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The Bahamas is one of the most popular destinations for tourists in the Caribbean, especially those coming from the United States. Just a hop, skip and a jump from Florida, its no wonder so many people come to this island nation every year. Pristine beaches, exciting resorts and a whole ton of unforgettable experiences await guests. I visited The Bahamas after having spent some time on other islands in the Caribbean. I definitely noticed just how touristy this nation was by comparison. That’s not necessarily a bad thing though. I had an amazing time in Nassau, the capital of The Bahamas. I experienced luxury, culture and stunning serenity all in a brief stay. While you could easily just stick to one of the amazing resorts during your Bahamas vacation, in this itinerary for 3 days in The Bahamas, I’m going to show you why you should also venture out!
The Bahamas is a chain of 700 islands and cays just north of the Caribbean Sea. Only around 30 of those islands are actually inhabited. Technically part of their own archipelago, for all purposes The Bahamas is considered a Caribbean nation. At some points, the archipelago is as close as 50 miles to the US state of Florida. The various islands are made of limestone and are surrounded by the clearest waters in the world.
Christopher Columbus landed on San Salvador in The Bahamas on 12 October 1942. He claimed the islands for Spain, and this marked the very first landing of Europeans in the New World. At the time of Columbus’ arrival, The Bahamas were inhabited by the Lucayan people. When the Spanish left, disappointed by the lack of gold on the islands, they forced the natives into slave labour. This left The Bahamas devoid of any human population until settlers arrived from the British colonies of Bermuda and New England.
Over time, the Bahamas would bounce between the British and Spanish, with raids between the two powers commonplace. When European conflict calmed down in the region, the Bahamas were neglected and became a haven for pirates by the late 1600s. By 1713, estimates indicate at least 1,000 swashbucklers were based at Nassau. It wasn’t until 1718 that the British, under Woodes Rogers, took control of the ‘Pirate’s Republic’, turning it into a Crown colony.
Following the American Civil War, the Bahamas became home to many wealthy British loyalists. During Prohibition, the islands became involved in the illicit liquor trade. Tourism also boomed, particularly as the US embargo against Cuba in 1961 forced travellers to look for a new holiday hot spot. The economy subsequently prospered. On 10 July 1973, The Bahamas was granted independence, ending British rule. To this day, it remains an extremely popular destination for travellers.
When deciding what time of year to visit The Bahamas, you should think about the weather. As with many countries in the Caribbean region, The Bahamas is impacted by hurricane season every year. Peak hurricane season runs from August to October, with September being the worst month. They can occur any time from June to November however. I visited The Bahamas in July. Unlike other islands I visited in the region, I got a fair bit of rain during my stay. It wasn’t the end of the world, and prices were good, but if you want the best of The Bahamas, you might want to avoid the storm season.
High season in The Bahamas runs pretty much all the way from late November until early May, with especially large numbers of American tourists flocking to the islands during the holidays and spring break. You’ll pay more at this time of year, and you’ll definitely want to book your hotels well in advance.
Most arrivals by plane (myself included) come to The Bahamas through its capital, Nassau. Located on New Providence Island, it is serviced by Lynden Pindling International Airport (NAS), which is easily the largest airport in the country. I flew to Nassau from Miami in the United States, and it was a very quick (and scenic) flight – we would have only been in the air for about half an hour. The airport receives flights from a ton of major cities in the US, and there’s also direct connections from Toronto and London. I was surprised by the limited number of Caribbean flights to The Bahamas, though there were connections to a few countries such as Jamaica, Cuba and Trinidad and Tobago, as well as Panama in Latin America.
Most travellers from Western nations won’t need a visa when visiting The Bahamas, though as always you should check official requirements before travelling. You’ll need at least 6 months validity on your passport as with most nations.
The airport terminal is fairly easy to navigate and customs doesn’t take long to clear in my experience. Once you’ve got your bags, you’ll need to get a taxi or rent a car to get to your hotel or resort. The airport is in the western part of New Providence, and there’s no public transport connecting it to Nassau. Uber also hasn’t yet arrived in The Bahamas. A taxi will cost about $45 USD into Nassau (20 minutes) or $55 USD to Paradise Island (30 minutes). In the case of the latter, expect to pay a $1.00 toll (in cash) to cross the bridge.
While you can stay on the various groups of islands that make up The Bahamas, as a first time visitor, you want to stay near Nassau. There’s definitely more serene and isolated beaches and cays elsewhere in the country (we’ll see some, don’t worry), but Nassau is the tourist hub, offering the most things to do. On a first time visit, I feel like you have to stay at one of the Atlantis resorts on Paradise Island, connected to New Providence by causeway bridges. They’re massively touristy, but are packed to the brims with restaurants, pools, activities and more. You could spend your whole time in The Bahamas on Paradise Island, though I definitely don’t advocate it.
There’s no way to sugarcoat it. The Bahamas is an expensive country. In high season, you can expect to pay the following prices per night:
If you’re planning on staying at the Atlantis Resort complex, expect to pay a pretty penny. I actually stayed nearby at the Comfort Suites Paradise Island. This mid-range option is significantly cheaper than staying in the Atlantis towers. Breakfast is included with your stay and the rooms are spacious. Best of all though (and the reason I stayed here), you get complimentary access to all of the Atlantis Resort, including its Aquaventure Water Park.
The official currency of The Bahamas is the Bahamian Dollar ($BSD), though US Dollars are used interchangeably. You will find that you get a combination of both in your change, as the currencies are set at a 1:1 exchange rate. This makes travelling in The Bahamas extremely easy as you don’t need to worry about currency conversions. ATMs are readily available and credit cards are accepted in the major tourist areas of Nassau and Paradise Island, however if you’re travelling further to the Out Islands, you’ll want to have some cash available.
As a a former British colony, the official language of The Bahamas is English.
The Bahamas is an extremely safe destination for tourists. I didn’t feel uncomfortable at all. When leaving the resorts, you’ll want to use normal common sense when exploring Nassau, though with so many tourists around, you shouldn’t be worried while wandering around the main areas. As with anywhere in the world, some parts of Nassau can be dicey, and you’re advised to avoid the quieter areas of Nassau (south of Shirley Street) at night (though most crime tends to be directed at other locals).
