Self-guided itinerary · free

New York in 4 days: the Statue of Liberty, the High Line and Central Park

The plan sweeps Manhattan from south to north. Day one is Lower Manhattan: the ferry from The Battery to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, then the 9/11 Memorial & Museum. Day two is a food-focused walk through the Lower East Side and Chinatown, with neighbourhood spots from the Michelin Bib Gourmand list, and the Empire State Building in the evening. Day three is the High Line on the West Side and the West Village. Day four is Central Park and the museums. Only the ferry authorised by the National Park Service goes to the Statue of Liberty, and pedestal and crown tickets are limited and sold in advance. The 9/11 Museum is closed on most Tuesdays. Hours and fees link to the official source with the date we last checked them.

Prepared by: Kolay Seyahat content teamLast updated 22/10/2026Every fact links to an official source

The Lower Manhattan skyline from the water

This is not a package tour. This itinerary is free information. Flights, hotels and experiences are each sold separately, under their own seller’s terms, with separate payment and a separate contract. Prices are never linked to one another.

Day by day

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Day 1 · The Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island and the 9/11 Memorial

An early ferry to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, then the 9/11 Memorial & Museum in the afternoon. The Museum is closed on most Tuesdays.

0 of 5 stops done

  1. Day 1 · 1 · 08:30–09:30

    The Battery: security screening and the ferry

    Booking required
    A ferry passing the Statue of Liberty in New York Harbor

    Board the ferry to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island from The Battery at the southern tip of Manhattan. To see both islands in one day, the National Park Service recommends an early ferry; the time on your ticket is not the departure time but the time to join the security line.

    Getting there

    1. Ferry

    • Getting there

      Ferries leave from The Battery in Manhattan and Liberty State Park in New Jersey; same-day tickets are also sold at the Statue City Cruises windows in Castle Clinton. Address: 1 Battery Place, New York, NY 10004.

      Source: National Park Service · Statue of Liberty National Monument · last checked 2026-10-22

    • Tickets and booking

      Only Statue City Cruises, the sole ferry company authorised by the National Park Service, sells tickets to and sails to the islands; the NPS warns of numerous third-party sellers charging more or selling trips that don't dock at the islands.

      Source: National Park Service · Statue of Liberty National Monument · last checked 2026-10-22

  2. Day 1 · 2 · 09:30–11:30

    Liberty Island: the Statue of Liberty

    Booking required
    The Statue of Liberty on Liberty Island

    On Liberty Island you visit the Statue of Liberty and the Statue of Liberty Museum. The National Park Service charges no entrance fee for the island museums, and every ferry ticket includes the museums on both islands. General admission does not include the pedestal or crown: those tickets are limited for safety reasons and sold online only, in advance. The crown is reached by 162 steps from the statue's feet, with no lift.

    Getting there

    1. Ferry

  3. Day 1 · 3 · 11:30–13:30

    Ellis Island: the National Museum of Immigration

    Take the ferry on to Ellis Island; entry to the Ellis Island National Museum of Immigration is included in the ferry ticket. Then ride the ferry back to The Battery.

    Getting there

    1. Ferry

  4. Day 1 · 4 · 13:30–14:30

    Lunch in Lower Manhattan

    Get off the ferry and stop for lunch in Lower Manhattan.

    Getting there

    1. Walk

  5. Day 1 · 5 · 15:00–17:00

    The 9/11 Memorial & Museum

    Booking required
    A white rose on the engraved names at the 9/11 Memorial

    The Memorial and Museum honour the nearly 3,000 people killed in the attacks of 11 September 2001 and 26 February 1993. The Memorial is free and open every day; the Museum requires advance tickets, and you should allow at least 45 to 90 minutes. Audio guides are available in nine languages. This is a place of remembrance, so keep your visit quiet and respectful.

    Getting there

    1. Walk

    • Opening hours

      Memorial daily 08:00–20:00; Museum Wednesday–Monday 09:00–19:00, plus select Tuesdays and holiday hours.

