A day-per-neighborhood approach works best: six days covering Midtown, Lower Manhattan, Brooklyn, the Village districts, Queens and the Bronx, then a relaxed seventh day. This covers the must-sees (Times Square, Central Park) plus lesser-known local gems. 1. Day 1 — Midtown, Central Park & Museum Mile: Times Square, Fifth Avenue, Central Park, and Broadway in the evening. 2. Day 2 — Lower Manhattan & Staten Island: American history sights, plus the free Staten Island Ferry and home-cooked Italian. 3. Day 3 — Downtown Brooklyn, BoCoCa & DUMBO: cozy neighborhoods, cultural spots and great food with skyline views. 4. Day 4 — SoHo / NoHo / East Village / West Village / Greenwich Village: a day for eating and shopping. 5. Day 5 — Queens & North Brooklyn: art, diverse dining, skyline views, vintage fashion, live music and local breweries. 6. Day 6 — The Bronx & Harlem: deep music history, lively energy and thriving restaurants. 7. Day 7 — unwind in the City's sprawling parks and luxurious spas.