Just exercise normal precautions and you’ll be fine, whether you’re spending 3 days in The Bahamas or more.
In this itinerary for 3 days in The Bahamas, you’re going to see multiple aspects of the country. Naturally, you’ll enjoy the facilities of the big resorts of Paradise Island. You’ll also get a sense of the nation’s culture and history by crossing over to Nassau. Then you’ll go further afield by discovering some of the more isolated cays in the country, getting a whole new perspective of life in The Bahamas (along with its natural beauty). Unless you’re doing more travel in the Caribbean region, chances are you’ll want to spend than 3 days in The Bahamas. That’s fine – the first day of this itinerary can easily be repeated as often as you like, particularly if you’re staying in Paradise Island!
If you’re staying in Paradise Island, you’re going to want to see everything this mega-resort island has to offer. Paradise Island is dominated by the Atlantis Resort, and while its everything but authentically Bahamian, you can’t deny that its home to a whole lot of fun. With dining options, beach activities, shopping, casinos and more, there’s tons to do. For your first of 3 days in The Bahamas, I’m not even going to try to make you leave this slice of commercial paradise.
If you’re staying at Atlantis (or the Comfort Suites), chances are breakfast will be included in your hotel package. Have a leisurely morning as you load up on food to sustain you for the action packed day ahead.
Once the park opens for the day, you’re off to Aquaventure. Chances are, you’ll be spending the better part of your first day in The Bahamas here. This massive water park is part of the Atlantis Resort complex, and is one of the reasons many tourists come to Paradise Island. Covering 141 acres, I can see why – its everything you would want a water park to be. Artificial Mayan temples and shrines are covered in water slides, with thrills aplenty.
The most intense slide is arguably the Leap of Faith – a free fall that shoots right through a shark aquarium! In addition to the slides, Aquaventure contains 11 swimming pools and lagoons to splash around in, and even a private beach to relax on. In my view though, the best part of the park is the Rapid River – spanning over a mile, its one of the longest types of these raft rides that I’ve been on. Definitely ride it from one end to other at least once during your stay.
If you’re staying at any of the resorts that make up Atlantis, admission to Aquaventure Water Park is free. You’ll be given a wristband on check in, so just wear it and you’ll be waved right through the entrance seamlessly. Normally the same applies to the Comfort Suites, though they were out of wrist bands when I checked in. In that case, all I had to do was show my room keycard (which is water proof). Considering a day pass to Aquaventure is extremely expensive, this is one of the main reasons I recommend staying at an Atlantis Resort for your 3 days in The Bahamas.
When you’ve had enough fun in the sun, its time to explore everything else that Atlantis has to offer. I’ll write about the resort in more detail in a future blog post (there’s too much to cover here), but there’s tons to do away from the water park. One of my favourite things about Atlantis was the way the resort weaves aquatic animal exhibits throughout the property. Wander around and you’ll come across pools containing turtles, stingrays, sawfish and so much more. It really is like an open air aquarium. Speaking of aquariums, The Dig is an actual aquarium (again free to resort guests) that you can spend a bit of time checking out fish, eels and so much more. While I’ve been to better aquariums, for what it is (a free walk-through diversion), The Dig definitely warrants a stop.
Another spot to spend time in Atlantis is the Marina Village. This artificial shopping and dining precinct (think a smaller scale Disney Springs on an island) is filled with places to eat. While its not the most authentic place in the world (we’ll have some real Bahamian food later), Frankie’s Gone Bananas is the Caribbean themed restaurant, and they do a great jerk chicken. There’s restaurants to suit all palates and budgets though – from take away pizza to fine dining.
Atlantis also brings the Vegas vibes with a massive casino inside the main resort complex (complete with surrounding retail outlets). I’m not a big gambler, so I didn’t spend much time here, but if its your thing, go for it. As the night wound down, I actually spent most of my time outside – the towers of Atlantis Resort are beautiful at night!
On your second of 3 days in The Bahamas, you’re leaving the splendour of the resort behind you as you experience a more authentic side of the country. After a lazy start and feed, you’ll need to make your way across the bridge back to New Providence. While you could get a taxi into Nassau, I actually enjoyed the walk – the bridge is well set up for pedestrians (and you don’t have to pay the toll if you’re walking either). Once you’re across, its a brief stroll west to get into the heart of the capital.
Your tour of Nassau begins at the iconic Queen’s Staircase. Quite literally a set of 66 steps, this stunning landmark was carved out of limestone by slaves in the late 16th century. Surrounded by palm trees and other foliage, the bottom of the staircase is a tranquil alcove off the busy streets of Nassau. The Queen’s Staircase’s significance goes back to the days of British colonisation. The staircase formed a direct passage to the fort above, and therefore provided an important route in the event of an attack.
The Queen’s Staircase is a 10 to 15 minute walk south from the heart of downtown Nassau. You won’t spend a huge amount of time there, but its an important landmark in Nassau. It also provides ready access to the next stop of your itinerary, the aforementioned fort. While admission to the Staircase is free, there’s a strong chance you’ll run into a local guide that will be willing to tell you about the history of The Bahamas and the Staircase. They’ll ask for a small tip afterwards, so keep that in mind.
At the top of the Queen’s Staircase, its a short walk to Fort Fincastle, which dates back to 1793. Built under Lord Dunmore to protect Nassau harbour from naval attack, the fort never saw combat, unlike many others throughout the Caribbean. Its the youngest of the three major forts standing in Nassau today (the others being Fort Montagu and Fort Charlotte), but sitting atop Bennet’s Hill, it offers sweeping views across the island.
The exhibition inside is nothing mind-blowing, but I still recommend paying the small admission fee to access the interior. There’s a number of displays that chronicle the fort’s history, along with a brief film inside. I found the most fascinating part of touring the fort to be the vents that let wind blow inside, cooling down the otherwise warm stone interior. Good thing too – I got caught at Fort Fincastle during a tropical downpour so spent a fair bit of time getting acquainted with the inside of the fort!
With the age of piracy playing such a key role in Bahamian history, it makes sense that there’s a museum dedicated to the swashbucklers that called Nassau their home centuries ago. What I didn’t expect is just how mind-blowing this museum’s displays would be. Its a really immersive experience from the moment you enter the first hall. You’re instantly transported to a recreation of a Nassau dock, with a pirate ship in port. Your path takes you aboard the ship, where you can see how pirates would have lived at sea. From there you step into a series of halls filled with dioramas and other displays that take you through pirate history. At one point, you’ll even be subject to a pirate ambush!
