5 Days in NYC: Top Recommendations From Someone Who’s Visited 15+ Times

Although I found my home in the Nordics, New York City is a place that pulls me back time and time again. My mother is actually from the Big Apple, so I often find myself on the other side of the Atlantic and NEVER get bored. I’ve easily visited 15+ times in my life, and I don’t think I’ll ever run out of things to do here. I’m still never calling football “soccer”, though 🙂. 

NYC is, forgive the clichés, a “wild beast to tame”. Whether you’re visiting for the first or 20th time, being selective with what you do will ensure that you have the most fulfilling trip. Based on the wealth of knowledge I have from my previous adventures, I’ve put together these suggestions for a five-day trip to one of the world’s greatest cities. 

Day I: Central Park and Top of the Rock 

Central Park might not look big on a map, but it’s *huge*. You could easily spend a day exploring this wonderful spot in Manhattan, and that’s exactly what I recommend. Central Park Zoo is especially worth checking out (yes, that’s where the penguins escaped from in Madagascar 🙂). 

Central Park also has several cycling lanes, making it arguably the best place to explore parts of NYC without being among the traffic. During the summer, it’s a fantastic place to relax for the afternoon as well.

Also close to Central Park is the American Museum of Natural History, which is the number one museum I would recommend based on my previous experiences in NYC. 

No trip to New York City is complete without checking out the iconic skyline, and the Top of the Rock is by far my favourite place to do that. I’ve actually written a full guide to the Top of the Rock if you want more information, with ticket prices, photography tips, and much more included. 

Food Recommendations for Your First Day in NYC 😋

• Manhattan Diner: One of the best brunches I’ve had in NYC (which says a lot, because there a lot of good brunch spots in this city). 
• NYC-style hot dogs and pretzels: Basically any food stand in and around Central Park will serve them. 

Day II: Lower Manhattan 

For your second day in New York City, I recommend spending most of your time in Lower Manhattan. I quite liked West Village when I was there, and you’ll find an excellent number of places to eat here. Compared to other parts of NYC, it also has a much more laid-back feel IMO. 

One World Trade Center, also known as the Freedom Tower, is also worth checking out. The 9/11 memorial outside is a poignant mark of respect to the victims and an absolute must-see on your trip to NYC. I haven’t been to the museum yet, but that’s on my list of things to do as well; ditto for the observation deck. 

While you’re in Lower Manhattan, Battery Park is nice for a wander. You get a great view towards the Statue of Liberty, One World Trade Center, and New Jersey. 

I’d also recommend enjoying the city from a boat at least once. I’ve used the Circle Line in the past and can personally recommend that. You’ll find a handful of tours in the city.

Food Recommendations for Day II 😋

• Emily: As someone who’s half-Italian, I am *very* dubious of places that serve pizza and burgers. However, Emily works… and its burgers are very good. You’ll find one restaurant in West Village, along with other parts of NYC. 

Day III: Roosevelt Island and More of Manhattan 

Roosevelt Island is one of New York City’s true hidden gems and much quieter than the rest of the city. So, if NYC’s chaos has started wearing you down, come here to rest and recharge. 

You can get the cable car to Roosevelt Island, which in and of itself is pretty cool. Once you’re here, you’ll get great views of Manhattan and Queens. The island also features the Four Freedoms Park, a tribute to Franklin D. Roosevelt. 

After a few hours on Roosevelt Island, you can head on to explore Midtown. I wouldn’t recommend spending much time in Times Square, to be honest with you; in my opinion, it’s an overcrowded tourist trap. If you must visit, take your picture and go. The Empire State Building is worth admiring during your stay, and you can even head to the observation deck for another view over NYC if you wish. 

I also enjoyed visiting the Vessel with my friend in 2019 and would recommend that you also check it out. I haven’t plucked up the courage to go to the Edge observation deck yet, but if that’s something you’d find interesting, it’s also in this area. Also close by is The High Line. 

Food Recommendations for Day III 😋

• Koreatown: Pretty much BBQ place in Koreatown will probably satisfy you. Have a wander around and see what takes your fancy. 

Day IV: Upper East Side

The Upper East Side is probably my favourite part of New York City. I love the architecture here, and there are plenty of cool museums and places to shop as well. Rather than sightseeing, I’d recommend spending much of the day simply wandering around and museum-hopping. 

The Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Guggenheim Museum are worth visiting. Once you’ve finished exploring, I recommend wandering around Central Park some more. 

Food Recommendation for Day IV 😋

• Dallas BBQ: Yes, it’s a chain—but Dallas BBQ is one of my favourite places to eat in NYC and I make it a priority to come here every time I visit. There are restaurants across the city, but you’ll find one in the Upper East Side on 73rd Street and 3rd Avenue. 

Day V: Brooklyn Bridge and Surrounding Areas

Many people make the mistake of thinking that Brooklyn is easy enough to explore in a day, but you honestly could spend an entire trip here. With over 2.5 million people living there, it can feel like a city in and of itself if you’re from a smaller place. Start with the basics by heading over the Brooklyn Bridge and checking out the surrounding areas, and explore the borough in more detail on a later trip. 

I’d recommend walking over the Brooklyn Bridge early in the morning as it gets *very* crowded. When you’re in Brooklyn, stop at Front Street Pizza for some unreal lunch… look at the size of this, by the way 🤯. The garlic bites here are also phenomenal (was too hungry to take a photo of them, sorry 😋). 

Have a wander around Brooklyn Bridge Park to burn some of those calories off. I’d also recommend stopping for some coffee at BEEPUBLIC. From here, you can choose whether you want to continue exploring or head to the airport. If you have time in the summer, I’d recommend going to Coney Island as well. the journey is almost an hour from DUMBO, so make sure you have enough time for that.