Spending 5 days in New York City gives you plenty of opportunities to visit all of the essential tourist attractions and more. With 5 days, you won’t be too rushed, so you can relax and take your time enjoying the sights within the city. This 5-day NYC itinerary is just one example of how you can make the most of your trip to New York City - with The New York Pass, your sightseeing possibilities are endless and you can completely tailor your sightseeing itinerary to your interests.
This Sample 5 Days in NYC Itinerary Includes:
- Big Bus New York Hop-on Hop-off Tour
- The Brooklyn Bridge and DUMBO Neighborhood Tour
- Yankee Stadium Tours
- Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum
- Museum of Modern Art (MoMA)
- and more...
Save on Admission to Top NYC Attractions
With The New York Pass, you can save big on admission to more than 90 attractions in the city. Experience the best of NYC and visit as many sites as you want each day for one low price with this flexible pass. Simply put, you decide what to see and when you want to see it! Learn more about our available passes and attractions.
DAY 1
Big Bus New York Hop-on Hop-off Tour
Start your trip with an overview tour of the city to get acquainted with the top attractions and city layout. This will help you plan which sights and attractions you want to go back to and spend more time at later on during your trip. The Big Bus Hop-On Hop-Off tour lets you choose from 3 routes that explore all of Manhattan: Uptown, Midtown, and Downtown. Hop off at any of the over 25 popular stops along the way to explore an area by foot or visit attractions. As you ride along, you'll hear live commentary from your onboard tour guide, so you'll get an entertaining overview of the city's history, culture, popular spots, and more.
Greenwich Village Walking Tour
By Jean-Christophe BENOIST (Own work) [CC BY 3.0], via Wikimedia Commons
Explore the artistic community of Greenwich Village and stop by the ever-exciting Washington Square Park, where you will always find some form of entertainment. This neighborhood was at the heart of the 1960s counter-culture movement and is still into one of the trendiest areas in New York City with cafes, jazz clubs, theaters, the picturesque Washington Square Park, and many NYU buildings. Getting in: Greenwich Village Walking Tour tickets are included with The New York Pass.
Madison Square Garden – All Access Tour
By Eddie Maloney from North Las Vegas, USA (NYC) [CC BY-SA 2.0], via Wikimedia Commons
Take a tour of the world's most famous entertainment arena, Madison Square Garden. This all-access tour knows no limits and will even take you into the locker rooms of your favorite New York sports teams. Getting in: Madison Square Garden: MSG All Access Tour tickets are included with The New York Pass.
Hudson River Sightseeing Bike Rentals
What could be more relaxing than a nice leisurely ride along the Hudson River? Head to Hudson River Sightseeing Bike Rentals and pick up a full day bike rental to explore the sights of New York City at your own place (can be a great way to get around to attractions on your New York City itinerary!). Getting in: Hudson River Sightseeing Bike Rentals are included with The New York Pass.
DAY 2
The Brooklyn Bridge and DUMBO Neighborhood Tour
Start your day with a tour of Brooklyn's DUMBO neighborhood and view one of New York's most iconic landmarks, the Brooklyn Bridge on a guided tour. You'll get to explore the vibrant and trendy Brooklyn neighborhood and get great views of the Manhattan skyline as you learn all about this historic neighborhood. Getting in: The Brooklyn Bridge and DUMBO Neighborhood Tour tickets are included with the New York Pass.
Shearwater Classic Schooner - Manhattan by Sail
Experience New York City's waterfront as you cruise on the historic Shearwater Classic Schooner ship and view the best sights that the city has to offer. This 1.5-hour cruise gives you plenty of time to relax and enjoy the sights as you sail along. Getting in: Shearwater Classic Schooner cruise tickets are included with The New York Pass.
Museum at Eldridge Street
After your cruise, head to the Museum at Eldridge Street, a historic synagogue. While exploring this museum's beautifully decorated interiors, you’ll learn all about its significance to Jewish history and culture, particularly in the Lower East Side of Manhattan. Getting in: Museum at Eldridge St. tickets are included with The New York Pass.
