New York is perhaps the most famous city in the world. Every year millions of tourists come to it to walk its streets and visit all those emblematic places that have made it so well known.
When you visit the city, the ideal is that you have several days so that you can explore it at your leisure.
However, we understand that many times the travel days are numbered and you have only a few (let's say, about four), so it is difficult for you to decide which places to visit.
That is why below we are going to give you a small guide of what to do in New York in four days
What to do in New York in 4 days?
Day 1: Visit museums and Central Park
One of the great attractions of New York City is the large number of museums it houses. Here you can find all kinds, suitable for all tastes.
Our recommendation is that before arriving in New York you look for and identify the museums that most attract your attention according to your preferences.
We also suggest that you locate museums that are close to each other, so that you do not have to invest a lot of time and money in transportation.
Here we are going to give you a series of recommendations, but as always, you have the last word.
American Museum of Natural History
World famous for the movie "A night at the museum", here you will enjoy a fun and different time in which you can study the natural evolution of man and other living beings.
This museum has an immense collection (more than thirty-two million pieces), so you will enjoy your visit very much, no matter which branch of science is your favorite.
There are exhibits here that have to do with genetics, paleontology, zoology, botany, physical science, and even computer science.
In particular, you must not fail to admire the dioramas representing different animals, the skeletons of various dinosaurs and, of course, the planetarium.
Metropolitan Museum of Art (MET)
This is one of the most recognized and visited museums in New York City. It has a wide collection that covers all the historical eras of mankind.
Here, apart from appreciating objects such as tools, garments and utensils belonging to various historical periods, you can also enjoy the art of the greatest painters such as Titian, Rembrandt, Picasso, among many others.
Keep in mind that exhibitions dedicated to classical cultures such as Greece, Rome and Egypt are among the most acclaimed and requested by visitors.
Guggenheim museum
Another of the emblematic museums of the city. Unlike the previous ones, its appearance and design is modern, even futuristic.
It houses works by great artists of the 20th century such as Picasso and Kandinski. This really is a place that you should not miss when coming to New York, as the works exhibited here are world famous.
Whitney Museum of American Art
At 50,000 square feet, this museum is a must-see on a trip to New York.
It has a large number of works by various contemporary American artists very well preserved and that, without a doubt, you will love.
The Cloisters
If you are a lover of architecture, you will really enjoy this visit. It is entirely dedicated to the architecture of medieval times.
Here you will feel immersed in this historical era. You will have the opportunity to appreciate utensils, tools and pieces of art typical of that time.
In addition, the natural environment that surrounds the museum facilities will make you feel very good.
Central park
Once you have visited all the museums, you can take some time to visit this emblematic site of the city.
New Yorkers tend to come to Central Park to relax and recharge their batteries by being in contact with nature. Well, you can do the same.
You can take advantage of calmly walking its paths, even sitting down and enjoying a pleasant afternoon while enjoying some sandwiches in a picnic.
Here you can do various activities such as riding a bike or renting a small boat and plying the waters of one of its lagoons.
Similarly, inside there is a zoo that has the honor of being the first zoo in the city.
There you can enjoy the wide variety of animal species it houses. If you are traveling with children, this is a must.
Carnegie Hall
To end this day, you can enjoy a visit to Carnegie Hall, one of the most famous and visited concert halls in the United States.
The best artists, both American and foreign, have performed here. If you are lucky and there is a concert scheduled, you can attend and have an extraordinary experience.
If there is no concert, you can still take a guided tour where you can learn all the details of this mythical place.
Read our guide with a detailed itinerary on what to do in New York for 7 days
Day 2: Get to know the most emblematic buildings of the city
On this second day you have already tempered yourself in the city and you will probably find yourself in awe of all the places you have to visit.
If we dedicate the first day to museums and to enjoy a quiet afternoon in Central Park, this second day we are going to dedicate it to the buildings and emblematic places of the city.
Many of these buildings and places have been featured in countless movies.
New York Public Library
Whether or not you are a lover of reading, you should not miss visiting the New York Public Library. This is considered one of the most complete and important in the world.
It is a building that has a traditional facade, with beautiful columns. Its interior is also decorated in an antique style, but with a lot of class.
The reading rooms are so warm and quiet that they invite you to sit down for a while and enjoy a book.
By visiting the city's Public Library, you can not only admire its huge collection of books, but also enjoy its beautiful architecture and the excellent finish of its interior environments.
You can also see how well preserved the antique furniture is.
St. Patrick's Cathedral
Its Gothic architecture contrasts sharply with the modern buildings between which it is nestled.
Here you will feel transported to another historical era, between its beautiful white marble finishes and the large stained glass windows, whose authors are artists of various nationalities.
