Visiting New York for the World Cup? Here's how to explore the city on foot

With the 2026 World Cup bringing an influx of global sports fans to the US, there’s never been a better time to hit the streets of New York in search of what’s beyond the iconic skyline. Whether you’re between matches or looking to extend your stay, wandering the city’s neighbourhoods will reveal hidden pockets that might otherwise be missed if travelling by car or underground. Here’s how to spend a day in the Big Apple on foot, taking in everything from storied art cafes to quiet parkland. 

9am: Coffee at Café Clara

Start on Manhattan’s Upper West Side, a verdant neighbourhood where you’ll find some of the city’s most prestigious museums, from the American Museum of Natural History to the New York Historical. To fuel your morning, pick up a coffee from Café Clara, located within the New York Historical building. Named after Clara Driscoll, the former head of the women's glass-cutting department at Tiffany Studios, the café pays homage to her work — much of which can be admired in the museum's Gallery of Tiffany Lamps.

10am: Stroll through Central Park

From here, you’re perfectly positioned for a late-morning stroll through Central Park, a welcome escape from the city’s fast-paced chaos. Enter near East 79^th Street and follow the winding paths etched into the parkland — designed to make you forget you’re in the heart of Manhattan. The park offers a wealth of highlights, such as the John Lennon memorial at Strawberry Fields, the Gothic-style Belvedere Castle, the iconic neoclassical Bethesda Fountain and even a classic carousel.

11am: Explore galleries at the Met

Take a short walk to 81^st Street and Fifth Avenue to visit the Metropolitan Museum of Art (the Met), home to artwork from the likes of Van Gogh, Monet, Warhol and Picasso, among others. If you’re visiting for the World Cup in June, don’t miss Raphael: Sublime Poetry, an exhibition showcasing over 200 of Raffaello di Giovanni Santi’s greatest masterpieces, running from 29 March to 28 June 2026 with free admission. For a less crowded alternative, take a 15-minute stroll down Madison Avenue to the recently reopened Frick Collection. Once the residence of industrialist Henry Clay Frick, the museum now houses an array of European sculpture and decorative arts spanning the Renaissance to the late-19^th century.

1pm: Walk down Fifth Avenue

By now, you should have worked up an appetite. One of the world’s most iconic shopping streets, Fifth Avenue is lined with legendary department stores such as Tiffany & Co and Bergdorf Goodman, plus the global flagships of Cartier, Chanel and Prada. You’ll also pass luxury hotels such as The Plaza and The Pierre, standing proudly at the meeting point of Fifth Avenue and Central Park South. For lunch, treat yourself with afternoon tea from Blue Box Café, a French-inspired café located within Tiffany's elegant flagship store. Once satisfied, continue to the corner of 49^th Street, where the Rockefeller Centre’s complex of art deco buildings awaits. It’s home to restaurants, shops and the famed Radio City Music Hall, where legends such as Stevie Wonder, Prince, and Arethea Franklin once performed.

5pm: Tour New York’s Public Library

Completed in 1911, the New York Public Library was, at the time, the largest marble structure in the US. Standing at the corner of Fifth Avenue and 42^nd Street, its grand entrance is famously guarded by two stone lions, named Patience and Fortitude. Once inside, make your way for the Rose Main Reading Room, a soaring space complete with high ceilings and elegant murals. To delve deeper into the library’s history, architecture and collections, consider joining a one hour guided tour of the Stephen A. Schwarzman Building, offered Monday through Saturday. Alternatively, you can explore at your own pace with free audio tours that are available anytime.

7.30pm: Evening at SUMMIT One Vanderbilt

To round off your day, head towards Grand Central Station along 42^nd Street to discover one of New York’s most captivating new landmarks. Towering 427 metres above Manhattan, SUMMIT One Vanderbilt delivers 360-degree views of the skyline across three floors, alongside immersive installations such as mirrored infinity rooms which make up a multi-sensory artistic experience by storytelling studio Kenzo Digital. Reached by high-speed elevators that whisk visitors to the 91^st floor, it offers a thrilling perspective on the city below. Those looking to scale even higher can take Ascent, the world's largest all-glass exterior elevators. Finish your visit with a cocktail and seasonal bites from Après, the sky-high cafe on the 93^rd floor, before visiting the outdoor terrace to watch the sun set and the city lights sparkle.