New York City is one of our favorite places to visit practically any time of year. Whether you’re biking through Central Park in the warmer months, or roaming the halls of the great Metropolitan Museum of Art in cooler weather, there’s something delightful to do whenever you visit.
To help you make the most of your time in this wonderful city, our New York itinerary for first-timers covers a bunch of fun family activities that you could choose from to build your perfect week-long trip, or even pack it all into five days. It's the perfect introduction to New York.
Which neighborhoods should you visit in New York?
Over one week you can see the essential sights in:
- Uptown – The Met, American Museum of Natural History
- Midtown – Empire State Building, Museum of Modern Art (MoMA)
- Lower Manhattan – Statue of Liberty, 9/11 Memorial & Museum
- Brooklyn – Brooklyn Bridge and DUMBO Walking Tour, Luna Park
- Bronx – Yankee Stadium Tour, New York Botanical Garden
All with Go City®!
What to see in Uptown Manhattan
MoMa
With thousands of years of history to choose from, the Metropolitan Museum of Art's collections are as diverse and eclectic as you could imagine. Given their great strengths in practically every major area of art, from Ancient Egyptian funeral art to contemporary American painting, we’re confident that there’s a work of art to inspire every visitor.
Guggenheim Museum
No need to pay for a trip to Paris to see world-class art! You’ll find more artistic inspiration in this Frank Lloyd Wright-designed museum. Marvel at famous works of art arranged in unique ways, and appreciate the breadth of artistic movements, media, and historical periods that characterize the Guggenheim Museum’s extensive collections.
American Museum of Natural History
Since its founding in the mid-nineteenth century, the American Museum of Natural History has fascinated, dazzled, and educated New Yorkers and visitors alike. Whether you’ve got a kid who loves dinosaurs, an avid interest in oceanic life, or just an appreciation for the astonishing beauty of natural gemstones, there’s something at this amazing attraction for you.
Shakespeare Garden
If you’re looking to spend a little time in Central Park but don’t know where to begin, then a visit to the charming four-acre Shakespeare Garden is a good starting place. Located just east of the American Museum of Natural History, this little green oasis is modeled after English country gardens and accompanied by plaques inscribed with quotes from the Bard’s great works.
What to see in Midtown Manhattan
Empire State Building
Visit one of the most famous buildings in all of New York, and arguably, in the entire world. The Empire State Building provides unparalleled views of the city below from its 86th-floor observation deck, located well over 1,000 feet above the ground. A stop here is at the top of many bucket lists, and it should definitely be on your New York itinerary.
Museum of Modern Art
Another one for the art lovers in your group, the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) houses an unmatched collection of modern and contemporary art. Featuring such iconic works as Van Gogh’s The Starry Night and Warhol’s Campbell’s Soup Cans, their holdings represent some of the finest in global modern art. You’ll also find works from Pollack, Dali, Gauguin, Picasso, and many, many, more.
Central Park Bike Tour
Incorporate some fresh air and exercise into your New York City excursions with a fun Central Park Sightseeing Bike Tour. This relaxing two-hour tour encompasses many of the top sites of America’s most famous urban park, such as the Cherry Hill Fountain, Strawberry Fields, the Imagine Mosaic, and many more. A great activity for families!
New York Public Library
Take a photo on the iconic steps of the Stephen A. Schwarzman Building of the New York Public Library. This amazing Beaux-Arts building has been the flagship of the NYPL system for generations, and today is a prominent landmark in Midtown Manhattan. Be sure to say hello to the stone lions that flank the front entrance! If you're interested, you can also pop inside to get a glimpse of their famed halls and reading rooms. Remember to respect researchers, however, so keep quiet...
What to see in Lower Manhattan
Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island Ferry
Alongside the Empire State Building, Lady Liberty is one of NYC’s most iconic and recognizable landmarks. The Statue of Liberty and nearby Ellis Island represent New York’s rich cultural heritage, serving invaluable roles in early twentieth-century immigration and inspiring generations of new Americans.
Hop aboard the ferry out to these unbeatable historic attractions and be prepared to get those postcard-perfect photos.
🎟️ Getting in: Admission is available on all Go City® passes.
👉 Tip: to visit the pedestal and/or crown of the Statue of Liberty, visit the National Park Service for more booking information.
9/11 Memorial and Museum
Another lower Manhattan option to consider for your week in NYC is the 9/11 Memorial and Museum. This deeply moving attraction recounts the events that led up to the horrific attacks of September 11, 2001, and the tragic aftermath. You’ll get to explore galleries filled with photographs, artifacts, and even pieces of the destroyed World Trade Center at the Museum.
Then, see the poignant exterior memorial with its signature water and light designs. It's become an emotional center for New Yorkers, and is well worth your time to visit.
🎟️ Getting in: Admission is available on all Go City® passes.
