How many days · New York City · United States
How many days do you need in New York City?
A straight answer, then what each trip length really gets you.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Anthony Quintano from Hillsborough, NJ, United States, CC BY 2.0
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Quick answer
5 days is the sweet spot for New York City, and 3 days is the minimum to see the main sights. Three days covers Midtown, Central Park, one big museum, the Statue of Liberty and a Brooklyn Bridge walk. Five days adds Downtown neighbourhoods, a Broadway show, more museums and Brooklyn; with a week, add the Hudson Valley or Philadelphia as a day trip.
Key facts
- Ideal
- 5 days
- Minimum
- 3 days
- Day trips available
- 5
- Daylight
- 9.3 h (Dec) to 15.1 h (Jun)
What each trip length gets you
| Trip | Pace | What you can see |
|---|---|---|
| 1 day | Rushed | Central Park, Metropolitan Museum of Art, Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island and Empire State Building |
| 2 days | Rushed | Empire State Building, Top of the Rock and Brooklyn Bridge |
| 3 days | Good | 9/11 Memorial and Museum, Times Square and A Broadway show |
| 5 days | Ideal | The highlights plus a day trip to Beacon and Dia Beacon |
| 7 days | Relaxed | A slow trip with day trips such as Beacon and Dia Beacon and Sleepy Hollow and Tarrytown |
How long the top sights take
The 12 best-known sights in New York City add up to roughly 23–30 hours of visiting time — about 3–4 days at seven sightseeing hours a day, before travel between them and meals. The biggest time commitments are Central Park (2–4 hours), Metropolitan Museum of Art (3–4 hours) and Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island (Half a day).
| Sight | Time needed | Area |
|---|---|---|
| Central Park | 2–4 hours | Central Park |
| Metropolitan Museum of Art | 3–4 hours | Upper East Side |
| Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island | Half a day | Liberty Island |
| Empire State Building | 1.5 hours | Midtown |
| Top of the Rock | 1 hour | Midtown |
| Brooklyn Bridge | 1 hour | Lower Manhattan |
| 9/11 Memorial and Museum | 2–3 hours | Financial District |
| Times Square | 30 minutes | Midtown |
| A Broadway show | 2.5–3 hours | Theater District |
| Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) | 2–3 hours | Midtown |
| American Museum of Natural History | 3 hours | Upper West Side |
| The High Line | 1–1.5 hours | Chelsea |
By type of trip
| Trip | Days | Why |
|---|---|---|
| First visit | 5 days | The main sights at a comfortable pace |
| Short break / repeat visit | 3 days | Focus on Central Park and Metropolitan Museum of Art |
| With children | 6 days | Slower days and time for American Museum of Natural History |
| With day trips | 7 days | Add Beacon and Dia Beacon and Sleepy Hollow and Tarrytown |
Daylight changes the maths
Sightseeing days are much shorter in December (about 9.3 hours of daylight) than in June (about 15.1 hours). In winter, allow an extra day or plan museum-heavy afternoons.
Ready-made itineraries
Combining New York City with other destinations
| Destination | Distance | Suggested stay |
|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia | About 130 km | 3 days |
| Boston | About 306 km | 4 days |
| Washington, D.C. | About 328 km | 4 days |
Questions travellers ask
+Is 3 days enough in New York City?
It covers the main sights at a brisk pace; 5 days is more comfortable. Three days covers Midtown, Central Park, one big museum, the Statue of Liberty and a Brooklyn Bridge walk. Five days adds Downtown neighbourhoods, a Broadway show, more museums and Brooklyn; with a week, add the Hudson Valley or Philadelphia as a day trip.
+Is a week too long in New York City?
No — a week leaves time for day trips such as Beacon and Dia Beacon and Sleepy Hollow and Tarrytown.