Five Days In New York City: What To See & Do

This post will share what you can see and do in five days in New York City.

For my thirty-third country and the first trip of 2026, I finally visited New York City.

This trip has been a long time coming. I initially wanted to go in 2023 for my 30th birthday, but I cancelled because I got paranoid about flying into the dangerous air quality from the Eastern Canadian wildfires.

So I went to Rhodes instead.

I wasn’t exactly thrilled about this decision, but in hindsight, I’m glad I cancelled the trip because I cannot possibly imagine visiting New York in the Summer.

In the weeks leading up to this trip, New York had a really bad winter storm, so much so that I met the piles of snow when I got there.

It is said that 2026 is the worst winter in a decade.

Naturally, I got anxious again and wanted to cancel.

In the meantime, I started planning alternative indoor itineraries to keep me out of that blistering cold.

Thankfully, by the time I was ready to go, the temperature had warmed up to single digits.

Despite the intense windchill, the temperature was enough for me to handle.

After all, I was in Iceland in December, so I know a thing or two about windchills.

With that out of the way, I’m happy to share the details of this trip of a lifetime.

Here’s How To Spend Five Days In New York City

As a Brit, I feel it is mandatory to visit the US at least once in your life.

Apart from the fact that we have it easy with visa waivers, it’s literally just a 6-7 hour flight across the Atlantic Ocean.

After visiting about thirty European countries, I decided that I’ve seen more than enough of the continent, and it was time for long-haul trips.

To ease myself into it, before getting ready for my next bucket-list trip to Tokyo, I had to start with quick 7-hour flights.

Obviously, my first trip had to be the US.

I can’t lie, I was very anxious about flying to the US in this political climate, but I had to remind myself that I was flying on a British passport.

If push comes to shove, I would be evacuated by the British Embassy.

Also, I was visiting as a tourist, what could possibly go wrong?

After all the mental gymnastics to calm my anxiety, I renewed my ESTA, which is a visa waiver for the UK and a few other countries, for $21 before it was increased in October to $40.

While I was still debating when to visit, between January and February, I could only get the second week of February off, so I booked my flight after I returned from Iceland.

Flights

Cost – £473.60 + £60 for seats

I booked a direct return flight with Aer Lingus.

Unfortunately, I missed out on a similar fare on Virgin Atlantic while I was trying to get my annual leave approved at work.

I had no choice but to go with Aer Lingus.

Unfortunately, Aer Lingus are closing its Manchester base at the end of February, so I was lucky that my flight was during the transition period.

I was so stressed to see so many people’s flights cancelled.

Coupled with the snowstorm, I had an incredibly stressful January leading towards this trip.

I also considered flying via Dublin, since U.S. customs has pre-clearance, which means you would go through customs in Dublin and arrive in New York as a domestic passenger.

This option would have saved me from any potential cancellations.

Overall, the flight was decent; the food left a bit more to be desired, but that’s aeroplane food for you.

I had to pay for aisle seats because I missed out on the window seats and didn’t want to get stuck in the middle.

Armed with my noise-cancelling headphones and Bluetooth transmitter, I watched a couple of movies before taking a nap.

Eventually, we landed at JFK International Airport with the most stunning views.

Returning was a different story entirely.

I caught the flu and lost my voice in the process.

The flight was delayed for over three hours, leaving me exhausted.

I slept for the entire flight and missed all the meals.

While I was editing this post, Aer Lingus compensated me 11 days after I put in my claim for the delayed flight.

Airport Transfer

Cost – $11.50

The security/customs took around two hours, easily the longest time I’ve ever spent in a customs queue.

I could not believe how slow, backwards and dated the airport was.

I eventually got through and was asked the standard questions, which in itself took around 15 minutes, so that was not bad.

The MPC app I downloaded was completely useless as everyone was in the same queue.

After what felt like forever, I followed the signs to take the Airtrain out of the airport and down to Jamaica Station, where you can take the subway to your hotel.

A lot of people suggested Uber Shuttle, but when I checked the Uber app, the closest drop-off to me still meant I’d have to walk about 18 minutes to my hotel, compared to the 5 minutes it would take on the subway.

It was a bit of an issue dragging my luggage through the subway stairs, but it was nothing I couldn’t handle.

I used Google Maps to find my way and eventually arrived at my hotel in about 45-50 minutes.

Compared to arrivals, departures were much smoother and more seamless, despite my flight being delayed.

I went through security in about twenty minutes, and I had more than enough time to lounge in the terminal.

Accommodation

Choosing a hotel was honestly a no-brainer.

