New York City is one of the best cities in the United States to visit (and my personal favorite). Spending 3 days in New York City is the perfect amount of time to get a good sampling of the city, but definitely spend longer if you have it.
After visiting NYC over 30 times, I still find something new to do each time I visit. This itinerary covers some of the main sites you will want to see during your first trip to New York City and has more touristy things to do. If you want a more history-focused itinerary, check out these historical sites in NYC or check out these awesome things to do in NYC during the wintertime. Make sure to add in the most Instagrammable places of NYC here.
US Ghost Adventures is an awesome company that offers a variety of guided tours and haunted experiences across different cities in the United States. Visitors can learn the compelling history and stories of the paranormal and the city’s darker side. Make sure to check out the variety of tours offered in New York here. They are very affordable too!
Want a guided tour to start out your trip and get acclimated to the city? Then check out Guru Walks for a free guided tour. You can book online to reserve your spot and pay what you wish when you get there. Check out the tours in New York here.
Disclaimer: Special thanks to the One World Observatory and Spyscape for hosting me at several attractions on my trip to NYC! As always, all thoughts and opinions remain my own. This post contains affiliate links. I may earn a commission at no cost to you!
Table of Contents
History of New York City
New York City officially became a settlement by the Dutch West India Company in 1624, named New Amsterdam. In 1664, the British captured New Amsterdam from the Dutch and renamed it New York. It then became a major port city and trading center.
During the American Revolution, NYC served as a headquarters for the British military. Throughout the coming years, NYC rapidly developed and became a center for immigration and continued to be a major trading hub.
Throughout the 1900s, NYC continued to develop and become industrialized as well as a hotbed for social and political movements. Present day, NYC continues to be one of the most iconic cities in the world.
When to Spend 3 Days in New York City
New York City offers a different experience depending on which season you visit. Although spending 3 days in New York City is fun any time of the year, I recommend visiting in the fall if it is your first visit.
Wintertime after the holidays until early spring, you will find the best deals on hotels. Summer is the most crowded but has the most outdoor activities. Fall and early winter offer a festive season in the city with Holiday decorations or fall colors.
How to Get to New York City
New York City has three major airports: John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), LaGuardia International Airport, and Newark International Airport. JFK usually has the cheapest flights and the most international flights. You can read more about how to get to a from the airports here.
You can also check out these shared transfers.
Transportation in New York City
There is no need to rent a car in New York City. It will just cost you a lot of unnecessary money in parking and rental fees, and it is difficult to get around NYC by car.
Instead, opt to use public transportation. You can buy a week-long subway pass for $33. This pass is good on all subways and buses. Google Maps will tell you exactly what subways to use for your destination.
Where to Stay in New York City
TripAdvisor is a great place to start your hotel search. Search for the best New York hotels here!
There are many excellent areas to stay for 3 days in New York City. Almost anywhere in Manhattan is a good location, but if it is your first visit, I recommend staying in Midtown (between 34th Street and 52 Street). The following are some of my favorite hotels.
- Hampton Inn Manhattan/Times Square Central
- Hampton Inn Manhattan/Times Square South
- Hilton Times Square
- New York Marriott Marquis
- Hilton Garden Inn New York/West 35th Street
- Hotel Edison
- Club Quarters Hotel Times Square, New York
- AC Hotel by Marriott New York Downtown
- DoubleTree by Hilton New York Downtown
- Voco Times Square South
TripAdvisor is a great place to start your hotel search. You can always try searching Priceline Express Deals for a better price or try to price match a hotel. The following hotels are some of the best options I have stayed at.
Things to do During 3 Days in New York City
GoCity Pass
GoCity offers a ton of different sightseeing passes for cities around the world. These passes allow you to visit the best of each city for one low price, rather than paying individually for each attraction. I have used it in several cities around the world and would recommend getting a GoCity pass! Check out the options for the New York GoCity pass here.
Alternatively, check out these other passes: NYC City Pass, The New York Pass, and NYC Sightseeing Flex Pass.
Day 1: Uptown and Midtown
For your first of 3 days in New York City, you will spend exploring the Uptown and Midtown areas. These areas are the most “touristy” of New York.
Empire State Building
Cost: $44
Hours: 9am-1am
Begin your morning by going up the Empire State Building. If it is a clear day, it will have great views of all the boughs and the One World Observatory. If it is not a clear day, you may want to switch up the itinerary or opt to skip going to the top of the Empire State Building. Make sure to get your Empire State Building Tickets ahead of time!
Rockefeller Center
Cost: Free and Up
Hours: 9am-12am
Stop by Rockefeller Center and visit the Top of the Rock if you want another view of Midtown Manhattan. If not, just wander around the area and see the cool sites. During the Holiday season, make sure to check out the gigantic Christmas Tree or go ice skating.
New York Public Library
Cost: Free
Hours: Mon-Sat: 10am-6pm
Next up, stop at the New York Public Library to visit the Reading Room and see the original Winnie the Pooh Characters. Also make sure to grab a picture with the iconic lions in front of the library. This can be a super quick stop or you can spend some time wandering around.
John’s of Bleeker
Cost: $$
Hours: Sun-Thurs: 11:30am-10pm, Fri-Sat: 11:30am-11pm
Grab lunch at John’s Pizza in Greenwich Village. They only have pies, no slices, so come hungry. It is some of the best pizza in the city in my opinion and should be a part of any 3 days in New York City. After, stop at Rocco’s Pastaracia for Italian cookies for dessert.