Big Bus 1-Day Downtown & Uptown Hop-on Hop-off Tour
There’s so much to see and do in New York City that it can be really overwhelming to try to explore on your own. That’s why a comprehensive Big Bus 1-Day Downtown & Uptown Hop-on Hop-off Tour can be a good way of approaching your adventures.
Focus on specific parts of the city for a manageable itinerary, and take advantage of the flexibility to disembark at things that interest you. Or, if you want to relax, ride the entire loop and enjoy the informative narration that accompanies your journey.
🎟️ Getting in: Admission is available on all Go City® passes.
Greenwich Village at Night Walking Tour
For anyone with an interest in artsy culture, a visit to NYC's iconic Greenwich Village is a must. Home to generations of artists, writers, activists, and many more (although it no longer has a racy reputation), this neighborhood is still a fascinating piece of American history. This tour will last approximately two hours and covers 2-3 miles of walking on city terrain. Wear comfortable shoes!
🎟️ Getting in: Admission is available on all Go City® passes.
NYC Slavery & Underground Railroad Walking Tour
Over 2.5 hours, you'll explore the origins of slavery in colonial New York on this fascinating guided walking tour. Learn about how people banded together to form the risky network that became the Underground Railroad, and you'll hear some of the stories from those who traveled the route in pursuit of freedom. Real New Yorkers risked their lives and everything they had to help people escape slavery - as you'll discover in this eye-opening exploration of the city's pivotal past.
🎟️ Getting in: Admission is available on all Go City® passes.
What to see in Brooklyn
Brooklyn Bridge & DUMBO Walking Tour
Take the opportunity to enjoy a walking tour or a guided bike ride across Brooklyn Bridge, and marvel at its distinctive architecture and iconic silhouette. Learn all about the history of this famous bridge as you cross over into the Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass (DUMBO) neighborhood of Brooklyn, known for art galleries, boutique shops, and trendy little restaurants.
🎟️ Getting in: Admission to the walking and bike tours are available on all Go City® passes.
Brooklyn Botanic Garden
Forget about the city and immerse yourself in the beautiful green oasis that is the Brooklyn Botanic Garden. With 52 acres of plants from around the globe, this garden regularly attracts botanists and amateurs alike. Don't miss the stunning Japanese Hill-and-Pond Garden, which is one of the oldest Japanese gardens outside Japan.
🎟️ Getting in: Admission is available on the Go City® All-Inclusive Pass.
Luna Park at Coney Island
Coney Island rightfully stands as one of NYC’s most popular attractions, offering boardwalk vibes and rides for generations. Head to Luna Park at Coney Island for four hours of unlimited rides, with everything from thrilling roller coasters to retro carousels. The kids will love the chance to enjoy an amusement park in such an urban setting, and you’ll enjoy the nostalgia.
🎟️ Getting in: Admission is available on all Go City® passes.
Imagination Playground
If you’re already around Prospect Park in Brooklyn, then take the kids to the Imagination Playground. This innovative park features structures and objects that encourage “free play,” offering new opportunities for children to explore and create on their own. It’s located just near the Oriental Pavilion, too, if you’re looking for something to do while the kids are playing.
What to see in the Bronx and nearby
Yankee Stadium Classic Tour
Explore the home of one of the most storied franchises in all of Major League Baseball – the famed Yankee Stadium. This newer construction features plenty of homages to the old greats, too, with the inspiring Monument Park and the New York Yankees Museum as stops on your tour. Even if you’re not a fan of the team, this tour is a must see for any baseball lover.
New York Botanical Garden
With over 50 different gardens and displays featuring over a million plants, the New York Botanical Garden has acres upon acres of beautiful greenery to wander through. A favorite exhibit is the Peggy Rockefeller Rose Garden, which has actually won a number of awards for its beautiful blooms.
Kids will also love the hands-on activities available at the Everett Children’s Adventure Garden. Be sure to keep this place in mind during the holidays -- their holiday botanical train display is simply stunning and is unlike anything else you've ever seen.
The Met Cloisters (nearby in Fort Tryon Park)
A sister museum to the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Met Cloisters are a truly unique institution. Housed in a building inspired by medieval French monasteries, their collections feature over 3,000 pieces from the ninth to sixth centuries. They’re best known for the remarkable Unicorn Tapestries (pictured above), and their medieval gardens are well worth a stroll through.
The Bronx Zoo
The iconic Bronx Zoo is immensely popular with families across the Tri-State region. One of the largest zoos in the world, they attract over 2 million visitors per year to their diverse collections of animals from around the globe. Featuring award-winning exhibits and naturalistic habitats for more than 4,000 critters, the Bronx Zoo is perfect for animal lovers.
Want to save money on those bucket-list attractions?
Discover our full line-up of New York attractions including The Empire State Building, Top of the Rock Observatory, the Statue of Liberty, and more.
🤩 >> If you want to see and do as much as you can, our All-Inclusive Pass is for you.
😎 >> If you want to pick just a few attractions and visit at your own pace, our Explorer Pass is the perfect option.
