The city,
day by day.

Eat at home

Skip the rushed Theater District dinner.

Leave home

Walk to Kingston–Throop Avenues and take the C to 42 St–Port Authority.

Arrive at the Minskoff

Settle in, find your seats and enjoy the first-Broadway atmosphere.

Disney’s The Lion King

Minskoff Theatre, 200 West 45th Street.

Times Square after dark

Walk the pedestrian plazas and photograph the illuminated marquees. Add Junior’s or Los Tacos No. 1 if you want a snack.

Return to Brooklyn

C from 42 St–Port Authority to Kingston–Throop; check live service first.

Breakfast at Daily Provisions

Upper West Side.

American Museum of Natural History

Start with the fourth-floor dinosaurs, then Ocean Life and the blue whale. Add one timed experience—preferably the Hayden Planetarium.

Lunch inside the museum

Cafe on 1 or the Food Court avoids another security line.

Natural History, continued

• Gems and Minerals
• Hall of Human Origins
• African Mammals
• Gilder Center and Invisible Worlds

C train to Chambers Street

Allow about 45 minutes door to door.

Oculus & Brookfield Place

Walk the Hudson River esplanade and grab a light snack at Hudson Eats if needed.

One World Observatory

Stay through sunset and the first city lights.

Dinner at Crown Shy

Reserve in advance.

Breakfast at Leo’s Bagels

Arrive at The Battery

Allow time for ferry security.

Liberty & Ellis Islands

• Statue of Liberty Museum
• Pedestal, if reserved
• Liberty Island waterfront
• Ellis Island Immigration Museum

Lunch on Stone Street

Financial District landmarks

Charging Bull, New York Stock Exchange, Federal Hall and Trinity Church.

9/11 Museum

Memorial pools & Oculus

E train to 42nd Street

Quick meal near the theatre from 5:55–6:20; Schnipper’s is convenient.

Arrive at New Amsterdam Theatre

Disney’s Aladdin

Breakfast near the Met

Bluestone Lane Upper East Side.

Central Park warm-up

Conservatory Water and Ancient Playground.

The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Egyptian Art and the Temple of Dendur, Greek and Roman Art, and Arms and Armor.

Lunch and rest inside the Met

The Met, continued

• European Paintings
• American Wing
• Asian Art
• One special exhibition
• A flexible final hour for discoveries

Central Park

Shakespeare Garden, Belvedere Castle, the Ramble, Bow Bridge, Bethesda Terrace and the Mall.

Dinner at The Penrose

Strictly 21+ after 8:00 PM.

City Hall Park

Walk the Brooklyn Bridge

Walk Manhattan → Brooklyn for the smoothest route into DUMBO. The skyline is behind you, so turn around at the open viewpoints for photos.

Breakfast at Butler DUMBO

DUMBO & Brooklyn Heights

Washington Street, Pebble Beach, Jane’s Carousel, Brooklyn Bridge Park and the Promenade.

Lunch

Juliana’s Pizza or Time Out Market.

Grand Army Plaza & Prospect Park

In extreme heat or rain, substitute daytime Brooklyn Museum galleries.

Line up at Brooklyn Museum

Caribbean-themed First Saturday

Galleries, music, dance, talks and community programming. The event continues until 10:00 PM.

Dinner at Chuko

Popular Vanderbilt Avenue ramen; expect a possible wait.

Breakfast at Breads Bakery

Bryant Park; try the chocolate babka.

Midtown landmarks

Grand Central, Chrysler Building exterior, Bryant Park, New York Public Library and Fifth Avenue.

Museum of Modern Art

Prioritize collection floors four and five: Van Gogh, Picasso, Monet, Matisse and Warhol.

Lunch near MoMA

Rockefeller Center & Fifth Avenue

Radio City Music Hall, Rockefeller Center, St. Patrick’s Cathedral and storefronts.

Early dinner in Koreatown

Woorijip for speed or reserve Her Name Is Han.

Empire State Building

Arrive before sunset and stay for the city lights.

Breakfast at Bo’s Bagels

A train to 190th Street

Fort Tryon Park

The Met Cloisters

Medieval art, Unicorn tapestries, historic courtyards and Hudson River views.

Lunch at Red Rooster Harlem

Reserve a table; Restaurant Week lunch may be available.

Harlem walk

Apollo Theater, 125th Street, Strivers’ Row and the historic blocks around St. Nicholas Avenue.

D train to Yankee Stadium

Enter Yankee Stadium

Go directly to Monument Park; its line can close early.

Yankees vs. Cardinals

Dinner from the ballpark concessions. Basketball alternative: Liberty vs. Storm at Barclays Center, 7:00 PM.