Skip to content
Back to destinations New York, NY

Best of New York

Skip the tourist loop — the real city lives block by block.

10 daysLocal gems
Trip length
3-day5-day7-day10-day
Best time to visit: April to June, September to November

Late spring and early fall offer mild days and lighter crowds than peak summer. Winters are cold and summers can be hot and humid.

Day 1·West Village Wanderings & Greenwich Grooves

Open in Maps

  1. Rest

    Washington Square Park

    People-watch, street performers, and a true West Village vibe.

  2. Sightseeing

    Stonewall Inn

    A historic landmark of the LGBTQ+ rights movement.

  3. Shopping

    Bleecker Street Records

    Dig for vinyl treasures in a classic New York record store.

  4. Nightlife

    Village Vanguard

    Catch a legendary jazz show in an intimate, iconic basement club.

Day 2·Lower East Side & East Village Exploration

Open in Maps

  1. Sightseeing

    Tenement Museum

    Step back in time and experience immigrant life in NYC.

  2. Food

    Katz's Delicatessen

    Savor a pastrami on rye at this historic, no-frills deli.

  3. Food

    Economy Candy

    Indulge your sweet tooth at this old-school candy emporium.

  4. Rest

    Tompkins Square Park

    Relax in this East Village hub, often filled with local characters.

Day 3·Brooklyn Heights & DUMBO Delights

Open in Maps

  1. Sightseeing

    Brooklyn Heights Promenade

    Enjoy stunning panoramic views of the Manhattan skyline.

  2. Food

    Grimaldi's Pizzeria

    Grab a classic New York coal-fired pizza under the Brooklyn Bridge.

  3. Activity

    Jane's Carousel

    Ride a beautifully restored vintage carousel with a view.

  4. Rest

    Brooklyn Bridge Park

    Stroll along the waterfront, enjoy green spaces, and iconic views.

Day 4·Bushwick Art & Bites

Open in Maps

  1. Sightseeing

    Bushwick Collective Street Art

    Explore vibrant, ever-changing murals and graffiti art.

  2. Food

    Roberta's Pizza

    Enjoy wood-fired pizza in a hip, bustling Bushwick spot.

  3. Shopping

    Container Collective

    Browse unique boutiques and art in a repurposed container market.

  4. Food

    The Bodega

    Experience a classic New York bodega, a neighborhood institution.

Day 5·Upper West Side & Museum Mile Charm

Open in Maps

  1. Sightseeing

    American Museum of Natural History

    Discover fascinating exhibits, from dinosaurs to outer space.

  2. Rest

    Central Park (Strawberry Fields)

    Pay tribute to John Lennon in this peaceful Central Park memorial.

  3. Food

    Zabar's

    Indulge in gourmet foods, cheeses, and coffee at this iconic deli.

Day 6·Harlem History & Soul

Open in Maps

  1. Nightlife

    Apollo Theater

    Walk in the footsteps of music legends at this historic venue.

  2. Food

    Sylvia's Restaurant

    Savor authentic soul food at a Harlem institution.

  3. Rest

    St. Nicholas Park

    Enjoy green space and city views in this historic Harlem park.

  4. Sightseeing

    Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture

    Explore important archives and exhibitions on Black history and culture.

Day 7·Northern Manhattan's Hidden Gems

Open in Maps

  1. Sightseeing

    The Cloisters

    Step into medieval Europe at this branch of the Met, overlooking the Hudson.

  2. Rest

    Fort Tryon Park

    Stroll through beautiful gardens and enjoy stunning river views.

  3. Food

    New Leaf Restaurant & Bar

    Dine in a charming historic stone cottage within Fort Tryon Park.

Day 8·Long Island City Art & Views

Open in Maps

  1. Sightseeing

    MoMA PS1

    Discover contemporary art in this former public school turned museum.

  2. Rest

    Gantry Plaza State Park

    Enjoy iconic views of the Manhattan skyline and the East River.

  3. Sightseeing

    Socrates Sculpture Park

    Explore outdoor art installations in a unique urban park.

Day 9·Roosevelt Island & Midtown Finds

Open in Maps

  1. Transport

    Roosevelt Island Tramway

    Enjoy an aerial view of the city on this unique mode of transport.

  2. Rest

    Franklin D. Roosevelt Four Freedoms Park

    A beautiful memorial with stunning views of Manhattan.

  3. Sightseeing

    Grand Central Terminal

    Marvel at the Beaux-Arts architecture and iconic Main Concourse.

  4. Sightseeing

    New York Public Library (Stephen A. Schwarzman Building)

    Admire the impressive architecture and explore the grand reading rooms.

Day 10·Chelsea Market & High Line Stroll

Open in Maps

  1. Food

    Chelsea Market

    Browse diverse food vendors and shops in this historic industrial building.

  2. Rest

    The High Line

    Walk along an elevated park built on a former railway line, with art and city views.

  3. Rest

    Little Island

    Explore this unique floating park on the Hudson River.

Make it your own

Start from this curated plan — Runes copies it into your trips so you can tweak dates, budget, pace, and stops. Personalized to your style soon.

Or plan your own New York trip