If a word has to be found to describe this cathedral, it would be majesty. Everything here is luxurious, elegant and especially very beautiful.
You can also see beautiful works of art, such as an almost exact replica of Michelangelo's Pieta.
Be sure to visit this cathedral and remember, out of superstition, when you visit a church for the first time you can make a wish. Let yours be to enjoy your visit to the city to the fullest.
Empire state building
One of the most emblematic buildings in the city. Anyone visiting the city should make space in their agenda to go up to one of its viewpoints and thus contemplate the immensity of New York.
This building has been the scene of numerous Hollywood productions. New Yorkers are very proud of this beautiful archictetonic work.
If you visit the city on a special date, you will be able to see the lighting changes at the top of the building.
It has been dressed in the colors of the flags of countries such as Mexico, Argentina and Colombia to commemorate its independence.
Likewise, it is illuminated every night with the colors of the city's sports teams and, when there are special events (such as the premiere of a movie), it also celebrates it with its lighting.
All this means that this building should be on your list of places to visit when you are in the city.
Rockefeller center
This is a large multi-building complex (19 in total) that occupies several acres in Midtown Manhattan.
Many of its buildings are home to world famous companies such as General Dynamics, the National Broadcastinc Company (NBC), Radio City Music Hall and the famous McGraw-Hill publishing house, among many others.
Here you can make your purchases in the most prestigious stores worldwide, such as Banana Republic, Tiffany & Co, Tous and Victorinox Swiss Army.
If you are traveling with children, they will have a lot of fun at the Nintendo NY and Lego store.
Similarly, next to the Rockefeller Center is Radio City Music Hall, the venue for the prestigious awards ceremony. Here you can witness beautiful shows and, if you are lucky, attend a concert by one of your favorite artists.
You can visit the Rockefeller Center at any time of the year, but without a doubt, Christmas time is the best, for its decoration and the beautiful ice rink that people of all ages enjoy.
Grand Central Terminal
If you travel to New York you should not miss a train tour. And what better starting point than the Grand Central Terminal?
This is the largest train station in the world. Thousands of people (approximately 500,000) pass through it every day.
In addition to being a station to wait for trains, it has a large number of establishments such as shops and restaurants.
Among these we recommend the legendary “Oyster Bar”, an emblematic restaurant that has been in business for more than 100 years, serving delicious seafood.
The interior of this train station is spectacular, with a vaulted ceiling in which there is a heavenly scene. Here your wait will be the most pleasant.
Times square
It is one of the most visited areas by tourists in New York.
Here you can find a large number of attractions, such as excellent restaurants, museums and the legendary Broadway theaters, in which unimaginable shows are presented every night.
You should not leave New York without having attended a Broadway show.
There are many who are famous and usually always on the show, such as Chicago, Anastasia, King Kong, The Phantom of the Opera and Cats.
Therefore, our suggestion is that you visit Times Square already at night, you will marvel at the brightness of its signs.
You can also attend one of the shows already mentioned and later have dinner in one of the many restaurants that are there and that offer you endless culinary options. A glorious close to a spectacular day.
Day 3: Get to know Lower Manhattan
The third day of the itinerary can be dedicated to getting to know other emblematic places of the city that are in Lower Manhattan.
Visit to the Statue of Liberty
This is another of the obligatory stops when you visit the city. The Statue of Liberty is an emblematic place. It is the image that is engraved in the memory of thousands of immigrants when they arrived in the city by boat.
It is located on the Isla de la Libertad. To get there you must take one of the ferries that leave from Batter Park station.
You should not stop exploring it internally. We guarantee that from the highest viewpoint you will have a superlative view of New York City.
As it is visited by many tourists every day, we recommend that it be your first stop on this third day of the itinerary. Visit it early and then you will have the rest of the day to visit other iconic places.
Wall street
Contrary to what many think, Wall Street is not a specific point on the map, but covers a total of eight blocks and from here the finances of several of the most important companies in the world are managed.
Large skyscrapers abound in this area of the city and it is common to see men and women rushing to get to their work sites at all times.
Go ahead and visit this emblematic part of the city, take a photo with the famous bull and fantasize about being one of those important executives who day by day rule the financial destinations of the world.
High line
By visiting the High Line, you will be giving a total and radical turn to this third day in New York.
After having been in the rigid world of Wall Street, you will move to the opposite side, as the ideal word to describe the High Line is bohemian.
It consists of a railway line that was retaken and rehabilitated by the inhabitants of the city to turn it into an extensive walkway, in which people can relax and enjoy a quiet and pleasant moment.
