New York City: The Ultimate 3-Day Itinerary

Before You Go: Essential NYC Basics

Get oriented first:

Understanding NYC geography:

Five boroughs:

• Manhattan: Where you'll spend most time (main attractions)
• Brooklyn: Trendy neighborhoods, Brooklyn Bridge, views of Manhattan
• Queens: Diverse food scene, airports (JFK, LaGuardia)
• The Bronx: Yankee Stadium, Bronx Zoo
• Staten Island: Ferry (free!), less touristy

This itinerary focuses on: Manhattan + Brooklyn

Getting around:

Subway (best option):

• $2.90 per ride
• Buy 7-Day Unlimited Pass ($34) if staying longer
• Download app: Citymapper or Google Maps
• Runs 24/7 (some lines)

Walking:

• Manhattan is walkable
• Avenues run north-south
• Streets run east-west (numbered)
• 20 blocks = 1 mile

Avoid: Taxis/Ubers in Midtown (traffic nightmare, expensive)

When to visit:

Best: April-May, September-October (mild weather, fewer crowds) Summer (June-August): Hot, humid, crowded, expensive Winter (November-March): Cold but magical (Christmas, fewer tourists, cheaper)

Budget tips:

Free attractions:

• Central Park, Brooklyn Bridge, High Line, Staten Island Ferry, Times Square, Grand Central Terminal

Discounts:

• CityPASS ($138 for 5 major attractions vs. $200+ separately)
• Museum "pay what you wish" hours (check individual museum policies)

Food:

• Breakfast: bagels from local shops ($3-5)
• Lunch: dollar slice pizza ($1-3)
• Dinner: splurge on one nice meal

Day 1: Lower Manhattan & Brooklyn

Start: 8:00 AM | Focus: Statue of Liberty, Financial District, Brooklyn Bridge, Brooklyn

Morning: Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island (8 AM - 12 PM)

8:00 AM - Battery Park:

• Take subway to Bowling Green or South Ferry station
• Walk to Battery Park (beautiful waterfront views)

8:30 AM - Ferry to Statue of Liberty:

• Book tickets WEEKS in advance (sells out): statueofliberty.org
• First ferry departs ~8:30-9 AM
• Options:
  • Crown access: Climb to crown (reserve 3+ months ahead, requires fitness)
  • Pedestal access: Lower observation deck (easier reservation)
  • Grounds only: Walk around island (easiest ticket)

Pro tip: Crown tickets sell out fastest—book immediately when planning trip

10:00 AM - Ellis Island:

• Immigration Museum (included in ferry ticket)
• Deeply moving history of American immigration
• Budget 1-1.5 hours

12:00 PM - Return to Manhattan

Lunch: Stone Street (12:30 PM)

Walk to Stone Street (5 min from ferry):

• Historic cobblestone street
• Outdoor seating (weather permitting)
• Great lunch spots: Adrienne's Pizzabar, The Dubliner

Cost: $15-25

Afternoon: Financial District & 9/11 Memorial (1 PM - 3 PM)

1:00 PM - Wall Street area:

• Walk down Wall Street (see New York Stock Exchange exterior)
• Charging Bull statue (quick photo—it's crowded)
• Federal Hall (free admission if time)

1:30 PM - 9/11 Memorial & Museum:

• 9/11 Memorial: Free (two reflecting pools, very moving)
• 9/11 Museum: $33 (powerful but emotionally heavy—budget 2 hours)

Skip museum if short on time/emotionally drained—memorial alone is profound

Late Afternoon: Brooklyn Bridge Walk (3:30 PM - 5 PM)

3:30 PM - Walk to Brooklyn Bridge entrance:

• Subway to Brooklyn Bridge-City Hall station OR walk (15 min from 9/11)

4:00 PM - Walk Brooklyn Bridge:

• Start Manhattan side, walk to Brooklyn
• 1.3 miles, takes 30-45 minutes
• Best for photos: Late afternoon light
• Stay on pedestrian path (tourists wander into bike lane—don't!)

