A reader recently asked us how to spend Three Days in New York City after reading our article, It is OK to be a tourist in NYC. Now that it a lot of pressure, as the city has so much to offer. We came up with this full-on three day itinerary, and hope we have done justice to giving them some memorable experiences in the Big Apple. This is a very energetic itinerary, but we are hoping that people can make some choices from our recommendations. There are options included as well as some extra suggestions at the end to swap and change the itinerary around. There are more NYC travel tips here.
Updated, September, 2018
Before you Get to NYC
Contents
- 1 Day 1 of How to Spend Three Days in New York City
- 2 Day 2 of How to Spend Three Days in New York City
- 3 Day 3 of How to Spend Three Days in New York City
- 3.1 Marvel at the Metropolitan Museum of Art (MET)
- 3.2 or Visit the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA)
- 3.3 Do Lunch
- 3.4 Pay respects at World Trade Center and the 9/11 Ground Zero
- 3.5 Wander Central Park during your Three Days in New York City
- 3.6 Splurge on Dinner
- 3.7 Look at that view from the Rockefeller Center
- 3.8 or Empire State Building
- 3.9 Other Options on How to Spend Three Days in New York City
- 4 Join us on Pinterest by clicking right here
Buy a New York CityPASS because it saves you a lot of money on entry fees to lots of iconic sites, which we will be recommending you visit. It will cost adults $114US, but will save you a lot of admission fees, and skip the line/queue privileges, and trust me you want that.
Arriving for 3 Days in New York City
If you come from the JFK airport, the easiest way is the get a flat rate taxi, at $52US, though it comes to $59US once the toll at the Manhattan Bridge. Of course, Uber is also a popular choice, and we did try the Super Shuttle. This shuttle service was perfect in San Francisco, but we waited for a long time for other passengers at JFK, which is a pain but at $14US a consideration.
If you come from Newark airport, the taxi rates are metered. A better way is to get a shuttle that comes in at about $50, or the Super Shuttle.
If you arrive by train at Penn Station, or by bus at the Port Authority, you need to consider whether it is better to walk or to grab a taxi. The traffic in NYC can be slower than you dragging your bags through the crowds.
Staying in New York City
With a limited time, you want to be in a central position yet not is such a manic area that you feel overwhelmed when you walk out the door. Because we recently had five wonderful days in New York City, and a couple of days later in our road trip in the USA and Canada, it is with great confidence that we recommend The Paul Hotel NYC. This is a hotel that is way bigger than the shoeboxes that you get in NYC, particularly if you get the Terrace room. The Paul Hotel NYC is located in a district called the NoMad Neighborhood, which is nestled between Madison Square Park and the Flower District. It was perfect for location, perfect for service and perfect for NYC ambience.
If that doesn’t suit, there are lots and lots of hotels in New York City to fit your need. Check out prices here.
Address: 32 W 29th St, New York
Day 1 of How to Spend Three Days in New York City
Explore Times Square and Grand Central Station
The reality is Day 1 is getting to the hotel, and settling in. Now it is time to see what all the fuss is about, by going to what are two of the most iconic sites in the city.
Head to Times Square.
This is where you can overdose on neon signs, advertising, naked cowboys, cartoon characters who will try and rip you off to get a photo with them. This is where you can go selfie mad everywhere and gaze at the ball that comes down to signal the start of each new year. Times Square is busy, frenetic, crowded, colourful and one of the best introductions to the city that never sleeps.
As the city that never sleeps, after you have gazed in total amazement and astonishment at Times Square, head to Grand Central Station.
New York’s Grand Central Terminal
Why would we send people to a train station when they have just arrived? Because New York’s Grand Central Terminal is so much more than a train station, and Penn Station and Grand Central Station are two different places. Grand Central Terminal is a work of art. You and many others will gaze t the ceilings transfixed by the opulence of this train station and know why it is called grand. You should then treat yourself to some oysters at the Grand Central Oyster Bar & Restaurant, and start people watching, as New York City was made for this pastime.
Grand Central Station: 89 E 42nd St, New York, NY 10017, United States
To get a MetroCard or not?
While you are there, you might like to get yourself a MetroCard, because even though you will do a lot of walking, sometimes you will need to catch the metro to give yourself a break. If you have children, this would be a definite factor.The cards come at $31 for a 7-day pass, or wait and do the Pay-Per-Ride, which costs $2.75/ride when you purchase multiple rides. Otherwise, it costs $3 per ride.
