My NYC itinerary... HELP and if you're an expert now's the time to show off...

[NewYorkFirstTimer]

Looking at maps. I'll try and do block days where I'm kind of in the same area each day. Going for one week next February (I hate hot weather). I'll get a 4 day pass to do the attractions, the other days I'll just be wandering around. Little Italy, shopping and eating, drinking. I've already posted a few things but if anyone can please tell me if I'm thinking on the right lines location wise I'd really appreciate it!

Day 1 (hotel is Wall Street)
9/11 memorial
Statue of liberty ferry cruise

Day 2
Empire State Building
Museum of sex (intrigued)
Madame Tussauds

Day 3
Air and space museum
Museum of natural history

Day 4
St Patrick's Cathedral tour followed by catacombs by candlelight tour underneath
Artechouse (to the left of the island so I know this is further... it's just last on the list)

Thoughts?! I'm excited... but going alone so very nervous!!

It sounds fab. We look forward to seeing you.😊

Why thank you X

The only thing I wouldn’t do is the HOHO bus. You’re basically stuck in traffic. If you’re hungover and can’t be bothered walking, you can see the city though!

When walking, remember to look up at the buildings, not just what’s in front of you.

Sounds like you’ve got plenty of time to see lots of the city.

Katz Deli was a massive hit for us and the Tenement Building museum which is close was so interesting.

We liked the Met and the roof terrace with views over Central Park Just did the Temple of Dendur and the Egyptian bit. Liked the way they set things out. Less overwhelming but I'd just choose 1 area. The Statue of Liberty Museum on Liberty island was good.

Zabars Deli is wonderful to look round and grab a picnic from . Think that was near Central Park.

You can watch the lights come on from Top of the Rock. We watched it turn from dusk to night. Think it’s called Golden Hour.

Quite liked Washington Square Park in Greenwich Village and there is a good Joe’s Pizza there. Definitely don’t miss the High Line.

If you like books The Strand bookshop is good. Do try to fit in a trip to Trader Joe’s.

I’ve dreams of doing what you’re doing with MOMA top of my list. Did a week last time and barely scratched the surface. Would love to take a train out of Grand Central after breakfast in Pershing Square diner.

Enjoy! It’s such an amazing city.

You must be psychic! Since the post I've finally downloaded a decent app that does absolutely all of the subway planning for me so I'm far more confident getting my way around now. The bus was only because of my fear of that. So my itinerary is still a WIP :-)

Ooooo I might replace HOHO with Bronx Zoo! Also definitely interested in a lovely bookstore somewhere 📚

I can’t believe no one has mentioned the Roosevelt Island tram (more of a big cable car). Roosevelt Island is one of my favourite places in NYC, a little haven of peace when the city gets a bit mad. (More so in the summer I must admit)

I found the hop on hop off bus excellent for seeing the beautiful upper parts of buildings, architecture you don’t get to see from the pavement.

The 9/11 museum - halfway round I found myself thinking ‘what am I doing here?’ It was too much for me, just brought back all that horror and dread of the actual event. I think it’s maybe a good resource for people who were younger/not born at the time it happened.

Massively touristy but I loved Bubba Gump in Times Square and Ellen’s Stardust Diner. If you like pizza then Di Fara Pizza in Brooklyn is worth a go.

And for any city trips I always have a look on the Atlas Obscura website, sometimes you find some real hidden gems on it.

Have an amazing time OP, I’m so jealous, New York is my absolute favourite place in the world. 🗽

Just YouTubed this... sorry mate I am absolutely petrified of cable cars!

Ah that’s a shame, I think you can get to Roosevelt Island via other means, but the tram ride is part of the fun, so maybe not for you!

Check opening times for the zoo, iirc in winter it’s not open 7 days a week

re bookstores, there’s a lot of small independents around, i think below 23rd St. this is a massive fab 2nd hand bookstore with cafe (we got married there!) https://www.housingworks.org/locations/bookstore-cafe

@LittleMy77 we have that on our list thanks to my Swiftie.

Lombardi's pizza in the village
Washington Square park to watch the street performers and chess players
Ellis island
Tenement museum
a broadway show
walk over the Brooklyn bridge
South Street Seaport

If you want a bookshop, Strand Bookstore is great

We went to NY in Jan 2020 and it was 20 degrees - people walking around topless 😄 very unnerving actually, like it was incubating a pandemic or something.

We went to the Comedy Cellar and I know you said you’d feel like a twat on your own but the comedy was really good and you share a table with strangers anyway so maybe everyone feels like a bit of a twat there.

Also you must get an Eileen’s cheesecake 😍

I'm a bit of an amateur meteorologist. For those traveling to NYC, this site has by far the best 10 day forecast available.

https://www.wunderground.com/forecast/us/ny/new-york-city

I might hit it off with a few people, I'm quite social a couple of times per year 😁

NewYorkFirstTimer how was your trip to New York? We are first timers too going next week, anything helpful you want to share?