DAY 3
Rockefeller Center Tour
Become an expert on the legendary Rockefeller Center by taking an entertaining and enlightening guided tour of the plaza and learn the building's history and symbolic status in NYC's history. Getting in: Rockefeller Center Tour tickets are included with The New York Pass.
Shopping at Macy’s Herald Square - Receive an 11% Saving Pass
Macy's Herald Square is one of the largest department stores in the world - and a New York City landmark - offering a huge selection of name brand designers and popular styles. You can use your New York Pass to enjoy 10% savings inside of the store. Getting in: 11% savings pass at Macy's Heral Square get an exclusive with The New York Pass.
Museum of the City of New York
By Beyond My Ken (Own work) [GFDL or CC BY-SA 4.0-3.0-2.5-2.0-1.0], via Wikimedia Commons
Explore the massive collection at the Museum of the City of New York and see how multimedia and advanced technology are incorporated with the exhibits hosted by the museum. There's plenty to discover as the museum boasts a collection of over 1.5 million items. Getting in: Museum of the city of New York tickets are included with The New York Pass.
Yankee Stadium Tours
Travel to the Bronx and take a tour of the historic Yankee Stadium. This 1-hour tour takes you through the stadium while an experienced tour guide tells you everything there is to know about baseball's most storied franchise, the 27-time MLB World-Series champion New York Yankees. Getting in: Yankee Stadium: Classic Stadium Tour tickets are included with The New York Pass.
DAY 4
Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum
Climb aboard the award-winning USS intrepid and roam one of New York City's most unique museums. View groundbreaking exhibits and learn more about the aircraft as well as the team that operated it before it became one of the most popular museums in New York. Getting in: are included with The New York Pass.
Radio City Music Hall Stage Door Tour
Visit the world-famous Radio City Music Hall and go backstage to get a better understanding of what goes on during shows in the historic performance venue. An experienced tour guide will show you every corner of Radio City and you may even meet a special guest. Getting in: Radio City Music Hall: Stage Door Tour tickets are included with The New York Pass.
Museum of Modern Art (MoMA)
View artistic masterpieces created by legends like Claude Monet and Van Gogh as you stroll the halls of the Museum of Modern Art. You’ll find plenty of exciting installations waiting inside of the museum and a beautiful garden where you can relax after enjoying the exhibits. Getting in: Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) tickets are included with The New York Pass.
DAY 5
Circle Line Sightseeing Cruises
Enjoy the waves and take in the beautiful sights of New York City on one of several Circle Line Sightseeing Cruises. With Circle Line Sightseeing Cruises, you can choose which popular cruise option you would like to take and Circle Line provides multiple cruises throughout the day so you get to choose whether you’d like to sail in the day or at night. Getting in: Circle Line Sightseeing Cruise tickets are included with The New York Pass.
Inside Broadway Tours
New York City is the home of Broadway entertainment and not only can you catch a show while you’re in town, you can also take an informative tour that lets you know everything about Broadway. You’ll even meet Broadway actors who are kind enough to share their own behind the scenes experiences. Getting in: Inside Broadway Walking Tour tickets are included with The New York Pass.
The Cloisters Museum and Gardens
By Jose olivares (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0], via Wikimedia Commons
Journey to Fort Tryon Park where you’ll see one of New York City’s true gems. The Cloisters Museum specializes in artifacts from the medieval era and boasts an impressive collection of antique art that doesn't disappoint.
Getting in: The MET: Cloisters tickets are included with The New York Pass.
Remember to Save on Admission
With 5 days in NYC, there's enough time to see all the major sites and landmarks and really get to know the city. A lot of the activities and attractions mentioned in this post are included on The New York Pass–save money on admission to dozens of the most popular attractions in NYC is included for one low price. Save anywhere up to 70% off of the city’s most sought-after attractions with the pass versus regular gate admission prices. Learn more about The New York Pass here.