Let’s cut to the chase. I’m not a New York City native, I’ve only been 5 times. This post will contain every single thing we did and how we coordinated it throughout the trip.
This will specifically be for summer! Yes I have been during winter, and it is very much different. In summer (May- June), although it’s hot as heck! We were still willing to walk every. where. First time we went, I actually walked 81 miles no joke. But in the winter, it is so cold, I don’t want to be outside for more than 2 minutes haha. My thoughts are so occupied on how much I am freezing, I physically can’t look up to admire the beauty of New York City. Could be because I’ve been numerous times but who knows. Ok ok enough chatting let’s get to the point:
HOW DID WE GET THERE? I’m from Georgia! So of course we flew. I use the App Skyscanner to find the CHEAPEST flights, and the app is 100% free! Yes, we coordinated this trip based on the cheapest tickets. I found a two-way on Delta for $120! With Delta, you get a free carry on and personal item, so I never bring a checked bag. We landed in the LaGuardia airport (LGA). TIP: try to base your entire flight at LGA airport. The transportation is much easier and cheaper. This is true, especially when comparing to JFK or Newark. I have also landed at both and will be giving tips just in case!
TRANSPORTATION: with big cities, I often try to base the entire trip in the main city. In this case, it’s Manhattan (lower or middle, not upper- Harlem area). I do this to avoid having to rent a car. Renting is totally affordable, but in NYC, you really don’t want to be driving. The traffic is absolutely insane and it would be much quicker to walk. If the next destination is far, I would prefer taking the subway or Uber, which is only $2.75!
DO I NEED A METRO CARD? No you don’t! They take Apple Pay, which is quick and simple. However, if it’s your first time and you want the metro card for keepsakes, it’s definitely worth it. The card is only $1 and you’ll need to place a minimum of $5 on it.
Now how to get FROM LGA to MANHATTAN: take notes or screenshot this part haha. Option 1 is to take the Uber shuttle. I have never used it. It’s new to the system, and it was also hard to figure out. So I took the bus and subway, which total is only $2.75. START: when you get off the flight, head down to grab your luggage (if you brought a checked bag) and follow the signs to “Ground transportation” and “Buses/ All Shuttles”. Get on Bus Q70, it’s free so just hop on! Pro tip for my first timers: you never know what you’re about to see. Avoid eye contact and keep to yourself, but maintain self awareness. Get off at “Roosevelt”, it should be posted on the front of bus or they also announce the next stop.
TIP: track on your phone!!! Watch the blue dot and see when “Roosevelt street” is coming up. On Roosevelt, you’ll enter the subway and hop on train 7. This will lead you all the way to Manhattan. So take the exit “Times Square/ 42nd” or “Grand central”, wherever your hotel is the closest. Figuring out the subway system is tricky. My best advice is to read the signs. This may be easier said than done. Once you enter the subway room, there are signs everywhere that show the destination they are going to. For example, one sign will say “Hudson Yards”, another will say “Brooklyn”, and another saying “upper Manhattan.” This is where knowing what you’re doing next is important. If you plan to go to Soho, follow the signs for “Brooklyn.” These signs lead down to that area. Track yourself with the blue dot on your maps. Figure out how close you are to the area. That’s when you’ll get off. The subway has signs on the walls. Find out what street it’s on. Look on maps for the exact street. IF you’re going the wrong way, hop off and go to the subway right across haha.
Congrats you got the hard part done! Now it’s time to find your hotel and check in. Remember, most hotels don’t allow check-in until 4 pm. You can purchase the “early check-in” on the site to check in earlier. Most hotels do allow you to leave your luggage at the front desk if you arrive too early. This is helpful if you don’t want to waste time chilling.
WHERE DID WE STAY: I best recommend the Hilton or Hyatt hotel. Honestly any hotel. I’m a hugeeee Air bnb girly but in big cities, I’m pretty hesitant. We stayed at Hilton near MoMa, highlyyyy recommend. Pretty pricey, but grab a city view and you’re basically seeing the entire New York city view. The Hyatt near Grand central was all right, nothing too special. The location was just very convenient. My app recommendation is Booking.com, also 100% free!
The most important part: THE ITINERARY. I will discuss about it in detail here. But I have also posted a quick template to print and help guide you.
Day 1 CHECK IN! Assuming you’re hungry, I would go grab lunch at Black Iron Burger, which is a nice sit down burger restaurant. They let us bring our suitcases in and place them right next to us. Yes, we did arrive hours early before check-in. Or head to Best Bagel Coffee. This is one of my top 3 favorite bagel shops. They don’t rationalize and everything is cooked to almost perfection. I like to grab a bagel here. Then, I go to another place for coffee. That way, you can experience more of the foodie life. But, it’s entirely up to you! Here you’ll take your bagel to go and enjoy it in Times Square! Yes, it’s literally one block away! Time square is stunning the first time ever seeing it. It’s inspiring and overall insane to look at. The sidewalks are pretty busy. However, if you head towards the center where everyone is sitting, you can chill there. TIP: ignore ANYBODY offering ANYTHING!!!!- Elmo’s, cosplay, monks, etc. Just keep walking. Explore in Times Square, there’s so much to look at!