This is one of the most complete places you can visit in the city, since along the way you will find various attractions: art galleries, informal food stalls, restaurants and shops, among others.
You can walk through it in its entirety and if you wish, you can access any of the establishments around it.
Likewise, if you have the necessary time, you can simply sit down and enjoy the landscape that the city offers you there and even meet a local citizen who recommends other places to visit.
Day 4: Brooklyn
We can dedicate this fourth and last day of the itinerary to visit the most populated district in New York City: Brooklyn.
Visit famous neighborhoods
Brooklyn is home to some of the most famous neighborhoods in New York. Among them we can mention:
DUMBO(“Down Under Manhattan Bridge Overpass”)
It is one of the most picturesque neighborhoods in the city. It is a residential neighborhood, ideal for you to capture the best photographs of your trip.
Bushwick
Ideal for you if you are a lover of urban art. Wherever you look you will find a mural or graffiti made by an anonymous artist.
There are multiple culinary options here and, best of all, at affordable prices.
Williamsburg
This is a neighborhood where two groups as dissimilar as Orthodox Jews and Hispters coexist in harmony.
In this place it is very common to find people in the street with the typical traditional Jewish clothing.
If you come on a Saturday, you can enjoy the Brooklyn flea market, which offers you endless options to buy and taste.
Brooklyn heighs
A traditional-style neighborhood in which its red brick buildings will transport you to another time when the bustle of the city does not exist.
Brooklyn Botanical Garden
This is a haven of peace in the heart of Brooklyn. It is your best kept secret. Here you can enjoy some time of rest and relaxation in an atmosphere of tranquility and environmental peace.
If you like botany, here you will feel at home. This garden offers you themed gardens and other beautiful enclosures, being, due to its beauty, the Japanese garden the most visited and requested.
Coney island
It is a small peninsula that is located in the south of Brooklyn. Here you will find some places where you can distract yourself.
Among these you will find, for example, the Luna Park Amusement Park, located near the beach.
In Coney Island you can get on its roller coaster, Cyclone, which is famous worldwide. And if you don't enjoy roller coasters, you'll also find 18 other attractions to choose from.
Similarly, Coney Island is home to the New York Aquarium, the only one in the city. In it you can appreciate a large number of species of marine animals, such as rays, sharks, turtles, penguins and even otters.
Brooklyn bridge
To close this fourth day, nothing better than watching the sunset from the Brooklyn Bridge.
While walking through it, you will have a privileged view of the Big Apple, with its beautiful skyscrapers and emblematic monuments (the Statue of Liberty).
When you come to Brooklyn, you can't stop walking across this iconic bridge that has been linking Manhattan and Brooklyn for 135 years.
Read our guide with an itinerary to visit New York in 3 days
What to do in New York in 4 days if you travel with children?
Traveling with children is a challenge, especially since it is difficult for them to keep them entertained.
Despite this, New York is a city that has so many attractions that even the little ones will spend a few days without equal here.
First of all, we must clarify that the itinerary that we set out above is perfectly feasible even if you travel with children.
The only thing is that you should include some activities so that the little ones do not get bored.
Day 1: Museums and Central Park
It is common for children to like museums, especially they will be delighted in the Museum of Natural History.
This is so because there are a host of attractive visuals and educational activities here that will capture even the most hyperactive child.
Likewise, the walk through Central Park is a mandatory activity. Children generally love the environment and being in contact with nature and Central Park is ideal for this.
In Central Park you can plan a picnic with delicious sandwiches or enjoy some outdoor sport. Kids love Central Park.
Day 2: Get to know the iconic buildings of the city
This tour will also delight the little ones. In the New York Public Library they will feel like adults, being able to select a book and sit in those beautiful rooms to read a little.
Likewise, they are sure to enjoy watching the city from one of the viewpoints of the Empire State Building. They will feel like Percy Jackson, the famous character from the saga of homonymous films.
In the Rockefeller Center the little ones will enjoy a world in the Lego store and in the Nintendo store.
And to close with a flourish, you can take them to witness a musical on Broadway, such as The Lion King, Aladdin or Harry Potter. It will be an experience they will treasure forever.
Day 3: Bohemian Day
On this day the visit to the Statue of Liberty is planned.
Believe us when we say that children will enjoy it very much. Especially knowing that scenes from one of the X Men movies were shot there. Also, you will love the beautiful view of the city from the statue.
And on the walk through the High Line they will enjoy a quiet day in which they can enjoy delicious sandwiches and cakes in the many establishments that are throughout this place.
Day 4: Exploring Brooklyn
On the fourth day, destined for Brooklyn, the children will have a blast. The neighborhoods that we recommend are very lively and colorful, with numerous places to eat some sweets or have some ice cream.
