Are you visiting New York City for the first time but not sure where to begin? You’ve come to the right place! I spent almost a week exploring the city’s wonderful neighborhoods, with the help of my local friend Danielle, who showed me the best parts of NYC.
Based on my experience, I’ve crafted the perfect 4-day backpacking itinerary that takes you to not only the iconic highlights like the Statue of Liberty but also hidden gems such as the Chelsea neighborhood, and more. So, without further ado, here’s a complete 4-day itinerary for New York City, with all the information you need to plan the perfect trip to one of the best cities in the world.
- New York City Itinerary Map
- 4 Days Backpacking Itinerary for New York City:
- Where to Stay in New York City?
- When to Visit New York City?
- How to Get to New York City?
- How to Get Around New York City?
- How Much Money Do I Need for 4 days in New York City?
- Is it Safe in New York City?
- Which tourist SIM card is best for the US?
- What to Pack for New York City?
- Further Reading for Northeast USA
New York City Itinerary Map
| ☀️ Day 1: | New York City's Highlights |
| ☀️ Day 2: | Central Park and the Museums |
| ☀️ Day 3: | Lower Manhattan |
| ☀️ Day 4: | Chelsea and Greenwich Village |
Tips: Get the CityPass to save money on tourist attractions in New York City. You can read my CityPass review here.
4 Days Backpacking Itinerary for New York City:
Day 1: New York City's Highlights.
Our itinerary begins in Midtown Manhattan, home to some of the city's most iconic and famous (or infamous, depending on your perspective) landmarks. Tourist attractions like Times Square, the Empire State Building, and Rockefeller Center are all within walking distance. While these spots may feel cliché, I still think they’re worth visiting, especially if it’s your first time here. So, let’s check them off the list on the first day!
On the day of your arrival, you can hit the ground running and go check out Times Square. Even though not many people like Times Square, and I tend to agree, it is still worth seeing for what it is. Much like Khaosan Road in Bangkok, Times Square is definitely a place I recommend you see for yourself, but try not to stay too long 😅.
The place is exactly as shown in the media, with an overwhelming bombardment of lights and sound from billboards and advertisements plastered on the sides of buildings above you. You’ll also be surrounded by hundreds of people trying to take photos, either with the buildings, of themselves, or with performers who are out to scam tourists with their outrageous photo fees.
- HI New York City Hostel (Budget)
- Margaritaville Resort Times Square (Mid-Range) 👍 Top Pick
- WestHouse Hotel New York (High-End)
- New York City CityPass (7 days) 👍 Top Pick
- NYC Empire State Building Admission Ticket (2 hours)
- New York Helicopter Tour: City Lights Skyline Experience (30 mins)
As long as you go there with low expectations, you should be able to enjoy Times Square for what it is: a messy, crowded tourist attraction that you have to experience for yourself. The area is often busy throughout the day and night, but it's definitely more beautiful right after sunset, so be sure to get there in time.
After you are done, you can head over to Los Tacos No.1 for some delicious tacos for dinner. It is one of my all-time favorite spots in NYC. It’s the place to get a proper taco in New York, featuring a fast-paced environment, standing tables, and a simple menu that even your grandmother could navigate. And of course, it serves some of the most delicious tacos in the city.
On your first proper day in NYC, you can start your morning with a delicious breakfast at Morning Star Cafe, a 24-hour American-style diner located on 2nd Avenue where you can have all sorts of American breakfast, from a wide variety of omelets to bagels and more.
You can take your first day a little slow and get acquainted with the city. Go for a walk around Midtown Manhattan. Check out the Rockefeller Center, one of New York City's most iconic landmarks. It features stunning Art Deco architecture, plenty of shops and restaurants to explore, and the lovely observation deck, Top of the Rock, which is one of the best places to see NYC's skyline from above.
Personally, I’d recommend waiting to go up the Empire State Building at sunset instead. The view from the Top of the Rock observation deck is definitely nice, you get to see both Central Park and the Empire State Building, but the crowd management isn’t great. I had to wait over 45 minutes just to get down from the deck, which wasn’t ideal. Plus, the views are partially obstructed by mirrors, which isn’t great for photography.