Pro tip: Walk TO Brooklyn, not from (better Manhattan skyline views)

Evening: DUMBO Brooklyn (5 PM - 9 PM)

5:00 PM - DUMBO (Down Under Manhattan Bridge Overpass):

• Exit bridge, walk to Washington Street
• Instagram-famous view: Manhattan Bridge framed by buildings
• Brooklyn Bridge Park (waterfront, stunning Manhattan views)

6:00 PM - Dinner in DUMBO:

• Grimaldi's Pizza (cash only, often long lines—worth it)
• Juliana's Pizza (less touristy, same quality)
• Time Out Market (food hall, various options)

Cost: $20-40

7:30 PM - Jane's Carousel (if weather nice):

• Beautiful restored carousel in glass pavilion ($2 ride)

8:00 PM - Sunset at Brooklyn Bridge Park:

• Watch Manhattan light up
• Perfect way to end Day 1

Return to hotel: Subway from High Street-Brooklyn Bridge or York Street

Day 2: Midtown Manhattan

Start: 9:00 AM | Focus: Museums, Central Park, Times Square

Morning: Museum Morning (9 AM - 12:30 PM)

Choose ONE museum (can't do multiple deeply):

Option A: The Metropolitan Museum of Art (The Met) ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Why: World's greatest art museum, iconic NYC institution

9:00 AM arrival (when it opens):

• Subway to 86th Street (4/5/6 trains)
• Admission: $30 suggested (can pay less, but support the museum)

Must-sees (2.5 hours):

• Egyptian Art (Temple of Dendur)
• European Paintings (Vermeer, Rembrandt, Van Gogh)
• American Wing
• Rooftop (if open—amazing Central Park views)

Pro tip: Download Met app for self-guided tours, skip crowded Mona Lisa-style mob scenes

Option B: Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Why: Best modern art collection (Van Gogh's Starry Night, Warhol, Picasso)

9:30 AM arrival:

• Subway to 5th Ave/53rd Street
• Admission: $25

Must-sees:

• Starry Night (Van Gogh)
• Campbell's Soup Cans (Warhol)
• The Persistence of Memory (Dalí)
• Sculpture Garden

Pro tip: Friday evenings free 4-8 PM (but very crowded)

Option C: American Museum of Natural History ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Why: Best for families, dinosaurs, space exhibits

9:30 AM arrival:

• Subway to 81st Street-Museum of Natural History
• Admission: $28 suggested

Must-sees:

• Dinosaur halls (T-Rex!)
• Rose Center for Earth and Space
• Ocean Life Hall (giant blue whale)

Lunch: Near Museum (12:30 PM - 1:30 PM)

Near Met/Natural History (Upper West Side):

• Shake Shack (Central Park location—burgers, $12-15)
• Levain Bakery (massive cookies, $5)
• Food carts in Central Park (hot dogs, $3-5)

Near MoMA (Midtown):

• Joe's Pizza (classic NY slice, $3)
• Halal Guys (famous street cart, $10)

Afternoon: Central Park (1:30 PM - 4 PM)

1:30 PM - Enter Central Park:

Must-see spots (walk or rent bike $15-20/hour):

Bethesda Terrace & Fountain:

• Iconic central park landmark
• Beautiful architecture

Bow Bridge:

• Most photographed bridge
• Great skyline views

Strawberry Fields:

• John Lennon memorial ("Imagine" mosaic)
• Peaceful, moving

The Mall & Literary Walk:

• Tree-lined promenade
• Street performers

Belvedere Castle:

• Castle with panoramic park views
• Free admission

Optional:

• Boat rental at Loeb Boathouse ($15/hour)
• Central Park Zoo ($20, 1 hour visit)

Don't try to see all of Central Park—it's 843 acres! Focus on southern half

Late Afternoon: Rockefeller Center Area (4 PM - 6 PM)

4:30 PM - Rockefeller Center:

