There’s never enough time to explore New York City [1]. That said, you can also see a lot in a few days, as Manhattan [2], 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 [3] and Metropolitan Museum of Art [4], perhaps taking a wander through Central Park [5] afterward.
The next day could be devoted to the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island [6], and a short walking tour of lower Manhattan [2], where highlights include Wall Street [7], and the South Street Seaport [8].
On your third day, explore the streets of Chinatown [9], SoHo [10], and Greenwich Village [11]. At night, take in a Broadway play [12], visit a jazz club [13], pop into one of Lower Manhattan’s speakeasies [14], 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 [15] and take a stroll down 5th Avenue [16] and across East 42nd Street, visiting Rockefeller Center [17], St. Patrick’s Cathedral [16], the New York Public Library [18] and Grand Central Station [19] along the way. Or, explore the American Museum of Natural History [20] and take the A Train up to revitalized 125th Street in Harlem [21].
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 [22] to Brooklyn Heights [23] or take a day trip to Coney Island [24].
Links:
[1] http://www.moon.com/destinations/new-york-city-long-island/discover-new-york-city
[2] http://www.moon.com/destinations/new-york-city-long-island/manhattan
[3] http://www.moon.com/destinations/new-york-city-long-island/manhattan/chelsea-and-the-garment-district/empire-state-building
[4] http://www.moon.com/destinations/new-york-city-long-island/manhattan/upper-east-side/the-metropolitan-museum-art
[5] http://www.moon.com/destinations/new-york-city-long-island/manhattan/central-park
[6] http://www.moon.com/destinations/new-york-city-long-island/manhattan/lower-manhattan/statue-liberty-and-ellis-island
[7] http://www.moon.com/destinations/new-york-city-long-island/manhattan/lower-manhattan/wall-street
[8] http://www.moon.com/destinations/new-york-city-long-island/manhattan/lower-manhattan/south-street-seaport
[9] http://www.moon.com/destinations/new-york-city-long-island/manhattan/lower-east-side/chinatown-s-mott-street
[10] http://www.moon.com/destinations/new-york-city-long-island/manhattan/soho
[11] http://www.moon.com/destinations/new-york-city-long-island/manhattan/greenwich-village
[12] http://www.moon.com/destinations/new-york-city-long-island/manhattan/midtown/theater-district
[13] http://www.moon.com/destinations/new-york-city-long-island/manhattan/entertainment/live-music
[14] http://www.moon.com/destinations/new-york-city-long-island/discover-new-york-city/explore-new-york-city/speakeasy-nyc
[15] http://www.moon.com/destinations/new-york-city-long-island/manhattan/midtown/museum-modern-art-moma
[16] http://www.moon.com/destinations/new-york-city-long-island/manhattan/midtown/fifth-avenue
[17] http://www.moon.com/destinations/new-york-city-long-island/manhattan/midtown/rockefeller-center
[18] http://www.moon.com/destinations/new-york-city-long-island/manhattan/midtown/new-york-public-library
[19] http://www.moon.com/destinations/new-york-city-long-island/manhattan/midtown/grand-central-station
[20] http://www.moon.com/destinations/new-york-city-long-island/manhattan/upper-west-side/american-museum-natural-history
[21] http://www.moon.com/destinations/new-york-city-long-island/manhattan/harlem-and-upper-manhattan/125th-street
[22] http://www.moon.com/destinations/new-york-city-long-island/manhattan/lower-manhattan/brooklyn-bridge
[23] http://www.moon.com/destinations/new-york-city-long-island/brooklyn/brooklyn-heights
[24] http://www.moon.com/destinations/new-york-city-long-island/brooklyn/coney-island