to the West 58th Street and 8th Avenue location, just next to Columbus Circle.
Pedicab ride in Central Park
There are so many awesome things to see and do inside Central Park and depending on the time of year that you visit NYC, there are also lots of seasonal activities to enjoy as well.
While I would always suggest exploring Central Park on foot at your own leisurely pace, if you want to ensure that you see as much of the park’s highlights as possible without exerting all your energy, I would highly recommend taking a pedicab ride through the park!
I always recommend Central Park Attractions as their pedicab tours start at just $30 per person for one hour (however, I would definitely recommend at least the 90 minute tour, if not the 2-hour tour, as it’s so worth the money!).
The meeting point for the Central Park Attractions pedicab tours is just next to Magnolia Bakery, just around the corner from Columbus Circle, so you can easily head here after your breakfast at Broad Nosh Bagels.
The Plaza Hotel
The drop-off point for your pedicab ride will be the same as the pick-up point (just near Columbus Circle), so from there, it’s an easy 10-minute walk along West 59th Street to one of my favourite places in the world, The Plaza Hotel. At a minimum of $600 a night, it’s certainly not a cheap place to stay in New York City, but it is one of the most iconic hotels in the world and it’s my dream to stay there one day.
At Christmas time, the hotel’s lobby is decked out with extravagant Christmas trees, making it one of the most magical hotels in the city.
If you have time, I would highly recommend checking out the afternoon tea menu at the Palm Court at The Plaza. It’s super expensive but oh-so worth it for the decadent cakes, delightful sandwiches and an abundance of tea!
Roosevelt Island Tramway
Once you’ve spent some time at The Plaza, walk the 15 minutes across East 59th Street to the Roosevelt Island Tramway to ride across the aerial tramway to Roosevelt Island.
The tramway runs every 7-15 minutes from around 6 AM to 2 AM every day and the journey across the East River to the island takes less than 4 minutes and costs the same price as a single subway ticket ($2.90).
There isn’t too much to do on the island apart from visiting the Panorama Room Rooftop Bar at The Graduate Hotel and exploring the Cornell Tech University campus, but I think it makes for a fun and slightly more unique thing to do in NYC in 7 days, so I would definitely recommend doing it!
Drinks/snacks at Vue 180 Rooftop Bar
Depending on how much time you have before your Harbor Lights Cruise (they depart at 7 PM sharp daily, so it depends how long you spend on Roosevelt Island), I would recommend heading to Vue 180 Rooftop Bar for some drinks/snacks either before or after your 7 PM cruise.
Vue 180 is one of my favourite rooftops in New York for food, drinks, and views, and it makes a great place to visit for a bite to eat either before you head off to see the Harbor Lights on an epic cruise of Manhattan, or afterwards as a place for a late-night cocktail.
Circle Line Harbor Lights Cruise
The Circle Line Harbor Lights Cruise is one of my absolute favourite things to do in NYC and it’s 100% worth adding to your 7 day New York City itinerary!
If you decide to head to Vue 180 before your cruise, just be aware that you will need to be at Pier 83 at least 30-45 minutes before the cruise departs at 7 PM. From Vue 180, it’s around a 25-minute walk or a 20-minute subway journey, so just plan your route accordingly.
On the Harbor Lights Cruise, you’ll see so many of the city’s iconic buildings and landmarks from the water, including the Empire State Building, Edge/Hudson Yards, One World Trade Center, the Brooklyn Bridge and Manhattan Bridge, and so much more!
Day 4
Breakfast at Tompkins Square Bagels
Tompkins Square Bagels is probably my favourite place in the city when it comes to breakfast bagels and if you’re planning a trip to NYC for 7 days with your friend or partner in tow, I’d highly recommend sharing one of the monster-sized bagels between two people as they’re absolutely enormous but oh-so-good!
Walk the Brooklyn Bridge
Once you’ve stuffed your face with the best bagels in town, it’s time to head Downtown to walk across the iconic Brooklyn Bridge!