Instead, you can also explore the area around the center, which is filled with plenty of shops and restaurants to enjoy. Also, if you visit toward the end of the year, you can celebrate the holidays here, as the entire center is decorated with lovely festive décor, including a massive Christmas tree, and the ice skating rink in front, open for you to enjoy.
Right across from the Rockefeller Center, you will find St. Patrick's Cathedral, one of the most iconic and beautiful landmarks in the city, with its unique Neo-Gothic architectural style that stands out from all the skyscrapers surrounding it. It is definitely a breath of fresh air seeing something so historically significant such as this in a hypermetropolitan city like NYC.
After you are done, you can grab a quick lunch at Adel's Famous Halal Food, located on 6th Avenue in Midtown Manhattan. New York City is famous for its food carts, which can be found on almost every corner at all hours, but this one comes highly recommended with its diverse selection of halal street food, from gyros and falafel to hot dogs and more.
In the afternoon, you can spend time walking around Midtown Manhattan some more, or go and hang out in Bryant Park. This vibrant park, located right in the heart of Midtown Manhattan, is a favorite among New Yorkers looking to unwind and relax after a long day of work without venturing too far. You can always find events happening here, from the Winter Village with its free ice-skating rink and holiday shops to summer movie nights, literary events, and weekend fitness classes.
Be sure to drop by and check out New York Public Library, a massive library with over 50 million items, including rare manuscripts, maps, and historical documents, all housed inside a 1911 Beaux-Arts building. The place is quite a sight to behold!
Once you are done, you can head over to the top of the Empire State Building and watch the sunset from there. Getting up was pretty easy and straightforward, and you can't deny that NYC is best seen from a high vantage point, and the Empire State Building is perfect for that.
Be sure to arrive about an hour before sunset, as you’ll need to go through several rooms and sections before you arrive at the top. The deck is open from 9 AM to 10 PM every day, and the ticket to go up the observation deck is 48 USD. You can buy the ticket and book a time slot here. If you have CityPass, the entrance to the Empire State Building is included in the ticket, but you have to book the time slot. Be sure to do that through its official website or its app.
Once you are done, you can get down and grab the famous 1 USD (now it's 1.5 USD due to inflation) NYC-style pizza slice at $1.50 Fresh Pizza before retreating for the day. The unique thing about NYC pizza is how large the slices are. When pizza was first introduced in New York, not many people could afford a whole pie. To attract more customers, restaurants began making the slices bigger and selling them individually. And that’s how the classic New York-style pizza was born!
Day 2: Central Park and the Museums
For the second day, we are going to spend the entire day at Central Park. This iconic park spans over 843 acres across the center of Manhattan, from 59th Street (its southern border) to 110th Street (its northern edge), and from Fifth Avenue (on the east) to Eighth Avenue (on the west), covering approximately 50 city blocks! That should give you an idea of how vast the park is and why I recommend dedicating an entire day just to explore Central Park.
As the first landscaped public park in the U.S., Central Park was designed from the ground up to rival those in Europe. It was designed to create an uninterrupted flow of green space, allowing you to lose yourself when you need a break from the hustle and bustle of the city, and it accomplishes this perfectly with its varying levels of elevation that allow both foot and car traffic to flow through seamlessly, which I thought was very interesting.
There are so many things to see in Central Park, from the expansive open space of Sheep Meadow, where city residents gather to relax when the weather is nice, to the historic Belvedere Castle, a Gothic and Romanesque castle built in 1872 that offers an amazing view of the city. There's even a 3,000-year-old Egyptian Obelisk hidden somewhere in the park!
Spend the first half of the day strolling around Central Park. Be sure to grab a bagel at Nosh Bagels near the park for a quick breakfast, then find a quiet spot to relax and enjoy it like a typical New Yorker. As the day goes on, you’ll notice more and more street performers, so keep an eye out for them as well!
As you stroll around the park, you will eventually stumble upon the Met (the Metropolitan Museum of Art). There are regular museums, and then there's the Met, one of the largest museums in the world, standing in a league of its own with its vast collection of over 2 million artifacts. These artifacts span more than 5,000 years of global culture, including works from Ancient Egypt, European paintings and sculptures, Asian art, American decorative arts, and much more.
