5-Day Pocket Guide

New
York

Real tips from someone who's actually been there

🗽 4 nights & 5 days 🍕 Where to eat 💡 Money-saving tips

Getting into Manhattan

✈️ From JFK — John F. Kennedy International Airport
JFK → AirTrain $8.25 → Jamaica Station → E Train or LIRR → 🏙️ Manhattan
Takes about 1 hour total. At Jamaica Station, take the E Train or the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) — which is best depends on where your hotel is. Far cheaper than a taxi which will run you around $100 once tip and charges are added on.
✈️ From Newark Airport (EWR)
Newark → Free AirTrain → Newark Airport Station → NJ Transit $15–19 → 🏙️ NY Penn Station
About 45 minutes total. From Penn Station it's a quick 10-minute walk or a short subway ride to Times Square — right in the heart of Midtown.
AirTrain + E Train
~$12
✓ Recommended
Yellow Taxi
~$100
inc. tip & charges

Essential facts

Flight time
~7–8 hrs
Time zone
EST — 5 hrs behind UK
Currency
US Dollar (USD)
Tipping
15–20% — expected everywhere
Visa
ESTA — must be completed at least 72hrs before departure, $40.27. Apply at esta.cbp.dhs.gov
Getting around
Subway + walking. Tap with contactless or Apple Pay
Airport transfer
AirTrain + E Train ~$12
Power plugs
Type A/B — bring a UK adapter

Best time to visit

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Best months Good anytime

Spring (Apr–May) and autumn (Sep–Oct) are ideal — mild, walkable weather with fewer crowds than summer. Winter is cold but brilliant around Christmas. Summer is hot and humid but the city never stops.

Jack's insider tips

1
Always tap the same card or device on the subway — fares are capped at $35 per rolling 7-day period (or 12 rides), after which you ride free. Important: tapping a physical card and your phone counts as two separate accounts, so pick one and stick to it.
2
Walk more than you think — NYC blocks are well-sized and the streets are endlessly interesting. You'll discover things no guidebook mentions.
3
Book Broadway in advance — especially for popular shows. TKTS in Times Square offers same-day discount tickets if you're flexible.
4
Eat where the locals eat — if the menu has photos of the Statue of Liberty on it, keep walking. The best food is always one street away.
5
Download Citymapper — it's the best app for navigating the subway and planning routes across the city.
6
ESTA before you fly — must be completed at least 72 hours before departure. It costs $40.27, is linked to your passport, and lasts 2 years. Apply at the official site: esta.cbp.dhs.gov

Best observation decks — ranked

Top pick
1
Edge
Highest outdoor observation deck in the Western Hemisphere. The see-through glass floor is a stomach-dropper.
→ Book the first slot of the day
2
SUMMIT One Vanderbilt
Immersive multi-level experience next to Grand Central. The mirrored rooms are genuinely stunning.
→ Allow 1.5–2 hours
3
Empire State Building
The classic. Go at night for the full NYC skyline lit up — magical.
→ Evening visit recommended
4
Top of the Rock
Brilliant for a daytime visit — unobstructed views with the Empire State Building in shot.
→ Perfect for photos
5
One World Observatory
Incredible 360° views from downtown. The lift experience alone is worth it.
→ Best on a clear morning

Where to eat & drink

✅ Jack's tried & tested
🌮
Los Tacos No. 1
Fantastic fresh tacos — one of the best quick meals in the city.
⭐ Tried
🥯
Pop Up Bagel
Incredibly popular NYC bagel spot. Go early to avoid long queues.
⭐ Tried
🥯
Liberty Bagels, Wall St
Perfect early morning spot after the Brooklyn Bridge walk.
⭐ Tried
🧁
Magnolia Bakery
The banana pudding is the must-order — don't leave without it.
⭐ Tried
🍪
Levain Bakery
Thick, gooey, warm cookies — the chocolate chip walnut is legendary.
⭐ Tried
🥐
Lafayette Grand Café
Stunning Parisian-style bakery and café — treat yourself here.
⭐ Tried
🥞
Bubby's
Classic NYC brunch — brilliant pancakes. Open from 8am on weekends.
⭐ Tried
🍔
7th Street Burger
Brilliant smash burgers — seriously good value.
⭐ Tried
🛒
Chelsea Market
Brilliant food hall under the High Line — loads of options in one spot.
⭐ Tried
🥪
Katz's Delicatessen
NYC institution since 1888 — the pastrami on rye is legendary. Expect a queue, worth every minute.
⭐ Tried
🍕
Joe's Pizza
The quintessential NYC dollar slice — wide, foldable, perfect.
⭐ Tried
🍔
Shake Shack
Born in NYC — this is where it all started. Madison Square Park original.
⭐ Tried
🐓
Chick-fil-A
Not available in the UK — the chicken sandwich is genuinely worth the hype.
⭐ Tried
🍪
Crumbl Cookies
Giant rotating menu of weekly cookie flavours. Huge, shareable portions.
⭐ Tried
🍩
The Donut Pub (Chelsea Market)
NYC's famous 24-hour donut institution. Old school and brilliant.
⭐ Tried
🎀
Angelina Bakery
Pretty, photogenic bakery — the croissants and cakes are excellent.
⭐ Tried
🍕 NYC bucket list (don't miss these)
🌮
Los Tacos No. 1
Fantastic fresh tacos — one of the best quick meals in the city.
Top pick
🥯
Pop Up Bagel
Incredibly popular NYC bagel spot. Go early to avoid long queues.
Top pick
🥞
Bubby's
Classic NYC brunch — brilliant pancakes. Open from 8am on weekends.
Top pick
🍔
7th Street Burger
Brilliant smash burgers — seriously good value.
Top pick
🧁
Magnolia Bakery
The banana pudding is the must-order — don't leave without it.
Top pick
🥪
Katz's Delicatessen
NYC institution since 1888 — the pastrami on rye is legendary. Expect a queue, worth every minute.
Top pick

