Many people overlook Ellis Island when planning a trip to New York. In a city with so many landmarks known across the world, the island is often forgotten, despite its immense historical significance. For over 30 years. Ellis Island was the entry point for more …
The Statue of Liberty speaks for itself. Its the most famous sculpture in the world and an iconic New York City landmark. Standing tall on Liberty Island, a short distance off Lower Manhattan, the Statue has welcomed new arrivals into New York’s harbour since 1886. …
Touring Radio City Music Hall was a last minute decision on one of my trips to New York. Looking for things to do in the city, I discovered you could take a tour of this iconic venue. Dating back to 1932, its the largest indoor theatre in the world and is instantly recognisable (the building itself being a New York Landmark). Over the years, its hosted performances from the likes of Aretha Franklin and Dolly Parton, and of course is the home of the Tony Awards. In a city known for live entertainment, Radio City is an institution. Located in the middle of Manhattan (its part of the Rockefeller Center), its also right in the heart of everything. I wouldn’t say visiting Radio City Music Hall is essential to your New York experience, but its a great way to spend an hour and a half.
Picture the the very height of the Great Depression. With a $91 million lease and a crashed stock market, John Rockefeller pushed ahead with his vision of designing the massive Rockefeller Center. Radio City was the first building of the Center to be completed and it was launched into being by the vaudeville producer Samuel Lionel “Roxy” Rothfel in December 1932. Roxy’s opening performance included a curtain symphony and the first performance of the now legendary Rockettes (then called the Roxyettes).
The venue subsequently hosted premiers of early film classics (including the original King Kong). It quickly became the landmark site of New York entertainment through the 1940s. However, the theatre began to run at a loss thanks to increased rent and lower sales. In 1978, the venue closed its doors. Radio City’s fate however, was not sealed.
A campaign was launched by the ballet company captain Rosemary Novellino to save the iconic venue from demolition, leading to protests, and even the New York switchboards being jammed due to the number of calls made on behalf of the preservation campaign. Ultimately, the New York Landmarks Preservation Commission granted Radio City landmark status, leading to a $5 million restoration.
Today, Radio City is managed by the MSG Entertainment Company and sees all kinds of performers taking its stage – musicians, actors, comedians and more. Over 300 million guests have seen a show at the theatre that attracts artists from all over the world.
Taking a “Stage Door Tour” of Radio City Music Hall is the best way to appreciate the significance and history of the venue. While theoretically you could just rock up on the day and hope for the best, I really recommend booking your tour online as they do sell out. You can do this at the official website and I’d aim to do it a few weeks in advance to ensure you get the time that suits your schedule. Note that online payments are handled through Ticketmaster and there’s a $9.00 USD processing fee on the base ticket price. The Stage Door Tour is also a participating attraction for the New York Sightseeing Pass, which can save you money in the long run.
Regardless of how you get your ticket, make sure you’re at the front entrance 15 minutes before your tour time. You should also be aware that the only bathroom stop is about halfway through the tour.
Of course, another way to visit Radio City is to actually see a performance here. Check the official website for listings of whats on when you’re headed to New York.
Your tour of Radio City Music Hall will begin in its grand foyer. As you meet your tour guide and fellow visitors (my group had about 20 to 25 people), you’ll notice the stunning 60 foot tall Fountain of Youth mural by Ezra Winter over the main staircase. I’m sure the order of locations you’ll visit changes based on the routes taken throughout the building by other groups, but from there we entered the massive auditorium. Seating 5,901 people in any given session, there’s not a bad seat in the house. Over the course of the tour we got to sit on the main level, the upper mezzanine and even the highly exclusive Roxy VIP suite, all while learning fun facts from our guide.
Sadly we weren’t able to get on the Great Stage, as they were setting up for an event later in the day. If you’re super lucky, you’ll get to stand on the stage and look out into the main atrium. What I did find fascinating however were the various elevators and hydraulics beneath the stage. You’ll go right underneath and see the high-tech system of yellow and blue pipes used to move props and other objects above during a performance.
After checking out the fine sculptures and murals throughout the venue’s concourse, our tour concluded with a look into the most famous performers that take the stage in Radio City – the Rockettes. We visited a rehearsal hall and learnt about the strict requirements and standards expected of the troupe and also saw a ton of their costumes in a prop storage area. The tour culminates with a short film on the Rockettes before a brief Q&A with an actual Rockette. You can get your photo taken with the Rockette as well, but it costs extra.
If you choose to visit Radio City Music Hall when you visit New York, I think you’ll find it to be an interesting experience. Maybe its because I’m not from the US, but I didn’t realise how significant the Rockettes were before taking the tour. While taking the Stage Door Tour was a decision made on a whim, I learnt a lot about the building and now understand a bit more as to why Radio City is a venue of such importance to performers around the world.
The Museum of Modern Art (known simply as MoMA) is one of the best art museums in New York City. Considering the standard of galleries in New York, that’s quite the accomplishment. Naturally a visit to MoMA is essential for any art enthusiast heading to …
The Empire State Building is the crowning jewel in the world’s most recognisable skyline. Its also the most photographed building in the world, and has appeared on screens globally. From its first major film appearance in the original King Kong, and so many more since, …
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!