I was really impressed by the Pirates of Nassau museum. If you go through and read everything, it won’t eat up more than an hour of your time, but I walked away with far more knowledge about the likes of Blackbeard, Anne Bonney and Mary Read, just to name a few of the captains that once plundered the waters around Nassau. The museum is an easy walk from Fort Fincastle. Getting there will only take around 15 minutes, as the museum is in the heart of town.
You’ll probably be hungry by the time you’re done with the Pirates Museum, so grab lunch somewhere in town before spending the rest of the day exploring the rest of Nassau. As the capital of The Bahamas, there’s a few more museums and other attractions that you can check out in the area, depending on what you’re interested in. The National Art Gallery of The Bahamas ($10 BSD; closed Mondays) has an excellent collection of Bahamian art housed inside the historic Villa Doyle, just a few blocks further west. Another popular spot is the Ardastra Gardens, Zoo & Conservation Centre ($18 BSD), home to the largest population of West Indian pink flamingos in the world. The area is also filled with heritage buildings, such as Government House, notable for a statue of Christopher Columbus out front (though it had actually been desecrated at the time of my visit).
If you end up visiting all the places I’ve just listed, you’ll easily eat up your second of 3 days in The Bahamas, and that’s not even spending time checking out the various souvenir stalls and tourist shops along the main road. When you’re ready for dinner, go local. In The Bahamas, that means fish fry. While the most famous fish fry in Nassau is out at Arawak Cay, I didn’t get there during my stay. Instead, I stopped by a local restaurant called McKenzies Fish Fry in Potter’s Cay. Being just underneath the bridge to Paradise Island, it makes for a great option when winding up a day in Nassau. The fish and conch fritters are a must-try, and go down particularly well with the local Kalik beer. Watch the sunset over dinner as you wind down your second day in The Bahamas.
I’ve left the best part of your 3 days in The Bahamas for last. Today you’re headed to the fabled Out Islands, specifically the Exumas. The Exumas are a string of 365 islands stretching across tranquil blue waters. They’re a fair way out from Nassau, so that means an early start today. You’ll definitely want to pre-book your tour in advance and set that alarm for a day you won’t soon forget!
While there’s a number of operators that run Powerboat tours to the Exumas, if you can afford it, I highly recommend booking a tour with Staniel Air. Operating out of the Jet Aviation Airport (a short drive from the international airport), this company runs day trips out into the Exumas. You’ll fly in a very small plane (think around 10 people aboard with no aisle). I was picked up from my hotel at 7.20am and was in the air by 9.00am. The flight to Staniel Cay, a small village in the heart of the Exumas is only about 40 minutes (as opposed to the hours you’ll spend over rough seas getting out there by boat).
Upon arriving, we boarded a small boat and were whisked around the most famous sights in this isolated island chain. Most famous of all are the Swimming Pigs, but you’ll also see Iguanas, swim with sharks, and snorkel among colourful fish in the Thunderball Grotto. Your tour will also include a stop on a sandbar, a brief pass by a plane wreck, and a lunch break at the Staniel Cay Yacht Club. Its definitely an experience that I’ll write about in more detail in the future, as it was the most memorable experience I had during my stay in The Bahamas.
A trip to the Exumas by plane is expensive, but I can’t recommend it enough. If you can afford to splurge, this is an essential experience in this beautiful part of the world. Its the perfect cap on 3 days in The Bahamas!
I absolutely LOVED my time in The Bahamas. While its always hard to compare destinations, I think it may be my favourite place that I’ve been to in the Caribbean. There’s just so much to do, and this itinerary for 3 days in The Bahamas has only just hit the tip of the iceberg. With so many islands to explore, so many beaches to bask on, and so many resort activities to enjoy, the possibilities for a vacation in The Bahamas are endless. If you’re a first time visitor, now you have a plan. Have you got an upcoming trip to The Bahamas in the works? Already been? What are your favourite things to do in the country?
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Disney’s Hollywood Studios. It used to be such a simple park to tour when visiting Walt Disney World. Thats because for years it was the park that was undergoing renovations (EPCOT currently has that claim to fame). On my last visit to Walt Disney World, I was able to see just how much that had changed. Honestly, I think Hollywood Studios is now one of the most complete parks at Walt Disney World. By that I mean there is so much to do. If you’re a thrill seeker, its probably the Disney park you’ll want to spend most of your time at. It definitely now warrants a full day to explore. In this post, I’ll be providing my 1 day Hollywood Studios itinerary that I used on my latest trip to show you how I tackled it.
I visited Hollywood Studios on a July weekday, right in the middle of the Disney tourist season. Naturally, that meant heat and crowds. Despite this, I managed to do everything that I wanted at the park while following this Hollywood Studios itinerary. At Disney World, you just need to make good decisions in the early part of the day, and you’ll generally be able to have an enjoyable time.
As a resort guest, I was eligible for early entry to Hollywood Studios, meaning an extra half hour of ride time before day guests were admitted to the park. With the official park opening time scheduled for 8.30am on the day of my visit, early entry officially began at 8.00am. With that said, we were already moving into the park at 7.30am. This illustrates the key rule of Walt Disney World – get to the parks early! I was at the front entrance to Hollywood Studios at 7.00am (an hour before early entry time) and it paid off when touring the park according to my Hollywood Studios itinerary.
I’ve mentioned in a few of my Disney itinerary posts that this was the first time I had been to Walt Disney World since the implementation of the Genie+ system. As the successor to the old Fastpass+, I found it to be really handy when planning a Hollywood Studios itinerary. The only major attraction that currently doesn’t offer regular Lightning Lane bookings under Genie+ is Rise of the Resistance. You need to buy an Individual Lightning Lane for this attraction (I did) if you want to skip the line here. You can make that booking at 7.00am on the day of your park visit.
In addition to securing my 2.45pm Resistance booking, I booked a regular Lightning Lane for Slinky Dog at 4.00pm. I also had an advance reservation for Oga’s Cantina (made 30 days before my trip) around 12.30pm.
