New York Guide

New York Guide

The Itinerary Gal
How to spend your time in the big apple 🍎 New York city is a place that is on everyone's bucketlist. This guide will show you the best places to stay, eat and the best things to do.
Updated ago
Save
Share

Arrive at JFK airport

If you are arriving from the UK then you will need a esta.

Where to stay in New York

First time visitors to New York will usually want to stay in Midtown Manhattan. However, the hustle and bustle of Times Square can be too much for some people, so if you do want to stay in Midtown but prefer to be away from the noise, make sure to choose a hotel a few blocks away from Times Square.

Uptown Manhattan has a more relaxed upmarket feel and is very close to Central Park, so if you want a break from the skyscrapers and noise of the city, this is a good area to choose.Downtown Manhattan usually offers the best value hotels in New York. It is the home of Wall Street and are close to the trendy neighbourhoods of Soho, Greenwich and Hudson Yards, as well as having easy access to the Statue of Liberty and Brooklyn. Downtown areas in some cities don’t have the best reputation, but Downtown Manhattan is a great place to stay.

Where to stay in New York

Moxy NYC Times Square
@theitinerarygal
Add to
Details

Hotel Edison
@theitinerarygal
Add to
Details

The best things to do in New York

If you wish to do a lot of activities you can find out if it will work out cheaper to get a pass.

Central Park
@theitinerarygal
Add to
Details

Times Square
@theitinerarygal
Add to
Details

9/11 Memorial & Museum
@theitinerarygal
Add to
Details
Top of The Rock
@theitinerarygal
Add to
Details

Statue of Liberty
@theitinerarygal
If it’s your first time in New York, the Statue of Liberty is a must see. You can visit just the Statue of Liberty or you can visit the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island together as a round trip excursion from Manhattan.
Add to
Details

One World Trade Center
@theitinerarygal
Add to
Details

One World Observatory
@theitinerarygal
Add to
Details
Rockefeller Center
@theitinerarygal
Add to
Details
Brooklyn Bridge
@theitinerarygal
Since Brooklyn is so large, it’s impossible to visit all of it in just one day. With just one day you can visit the neighborhood of Williamsburg and the areas along the East River. Think of today as a mini food tour combined with some of the best views of Manhattan and the Brooklyn Bridge.
Add to
Details
The High Line
@theitinerarygal
Mid-afternoon, walk the High Line to Hudson Yards. This is a public park and elevated walking path that was built on a historic freight line.
Add to
Details

Grand Central Terminal
@theitinerarygal
Add to
Details

Broadway Theatre
@theitinerarygal
Add to
Details
Barclays Center
@theitinerarygal
Watch a game here
Add to
Details
The FRIENDS™ Experience: The One in New York City
@theitinerarygal
Add to
Details
City Climb
@theitinerarygal
215 us dollars including pics
Add to
Details

Helicopter ride nyc
@theitinerarygal
Open helicopter ride over the city not to be missed will need to be pre booked
Add to
Details
Mercer Labs
@theitinerarygal
Toward the end of the walkthrough is what can only be described as a cave of beautiful pink flowers; it's super Instagrammable.
Add to
Details

Add to
Details

Roosevelt Island Tramway
@theitinerarygal
Add to
Details

Catacombs by Candlelight
@theitinerarygal
Add to
Details

Xanadu Roller Arts
@theitinerarygal
Add to
Details

Governors Island
@theitinerarygal
Take a day trip
Add to
Details

Harry Potter New York
@theitinerarygal
Add to
Details

SUMMIT One Vanderbilt
@theitinerarygal
One Vanderbilt is the fourth tallest building in Manhattan. On the top three levels of One Vanderbilt is SUMMIT, New York City’s newest observation deck. The views are spectacular but SUMMIT One Vanderbilt takes the experience to a whole different level. On these three floors is a state-of-the-art, fully immersive experience with art installations, mirrored rooms, glass sky boxes, and a glass elevator.
Add to
Details
Empire State Building
@theitinerarygal
Start the day with a trip up the Empire State Building. Completed in 1931, this was the tallest building in the world for 40 years until the North Tower of the World Trade Center was completed in 1970. The Empire State Building has been featured in over 250 TV shows and movies and is listed as one of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World.
Add to
Details

Madison Square Garden
@theitinerarygal
Add to
Details

Niagara Falls
@theitinerarygal
You can take a 9 hours train to visit or a flight but will need to be pre booked
Add to
Details

Where to eat 

Little Grenjai
@theitinerarygal
Smash burger
Add to
Details

L'Industrie Pizzeria
@theitinerarygal
Add to
Details

Taqueria Ramirez
@theitinerarygal
Add to
Details
Una Pizza Napoletana
@theitinerarygal
Add to
Details

Masalawala & Sons
@theitinerarygal
Add to
Details

Potluck Club
@theitinerarygal
Add to
Details
Le Rock
@theitinerarygal
Fancy dining
Add to
Details

Brooklyn High Low
@theitinerarygal
Over 20 teas available in a vintage style tea room
Add to
Details

Add to
Details

* * *
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
The Itinerary Gal
Hi I'm Emma from the UK and I have been fortunate enough to have been traveling since my 20s in the UK and abroad. I started Thr Itinerary Gal because I wanted to turn my passion of travelling into a business so I became an Independent travel advisor. I also have a love for fitness and the outdoors. I have spent so much time planning my adventures that I wanted to take the stress and hassle out of planning the perfect escape for others. I offer 1:1 calls and custom itineraries for all tastes and budgets. I also accept requests for package holidays/cheap flight deals/ UK staycations/ Spa and theatre breaks/ cruises and Disneyland packages and I will source the best deals and tell you where to book them. Don't worry if you have a fur baby, I often take my ginger Pomeranian Todd on my adventure's too so I can recommend some great dog friendly places. I regularly check all the best package deals from the UK so reach out if you want some recommendations on where is cheap and trending right now, as we all love a great deal right? I hope my guides will inspire you to get out more and explore the world 🌎no matter what your budget or location. I have created guides on my personal experiences and on places that I know you will enjoy exploring. Hopefully as much as I have. I only recommend places to stay based on personal experience. Looking for some inspiration? Feel free to check out my socials or browse my travel shop💗
Send A Tip
Support The Itinerary Gal’s work.
Select your tip amount
$5
$10
$20
$50
Or type in other amount
Explore related destinations
Powered by Thatch
The home for unique & authentic travel
Powered by Thatch: Where great trips are made.
© The Itinerary Gal 2025 Help Privacy Terms Copyright Become a Seller Seller Academy About Careers Blog Explore Places