      Source: National September 11 Memorial & Museum · last checked 2026-10-22

    • Tickets and booking

      The Memorial is free; the Museum requires advance tickets. Address: 180 Greenwich Street, New York, NY 10007.

      Source: National September 11 Memorial & Museum · last checked 2026-10-22

    Tips

    The Museum is closed on most Tuesdays; if day one falls on a Tuesday, move the Museum to another day, as the Memorial is open daily.

Day 2 · The Lower East Side, Chinatown and the Empire State

A food-focused walk through neighbourhood spots, then city views from the Empire State in the evening.

0 of 4 stops done

  1. Day 2 · 1 · 10:00–12:00

    The Lower East Side

    Walk the Lower East Side's streets around Orchard and Delancey and drop into Essex Market. Several of the Michelin Bib Gourmand spots in the food section are in this neighbourhood.

    Getting there

    1. Walk

  2. Day 2 · 2 · 12:00–13:30

    Lunch on the Lower East Side

    For lunch, see Sami & Susu, Russ & Daughters Cafe or Dhamaka in Essex Market in the food section.

    Getting there

    1. Walk

  3. Day 2 · 3 · 13:30–16:00

    Chinatown and Little Italy

    Walk Chinatown and Little Italy around Grand Street; Nyonya, in the food section, serves Malaysian food here.

    Getting there

    1. Walk

  4. Day 2 · 4 · 19:00–21:00

    The Empire State Building

    The Empire State Building and the New York skyline at twilight

    In the evening, watch the city lights from the Empire State Building's observation decks; the building has two observatories and exhibitions.

    • Good to know

      The building has two observation decks and exhibitions; opening hours are shown daily on the official website.

      Source: Empire State Building · last checked 2026-10-22

    Tips

    Hours change by day; check the official website on the day of your visit.

Day 3 · The High Line and the West Village

Walk the High Line south to north in the morning, the West Village in the afternoon and Koreatown in the evening.

0 of 4 stops done

  1. Day 3 · 1 · 09:30–12:00

    The High Line

    Modern architecture over the High Line

    The High Line on Manhattan's West Side is a public park operated, maintained and funded by the non-profit Friends of the High Line. Walk it from south to north and come down at 30th Street at Hudson Yards. Free docent-led tours run on select days.

    Getting there

    1. Walk

    • Opening hours

      1 April–30 November 07:00–22:00; 1 December–31 March 07:00–20:00.

      Source: Friends of the High Line · last checked 2026-10-22

    • Good to know

      There are lifts at four points in the park; park-level access is also available at 30th Street (Hudson Yards) and 31st Street and Dyer Avenue.

      Source: Friends of the High Line · last checked 2026-10-22

    Tips

    Some sections may close temporarily for maintenance; check the park website's alerts on the day.

  2. Day 3 · 2 · 12:00–13:30

    Lunch in the West Village

    Head to the West Village for lunch; Laliko, in the food section, serves Georgian food here.

    Getting there

    1. Walk

  3. Day 3 · 3 · 14:00–18:00

    Free time in the West Village

    Spend the afternoon in the West Village's quieter streets.

    Getting there

    1. Walk

  4. Day 3 · 4

    Evening in Koreatown

    Head to Koreatown for dinner; HanGawi, the vegetarian Korean restaurant in the food section, is here.

Day 4 · Central Park and the museums

Central Park in the morning, then The Met and MoMA or the Natural History Museum; the East Village in the evening.

0 of 4 stops done

  1. Day 4 · 1 · 09:00–11:00

    Central Park

    The city reflected in a lake in Central Park in autumn

    Spend the morning walking in Central Park, then head out along its east side to the museums.

    Getting there

    1. Walk

  2. Day 4 · 2 · 11:00–14:30

    The Metropolitan Museum of Art

    The façade of The Metropolitan Museum of Art

    The Met on Fifth Avenue is one of the world's largest art museums; set aside at least a few hours.

    Getting there

    1. Walk

    Tips

    Check The Met's current hours, closing days and tickets on its official website; we could not confirm them from an official source.