The museum is divided into various departments, each responsible for its specific collection, such as European paintings, Islamic art, arms and armor, and musical instruments. One of my favorite exhibitions inside is the Temple of Dendur exhibit, an actual Egyptian temple given to the US by Egypt in 1965 as part of a diplomatic gift.
The museum is massive, and it could take several hours to see everything. I spent two hours there and still didn’t manage to explore two-thirds of the exhibitions on display that day. Expect to spend about 2-3 hours here and a whole lot of walking. There’s a cafe inside in case you get hungry or need a break while exploring the museum.
Next up, you can visit American Museum of Natural History, one of the largest and most prestigious museums of its kind, featuring a wide array of exhibits spanning topics from paleontology to space exploration, which is also located near Central Park.
Some of my favorite exhibitions here are the Fossil Halls, where you'll find dinosaur skeletons like the famous Tyrannosaurus rex and Triceratops, the Hall of Biodiversity, which explores the planet's biological diversity, and the Mignone Halls of Gems and Minerals, showcasing a dazzling collection of precious stones, including rare diamonds and vibrant minerals, some even glow in the dark, which is something you don't get to see every day!
While you are inside, don't forget to check out the Gilder Center with its new galleries and one-of-a-kind experiences, including an insectarium, butterfly vivarium, and floor-to-ceiling collections displays spread across 4 floors. The museum is massive, and you can expect to spend at least 2 hours exploring all its vast halls and exhibitions.
After you are done with the museums, you can make your way back to Midtown Manhattan through Central Park and enjoy a delicious dinner at Xi'an Famous Foods, a New York take on the deliciously spicy Chinese noodles with Mala sauce that will satisfy any spice craving like no other dish can. You can retreat for the night afterward as you will have to wake up early the next day to visit the Statue of Liberty.
Day 3: Lower Manhattan
On our third day, we are going to wake up early and visit the Statue of Liberty, probably one of the most well-known landmarks in the US, if not the world. You can't visit NYC without seeing the beautiful monument with your own eyes.
The statue is located on an island and in order to get there, you can take the official City Experience ferry, which will take you to both Liberty Island and Ellis Island nearby. The terminal to get to Liberty Island is located right next to Castle Clinton in Battery Park. Make sure to be there about 30 minutes before your departure time.
There are several tickets at varying price points, and which one to pick will depend on what you want to do on the island. The cheapest option is the General Admission ticket, which costs 25 USD and grants you access to both Liberty Island and Ellis Island, including their museums. If you want to visit the crown at the top of the statue, you’ll need the Crown Reserve Ticket, which also costs 25 USD.
Obviously, the statue attracts a lot of tourists every day, so if you want to avoid crowds, I highly recommend taking the first ferry available. The earliest time slot is at 9 AM, and as the day progresses, the number of visitors increases significantly.
After visiting the Statue of Liberty, you can take the next ferry to Ellis Island. Before my visit, I had no idea about the importance of the island. I initially thought I’d just walk around for 30 minutes before heading back to Manhattan. But nope! I ended up spending almost 3 hours exploring Ellis Island and its impressive history museum.
On the island, you will find the National Museum of Immigration, which is housed inside the very building that once welcomed millions of immigrants. The exhibitions here are truly remarkable, especially for someone like me who has experienced the painstaking process of obtaining a U.S. visa.
The museum takes you through the history of the island, from the immigration boom to the subsequent bust, and eventually to Ellis Island's decline and closure. It does an excellent job of highlighting these key moments in U.S. history, and it’s especially important to learn about it, particularly in these divided times. If you find this topic of immigration as interesting as I did, you can expect to spend at least 2 hours here.
After you are done, you can catch the ferry back to Battery Park and visit New York Stock Exchange on Wall Street. This is where you'll find the famous Charging Bull statue, a 3-ton bronze sculpture of a bull that symbolizes New York's financial industry, although if you want to take a photo with it, you are going to have to wait in line.
The people queuing for photos can be quite unruly, with some cutting the line and others stepping into each other's shots. A few take their sweet time posing as if no one is watching. It's pretty funny to watch, but probably not as enjoyable if you're waiting for hours for your turn.