After Times Square, consider experiencing a Madison Square Garden game. It would be a great opportunity if you’re into sports. Of course, look up games around your date. New York always has interactive pop ups. In 2025, they released the Squid Games pop up where you can physically play as if you’re in the game
For dinner, grab Boqueria which is a nice Spanish restaurant. Or if you’re wanting to experience the full tourist life- grab you that 99 cent pizza! (Or 1.25 now :/)
For lunch go to Carnegie Diner, make a reservation if possible! It was busyyyy but sooooo worth the wait. After lunch walk up to Shops of Columbus Circle, more to look at because it’s very pretty. Rent some bikes, it’s should be $20 for 2 hours, don’t let these people take advantage of you! Or you can walk because we’re heading to Central Park! We rented bikes and did the popular mile walk- it took us over an hour to finish because there was something to see every second haha. A MUST SEE is the Bethesda Fountain, and they have bathrooms here!
After Central Park, if you’re hungry I recommend trying Broad Nosh Bagel, if they are still open. This is also my top 3 bagel spots. Super busy but they are quick! Take your bagel to go and head over to Starbucks or Paris Baguette, grab a coffee or drink and eat in there!
When done eating, walk up 58th street to 5th ave, this is where you see the famous Saks, Skims, Polo cafe, and the Louis Vuitton suitcase. After admiring all that, time to check into MOMA! Yes, you can buy tickets there. TIP/HACK: buy online as student tickets. We spent 4-5 hours in MOMA! And make sure you see the famous Starry Night!! They also have monet and Picasso!
After MOMA, get dinner at Maggie’s Place. It was so yummy. If you’re able to sit at the bar do that! After dinner you have two options: ONE, head back to hotel and get ready for nightlife. Where you’ll be going to Little Sisters. Option TWO, head back to Times Square and experience the night time! Yes the city actually never sleeps, we were out around 3 am one time and people were still out breakdancing, taking pictures, etc. MUST DO: Taco Bell! They sell boozy drinks 🙂
As for nightlife, if this is a girls trip, save you the hassle and FIND. A. PROMOTER. they are sooo easily found on insta or TikTok. They get girls in free and don’t expect anything. Their job is to bring people in to make it seem like that club is the “spot”. Men are usually a $50-$100 cover fee. Or find a chill promoter who’s fine with guys too
DAY 3. Good morning! Hop on the subway and head down to Hudson Yards, where you’ll be getting breakfast at Russ and Daughters. After that, explore the Hudson shops. It’s very luxurious and nice but so pretty. Head outside and look at The Vessel, yes for $25 you can go to the very top and see the skyline.
After the vessel, grab lunch at Los Tacos. These were delicious and definitely my favorite street tacos I’ve had in New York. Head to the subway and head down to SoHo. SoHo is where you’ll do more shopping and you can even see some market pop ups or even thrift stores. SoHo is also right next to Little Italy and Chinatown! These are more of an experience and very cool to look at. Chinatown has these markets where you can get 6 apples for like $2 it’s so crazy. They also have very cheap “street food”.
Explore SoHo and head down to Brooklyn bridge. You’re walking this, I know you’ve walked a lot but So worth it. Walk across then grab ice cream at the Ice Cream Factory or coffee at % Arabica, take it to the Brooklyn park where you’ll can see the city view of lower Manhattan.
Optional: take the ferry DUMBO on the East River Ferry all the way to Hunters point south. Get off at 34th midtown. This whole ride is $2.75, one tap metro card or Apple Pay.
Heading back from the ferry or Brooklyn bridge, let’s go to the Summit! For $40 you’ll be getting THE BEST New York tourist experience ever. If you’re reading this and already have your trip booked, BUY THOSE TICKETS, they sell out so quick! And don’t worry about times, they are flexible. Meaning, if you did 8pm, but you’re ready to do it by 6pm, it’s fine they will let you in at 6, or whenever you’re ready.
If its your first time and want to splurge more, you can check out the Top of The Rock. its around $80 and youre only seeing the view from a high story building. But in my opinion, the Summit is a way more better experience
Dinner is at Tony Di Napoli. Yes it’s in Times Square and we were so hesitant because it’s in the tourist spots. But this Italian was amazingly soooo good. They were ranked very high!
Option one: nightlife will be at Le Bain. However they mostly play housemusic, so go for the stunning views and vibes and plan to go to The Blonde for the rest of the night. Or option two: go to Grand Central Terminal and be sure to find the main room where you’ll see the amazing ceiling art, yes they are open 24/7 because it’s the main subway place!
Need a late night snack? Go to United We Stand for some chopped cheese! It is a New York must to try chopped cheese!
Holy that was a lot. And with New York there is so much to do, so many places to eat at, so much to see. The city is endless and never sleeps. Even with all that, I still wasn’t able to fit in everything we actually did unfortunately. So look forward to a part two! I will also post a Winter edition, as there is also so much to do! And I plan on posting a “Non tourist” Edition where you can see New Yorks beauty that’s not so commonly spoken about.
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LOVE, KORINA
