A first-timer’s 4-day New York sweep
“Downtown, Midtown, and the parks in a sane order, with museum mornings and neighborhood dinners.”
The plan
Day by day- 9:00 AM115 minTop of The RockSouth New York City
Observatory on top of Rockefeller Center, with an ocean-liner style design, offering city views.
- 10:55 AM10 minTransit
- 11:05 AM180 minThe Museum of Modern ArtSouth New York City
Works from van Gogh to Warhol & beyond plus a sculpture garden, 2 cafes & The Modern restaurant.
- 2:05 PM10 minTransit
- 2:15 PM105 minThe ModernSouth New York City
French/New American fare in a modernist space with garden views at the Museum of Modern Art.
- 4:00 PM10 minTransit
- 4:10 PM115 minSt. Patrick's CathedralSouth New York City
Towering Neo-Gothic church from 1879 with twin spires & storied history opposite Rockefeller Center.
- 6:05 PM15 minTransit
- 6:20 PM115 minEmpire State BuildingSouth New York City
Iconic, art deco office tower from 1931 with exhibits & observatories on the 86th & 102nd floors.
- 8:15 PM90 minBoucherie West VillageSouth New York City
Two-floor bistro serving dry-aged steaks and other French fare, with a bar that's strong on absinthe.
- 9:00 AM170 minCentral ParkSouth New York City
Sprawling park with pedestrian paths & ballfields, plus a zoo, carousel, boat rentals & a reservoir.
- 11:50 AM15 minTransit
- 12:00 PM90 minLa Grande BoucherieSouth New York City
Polished French restaurant in an expansive art nouveau-style space with an elegant, heated atrium.
- 1:30 PM180 minAmerican Museum of Natural HistorySouth New York City
From dinosaurs to outer space & everything in between, this huge museum showcases natural wonders.
- 3:05 PM20 minTransit
- 4:30 PM115 minThe Metropolitan Museum of ArtSouth New York City
A grand setting for one of the world's greatest collections of art, from ancient to contemporary.
- 5:20 PM15 minTransit
- 6:25 PM115 minSolomon R. Guggenheim MuseumSouth New York City
Frank Lloyd Wright–designed modern art museum with an architecturally significant spiral rotunda.
- 8:20 PM90 minAu ChevalSouth New York City
Restaurant featuring leather booths and a zinc bar, serving creative American fare.
- 9:00 AM115 minOne World ObservatorySouth New York City
Observatory located on floors 100-102 of One World Trade Center, with exhibits & restaurants.
- 10:55 AM10 minTransit
- 11:05 AM180 min9/11 Memorial & MuseumSouth New York City
Plaza, pools & exhibits honoring victims of 1993 & 2001 WTC terrorist attacks. Free timed admission.
- 2:05 PM20 minTransit
- 2:25 PM120 minTime Out Market New YorkSouth New York City
Bi-level waterfront hangout showcasing a curated lineup of local food and drinks, plus cultural events.
- 4:25 PM20 minTransit
- 4:45 PM115 minStatue City Cruises Battery ParkSouth New York City
Tour operator offering New York Harbor ferry trips to Ellis Island & its museum & Statue of Liberty.
- 6:40 PM15 minTransit
- 6:55 PM115 minBrooklyn BridgeSouth New York City
Beloved, circa-1883 landmark connecting Manhattan & Brooklyn via a unique stone-&-steel design.
- 9:00 AM170 minThe High LineSouth New York City
Popular park 30 feet above street level on an old rail line, with river & city views.
- 11:50 AM15 minTransit
- 12:00 PM90 minThe SmithSouth New York City
The Smith
- 1:30 PM135 minChelsea MarketSouth New York City
Indoor marketplace renowned for its wide range of grocers (fish, produce, etc.), shops & eateries.
- 2:20 PM15 minTransit
- 3:45 PM115 minVesselSouth New York City
Vessel
- 4:30 PM25 minTransit
- 5:40 PM95 minHudson River Waterfront WalkwaySouth New York City
Long, paved riverside cycling & walking path offering dramatic views of the Manhattan skyline.
- 6:30 PM25 minTransit
- 7:15 PM120 minOscar WildeSouth New York City
Elaborately designed, Victorian-style bistro with a long marble bar for cocktails and American bites.
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