It’s approximately a 40-minute walk to the start of the Brooklyn Bridge from Tompkins Square Bagels, or you can save some energy and take the L train to Union Square from 1st Avenue then the number 5 to the Brooklyn Bridge – City Hall stop which takes around 20 minutes.
Walking across the Brooklyn Bridge can take anywhere between 30 minutes and one hour, depending on how fast you walk and how many times you stop to take pictures of the incredible views (I imagine you’ll want to stop a fair few times!).
Of course, the Brooklyn Bridge is incredibly touristy and it’s nearly always teeming with pedestrians, commuters and tourists, but it’s one of the most iconic spots in the city and it’s always such a pleasure to cross the East River from Manhattan to Brooklyn while taking in the sights.
Brooklyn Bridge Park
Once you’re over the bridge, head to Brooklyn Bridge Park. There’s plenty to see and do here, including the Pier 2 Roller Rink (closed in winter) and the Pier 4 beach, as well as an abundance of lookout spots where you can admire the breathtaking Manhattan skyline.
Squibb Park Bridge
Just a short walk from Brooklyn Bridge Park, you’ll find Squibb Park Bridge in Brooklyn Heights which is a quirky footbridge that offers another excellent vantage point of the Manhattan skyline. You don’t need to spend too long here, but it’s worth checking out while you’re in the area.
Time Out Market New York Rooftop Bar
From there, it’s just a short walk towards Dumbo to one of my favourite rooftops and dining halls in the city; Time Out Market New York.
Home to dozens of food and drink stalls on its lower levels, as well as a fantastic rooftop bar that affords views of the Manhattan Bridge, the Brooklyn Bridge, and the New York skyline, Time Out Market in Brooklyn cannot be missed!
I’d highly recommend ordering a Cosmopolitan cocktail (a classic NY drink that’s unbelievably delicious) and then heading to the outdoor rooftop to check out the views.
Dumbo
After a cocktail (or three), head for a leisurely wander around the Dumbo neighbourhood to check out the Dumbo – Manhattan Bridge View scenic spot. Here you can see the Empire State Building in the far distance perfectly lined up with the arches of the Manhattan Bridge, as well as plenty of coffee shops, bars and more park areas to check out the skyline view from different angles.
Dinner at Peter Luger Steak House
Once you’ve explored Dumbo, it’s time for dinner at one of the most famous steakhouses in New York City; Peter Luger Steak House.
Set in a beer-hall-style establishment, Peter Luger’s is famous the world over for its no-frills approach and its porterhouse steak for two which consists of 36 ounces of sliced prime beef. It’s by no means cheap, but if you’re looking to eat at a classic institution, Peter Luger’s is the place for you.
You can take the F train to Delancey St – Essex St and then the J train to Marcy Avenue or you can take the B62 or the B67 bus, all of which takes around half an hour from Dumbo.
If a fancy steak house doesn’t take your liking, I’d recommend sticking around Time Out Market and checking out some of the awesome food stalls there. Some of my favourite places to eat inside the market include Pat LaFrieda Meat Purveyors for sensational burgers, Felice Pasta Bar for easy Italian food, and Fornino for a classic New York pizza pie.
Day 5
Breakfast at Leon’s Bagels
Begin day 5 a one of my absolute favourite bagel spots, not only in New York City, but the whole world; Leon’s Bagels on Thompson Street!
The sausage, egg, and cheese bagel sandwich from Leon’s is honestly one of my favourite breakfast things to eat and I really can’t recommend it enough!
Washington Square Park
From Leon’s, it’s just a 5-minute walk to Washington Square Park, which is the perfect place to people-watch, enjoy your bagel, watch the old-timers play chess, and just generally relax.
It’s arguably best enjoyed in the summer months, but it’s also definitely worth visiting in the winter months as it hosts its very own giant Christmas tree.
Greenwich Village
Walk your hearty breakfast off with a gentle stroll to Greenwich Village, one of the most notably fashionable and hipster neighbourhoods in New York City.