The most important thing was that the hotel was centrally located for all the activities I planned to do.

This meant that I would spend less time taking the subway and more time walking.

After a bit of back-and-forth, I finally decided to stay in Times Square.

The cheapest time of the year to visit New York is usually January and February, so you get all the nice hotels for a fraction of the price.

This is because New York has Hotel Week, where you can save 25% on stays at participating hotels.

They also have a Restaurant Week, where you can get three-course meals at a discount.

This time of the year is the lowest for tourism, so I’m guessing they’re trying to boost sales.

Honestly, staying in Times Square did have its pros and cons.

Yes, it’s central to everything, and I can walk anyway, but the whole thing felt like a giant tourist trap, which I found incredibly overstimulating; I literally could not wait to leave.

But I told myself to just enjoy the moment, since I wouldn’t be staying in Times Square when I returned to New York.

It goes without saying that, as a first-timer, yes, stay in Midtown, as Times Square is in Midtown, and most of the attractions are walkable if you don’t mind long walks.

Remember to bring your most comfortable walking shoes; otherwise, you’ll end up with the worst blisters and foot pain I’ve ever had.

Hotel Review

Cost – £461.64/$630.5 + $200/147.34 refundable security deposit

For my five days in New York City, I stayed in the Hilton Garden Inn Times Square North in Midtown Manhattan.

It had the perfect location, just a five-minute walk to Times Square and the nearest subway.

I booked the King Room, which was nice and spacious, but it was swapped due to availability, so I ended up with a twin room instead of a double.

I wasn’t particular about the views from the hotel as I was barely in there anyway.

The room had all the facilities I needed except for the dreadful coffee machine, which took ages to fill a cup.

I did request a kettle instead, and they said they didn’t have one, which was honestly a shock to me.

The room was cleaned daily, even when I didn’t request it.

The only issue I had was with the bathroom drainage; I reported it at reception, and by the time I returned, it had been resolved.

The staff were also very lovely, friendly and always happy to help.

Again, you can’t go wrong with the location.

When I looked at the price for my alternative dates in my birthday month, June, it was triple what I paid in February.

I stayed on the 20th floor, and the soundproofing was good.

Despite my messed-up body clock, I always woke up well rested.

After a long day exploring, I return to catch up on the Winter Olympics.

Honestly, what else could I possibly ask for?

The hotel did not disappoint at all.

Public Transportation in New York City

The most efficient way to get around New York City is by walking, followed closely by the subway.

The only time I got the subway was to and from the airport and going to Brooklyn.

I just found it too much of a hassle navigating it.

All the time is better spent walking.

During my five days in New York, I averaged 20,000 steps a day.

It’s been so long since I did that much walking back-to-back on a trip, and I honestly missed it.

If you think walking from Midtown to Central Park is too much, remember you can always take the subway.

It’s quick, easy, and you only need to tap in with your contactless card.

I set one of my cards as Express Travel in Apple Pay, so I only needed to tap in to pay.

I was also very anxious about taking the subway.

Whilst there were a few crazies here and there, it was nothing too bad, particularly if you are commuting around the tourist areas.

What To Eat In New York City

Perhaps the most shocking part of the entire trip was eating out.

While I was researching where to eat near me on Google Maps, I was shocked to see that the average meal was between $20 and $30, which is around £15 to £22.

I was expecting a lot more cheap eats for around $1-$20, and most of the time when I did find them, they were either halal carts, food trucks, or fast-food restaurants.

I didn’t care much for fast food, so I stuck to the halal carts and food trucks with the occasional restaurant meal.

Also, it was too cold to eat outside, so I mostly ordered takeaways to eat in my hotel room, which I found incredibly convenient.

It goes without saying that I gravitated toward bakeries for breakfast and brunch because of their indoor seating, and I took away for dinner.

On my last day, I decided to try a traditional New York-style brunch, and it wasn’t too bad aside from the massive portions and a slightly acidic aftertaste, probably from the buttermilk.

The beauty of NYC is that you can find food from just about any part of the world.

If you’re looking for options, you can also try the viral food spots like Joe’s Pizza and Liberty Bagels.

If you can’t be bothered to chase these viral spots, always check the reviews of Google Maps before buying anything.

Overall, the food scene is quite literally insane.

I’m not much of a foodie, so I don’t really care for food like that, but I honestly appreciate the variety.

Souvenirs & Gifts

I had $100 in cash stashed for my cancelled 2023 trip, so I brought it with me, and it came in handy for souvenirs.