Arriving at the park entry via the Disney Skyliner with plenty of time to spare, I started my Hollywood Studios itinerary by rope dropping the park’s newest attraction. Located inside the replica of Hollywood’s Chinese Theatre, Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railroad is a popular ride for all ages. Being right at the park entry, it gets swamped with crowds throughout the day, so I felt it was a good choice to start with. I was one of the first people in line for it and got off just as the park officially was set to open for early entry guests. As I’ve said countless times, getting up early pays off at Disney!
Leaving that whacky railway behind, the next stop on my Hollywood Studios itinerary was Sunset Boulevard. With two of my favourite Disney attractions at the street’s far end, I was keen to ride them while most guests were still arriving. First on the agenda was Rock n Rollercoaster starring Aerosmith. I normally use the single rider line on this attraction, but its not needed this early. Naturally, I followed it up the Twilight Zone: Tower of Terror, my personal pick for best attraction at Disney World. By the time I finished there, it was regular park opening time.
As day guests started filing into the park, one of the classic Hollywood Studios attractions seemed less crowded than the rest. That made it an easy decision to head for Star Tours – the Adventure Continues. I’m glad this ride is still at Hollywood Studios. Its no doubt been overshadowed by Galaxy’s Edge, but for years, this was where you would come for your Star Wars hit at Disney World. Riding it again was a must on my Hollywood Studios itinerary.
And speaking of Galaxy’s Edge, that’s where I was headed next. It was just past 9.00am when I ventured into Black Spire Outpost on Batuu, and this was definitely where the majority of the crowds were at. Right from the start of the day, it was busy in Batuu. But at the same time, it was oh so amazing. Disney have done such an amazing job at creating an immersive world here. I fully intended to take it all in, but first, I had a spaceship to catch.
I had a major win when I got in the single rider line for Millennium Falcon: Smuggler’s Run. Its well documented that while you’ll save time using this line, you are virtually guaranteed to not be chosen as the Falcon’s pilot. Well, I wasn’t assigned that role either…BUT…another person in my group (for some reason!) didn’t want to fly the ship. I instantly piped up and offered to trade my measly engineer role, and the rest was (very bumpy) history.
My Hollywood Studios itinerary fell apart for a bit after the Falcon. I had planned to move into Toy Story Land and knock over some attractions there, but instead, I spent about an hour and a half wandering around Batuu’s shops and stalls. It really blew my mind.
By the time I left Galaxy’s Edge, it was about 10.30am. I made my way into Toy Story Land, though the lines had picked up here as well. Luckily I managed to secure a Lightning Lane for Toy Story Mania to use later in the day. I hadn’t been to this part of the park before either, so I spent a bit of time taking in the aesthetics, while also taking a ride on Alien’s Swirling Saucers. I also had an early lunch at Woody’s Lunch Box, which was actually quite tasty, albeit basic.
Up next, I moved on to Animation Courtyard and used this busy part of the day to check out some of Hollywood Studio’s mini-museums. I started out with Walt Disney Presents (I’d overlooked the memorabilia in the entry hall previously, but it really is comprehensive). Up next I went through Star Wars Launch Bay and came face to face with Darth Vader himself. After all that, I caught a screening of MuppetVision 3D on Grand Avenue.
My reservation at Oga’s Cantina was coming up as 12.30pm neared, so I made my way back to Galaxy’s Edge. As with everything on Batuu, I was really impressed by the attention to detail given in the re-creation of an authentic Star Wars cantina. When you book at Oga’s, you can stay for an hour, and can order 2 space themed cocktails. I enjoyed both the Fuzzy Tauntaun and Bespin Fizz (the latter of which comes out smoking!). The cantina also offers intergalactic snacks and other beverages.
I spent about 45 minutes at Oga’s. I then had a little more time to fill in before my reservation for Rise of the Resistance, so I hiked back down Sunset Boulevard and did Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy, seeing as there was practically no wait.
As 2.45pm approached, I was getting excited. It was time to finally experience Rise of the Resistance, the Star Wars headliner that has received rave reviews for being the best attraction Disney has put together to date. And let me just say, from the moment you step into the waiting area, it lives up. After being briefed on our mission by Rey and then being taken onto a Resistance transport, we were taken into First Order custody. Before we could escape however…the ride went down for maintenance. That’s right, I got to see the intimidating officers revert to regular cast members as we were told the ride was going down.
Not the ideal first experience of this epic attraction, but Disney looks after you when this stuff happens. We were all given a free Lightning Lane to use on the attraction at any point in the day when it went back online. However, there was no estimated time for when it would be back up and running. As it turned out, a performance of the Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Adventure was about to start as I exited, so I rushed over to catch that. I also used the downtime in line to book a Lightning Lane for another go on Smuggler’s Run later in the day (the single rider line is great, but I wanted to be a pilot again!).
With Rise still down, it was time to go back to Andy’s backyard. With my Lightning Lane window open, I got on Slinky Dog Dash. I enjoyed this one a lot more than I expected to. Its definitely a welcome addition to the park. I followed it up with another Lightning Lane attraction, as I was able to ride Toy Story Mania.
Having now done everything in Toy Story Land, I used my reservation on Smuggler’s Run back in Galaxy’s Edge. I also secured an additional reservation for the Tower of Terror later in the evening.
Getting off my second run on the Falcon, I noticed that Rise of Resistance had reopened. It was going on 6.00pm by the time I was back through the parts of the experience I had already seen. I was basically up to the ride portion. After boarding the First Order escape transport, I can safely say it had all been worth it. Everything, including the last drop back to Batuu makes for an extremely memorable adventure. I definitely see the hype around this attraction, and think its worthy of all the praise its attracted. Its not overblown in the slightest.
After getting off the ride, it was time for dinner. Already being in Galaxy’s Edge, I ate at Docking Bay 7 Food and Cargo. Its a good quality counter service option (which doesn’t require a reservation). Try the Batuuan Beef Stir Fry – its delicious!
With about 2 hours of park time left after dinner, I had done pretty much everything I wanted to do on my Hollywood Studios itinerary. While I had missed a few of the shows (Beauty & the Beast, Frozen, etc), I had seen them in the past, so wasn’t too worried. With there being no Fantasmic performances at the date of my visit, I ended the day by doing some of my favourite rides again. First off, I used the single rider line on Smuggler’s Run (sadly no pilot role this time), then used my final Lightning Lane at the Tower of Terror. From there, single rider on Rock and Rollercoaster was a short wait. I followed that up with one last ride on Tower of Terror from the standby line.
