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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• 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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• 5 Day Northeast USA Itinerary, incl. Niagara Falls and Washington DC

  Natural wonders await on this 5-day New York State tour, from NYC through the scenic Finger Lakes region. Marvel at Watkins Glen Canyon's waterfalls, then witness Niagara Falls' power aboard the Maid of the Mist. The evening illuminations and Ramada by Wyndham stay precede visits to Toronto and the 1000 Islands cruise.

  

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  • Day 1

    NYC to Niagara Falls

    Leave Port Authority in Manhattan at 6:30 AM. Get there 15 minutes early since morning traffic can be unpredictable. You'll drive 6 hours through Delaware Water Gap and the Finger Lakes region. Stop at Watkins Glen State Park but bring sturdy shoes. The stone steps on the gorge trail get slippery. You'll reach Niagara Falls in late afternoon for the Maid of the Mist cruise. Take the provided poncho and keep your camera safe from spray. A good tip: come back after dinner to see the falls lit up when it's less crowded.

    
  • Day 2

    Toronto & Thousand Islands

    Get an early start to Canada to avoid border delays. Don't forget your passport. After seeing Horseshoe Falls drive 1.5 hours to Toronto. Stop for lunch at the Distillery District and try some local craft beers. In the afternoon take the 4-hour drive along Lake Ontario to the Thousand Islands area. Spring trips might stay at Niagara Falls instead because of boat schedules.

    
  • Day 3

    Thousand Islands Cruise & Shopping

    Take a morning cruise through the islands. Sit on the right side to get the best views of Boldt Castle. Pack a light jacket since the area gets windy even in summer. In the afternoon drive south and stop at Waterloo Premium Outlets where you can find discounts of 25-65%. You'll arrive in New Jersey in the evening.

    
  • Day 4

    Philadelphia & Amish Country

    Start your day at the Liberty Bell in Philadelphia. It opens at 9 AM so get there early to beat the school groups. Take your photos at the Rocky Steps then drive 90 minutes to Lancaster County for an Amish buggy ride. As one visitor said: "The preserved farmland and seeing the Amish way of life was a highlight - it feels like stepping back in time." It's another 2.5 hours to Washington DC.

    
  • Day 5

    Washington DC Highlights

    Start at the Jefferson Memorial. You'll find parking easily if you arrive before 9 AM. Time your visit to Arlington Cemetery around the hourly Changing of the Guard. When visiting the Air & Space Museum use the Independence Avenue entrance to avoid long lines. The tour gets back to NYC between 8-9 PM so plan any flights for the next day.

    

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