Ready to plan an epic city break to New York? Check out our 3 day itinerary to guide you through the very best bits of The Big Apple.
Choose your favourite things if you’re spending less time there, and if you’re staying longer, read our guide to the best things to do in New York for every budget.
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My 3 day New York itinerary
I loved my stay in New York, so I’m excited to share this plan including all the places I loved the most. Drop me a DM if you follow this itinerary – I’d love to know what were your highlights!
Day 1
Breakfast
Make like a New Yorker and grab a bagel, sub or BEC (bacon, egg and cheese) sandwich for brekkie on the go.
This is no-nonsense, filling food, so the best place you can go for these is ideally your local deli, bodega or coffee cart. If you’re after a steer from me, I’d say get a BEC from Sarge’s Deli in Midtown or a bagel from Katz’s Deli in the Lower East Side.
Take a walking tour
I always like to do a walking tour early in my trip to get my bearings.
It’s a great way to see the highlights of a place and figure out which areas I like and want to spend more time in.
You can save money on a tour by doing your own for free – just google ‘self-guided walking tour’ and the area you want to see. Or you can sign up for a free organised tour that you tip for at the end.
If you’re happy to book onto a paying tour, then there are loads to choose from. I like the look of this food tour of Chinatown & Little Italy, and this Gossip Girl bus tour looks so much fun – xoxo.
If you’ve opted for a city pass like a Go City pass or a Sightseeing pass, remember you can use them on a hop-on hop-off bus tour, which can be a good way to cover more ground and save your legs.
If you need some fuel, grab a pizza slice or two from $1.50 Fresh Pizza or Joe’s Pizza which has a bunch of different outposts across the city.
Go high for a view
Once you’ve seen the city from the streets, it’s time go up high and get that famous skyscraper view. There are a few spots you can choose from; I like Top of The Rock, the viewing platform on top of Rockefeller Centre, because you get a great view of the Empire State Building.
Other popular spots are the Empire State Building and Edge observation deck, which has 360 degree views and – steel yourself – a glass floor.
On a clear day there’s really nothing like the amazing views out over the city – it’s a real ‘pinch-me’ moment!
Visit a museum
Get a dose of culture by stopping at a museum. Stay in the area and visit the fascinating Morgan Library, or head to the Upper East Side to see the impressive Frick Collection and architecturally impressive Guggenheim.
If you’re after a free activity, then try the New York Public Library (another well-known movie location) or spend a quiet moment at the 9/11 memorial and nearby St Paul’s Chapel, which became a haven after the World Trade Centre attacks, and contains some moving tributes.
Catch the ferry
Head to the Staten Island ferry terminal at South Ferry for a free ferry ride across the harbour. Hop on board and get a fresh view of New York City from the Hudson river. You’ll chug past the Statue of Liberty on Ellis Island, so if you’re not planning to visit, you can still get a photo or two!
If you’re doing a round trip, you’ll need to get off the ferry at Staten Island and board the next service back to Manhattan. Wear layers as it can feel chilly out on the water.
Eat out in Chinatown
Pep yourself up after a hard day’s sightseeing with a meal in Chinatown.
Try the bao at Mei Lai Wah or the dumplings at North Dumpling. The roast pork and the congee both get a big thumbs up at Big Wong, and Tasty Hand is a popular noodle spot. Round off your meal with a sweet egg tart from Tao Hong.
A lot of places here are cash only, so make sure you bring some with you.
If you’re game for a tipple before you turn in for the night, head to the welcoming Whisky Tavern for a pickleback – that’s a shot of whisky served with a shot of pickle juice, if you didn’t know.
Accommodation options in New York
Looking for more New York hotel inspo?
Browse the best New York hotels that are affordable and stylish
Day 2
Go out for brunch
Treat yourself to brunch today, which is pretty much a New York institution. These guys were doing brunch waaaaay before we caught on in the UK, and man do they do it properly.
OG posh Parisian brunch spot Pastis in the Meatpacking District will you do eggs any way you like, pancakes, french toast, toasted sandwiches, chicken, steaks and more.
Bubby’s in Tribeca will see you right with delicious pancakes, omlettes, huevos rancheros, burgers and sandwiches, and a whole bunch of mimosa flavours.
For delicious fried chicken, corn bread, and lobster rolls, hit up Red Rooster in Harlem. If you’re there on a Sunday, you’ll can opt for gospel or jazz music to liven up your experience.
Cycle round Central Park
Make the obligatory stop in Central Park whatever the season – whether you’re looking for the perfect cherry blossom pic, admiring the autumn colours or heading for the ice rink, this park is great in all seasons.
Hire a bike and you can explore so much more. Wander the shady paths, watch the boats on the lake and cross over Bow Bridge, which you’ll recognise from the movies. Head to Bethesda fountain to watch the street performers – don’t miss the tiled arcade – and just enjoy the calm and nature as a retreat from the city.
