New York City is not just a destination it’s an experience that grabs hold of every one of your senses. With 17 glorious days in NYC, you have the opportunity to not just “see” the city, but live it.

From world-famous landmarks to secret spots only locals know, this detailed itinerary offers you the perfect mix of tourist must-sees, hidden gems, travel tips, and smart hacks to maximize your trip.

Ready to conquer the Big Apple? Let’s dive into the ultimate 17-day New York City itinerary!

Before You Go: NYC Travel Tips and Hacks

✅ Buy a 7-day Unlimited MetroCard ($34/week) for unlimited subway and bus rides. You can refill it after the first week.
✅ Download Citymapper or Google Maps for the best subway and walking directions.
✅ Comfortable shoes are essential. Expect to walk 15,000–20,000 steps per day.
✅ Always check subway service updates, especially weekends when there are route changes.
✅ Book popular attractions in advance: Statue of Liberty, Broadway shows, museums.
✅ Stay alert and aware: NYC is safe, but like any big city, petty theft can happen in tourist areas.
✅ Tipping is expected: 15–20% at restaurants, $1–2 per drink at bars, $1–2 for hotel porters.
✅ Cash is less necessary: Cards and tap-to-pay (Apple Pay, Google Pay) are widely accepted.

Full 17-Day New York City Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive and Settle In

• Check-in to your hotel or Airbnb (Midtown Manhattan or Brooklyn are best bases).
• Stretch your legs: Take a gentle walk through Times Square — yes, it’s touristy, but it’s iconic.
• Sunset at Top of the Rock (better view than Empire State Building).
• Dinner at Carmine’s (family-style Italian feast).
• Hack: Times Square is best visited after dark—fewer crowds, better neon magic.

Day 2: Explore Midtown’s Icons

• Visit St. Patrick’s Cathedral (free entry, stunning Gothic architecture).
• Walk 5th Avenue: Saks, Rockefeller Center, Tiffany’s.
• Wander Bryant Park (grab a coffee from Culture Espresso nearby).
• Afternoon at The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) (free Friday evenings!).
• Evening: Broadway Show (buy tickets at the TKTS booth for same-day discounts).
• Tip: Download the TodayTix app for discounted Broadway and Off-Broadway tickets.

Day 3: Central Park + Upper East Side

• Morning bike ride through Central Park (rent from Blazing Saddles or Citi Bike).
• Visit the Metropolitan Museum of Art (budget 3–4 hours minimum).
• Optional: Row a boat on the Central Park Lake ($20/hour).
• Stroll down Museum Mile.
• Brunch at Sarabeth’s.
• Hack: Enter the Met with “pay-what-you-wish” tickets if you’re a NY resident or student.

Day 4: Statue of Liberty + Ellis Island

• Visit the Metropolitan Museum of Art
• Explore the moving Immigration Museum.
• Afternoon in Battery Park.
• Stroll to Wall Street, see the Charging Bull and Fearless Girl statues.
• Tip: Book “Crown Access” tickets months in advance if you want to climb inside Lady Liberty’s crown!

Day 5: SoHo, Little Italy, Chinatown

• Start in stylish SoHo for boutique shopping.
• Enjoy a classic lunch in Little Italy (try Rubirosa or Lombardi’s).
• Explore Chinatown’s markets (bargain for souvenirs).
• Visit Canal Street Market for Asian snacks and pop-up shops.
• Hack: Try Nom Wah Tea Parlor in Chinatown—NYC’s oldest dim sum spot.

Day 6: Brooklyn Bridge + DUMBO

• Early morning walk across the Brooklyn Bridge (beautiful sunrise views).
• Explore DUMBO (Down Under Manhattan Bridge Overpass).
• Take iconic photos at Washington Street with Manhattan Bridge framed behind you.
• Lunch at Juliana’s Pizza (better than Grimaldi’s!).
• Relax at Brooklyn Bridge Park.
• Tip: Visit Time Out Market rooftop for amazing views and cocktails.

Day 7: Williamsburg + Bushwick

• Brunch at Sunday in Brooklyn (incredible pancakes!).
• Street art tour in Bushwick (the Bushwick Collective murals).
• Explore trendy boutiques on Bedford Avenue.
• Drinks at Westlight Rooftop in Williamsburg.
• Hack: Take the East River Ferry back to Manhattan for cheap skyline views.

