The Great American Road Trip Challenge~4.5 years · 48 states · one loop
The Mid-Atlantic

Stop 1 · Days 70–84

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. 70Day 70 — Liberty, Ellis Island & Lower ManhattanFull day · 6h planned
  2. 71Day 71 — Ground Zero & the new downtownFull day · 4h 30m planned
  3. 72Day 72 — Midtown IconsFull day · 5h 30m planned
  4. 73Day 73 — The Met & Central ParkFull day · 6h planned
  5. 74Day 74 — Free DayFree day
  6. 75Day 75 — Broadway & late laughsFull day · 5h 30m planned
  7. 76Day 76 — The Village & the High LineFull day · 5h 30m planned
  8. 77Day 77 — BrooklynFull day · 4h 45m planned
  9. 78Day 78 — Upper West SideFull day · 5h planned
  10. 79Day 79 — Free DayFree day
  11. 80Day 80 — Empire State & Herald SquareFull day · 4h 30m planned
  12. 81Day 81 — Lower East Side & ChinatownFull day · 4h 45m planned
  13. 82Day 82 — Harlem & the CloistersFull day · 4h 30m planned
  14. 83Day 83 — Free DayFree day
  15. 84Day 84 — Out to the East EndDrive day · 3h drive

What this stop is made of

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