7 days New York itinerary

Planning to go New York, USA?



ESTA
For Singaporean going to USA, you need to apply for ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization) aka VISA.
Cost: USD14 per pax if you apply via https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/esta/


Flight
Singapore Air (SQ) offered 3 routes to reach New York:
(i)   Direct flight
(ii)  Transit at Frankfurt
(iii) Transit at London 

Recommendation
- Flight tickets seem to be at its lowest when booked between 7 - 9 months before departure date
- Check the weather in the city you plan to visit before you book your flight. Weather can make your trip either enjoyable or unpleasant
- Do not plan or book expensive activity on the day you landed. If you encounter jet lag, that will be a bad start of your trip. Rest well instead on the day you landed.



Data Roaming SIM card
Given that data roaming is like oxygen nowadays, you would not want to travel to USA without internet connection on your phone.

Purchased StarHub Happy Roam Prepaid SIM $15.
Not only there is $15 credit in the sim card itself, its also come with 180 days 2.2GB local data.

Download the "Happy Prepaid" App, insert the SIM card, purchase the plan and Hotspot to share the data - Sharing is Caring ;) 

The cheapest sim card in John F Kennedy (JFK) airport i saw is selling at min USD50 (Although it does come with unlimited local US calling)


Itinerary
Day 1
New York City Pass C3
Recommend to buy New York City Pass C3 if the attractions you would like to go is listed. 
If you have 4 or more attractions, choose the most expensive of your attractions using C3 and pay the rest via counter.

Statue of Liberty
One of the way to see Statue of Liberty without paying a single cents is to take the Staten Island Ferry.
Since it is a free ride, dont expect the ferry to be real close to the Statue of Liberty.

Important tips: Stay on the right side of ferry if you are departing from Manhattan and left side of the ferry if you are departing from Staten Island to get the best view of Statue of Liberty.


Top of the Rock Observation Deck
Either you go up to Empire State Building or Top of the Rock to see the scenary. 
Reason i choose Top of the Rock is because Empire State building look great in photo too :)
Go up during late afternoon so that you can see both Day & Night view.

Time Square
One of the must go location while in New York even if you are not a shopping addicts.

Disney Store 
Disney fans?? Dont miss out this Disney Store while you are in Times Square.

Chick-Fil-A
If you are tired of McDonald, you can try this fast food chain call Chick-Fil-A.
Look at the number of sauces they have for you :)

Apple Store

Day 2
Wall Street

Charging Bull

If you reach before 9am, you will be able to take a good photo of the Bull without much humans crowding around it.

Touching the Bull balls for more HUAT!!!

New York Stock Exchange

Federal Hall National Memorial

Federal Reserve Bank of New York

Hornblower Sightseeing Cruise
This is one of the New York C3 pass attraction that i chose.
If this is your first time in New York, i highly recommend you to choose this cruise.
You will get to see Statue of Liberty, Brooklyn Bridge, Manhattan Bridge, Manhattan skyline and etc.

Grand Central Terminal

Shake Shack

Broadway
You will be spoilt for choices when you see the long list of Broadway shows available.
Day 3
ChinaTown

Little Italy

9 / 11 Memorial & Museum
There is tons and tons of information regard to 9 / 11 which you will not read it online. In the end, I spent around 4-5 hours in the museum.

Circle line Sightseeing
Night cruise

Day 4
Chelsea Market

Dumbo

Luke's Lobster

Brooklyn Bridge
Walking over the Brooklyn Bridge is one of the must do touristy stuff :p 
Remember to travel light and bring water along with you as it will take around 1 hour.

Day 5
Central Park 
Best Park i ever visited in my lifetime. 
Truly amazing!!!!

Herald Square (34th Street District)
Over 175 department stores, specialty shops, and national chain flagships, 34th Street offers a huge selection of apparel, shoes, accessories, jewelry, cosmetics, and more, for every taste or budget.

Day 6 Bryant Park
You can consider to take away your lunch and have it near Bryant Park if the weather is good (Below 23 oC). This is the kind of experience we cant have it in tropical country where temperature is always above 30oC.

New York Public Library

Trump Tower
The security around the Trump Tower attract me to take a look around the building.

Day 7
Woodbury Premium Outlets
I believe Woodbury Premium outlets need no further introduction. You can get all your branded stuff here in this Premium Outlets.
Remember to bring your EMPTY luggages along to keep your shopping looooooooots.


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