Day-by-day itinerary

💡
Save up to 50% on top attractions
Book a Go City pass before you go — it covers many of the observation decks and attractions in this itinerary and can save you a significant amount on entry fees.
Day 1 Midtown Icons
🚇 Start here Grand Central–42nd St 4 5 6 7 S
🗽
From 11:10am
Arrive in Manhattan
💰 Save
🌮
Los Tacos No. 1
Fantastic, fresh, tasty tacos — a brilliant first NYC meal.
Eat
🏛️
Grand Central Terminal
Even just walking through is worth it. Look up at the ceiling.
See
🧁
Magnolia Bakery
Inside Grand Central — the iconic NYC cupcake. The banana pudding is unmissable.
Eat
🌆
SUMMIT One Vanderbilt
Immersive observation experience next to Grand Central.
Book ahead
🏢
Chrysler Building
One of NYC's most beautiful — best appreciated from the outside.
See
🏙️
8:00pm
Empire State Building
Evening visit for the full lit-up NYC skyline. Book your slot in advance.
Book ahead
🏗️
Flatiron Building
A short walk — one of NYC's most photographed buildings.
See
🍗
Raising Cane's
American chicken chain — the sauce is the star.
Eat
Day 2 Brooklyn & Downtown
🚇 Start here York St for DUMBO F
🌅
6:05am
Wake up for sunrise — F Train to DUMBO (York St)
One of the most iconic views in NYC with the Manhattan Bridge framing the skyline.
See
🌉
Walk back across Brooklyn Bridge
Head from Brooklyn into Manhattan on foot. Views are spectacular.
See
🥯
7:00–7:30am
Liberty Bagels, Wall St
Post-bridge breakfast — great value, proper NYC bagels.
Eat
🐂
Wall Street & Stock Exchange
Worth a quick look — the Charging Bull and Fearless Girl are nearby.
See
🕯️
9/11 Memorial & The Oculus
A deeply moving visit. The Oculus building nearby is architecturally stunning.
See
🌆
10:30am
One World Observatory
The highest viewpoint in NYC — phenomenal on a clear morning.
Book ahead
⛴️
12:00pm
Staten Island Ferry
Completely free — and gives you brilliant views of the Statue of Liberty. Beware of scammers trying to sell you tickets at the terminal — ignore them, the ferry is free to everyone.
💰 Free
🍔
~2:00pm
7th Street Burger
Highly rated smash burgers — a solid afternoon fuel-up.
Eat
🥟
Chinatown
Explore the streets — great for a cheap, tasty dinner alternative.
Eat
Day 3 Central Park & Uptown
🚇 Start here 81st St–Museum of Natural History B C
🥯
9:30am
Pop Up Bagel
One of the city's most popular bagel spots. Worth queuing for.
Eat
🦕
10:00am
American Museum of Natural History
Huge and brilliant — the dinosaur halls alone are worth the visit.
See
🌿
11:30am
Central Park
Stroll south through the park — it's right on the doorstep of the museum.
See
🍪
Levain Bakery
Legendary thick, gooey cookies — the chocolate chip walnut is iconic.
Eat
🏨
12:30pm
The Plaza Hotel
Walk through the lobby — very grand. A classic NYC landmark.
See
🚁
6:00pm
FlyNYON Helicopter — New Jersey
Doors-off helicopter over Manhattan. One of the best experiences in the city. £289pp — book well in advance.
Book ahead
Day 4 Hudson Yards & High Line
🚇 Start here 34th St–Hudson Yards 7
🏃
8:45am
Central Park run/walk (3 miles)
Balto statue → Umpire Rock → Gapstow Bridge. A magical early morning route.
See
☕
Blank Street Coffee + Pop Up Bagels
Great budget-friendly coffee chain. Grab a post-run bagel while you're at it.
Eat
🚡
10:30am
Roosevelt Island Tramway
NYC's aerial tram — just $4.50 and brilliant views over the East River.
💰 Save
🌀
12:00pm
Vessel & Edge
Vessel is a striking staircase sculpture. Edge next door is an incredible open-air observation deck.
Book ahead
📺
Friends Building & Cornelia Street
The iconic exterior used in the show is on 90 Bedford St. Cornelia Street (Taylor Swift) is a few steps away.
See
🥐
Lafayette Grand Café
Stunning Parisian-style bakery — the pastries are exceptional.
Eat
🛤️
The High Line & Chelsea Market
Walk the elevated park south. Chelsea Market below is brilliant for a meal — loads of options under one roof.
See
🌊
Little Island
A free public park built on the Hudson River — quirky, beautiful, and very photogenic.
See
🎭
7:00pm
Broadway show
The perfect evening closer. Book well in advance — expect to pay around £182 for good seats.
Book ahead
Day 5 Easy Exit
🚇 Start here Chambers St for Bubby's 1 2 3
🥞
8:00am
Bubby's
Classic NYC brunch spot — brilliant pancakes and a warm, buzzy atmosphere.
Eat
🛍️
Times Square shopping + 5th Avenue
Last chance for shopping — Sephora, Levi's, Uniqlo. 5th Ave for the flagship stores.
See
🌆
12:30pm
Top of the Rock
A daytime visit gives brilliant views — and you can see the Empire State Building from up here.
Book ahead
🚆
7:30pm
Train to JFK — 23:10 departure
Head back via the E Train + AirTrain. Allow plenty of time for check-in.
💡 Allow 3hrs

