One Week in New York City - 7 Day NYC Itinerary for First Time Visitors (2024)

One week in New York gives you enough time to see all the popular attractions, visit historic sites, and really start getting to know the city. We put together an example of a popular 7 Days in New York City itinerary to give you a little inspiration to start planning your own. Of course, this is just one of the many itineraries you could create with the over 90 included attractions to choose from. The possibilities are endless!

This sample 7 Days in NYC itinerary includes:

  • Big Bus New York Hop-on Hop-off Tour
  • Top of the Rock
  • Carnegie Hall Tour
  • Empire State Building Observation Deck
  • American Museum of Natural History
  • and more...

DAY 1 Big Bus New York Hop-on Hop-off Tour

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Head downtown on the Big Bus Hop-On Hop-On Tour and view New York’s greatest sights from a double-decker tour bus. The downtown tour will make stops at Bryant Park, the Empire State Building, Union Square, and the Statue of Liberty.

Tip: Your New York Pass is valid for a 1-Day Big Bus Ticket.

Getting in:Big Bus Hop-On Hop-Off Tour ticketsare included on The New York Pass.

Shearwater Classic Schooner Cruise Tickets

Hop on board a historic yacht and cruise in vintage style around Manhattan’s tip–one of the most popular things to do in New York City for adults and couples. You’ll love the views of the iconic New York skyline, but the trip’s highlight has to be the waterfront, up-close-and-personal perspective of the Statue of Liberty. The Shearwater Classic Schooner has been plying the waters off Manhattan since 1929, and for good reason, too.

Getting in:Shearwater Classic Schooner Cruiseis separately ticketed.

The Skyscraper Museum

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New York is known for its unique and beautiful architecture, specifically the iconic skyscrapers that are synonymous with the city. At the Skyscraper Museum, you’ll get to see and learn about all of your favorite NYC architectural gems like the Chrysler Building, Empire State Building, and many more.

Getting in:The Skyscraper Museum ticketsare included with The New York Pass.

DAY 2 On Location Tours - Central Park TV & Movie Sites Walking Tour

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Get your day started with a morning tour of Central Park. But not just any regular tour in the park - On Location Tours provides a unique journey that will show you famous areas in Central Park that have appeared on the big screen and well-known television shows.

Getting in:are included with The New York Pass.

The Paley Center for Media

Immerse yourself in brand-new technology and discover tomorrow’s forms of media when you visit the Paley Center for Media, located in Midtown.

Tip: When you visit on Thursdays, you can enjoy two extra hours to explore the center.

Getting in:The Paley Center for Media ticketsare included with The New York Pass.

Madame Tussauds New York

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How would you like to meet Rihanna today? Or perhaps Lady Gaga? When you visit New York City’s beloved wax museum, Madame Tussauds, you will have the chance to see all of your favorite celebrities. The museum showcases wax figures of pop culture icons like movie stars, musicians, athletes, and politicians.

Getting in:Madame Tussauds New York ticketsare included with The New York Pass.

Top of the Rock

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Enjoy an amazing panoramic view of New York City from the top of Rockefeller Center. Three observatory floors at the Top of the Rock allow you to see as far as Central Park and well into downtown Manhattan.

Tip:this is a great location for photos during the day or night as Top of the Rock is open until Midnight.

Getting In:Top of the Rock ticketsare included with the New York Pass.

DAY 3 The Ride

Explore NYC in style on this 75-minute exhilarating tour bus ride. You’ll be on the edge of your seat for the entire trip with a beautiful full view of the greatest landmarks in the city and exciting special performances along the way.

Getting in:The Ride ticketsare included with The New York Pass.

Food on Foot Tours

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Become familiar with the native tastes of New York City when you take the Food on Foot Tours. You have the choice of what neighborhood and the type of food you want your tour to be catered to with Food on Foot’s wide selection of NYC tours. You’ll get to know the best restaurants in the city and all of the mouth-watering dishes within each neighborhood.

Getting in:Food on Foot Tour ticketsare included with The New York Pass.

Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum

End the day viewing futuristic technology and innovative exhibits on display at the Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum. You’ll see over 210,000 objects in the museum's collection related to creative design.

Getting in:Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum ticketsare included with The New York Pass.

