I’ve broken it down to attractions, food and bars and place near each other.
Get a weekly metro card for $33, even if you are going for a shorter time I would highly recommend one as NYC is massive and everything is quite far apart. The only problem with the underground is, it only goes it straight lines. We only encountered one issue on it but apart from that it’s the same as getting the tube.
Time square – I would go (walk through) on a an evening as there are a few entertainers but don’t get sucked in to getting photos or anything as if you do you will get harassed! Macys is just down from times square and is worth going into, apparently they clap you into store when it opens.
We walked ½ way over Brooklyn bridge from Manhattan side and got our photo, however I know on the Brooklyn bridge side there is a street called Washington street and you can get a photo with the whole of Brooklyn bridge in it. We did spend a day in Brooklyn and went to Grimaldis for pizza, next door there is Juliana’s – both were recommended to us and we went to Grimaldis – it was nice and I thought reasonably priced as the pizzas are big, I it think that was around $35 for both of us.
Central park – was great, we just walked around it but it was massive so didn’t get to see it all, I did want to do a tour on the peddle car things but didn't have time but - If you look at Frankie’s legs on Facebook this is who we was going to use after recommendations from the Facebook group NYC the place to be. Do go and have drinks at LOBO in the park and watch the row boats. If the sun is out get a picnic and just people watch – you see lots of nannys and kids
Trump Towers – I thought was great for happy hour – its really just a bar and a Starbucks and a restaurant.
Tiffany’s – a must whist in nyc – all are really friendly – I think we managed to get about 3 glasses of champagne –Tiffany’s and trump towers are next door to each other
Rockefeller building – we didn’t go up it to see the empire state instead we went to the bar I think it is called rainbow room? You still get a view of the empire state building but without getting cold and a glass of wine in hand!
Flatiron building – you cant really go inside but good to look at, and just up from it is a small dog park – we got side-tracked and looked at all the dogs. Just opposite it is Eatlily – Italian supermarket / like 6 restaurants – sadly we didn’t have time to eat in there but is on my list for next time
Empire State Building – didn’t go up it but you can see it everywhere!
5th Ave – its long! Has every shop you can think of
St Patrick’s cathedral – didn’t have time
Ghost busters building – must get a photo from out it – its smaller than I thought it would be
Friends apartment – sadly we didn’t have time
Grand central station – must do - the whispering corners, it also has a large food court and market, look up at the ceiling when you enter.
United nations building – we walked over to it but there isn’t much to do in that area
Walk the High line down to Chelsea market but don’t forget to stop and take in all the art work, once at Chelsea market I would recommend going to Los Tacos No 1 – they are like $3 a taco and really nice – there is so much food choice you will be spoilt! Go hungry
Financial district
The 9/11 memorial is outside the 9/11 museum – download the 9/11 museum app and take headphones with you – it saves you from building the audio there and you will need it. After there is a pub down the road called O’Haras – go in for a drink afterwards its has lots of police, fire and army badgfes as that’s where they all went after 9/11
The oculus mall is opposite the 9/11 newly build and the design is good and it is huge!
One world observatory is also opposite – we didn’t go up it though
There is a another museum called - 9/11 tribute which is run by family members and survivors but we didn’t do it as DH thought we’d had enough for one day.
Century 21 – like TKmaxx but better – all designer brands and you can get Levis for like £21 so a must go
Wall street – great to walk down
If you have time catch the Staten island ferry which is free, sadly we didn’t have time but apparently the views of NYC are good.
The charging bull figure is also in the financial district – the ques for a photo were massive but be prepared to que jump – as no one ques proberly!
Trinity church is in this areas as well
The dead rabbit bar is lovely – I think its one of the top 20 bars in the world – we managed to get a seat at the bar and stopped for about 3 hours! Around the corner is stone street – lots of restaurants to choose from
Other must does are China town and little Italy – they both kind of merge into one but Mulberry street is there and has lots of mural art work on buildings
The Hudson yard has just opened, we went up it as its free but you need to get tickets first. – the higline also goes past here
Sephora stores are everywhere and the face masks are good value but its more expensive than I thought it was going to be, but if you do buy something sign up to be a member and then you get a free gift – I got some drunk elephant skin care .
The area that was reasonable prices for food we found was Hells kitchen – not far from times square – there a dive bar called Ruddys bar – it has a giant pig outside and its like $3 a beer and you get a free hotdog!
Refinery rooftop bar and spyglass rooftop bar are on the same street and offer great views of the empire state building – and were not overly expensive. A friend recommend 230 rooftop bar but the door guy was so rude we we didn’t bother going there.
Apparently in the summer pier 17 has lots going on with bars and food and entertainment
Look out for happy hour everywhere normally 4-7pm and sit at the bar as its cheaper.
We didn’t go an see a show, tickets are expensive but you can que for ‘rush tickets’ and/or do a lotto for them.
We were out of the hotel from 8-10pm each day and on the last day ordered a pizza to be delivered!
Hope this is of some help