A better photo spot with fewer crowds is the Fearless Girl statue, located on Broad Street. The statue symbolizes female empowerment, standing boldly with her hands on her hips and a defiant expression. However, it has also faced criticism for its connection to the corporation that placed it there in the first place.
While you are exploring Wall Street, you might also want to check out the 9/11 Memorial & Museum, a collection of structures built to honor all the lives lost during the 9/11 terrorist attacks, which have profoundly impacted our world since the tragedy struck in 2001. I was only a wee boy when it happened!
The museum itself is located underground, right below the Memorial. Inside, you will find a comprehensive collection of artifacts, personal stories, and multimedia displays, including footage that you may have never seen before. I thought I knew a lot about the event, but the museum proved me wrong, revealing many details I hadn’t realized, like the white dust that blanketed the city and poisoned its people for weeks afterward.
The exhibits go into much greater detail about the events of 9/11, its aftermath, and the ongoing impact on the world, details that the media was unable to fully convey. There is even a timeline tracing the terrorists' actions, from when they entered the U.S. to the number of test flights they took, and how everything unfolded on 9/11, hour by hour.
While there, be sure to drop by the Oculus World Trade Center, an underground shopping mall best known for its unique architecture, featuring a vast white structure with steel "wings" stretching 350 feet across, allowing natural light to flood the interior. There's often a street food market in front of the mall where you can grab a quick lunch to eat before heading into the museum.
In the evening, you can go and check out the iconic Brooklyn Bridge, a bridge connecting Manhattan & Brooklyn via a unique stone & steel design that was built in 1883. You can go have dinner at Time Out New York Market while overlooking the bridge as the sun goes down. After that, you can retreat for the night or go and enjoy the wonderful nightlife in Williamsburg.
Day 4: Chelsea and Greenwich Village
On your fourth and last day of this itinerary, we are going to chill out in Chelsea, a dynamic neighborhood in Manhattan with a fascinating history and one of my favorite neighborhoods in NYC. It has evolved over several centuries, from being an industrial center filled with factories and warehouses during the Industrial Revolution to becoming a vibrant cultural hub known for its art scene and home to many awesome tourist attractions that you are going to want to see.
Another must-visit attraction in NYC is the High Line, an elevated park built on an abandoned freight rail line that once ran through the West Side of Manhattan, located in Chelsea. You can combine a visit to the High Line with exploring Chelsea to create an awesome day trip.
You can begin your journey at the Vessel, another stunning piece of architecture you should definitely check out. From there, you can make your way south, all the way to Chelsea Market and beyond.
The path is lined with trees and small gardens, creating a beautiful contrast with the urban cityscape of NYC, making it the perfect spot for a leisurely stroll on a lovely weekend. You can grab a quick breakfast or lunch at Chelsea Market and find a nice bench to sit on the High Line and enjoy the lovely view of Chelsea from above.
From there, you can get down from the High Line and make your way to Little Island, one of my favorite riverside parks in NYC. This island park is built on top of 132 striking concrete "tulips", each designed to support different loads. The park is home to a diverse array of trees, shrubs, and flowers, as well as varying levels of elevation and pathways you can explore.
The park isn't very big, and you can explore it in less than 30 minutes, but the view is definitely rewarding. From the park, you can see the entire area set against the silhouette of NYC's skyscrapers from afar, which I think is pretty dope.
In the afternoon, if you're looking for a place to soak in the lively vibe that New York City is known for, I highly recommend heading to Washington Square Park. This vibrant public park, located in Greenwich Village, is just a short walk from Chelsea and offers a perfect spot to relax and enjoy your last day in the city.
Right at the center of the park, you’ll find an 1870 fountain where people often hang out, along with the beautiful Washington Square Arch, the iconic centerpiece monument featured in many films and TV shows. Friends fan, anyone? 😉 Here, you’ll also find street performers, musicians, chess players, and plenty of people enjoying the fun vibe, just like in this video.