Weather by season

🌸 Spring — March to May
The best time to visit. Mild temperatures (10–20°C), cherry blossoms in Central Park, and far fewer crowds than summer. Pack a light jacket — evenings can still be cool.
☀️ Summer — June to August
Hot, humid, and buzzing with energy (25–35°C). Outdoor events, rooftop bars, and long evenings. Bring a small fan, a reusable water bottle, and light breathable clothing — the humidity can be intense.
🍂 Autumn — September to November
Arguably the most beautiful time of year. Warm September gives way to stunning fall foliage in October (12–22°C). Ideal walking weather and a brilliant atmosphere throughout the city.
❄️ Winter — December to February
Cold and sometimes snowy (-2–7°C), but magical around Christmas — the Rockefeller tree, ice skating, festive windows on 5th Ave. Pack serious layers; wind between the skyscrapers is brutal.

Useful apps to download

🗺️
Citymapper
The best app for navigating the NYC subway — far clearer than Google Maps for public transport routes.
📍
Google Maps
Download offline maps for New York before you travel — works without mobile data and saves on roaming charges.
🚗
Uber / Lyft
Often cheaper and easier than hailing a yellow cab, especially late at night. Set up your account before you fly.
🎭
TodayTix
Last-minute and discounted Broadway tickets. Great if you're flexible on show or date.
🍽️
OpenTable
Book restaurant tables in advance — popular NYC spots fill up fast, especially for brunch at weekends.
💱
Monzo or Revolut — and always pay in USD
Use either instead of your regular bank card to avoid foreign transaction fees. When paying, always select USD — choosing GBP triggers dynamic currency conversion, which means poor rates and hidden fees.
🧳
Stasher — Luggage Storage
Book luggage storage near your hotel or key locations. Perfect for Day 1 before check-in and Day 5 after check-out — from around $8 per bag per day.
📡
Honest Mobile — eSIM
Set up a travel eSIM before you fly to avoid expensive roaming charges. Download the app, purchase a US data plan, and activate it when you land — no physical SIM swap needed.

Emergency information

🚨
Emergency services
Dial 911 for police, fire, or ambulance — the equivalent of 999 in the UK.
🏥
Medical care — Urgent Care centres
For non-emergency medical issues, find your nearest Urgent Care clinic rather than going to an ER — quicker and cheaper. Search "urgent care near me" on Google Maps.
🛡️
Travel insurance
US healthcare costs are extremely high — make sure your travel insurance is in place before you fly and keep the policy number saved on your phone.
🇬🇧
British Consulate General — New York
845 Third Avenue, New York, NY 10022. Tel: +1 212 745 0200. Contact if you lose your passport or need consular assistance.
💳
Lost or stolen cards
First step — freeze your card instantly via your banking app before calling anyone. Save your bank's international helpline number in your phone before you travel too, as the UK number may not work abroad.

Ready to book your New York trip?

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The Good Travel Agent · Guide based on personal experience · Prices approximate and subject to change