8 days in New York

Thinking of going to New York? I'm sharing my 8-day itinerary with you, along with my top tips and restaurant recommendations. Of course, you can adapt it to suit the time you'll be spending there. Don't hesitate to leave your comments!

Metro: buy the Metro card, unlimited rides during one week for $34 per person.
Internet: if you want to have 4G or 5G during your stay the best option is the eSim by Holafly (use my link http://rwrd.io/sd34mwy to get a discount)
Ferry: tickets to be purchased at the kiosks next to the boarding area, $4.50 per person.
Ride to the airport: I recommend you to take the Airtrain by JFK. $25 per person instead of $120 in taxi. Take the train LIRE from Penn St station to Jamaica stop then the Airtrain JFK for 10min.
New York city pass: it is not my recommendation. Take a close look at the paying activities and calculate them separately.
In my case, not taking the city pass but paying for them individually was more cost-effective.

Hotel:
This can be tricky in New York: where to stay? We would all be like to be safe, in a nice area without giving out a kidney!
I recommend you the place I stayed in: Placemakr Wall Street:

24hours reception
Optimized flats with real kitchens, beds and living room
Free laundry with numerous washing machines and tumble dryers (detergent not included)
24/7 gym access
Rooftop, common kitchens if you are travelling alone and would like to meet people
5 minutes away from Wall Street subway station
2 minutes away from Pier 15 (direct boat to Dumbo - Brooklyn district)
10 minutes from Battery Park - access to the Statue of Liberty
10 minutes to 9/11 memorial

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DAY 1:

Explore Chinatown and Little Italy. Both districts are close by, it is easy to do them both in the same day.
You really feel like you are in a street in China with many Chinese people still living there. I would say that Italy looks a bit more fictional but still nice to see it
Continue walking until Lower Manhattan and Soho with its cast-iron buildings. Just after you have Greenwich village: a family district with beautiful houses.
If you are going during Halloween the decoration are always so beautiful and well done!
I suggest you to have a lunch at the Chelsea market a food and retail marketplace. I ate at Miznon (mediterranean street food)
A few minutes from it you will be at Pier 57, wander there, you can explore food, art, music, hands-on environmental education and more—always with spectacular views.
Dinner at Joes pizza to grab a slice of cheese or pepperoni pizza!

DAY 2:

Take the ferry at Battery park for the Statue of the Liberty. I booked my tickets here. The ticket can include Ellis Island.
You can learn the history before, during, and after its use as America's immigration station. Don't forget to get the audio guide, included in your ticket.
Both visits can take you all morning. On the way back you can have lunch at Pisillo for an italian sandwich with fresh products. (note: one serves two)
Walk until the 9/11 memorial.
Wander at Pier 17, enjoy the view of NYC over the water.
I saw a hockey games of the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden. The atmosphere is great! A must do if you can.
If you are more a basketball fan, check out the Knicks games.
Go to Times square a few blocks away and be amazed by this place!

DAY 3:

Walk on the Brooklyn Bridge promenade: views over Manhattan
You will arrive at the Dumbo district with the famous view of the Manhattan bridge
Stop at the Time out market with many craftsworkers and more than 20 different types of food. Do not forget to check their rooftop and the view of the Brooklyn bridge.
Get lost in the neighborhood: Brooklyn bridge park, Squibb Park bridge and Brooklyn heights.
A great way to go back is to take the ferry from Dumbo until Manhattan and if it is at sunset time is even better! (Stop at Pier 11-Walt street if you are staying at the Placemakr)
Dinner at The Dead Rabbit: pub atmosphere with an excellent fish & chips.

DAY 4:

Gospel session during the worship at Brooklyn Tabernacle (every sunday at 9am or 12pm, free)
Take the metro (line 2 or 3) until Harlem to visit this neighborhood, the street art and the Apollo theatre. There is a Levain bakery in Harlem, way less busy and as good as the others. Try their signature cookie: the chocolate chips and walnuts, served warm!!
Go back to the center, stop at 34 St-Penn Station to see The Vessel. The Hudson yard shopping center is a couple of feets away if you want to check it out.
Walk on the 4th and 6th avenue and stop at the Rockerfeller center.
Rooftop drinks at the Dear Iving on Hudson with views of Manatthan.

DAY 5:

Visit of the Museum of Modern Art, try to book your tickets ahead.
Visit of the St Patrick's Cathedral
Quick lunch at Le Pain Quotidien
Summit One Vanderblit: one of the most beautiful views of NYC. If you're afraid of heights, be careful: it's all glass, and there are areas where you can see straight down into the void.
Go at the Grand central station a few minutes from One Vanderbuilt. Another must see!
Then I went to Tribeca district, you can get lost there it is a nice area. I end up having dinner in a great italian restaurant named Serafina, I recommend their homemade raviolis.

DAY 6:

Take all morning to truly visit Central Park, with must stop such as the Belvedere castle, Bethesda fountain Terrace or Bow bridge.
You can enter in the New York public library, the the building is beautiful, as are the staircases and many other details. On the other hand, you can't really see the book area. But it's free, so why not.
Grab a hot dog in one of the food truck, to feel like a New Yorker
Go on top of the Empire State Building. Once again, buy your tickets ahead as it can be busy.
If you are staying in the Financial district you can end your day with a drink at the Overstory rooftop: the views of the Brooklyn bridge and buildings at night are breathtaking.

DAY 7:

Stroll on the High line. It starts at the Vessel entrance. It was most beautiful than I expected. There's plenty of greenery, places to sit and pretty views.
It ends at the Greenwich village historic district, one of my favorite districts. If you are a F.R.I.E.N.D.S fan check out the famous building at Bedfort street.
If you are a sneakers fan and would like to see some iconic or rare models you can stop at Flight club or Laced up manahattan.
Pita for lunch at Mezeh in the flatiron district.
Grab a drink at 230 fifth rooftop. Stunning view of the Empire State Building. They do happy hour with 2 cocktails for one.
You can take the ferry at East 34th Street and go back to Pier 11 - Wall Street by night.

DAY 8:

If you feel like doing some shopping on your last day I recommend you to go to the Empire Outlet with discounted prices on brand like Levi's or Nike. Take the ferry to Staten Island, it is free and runs 24/7 every 30minutes. You will get great views of the Statue of Liberty.
Alternatively, you could shop at the Oculus shopping center in the World trade center district.
I went to see a Jazz live music at Birdland. The band was great, named High society New orleans. The atmosphere is great and you can have dinner if you wish, they have an extensive menu.
Or you could go back to Joes pizza, grab some pizza slices to go and eat it at Pier 17 for the best views of the Brooklyn bridge.