Itinerary Summary
Day one checks into Midtown, then the Statue of Liberty ferry and Ellis Island on day two, a full Metropolitan Museum day on day three, Central Park, the Upper East Side and the New York Public Librar…
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Day 1
Midtown check-in and a Broadway curtain call
11:00
2h
AirTrain and subway transfer to Midtown
Take the AirTrain to Jamaica, then the E train to 42nd Street, which is the cheapest route into the city. The subway runs all night, and the AirTrain surcharge is paid at the station turnstile, not on the train.
📍 JFK Airport to Manhattan
15:00
1.5h
Hotel check-in and a Fifth Avenue orientation walk
Drop bags at the hotel and walk a short loop past the Public Library and Bryant Park to get your bearings. Ask the desk for a subway map and confirm the cross streets of your theatre before you go out.
📍 Midtown Manhattan
19:30
2.5h
Broadway show near Times Square
See a musical or play in the Theatre District, arriving 30 minutes early for bag checks and the bar. Buy through the official box office or the TKTS booth to avoid resale markups on the day.
📍 Theatre District, Manhattan
💡 Pro Tip: From JFK take the AirTrain to Jamaica and the E train, or from Newark the NJ Transit train to Penn Station; both take about an hour. Buy a MetroCard or tap a contactless card at the turnstiles. Same-day Broadway tickets are sold at the TKTS booth in Duffy Square from mid-afternoon. Entry rules depend on your passport, so check the United States visa section before booking.
Days 2-6 are member-only
Members get the complete day-by-day plan with timing, transport and on-the-ground tips.
Budget Breakdown
AccommodationUS$86035%
Midtown Manhattan hotels, 5 nights
Food & DiningUS$49020%
Pizza slices, bagels and pastrami sandwiches
Remaining cost categories are member-only
Members see the full breakdown for flights, hotels, food, tickets and more.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which New York airport should I use, and how do I get to Midtown?+
JFK, Newark and LaGuardia all work. From JFK, the AirTrain plus subway or the Long Island Rail Road is the cheapest route into Midtown, while a taxi is faster at night. Newark needs a train or bus into Manhattan. Allow extra time for traffic on weekday afternoons.
Can tourists pay what they wish at the Met and other New York museums?+
The pay-what-you-wish rate at the Metropolitan Museum applies to New York State residents and students only. Visitors from elsewhere pay the full admission price. Check each museum's site before you go, as some offer free or reduced entry on specific evenings and others suggest a donation instead.
How many days do I need for the Met and MoMA in New York?+
This six-day plan gives the Met a full day, which is realistic for its size, and MoMA about half a day. If you want both the Met Cloisters and the main building, add time. Book timed entry online where offered and go at opening to see the most popular rooms before crowds build.
What is the best season for walking Manhattan and Brooklyn?+
April to June and September to November are the most comfortable for the amount of walking this route involves, with temperatures usually between 15 and 25 C. July and August are hot and humid, and January and February can be bitterly cold. Autumn is the busiest tourist season, so book hotels early.
Attractions in This Guide
Guide at a Glance
- Duration: 6 days
- Budget: Comfort · approx. $2,090–2,840 (≈ €1,820–2,470), excl. int'l flights
- Difficulty: moderate
- Best for: City Explorers
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