Like many, one of my favorite cities in the world is New York City. From trips as a kid for my favorite Broadway shows to food and shopping excursions, I’ve visited the city dozens of times and know it quite well now. This is the ultimate NYC itinerary 3 days travel guide highlighting the best attractions, foods, and things to do. I also include general travel tips for New York including how to get around and where to stay.
New York City is vast and filled with activities, so this itinerary is fast-paced. Feel free to customize it by adding or rearranging activities as you like!
Disclaimer: This website contains affiliate links. I may make a small commission if you make a booking using my links at no extra cost to you.
General Travel Tips for NYC Itinerary 3 Days
- When people think of New York City they typically only think of Manhattan, but there are actually five boroughs! Some of my favorite neighborhoods outside of Manhattan are Flushing, Queens for its giant and authentic Chinatown, Bushwick in Brooklyn for their hipster vibe and vintage stores, and Dumbo for its incredible views of the Manhattan skyline.
- Consider buying a New York City Explorer Pass for discounted access to museums and landmarks (entrance passes are ridiculously expensive in NYC).
- Finding a bathroom can be difficult since many businesses turn you away if you’re not purchasing something. My go-to bathroom suggestions for when you’re in a crunch are big department stores, major hotel chains, and public libraries. Got2gonyc has a useful bathroom map.
- Unfortunately, crime in New York City is common. Stay aware of your surroundings, especially on the subways and at night.
- Be mindful of others while walking. Kindly move to the side if you need to stop and try not to take up the whole sidewalk and block others.
- On another note, DON’T underestimate the amount of walking you’ll be doing – wear comfortable sneakers so you can survive your trip.
Is 3 Days in NYC Enough?
As someone who’s been and seen all parts of the city, my short answer is NO! 3 Days in NYC is just enough time to cover some top attractions, but you need about 5-7 days to really experience everything the city has to offer.
Best Ways to Get Around NYC
New York City is extremely congested with over 18 million inhabitants. You’ll be relieved that it’s still very organized with their street names named after a numbered grid system. In general, it’s easy to know where you are and where you need to go (or maybe that’s because I’m from Boston, where it can be all over the place). It’s extremely walkable, but I’d suggest taking the subway to conserve your energy on your NYC itinerary 3 days. Each subway ride is $2.90 and you can conveniently pay with your card or phone.
There’s plenty of traffic and rideshares and taxis have high rates, so normally I wouldn’t recommend it. Late at night and in any area you feel unsafe, however, definitely opt to take one. Revel is a popular, cheap ride-share app alternative widely used.
Travel Tip: Understand the New York City subway map before your trip. Whenever you take the train, make sure to know whether the place you’re going is located “uptown” or “downtown”, which is relative to Manhattan. Luckily this is easy to figure out given the city’s grid system.
NYC Itinerary 3 Days
1st Day of Your NYC Itinerary 3 Days
The first day of your NYC itinerary 3 days is to knock out the tourist activities in Midtown. If you’ve already been to New York City before, you may want to remove some of these activities since, let’s be honest, walking in the hectic Times Square is not always enjoyable. However, these are all staple landmarks for first time visitors!
Times Square
First on the NYC itinerary 3 days is possibly the most famous sight in New York City – Times Square. Depending on whether you know you’ll be back to see it lit up in the evening (or are planning to go to a show in the Theater District), you may want to save this for later at night.
Times Square spans five blocks from 42nd to 47th Street with giant lit-up billboards, street performances, and shopping. It is also the hub for special events like public concerts and the ball drop on New Year’s.
Rockefeller Center
Located blocks away from Times Square, Rockefeller Center has a plethora of retail shopping stores, the Top of The Rock observation deck for city views, and a seasonal ice skating rink featured in movies like Elf and Home Alone 2. Radio City Music Hall is down the street, an entertainment venue featuring comedy shows, Rockette’s shows, and concerts. Check their event calendar to see what to add to your NYC itinerary 3 days.
Bryant Park
Next, Bryant Park is a quaint green space right in the middle of Midtown Manhattan. There’s outdoor seating and tables, ping pong set-ups, and food stands. The park is also the hub for seasonal events like outdoor movie viewings in the summer and winter markets. While you’re in the area, also stop by the picturesque New York Public Library! It’s completely free and an easy addition to your NYC itinerary 3 days.
Grand Central Station
You’ve possibly seen the Grand Central station in one of your favorite TV shows or movies. It’s a center for transit with access to the Metro-North Railroad, subway, and the LIRR. It also has restaurants and shopping on the basement level.