As well as the boutique shops, designer stores, hipster cafes and quirky bars, Greenwich Village is also famous for being the home of many celebrities and it also hosts Carrie Bradshaw’s apartment from Sex and the City (66 Perry Street), as well as the exterior of Monica’s apartment from Friends (90 Bedford Street).
SoHo
SoHo is home to designer clothing stores, fancy boutiques, high-end art galleries and some of the most sophisticated restaurants and bars in the city.
It’s also such a beautiful neighbourhood in itself, so once you’ve spent some time wandering around Washington Square Park and Greenwich Village, head back towards Lower Manhattan to have a mooch around SoHo before heading to the next stop on this 7 day New York City itinerary.
Museum of Ice Cream
Dessert enthusiasts cannot miss a visit to the Museum of Ice Cream during a 7-day trip to NYC! This fun and immersive experience enables you to sample weird and wonderful flavours, play in the giant “sprinkle” pool and check out the many other fun and quirky exhibitions throughout.
It’s a museum that caters to kids of all ages (especially big kids in the form of fun-seeking adults!) and it’s a different experience from many of NYC’s other museums.
Dinner at Balthazar
Balthazar is one of the most highly coveted restaurants in New York City, located right in the heart of SoHo.
This beautiful French brasserie is famed for dishes such as the steak frites, onion soup, oysters and duck confit. It’s not the cheapest restaurant in Manhattan, but it is arguably one of the very best and it definitely deserves a spot on this NYC 7-day itinerary.
The Ready Rooftop Bar
If you’re feeling up to it after a delicious dinner at Balthazar, I would highly recommend heading to The Ready Rooftop Bar, located on the rooftop of the Moxy East Village Hotel.
They have awesome happy hour deals throughout the week which include $9 margaritas and $1 tacos, and the rooftop itself is such a chilled out, yet fun and lively place to hang out!
From Balthazar, it’s a 20-minute walk or a 10-minute subway journey to The Ready Rooftop Bar.
Day 6
*Remember, the walking/travel times shown on the maps won’t be entirely accurate because you’ll be taking the subway and ferry at different points during this itinerary, so the maps are just to give you a rough idea of the route for each day!
Breakfast at Bubby’s
Bubby’s is renowned for its hearty American comfort food and if you’re a fan of pancake stacks, decadent sandwiches, and huge portion sizes, Bubby’s can cater to your every need!
It’s one of my favourite breakfast/brunch/lunch places in New York and while a lot of the menu focuses on heavy dishes, there are also tonnes of lighter breakfast bites to enjoy too such as muffins, scones, bagels, omelettes, avocado toast, and more.
Bubby’s is open for breakfast from 8 AM every morning and I’d highly recommend getting there pretty much as soon as it opens as day 6 of your 7-day NYC itinerary is going to be pretty busy, so it’s a good idea to be out and about as early as possible!
Statue of Liberty Cruise/Liberty Island/Ellis Island
After breakfast, you can walk the 30 minutes to The Battery at the bottom of Manhattan Island or you can take the number 1 subway to South Ferry station for your next activity; a Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island cruise!
There are several different cruise operators who will take you around the Statue of Liberty and past Ellis Island but Statue City Cruises is the only official authorised provider that will actually take you on to Liberty Island and Ellis Island as part of an official tour.
In order to give yourself as long as possible touring both the islands, I’d recommend joining a cruise that departs as early as possible (the first cruise of the day from Battery Park departs at 9.30 AM).
You can spend as long as you want on each island (providing that you don’t miss the last return ferry back to Manhattan!), but I’d recommend between three and five hours in total, including the cruising time and time spent on each island.
It’s an absolutely fascinating experience to see the Statue of Liberty up close, but I was also blown away by how cool Ellis Island is to learn all about New York’s fascinating immigration history.
The National September 11 Memorial & Museum
Once you’ve disembarked the boat on your return journey at The Battery, you should hopefully have enough time to visit the National September 11 Memorial & Museum.