Before ending the day, you can also explore some of the awesome cafes in the area, like Gasoline Alley Coffee, Cafe Lyria, and make sure to drop by Freeman Alley, where you'll find some of the finest graffiti art. My local friend told me that graffiti is always changing and evolving, which makes it fun to see each time. A big shout out to my friend, Danielle, for showing me around the hidden gems of NYC! A great place to have dinner here is Freemans, so be sure to check it out while here.
Where to Stay in New York City?
When to Visit New York City?
The best time to visit New York City is during the periods of spring and autumn between April and May, and between September and early November. The city gets a ton of tourists every year, so other than the hot weather in the summer months, you will also have to deal with lots and lots of people, which is not ideal.
I was there in October, and it was great! The city was very lively, the parks were full of people, and the weather was perfect. What more can you ask for, right?
How to Get to New York City?
By Plane: If you are traveling from abroad, you should be able to get to one of the 3 main New York City Airports; JFK, Newark, or La Guardia International Airport, via all the major airlines from around the world like Emirates, Qatar, Turkish, AirFrance, etc, without problems. There are several flights flying in and out of NYC International Airport every day, so you should have no trouble finding one. For the best price, check out Skyscanner or Expedia.
By Amtrak: If you are within Amtrak's northeast corridor, you should be able to catch the Amtrak train to NYC. The Northeast Regional Trains are not the newest, but they are mostly in good functional condition and equipped with modern facilities like a plug and working WIFI. They are also not too expensive, safe, and often on time.
I took the Amtrak all over the northeast, and the experience was surprisingly great. No hiccups at all. To get the cheapest price, be sure to book the ticket at least a few weeks in advance. You can book the Amtrak train here.
By Bus: Although affordable, buses can be a bit dodgy sometimes, but not always, so if you want to save some money, check out Flixbus.
How to Get Around New York City?
By Walking: Thanks to its well-planned layout, walking around NYC is a breeze. Most of its streets are flat and aligned in a grid pattern, with streets running parallel to each other across the island of Manhattan. This makes it far more navigable than many other major cities.
One issue I had while navigating NYC was the occasional inaccuracy of Google Maps in pinpointing my location. Sometimes, it would place me on a nearby street instead of where I actually was, which could be quite confusing, especially when my destination was close by. This is likely due to the way GPS functions and how NYC's many skyscrapers can sometimes block the signal to your phone, resulting in an inaccurate location.
The best way to overcome this issue is by combining Google Maps with your situational awareness. Before navigating, take note of the street and intersection you are currently at. Street names in NYC are relatively easy to remember, thanks to the city’s straightforward layout.
For example, my hotel was on E (East) 51st Street, between 2nd and 3rd Avenue. If I found myself on E 51st Street at 5th Avenue, all I needed to do was walk east until I reached 2nd and 3rd Avenue, and I should be able to find my hotel there. It’s pretty straightforward, really. By combining this method with Google Maps, you should be able to navigate the city on foot without getting lost.
By Subways: If you want to travel a bit further, such as from Midtown Manhattan to Lower Manhattan or beyond, you can rely on the subway system. One trip on the subway will cost you around 2.9 USD if you use your contactless credit card, Google Wallet, or Apple Wallet to tap and pay for the ticket.
You can also use the ticket machines at each station, but purchasing a paper ticket will cost you around $3.25, which isn’t very economical, in my opinion. If you have a contactless credit card or a phone with Google Wallet or Apple Wallet, it’s much easier and more cost-effective to use that instead.
As many have noted, the NYC subway is not very clean and can be difficult to navigate due to its extensive and complex network of connections, which can be overwhelming for some. The key is to memorize your terminus station and the line you need to take, and always keep an eye out for signs directing you to the correct platform.
Safety is generally not a concern if you travel on the subway during regular hours, from 6 AM to 10 or 11 PM, and stay within the tourist-friendly areas of Manhattan. Since the subway runs 24/7, if you happen to be using it after hours, it’s best to remain aware of your surroundings and avoid being near people who might cause trouble. Trust your instincts, if something feels off, just stay alert or avoid if there are other options, and you'll be fine.
By Uber/Taxi: You can also rely on Uber to get around the city if you don't mind paying a premium for it. That said, for this itinerary, you won't be needing it.