You don’t need to spend much time here on your NYC itinerary 3 days besides taking a picture. It’s a train station, after all.
Remi Flower & Coffee
One of my favorite Midtown coffee spots is Remi, a beautiful part-floral shop, part-coffee shop. The latte art here uses real flowers. Another fun coffee shop in New York City is Bibble and Sip.
Empire State Building & Koreatown
Add Koreatown to your NYC itinerary 3 days for the best Korean foods and shopping. The neighborhood spans a few blocks, with a concentration of establishments between 32nd and 33rd Street. The Empire State Building is also conveniently located above it, so you’re able to knock that out at the same time. I recommend getting Skip-The-Line tickets if you plan to visit!
Some of my favorite lunch restaurants in the neighborhood include Turntable Chicken Jazz for Korean fried chicken, Jongro BBQ for Korean barbeque, and Her Name is Han for traditional Korean cuisine. Woorijip is a budget-friendly, cafeteria-style Korean spot. Great non-Korean food options include Izakaya Mew for Japanese tapas and drinks. Fun bars include Itaewon Pocha and The Maze 32, which has a cool light-up maze ceiling.
Travel Tip: Many people travel to the top of the Empire State Building for the observation deck. However, the Top of the Rock has a view of the Empire State Building in the background.
Visit a View Deck
New York City has a LOT of observation decks, and I think Midtown has the best concentration of them given the impressive concentration of tall buildings in the area. Summit One Vanderbilt is a unique view deck with immersive art installations to complement the viewing experience of the city. It’s located at the tallest skyscraper in Midtown Manhattan on the 91st, 92nd, and 93rd floors of One Vanderbilt.
Another view deck worth checking out is The Edge in New York City’s Hudson Yards (see day 2 of this NYC itinerary 3 days.)
Fifth Avenue
Fifth Avenue is one of the most well-known shopping streets in New York City and is an absolute must-do activity to add to your NYC itinerary 3 days. Must-see stores on Fifth Ave include the Apple Store with its unique glass structure architecture overground. Other iconic stores include Saks Fifth Avenue, Tiffany’s, and the American Girl Place or FAO Shwartz if you’re with kids. Also on Fifth Ave is the St. Patrick’s Cathedral.
Depending on how much shopping you want done, you can easily spend the remainder of your day here.
See a Show
End the first day of your NYC itinerary 3 days by seeing a show. There are plenty to choose from whether that’s a musical on Broadway, a concert or sports game at Madison Square Garden, or a Rockette’s show at the Radio City Music Hall.
My go-to activity in NYC is a musical on Broadway. They have everything from long-running musicals to limited-time shows that include celebrities! When I’m in town I try to catch Aladdin the Musical, Hamilton, and the Lion King.
Travel Tip: Broadway shows can get pricey, but luckily there are ways to get discounts. The most well-known option is visiting the red-text TKTS stand in the heart of Times Square. They provide day-of discounted tickets up to 50% off for even the biggest shows like Aladdin and The Book of Mormon. Other locations with a TKTS booth are at the South Street Seaport and in Downtown Brooklyn.
Optional: Late Night Bite
New York City is named the city that never sleeps for a reason! Many eateries across the city are open until at least 4 AM and some are even open 24/7! A perfect post-show activity is Adel’s Famous Halal Food (open 6 PM-4 AM on weekdays, and 6 PM-5 AM on Fridays and Saturdays). Or, grab a classic New York slice at Joe’s Pizza.
Day 2 of NYC Itinerary 3 Days
Day 2 of this NYC itinerary 3 days is my personal favorite – spending time in the West Side and Lower Manhattan! Lower Manhattan constitutes anything south of 14th Street. Neighborhoods include SoHo (South of Houston Street) known for its extensive trendy shopping scene and celebrity sightings, West Village, and cultural hubs like Little Italy and Chinatown. This is where I spend the majority of NYC trips these days.
Walk the High Line
The High Line is a 1.4-mile-long old railroad track transformed into a greenway park and walkway along the West Side of Manhattan into Lower Manhattan. It’s elevated above the ground, making it a great spot to admire the skyline and Hudson River. There are also artwork installations along the walkway, bench areas, and gardens. It also has access points where you can take the stairs or elevator down to the street level, making it the perfect activity to have on your NYC itinerary 3 days.
