I recently had some family visiting from out of town, which meant I had to buckle down and finally make that NYC visitors guide that’s been floating around in my head for the past few years. In addition to a list of spots to hit and a self-made food tour, I wanted to come up with a suggested itinerary that was doable and fun at the same time. If you’re looking to visit New York City, consider doing my 1 Week in NYC itinerary! 

Day 1: 
Start the day off with dim sum in Chinatown. My favorite spots include Golden Unicorn and Jing Fong, both banquet-style restaurants with years in the business. If you’re new to dim sum and need more of a  guide, Dim Sum Go Go is also a solid spot. Walk around Chinatown, grab a boba, and meander your way downtown to the Oculus and the 9/11 Memorial. Finish the day with a free ride on the Staten Island Ferry, where you can get an amazing view of the Statue of Liberty without having to pay! 

Day 2:
Spend your second day in the city at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, or as we call it, the MET. Opened in 1872, the MET is home to over 2 million works of art, including Egyptian Art, European Paintings (Rembrandt, Van Gogh, Vermeer, and Money, among others), Medieval Arms and Armor, and American Art. To do the MET justice, you really need the full day. I’ve been multiple times over the years and I’m still discovering new exhibits each time. Follow up your MET visit by walking around Central Park, one of NYC’s most iconic spots. 

Day 3:
If your Day 3 is a Wednesday, spend it up north at the Bronx Zoo. On Wednesdays, the Zoo is free as long as you pre book a ticket. At 265 acres, the Zoo is home to over 10,000 animals representing about 700 species from around the globe. You can reach it via subway (take the 2 or 5 train to East Tremont Ave/West Farms Sq) or by express bus from Manhattan. Alternatively, if animals aren’t your thing, I highly recommend the New York Botanical Garden. Located right across from the Zoo, NYBG has over one million living plants, and its herbarium contains over 7 million preserved plants. The Enid A. Haupt Conservatory contains multiple climate zones: rainforest, desert, aquatic plants, and palms and is host to NYBG’s seasonal shows like the Orchid Show and the Train Show. 

Day 4: 
Check out my self-made Lower Manhattan Food Tour, or make your own based on other neighborhoods and New York City classics. I have tons of posts through the years recommending iconic spots in the city as well. 

Day 5: 
Check out the Chelsea area by walking around Chelsea Market, one of my favorite markets in the city. I highly recommend going early, since it does get very packed around midday, especially on weekends. After grabbing some food at Chelsea Market, walk to the High Line, a 1.45-mile-long elevated park built on a historic freight rail line. Originally built in the 1930s, the rail line was abandoned in the 1980s and turned into a walking park with seasonal flowers and plants and artwork. The High Line ends at Hudson Yards, which is home to The Vessel, a striking 150-foot-tall interactive sculpture. Designed by British architect Thomas Heatherwick, The Vessel has 154 flights of stairs that offer a unique panoramic view of Manhattan. 

Day 6: 
A visit to New York City is not complete without a visit to Times Square. See a Broadway Show by rushing tickets the morning of – or checking out the TKTS booth for discounted tickets. If you’re feeling adventurous, check out my Broadway show lottery post here for how to play! 

Day 7: 
On your last day, explore your neighborhood or go off the beaten path. I’ve covered the Met Cloisters, Coney Island, Storm King, and the Brooklyn Botanical Gardens before. I also have a post about my favorite spots as a New Yorker and a perfect weekend in NYC.