New York City 3-Day Itinerary

This 3-day New York City travel plan is a geographically-planned tour maximizing your time, minimizing subway fatigue, and seeing the most iconic sites.

Itinerary Overview

• Day 1: Midtown Icons & Broadway
• Day 2: Manhattan, Downtown and Brooklyn, Freedom.
• Day 3: High Line, Culture, & Neighborhood Wanderings

Day 1: Midtown Icons & Broadway

Morning (Central Park & Fifth Avenue)

Begin with a morning stroll in Central Park. Pay attention to Bow Bridge, and Strawberry Fields/Bethesda Terrace. Stroll down Fifth Avenue, southwards, past the historic Plaza Hotel and iconic flagship stores.

Midday (Grand Central & Bryant Park)

Behold the heavenly ceiling of the Grand Central Terminal. Have a quick bite in or go to Bryant Park. The beautiful Rose Main Reading Room of the New York Public Library borders the park directly.

Afternoon (Observation Decks)

Go to Rockefeller Center complex. Visit the Top of the Rock with a view of the Empire State Building to see Central Park. Or reserve book SUMMIT One Vanderbilt to be immersed in mirrored art and skyline.

Evening (Times Square & Broadway)

Visit Times Square and watch the neon signs glow in the evening. Finish the first day with a top-notch Broadway musical.

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Day 2: Manhattan (lower and freedom) and Brooklyn.

Morning (Statue of Liberty & Financial District)

Early to Battery Park. Take the official ferry to Liberty Island and Ellis Island. Suppose you have a limited budget, go on a free Staten Island Ferry to have wonderful views through the water. On land again, passing Wall Street and the New York Stock Exchange.

Midday (9/11 Memorial & The Oculus)

Reflective time at the 9/11 Memorial pools. It is worth considering the heart-rending 9/11 Memorial Museum. Have a meal in The Oculus, a transit facility and architectural wonder.

Afternoon (Brooklyn Bridge & DUMBO)

Stroll over the old Brooklyn Bridge walkway to Brooklyn (allow approximately 30 minutes). Visit DUMBO neighborhood which is the cool neighborhood. Take the picture of the Manhattan Bridge with brick buildings on Washington Street that has become famous.

Evening (Sunset Views & Time Out Market)

Take a stroll along Brooklyn Bridge Park waterfront. To dine out, go to the rooftop of Time Out Market where you will find a collection of local eateries and sunset views of Manhattan.

Day 3: High Line, Culture, & Neighborhoods

Morning (The High Line & Chelsea Market)

Begin your morning strolling on the High Line, a pedestrian park constructed above rail lines. Get out around the Meatpacking District to explore Chelsea Market to have a breakfast or early lunch taco. Little Island is a special floating park, located nearby.

Midday (Village Wanderings)

Explore the tree-lined, historic streets of West Village and Greenwich Village. Visit Washington Square Park and observe the arch and vibrant pedestrians on the street.

Afternoon (Museum Masterpieces)

Go to a legendary museum by uptaking the subway. You have different options on which to visit, such as the Metropolitan Museum of Art (The Met) to see historical pieces and works of art, the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) to see modern pieces, or the American Museum of Natural History to see hallways of dinosaurs.

Evening (Chinatown & Speakeasies)

Take a plunge into Chinatown or Little Italy to have an amazing authentic meal. When you have a bit of energy to spare, discover one of the many New York hideouts, or a small jazz bar in the Village to raise a drink to the denouement of your trip.

Survival Guide to first-time visitors.

• Subway Tap-to-Pay: You will no longer need a physical MetroCard. All you need is to tap your phone or contactless credit card at any turnstile in the subway.
• Book Decks and Broadway Early: Observation decks and Broadway shows are sold weeks ahead. Pre book your time ticket passes before travelling.
• Wear Broken-in Shoes: You will be walking up 15,000 steps to 20,000 steps a day. Don’t worry about fashion. Focus on comfort.

To suit your style, we have selected the best accommodation, dining, and experience activities of mid-range and luxury travellers. This layer will have a perfect match with your 3-day geographic plan.

Where to Stay

This selection of hotel will determine what kind of experience you will have in New York.

Style recommended Hotels Atmosphere and Locations.

• Mid-Rate (~$250-450/night) Arlo NoMad, CitizenM Bowery, The Standard High Line The cool, micro-room with rooftop bars and superb subways. In central and walkable heartbeat locations.
• Luxury (FM 800 and above) The Plaza Hotel, Aman New York, The Carlyle, five-star hotel, luxurious spa, gateways to historic past and unprecedented perspective of Central Park or skyline.

Curated Dining Guide

Day 1: Midtown & Theater District

Mid-Range

• Los Tacos No. 1 within Chelsea Market or around Times Square to get a taste of the street tacos of legends.
• Joe Pizza to grab a traditional late-night pizza.

Luxury

• The Modern (2-Michelin-starred contemporary American with view of sculpture garden) moema.
• Le Bernardin upscale French seafood.

Day 2: Downtown & Brooklyn

Mid-Range

• Time Out Market in DUMBO to sample dishes of the best chefs in the city all in the same location.
• Pizza Under the Bridge- Juliana.

Luxury

• The River Café was over directly under the Brooklyn Bridge. It also has a strict jacket required dress code, fine dining, and one of the best waterfront vantage points of the illuminated skyline of Manhattan.

Day 3: West Side & Historic Neighborhoods

Mid-Range

• Via Carota in the West Village, because the Italian is exquisite, and locally popular.
• Nom Wah Tea Parlor in Chinatown to have some traditional dim sum.

Luxury

• Bathzaar is a French brasserie with a high-end and high-energy venue in SoHo.
• Dine out and enjoy avant-garde tasting menus in the Meatpacking District.

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Itinerary Buggets by Budget Style.

Basic activities can be replaced with new ones that suit your level of expenditure instead of a simple sightseeing.

Mid-Range Experience Upgrades

• As an alternative to the free ferry: Book an Architectural Boat Tour around Manhattan, with wine and cheese.
• Broadway seats: Select Mid-Mezzanine or Orchestra seats, or upgrade digitally with ticket apps.
• Evening Drinks: Have skyline drinks at Dear Irving on Hudson or 230 Fifth.

Luxury Experience Upgrades

• Rather than strolling the bridges: Have a privatized, doors-off Helicopter Tour of Manhattan at sunset.
• VIP Museum Access: Provide an after-hours, private visit to The Met or MoMA.
• Broadway and Night: Reserve premium seats in the center orchestra of a popular show, and go to the jazz live and classic martinis at Bemelmans Bar in The Carlyle.