I really enjoyed my day at Hollywood Studios. Having seen just how much the park has grown over the past few years between visits to Disney World, I was very impressed. I feel like this park now offers the most exciting attraction line up in Walt Disney World. Hopefully this Hollywood Studios itinerary post has given you some ideas as to how best to experience them all and so much more.
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Start spreading the news. I’m leaving today. Gonna be a part of it, New York, New York. If you’re finding yourself humming the legendary tune of Frank Sinatra, chances are you’re planning to visit the Big Apple itself, New York City. I’ve been to New York a few times, and in my opinion it truly is one of the greatest cities of the world (if not the greatest!). In this post, I’m going to help you put together an itinerary to see New York in 4 days.
As the largest city in the United States and one of the largest in the world, there is something for everyone in New York. If you haven’t been, go. If you’ve been, go back. Its filled with amazing museums, sites of great historical significance, delicious food, an incredible theatre scene, and a whole lot more. You won’t do everything there is to do in New York in 4 days, you won’t even come close. With 4 days in New York however, you’ll be able to cross off most of the highlights.
Before deciding what to see in New York in 4 days, you’ll want to know when to go. Strangely enough, every time I’ve been to New York its been mid-spring. Its a decent time to visit the city as the temperature is just right and the weather is generally good. If you go too early in the season (think March) you might still get a bit of snow during your stay though, so bear that in mind.
The most popular time to visit is during the summer months, when you can expect temperatures to get up to 30 degrees Celsius. Prices also soar during this time of year and attractions can be packed. Christmas and New Year’s is also really popular, especially for those coming to ring in the New Year at Times Square. Bear in mind that New York is freezing during the winter months (think maximums around 5 degrees).
From personal experience and research, I’d say the best time to come to New York is during the late spring or early fall. Prices won’t be as expensive as they are during the peak summer months, and its still relatively comfortable.
You won’t have any problems getting to New York – the city is serviced by three major airports. The largest is John F Kennedy International Airport (JFK), located east of Queens. Its one of the busiest airports in the world, with flights coming and going from all corners of the globe. The fastest way to get into the city from JFK is using Uber or other Rideshare apps, but you can expect to pay a decent amount for the half hour ride. For the more price conscious, the Subway is a cheaper option, but you’ll need to change lines a few times depending where you’re headed. You can expect to take at least 1.5 hours to get into Midtown Manhattan by subway from JFK.
I’ve also flown into New York from Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR). Across the Hudson River in neighbouring New Jersey, its roughly the same distance from Midtown as JFK Airport, so check your options when comparing flights. EWR is a United Airlines hub and its super easy to get into the city from here. You can take the NJ Transit rail service from the Airport to Penn Station and then either take a connecting subway or walk to your hotel. All up it takes about 25 minutes to Penn Station, and there’s a train every 20 to 30 minutes.
Finally, you can fly into New York from LaGuardia Airport (LGA), which mainly receives domestic flights. I’ve never used this airport, but its only 20 minutes by car from the heart of Manhattan.
The north-east of the USA is also well connected by land. There’s numerous bus services and Amtrak trains that connect major cities in the area.
Remember to check international travel requirements. At the very least you’ll need a passport and either an ESTA or visa.
Despite being massive, New York is one of the easiest cities I’ve been to when it comes to navigation. The city is designed on a grid system so its easy to work out where you are at all times. Other than the island’s southern tip, all streets that go north to south are called Avenues, running from 1st to 11th, with First Avenue being closest to the East River. Perpendicular to the Avenues are the numbered streets, which starting with First Street in the south, go in ascending order heading north all the way to 228th street, well beyond Manhattan Island.
When you see addresses that refer to West and East versions of a certain street, this is relative to their position on the street to where it is intersected by Fifth Avenue. It might sound complicated, but when you’re there it becomes second nature. I found myself giving locals directions midway through my first stay!
Traffic in New York City SUCKS. Don’t try to drive anywhere. Its very much a walking city and you’ll get from place to place much quicker on foot. When you do need to further afield, you’ll be thankful for the Subway. It does a wonderful job at keeping the city connected with regular trains to all areas of the city. I highly recommend picking up an unlimited ride Metro Pass on your first day from your nearest subway station. For $33 USD, they’re good for 7 days and will get you anywhere you need.
I won’t sugarcoat it, New York is an expensive city. You’ll pay more here than in most parts of the US when it comes to accommodation. As a rough guide, you can expect to pay the following prices per night for a double room in high season:
As for where to stay? For a first time visitor, it has to be in Manhattan. Of New York’s five borough’s this is the one you’ll be spending the most time in, as it contains all the tourist spots you’ve come to see. While it will be more expensive than other parts of the city, I recommend staying somewhere in Midtown. Each time I’ve come to New York City, I’ve stayed somewhere between 42nd and 54th streets. There’s tons of hotels to choose from, but you should book well in advance for the best deals. As for specific recommendations, I’ve especially enjoyed my stays at the Hilton Times Square and the Crowne Plaza Times Square Manhattan – both were excellent.
The official currency of the United States of America is obviously the US Dollar (USD). ATMs are widespread and you’ll have no problem paying by credit card.
If you’re going to be doing a lot of attractions during your stay, I highly recommend picking up a multi-attraction pass such as the CityPass or Sightseeing Pass. While its a large amount to pay upfront, you’ll save money in the long run when it comes to admission fees. I’m normally a CityPass guy, but in New York, I think the Sightseeing Pass gives you more flexibility.
New York City is a pretty safe travel destination. Like any big city, you’ll want to keep your wits about you and watch out for pickpockets and the like, but exercise some common sense, watch out for traffic, and you’ll have a great time. While there’s definitely parts of the city to avoid (like any city), you won’t be going anywhere near them. I never felt uncomfortable at any time during my multiple trips to New York.
You could spend a month in New York and still have things to do. In this itinerary I’ll be taking you to some of the city’s most notable attractions. You’ll see all the places that jump into your mind when you think of NYC.