I will warn you and say the 9/11 Museum is perhaps the best and most thorough museum I’ve ever visited, but it’s also one of the most harrowing and truly devastating experiences I’ve ever had while travelling. It’s an incredibly important place to visit while in New York but be prepared to feel intense emotions as you visit the sight where the tragedies of the 9/11 terrorist attacks occurred in 2001.
One World Trade Center/Observatory
You’ll inevitably need to lighten the mood once you’ve paid your respects at the 9/11 museum, so I’d suggest heading to the nearby One World Trade Observatory to check out the tallest building in the northern hemisphere that was built as the new World Trade Center after the tragedy of the Twin Towers after 9/11.
You can just check out this absurdly tall building from the outside or you can head to its observation platform on the 102nd floor for dizzying views of the city!
For the purpose of this New York 1 week itinerary, I probably wouldn’t recommend heading to the One World Observatory, just because you will already be visiting many of the city’s other observation decks, so I would probably suggest saving it for a return visit to NYC!
The One World Observatory is probably my least favourite observation deck in New York because I feel that it’s a bit too far away from the top sights to see them properly. While you can see for miles and miles all around the observation platform, it’s almost too tall and too far away from the sights of Midtown to enjoy it properly.
If you do want to check out all the observation decks in New York though, I’d still recommend heading to the top!
Dinner at Dudley’s
A 35-minute walk or a 20-minute subway ride will take you to Dudley’s on the Lower East Side.
This chilled-out Australian-inspired restaurant is the perfect easy dinner setting after a busy day of exploring the city. I’d highly recommend one of the burgers or the lamb pappardelle pasta at Dudley’s and they also have some truly excellent cocktails as well.
Mr. Purple Rooftop Bar
If you want to experience yet another one of the city’s coolest rooftop bars, I would definitely recommend adding Mr. Purple Rooftop Bar to your 7 day New York City itinerary for couples.
Mr. Purple is one of my favourite rooftops for cocktails and views, as you can see all the way to the Empire State Building, Edge, Summit One Vanderbilt, and the One World Trade Center; it truly has some of the best skyline views of any rooftop bar in NYC!
Day 7
Breakfast at Black Seed Bagels
Your final day in New York City begins at yet another bagel establishment known as Black Seed Bagels, which is located inside the MetLife Building.
If you’re a bit tired of bagels after eating them numerous times on this 7 day New York City itinerary, check out the nearby Pershing Square diner or the Tartinery Café inside Grand Central, instead.
Chrysler Building/Grand Central Terminal
Head two blocks east and continue north all the way down Lexington Avenue to see the iconic Chrysler Building before heading across to one of the most famous train stations in the world; Grand Central Terminal.
This giant station is world-renowned for its 44 platforms and 67 tracks, as well as the Main Concourse Dining Hall and several other attractions located within the train station walls. It’s undoubtedly one of the most beautiful train stations in the world, so even if you’re not heading anywhere, you still need to head inside and check it out.
Summit One Vanderbilt Experience
The entrance to Summit One Vanderbilt is located through the transit hall in Grand Central Terminal under Vanderbilt Avenue.
Summit One Vanderbilt is New York’s newest (and arguably one of the greatest) attractions and observation decks, having only opened in late 2021.
Not only does it offer unparalleled views of Manhattan and beyond, but it’s also home to several immersive exhibits and attractions, including a giant room covered in floor-to-ceiling mirrors that offer a truly unique perspective and view of the skyline.
I’d highly recommend timing your visit to Summit with sunset, as with the Top of the Rock observation deck, it too is best enjoyed at golden hour. Tickets are a little more expensive, but it’s totally worth it!
Vintage Green Rooftop
It’s time for yet another rooftop bar in New York City, this time one of the prettiest and most photogenic rooftops, in my opinion!
Vintage Green is an absolutely gorgeous rooftop in Murray Hill and it should 100% be on your 7 day NYC itinerary!
Madison Square Park
From Vintage Green, it’s approximately a 25-minute walk to Madison Square Park which is home to the world’s first and original Shake Shack, so it’s a great cheap place to eat in NYC if you didn’t eat anything at Vintage Green!
