Five districts in five days? Yes, it’s possible. Of course, you’ll have to hurry, rely on the reliability of the subways, buses and your own legs, and don’t expect to see everything in these boroughs.
Nevertheless, our itinerary offers the best of each, starting in the morning and ending in the evening: see the Met’s masterpieces and dine at a gourmet restaurant in Manhattan; shop for produce in Brooklyn and ride the city’s legendary roller coaster; visit an old fort and sample a Sri Lankan meal on Staten Island.
To really get to know all of New York, you would need a lifetime or more. To get a good look at it, all you need is a few days, an open mind and a good pair of hiking boots.
Day 1 : Bronx
In the morning
With over 600 species of animals housed within its one square kilometre area, the Bronx Zoo promises days, if not weeks, of real entertainment. However, you can discover its main attractions in a single morning. Usually, the sea lions eat at 11am (then 3pm) in their tank in the historic Astor Court, built in the early 1900s. Then head off to see the zoo’s newest residents: the Komodo dragons; check out the latest spring arrivals, including baby gorillas and the recently born baby baboon; or head to Madagascar, home to three types of maki, ring-tailed mongooses, hissing cockroaches and many other species.
Next to the zoo is the New York Botanical Garden, with its 1 km² of flora. There are over a million plants. Whatever the season, there is always something beautiful to see. The discovery of these two sites allows you to earn a well-deserved lunch: you can eat a Neapolitan pizza at Zero Otto Nove on Arthur Avenue, the area’s most authentic conglomeration of Italian restaurants and bakeries. If a 45-minute drive doesn’t scare you, you can also head to the Taqueria Tlaxcalli neighbourhood, an incomparable place for Mexican food.
Afternoon and evening
Many of our recommendations for the Bronx will take you to parks such as Franz Sigel Park and Joyce Kilmer Park. Although the Bronx is one of the most densely populated areas in the United States, there are still some beautiful green spaces. During the Revolutionary War, George Washington and his troops manoeuvred in this area, mainly to spy on the British troops camped along the Harlem River.
Both parks are also home to one of the area’s major historical sites: the Grand Concourse. This building was constructed in the 1890s. Today, it forms a beautiful thoroughfare from 138th Street to Mosholu Parkway. Pay special attention to the striking Art Deco style and modern art of the buildings when you walk through the Bronx Museum of Art; its collection of contemporary works promotes cross-cultural understanding. Depending on the time of year you visit NY, you might end your day cheering on the Bronx bombers, better known as the Yankees.
If the idea of chewing on stadium food doesn’t appeal to you, opt for a spicy stew at Ebe Ye Yie, an epicentre of Little Ghana, or try the chicken at Feeding Tree, a favourite destination for Jamaican fans.
Have a drink at the Stan Sports Bar, decorated with notable memorabilia such as a baseball card with Joe DiMaggio’s original signature, jerseys and photos.
Day 2 : Brooklyn
In the morning
The weather is warm, so start your day’s explorations in one of the city’s liveliest neighborhoods: Coney Island, home of the Cyclone roller coaster, the historic Luna Park ride.
If the weather is nice, you can dip your toes in the Atlantic Ocean, after the swim, stroll along the wooden deck and let the sea spray caress your hair. Don’t forget to stop and order a hot dog from Nathan’s Famous in Nathan’s Famous. They’re so good that legend has it that President Franklin D. Roosevelt had them delivered while negotiating the Yalta Agreement with Joseph Stalin and Winston Churchill. For those who think it’s too early for a hot dog, Tom’s Coney Island is on the same pavement, open year-round, and serves delicious breakfasts.
After a morning spent along the ocean, discover Prospect Park. It is home to a zoo and the Audubon Center in its 1.5 square miles of beautiful natural area.
Then head to the Brooklyn Museum, which is famous for its large collection of Egyptian artifacts. Other points of interest at the borough’s largest museum include artist Judy Chicago’s The Dinner Party, a famous feminist work and 23 rooms organized by period as well as the building’s architectural details. You could step back in time and discover what Brooklyn was like when it was called “Breuckelen”, the cradle of pioneers from Europe and the land of Native Americans. Meanwhile, whenever your stomach calls for a meal, head to the museum’s restaurant, Saul, or its more casual alternative, Counter, both run by Michelin-starred chef Saul Bolton.