In NYC, it’s very easy to overspend, so if you’re trying not to, get your cheap souvenirs from the roadside vendors, not from the “I Love NYC” gift shops.

Their souvenirs range from $2 – $5 so my cash came in very handy.

There’s one at the entrance of Central Park.

I got my fridge magnet and statues from there, and they were pretty good.

Also, ensure you get the genuine NY Yankees cap from Lids as they are the official retailers.

What To Pack For New York City In February

When I returned from Iceland in December, I unpacked my luggage, did my laundry, and repacked it with the same items.

The only thing I removed was my waterproof gear, since I wouldn’t need it in New York.

After experiencing the Icelandic weather, I knew exactly what to pack and how.

Thankfully, by the time I landed in NYC, the temperature was similar to that of Reykjavik.

But here’s a quick rundown of what I carried in my cabin bag and personal item:

Outer Layer

• Outerwear: I took my waterproof, windproof, and insulated coat, the Craghoppers Rosalind II Jacket, which I had bought on Black Friday. I wish I had brought my Marks & Spencer Thermowarmth Puffer instead, as it didn’t rain and, aside from the wind, I didn’t really need it.
• Footwear: I wore Merrell Moab 3 GTX shoes, which I bought in December for my trip to Iceland. Unfortunately, I came home with the worst foot pain and blisters, and I’m not sure whether it was due to the thick boot socks, the shoes, or the fact that I was walking 20,000 steps a day.

Upper Body Layers

• Base Layer: I packed four pairs of the Marks & Spencer Heatgen Thermal Crew Neck Top. Three were medium warmth, and one was light warmth.
• Mid Layer: I packed a Woolovers 100% Wool Quarter-Zip Jumper, an Autograph 100% Cashmere Roll-Neck Jumper, and a Columbia Jasper Ridge™ Pebbled Fleece Half-Zip. For my airport fit, I wore my Autograph 100% Cashmere Cardigan and Marks & Spencer Cotton Rich Zip-Up Hoodie. Over the last year, I’ve come to prefer zip-up or button-up layers as I can remove them as needed.

Lower Body Layers

• Base Layers: I packed three pairs of my go-to Primark fleece leggings, which I’ve worn for several winters now. I also bought two pairs of Marks and Spencer Faux Fur-Lined Denier Thighs, for extra layering, but I didn’t need them. For my airport fit, I wore my Marks & Spencer Heatgen Maximum Warmth Leggings, which I was wearing for the first time. I actually prefer these to my fleece leggings; they’re much warmer and less restrictive.
• Mid Layer: For my outer trousers, I packed my Marks & Spencer Wide-Leg Jeans in Medium Indigo and Indigo Mix. I only wore one. I also packed my Marks & Spencer’s Wool Tailored Straight Trousers, but I didn’t wear them either. At the airport, I wore my Marks & Spencer Wide-Leg Joggers. These were my warmest trousers, and the combo with the Heatgen leggings kept my legs toasty.

Accessories

• Socks: I packed one pair of thermal socks and bought four extra pairs of Marks & Spencer Heavyweight Thermal Boot Socks. I wore all four pairs of socks for my four full days.
• Gloves: I got two pairs of insulated gloves and one pair of leather gloves. I ditched the latter because it wasn’t warm enough, and I used one pair of the former for the entire trip. I was shocked not to have lost them, to be honest.
• Neck: I brought a Nevica 100% Merino Wool Neck Gaiter, but I barely used it, so I used it as a beanie liner under my cashmere beanie. I also brought one pair of my Autograph 100% Cashmere Scarf, which I unfortunately forgot at JFK Airport. I also brought another wool-blend scarf I got in Edinburgh in 2021.
• Head: I brought two pairs of my Couthie beanies; one I got in Edinburgh in 2021, and the other I bought last year. I brought my Autograph 100% Cashmere beanie. The former is fleece-lined, so it kept me warm enough compared to the latter.

For the most part, everything I brought kept me warm.

When it got even colder or windier, I just pulled up the hood of my coat and put on gloves to keep the cold out.

The only thing I’ll probably change for my next trip is to wear more joggers and fewer jeans because they’re a lot warmer.

Also, wide-leg joggers are so much warmer than cuffed joggers, particularly for winter, as there’s no room for the cold to come through under the cuff.

Five Days In New York City Itinerary

For my first trip to New York City, I wanted to get all the tourist things out of the way.

So that if and when I decide to return, I can have a more tailored/niche experience, and I don’t have to stay in Times Square or anywhere near the landmarks.

Without further ado, let’s get right into it.