• Top of the Rock observation deck: $43 (book online)
• Better than Empire State Building: Shorter lines, better views (you see Empire State in photos)
• Sunset visit ideal (book 5-5:30 PM time slot)

Alternative if budget-conscious: Skip paid observation decks, see views from Brooklyn or free High Line

5:30 PM - St. Patrick's Cathedral:

• Stunning Gothic cathedral (free admission)
• 5-minute walk from Rockefeller

Evening: Times Square & Theater District (6 PM - 10 PM)

6:30 PM - Times Square:

• Walk through (15 minutes max—it's overwhelming)
• Take obligatory photos
• Don't eat here (overpriced, mediocre)

7:00 PM - Broadway Show:

Options:

• Buy tickets in advance: TodayTix app, Telecharge (full price $90-300)
• TKTS booth (Times Square): Day-of discounts, 20-50% off (lines long, limited selection)
• Lottery: Many shows offer $30-40 lottery tickets (enter online morning of show)

Popular shows (2024-2026):

• Wicked, Hamilton, Lion King, Hadestown, & Juliet

OR skip Broadway, do alternatives:

• Comedy cellar ($20-40, Greenwich Village)
• Jazz club (Blue Note, Village Vanguard, $30-50)
• Walk High Line at night (free, beautifully lit)

9:30 PM - Late dinner or drinks:

• Hell's Kitchen (west of Times Square): Restaurant Row (46th St)
• Korean BBQ in Koreatown (32nd Street)

Day 3: Downtown Manhattan & Neighborhoods

Start: 9:30 AM | Focus: Greenwich Village, SoHo, High Line, Chelsea Market

Morning: Greenwich Village (9:30 AM - 12 PM)

9:30 AM - Breakfast at classic NYC spot:

Options:

• Russ & Daughters (Lower East Side—smoked fish, bagels, iconic)
• Clinton Street Baking Co. (Lower East Side—pancakes, lines on weekends)
• Joe's Pizza (Greenwich Village—NY slice for breakfast? Yes!)

10:30 AM - Greenwich Village walking tour (self-guided):

Must-see spots:

• Washington Square Park: Iconic arch, fountain, people-watching
• Bleecker Street: Charming shops, cafés
• Cornelia Street: Tiny, picturesque (Taylor Swift sang about it)
• The Friends apartment building (90 Bedford St—exterior only, not real apartments)

11:30 AM - SoHo (walk 15 min south):

• Cast-iron architecture district
• High-end shopping (if you're into that)
• Street art, galleries
• Beautiful for photos even if not shopping

Lunch: Chelsea Market (12:30 PM - 1:30 PM)

12:30 PM - Chelsea Market (walk or subway to 14th St):

• Indoor food hall (old Nabisco factory)
• Dozens of vendors

Must-try:

• Los Tacos No. 1: Best tacos in NYC ($12-15)
• Mokbar: Korean comfort food
• Li-Lac Chocolates: Handmade chocolates
• The Lobster Place: Fresh seafood

Afternoon: High Line & Hudson Yards (1:30 PM - 4 PM)

1:30 PM - The High Line:

• Elevated park on old railway (1.45 miles)
• Starts at Gansevoort Street (near Chelsea Market), ends at Hudson Yards
• Walk north, enjoy art installations, views, landscaping
• Free!

Takes: 30-45 minutes at leisurely pace

3:00 PM - Hudson Yards:

• The Vessel: Closed currently (reopening TBD after safety concerns)
• The Edge: Observation deck ($38, highest outdoor deck in Western Hemisphere)
• Shopping: High-end mall

OR skip Hudson Yards, spend more time in neighborhoods:

Alternative afternoon:

• East Village: St. Marks Place (punk rock history, quirky shops)
• Little Italy/Chinatown: Mulberry Street, authentic dumplings
• Lower East Side: Trendy bars, vintage shops, street art

Late Afternoon: One Last Stop (4 PM - 6 PM)

Choose based on interest:

