NYC 3 Day Itinerary
You’re spending 3 days in NYC and want to make the most of every moment. New York City is a destination where you can spend years exploring, and still only feel as though you’ve barely cracked the surface. If you know the best things to do in NYC, 3 days will be enough to at least get the pulse of the city, see many main NYC attractions, as well as some other NYC hidden gems.
NYC Itinerary Day 1
Morning: Take a Tour
NYC consists of 5 boroughs, and chances are that you’ll most likely spend most of your time in Manhattan. The first thing you should do in NYC is to take a city tour. This will give you an overview of the city, and give you ideas of places you’d like to revisit, to delve into more deeply. Additionally, your tour guide is your personal concierge. They’ll be able to answer your questions and to give you recommendations.
Tour companies we recommend for a city overview include: Circle Line, New York Water Taxi, USA Guided Tours, The Ride NYC and Big Bus.
Afternoon Lunch in Greenwich Village
One of the best things to do in NYC is to eat pizza. Greenwich Village offers several perfect pizza options. We recommend John’s of Bleecker Street for traditional NYC pizza. Their piping hot pies will fuel your adventure through the city.
After eating your pizza, head to Washington Square Park for some people-watching, and then wander the twisty-turny streets of Greenwich Village. Greenwich Village offers some of the best shopping in NYC. Bleecker Street is the spine of the neighborhood and a great starting point.
If you want to learn about NYC immigration history, head to the Lower East Side and visit the Tenement Museum.
Evening in Times Square and on Broadway
Locals love Ninth Avenue for pre-theatre dinner. There are tons of Prix-Fixe dinner menus to choose from, and they will fit every dietary restriction.
In the evening, enjoy a Broadway Show!
After the Broadway show, head to the heart of Times Square and see your photo on the Welcome to Times Square Billboard. Learn more about how to have your photo on a Times Square billboard by visiting timessquarebillboard.com
If you’re a night owl, stay out until 11:57pm when all the billboards in Times Square sync up to make a Midnight Moment.
NYC Itinerary Day 2
Morning at the Statue of Liberty
Visiting the Statue of Liberty is something you’ll want to do first thing in the morning. Plan for this to take at least four hours. You will also have the opportunity to visit the Ellis Island Immigration Museum.
Lunch with George Washington
A short walk from Statue City Cruises is Fraunces Tavern. This historic restaurant is where George Washington said farewell to his troops before assuming the presidency. They serve up delicious fare and have a small but meaningful museum above the restaurant.
Afternoon Pay Your Respects
After lunch, head slightly uptown to the World Trade Center site. Pay your respects at the memorial reflecting pools, and if you wish to learn more, visit the official 9/11 Memorial & Museum. Expect to spend about 2 hours in the museum.
Evening in Brooklyn
Many claim that the best time to walk the Brooklyn Bridge is sunset. The Manhattan entrance is a short walk from the 9/11 Memorial. Cross the bridge and watch the lights turn on in Manhattan. DUMBO Brooklyn, where the Brooklyn Bridge ends, has tons of delicious food options for dinner.
NYC Itinerary Day 3
Morning in Central Park
Take the morning to explore Central Park. A wonderful place to enter is 72nd Street and Central Park West. Walk across the park to the East Side. Along the way you’ll see many famous Central Park Sites.
Lunch at the Boathouse
Central Park is home to a beautiful restaurant featured in several movies including “When Harry Met Sally.” This is the Boathouse. Enjoy lunch with bucolic views of Central Park.
Afternoon at the Met
After lunch head to the Met Museum and spend several hours surrounded by world-famous masterpieces.
Evening at Rockefeller Center
Rockefeller Center is home to several restaurants that will provide exquisite dining, or casual fare. After dinner, head to Top of the Rock for expansive panoramic views. This includes one of the best views of the Empire State Building in NYC. This is a perfect way to say farewell to the Big Apple.