Afternoon and evening
Your afternoon begins with a visit to the New York Transit Museum in Brooklyn Heights. Here you can discover amazing maps, go through turnstiles, and best of all, ride in real old underground cars.
Judging by the small wicker seats and the height of the metal ventilation, people really were smaller than today. Leave the museum and head to Smith Street, an area of pretty little shops and delicious restaurants at the junction of Cobble Hill, Carroll Gardens and Boerum Hill. Among the many items at By Brooklyn are soda syrups, large bags, vintage pictures, clever quotes and charms; all made here in the neighbourhood.
If you have time, take an indoor skateboarding lesson at Homage (the facility is about 10 blocks from the department stores’).
Dining options are plentiful and cater to all budgets. Consider Chef’s Table, the only restaurant in Brooklyn that boasts three Michelin stars, and a less sophisticated but equally gourmet restaurant, Prime Meats, whose products go directly from the producer to the plate.
The night is just beginning and the neighbourhood is bustling. Take in some music at Pete’s Candy House in Williamsburg, or push on over to Bushwick for a craft cocktail at the Narrows or a glass of beer at The Sampler. Whatever you decide, you’ll end the day with a walk on the Brooklyn Bridge. It’s always open and the view is amazing.
Day 3 : Manhattan
In the morning
Start your day with breakfast at Café Sabarsky. There is no more elegant experience in town than this. The space is inspired by the cafés of Vienna, the upholstered benches have fabric coverings by Otto Wagner dating from 1912 and lighting by Josef Hoffmann. After eating your plate of Bavarian ham with eggs and drinking your einspänner (a double espresso with whipped cream), cross Fifth Avenue to the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The museum is over 185,000 square meters, so get a map and use a strategy. Highlights of the collection include the monumental Temple of Dendur, Emanuel Leutze’s Washington Crossing the Delaware, works by Van Gogh and other 19th-century masters; see everything that interests you and remember that what you don’t see this time will be waiting for you on a future visit.
From the Met, head south to downtown. You’ll arrive at Rockefeller Center, where the Top of the Rock viewing decks are located on the 70th floor. Or go all the way to the Empire State Building and enjoy the view from the panoramic balconies on the 86th and 102nd floors. The reward for your efforts is an unforgettable view of the city.
But it’s time to think about your lunch. Go to Le Bernardin or take a stroll to Columbus Circle or Thomas Keller’s Per Se, both of which were awarded four stars by The New York Times. Or try American food combined with Asian cuisine at Má Pêche. Owner David Chang has been one of New York’s most influential chefs for the past decade.
Afternoon and evening
After lunch, take the tube south from Chelsea and walk along the High Line. The park is one of the City’s most popular recent attractions, but you should find plenty of quiet spots, especially on a weekday.
Take a leisurely walk to the Meatpacking District. Stop by the birch trees at the edge of the park and, as you rise to the level of the harbour, wave at the Statue of Liberty. Take some time to browse the beautiful, spacious galleries and outdoor terraces of the Whitney Museum of American Art, which has just returned to downtown after 50 years on the Upper East Side.
Walk out of the park at the corner of West Village and into Greenwich Village – both areas have beautiful tree-lined streets and romantic little bars and restaurants. One of the most popular is The Little Owl, the ultimate neighbourhood café. The menu is more Mediterranean, but the lively, warm atmosphere is very much New York. For nightlife, head to the Meatpacking District. The place is eerily reminiscent of scenes from the Sex and the City series. If you’re more comfortable in boots than in heels, join a group of friends dancing on the counter at Hogs & Heifers Saloon. Another option is to take the underground and get off at Times Square to catch a Broadway show.
Day 4 : Queens
In the morning
Get a taste of Queens’ immense diversity by having breakfast at the New World Mall’s food court. Instead of American breakfast at Subway or Sbarro, try delicious donuts and steamed breads, noodles and soups from China, Korea, Thailand or Malaysia.