Day 2 of How to Spend Three Days in New York City
Go to Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island
Get up early and make your way Battery Park, NY to catch the First ferry from the mainland at 8:30 am. There will be a long queue, all day every day. Use your New York CityPASS. It will take about 3 hours to see both. The Statue of Liberty has to be photographed, and Ellis Island is where you will learn about the immigrant experience coming to the US. To save queuing, and the queues are long, get your tickets beforehand.
Or Catch the FREE Staten Island Ferry
If you just want to see the Statue of Liberty, then take the Staten Island Ferry, which is cheaper and gives just as good a view of the Lady Liberty. The Ferry runs 24 hours a day/ 7 days a week.
Where: St. George Ferry Terminal is located at 1 Bay Street
Cost: $0 – free service
Visit Wall Street
After you have seen the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, meander through Wall Street, the financial district of NYC. Take a selfie with the bull, because it is NYC and NYC is selfie heaven. And if you rub the bulls appendage, it will theoretically bring you good luck and fortune.
Have Lunch
Eat at Adel’s Halal Food stall, cnr. of Front St and Maiden Lane in the Financial District and try the chicken, lamb and falafel combo on spicy rice.
Go Shopping
Go to 5th Avenue, which is lined by high-end fashion stores, such as Prada, Armani, Versace, and Gucci. The enormous Apple store is also located on 5th Avenue.
Enjoy Dinner in New York City
Have a pre or post-Broadway dinner at any of the Theatre District cafes or restaurants. It may well be a matter of where you can get in. However, it is New York and you cannot go wrong with pizza. Recommended and tasted Carve, 760 8th Ave
Catch a Broadway Show
In the early evening make your way to Broadway to catch a musical or play. This is New York, and New York is a fantastic place to see a show. Grab the app: TodayTix — Last-minute theater tickets (Broadway + more)
App: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/todaytix-last-minute-theater/id648450205?mt=8
Day 3 of How to Spend Three Days in New York City
Marvel at the Metropolitan Museum of Art (MET)
Visit the Metropolitan Museum of Art. It is located on the Museum Mile on 5th Avenue. As the biggest museum in both North and South America, it can become easy to get immersed in the collection.. The museum’s massive collections include paintings by Vermeer, Van Gogh, Monet and Rodin.
Website: http://www.metmuseum.org
Address: 1000 5th Ave, New York, NY 10028, United States
or Visit the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA)
MoMA is the Museum of Modern Art and is full of some of the most incredible and bizarre modern arts. It is well worth the visit, and id time were not an issue, see both the MET and MoMa. Remember MoMA is free on Fridays between 4:00 and 8:00.
Address: 11 W 53rd St, New York, NY 10019, United States
Website: http://www.moma.org
Do Lunch
Many cafes around and within both the Met and MoMA.
Pay respects at World Trade Center and the 9/11 Ground Zero
Visit the 9/11 Memorial Museum, included in you CityPass. The historical exhibition has three parts: the Day of 9/11, Before 9/11 and After 9/11. It is a moving experience, but well worth while. Buy tickets to skip the line for this experiences.
Cost per adult: $24 without CityPass
Website: http://www.911memorial.org/museum
Address: 180 Greenwich St, New York
Wander Central Park during your Three Days in New York City
Take a leisurely walk, or catch the subway to Central Park, the city’s green lungs. Spend the afternoon walking around, enjoying the contrast that the park provides to all the surrounding skyscrapers. Watch some street performers, sit down on a bench next to a picturesque lake or try to see all the sculptures and monuments in Central Park. Have a nice break and see the characters that make up the city. Be really decadent and do a helicopter ride over Central Park.
Splurge on Dinner
Eataly is the largest Italian mecca of cafes, deli, restaurant, and groceries at 200 Fifth Avenue. You will be overwhelmed with the choices, but you cannot go wrong with anywhere you choose here.
Address: 200 Fifth Avenue
Website: http://www.eataly.net
Look at that view from the Rockefeller Center
You probably will wander past the Rockefeller Center one morning as you go through Times Square and see crowds of people out the front. This is where the Today Show is filmed and where you can stand in front and watch the show, and hope the camera pans to you gazing in. You could even see Jimmy Fallon from The Tonight Show in the elevator. However, going to the “top of the rock” is another fabulous vista over NYC at night time, and gives you the Empire State Building in your photograph. Go the Top of the Rock on a flexible date pass
Address: 45 Rockefeller Plaza, New York, NY 10111, United States
Website: https://www.rockefellercenter.com
or Empire State Building
Use your New York CityPASS. Get a skip all the lines pass, you will be happy.This historic 1930s art deco building is a landmark in New York City, and the views of an evening are spectacular.
Address: Fifth Avenue between West 33rd and 34th Streets.