Day 1 – Times Square

We landed around 4:30, which was about an hour before the planned arrival.

After about 2.5 hours trying to get through to customs, I made my way to my hotel around 7 pm.

I took another hour to get to my hotel, after which I dropped off my luggage and made my way to Times Square.

This was a five-minute walk from the hotel, and it was absolutely surreal to be able to finally see what I’ve seen on TV all my life.

After looking around and basking in it all for a bit, I found a halal cart and got some Lamb Biryani as takeaway.

I took that back to my hotel and settled for the night, ready for exploration in the morning.

Day 2 – Downtown Brooklyn, Staten Island & Lower Manhattan

For my first full day, I woke up around 5:30 am.

Naturally, my body was still with my UK clock: also, I didn’t have any jet lag for some reason, so I was good to go.

I’ve learnt from fellow UK travellers to take advantage of this timezone to see the Brooklyn Bridge at sunrise.

So I set out to catch the sunrise at 6:30, but after getting lost trying to find my way, I missed it.

I didn’t feel too bad because the bridge was not busy at all, so I could take tons of photos.

When I was done, I made my way down to DUMBO, grabbed some breakfast at a coffee shop nearby and took the subway to the Whitehall Terminal to catch the Staten Island Ferry to see the Statue of Liberty.

staten island

When I got to the Terminal, I had just missed the last ferry, so I waited for the next one, which arrived in about 25 minutes.

The ferry finally arrived, and I made my way to the right side to get a proper view of the Statue of Liberty.

If it weren’t so cold, I would have booked a tour to Liberty Island to get a proper view.

After 25 minutes, the ferry arrived at Staten Island, and we all had to disembark, go through the terminal and embark on another ferry back to Manhattan.

This trip also took 25 minutes, and you need to sit on the left to get another glimpse of the Statue of Liberty.

After leaving the terminal, I started walking toward the Financial District, passing through Wall Street, the Charging Bull, and Union Square.

A few minutes later, I was at the World Trade Centre complex, where I stopped by the rebuilt One World Trade Centre and 9/11 Memorial Pools, which left me sombre.

After that, I stopped by the World Trade Centre Oculus, one of the most impressive buildings I’ve ever seen.

After what seemed like a long day of exploring, I took the subway back to Times Square to see what it looked like during the day, and I immediately got overstimulated.

So I grabbed some dinner and retired for the night.

Day 3 – Midtown Manhattan

When I woke up, the first thing I did was to secure MJ The Musical Broadway tickets for the next night.

It was almost sold out, but I was lucky to get a Mid Mezzanine seat for £89.80.

To kickstart the day, I got some Liberty Bagels, which I thought were a bit overrated.

The night before, I saved all the landmarks I wanted to visit, so I just started walking towards them, one by one.

I walked through Fifth Avenue and the Channel Gardens.

Then I stopped at Rockefeller Centre to take in the scenery and imagine what it must have been like during the festive period.

I left there and walked toward Grand Central Terminal, which was, again, unreal.

Next stop was the New York Public Library and Bryant Park.

OBSERVATORY DECKS

After a quick tea break, I found myself at the Empire State Building.

After a quick back-and-forth, I spontaneously booked an Empire State Building Observatory & Museum ticket via GetYourGuide.

I’m so glad I did because the views were stunning and there were little to no crowds.

The entire experience, from the entrance to the 86th floor, was immersive, and I quite enjoyed it.

Obviously, I could not leave without a miniature statue from the gift shop.

Next up, I grabbed a few things at Target and went back to my hotel to rest and prepare to go to the Top of the Rock Observatory.

Another good tip I got was to book one observation deck for the day and the other for sunset.

While I had done the Empire State Building during the day, I was looking forward to the sunset views.

So I booked the sunset slot for 4:20, with sunset at 5:26.

I got there early, at 4 pm, and stayed until around 6:30, until it was fully dark.

As expected, although it was very cold and windy, the views were spectacular: a 360-degree sweep of the skyline, including the Empire State Building and Central Park.

It was honestly so worth it.

The 69th floor had a glass barrier I avoided, but I headed straight to the 70th, which was open-air.

When I was done, I wrapped up for the night and headed back to my hotel.

Day 4 – Upper Manhattan

For my last full day, I woke up bright and early and took a nice, long walk to Central Park, which took around twenty minutes.

One thing NYC did not prepare me for was how much I would have to walk everywhere.

But honestly, aside from the blisters developing in my feet, I did not mind.

So, a 20-minute walk was mostly a piece of cake.