Mid-Trip: Expand Beyond Manhattan

Day 8: Day Trip to The Hamptons

• Rent a Zipcar or take the LIRR to East Hampton or Montauk.
• Beach time, boutique shopping, seafood lunches.
• Tip: For a less touristy alternative, visit Fire Island—no cars, just beaches and boardwalks.

Day 9: Harlem + Upper Manhattan

• Tour the historic Apollo Theater.
• Visit The Studio Museum in Harlem.
• Soul food lunch at Sylvia’s or Red Rooster.
• Explore Strivers’ Row architecture.
• Hack: Attend a Sunday Gospel service (public welcome at Abyssinian Baptist Church, but arrive early!).

Day 10: Museums and Parks

• Spend a few hours at the American Museum of Natural History.
• Walk through Riverside Park.
• Visit Columbia University’s campus.
• Tip: Reserve free tickets in advance for the Hayden Planetarium shows!

Day 11: Roosevelt Island

• Ride the Roosevelt Island Tramway ($2.90 MetroCard ride with insane skyline views).
• Visit Four Freedoms Park at the southern tip.
• Relax away from the Manhattan crowds.
• Hack: Visit around sunset for unforgettable lighting on the skyline.

Deeper Neighborhood Immersion

Day 12: Greenwich Village

• Morning coffee at Joe Coffee or Caffe Reggio (where the cappuccino was introduced to America!).
• See the Friends TV show building at Bedford and Grove Street.
• Visit Washington Square Park (watch live musicians and chess players).
• Tip: Look for secret speakeasies like Employees Only for late-night cocktails.

Day 13: Chelsea + High Line + Hudson Yards

• Walk the elevated High Line Park.
• Explore Chelsea Market for global eats.
• Visit Little Island (free floating park on the Hudson).
• End at The Edge for glass-floor sky views at Hudson Yards.
• Hack: Visit The Vessel at Hudson Yards early morning for best photos before crowds.

Day 14: Queens Foodie Adventure

• Head to Flushing for the real Chinatown.
• Try soup dumplings at Nan Xiang Xiao Long Bao.
• Visit Astoria for Greek food (Taverna Kyclades is a favorite).
• Tip: CitiField nearby has tours for baseball fans, or visit the Queens Botanical Garden.

Day 15: Bronx Cultural Gems

• Wander the New York Botanical Garden.
• Explore The Bronx Zoo (one of the largest in the world).
• Arthur Avenue for Italian bakeries, butchers, and restaurants.
• Hack: Some Bronx Zoo entrances are free on Wednesdays—plan ahead!

Day 16: Secret Spots and Last-Minute Shopping

• Hidden gardens at Paley Park and Greenacre Park.
• Visit Strand Bookstore (18 miles of books!).
• Final shopping on Fifth Avenue or quirky stores in SoHo.
• Tip: Reserve afternoon tea at the Plaza Hotel for a fancy NYC send-off.

Day 17: Farewell, New York

• Brunch at Balthazar (classic NYC spot).
• Last walk along Central Park or the Hudson River Greenway.
• Head to the airport full of memories and stories to tell.
• Hack: Plan for traffic—always leave for the airport earlier than you think you need to!

Where to Stay in NYC

Budget	Recommendation	Area
Luxury	The Plaza, The Langham	Midtown
Mid-Range	Arlo SoHo, CitizenM Bowery	Downtown
Budget	The Pod Hotels, HI NYC Hostel	Midtown/Upper West Side

Final Pro Travel Tips for New York City

• Weather can change fast: Always have a light jacket and umbrella.
• Subway etiquette: Let passengers off before boarding. Keep backpacks off during crowded rides.
• Food is everywhere: Skip chains—NYC’s best meals are from food trucks, hole-in-the-walls, and tiny delis.
• Stay flexible: Some of your best NYC memories will come from spontaneous discoveries!

Conclusion

With 17 full days in New York City, you’ll experience the soul of the city far beyond the postcard highlights.

You’ll explore five boroughs, uncover hidden treasures, taste the world through NYC’s food scene, and build memories that last a lifetime.

Bookmark this itinerary, pack your walking shoes, and get ready to fall in love with the Big Apple! 🍎✨