New York in 7 days

The city you've already seen on screen 1,000 times. Better in person, every time. Best time to visit: April-June and September-early November. Average daily budget: $180 to $350 USD.

Day 1, Land & wander

Base: West Village, Brownstones, tree-lined streets, the city's most photogenic blocks.

Morning: MoMA on a quiet weekday morning. Open at 10:30am sharp. Top floor first.

Afternoon: Explore West Village, Brownstones, tree-lined streets, the city's most photogenic blocks.

Evening: Sunset walk on Brooklyn Bridge. Start in Brooklyn, walk toward Manhattan. Better light.

Eat: Plain slice at Joe's (Greenwich Village)

Day 2, Iconic sights

Base: Lower East Side, Old-school delis, dive bars, the city's best late-night food.

Morning: A Broadway show with day-of TKTS tickets. Lines move fast. 50% off, no planning needed.

Afternoon: Explore Lower East Side, Old-school delis, dive bars, the city's best late-night food.

Evening: Pizza slice at Joe's, then Lucali for dinner. Two ends of the NY pizza spectrum, both essential.

Eat: Pastrami on rye at Katz's

Day 3, Food & markets

Base: Williamsburg, Brooklyn's coolest corner. Cafés, vintage, sunset on the East River.

Morning: Roosevelt Island tram for the East River view (locals' secret).. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Afternoon: Explore Williamsburg, Brooklyn's coolest corner. Cafés, vintage, sunset on the East River.

Evening: Walk the High Line into Hudson Yards. An elevated park on an old rail line threading the West Side, with planted gardens and skyline views. Start at Gansevoort, end at the Vessel and Hudson Yards, best mid-morning or at sunset.

Eat: Shake Shack original burger at Madison Square Park

Day 4, Local neighbourhoods

Base: Upper East Side, Museum Mile, classic NY apartments, calm and elegant.

Morning: Greenwood Cemetery in Brooklyn for a peaceful afternoon walk.. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Afternoon: Explore Upper East Side, Museum Mile, classic NY apartments, calm and elegant.

Evening: Catch live jazz in the Village. Skip Times Square at night and head downtown. Smalls or the Village Vanguard for serious players, cash for the cover, get there early for a seat in these intimate basement rooms.

Eat: Bagel + lox at Russ & Daughters

Day 5, Day trip

Base: Greenpoint, Polish-Brooklyn turned indie. Cheaper than Williamsburg, more interesting.

Morning: The Met Cloisters, uptown, medieval art in a real monastery.. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Afternoon: Explore Greenpoint, Polish-Brooklyn turned indie. Cheaper than Williamsburg, more interesting.

Evening: Russ & Daughters Café for the best bagel and lox in the city.. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Eat: Plain slice at Joe's (Greenwich Village)

Day 6, Hidden gems

Base: West Village, Brownstones, tree-lined streets, the city's most photogenic blocks.

Morning: Slow start: coffee in West Village, then an unhurried walk before the heat or the crowds.

Afternoon: Explore West Village, Brownstones, tree-lined streets, the city's most photogenic blocks.

Evening: Dinner at Pastrami on rye at Katz's, then a quiet drink wherever the locals are in West Village.

Eat: Pastrami on rye at Katz's

Day 7, Slow finish

Base: Lower East Side, Old-school delis, dive bars, the city's best late-night food.

Morning: Slow start: coffee in Lower East Side, then an unhurried walk before the heat or the crowds.

Afternoon: Explore Lower East Side, Old-school delis, dive bars, the city's best late-night food.

Evening: Dinner at Shake Shack original burger at Madison Square Park, then a quiet drink wherever the locals are in Lower East Side.

Eat: Shake Shack original burger at Madison Square Park

Hidden gems

Roosevelt Island tram for the East River view (locals' secret).
Greenwood Cemetery in Brooklyn for a peaceful afternoon walk.
The Met Cloisters, uptown, medieval art in a real monastery.
Russ & Daughters Café for the best bagel and lox in the city.

Getting around

The subway is your best friend. Get OMNY: just tap your phone. Walk Manhattan when the weather's good. Avoid taxis in midtown (traffic). Citi Bike is great for downtown loops.

Safety

Very safe in tourist Manhattan and most of Brooklyn. Standard big-city awareness on the subway late at night. The biggest risk to your trip is overpacking your itinerary.

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