
What to do / Visit New York in 1 week ? 25 Ideas for your First Trip
We asked Berengere C. the New-York specialist (we wonder if she wouldn’t have an unlimited Paris-New-York travel card), her “little list” of things to do in New-York in one week for First-timers, and here is her answer.
Don’t hesitate to follow Berengere on Instagram to discover hidden corners in New York (or elsewhere): https: //www.instagram.com/berencnt/
The essentials
Top of the Rock & One World Observatory
Top of the Rock, the Rockefeller Center observatory – 67th floor: US$41.53
OneWorld Observatory
, the observatory at the One World Trade Center – the highest observatory in New York – 100th floor: US$42.46
Both are to be done because the view is really different. Top of the Rock overlooks theEmpire State Building, while One World Observatory overlooks all of Manhattan and the Statue of Liberty.
Of course, if you’re a fan of Sleepless in Seattle movies, you’ll probably be tempted to trade Top of The Rock for the observatory on the 86th floor of theEmpire State Building (US$41.53)

Brooklyn: with the DUMBO neighborhood
A viewpoint and 2 parks: neighborhood located between the Brooklyn Bridge and the Manhattan Bridge. Really impressive I advise you to go there at 1000%
You can choose a ferry (from Wall Street / Pier 11, South Brooklyn line – recommended option, US$2.75) or the subway.
Crossing the Brooklyn Bridge at sunset
There are 2 lanes: a pedestrian lane and a bicycle lane. I advise you to cross the Brooklyn Bridge on foot in the Brooklyn – Manhattan direction, the view will be better.
Memorial 9/11
Visit of the museum and the pools built on the site of the twin towers
Tickets to the September 11th memorial are starting at $26+ tax. It is recommended to download the official application before the visit, and to buy the tickets online to avoid the queue. Count 2 hours on site and take lots of tissues.
Wall Street

One month before your visit, try to book a guided tour of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York Museum. You will have access to the largest gold reserve in the world (1/5 of the world). If you’re not lucky enough to get a seat, walking the streets of Wall Street is also an unforgettable experience. Between two buildings, the Elevated Acre is a haven of peace, where employees come to lunch with their brown bags. View of the heliport and the Brooklyn Bridge.
Statue of Liberty
A gift from France to the United States. You can get to the Statue of Liberty by ferry from Battery Park ($18.5).

Each day, only 365 tickets to the wreath are available and they sell out well in advance. If that is your wish, buy them well in advance. A stop on Ellis Island (included in the ferry price) isn’t necessary. If you don’t have much time, stay on the ferry and leave for Manhattan.
Grand Central Terminal
It’s a beautiful train station in the Midtown area and it’s worth a visit.

The districts of Soho and Greenwich village with the arch in Washington square
Personally, I loved these 2 very lively neighborhoods without buildings.
Gospel on Sundays
I recommend choosing a church in the Harlem neighborhood if possible, preferably not too large in order to really be immersed with the community. It is truly a unique sharing experience!
However, you can also go to Times Square Church, especially if you don’t have time to go all the way to Harlem, since it is located in downtown Manhattan.
To do also
- Bryant Park: small park right next to Times Square
- New York Public Library: and its reading room on the 3rd floor (free admission)
- Times Square: rather in the evening to see the excitement of the city.
- Central Park: to be done in several times. To be seen: Strawberry Fields, Bethesda Fountain, its many bridges and musicians
- Chinatown, especially to eat dumplings
- The Chelsea neighborhood with notably the walk of the High Line, a former railway line rehabilitated a bit like the coulée verte in Paris. Between April and October, astronomy enthusiasts install telescopes at 14th Street on the High Line. You can observe the moon, the planets and the stars for free and ask all your questions.
My favorite museums
- MOMA (modern art)
- Natural History Museum
- MET : Metropolitan Museum of Art: climb on the rooftop, very nice view on Central Park
Catering side
- Shake Shack: There are several in the city, really don’t hesitate the burgers are very good!
- Doughnut Plant: The best donuts in town. BUT REALLY !
- Katz’s Delicatessen: very good pastrami sandwiches, typically New York style
- Magnolia Bakery: for cupcakes and cheesecakes
- Rooftop to do: the 230 Fifth (not the evenings on weekends because the entrance is very select) but very nice for Sunday brunch or for the end of the day to see the sunset on the Empire State Building.
More info
- If you stay 1 week, I advise you to take the 7-day Unlimited Ride Metro Card even if you walk a lot in the city, it pays for itself quickly: 33$US + 1$ for the purchase of the card
- In my opinion, you can focus on Manhattan, Brooklyn and Harlem, the other boroughs are less interesting
- TKTS : point of sale in Times Square for cheaper show tickets (to be bought the same day)
- Where to stay: Airbnb is an economical choice for New York. If you prefer to stay in Manhattan: The Harlem and Chinatown neighborhoods are inexpensive, and you can easily get to the sights by subway.
- For a much more central location (with a slightly higher budget), you can also opt for the famous Pod hotels, well located, small but clean: Pod Times Square (Booking link), Pod 51 (Bookinglink), Pod 39(Booking link)
I’ve given you what is the main thing for me, but to really enjoy the city, you have to go for a walk to discover the different neighborhoods!
Don’t hesitate to follow Berengere on Instagram to discover hidden corners in New York (or elsewhere): https: //www.instagram.com/berencnt/
Did you like this article? Find all our guides and travel diaries in the United States here and the travel diaries in New York here :
- Days 1 & 2 in New York City (USA): Times Square, Katz’s Delicatessen, NYC Library, Shopping
- Day 3 in New York (USA): One World Observatory, Memorial 9/11 and Brooklyn
- Days 4 & 5 in New York (USA): locations for Breakfast at Tiffany’s, Gossip Girl, Sex in the City..
- Days 6 & 7 in New York (USA): High Line, Elevated Acre, Wall Street, Statue of Liberty..
- 6 essential applications to enjoy New York (USA)
- Prepaid 4G SIM card in the United States: How much does it cost? Where to buy it? What speed? (2019)