Alternatively, Eataly Flatiron is just over the road if you fancy a more authentic Italian lunch.
Flatiron Building
The Flatiron Building is a quirky-shaped building is usually a fascinating sight to see, but it’s been undergoing restoration work for the last couple of years, so hopefully, it’ll be looking shiny and new very soon in time for your 7 days in NYC!
I was also going to suggest visiting The FRIENDS Experience at this part of the day, but I didn’t want to overwhelm you with too many activities on your final day in the city, so I thought I would suggest it, but not include it as part of the official 7 day New York City itinerary!
Dinner and drinks at 230 Fifth Rooftop Bar
For your final activity during your 7 days in New York, you’ll head to my favourite rooftop bar in the city; 230 Fifth.
Its prime location on 5th Avenue just a few blocks from the Empire State Building means that 230 Fifth boasts arguably the best views of the iconic New York landmark in the whole city.
The food and drink here are also excellent and they host so many parties and events throughout the year, including bottomless brunch (we went for bottomless brunch at Christmas in New York in 2021 and it was incredible!), as well as several themed events, cocktail hours, winter igloos, summer parties and so much more!
Where to stay in New York for one week
There are hundreds of places to stay in New York for one week and the best places to stay for you will depend on your budget, where you want to stay, how long you’re staying for (7 days in this case), and the time of year that you’re visiting.
The holidays are a notoriously expensive time to visit New York, especially between the end of November and the beginning of January, but it is still possible to find affordable places to stay in NYC.
You can find all my NYC hotel guides and reviews here:
- Best Hotels In/Near Times Square
- Where To Stay In NYC For First-Time Visitors
- Best Family Hotels In NYC
- Archer Hotel New York Review
- Staypineapple New York
- LUMA Hotel Times Square
- The Box House Hotel Brooklyn
- Best Christmas Hotels In NYC
How to get around New York
It’s important to note that you’ll probably be doing a lot of walking during your 7 days in New York; we averaged 20,500 steps a day in the one month that we spent in New York and we walked as many as 36,000 steps on some days!
Of course, there are also plenty of public transport options that make it much easier to get around the city if you don’t want to walk quite that much!
The subway is the best mode of public transport to use (I much prefer it to the bus) and a single-ride ticket costs $2.90. I have an entire guide about how to use the subway for beginners which will help you out if you’re a first-time visitor to New York!
Top tips for visiting New York for a week
- 7 days in New York is enough time to enjoy the city, but it’s still important to make the most out of each day of your trip! Get up super early and head back to your hotel late in the evening so you don’t miss out on anything!
- Purchase the New York Go City Pass to save up to 50% on sights and attractions in NYC, such as the Empire State Building, Top of the Rock, and the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island Cruise!
- I’ve included as much information as possible about how to get to each place throughout this 7-day New York itinerary, but my number one piece of advice would always be to walk as much as possible so you can see as many sights as possible during your trip.
- If you’re planning to visit NYC during the holidays, check out my post about the best things to do in New York at Christmas!
- Book tickets to the top sights and attractions in advance, especially if you’re travelling during the peak summer or holiday months. I always recommend using the Go City Pass for multiple attractions and GetYourGuide for booking individual attractions.
- Make reservations at your most highly desired restaurants in advance to avoid disappointment. Some restaurants featured in this guide (such as Ruby’s and Ellen’s Stardust Diner) don’t allow you to make reservations, but most places do, so it’s worth checking before your trip.
- Book the Big Bus Hop-On Hop-Off New York Sightseeing Tour for your first day in New York to get accustomed to the city and to get your bearings before heading out to explore on your own.
7 day New York City itinerary – conclusion
I hope you found this 7 day New York City itinerary helpful and I hope it’s made you feel a lot more comfortable when it comes to planning your trip and organising your own itinerary for 7 days in NYC!
Would you like to spend 7 days in NYC? Is there anything else you’d add to this 7 day New York City itinerary? Let me know in the comments or in my New York Facebook Group!
