There’s never enough time to explore New York City. That said, you can also see a lot in a few days, as Manhattan, where most of the city’s most famous attractions are located, is a compact place with an excellent public transportation system, not to mention being the best place in the world to stroll.

First-time visitors will probably want to spend a day visiting the Empire State Building and Metropolitan Museum of Art, perhaps taking a wander through Central Park afterward.

The next day could be devoted to the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, and a short walking tour of lower Manhattan, where highlights include Wall Street, and the South Street Seaport.

On your third day, explore the streets of Chinatown, SoHo, and Greenwich Village. At night, take in a Broadway play, visit a jazz club, pop into one of Lower Manhattan’s speakeasies, and eat in one of the city’s many ethnic restaurants.

If you have more time, spend a day at the Museum of Modern Art and take a stroll down 5th Avenue and across East 42nd Street, visiting Rockefeller Center, St. Patrick’s Cathedral, the New York Public Library and Grand Central Station along the way. Or, explore the American Museum of Natural History and take the A Train up to revitalized 125th Street in Harlem.

A fifth day could be spent shopping, visiting another museum, and taking a closer look at Central Park. On your sixth day, walk over the Brooklyn Bridge to Brooklyn Heights or take a day trip to Coney Island.