Website: http://www.esbnyc.com/visit-empire-state-building
Other Options on How to Spend Three Days in New York City
- Walk the Brooklyn Bridge – a 25-minute walk and then explore Brooklyn and Queens
- Visit the American Museum of Natural History – if you have seen the movie, Night at the Museum movies you will know this place.
- Walk the Highline – the converted train track that is now an urban walking park.
- Take the Night-Time bus tour – and see New York City in all of its glory.
- Go to a bar in The Meatpacking District
This is a big and exciting city, and a city with endless things to see and to do. This is a suggested itinerary for How to Spend Three Days in New York City.
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good blog.. thanks for sharing experience
Thanks so much
I just came across to your website when I am searching for the travel informative website. I think this is the right choice for me. Thanks for sharing this post.
Thank you
NY is a city to visit and explore
absolutely .. it is vibrant and exciting
Love NYC, so much to do & see
love it too
I was going to bring up the Brooklyn Bridge (but then saw you managed to mention it at the end).
And, also, not too far from Grand Central is the NY Daily News (until it folds)- which has the iconic sculpture in front. Those that are old enough will recognize it as the symbol for the Daily Planet of Superman fame.
Daily Planet is an excellent addition. Do you mind if I update article with this suggestion?
Of course, not!
Like everybody else, I just love New York!! Last time I stayed out in Brooklyn – superb!
I would like to go there next and explore it a bit more.
Very busy itinerary, Paula. It seems you like New York and you covered a lot in three days.
We sure did. We made the most of every second we had and covered many km’s/miles
This post made me think that I haven’t been to New York for a long long time! One of the most exciting cities in the world….must think about travelling to N.Y sometime in the next future! Thanks for this handy guide1
Thanks Michela, it will be a city will return to for sure.
I love NYC! Jim and I go every time we’re on the east coast visiting family. We usually only do one day and maybe a night, though, because it’s a lot of pavement!
We loved the vibrancy of the city too, and we will return.
I’m planning on going to New York at the end of this year, so this guide will come in handy. The Paul looks like a great place to stay.
Thanks Eileen, totally recommend The Paul hotel. Have fun. You will.
Having done many trips to NYC I think your guide is perfect.
Thank you, that is lovely of you to say.
what a great guide! Now I just have to save up some money!:)
It can be done cheaply ..once you are there.
Thanks for such a jam-packed intinerary! An American road trip is on mine and my boyfriend’s list of dreams, so it’s great to know how to make the most of NYC!
You will love this 24hr city.
Thank you. Just beautiful. Oddly I had never ever had a desire to visit NYC – but your blog post has changed that.
You must visit, it is an exciting city. It will amaze you.
Gosh, there’s so much to do in New York City. The hardest part would be choosing which activities to do and which ones to leave out! They all look amazing! 🙂
Definitely an issue. I always recommend using the hop on hop off bus, and doing full loops to get your bearings. Plus, you learn so much. Then go off and explore on your own.
I am dying to get to NYC, I drove though on my way to the airport and saw many of the hot spots it is most famous for, but have not been lucky enough to stuff my face with all the food or visit all the cool places. I will pin this post for reference when that ticket is booked. 🙂
Thanks Anna, it is a city you will love, and the food scene is varied, in a good way.
Great ideas – we really enjoyed the high line and I enjoyed walking thru Columbia to get to Grant’s tomb. So many different architectures in the city. Amazing.
There is so much to do, in so many different seasons. It is just fun.
I have not been in way too long, this make me want to go back. I have seen most things here and usually go for 3 days, but still have not made it to the Statue of Liberty cause of the lines.
I don;t necessarily think the Statue of Liberty is worth wasting the time in the queues. I would rather wander the back streets.
Oh Paula that sounds like an amazing way to spend 3 days. You are certainly giving us inspiration to visit the US.
It is very different unique, and a place that it very user-friendly, though I did relate to every movie and tv show that I have ever seen that was set in NYC.
Terrific guide. So comprehensive. We have one night in New York on our upcoming trip so maybe I need the edited version – lol.
I think I could do a 24 hour guide, based on what I think would work. On to that.
This sounds like such a fun way to spend three days. 🙂 I’d especially like to see Ellis Island.
It is a place with so much to see and do. Go early or really late to Ellis Island, to avoid the queues.
Great tips.. I am looking at going to NYC in Nov 2017 and am always on the look out for ideas of what to do, even though I’ve been there before. I didn’t know that about Newark taxis. Also I have been looking at accommodations for NYC and The Paul stood out to me as well – great minds.
I really enjoyed NYC, and The Paul is a great hotel in a really good location. I just published another guide on NYC; # days in NYC https://contentedtraveller.com/how-to-spend-three-days-in-new-york-city/