Feel the excitement build as you touch down in New York. Here is a suggested itinerary taking in the sights included in your CityPASS, along with a few extra gems along the way, giving you the best of Manhattan across your stay. After checking into your Manhattan hotel, ease yourself into the city with a relaxed first evening. Take a stroll through Midtown and soak up the energy of Times Square, the beating heart of the city both day and night. Awash with neon lights and yellow cabs, it’s easy to understand why the city is often referred to as ‘the city that never sleeps’. With the time difference likely catching up with you, keep dinner close to your hotel and enjoy an early night, ready for your first full day of adventures.

The New Yorker or similar

Start your exploration of the city discovering Lower Manhattan’s history and harbour views. Begin at the 9/11 Memorial & Museum, a deeply moving tribute set around the twin reflecting pools where the Twin Towers once stood, before hopping on the ferry out to Liberty Island to see the Statue of Liberty up close, one of the world’s most recognisable symbols of freedom. Both activities are included in your CityPASS®.

In the afternoon, walk the Brooklyn Bridge, one of New York’s most iconic crossings, with stunning views back over the Manhattan skyline, then continue into DUMBO (Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass) for gorgeous waterfront views of the bridge itself framed against the Manhattan Bridge beyond. On your way back into Manhattan, stop off at Katz’s Delicatessen on the Lower East Side for a true taste of New York, their towering pastrami on rye has been a city staple since 1888.

Top tip for a smooth day…
Both the 9/11 Memorial & Museum and the Statue of Liberty ferry need a timed entry slot booked in advance, so it’s worth reserving these before you travel to avoid disappointment.

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On day three, head to Rockefeller Center for Top of the Rock, included in your CityPASS® offering some of the best panoramic views in the whole city, including a clear line of sight to the Empire State Building itself. From here, make your way to the High Line, a beautifully landscaped park built along a disused elevated railway, for an unhurried wander lined with gardens, art installations and lovely city views. Before heading off to shop, grab a classic New York slice at Joe’s Pizza in Greenwich Village, a no frills institution serving up some of the best pizza in the city since 1975.

The afternoon is yours to enjoy some retail therapy along Fifth Avenue and the boutiques of SoHo, browsing well-known stores like Macy’s, Bloomingdale’s and Saks Fifth Avenue, before the evening brings all the glamour of Broadway, an absolute must for any first time visitor, with world class musicals and theatre just a short walk from your hotel.

Top tip for seeing a Broadway show…
Broadway shows sell out fast, especially the biggest hits, so it’s best to book well ahead of your trip. Speak to our travel experts to secure your seats in advance, so all you need to do is turn up and enjoy the show.

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Make the most of your final day before your evening flight home with a relaxed morning in Central Park and a little culture to finish. Wander through the park’s leafy paths, past Bethesda Terrace and the Bow Bridge, stopping for lunch at the Central Park Boathouse, a picture perfect spot overlooking the lake, made famous in countless films and a firm favourite among locals and visitors alike.

From here, it’s a short walk to the Guggenheim Museum, a striking spiral building designed by Frank Lloyd Wright and home to an outstanding collection of Impressionist and modern art. With your flight this evening, allow plenty of time to collect your luggage from the hotel and head to the airport, a fitting, unhurried close to a truly unforgettable New York adventure.