Our honest 5-day New York City adventure – what worked, what didn’t, and what we’d do differently
Hey everyone! Just got back from an incredible New York City travel adventure and had to share everything with you. If you’re planning a New York City trip, this post covers all the best things to do in New York City based on our actual experience – not just tourist websites!
Why We Chose New York City for Our Vacation
We’d been dreaming about visiting New York City for years. After seeing it in countless movies and hearing friends rave about Manhattan attractions, we finally booked our trip. Best decision ever!
New York City truly lives up to its reputation. Within our first hour walking around Manhattan, we understood why over 65 million people visit every year. The energy is absolutely infectious.
Day 1: Times Square Overwhelm (In the Best Way)
Our First Stop: Times Square
Wow! Times Square hit us like a colorful, noisy, amazing slap in the face. We spent two hours just walking around taking photos and watching street performers.
What we loved:
- The massive digital billboards everywhere
- Costumed characters (Spider-Man was surprisingly friendly!)
- The energy at 11 PM was still incredible
- TKTS booth saved us $80 on Broadway show tickets
Honest tip: Yes, it’s touristy, but Times Square is absolutely worth experiencing. Just don’t eat dinner there – overpriced and mediocre.
Broadway Show Experience
We saw The Lion King and OMG! If you’re planning things to do in New York City, put a Broadway show at the top of your list. The costumes, music, and performances were mind-blowing.
Money-saving trick we discovered: Same-day lottery tickets! We entered online and got $49 tickets to a show that normally costs $200+.
Day 2: Central Park Surprised Us
I’ll be honest – we almost skipped Central Park thinking it was “just a park.” HUGE mistake that would’ve been!
What Made Central Park Special:
- Bethesda Fountain was way more beautiful than photos show
- We rented bikes for $15/hour and covered so much ground
- Bow Bridge really is as romantic as everyone says
- Strawberry Fields John Lennon memorial was surprisingly moving
- The Conservatory Garden felt like a secret European garden
Best discovery: Free concerts happening throughout the park! We stumbled onto a jazz performance that became a highlight of our New York City travel experience.
Real talk: Pack snacks and water. Park vendors charge $4 for a bottle of water!
Day 3: Brooklyn Bridge Walk Changed Our Perspective
Everyone said “walk the Brooklyn Bridge” but we didn’t realize how life-changing the experience would be.
Why Brooklyn Bridge Walk Was Amazing:
- 30-minute walk with incredible Manhattan views
- Started from Brooklyn side (much better for photos!)
- Sunrise timing made everything golden and magical
- Met travelers from 6 different countries on the bridge
Photography tip: The Manhattan skyline shots from Brooklyn Bridge are absolutely Instagram gold. We took 200+ photos!
DUMBO Discovery
After the bridge walk, we explored DUMBO Brooklyn and fell in love:
- Brooklyn Bridge Park has the best city views we’ve ever seen
- Local coffee shops way better (and cheaper) than Manhattan
- Time Out Market had incredible food variety
- Way less crowded than tourist areas in Manhattan
Unexpected favorite: Watching the sunset from Brooklyn Bridge Park with Manhattan twinkling across the water. Pure magic!
Day 4: Museum Day (Art Overload in the Best Way)
Metropolitan Museum of Art
The Met Museum is absolutely massive! We spent 4 hours and barely scratched the surface.
Our must-see highlights:
- Egyptian Temple of Dendur – seeing an actual Egyptian temple in New York City blew our minds
- European paintings section (Van Gogh, Monet room was packed but worth it)
- Rooftop sculpture garden with Central Park views
- American Wing period rooms (felt like time travel)
Visitor tip: Download their app! The audio tours made everything so much more interesting.
9/11 Memorial Experience
This was heavy but absolutely important. The 9/11 Memorial and museum provided such a moving experience that taught us so much about American history and resilience.
What impacted us most:
- The twin reflecting pools in original tower footprints
- Personal stories from survivors and families
- Seeing twisted steel beams from the towers
- Understanding the timeline of events better
Important note: Give yourself 2-3 hours minimum. It’s emotionally intense but incredibly educational.
Day 5: Neighborhood Hopping Adventure
Greenwich Village Charm
Greenwich Village became our favorite New York City neighborhood:
- Cobblestone streets felt like European city
- Washington Square Park street performers were incredibly talented
- Independent bookstores everywhere (spent $100 at Strand Books!)
- Cozy cafes perfect for people-watching
Local discovery: Comedy Cellar had a surprise appearance by a famous comedian. Check last-minute availability!
SoHo Shopping Experience
SoHo satisfied our shopping cravings:
- Cast-iron architecture made every street photogenic
- Mix of high-end stores and unique boutiques
- Street art everywhere (especially Prince Street)
- Great for window shopping even on a budget
Budget tip: Many stores offer tourist discounts if you show your hotel key!