DAY 4 Brooklyn Bridge bike tour

Nothing beats cruising New York City on two wheels at your own pace. Treat yourself to a comfortable and convenient bicycle rental or join a group tour on which you can venture across Brooklyn Bridge and enjoy cityscape views of both Manhattan and Brooklyn.

Getting in:Brooklyn Bridge Bike Rental by Unlimited Bikingis included with The New York Pass.

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Carnegie Hall

Learn about a historic New York City performance venue when you take the Carnegie Hall Tour. This guided tour will take you to the concert halls that once hosted shows for The Beatles, Led Zeppelin, and more. You'll also get a chance to see Carnegie Hall’s high profile memorabilia with artifacts from some of your favorite performers.

Getting in:Carnegie Hall Touris separately ticketed.

DAY 5 Little Italy Walking Tour

On this tour, see the streets where legendary Italian-American director Martin Scorsese grew up and other locations immortalized on film and television shows, including The Godfather.Your expert guide will walk you through Little Italy's storied streets and regale you with tales and anecdotes of the neighborhood’s often troubled history.

Getting in:Official Little Italy Walking Tourticketsare included with The New York Pass.

Grand Central Terminal Audio Tour

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In the afternoon, take a self-guided audio tour in Grand Central Terminal and learn the history behind one of the world’sbusiest transportation stations. Look up and you can marvel at the beautiful design of Grand Central’s astronomical ceiling.

Getting in:Grand Central Terminal is free to enter and the audio tour is separately ticketed

Empire State Building observation deck

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Visiting the Empire State Building is a perfect way to end the night and get views in every direction from the observation deck.

Tip:the Empire State Building is open late, with final admission at midnight, you’ll be able to enjoy the sights of New York until two in the morning.

Getting In:Empire State Building ticketsare included with the New York Pass.

DAY 6 Graffiti & Street Art Walking Tour in NYC

Walk some of the most decorated blocks in New York City as you admire the vibrant street art created by local artists. The Graffiti & Street Art Walking Tour takes you to both Bushwick and Williamsburg in Brooklyn where you are sure to see some amazing visual creations.

Getting in:are included with The New York Pass.

International Center of Photography Museum

You’ll find tons of intriguing photos on display at the International Center of Photography. The installations showcase photography techniques as well as the development of cameras and photography equipment.

Getting in:International Center of Photography Museum ticketsare included with The New York Pass.

Museum at Eldridge Street

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Make your way downtown and discover the beautiful interior design of the Museum at Eldridge Street. While exploring the museum, you’ll learn about its long history and significance to the Lower East Side of Manhattan.

Getting in:Museum at Eldridge St. ticketsare included with The New York Pass.

Dave & Busters Times Square

After a long day of traveling to popular attractions in the city, there’s nothing better than unwinding and letting loose. There are games and activities for everyone in the family as well as mouth-watering dishes and sports broadcasts - check for the latest promotions onsite.

DAY 7 American Museum of Natural History

Explore the many fascinating halls of the American Museum of Natural History, where you can find exhibits on the development of species over time including mammals, insects, and dinosaurs. You’ll be sure to find something new and exciting in each hall of the museum and be bursting with fun facts by the time you're through.

Getting in:American Museum of Natural History ticketsare included with The New York Pass.

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Head toward Midtown on the New York Water Taxi which makes scheduled stops along the waterfront and gives you the option to decide where you want to get off. You can also use your ticket to hop back on another NY Water Taxi and cruise to your next destination. A great way to stay cool on a sunny day and take in the epic skyline views as you travel.

New York Water Taxi is ticketed separately.

High Line – Chelsea – Meatpacking Tour

Walk along the path of perhaps the most unique park in New York City, the High Line. You’ll enjoy peering down at the city from the elevated park walkway and discover the many gems of the Meatpacking District.

Getting in:High Line-Chelsea-Meatpacking Tour ticketsare included with The New York Pass.

Experience everything New York City has to offer with The New York Pass®

Planning your New York trip? With The New York Pass®, you can explore big-name landmarks, local hotspots, and epic tours, all on one pass, all for one price. Not only that, but you'll enjoy savings of up to 50%, compared to buying individual attraction tickets.

✈️ Buy The New York Pass® ✈️

One Week in New York City - 7 Day NYC Itinerary for First Time Visitors (2024)
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