NYC Weekend

Trip Template

NYC Weekend

New York City, United States · 4 days · $2,000 - $3,500 per person

Photo by Michael Discenza on Unsplash

New York City offers more culture, food, and energy per square block than anywhere else on Earth. This long-weekend itinerary covers the essentials -- Central Park, the Met, Brooklyn Bridge, and a Broadway show -- while also diving into the neighborhoods that give New York its soul. You will eat dollar pizza and Michelin-starred tasting menus, ride the subway at midnight, and discover why eight million people choose to live in the most intense city in the world. The itinerary balances iconic landmarks with local favorites that most tourists never find.

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Highlights

  • Broadway show in the Theater District
  • Sunrise over Manhattan from Brooklyn Bridge
  • Chelsea Market food crawl
  • The Met's rooftop at sunset
  • Speakeasy cocktail bars in the West Village

Sample Flight

JetBlue

Los Angeles (LAX) to New York (JFK)

5h 15m · Nonstop

$200 per person

Sample Hotel

The Arlo NoMad

NoMad (North of Madison Square Park)

$220/night

Full Itinerary

10:00

Included

Check in & Times Square walk

Drop bags at The Arlo NoMad, then walk to Times Square. Take it in for 15 minutes, snap photos, and promptly leave like a real New Yorker.

1.5 hours

12:00

$50 for two

Lunch in Koreatown

Walk to 32nd Street for authentic Korean BBQ. Grill your own meats at the table and enjoy banchan (side dishes) at one of the bustling restaurants.

1.5 hours

14:00

$80 for two

Top of the Rock observation deck

Head to Rockefeller Center for panoramic views of Manhattan in every direction. Unlike the Empire State Building, you can actually see the Empire State Building from here.

1 hour

19:30

$200 for two

Broadway show

Catch an evening performance in the Theater District. Book in advance for popular shows or try TKTS booth in Times Square for same-day discounted tickets.

2.5 hours

Budget Breakdown

flights$400
accommodation$880
food and dining$600
activities$550
transportation$120
total estimated$2,550

Prices are estimates and will vary depending on your departure city, travel dates, and availability.

Local Tips

  • •Get an unlimited MetroCard for your stay. The subway runs 24/7 and goes everywhere you need.
  • •Walk everywhere you can in Manhattan -- it is a 20-minute walk from Houston to 14th Street, and you will see more than any taxi ride.
  • •Skip the Statue of Liberty ferry if short on time. The free Staten Island Ferry gives you great views of the statue and skyline.
  • •Restaurants in NYC do not include tax or tip in menu prices. Budget 20% tip on top of the bill at sit-down restaurants.
  • •Many world-class museums have pay-what-you-wish hours or days. The Met suggests $30 but accepts any amount for NY residents.
  • •Dollar pizza slices are a legitimate meal. Joe's Pizza in Greenwich Village is a classic. Do not fold it until you have taken the first bite.

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