You’ll spend your first day in New York City seeing the sights of Lower Manhattan. Located in the southern most section of the city (way below where the grid kicks in) this part of the city is a must for first time travellers. On today’s itinerary, you’ll visit some of New York’s most iconic and inspirational landmarks, while also paying respects to some of the darkest days to ever fall on the city.
Assuming you’re staying in Midtown, getting to Lower Manhattan is really simple. If you get aboard the #1 Subway line heading Downtown, you can ride all the way through to South Ferry Station, which will get you right where you need to be to start today’s itinerary. The subway ride will take about 20 minutes. From there, pick up your (pre-booked) ferry ticket at the Castle Clinton ticket booth and try to get on the first boat of the day out to Liberty Island. You can book your ferry tickets with Statue Cruises on their official website.
The Statue of Liberty is arguably the most defining symbol of the United States, so it makes sense to start your New York experience here. Gifted to New York by the French (and designed by Gustav Eiffel of Eiffel Tower fame), Lady Liberty herself has been welcoming visitors to the USA since her unveiling in 1886. The Statue serves as a symbol of the American ideals of freedom and opportunity embodied by the famous poem of Emma Lazarus – “give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breath free…”.
While Liberty Island is fairly small, getting out to the Statue is essential. You would have seen the Statue countless times, but seeing it in person is a whole other experience. Your admission includes a free audio tour that takes you around the island’s perimeter and gives you some context into the construction and significance of the Statue. Once you’ve done that, head on inside. While the museum that used to be inside the pedestal has been removed in preparation of a better on-site museum (under constructed), you can pay extra to climb up to the Statue’s pedestal for great views.
While currently not available, when I’ve been to the Statue of Liberty I’ve gone up to the Crown observatory. Its a worthwhile experience you’ll definitely have to book in advance and be prepared to climb 146 narrow and steep stairs.
When you’re ready to leave the Statue of Liberty, get back on board the next boat headed towards Ellis Island (don’t take the one that goes to New Jersey!). While not as well known as the Statue, Ellis Island is an even more interesting experience. From 1892 to 1924, Ellis Island served as a processing station for over 12 million immigrants chasing the American Dream. In fact, its estimated that over 40% of Americans have at least one ancestor that was processed at Ellis Island.
The Immigration Museum here is excellent and deserves at least an hour of your time. Your admission again includes an audio tour which contains narrations from both historians and first hand immigrants, bringing the facility to life as you tour its multiple exhibits. The highlight is the excellent “Through America’s Gate” exhibition on the second floor. Here you’ll be taken through the step by step process that newly arrived migrants underwent upon landing at Ellis Island, hoping to embark on their new life in the United States.
When you’re finished with the Museum, head outside to the Ellis Island Wall and see if you can find the names of any distant relative migrants as you soak in the stunning views of the New York skyline across the water. You can also grab a bite to eat at the on-site cafe before returning by boat to Manhattan.
For the purpose of this itinerary, I’d try to be back in Manhattan by around 1pm.
When you get back to Manhattan, take a quick walk through the streets of Lower Manhattan (don’t miss Wall Street) before heading to the site of the World Trade Centre. About 15 minutes away from the Statue cruise terminal on foot, this is the site of the greatest tragedy to take place on American soil in the modern era. September 11, 2001 needs no introduction. It was day that saw almost 3,000 lives lost in the most devastating act of terrorism in our lifetime.
As you enter the Memorial site, you’ll see two giant reflective pools marking the former foundations of the Twin Towers that were destroyed in the terrorist attacks of 9/11. Around the rims of the poignant water cascades are the names of the many victims who died that day. Spend some time quietly reflecting before entering the Museum itself (with your pre-booked admission time).
The 9/11 Museum is one of the most tasteful and emotional museums I’ve ever visited. Housed underneath the site you’ll find a plethora of items recovered from the wreckage. If you don’t have time for a comprehensive tour, you should spend your time in the Historical Exhibit. This extremely detailed exhibition takes you through the events of the day of the attacks, minute by minute as they unfolded. Its emotionally draining, but it will give you an understanding of everything that happened on this horrible day, as well as its wider implications on the world we live in. Spend at least 2 hours here.
After spending a few hours in the 9/11 Museum, take a moment to stroll around the Memorial area until you’re ready to continue. Your final destination of the day is not far at all – its inside the new World Trade Centre just nearby. Officially opened in 2015, the One World Observatory is all the way up on the tower’s 100th and 101st floors. There’s many observation points in Manhattan skyscrapers (you’ll be doing more of them in this itinerary) but I think the One World Observatory is my favourite. Its also the tallest.
Once again, book your ticket in advance here to save time, especially late in the day when lots of people come to see the sunset. After scanning in, you’ll board an elevator and ascend to the Observatory in 47 seconds. Up top, the viewing area is excellent. You’ll have 360 degree views all across Manhattan and beyond. On a clear day, you can see all 5 boroughs of New York from this height. While its all enclosed, there are massive glass windows in all directions and the actual viewing area is huge. You can also buy food and drinks in the viewing observatory. Spend the rest of your evening up here and linger for the sunset while looking for all the landmarks in your surroundings.
Spend your second day in New York taking in the very heart of Manhattan. You’ll pass along many a street corner and recognise that you’ve seen it before in a TV show or movie scene. Just part of the wonder that is New York City. Most of today’s itinerary can be covered on foot, but if you’re needing a break from walking city blocks on the grid, the subway is your friend as always.
Grand Central Terminal is yet another hallmark New York location that you’ve seen a million times before going there. If you’re staying in Midtown, it will be a relatively short walk away from your hotel. The breathtaking terminal is a major train station, open to the public at any time of day. Of course, you’re coming to see the Main Concourse, complete with marble floors and vaulted ceilings. The ceiling was painted by Paul Cessar Helleu and depicts numerous constellations, supposedly from God’s perspective. While you’re taking it all in, don’t miss the Terminal’s famous clock, which contains the largest amount of Tiffany glass in the world!
You can take a guided audio tour of the Terminal, but with how busy your day is going to be, a quick stop is probably enough. While you’re in the area though, grab a breakfast bite from the adjoining Grand Central Market (which opens at 8.00am on weekdays). Also, pop into the lobby of the Chrysler Building, an iconic New York skyscraper, which is just a block away.
