7-Day New York Tour Packages

Insider tips: Recommended 7-day New York tour itineraries

Compiled by

MelissaNew York travel expert at TourRadar

• 6 Day New York City Itinerary, incl. Manhattan and Harlem

  The cultural heart of New York State unfolds across 6 days with visits to Metropolitan Museum of Art and Radio City Music Hall. Your stay includes 5 nights at Holiday Garden Inn Financial Center with comprehensive guided tours.

  

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  • Day 1

    Manhattan Arrival

    Arrive at JFK and take the AirTrain to Jamaica Station ($8), followed by the E train into Manhattan. Try to land by 2 PM to better adjust to the time change. Stay in the Financial District where it's quieter but still well-connected. Walk the Brooklyn Bridge in the evening when there are fewer tourists and you can enjoy peaceful skyline views.

    
  • Day 2

    Lower Manhattan Exploration

    Visit the 9/11 Memorial at 9 AM opening to avoid crowds. Walk to Wall Street and take the free Staten Island Ferry for great Statue of Liberty views without spending money on harbor tours. Spend your afternoon in Little Italy and Chinatown. Keep in mind the subway system gets tricky near Canal Street so double-check your direction signs and use Google Maps.

    
  • Day 3

    Midtown Icons

    Start at Top of the Rock when it opens at 8 AM. You'll get better city views than the Empire State Building since you can actually include it in your photos. Take a Radio City Music Hall tour at 11 AM before the school groups arrive. Visit MoMA after 3 PM on weekdays when it's less busy.

    
  • Day 4

    Harlem Heritage

    Take the A train up to 125th Street. Experience Wednesday morning gospel at First Corinthian Baptist Church but remember this is a real service not a tourist attraction. Get authentic soul food for lunch along Malcolm X Boulevard. Visit the Apollo Theater in the afternoon to learn about Harlem's rich musical history.

    
  • Day 5

    Metropolitan Museum Deep Dive

    Give yourself a full day at the Met. Get there at 10 AM opening and see the Temple of Dendur before the tour groups show up. Take a break at the American Wing rooftop garden for Central Park views. New York State residents and students with ID can pay what they wish for admission.

    
  • Day 6

    Cultural Finish

    Check out the Austrian Cultural Forum on East 52nd Street, an interesting architectural site most tourists miss. Its unique 24-story design shows creative use of Manhattan's limited space. Use your remaining time for shopping on Fifth Avenue before heading to the airport. Leave 4 hours for international flights since NYC traffic is unpredictable.

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• 4 Days in New York City, incl. Manhattan and Central Park

  Manhattan's magic comes alive in 4 days, from Times Square to Central Park's 843 acres. The tour includes Wall Street, One World Trade Center, and Liberty Island cruises. Your accommodation near Radio City Music Hall provides easy access to Fifth Avenue shopping and Broadway shows.

  

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  • Day 1

    Midtown Manhattan Orientation

    Visit Times Square but keep your visit brief during daylight hours. It's much better at night when all the LED billboards light up the streets. You can get great deals on Broadway tickets at the TKTS booth between 3-6 PM with discounts up to 50% off. Check into your Manhattan hotel near Times Square for easy access to major attractions. Just remember to ask for a higher floor room since the streets can be noisy.

    
  • Day 2

    Downtown Manhattan & Harbor Cruise

    Get to One World Trade Center early before the crowds hit around 9 AM. Take the harbor cruise between 11 AM and 2 PM when the lighting is perfect for photos of the Statue of Liberty. You'll get great views of the Manhattan skyline as you pass under Brooklyn Bridge. Bring warm layers in winter since the harbor winds can get cold. Spend your afternoon walking through Wall Street and the Financial District.

    
  • Day 3

    Central Park & Fifth Avenue

    Take the subway to Central Park using a MetroCard to save money. Start at 59th Street and Fifth Avenue by the Plaza Hotel. Wear good walking shoes since the park is huge. Visit Bethesda Fountain and climb Belvedere Castle for skyline views. Stop by the Delacorte Musical Clock near the zoo around noon to catch its musical performance. Walk down Fifth Avenue starting at Saks (611 Fifth Ave). The window displays are spectacular even if you're not shopping especially during the holidays. Stop for lunch at the Plaza's food hall where you'll find local vendors and fewer tourists than the street-level spots.

    
  • Day 4

    Morning Museums

    If you're leaving in the afternoon pick either MoMA (opens 10:30 AM) or the Metropolitan Museum of Art (opens 10 AM) for your final morning. Check out the Met's rooftop garden for beautiful park views if weather allows. Give yourself at least an hour to reach JFK during morning rush hour since traffic can be unpredictable.

    

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• 7 Days in New York City, incl. Manhattan and Brooklyn

  New York State's iconic city opens up through 7 days of immersive tours. The program showcases Manhattan skyline views, museum visits, and borough exploration from Bronx to Queens, with included MetroCard access.

  

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  • Day 1

    Arrival and Times Square

    Fly into JFK or LaGuardia instead of Newark to save time getting into Manhattan. An airport shuttle is your best bet during rush hour traffic. Once you're settled at your hotel, visit Times Square. Go between 7-9 PM to see the bright lights without fighting through the afternoon tourist crowds.

    
  • Day 2

    Downtown Manhattan Exploration

    Get to the 9/11 Memorial by 8:30 AM before the tour groups arrive. Take a walk through Wall Street and the Financial District before heading to Battery Park to see the Statue of Liberty. Skip the expensive tourist boats and hop on the free Staten Island Ferry for great harbor views. Visit SoHo and Little Italy after 2 PM when the tour buses clear out.

    
  • Days 3-4

    Brooklyn & DUMBO

    Start your Brooklyn Bridge walk by 8 AM to beat the crowds and avoid the midday sun. Once in DUMBO, get breakfast at Time Out Market where you can take in the Manhattan skyline. Spend time walking through Brooklyn Heights to see its beautiful brownstones. Wear non-slip shoes if it's rainy since the bridge can get slippery.

    
  • Days 4-5

    Museum Mile & Central Park

    Set aside a full day for either the Metropolitan Museum of Art or Guggenheim. You'll need at least 4 hours just to see the Met's highlights. Visit Central Park in the afternoon when local workers are on lunch break to feel the city's real energy. A local visitor shares: "The best way to experience Central Park is to grab a sandwich from a deli and join New Yorkers on the Great Lawn - way more authentic than expensive park restaurants."

    
  • Day 6

    Alternative Manhattan

    Take the subway to explore the High Line park. Start at Hudson Yards and walk south. Stop for lunch at Chelsea Market after 2 PM when the morning rush is over. In the evening, consider taking a harbor cruise to watch Manhattan's skyline light up at sunset.

    
  • Day 7

    Last Morning & Departure

    If you have a late flight, spend your morning shopping on Fifth Avenue (stores open at 10 AM) or visit the Morgan Library (opens at 10:30 AM). Plan to leave for the airport 4 hours before international flights since traffic can be unpredictable.

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