New York City in four days? Yes! – Part 1

Everything is possible, even visit almost the entire New York City in just four days. You will have to walk a lot, put your alarm and sleep a few hours, but hey… it’s New York!

From Washington D.C. the Big Apple is circa 4 hours of bus. I went there with Flixbus, the cheapest and the most convenient, as you will arrive in the center of Manhattan, Madison Square Garden precisely. So, my Airbnb was in the southwest part of Brooklyn (Sunset Park), that I don’t suggest, just because it’s really far away from Manhattan. Try to find something closer, even though I know that prices are high! In any case, even for a short period of just 4 days, I advise you the 7-days Metro card. You will use the subway a lot, even for small distances, which by now we know that in the USA small distances don’t exist, so this unlimited pass will make you save money, time and sore feet. Let’s start!

New York Day 1

Since the Airbnb was in Brooklyn I started the adventure from the famous neighborhood Dumbo that’s short for Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass. It was originally a ferry landing, with industrial and warehouse buildings. Dumbo was modernized in the late 20th century, and remade into an upscale residential and commercial community—first becoming a haven for art galleries, and currently a center for technology startups. But we all know we go there for this and only this picture. That’s the view of the Manhattan Bridge from Washington Street.

Dumbo

If you keep walking on the left, towards the iconic Brooklyn Bridge you will arrive at the waterfront. At this point, you can go up and walk from Brooklyn directly into Manhattan. I did it last year, and wrote about it here. This time, it started raining, even if it was supposed to be a great day! So I took the subway and I went to look for some Italian vibes. I ended up at the Nutella Café, right next to the New York University (xoxo Gossip Girl, for those who remember it) and the Parsons School of Design. 

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Your amazing pitstop is right in Greenwich Village, often referred to by locals as simply “the Village“. It is a neighborhood known as an artists’ haven, and for its modern LGBT movement. After a great stroll around, I went towards the High Line and Chelsea Market. The High Line is an elevated linear park (opened in 2009), created from an abandoned spur and redesigned as a “living system” of landscape architecture, urban design, and ecology. The park is built on a disused viaduct section of the New York Central Railroad line known as the West Side Line. On the other hand, the Chelsea Market is a food hall, shopping mall, office building, and television production facility located in the Chelsea neighborhood of course. Stop there to have great seafood or Asian dinner! To conclude your first day take a walk in the chaotic Times Square and then relax at the Rockefeller Center. 

High Line

Times Square

New York Day 2

Ready? Day 2 is going to be a great day! Get up and run to Andrews Coffee Shop a great diner in Midtown Manhattan. After your combo breakfast or better brunch, you are ready to rock the day.

andrews coffee shop

You are ready to explore Midtown Manhattan, the central portion of Manhattan. Midtown is home to some of the city’s most iconic buildings, including the Empire State Building, the Chrysler Building, Grand Central Terminal, and Rockefeller Center, as well as Broadway and Times Square again. So if you want to explore New York from the sky The Top of the Rock is the best. Then, if you grew up with Gossip Girl you definitely can’t miss the Grand Central Terminal and the New York Public Library, where Mr. Big was supposed to marry Carrie! Relax from the chaos of the city in Bryant Park and then start walking down 5th Avenue. You will come across the most famous luxury brands, but also Saks and you will end up at Central Park. 

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Enjoy the sun along one of the best parks you will ever see in a city. The one you ever only see in movies, wondering if in real life was like that. Yes, it is. You can walk to the Metropolitan Museum of Art (MET) or stop by Columbus Circle Mall for some good and harmful shopping. Remember that here museums close early (5 pm) during the week, so plan everything carefully. You can still walk back to Mid Manhattan through Central Park, so you can totally enjoy everything with no fear of missing anything. Before going back home, take a look at the Flatiron Building and Madison Square Park. The Flatiron Building, originally the Fuller Building, in 1902 it was one of the tallest buildings in the city. Obviously it hadn’t lasted long. Now, you can finally relax with a great view and a great drink at the 230 Rooftop Bar. The best and unforgettable view of your life. 

New York