One of New York’s best art galleries is the Museum of Modern Art. Located in the heart of Midtown, this Museum fills up quickly with crowds, so you should try to get there around opening time. MoMA has a collection of more than 200,000 pieces of art, so those on display are shuffled around quite regularly. The permanent collection fills up four levels of the building and for the most part provides a chronological journey through modern art. Some of the finest works of Andy Warhol, Picasso, Monet and countless more are displayed at MoMA, though the undisputedly most recognised work is Van Gogh’s Starry Night (which is where the crowds tend to congregate).
I’ll be the first to admit that I don’t know much when it comes to art, but I enjoyed spending about two hours at MoMA. As is the case with many attractions in New York City, your admission includes a complimentary audio tour which you can use to listen to the story behind the pieces that you find most interesting. There’s also a sculpture garden to check out during your visit.
Grab some lunch around the Rockefeller Center after you leave MoMA, then you’ve got a decision to make for your next stop. New York is one of the most famous cities in the world, so it goes without saying that its home to some acclaimed entertainment venues. To fill in the afternoon, you’ll be touring one of them.
Everything is bigger in New York City, and Radio City Music Hall is the world’s largest indoor theatre. Radio City was launched by Samuel Lionel “Roxy” Rothafel on December 23, 1932. The extravaganza saw the first ever performance of the Rockette dancers that the venue has become famous for. The 5,901 seat theatre has since hosted countless performances over the years, including Broadway’s Tony Awards. On your 75 minute guided tour, you’ll see parts of the building such as the Main Auditorium, Roxy’s Suite, a Dance Studio and meet an actual Rockette.
When you think of arenas around the world, there’s none with more prestige than the hallowed halls of Madison Square Garden. As a professional wrestling fan, visiting MSG was a no-brainer to me when in New York, but whether its basketball, ice hockey, Billy Joel or others, Madison Square Garden is known as the World’s Most Famous Arena for a reason. Your 75 minute tour of the Garden will relive some of the arena’s most important moments, while also taking you everywhere imaginable, from the upper nosebleeds to the luxury suites, from the locker rooms to the penalty box.
You knew we’d get here eventually. Its packed, its filled with overpriced restaurants and is tourist trap central, but there’s no question that Times Square embodies everything about New York City. Its the towering skyscrapers, the lit up billboards, the constant flow of pedestrians and traffic – all of it. The best spot to take it all in is from the TKTS Ticket Booth Steps (though many will have the same idea!). Take your photos and soak in the atmosphere before heading a few blocks away to grab a cheaper dinner.
If you’re looking for something touristy to do near Times Square, there’s lots of options. While Ripley’s Believe it Or Not and the NFL Experience have both now closed (I’ve enjoyed them both previously), you could always head to Madame Tussauds on W 42nd Street, which is probably the best of its kind that I’ve visited.
One last tip in Times Square. You’ll probably be approached by people wanting to sell you their CDs. Just keep walking – its a scam designed to sell you a blank CD. You’ll also find numerous people dressed up as cartoon characters and the like. If you plan on taking a photo with one, be prepared to pay them and then be swarmed by others wanting you to do the same.
Of the many skyscrapers in New York City, the Empire State Building has to be the most famous. Its open late, making it a great place to cap off a day in the city with an epic view from above. With a whopping 102 floors, the world’s most photographed building stands at some 380 metres in height, though if you measure all the way to the tip of its antenna, its a 443 metres tall! Of the top 5 tallest buildings in New York, its definitely the oldest. Amazingly, construction was completed in 1931, only 13 months after work began.
Before reaching the top you’ll pass through a historical exhibition that chronicles the building’s history. While its interesting, the main event is the outdoor observation deck on the 86th floor. From up here you’ll catch a completely different view to that further downtown, viewing the city from the very heart of Midtown Manhattan. Don’t miss iconic structures like the unique Flatiron Building and gorgeous Chrysler Building while you’re up here.
If you want to go up higher, you’ll have to pay extra, but there’s an enclosed viewing area on the tower’s 102nd floor, from which you can see five neighbouring states on a clear day. Its the second highest viewpoint in New York, but I’d save the extra money and go to One World instead. Regardless of how far up you do go, the Empire State Building is a stunning finale to the day.
On your third day in New York, you’re heading north of Midtown. You’ll be spending some time in one of the word’s greatest public parks, visiting one of the best museums in the world, and coming back to dive into the New York theatre scene. And since its New York, you’ll be getting some more great photos from above. Which leads us right into…
You spent some time around the Rockefeller Center yesterday, but I didn’t want to send you up two towers on the same day. Besides, its on the way to your next destination. The Top of the Rock is an excellent observation deck on the top of the Rockefeller Center. While you might be skyscraper-ed out at this point, I really recommend heading up here. Its one of my favourite viewpoints in the city. You’ll be able to see north to Central Park, and perhaps most significantly, your photos of Midtown will actually include the Empire State Building in them!
The observation deck at the Top of the Rock is an open air terrace with two levels on the tower’s 70th floor. The views are some of the best in the city. I think I still prefer One World Observatory, but its a really close call between the two. Take all your photos and when you’re ready, continue on with the day’s adventure.
Head a few blocks north and you’ll arrive at the entrance to Central Park, one of the world’s greatest urban parks. Central Park is HUGE and you can spend hours wandering around on a nice day, people watching and taking it all in. At 340 hectares, spanning all the way from 59th to 110th Street, there is no way you’ll see the whole thing. Of all the times I’ve been, I’ve only ever made it halfway up (to be fair, most of the tourist spots are in the park’s southern half before the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Resevoir).
Some spots you should make sure you stop by are the Bethesda Fountain (one of New York’s largest – you know the one), Strawberry Fields (a touching tribute near the site of John Lennon’s murder) and Belvedere Castle (often closed off, but a dramatic lookout point if its open). There’s also an assortment of statues riddled throughout the park, including those of various literary icons along The Mall.
If you have time, you should visit the Central Park Zoo. Its quite small, but contains penguins, peacocks, sea lions and more. Admission to the zoo is $19.95 USD for adults and it will take up at least an hour of your time. While you’re in the park, grab some lunch – there’s plenty of vendors to be found.