You can use the Sightseeing and Go City passes for a Central Park bike tour, or go fancy and book a horse and carriage ride.
See modern art at MoMA
Pop out Central Park on the southern side and you’re about a fifteen-minute walk from MoMA, New York’s famous modern art gallery. Here you can see masterpieces by Van Gogh, Monet, Warhol and Rothko. They have an itinerary you can follow if you’re pushed for time and want to see all the best bits. As well as the permanent collection there are temporary exhibitions, featuring everything from design and sculpture to digital and internet art.
Food & Drink options in New York
Stroll the High Line
Next it’s time to see the city from above at the High Line, a park that was once a railway track. It’s about one and half miles long, with lots of trees and planting as well as art installations – it comes into its own in summer when there are lots of flowers making things look very pretty.
You can choose to walk the whole route or just a section – you can get to Chelsea Market from here which makes it a good spot for lunch. I’d head straight for Los Tacos no.1, but there’s loads of global cuisines to choose from including Italian, Indian and Jamaican.
On a budget?
Check out our 9 ways to save money on your New York trip
Watch a Broadway show or a TV recording
Get ready to be entertained, New York style!
A bunch of TV shows get recorded here in front of a live audience, like The Tonight Show and The Kelly Clarkson Show. You have to book these online via their websites – they’re free but demand is high so it’s not guaranteed you’ll get a seat. That said, you might as well try if you’re going to be in the city – it’s a fun activity if you can nab a spot!
Most have a minimum age – so don’t bring young kids along – and be prepared to show ID.
If the smell of the greasepaint is more your thing, then see if you can snag tickets to a Broadway Show. Head to the TKTS ticketbooth for cut-price tickets for evening and afternoon showings. You can also check TodayTix for cheap seats, or go all out and splurge on full-price tickets if that’s your thing.
Things to Do in New York
Day 3
Walk across Brooklyn bridge
Take a stroll over the iconic Brooklyn Bridge to experience the more ‘hipster’ areas like Williamsburg, Bushwick and Gowanus.
If you’re all about getting good pics, set off early to beat the crowds, and don’t forget to head to DUMBO for some killer angles. You could even hire a bike to cycle over if you want to save your legs!
Do some shopping
Brooklyn is full of great shops, whether you’re looking for charity shops, boutiques or something in between.
Brooklyn Woke Vintage is the place to go for a nostalgia hit – you can find everything from vinyl records to ’80s toys. Head to Franklin’s Makers on Franklin Avenue for a selection of gorgeous things from independent makers and small businesses.
If Fleamarkets are your bag, choose from Bushwick flea market which runs daily from 11am-7pm or Brooklyn flea in DUMBO which opens March-December – or do both! Brooklyn flea has a second outpost, BQ flea, open on Sundays.
When you need a pitstop after all that shopping, grab a delicious treat from the popular Martha’s Country Bakery – there are two branches on Bedford Ave – or a cup of Joe made from the best Colombian beans at Devocion.
Create your own beer tour
Brooklyn has a long tradition of brewing beer, which was drunk all over the United States, and there were once loads of breweries here.
By the 1970s they had all shut down, due to rising competition and costs, but today the beers are back in town – there are lots of taprooms and distilleries doing their thing.
Do a little tour of these spots to experience the many beers that Brooklyn has to offer. There’s Other Half, known for their hazy IPAs and sweeter stouts, Grimm Artisanal Ales, known for their IPAs and sour IPAs – both also do natural wines – and Talea, celebrated for their fruity sour ales like peachy pineapple and hibiscus.
If you don’t drink, don’t worry! These guys have you covered, cooking up cool NA (non-alcoholic) flavours like pineapple lime and rotating NA versions of their original beers.
Watch a basketball game at the Barclay Centre
Soak up the electric atmosphere of a live basketball game by watching the Brooklyn Nets or New York Liberty play at the Barclays Centre.
Arrive early to beat the queues and watch the players warm up. If you have an AMEX card, you can use a dedicated entrance and beat the queues that way.
Prices start as low as $25 per person, if you’re happy to sit towards the back of the stadium and just soak it all in. You can score a pretty decent seat – say around 12 rows back – for under $100 if you don’t mind sitting at one of the hoop ends. As you might expect, seats right at the front can be pricey – well over $500.
Want more New York ideas?
Read our list of The Best Things to Do in New York for Every Budget
Enjoy the best of New York with our ultimate 3 day New York itinerary
So there it is – our 3 day itinerary to get you seeing the highlights of New York city from the moment you step off the plane, without spending precious time mapping out your route.
If you follow my itinerary – or just little bits here and there – then I’d love to know how you found my recommendations. And whether you uncovered any amazing New York hidden gems that you think I should know about!