After strolling through the streets of Flushing and its Chinatown, head to Flushing Meadows’ Corona Park. Here you will see the Unisphere, a 42-metre high steel globe in the centre of a reflecting pool, which was unveiled at the 1964 International Exposition. From here you could go to the Queens Museum, whose original building is a relic of an earlier exhibition. Its centrepiece is a model of the city with 895,000 buildings built before 1992 (and some built after). Have fun finding your hotel or important monuments.
If you’re a sports fan, take a diversion to Citi Field, home of the Mets, or the Billie Jean King USTA National Tennis Center, which hosts the annual U.S. Open. Alternatively, take the underground to Jackson Heights, a neighbourhood that boasts the best Asian and Latin American restaurants. In the former category, check out Phayul, which serves Tibetan food. For the latter, try Mama’s Empanadas, which offers shredded chicken, apples, cinnamon and empanadas.
Afternoon and evening
After another quick metro ride, you will be in Astoria. As well as having a reputation for the best Greek and Egyptian food, this neighbourhood has a long relationship with TV shows and films. In fact, Orange Is the New Black and Sesame Street are two of the shows that are filmed in Kaufman Astoria Studios, the focal point of the Astoria Arts District. Learn all about filmmaking at the Museum of the Moving Image, whose permanent collection includes the severed and thrown head from The Exorcist, original Star Wars action figures and costumes from shows and movies like Mork & Mindy, Chicago and Annie Hall. Make your way to Long Island City, another major player in the entertainment industry. Near the north corner, Gantry Plaza State Park offers stunning views of Manhattan’s east side.
If you have followed this daily schedule and are on time, you can watch the sun set over the United Nations and Chrysler buildings from the comfort of one of the chairs in Adirondack Park. There are also a couple of nice bars in the neighbourhood, such as Dominie’s Hoek with its old-school atmosphere and the more recently decorated Alewife, which offers craft beers from around the world. In both of these restaurants, the food is good. Or, you can head back to Jackson Heights and grab a bite to eat at one of the street stands that set up along Roosevelt Avenue in the evening.
Day 5 : Staten Island
In the morning
Want to see the Statue of Liberty while enjoying the view of New York Harbor for free? Hop on the Staten Island Ferry. Instead of circling back to Manhattan, disembark and visit the 9/11 Memorial located next to the ferry terminal. This sculpture honors Staten Island residents who died in the 9/11 World Trade Center attacks and the 1993 bombing.
Then take a bus to Fort Wadsworth; the area was first fortified by the British in the late 1700s, while the present fort was built in the mid-1800s before being used by the US military until the 1990s. You can admire its historic cannons, while taking in the architecture and views of the City beyond the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge. Runners will appreciate the fort for another reason: the New York City Marathon starts here.
Nearby, north of Fort Wadsworth, you can learn about the life of Alice Austen, one of America’s first female photographers, by visiting her home. Continue in the same direction to Lakruwana, where you can get your fill of real Sri Lankan food. The impressive restaurant offers a free buffet concept on Saturdays and Sundays, with dishes such as deviled chicken and other foods cooked in clay pots.
Afternoon and evening
In the summer, you can watch the Staten Island Yankees take on minor-league opponents like the arch-rivals Brooklyn Cyclones. Admittedly, sometimes it’s hard to concentrate on the baseball game, so beautiful is the skyline against which the skyscrapers stand. The post-game fireworks on Fridays and Saturdays add to the distraction.
Alternatively, you can go and see a show at the St George’s Theatre, a baroque-style venue that was opened in 1929 (the theatre organises tours by appointment and during the day).
The local restaurants have a reputation for excellent home cooking. At Enoteca Maria, every day from 3pm, teams of real Italian nuns take turns serving real Italian food until there’s nothing left. Speaking of Italian restaurants, Staten Island is known for having the best pizza in the city. If you can swing by between landmark visits, head to Denino’s, a family-owned restaurant that’s been open since 1937, and order a Garbage Pie, which features sausage, meatballs, pepperoni, onions and mushrooms.
A good day deserves a good ending: you can enjoy small glasses of whisky and pints of quality craft beer at Vermeil & le Doyen or enjoy the view of the canals while sipping a daiquiri at Tiki Island.