Once you reach the Reservoir, head to the east of the park and you’ll be near New York’s finest museum. Referred to simply as The Met, the Metropolitan Museum of Art is a world class institution, founded back in 1870. The Museum holds one of the world’s largest and important collection of artefacts from all around the world, spanning from Ancient Egypt to the Pacific Islands and so much in between. If you try to tackle the Met without a plan, you’ll quickly become overwhelmed (and with over 800 galleries, probably lost as well!)
The collection is split over two levels. The first floor contains galleries dedicated to Ancient Egypt, Ancient Greek and Rome, Medieval Europe, Africa and Oceania. On the second level, you’ll find the Asian, European Renaissance and Middle Eastern collections. The American Wing spans both levels and includes the famous Washington Crossing the Delaware painting.
I think the best way to do the Met is to take a guided audio tour. Taking you through the museum’s highlights, you’ll see the very best that the Met has to offer. Expect to spend at least 2 hours doing this. Along the way you’ll see the Egyptian Temple of Dendur, The Damascus Room, a mini-Chinese garden and so much more.
One of the most quintessential New York experiences is seeing a show on Broadway. The Big Apple is the theatre capital of the world after all. After dinner, you should see a play at one of the city’s many theatres. If you’re wanting to see one of the top billed performances, you’ll need to secure your tickets months in advance (and likely pay a fair bit for your tickets as well). If you don’t mind what you’re actually going to see and are just there for the experience, you could try your luck at the TK Ticket Box in Times Square for last minute discounted tickets (it will be a much smaller off-Broadway show).
I love live theatre, so I always make sure to have a look at whats going to be on when I’m heading to New York. Some of my top recommendations are Hamilton, the Book of Mormon and the Lion King musical – all great shows that are each greatly different from each other!
Check show times, but most shows will start around 7.00pm. You’ll generally be out of the theatre by 10.00pm.
With one more day left in New York, its time to venture out of Manhattan into another of the city’s boroughs. You’ll spend the afternoon in Brooklyn today, but with so much still to do in Manhattan, you’ll be sticking around for the morning.
With so many incredible museums in New York City, I’m giving you another choice to start the day. I’ve been to both of these next two museums. I found them both to be really interesting, but I don’t think you’d have time to do both of them in one day (of course, the answer is to spend more time in New York!). Either attraction will easily keep you busy into the early afternoon.
Its often overlooked on lists of the best things to do in New York, but I found the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum to be really cool. After all, its housed on an actual aircraft carrier (that’s the USS Intrepid)! The freighter, which is docked on the Hudson River, survived kamikaze attacks and bombings during World War II, and today contains extremely interactive exhibits that highlight the role of the vessel in conflict. You can tour the freighter’s living quarters, flight deck (filled with fighter jets), and much more (with an audio tour included). There’s even a motion simulator (which costs extra) where you can experience the thrill of flying in a military jet!
In addition to the Intrepid itself, you’ll be able to tour the Growler Submarine docked nearby and also see the NASA Enterprise shuttle up close in a specially themed space exhibition. For an extra fee, you can also tour the Concord aircraft, which set the record (less than 3 hours!) for crossing the Atlantic in 1996.
For a more traditional museum experience, the American Museum of Natural History has you covered. Movie goers might even recognise it as the setting of the Night at the Museum film (there’s even a specific highlights tour for children that takes you to all the exhibits that featured in the movie). With four floors of exhibits, the Museum was founded in 1869 and contains over 34 million artefacts. You can see dinosaur skeletons, ancient civilisations, evolution and biodiversity halls and so much more. One of the highlights of the collection is a full size replica of a Blue Whale suspended from the ceiling of the Hall of Ocean Life!
As if all the various halls of the Museum weren’t enough, the adjoining Rose Center for Earth & Space is a planetarium filled with exhibits about space. As with the Met, the American Museum of Natural History can be overwhelming without a plan. I recommend taking a highlights tour and then focusing on the selection of halls that you are most interested in.
Your tour continue continues with another New York landmark – the Brooklyn Bridge. The bridge connects Lower Manhattan to Brooklyn, spanning over 1.8 kilometres in length across the East River. Get your walking shoes on, because you’ll be crossing that on the pedestrian boardwalk, which overlooks the six lanes of traffic below. You can take the subway to Brooklyn Bridge-City Hall station, from which the entrance to the boardwalk is readily accessible.
Known for its legendary stone arches, construction of the bridge was completed back in 1883 and at the time was the longest suspension bridge in the world. Designated as a National Historic Landmark in 1964, crossing the bridge is something of a right of passage to New York travellers. There’s numerous points where you can stop to take photos. The views of both the Manhattan and Brooklyn waterfronts from the Bridge are nothing short of breathtaking.
There’s so much to do in Brooklyn, but for a first time visitor with only 4 days in New York, you should spend time in DUMBO. That’s Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass by the way, and is the name of the district that you’ll enter into when you cross the Brooklyn Bridge into the borough. First things first, you’re going to want to take the photo. You know the one – standing in the middle of the street with the Manhattan Bridge behind you, framed between buildings on either side. If you lose the crowds that lead you there, you want to get onto Washington Street and follow it until the bridge is in sight. Watch out for traffic while you’re taking photos!
With your obligatory photo spot checked off, try some authentic Brooklyn Pizza. There’s so many restaurants to choose from, but I have a fondness for Grimaldi’s Pizzeria. Be prepared for a big feed though – they don’t serve by the slice!
After dinner, spend some time just wandering around the area. A great way to cap off a night in Brooklyn is to catch a basketball or hockey game at the Barclays Center. Its a decent distance away, so you’ll have to Uber it. There’s a bunch of great bars nearby as well, so get your pregame on and celebrate. Its been a busy trip, but you’ve just seen the best of New York in 4 days!
This post has only scratched the surface, but there’s only so much you can do in New York in 4 days. While you’ve had to make some choices along the way, I think its done a pretty good job in capturing the main places you need to see on a first time trip. If I’ve missed anything that you’d put on the list, let me know. There’s no place like New York – so I hope you can wake up in the city that doesn’t sleep very soon!
Ah Vancouver – the capital of British Columbia. Gateway to the Rocky Mountains, and the largest city in Canada’s west. The perfect mix of city and nature. Among its many accolades, Vancouver is regularly voted one of the world’s most liveable cities – and for …