I would say that 4 days is the minimum amount of time you need in New York. With 4 days in New York, you'll be able to see the main attractions, but you'll definitely want to come back for more. The city has a lot to offer, especially as the seasons change. We think a lot about 3, 4 and 5 days as the perfect time for a first-time visitor to explore New York.
One of my favorite memories from New York was meeting a piano concert in this park one summer afternoon. If the first day is full of what tourists are doing, the second day of your 4 days in New York is to get an idea of what New Yorkers do on the weekend (or at night, since New York City never sleeps). With an average of 6 million visitors a year, it is also the most visited museum in New York City and would take several days to properly explore it. If you're interested in exploring the outskirts of New York, try one of these beautiful panoramic tours of New York.
New York City is home to many of the major cultural and historical sites in the United States, as well as being a major shopping and dining destination. I would recommend starting with Gay Street (the smallest street in New York), Washington Square Park (where the beautiful Arch of Washington Square is located) and Jefferson Market Library (it's damn pretty). If you want to avoid the crowds but still have pleasant weather, consider visiting New York in April or another mid-season month. It might be worth considering staying close to Times Square so you don't have to go far after the evening shows.
There are those who say that everyone needs to visit the Empire State Building on their trip to New York City. The Empire State Building is an iconic symbol of New York City and appears on almost every postcard and photo in Manhattan. It was no easy task, considering that it took 16 years to build this monolithic structure, but it was worth the wait, as more than 50,000 people showed up on the opening day. Start the day with a visit to the 86th floor of New York's most iconic building: the Empire State Building.