Real New York City Food Experiences
What We Actually Ate:
Best pizza: Joe’s Pizza (simple but perfect New York slice) Best bagels: Russ & Daughters (expensive but incredible lox bagel) Best deli: Katz’s Delicatessen (pastrami sandwich worth the $25) Biggest surprise: Street cart chicken and rice ($6 and delicious!) Best splurge: Dinner in Little Italy (family-owned restaurant, felt authentic)
Food Neighborhoods We Explored:
- Chinatown: Amazing dumplings for $8 (compared to $20 in tourist areas)
- Koreatown: Korean BBQ at 1 AM was a wild experience
- Chelsea Market: Indoor food hall with global options
Money reality check: We budgeted $150/day for food and stayed pretty close to that with mix of street food and nicer dinners.
Getting Around New York City – Our Transportation Reality
Subway Experience:
The New York City subway was way easier than expected:
- MetroCard worked everywhere ($2.90 per ride)
- Citymapper app was lifesaver for directions
- Rush hour really is crazy (avoid 7-9 AM and 5-7 PM)
- Late-night service saved us tons on Uber
Subway surprise: Met so many interesting people and overheard fascinating conversations. Very “authentic New York” experience.
Walking Reality:
We walked 8-12 miles per day easily! Manhattan distances are deceptive:
- Comfortable shoes absolute necessity
- Grid system makes navigation simple
- Most Manhattan attractions walkable from each other
- People-watching while walking was entertainment itself
What We Wish We’d Known Before Our New York City Trip
Things That Would’ve Saved Money:
- Broadway lottery tickets (could’ve saved $300+)
- Grocery shopping for breakfast instead of hotel/cafe every day
- Free museum hours and suggested donation policies
- Happy hour deals at rooftop bars (same views, half price)
Things We’d Do Differently:
- Book restaurant reservations earlier (missed out on 3 places)
- Pack lighter (walked everywhere with heavy bags)
- Stay in Brooklyn (cheaper, more authentic feel)
- Plan one full rest afternoon (exhaustion hit day 4)
Unexpected Expenses:
- Tips everywhere (18-20% at restaurants, $2-5 for services)
- Tourist tax on hotel bill
- Attraction fast-pass fees (worth it at popular spots)
Free Things We Loved in New York City
Best Free Activities:
- Brooklyn Bridge walk (amazing views, no cost)
- Central Park exploring (entertainment for hours)
- Staten Island Ferry (free Statue of Liberty views!)
- High Line elevated park (unique experience)
- Window shopping in SoHo and Fifth Avenue
- Street performances throughout the city
Hidden free gem: Roosevelt Island Tram gives aerial Manhattan views for just subway fare ($2.90)!
Seasonal New York City Experience (We Visited in Fall)
Why Fall Was Perfect:
- Beautiful autumn leaves in Central Park
- Comfortable walking temperatures
- Less crowded than summer
- New Broadway shows premiering
- Holiday decorations starting to appear
Weather reality: Bring layers! Temperature changed 20 degrees between morning and evening.
Our New York City Budget Breakdown
5-Day Trip for 2 People:
- Accommodation: $800 (mid-range Manhattan hotel)
- Food: $750 (mix of street food and restaurants)
- Transportation: $150 (mostly subway, few Ubers)
- Attractions: $400 (museums, shows, observation decks)
- Shopping: $300 (souvenirs and impulse buys)
- Total: $2,400 ($240 per person per day)
Budget tip: Could easily do it for $150/day per person with hostel, more street food, and free activities focus.
Would We Return to New York City?
ABSOLUTELY! We barely scratched the surface:
- Want to explore more Brooklyn neighborhoods
- Missed several world-class museums
- Didn’t make it to Yankee Stadium or sports events
- Want to experience different seasons
- So many restaurants still on our list
New York City has this addictive energy that makes you want to keep coming back and discovering new layers.
Final New York City Travel Tips from Our Real Experience
What Made Our Trip Amazing:
- Embracing the chaos and energy instead of fighting it
- Talking to locals (New Yorkers are way friendlier than reputation)
- Mixing tourist attractions with neighborhood exploration
- Being flexible when plans changed (often led to better discoveries)
- Documenting everything (photos and journal entries)
For Future New York City Visitors:
- New York City exceeds expectations – don’t overthink it
- Budget more than you think for food and activities
- Comfortable shoes are ESSENTIAL
- Download offline maps (subway cell service spotty)
- Embrace being a tourist – everyone’s doing it!
Ready for Your New York City Adventure?
Our New York City travel experience was absolutely life-changing. From Times Square’s bright lights to Central Park’s peaceful paths, from Brooklyn Bridge sunrise walks to late-night pizza adventures, every moment felt like living in a movie.
New York City really is the city that never sleeps, and neither did we! The energy, diversity, culture, and non-stop possibilities make it unlike anywhere else on Earth.
Start planning your trip now – New York City is waiting to create your own unforgettable story!
What questions do you have about visiting New York City? Drop them in the comments – happy to share more details from our amazing adventure!