Option A: Grand Central Terminal ⭐⭐⭐⭐

• Stunning Beaux-Arts architecture
• Free to explore
• Whispering gallery (acoustic phenomenon)
• 15-20 minutes (unless eating at Oyster Bar)

Option B: Empire State Building ⭐⭐⭐

• If you skipped Top of the Rock
• Iconic but lines long, expensive ($44+)
• Sunset visit best

Option C: Brooklyn again:

• Williamsburg (hipster neighborhood, vintage shops, street art)
• Smorgasburg (weekend food market—Saturdays Williamsburg, Sundays Prospect Park)

Option D: More museums:

• Guggenheim: Modern art, Frank Lloyd Wright building ($25)
• Whitney Museum: American contemporary art, High Line location ($25)
• Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum: Aircraft carrier, space shuttle ($36)

Evening: Final Dinner & Memories (6 PM - 10 PM)

6:30 PM - Farewell dinner (choose neighborhood vibe):

Classic NYC Italian:

• Carbone (Greenwich Village—expensive $100+, book ahead)
• L'Artusi (West Village—$40-60, more accessible)

Steak (if splurging):

• Peter Luger (Brooklyn—iconic, cash only, $100+ per person)
• Keens Steakhouse (Midtown—historic, $80+)

Casual but excellent:

• Joe's Shanghai (Chinatown—soup dumplings, $15-20)
• Xi'an Famous Foods (Multiple locations—hand-pulled noodles, $10-15)
• John's of Bleecker Street (Greenwich Village—coal oven pizza, $20-30)

8:30 PM - Final evening activity:

Options:

• Walk Brooklyn Bridge at night (lit up, beautiful, less crowded)
• Rooftop bar (230 Fifth—Empire State views, $15-20 drinks)
• Comedy show (Comedy Cellar—reserve ahead)
• Live jazz (Village Vanguard, Blue Note)
• Simply walk Times Square/5th Avenue at night (electric energy)

What We Skipped (For Future NYC Trips)

Didn't fit in 3 days:

• Other boroughs: Queens (MoMA PS1, food), The Bronx (Zoo, Yankees), Staten Island
• More museums: Frick Collection, Morgan Library, Tenement Museum
• Neighborhoods: Harlem, Upper East Side extensively, Williamsburg deeply
• Shows: More Broadway, concerts, comedy
• Day trips: Coney Island, Governors Island, The Hamptons

You can't see everything—and that's okay! NYC will still be here for your return

Practical Tips

What to pack:

• Comfortable walking shoes (you'll walk 20,000+ steps daily)
• Layers (buildings overheat, streets cold)
• Small backpack or crossbody (not large backpack—subway nightmare)
• Portable charger

Safety:

• NYC is safe generally
• Watch for pickpockets in Times Square, subway
• Avoid empty subway cars late night
• Trust your instincts

Eating:

• Don't eat in Times Square or near major tourist sites (overpriced)
• Best food is in neighborhoods (East Village, Lower East Side, Brooklyn)
• Try: bagels, pizza, halal cart, dumplings, deli sandwiches

Money-saving:

• Walk when possible (save subway fares, see more)
• Free attractions abundant
• Lunch specials cheaper than dinner
• Skip overpriced tourist traps

This NYC 3-day itinerary covers: Day 1—Statue of Liberty morning ferry (book crown tickets 3+ months ahead), 9/11 Memorial, Brooklyn Bridge walk to DUMBO, pizza dinner with Manhattan views; Day 2—Choose Metropolitan Museum/MoMA/Natural History (arrive when opens), Central Park highlights (Bethesda Fountain, Bow Bridge, Strawberry Fields), Top of the Rock sunset, Broadway show; Day 3—Greenwich Village breakfast, SoHo cast-iron architecture, Chelsea Market lunch, High Line elevated park walk, final neighborhood exploration. Use subway ($34 weekly pass), walk between close attractions, eat in neighborhoods not Times Square, book Statue of Liberty and Broadway tickets advance. Expect 20,000 steps daily.