The Great American Road Trip ChallengeOne trip, ~2.5 years, 48 states
The Mid-Atlantic

Stop 1 · Days 88–102

New York City

New York City, NY

The trip's marquee stay — two-plus weeks for the harbor icons, the museums, Broadway, the food, and all five boroughs. Take it at a city-dweller's pace, with real days off.

Timing: NYC is an all-season city — take whatever slot the loop gives you. Warm months mean rooftops and ballgames; a winter arrival means the Rockefeller tree, skating at Bryant Park, and the holiday windows.

Where to stay

  • A classic Midtown or Greenwich Village hotel

    Base near a subway hub; Midtown and the Village both put most anchors a short ride away.

    Open in Maps

You gotta eat this

  • Pastrami on rye at Katz's Delicatessen

    The definitive New York deli since 1888.

  • A folded street slice

    Joe's in the Village is a reliable benchmark — fold it.

  • An everything bagel with lox

    The proper New York breakfast.

The days here

Each day opens its own hour-by-hour page

  1. 88Day 88 — Liberty, Ellis Island & Lower ManhattanFull day · 6h planned
  2. 89Day 89 — Ground Zero & the new downtownFull day · 4h 30m planned
  3. 90Day 90 — Midtown IconsFull day · 7h planned
  4. 91Day 91 — The Met & Central ParkFull day · 6h planned
  5. 92Day 92 — Free DayFree day
  6. 93Day 93 — Broadway & late laughsFull day · 5h 30m planned
  7. 94Day 94 — The Village & the High LineFull day · 6h 15m planned
  8. 95Day 95 — Brooklyn, Bridge to BoardwalkFull day · 8h 45m planned
  9. 96Day 96 — Upper West SideFull day · 5h planned
  10. 97Day 97 — Free DayFree day
  11. 98Day 98 — Empire State & Herald SquareFull day · 4h 30m planned
  12. 99Day 99 — Lower East Side & ChinatownFull day · 4h 45m planned
  13. 100Day 100 — Harlem & the CloistersFull day · 4h 30m planned
  14. 101Day 101 — Free DayFree day
  15. 102Day 102 — Out to the East EndDrive day · 3h drive

What this stop is made of

  • Cities & Metros
  • Landmarks & Monuments
  • Museums & History
  • Somber & Civil-Rights Sites
  • Theme Parks & Attractions
  • Film & TV Locations
  • Outdoor & Water Activities
  • Concerts & Venues
  • Sports & Gamedays
  • Food & Drink Trails
  • Guided Tours
  • Shopping