As we mentioned before, it is common for children to like and enjoy being in contact with nature, in such a way that they will have a good time in the Brooklyn Botanical Park.
In Coney Island they will have a lot of fun at Luna Park. You will enjoy an amusement park with a certain traditional air, but with many attractions that have nothing to envy to the most modern ones.
And if they visit the Aquarium, the fun will be total. This will probably be the best day for them.
Sites that you should not leave out if you travel with children
Here we list some sites and activities that you can include in your itinerary when traveling with children:
- Central park
- National Geographic Encounter: Ocean Odyssey
- Bronx Zoo
- Legoland Discovery Center Westchester
- A game by one of the city's teams: Yankees, Mets, Knicks, among others.
- Dylan’s Candy Bar
- City Treehouse
- Carlo’s Bakery
Where to eat in New York?
The culinary experience in New York is exceptional, as long as you have a few references before you arrive in the city.
That is why below we give you a list of the best and most recommended places for you to experience New York cuisine.
Shake shack
An excellent chain of hamburger restaurants that you can find in various places in the city such as: Midtown, Upper East Side or Upper West Side.
The seasoning of their burgers is exquisite and the best thing is the price, quite accessible to any pocket. The average price of a hamburger is $ 6.
Bubba gump
It is a famous chain of restaurants, specialized in seafood. It is located in Times Square and is set in the famous Tom Hanks movie, Forrest Gump.
Here you can taste delicious seafood, very well cooked. Dare to get out of the routine.
Jack’s Wife Freda
It is located in Lower Manhattan and offers you a wide variety of delicious dishes, for all tastes, vegetarian or not. The average price ranges from $ 10 to $ 16.
FoodTrucks
Food trucks are excellent options to sample delicious dishes quickly and without much hassle.
They are distributed throughout the city and offer you a wide variety of options: Mexican, Arabic, Canadian, Asian food, hamburgers, among others.
They are very inexpensive, with a price range between $ 5 and $ 9.
Kopitiam
It is an excellent Malaysian food place. It offers you a great variety of exotic dishes from this country. It is located on the Lower East Side and its prices are starting at $ 7.
Buffalo’s Famous
It is a very cozy restaurant in Brooklyn, where you can taste all kinds of fast food, such as hot dogs, hamburgers or chicken wings.
Blue Dog Kitchen
Although it is a bit more expensive ($ 12- $ 18), this restaurant offers you a large number of dishes with a lot of flavor and seasoning, as well as rich smoothies or smoothies of very refreshing and energizing fruits.
Discount passes: an option to discover New York
Like many other cities around the world, New York has so-called discount passes, which allow you to enjoy many of its attractions and tourist sites at more affordable prices.
Among the most used and profitable passes for tourists are the New York City Pass and the New York Pass.
The difference between the two is that the first is valid for nine days after the first day you use it, while the New York Pass can be purchased valid for the days that you require it (1-10 days).
New York City Pass
With this card you can save up to about $ 91. It has an approximate cost of $ 126 (adults) and $ 104 (children). It also allows you to visit six of the most iconic attractions and places in New York.
With this pass you can choose to visit between:
- Museum of Natural History
- Metropolitan Art Museum
- Empire State Building
- Guggenheim museum
- Top of the Rock Observatory
- Intrepid Museum of Sea, Air and Space
- September 11 Museum
- Circle Line Cruise
- Cruise to the Statue of Liberty
New York Pass
This is a pass that allows you to visit approximately 100 attractions in the city. You can buy it for the number of days you are going to be in the city.
If you buy it for four days, it costs $ 222 (adults) and $ 169 (children). It may seem a bit expensive, but when you weigh how much you save on tickets to each attraction or site of interest, you will see that it is totally worth the investment.
Among the attractions that you can visit with this pass we can mention some:
- Museums (Madame Tussauds, of Modern Art, 9/11 Memorial, Museum of Natural History, Metropolitan of Art, Guggenheim, Whitney of American Art, among others).
- Ferry to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island.
- Tourist cruises
- Iconic buildings (Empire State Building, Radio City Music Hall, Rockefeller Center, Grand Central Station).
- Guided tours (Food on Foot gastronomy, Broadway, fashion windows, Yankee Stadium, Greenwich Village, Brooklyn, Wall Street, Lincoln Center, among others).
As you can see, New York City is full of tons of attractions and landmarks. To know it in its entirety requires many days, which sometimes are not available.
So when asking yourself what to do in New York in four days, what you should do is draw a well-defined itinerary, taking into account our suggestions and we guarantee that in that time you will be able to visit at least its most iconic and emblematic places.
