What's the best way to get around New York?
This route has been designed to be done on foot because this is the way to get the most of the city. However, if you want to use a means of transport, I recommend that you do not take a taxi to go from one place to another. Indeed, in New York, traffic is important and traffic jams are very frequent. To remedy this problem and get around the city without difficulty, the New York subway is the ideal solution. Less expensive than a taxi, this means of transport will allow you to get around the city easily and quickly.
New York itinerary: what is the ideal route?
A departure close to Central Park
Our 100% New York tour starts right next to Central Park, at the famous Museum of Natural History. It then takes you right in the middle of the famous park, the lung of the Big Apple! To lack Central Park while staying in New York is unimaginable! This 341 hectare park is the ideal place to unwind. In Central Park, you can take a nap, walk, cycle or rollerblade, canoe, watch New Yorkers jog, approach squirrels, take some souvenir photos ...
If you are visiting New York in the summer, enjoy a little picnic in the sun. If you are there in winter, do not hesitate to take a little tour of the skating rink installed in the park.
A short visit to the Metropolitan Museum of Art
Right next to Central Park, you can find one of New York's most famous museums: the Metropolitan Museum of Art. This must-see museum houses an impressive collection: more than two million works from all over the world are exhibited there. Moreover, I advise you to look at the different collections before going there in order to select the ones that interest you because you will not have time to see everything.
To avoid queuing at the entrance and saving time for other attractions, don't forget to pre-purchase your New York City Pass or New York Pass.
Continue to the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA)
If you are passionate about modern art, I will meet you at Museum of Modern Art, another museum located near Central Park at 11 West 53 Street (between The Fifth Avenue and 6th Avenue). It brings together contemporary and very diverse works: paintings, sculptures, photographs, design ...
With New York Pass, entry is free, which is why I advise you to visit it. Even if you stay there for a little while, you will be surprised by the artistic richness on offer!
New York route: direction The Fifth Avenue!
After these 100% cultural moments, I suggest you visit the famous Fifth Avenue about 2,7 km from MoMA for shopping. Over 4 kilometers, you can window shop in all kinds of shops. Luxury brands like Vuitton or Fendi are established there. On Fifth Avenue, you won't leave empty-handed, that's for sure! By the way, I advise you to go for a walk in the Niketown store. Many items of the famous brand are sold there and you can even have your sneakers personalized!
Take to the skies and enjoy panoramic views of New York
Also on The Fifth Avenue, you will find the famous Rockefeller Center and its main attraction The Top of The Rock. The latter offers you a breathtaking open-air observation post! Indeed, the view of New York is simply magnificent. You can admire Central Park, southern Manhattan and many other beautiful things! The Empire State Building and the Top of the Rock are two must-see places not to be missed during a stay in the Big Apple, even if you have to visit New York in 3 days!
Watch a show or musical
We continue our New York itinerary with a little tour of Broadway. If you are there in the evening, take the opportunity to go see a musical! Here, many shows take place, you will be spoiled for choice. Comedies such as Frozen or The Lion King are also on offer. Ideal to please your children! So remember to reserve your seats in advance. You will save time and you will save some money!
Stroll through Times Square
Then continue your way towards Times Square about 800 meters from the previous location. This New York crossover is the undisputed place for all fashion addicts! Times Square is famous for its many shops, its incredible billboards and its illuminated buildings. Here, many brands are located such as Levi's Store or American Eagle Outfitters. It is also in Times Square that you can enter the Forever 21 department store. You will therefore have no trouble finding what you are looking for! Don't forget to take a trip to M & M's World too!
New York route: Grand Central Terminal
Then take the road to the Grand Central Terminal. The architecture of this station is really worth a look! Its large clock is grand and you can also do some shopping if you wish.
Note: from Times Square to Grand Central Terminal, you can either take metro line 7 (6 minutes) or walk there (11 minutes). The choice is yours!
Climb to the top of the Empire State Building
If you are lucky enough to spend a few days in New York, I advise you to save a little time to visit the famous Empire State Building. Located about 1km from the previous location, this iconic skyscraper is made up of 103 floors in total, this unmissable monument will give you a breathtaking view of all of New York.
If you can, climb to the top in the evening before sunset. The view is all the more splendid and the colors breathtaking. You can visit the Empire State Building with one of the two passes (New York City Pass or New York Pass). Moreover, these give you the opportunity to climb to the top of the skyscraper twice in the same day. Take the opportunity to come once in the morning and once in the evening!
Cross the high line
2,7 km from the Empire State Building, you will find the Chelsea high line. Locals love it, tourists too! The high line is now one of the emblematic sites of the Big Apple. Located in the Chelsea district, this old railway line, located 10 meters high has been converted into a 100% ecological park. The high line is 2,3 kilometers long. During this city walk, you can take a leisurely stroll or rest while admiring the view of Chelsea and the Meatpacking district.
After crossing the high line, take the opportunity to take a little tour of the Chelsea Market, a must-see market for all gourmets!
Explore Greenwich Village and Soho
Once your ride on the high line is over, direction Greenwich Village and its bohemian life 1,1 km from the previous place. It is in this area that you can listen to jazz in clubs like Blue Note or Smalls Jazz Club. 1,5 km from this district, is that of Soho where you will enjoy strolling through the streets. Art galleries, but also cafes and restaurants open their doors to you for a little relaxation. My favorite restaurant? Ed's Lobster Bar and its typical American cuisine. It is located at 222 Lafayette St.
Escape for a moment
If you have the chance to visit New York in 5 days for example, I recommend a small detour by Chinatown for a total change of scenery. Located just 12 minutes walk from Soho (1 km), here everything is there to immerse you in a 100% Asian atmosphere: shops, restaurants ... You can find products from Asia and taste traditional dishes from this continent such as the famous noodles from Xi'an Famous Foods (45 Bayard St). If you want to rest in a typical garden, I suggest Colombus Park.
If you are looking for a southern atmosphere, go to Little Italy, the neighborhood stuck to Chinatown. As you will understand, here it is the Italian charm that prevails!
Visit the September 11 Memorial
Then go to 9/11 Memorial located southwest of Manhattan. It is a place rich in emotion where the profile of all the victims of September 11, 2001 is presented.
Meet at Ellis Island
After discovering the emblematic places of the continent, I suggest you take the direction of the islands! First of all if you want to know more about the history of the city, take the ferry at Battery Park direction Ellis Island and his immigration museum. A guided tour is organized between 9:30 am and 17:XNUMX pm.
Climb to the top of the Statue of Liberty
We end our New York itinerary with the symbol of the city: the Statue of Liberty. To get there, you will need to take the ferry from Battery Park which will take you to Liberty Island (don't forget your camera to take some pictures of the skyline during the crossing). On the island, you will have the option to visit the pedestal as well as the crown of the Statue of Liberty (don't forget to book in advance if you want to climb to the top). Personally, I recommend both!
Note: If you want to visit Ellis Island and Liberty Island back to back, you can. From Battery Park, you will visit Liberty Island first and then Ellis Island.
Now you know the best New York walking route. Whether you are visiting New York in 4 days or more, don't forget to plan your schedule to make sure you don't miss a thing during your trip. If you have time, don't hesitate to visit other iconic places like the Brooklyn Bridge or the Guggenheim Museum. Enjoy your stay in the Big Apple!