  3. Day 4 · 3 · 15:00–17:30

    MoMA or the American Museum of Natural History

    In the afternoon, choose MoMA for modern art or the American Museum of Natural History on the west side of Central Park.

    Getting there

    1. Walk

    Tips

    Check hours and tickets for both museums on their official websites.

  4. Day 4 · 4

    Evening in the East Village

    Spend the last evening in the East Village; Soda Club, the vegan restaurant in the food section, is here.

Getting around

What and where to eat

Recommended places

  • Sami & Susu

    Lower East Side, Orchard St.Mediterranean, Middle EasternNear a stop on this plan

    MICHELIN Guide Bib Gourmand; the guide describes a small kitchen hiding in plain sight on busy Orchard Street that roams the Middle East for inspiration, and recommends anything with lamb. Lunch on day two.

    Source: MICHELIN Guide · MICHELIN Guide · last checked 2026-10-22

  • Russ & Daughters Cafe

    Lower East Side, Orchard St.American, fish

    MICHELIN Guide Bib Gourmand; the guide describes a café with white-jacketed servers that channels the spirit of the original shop a few blocks away, with hot- and cold-smoked salmon dishes.

    Source: MICHELIN Guide · MICHELIN Guide · last checked 2026-10-22

  • Dhamaka

    Lower East Side, Essex MarketIndian

    MICHELIN Guide Bib Gourmand; the guide describes bold, rustic Indian cooking at this Essex Market restaurant, with goat and lamb dishes and house-made paneer tikka.

    Source: MICHELIN Guide · MICHELIN Guide · last checked 2026-10-22

  • Nyonya

    Chinatown / Little Italy, Grand St.MalaysianNear a stop on this plan

    MICHELIN Guide Bib Gourmand; the guide praises its Malaysian food in a simple room and the nasi lemak with coconut rice, curried chicken and egg. Afternoon of day two.

    Source: MICHELIN Guide · MICHELIN Guide · last checked 2026-10-22

  • Laliko

    West Village, Carmine St.GeorgianNear a stop on this plan

    MICHELIN Guide Bib Gourmand; the guide covers Georgian classics, vibrant salads and khachapuri, which it calls a must. Lunch on day three.

    Source: MICHELIN Guide · MICHELIN Guide · last checked 2026-10-22

  • HanGawi

    Koreatown, E. 32nd St.Korean, vegetarianNear a stop on this plan

    MICHELIN Guide Bib Gourmand; the guide describes vegetarian Korean cooking in a calm, shoes-off room with low tables, and the ssam bap. Dinner on day three.

    Source: MICHELIN Guide · MICHELIN Guide · last checked 2026-10-22

  • Soda Club

    East Village, Avenue AVeganNear a stop on this plan

    MICHELIN Guide Bib Gourmand; the guide describes a spot named after Italy's tradition of hand-crafted sodas, known for its house-made vegan pastas. Dinner on day four.

    Source: MICHELIN Guide · MICHELIN Guide · last checked 2026-10-22

Opening hours and prices vary by venue; check the venue’s own site before you go. Recommendations are not paid placements.

Where to stay

Candidates were picked by distance to the area, star rating, guest rating (weighted by number of reviews) and completeness of hotel details. Ratings, review counts and details come live from our catalogue. Tiers follow the star rating.

Sample dates: 26.11–29.11 (3 nights), 2 adults. Prices change with dates; choose your own dates on the hotel page.

Midtown (Bryant Park – Herald Square)

Close to the Empire State, Koreatown and Central Park.

Good for: First-timers and those who want subway connections

Budget

Mid-range

Upscale

Lower Manhattan (Financial District)

The Battery ferry and the 9/11 Memorial are within walking distance.

Good for: Those who want an early start on day one

Budget

Mid-range

Upscale

Lower East Side – East Village

Most of the Bib Gourmand spots in the food section are here.

Good for: Food-focused couples who want an evening scene

Budget

Mid-range

Upscale

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Photos: Pexels (Roland Wasscher, Dominik Gryzbon, Sarowar Hussain, Lars Mulder, Vlada Karpovich, Line Knipst, Shon Fay, Charles Parker)

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