Relaxing 5-day itinerary in Manhattan

In my opinion, Manhattan shouldn’t be a crazy run around and try to squash everything in.  It should be a leisurely stroll where you get a taste of this and that, and leave you excited to return for more.   Here is a very loose itinerary.  I have several very tight ones, which you can follow if this seems too slow-paced for your fast-paced self.  For a list of many restaurants by location

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Day 1:

• Go to Central Park to walk, ice-skate, and if you must, take a pedicab. Eat at Tavern on the Green or the Boat House.
• Ice Skate at Wollman Rink, or just take in the view.
• Stroll to 5th Avenue where you will see all the stores – from ‘, to Louis Vuitton, Dior, Saks Fifth Avene
• St Patrick’s Cathedral is right on 5th and 52 next to Saks.
• Meander across 52 Street to Park Avenue and stroll down until you come to Grand Central Station (44 Vanderbilt).  You can even cut through the Helmsley building, which is lit in Red and Green.  To the right is a delicious food court.
• Enjoy the Holiday Gift Market
• Eat downstairs or enjoy the Oyster Bar (also downstairs)

Day 2:

But not EVERYTHING – I’m just giving you the lay of the land in Flatiron.

• Walk to the Flatiron district
• Madison Square Park – Pretty decorations
• Eataly -to eat and shop
• Lots of other great places to eat like Barbonia (my fav.) or Ilili that I also love.
• Harry Potter Museum
• Museum of Sex (it’s funny- not child-friendly! LOL

Walk, taxi, or subway down to the Staten Island ferry and take it past the Statue of Liberty (free).  Hang out at the bar right near the ferry and have a drink.  Take the ferry back to downtown.  If you do it 15 minutes before Sunset, there are crazy, amazing views.  Even as a jaded New Yorker, I get awed.

• 911 Museum
• Oculus
• The Bull (I am not sure why everyone loves this so.  It’s a statue.  Of a Bull.
• If there is enough time in the day, Walk the Brooklyn Bridge.  Hang out in Dumbo.  Eat at the very expensive River Cafe at the Bar and watch the sunset.
• Take the ferry back to Midtown Manhattan for the best view every of the skyline at night.

Day 3:

Chelsea and Rockefeller Center Area

• Start at Hudson Yard for shopping and decorations.
• Walk the Highline
• Go to Arte Museum
• Take 23rd Street bus to 6th Avenue, go up 6th Avenue to 34th Street
• Walk across to Fifth Avenue to the Empire State Building – photo op
• Buy tickets for Top of the Rock at Rockefeller Center for Sunset
• Check out Tree
• Broadway Show

Day 4:

• Shopping  Bloomingdales and check out holiday decorations. (59th and Lexington)
• Take 57th Street Bus across
• Walk down 5th Avenue for stores such as Tiffanys, FAO Schwartz,
• Keep walking south for Macy’s and Carousel/ Santa  (34th  Street and 6th Avenue)
• Radio City Rockettes

Day 5:

• Breakfast at Ellen’s Stardust diner
• Museum of Natural History (Upper West Side) OR
• Bryant Park and the NY Public Library