New York: The City That Never Sleeps 🗽

Ready for a dream journey? We set out from Toronto bright and early, coffee in hand! Ten hours on the road (with a few fun stops along the way) and — hello, New York! We picked New Jersey for our stay — it’s much more affordable, and getting to Manhattan is a breeze. Highly recommend this trick if you want to save money and avoid traffic!

First Date with Manhattan

First up, Times Square — wow, what a place! Lights everywhere, crowds, people smiling, and street performers on every corner. It all feels unreal, like stepping into a movie. Be sure to check out the American Museum of Natural History: the animal dioramas and dinosaur halls are just amazing. In the evening we circled back to Times Square, explored M&M’s World, got lost on the Red Stairs, and of course, snapped a ton of “I’m in New York!” photos. Central Park was the perfect, movie-like finish to the day.

Day 2 Freedom Symbols and Bridges

With morning coffee in hand, we strolled Battery Park for epic views of the Statue of Liberty. If you want to see her up close, hop on the free Staten Island Ferry — great photos guaranteed! On the way back, don’t miss the Charging Bull (and give its nose a rub for good luck), plus the old Trinity Church, a peaceful spot that feels worlds away from the city hustle. At sunset, make sure to walk the Brooklyn Bridge and end your day at Brooklyn Bridge Park — those views are unbeatable!

Later, we visited the Metropolitan Museum of Art to admire the vast collection of artworks.

Day 3 Art, Raindrops, and Movie Magic

A few hours at The Met — masterpiece central! Impressionists, Egyptian temples, and the best rooftop cityscapes. Then we headed down Fifth Avenue, stopping at the iconic Plaza Hotel (yep, just like in “Home Alone 2”!), and sheltered from the rain in its historic lobby. Umbrellas in hand, we strolled through Central Park and back to the glowing lights of Times Square. Even rain feels magical here!

Day 4 Real New York Magic

Morning at Grand Central Terminal — love that zodiac ceiling and the famous whispering gallery! Then off to the Public Library for the giant reading room and an adorable Winnie-the-Pooh exhibit. Broadway was our afternoon highlight: scored tickets to “Aladdin” and it was pure joy, for kids and adults! Finished the evening at Top of the Rock, hands down the best skyline view with Empire State and Central Park in sight.

Day 5 Neighborhood Vibes

Started the day in stylish SoHo: trendy shops, street art, cozy cafes, and the coolest crowd. Chinatown is a whole other world — tons of delicious cheap eats, lively energy, and fun shopping. Dessert in Little Italy, with real Italian gelato and music floating through the streets. For evening, we dared to ride the Roosevelt Island Tramway, and the views of Manhattan and its bridges were jaw-dropping!

Travel Hacks

New York pizza is a must! Joe’s Pizza or Prince Street Pizza — yes, the lines are long, but the slice is pure happiness.

The free Staten Island Ferry is the perfect way to score Statue of Liberty photos, no need for pricey tours.

For Broadway, grab tickets in advance or snag deals at TKTS/TodayTix.

For getting around New Jersey, download the NJ TRANSIT Mobile App — super easy, super useful.

Find city maps and tips for cool spots at NYCgo.

If you want a detailed day-by-day itinerary or tips for hidden gems, just ask — happy to help!

Written, Translated, and Revised by Aleksandra Tsygankova