By Car: This is not recommended as NYC is notorious when it comes to finding parking that doesn't cost you a leg and an arm. Plus, you won't be needing it for this itinerary. If you are planning to go somewhere else after and you insist on renting a car, you can rent a car through DiscoverCars.
How Much Money Do I Need for 4 days in New York City?
From this 4-day itinerary, we can calculate approximately how much money you will be spending here as follows:
Accommodation: For 5 nights in NYC, you can expect to pay around 265 USD for accommodation at a minimum, considering you are staying in hostels.
Food: For 4 days, 3 meals a day in NYC, you can expect to pay around 120 USD for food, considering you eat out for every meal. It will be cheaper if you cook them yourself.
Transportation: For this itinerary, you can expect to spend around 25 USD on transportation, using the subway to get around. You can save more if you prefer to walk as I did. The city is surprisingly walkable!
Activities: Depending on how closely you follow my itinerary, you can expect to spend between $138 on activities.
Total budget for 4 days in New York City: $548
Is it Safe in New York City?
New York City is often perceived as dangerous, likely due to the way the media portrays big cities in the US. While this might hold some truth in certain areas, as a tourist, you’re unlikely to spend time in those neighborhoods. Around tourist attractions, there is a significant police presence, making these areas about as safe as it gets in a major city like NYC, in my opinion.
The same goes for using the subway in New York City. Yes, the system is old and in need of upgrades, but it’s similar to other mass transit systems in the US. You’ll always find people around, especially in Manhattan. As long as you stick to tourist areas and avoid traveling during off-hours (1 AM to 5 AM), you should be completely fine.
Yes, there are homeless people, but that’s common in big cities worldwide. They generally won’t bother you if you don’t engage with them. As long as you stay aware of your surroundings, you should be completely fine. Just avoid dark, quiet streets at night, and you’ll be good to go.
Which tourist SIM card is best for the US?
There are three major carriers in the US, namely AT&T, Verizon, and Sprint, that offer prepaid SIM cards for tourists to purchase while traveling in the country. You can usually grab these SIM cards right at the airport, but if you have a smartphone and want data immediately when you arrive, you might want to consider an eSIM.
If you have a smartphone that supports eSIMs, I highly recommend you take a look at this eSIM. They have a variety of data packages, price points, and durations for you to choose from, ranging from 1 GB for 7 days costing only 4.5 USD to 20 GB for 30 days costing 40 USD.
The setup is fast and instant, and you can buy it before your trip so you don't have to scramble to get one at the airport after a long flight. The data speed is also equivalent to what you get with a local SIM card, with 4G speed across the entire country.
For more information on eSIMs in the US, click here: Check the US Available eSIM.
What to Pack for New York City?
As you may already know, I am an advocate of light traveling, and indeed, packing light for a journey like this is a unique art form. Here are some packing tips for your upcoming trip to New York City, United States of America:
- Walking/Hiking Shoes: With all the walking and possible hiking during your travel, a comfortable pair of shoes is a must. I recommend the Timberland 3-Eye Classic Boat Shoes that are my go-to pair for long strolls and hikes.
- Breathable Shirts: Given the potential for hot weather, pack a few breathable shirts for your outdoor adventures.
- Shorts/Jeans: Anticipate lots of walking during your travels? Be sure to pack some breathable shorts and a pair of Levi's jeans for when the weather cools. For women, leggings are excellent for both hot and cold climates, so consider packing some as well.
- Fleece Jacket: For colder weather, layering is the key, and a fleece jacket makes an excellent insulating layer. I recommend the Columbia Steens Mountain Fleece (for women).
- Outer Shell Jacket: An outer shell jacket is great for windy or rainy conditions. I highly recommend the Columbia Watertight Jacket (for women). It's lightweight, breathable, and even comes in a cool orange color.
- Microfiber Towel: A Microfiber towel is the ideal backpacker's towel due to its lightness, quick drying, and compressibility.
- Camera: You should also pack a good camera for your trip so that you can capture all the beautiful experiences you might have. I recommend the Sony a7R V camera together with the Sony 24-70mm f2.8 GM II lens, which is probably the highest-performance camera and lens combination you can get right now.