Hudson Yards
The area contains shopping, luxury apartments, and restaurants. The most prominent building within the area is a work of architecture called the Vessel, a 16-floor circular stairway structure with viewing areas. The attraction recently re-opened to the public as of October 2024, so you can book tickets to the top!
Directly across from the Vessel is a shopping mall with a mix of luxury and retail shopping and dining.
Chelsea Market
Chelsea Market is a fully indoor food and shopping market in the Meatpacking District, located just under the High Line (very conveniently down the stairs!) on 75 9th Ave and between 15 and 16th Street. The historic market has a huge selection of global cuisines from hand-pulled noodles to ceviche, local vendors for shopping, and occasional events.
One of the most well-known food stalls (and my personal favorite one for a NYC itinerary 3 days) is Los Tacos No. 1. The taco spot now has locations across New York City, but the Chelsea Market one is the original. It was founded by 3 friends from Tijuana, Mexico, and Brawley, California, who used authentic family taco recipes. You can’t go wrong with the carne asada (steak) and adobada (marinated pork) tacos. They come on a corn or flour tortilla with onion, cilantro, salsa, and a dollop of guacamole.
Further Reading: 33+ Best Indoor Things To Do in NYC Right Now
Little Island
Once you’ve filled up on food at the Chelsea Market, walk just five minutes to the newly built artificial island and public park, Little Island. It’s located next to Pier 55 (which has another food hall) and has green space, a playground, and occasional events. Right next to Little Island is Pier 55, a food hall and a rooftop park with a view of the Island and city skyline.
West Village
Stroll through the tree-lined streets of the West Village neighborhood. It’s one of my favorite areas in all of New York City. In addition to its restaurants, boutiques, and bars, it is home to the Friends Apartment building.
Whatever you decide to eat on your NYC itinerary 3 days, you MUST try L’industrie Pizzeria on Christopher Street. It’s my favorite pizza shop in all of New York City, famous for its burrata-topped slices!
Washington Square Park
One of the most “happening” parks in New York City is Washington Square Park. It’s in the charming Greenwich Village and is one of my favorite green spaces. Just a block away from New York University, the park attracts an eclectic crowd from street performers, local vendors, to street interviewers. I recommend grabbing a bite from MacDougal Street and people-watch on your NYC itinerary 3 days.
SoHo
SoHo is the other biggest shopping area in New York City besides Fifth Avenue. It refers to South of Houston Street, including 26 blocks full of restaurants, boutiques, luxury shopping, and retail chains. The neighborhood is characterized by its charming cast-iron buildings and cobblestone streets. The “main” street is Broadway Street with large retail chains including Bloomingdales, H&M, and Zara. Make sure to venture onto the smaller side streets of SoHo for high-end brands and niche clothing and jewelry stores.
Two must-try restaurants include the French Restaurant Balthazar and the brunch spot Jack’s Wife Freda. Both have outdoor seating, making them a great spot for people-watching. For a quick bite, grab a Sicilian-style slice at Prince Street Pizza in Nolita. Check out my Best Restaurants in SoHo guide for where to eat!
Fun Fact: If you want to fit in with the New Yorkers and not sound like a tourist, Houston street is pronounced HOW-ston street, contrary to how you pronounce the city in Texas.
Chinatown & Little Italy
Just south of SoHo is Chinatown. Manhattan’s Chinatown is the largest in the United States, boasting unlimited food, bars, and shops. New York is notoriously known for being expensive, but eating a meal in Chinatown is a great way to save a few bucks on your NYC itinerary 3 days. Some of my favorite Chinatown Manhattan eats include the fried dumplings at King’s Dumplings (last time I ate here, it was $4 for 10 – talk about a deal!), Wah Fung No 1 for a roast meat plate for under $10, and Super Taste for a combo of noodles and dumplings.
If you’d rather eat pasta and pizza, Little Italy is next to Chinatown. It’s unfortunately become a bit of a tourist trap rather than a cultural enclave in recent years but is still worth seeing.
Financial District
As you venture further south in Manhattan, visit the Charging Bull sculpture in the financial district. The impressively large statue is a symbol of financial prosperity and optimism.
Nearby is the Oculus Transportation Hub at the World Trade Center. While it’s primarily a transportation hub with 12 train lines, it’s also a mall and tourist attraction due to its aesthetic. As you walk past from outside you can’t help but notice the all-white structure with ribs that span out, symbolically representing a hand releasing a dove.
Make sure to go inside the Oculus because the interior is just as incredible. It’s an ode to the September 11th attacks in 2001. Learn more about the architectural meaning on the Oculus World Trade Center website.