On my way, I passed through the Trump Tower, Louis Vuitton Trunk, The Plaza Hotel, before finally reaching Central Park.

With the entire park still covered in snow and the sun shining, it was honestly so dreamy.

So I started exploring the park’s landmarks, including:

• Central Park Zoo
• Bethesda Terrace and Fountain,
• the Mall Literary Walk, and
• The Women’s Rights Pioneer Monument.

At this point, I started to get hungry.

So I made my way out through the nearest exit and headed down to the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where the annual Met Gala takes place.

Whilst I’ll probably never be able to attend the Met Gala, I was excited to see where it was held and get some pictures to commemorate the visit.

I took a quick walk down to see the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, which was about a five-minute walk away.

After which, I grabbed some hot dogs and tea from the breakfast carts in front of the Met and sat on the stairs to eat them.

After getting rested and energised, I took another 40-minute walk to Times Square to grab lunch and pick up some last-minute shopping before heading back to prepare for my 7 pm Broadway show.

BROADWAY

With Michael Movie coming out in April, I absolutely needed to see MJ the Musical on Broadway as a prerequisite for the movie, and honestly, it does not disappoint.

As someone who never attends concerts, I was incredibly satisfied with MJ: The Musical.

It was so good I wish I had seen it a second time.

But my itinerary was packed, and there honestly wasn’t time.

Regardless, the show was everything and then some to this lifelong Michael Jackson fan.

The show ran for 2 hours and 30 minutes, with a 15-minute intermission, and received a huge standing ovation at the end.

Despite the solid material, the actors delivered a stellar performance that conveyed Michael’s personality, vision, and values.

Honestly, it was a 10/10.

At the end, I left the Neil Simon Theatre reeling and buzzing with excitement.

So I tried to grab some dinner at Joe’s Pizza, but the queue was too long.

I had to settle for some Chicken Gyros from the Halal Carts.

After which I returned to my hotel to rest and prepare to return to Times Square for the Midnight Moment.

Since I won’t be staying in Times Square, I figured I had to take advantage of this regardless of how tired I was.

At 11:40, I started to walk down to Times Square.

I managed to get some last-minute photos, then waited patiently for the countdown.

At exactly 11:57, the countdown began.

Over 90+ electronic billboards were synchronised to display the most stunning curated contemporary art for three minutes.

It was quite literally unreal, and it felt like the perfect end to the trip of a lifetime.

After midnight, the billboard switched back to ads, which also signalled the end of the night for me.

Day 5 – Midtown West

My return flight to Manchester was scheduled for 7 pm but was delayed by 3 hours.

So I had a few hours to spare before heading to the airport.

So I took my sweet time, checked out at noon.

Then I stored my luggage at the reception and grabbed brunch at Carnegie Diner & Cafe.

After that, I took the subway to The High Line, an outdoor park set atop an elevated rail line.

While it was a bit busy, I tried to soak in the sunshine and the views and just enjoy the walk through the park.

The exit of the park took us straight into the Hudson Yards, where we marvelled at structures such as the Vessel and the Shed.

I took a walk towards Madison Square Garden.

I wish I had time to watch a basketball game, but that would be next time.

It was at this time that I was notified my flight had been delayed.

So I just kept dillydallying until I was exhausted, then took the next subway to my hotel, then headed to the airport.

QUICK TIPS

• January and February are the cheapest times to visit New York, so if you are on a budget, this is your best bet. Yes, it is cold, but as long as you layer up adequately, you’ll be fine.
• As a first-timer, stay in Times Square as it is within walking distance to all the core attractions. On subsequent trips, you can stay in quieter neighbourhoods to avoid the chaos.
• Also, as a first-timer, don’t avoid the clichéd tourist attractions. Do them and get it out of the way,
• Get over your fear of the subway; it is cheap, fast, and it will keep your expenses down. It goes without saying that you should be safety-conscious at all times, regardless.
• Bring good walking shoes, as it is easier to get around if you can walk anywhere. There’s also traffic, so just avoid the buses.
• Fast food is mostly cheap and widely available. If you are not a fan like me, you need to look around more for cheap eats like the Halal carts.
• Tipping is not mandatory, but you’ll always be offered the option. Tip if you want to or not.
• Google Maps works most of the time, but it can be a little finicky, which I think is due to the construction work going on in the city.
• There’s so much to see and do, so create an itinerary of sorts that is important for your first trip. You can do the rest on subsequent trips.

In Conclusion,

It’s been weeks since I spent five days in New York City, and I’m still reeling from the excitement.

This was definitely the trip of a lifetime, and I’m so glad I pulled it off.