- Power Bank: Keep your electronics charged on the go with a 20,000+ mAh Power Bank.
- Water Bottle: The Hydro Flask Trail Water Bottle is a great insulated water bottle to have with you in cities or on hiking trails. It is lightweight and can keep your water cold or warm for more than 12 hours. It's a total game-changer.
- Universal Adapter: You'll need just one universal adapter to plug in your electronics in any country you visit.
- Packing Cubes: Packing Cubes will help you save space in your backpack and keep all your belongings organized.
- Daypack: The Langly Alpha Globetrotter is my go-to everyday camera backpack. It's large enough to carry all my travel gear, and it comes with plenty of slots and pouches. Plus, it's stylish as hell!
- Large Backpack: You will need a large backpack to carry all of your stuff. I recommend the Osprey Atmos AG 65L backpack. With excellent weight distribution and a lifetime guarantee, you can't go wrong with Osprey.
For more information on what I pack in my backpack for this trip, check out: My Packing List: 60 Travel Essentials.
Now that we have all the information we need, it's time to start planning your trip! Here are some resources to help you get going:
Are you planning to travel independently? Be sure to check out my guide on How To Plan A Backpacking Trip here.
Further Reading for Northeast USA
If you are looking for more articles about the Northeast USA, here are a few articles that might help you plan your trip:
- First time visiting the USA and looking for a complete itinerary? Check this out: First Time USA: 2 Weeks Itinerary Without Cars.
- Planning to visit Washington DC for 3 days? Here's an itinerary for you: 3 Days in Washington DC: A Backpacking Itinerary.
- First time visiting the US? Why not start Washington DC, its capital city known for its world-class museums and iconic landmarks like the White House and the Capitol. Here are the 10 best things to do in Washington DC.
- Here's a quick guide on how to get from Dulles Airport to Washington DC Downtown: How to Get From Dulles Airport to Downtown Washington DC.
- Want to visit world-class museums in Washington DC, but not sure where to begin? This is the article for you: 8 Best Museums to Visit in Washington DC.
- Have a day to spare in Washington DC? I highly recommend you check out Georgetown. Here are the 8 Best Things to do in Georgetown, DC.
- Looking to visit Philly for the weekend? Here is the ultimate 2-day Backpacking Itinerary for Philly.
- If you’re a fan of food and history, Philadelphia offers the perfect blend with its incredible museums and some of the best food scenes in the country. Check out the 12 Best Things to Do in Philadelphia (Philly).
- Philly is best explored with your stomach and taste buds. Here are the 7 Best Places to Eat and Drink in Philadelphia (Philly).
- New York City is truly one of the best cities in the world and if you are planning to visit the city, here are the 15 Best Things to Do in New York City.
- Looking for the best places to eat and drink in NYC? You might want to check out: Places to Eat & Drink in New York City: My 9 Favorite Places.
- Chelsea, one of my favorite neighborhoods in NYC, is one awesome place to explore. Here are the 8 Awesome Things to Do in Chelsea, NYC.
- Central Park deserves an entire day of exploration. Here is a complete travel guide to Central Park.
- Should you go up the Empire State Building or the Top of the Rock? Let's find out: Empire State Building vs Top of the Rock: Which One is Better for You?.
- Is it worth buying the CityPass for your trip to New York City? Let's find out: NYC CityPass: Is it worth it?.
- Want to visit Boston? Here are some of the things you do not want to miss! 15 Best Things to Do in Boston.
- Wondering how long to spend in Boston? Check this out: 3 Days in Boston: A Backpacking Itinerary.
- Want to walk the Freedom Trail in Boston, but not sure where to begin? Check out: Boston's Freedom Trail: A Walking Guide.
- Planning to visit Salem? Here's a travel guide for you: Discover Salem: 10 Highlights You Can't Miss.
- To see all articles about the United States of America, be sure to check out our USA travel guide page.
- For a complete itinerary of both the US and Canada, check out: One Month in USA & Canada: A Backpacking Itinerary without Cars.
- Looking for more travel guides for North America? You will find more over at our North America page.
- For more of my travel guides, visit my Destinations page.
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