One World Observatory
Located on the 100 to the 102nd floor of the World Trade Center, this observation deck offers sweeping views of New York City. There are three levels to the observation deck, including an onsite cafe and bar. They’re open daily from 9AM to 9PM with handy Skip-The-Line tickets, making it a flexible option to add to your NYC itinerary 3 days.
Go to a Rooftop or Lounge
End your night in the city that never sleeps at one of the cool speakeasies or bars in Manhattan! There are SO many to choose from, but popular neighborhoods for going out include the East Village and Midtown. One of my favorite affordable bars is Botanica on Houston Street for $12 cocktails. No matter where you go in NYC, the nightlife options are endless.
Day 3 of Your NYC Itinerary 3 Days
Use the third day of your NYC itinerary 3 days to check out the most iconic museums and venturing into other boroughs.
Visit NYC Museums
As a city with so much culture, you’re spoiled with galleries and museums. Consider purchasing a NYC CityPASS for access to 5 attractions or the New York Explorer Pass for up to 50% off to save on admission fees. Admission tickets are quite pricy starting at $25-$35 per museum.
A must-see museum for any NYC 3 day itinerary is the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The stunning museum can take hours to explore – it’s the largest art museum in the Americas and the 4th largest in the world! The collection has over 1.5 million works of art, all over over 5,000 years.
Other notable New York Museum for your NYC itinerary 3 days include:
- New York Museum of Natural History
- Solomon R. Guggenheim → a UNESCO World Heritage Site, this art gallery is also considered an architectural masterpiece of Frank Lloyd Wright.
- Museum of Modern Art
- Intrepid Museum → learn more at this museum about American military and maritime history
- 9/11 Memorial & Museum
Walk Through Central Park
Looking at any map of Manhattan, Central Park is bound to stand out as the largest public green space. Spanning over 2 miles between 59th and 110th Street, you can spend hours exploring the park on your NYC itinerary 3 days. One of my favorite things to do on a nice day is bringing a picnic to the city or ice skating in the winter. Or, explore the park’s Belvedere Castle and Central Park Zoo.
Explore Another NYC Borough
I suggest spending the last portion of your NYC itinerary 3 days to get out of Manhattan. A BEAUTIFUL area worth seeing is Dumbo, which stands for down under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass. I HIGHLY recommend walking over the Brooklyn Bridge to it from lower Manhattan. The trendy neighborhood has cobblestone streets and views over the Hudson River. TimeOut Market is super lively no matter the season, all 20+ local food stalls are great, and they have a free rooftop with a bar and amazing views of Manhattan.
You can’t leave Dumbo without snapping a close-up picture of the Manhattan Bridge, located at 39 Washington Street in Brooklyn. The coolest part is the Empire State Building is perfectly aligned in the background. It’s the most famous picture-taking spot in the neighborhood, so go early in the morning to avoid anyone in your shot.
Also in Brooklyn, Bushwick is a neighborhood known for its vibrant arts scene and is a vintage shopper’s paradise. The streets are lined with hip restaurants, cafes, public art displays, and graffiti across the walls. Many food spots have a Latin influence from the settlers to the neighborhood. Myrtle Avenue is filled with second-hand shops and galleries.
Bushwick is well-known for its nightlife, including the House of Yes with both Electronic Dance Music and other live entertainment in an inclusive space. Also, many people rave that their bathroom is one of the coolest in NYC.
I’m a HUGE foodie, so I’m always hunting for the best food anywhere I travel. Queens is the most diverse borough in New York both culturally and racially, so it’s my favorite place to try foods from all over the world. Try Flushing’s Chinatown for authentic Asian cuisine or Astoria for excellent Greek.
Other Activities for Your NYC Itinerary 3 Days
With SO much to do in the city, this NYC itinerary 3 days is just scratching the surface! Another notable mentions for activities include:
- Statue of Liberty -> Take the ferry tour to Ellis Island for an up-close view of the Statue of Liberty!
- Ride Blue Bikes along the waterfront or Central Park
- Admire the New York Botanical Garden or Brooklyn Botanical Garden
- Enjoy the beach boardwalk at Coney Island
Wrapping Up: NYC Itinerary 3 Days
That wraps up my NYC itinerary 3 days! For any questions regarding this itinerary, please reach out to my contact page directly or leave a comment below.
Enjoy your trip to NYC and in the meantime, read my other United States Travel Guides:
Leave a Reply