The High Line
Cost: Free
Hours: 7am-10pm
Work off the pizza with a stroll along the High Line. The High Line is a public park that offers views of the west side. This 1.45 mile pathway stretches from the Chelsea Market to Hudson Yards. It was founded in 1999 to prevent the elevated rail track from being demolished.
I recommend starting at the Chelsea Market side for some shopping or light eats. Also nearby the Chelsea Market is Little Island, a public park that is located at Pier 55 over the Hudson River.
Then, you will end at Hudson Yards, where you can take in the interactive sculpture the Vessel. It is temporarily closed, but you can still view the outside of it and walk through the bottom. Also in this area is the Edge NYC, the highest outdoor sky deck in the Western Hemisphere.
Times Square
Cost: Free
Hours: 24 hours
Next up, during your 3 days in New York City, head to Times Square to take a picture at this iconic photo stop. There are also plenty of shops to do some souvenir or clothes shopping. You can spend a while here, or you can just make it a quick picture stop.
Spyscape
Cost: $39
Hours: Mon-Fri: 12pm-8pm, Sat: 11am-8pm, Sun: 11am-7pm
After exploring Times Square, head to Spyscape. At Spyscape, visitors can partake in interactive spy-themed exhibits while exploring spy gadgets and historical artifacts.
There are many hands-on experiences where visitors will explore secret worlds, break codes, and run surveillance. At the end, you will find out which spy role best suits you. This is such a fun and exciting stop to add to 3 days in New York City.
Sardi’s Restaurant
Cost: $$$
Hours: Tues-Sat: 12pm-11pm
For dinner, visit the infamous Sardi’s Restaurant. There are caricatures of famous people who have eaten there. It is also where many of the Broadway stars hang out after the show. The typical food here includes pasta and steak dishes.
Broadway Show
Tonight, take in a Broadway Show. There are usually at least 15-20 different shows on Broadway to decide between. You can see the current shows listed here. If you want to guarantee tickets to a show, make sure to buy them ahead of time. If not, get rush tickets in the morning once you want to see the show. After the show, make sure to hang out at the stage door and get autographs!
Not sure what to see? Check out Wicked, Hamilton, or Phantom of the Opera, as they are Broadway classics.
Day 2: Downtown and the Waterfront
The Downtown area has so many exciting and historical sites to see. It will be a jam-packed day, but well worth it!
George’s
Cost: $$
Hours: 7am-6pm
Grab breakfast at George’s to start your second of 3 days in New York City. This popular downtown breakfast spot offers a variety of traditional breakfast options for an affordable price. The place is pretty big, so you should get seated quickly.
Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island
Cost: $31.50
Hours: 9am-5pm
Begin your morning second of 3 days in New York City with a visit to the iconic site: The Statue of Liberty. You will want to reserve your tickets ahead of time, especially if you want to climb to the crown.
The ferry leaves from Battery Park. Make sure to get there early, as you must go through security before the ferry departure. From the New York side, the first stop will be Liberty Island. Here, visitors can learn about the history of the Statue of Liberty, climb to the pedestal or the crown, and take in the views of NYC.
The next stop will be Ellis Island, the former immigration center of the eastern United States. Thousands of Immigrants passed through here in the early 1900s. There is no time limit at each stop, so you can spend as much time as you’d like within operating hours. You can opt to take a Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island Tour if you prefer. If you do not want to spend time on the two islands, you could also do a Circle Line Landmarks Cruise.
Fraunces Tavern
Cost: $$
Hours: Sun-Thus: 11:30am-8:30pm, Fri-Sat: 11am-9:30pm
Once you are finished at Liberty and Ellis Islands, stop at Fraunces Tavern for lunch. This is the place where George Washington said farewell to his troops. They have a fabulous whiskey bar if you like whiskey and some great bites to eat. On the second floor is a museum with artifacts from the American Revolution that tells the area’s story.
Wall Street Sites
After a delicious lunch at Fraunces Tavern, take a stroll around the Wall Street area and walk past or visit the following sites. You could also take this Hamilton Walking Tour.
- Federal Hall: The First Capital of the United States
- Alexander Hamilton’s Grave at Trinity Church: Where Alexander Hamilton is Buried
- The New York Stock Exchange
- The Charging Bull
- Fearless Girl Statue
9/11 Memorial and Museum
Cost: $33
Hours: 9am-7pm
This afternoon, visit the National 9/11 Memorial and Museum. Plan to spend at least an hour wandering through the exhibits and more if you want to read all of the details. The exit of the museum will land you by the memorial, which marks the spot of the original two tours. You can take this Wall Street and 9/11 Memorial Tour if you want to learn more about the history and background.
One World Observatory
Cost: $39
Hours: 9am-9pm
After visiting the museum and memorial, head over to the One World Observatory. Make sure to reserve your tickets beforehand so you do not have to wait for long. This observatory offers amazing 360-degree views of Manhattan and the surrounding areas for 45 miles in each direction.
Your experience will take you through some interactive information until you board the elevator. This takes you up to the 100-102 floors, where the observatory is. Visitors can spend as much time as they’d like at the top. The One World Observatory is a great addition to 3 days in New York City.
Momofuku Noodle Bar
Cost: $$
Hours: 12pm-3pm/4pm, 5pm-10pm
Grab dinner at Momofuku Noodle Bar to end your second of 3 days in New York City. This famous NYC restaurant is known for its handmade noodles and delicious ramen. You will want to make reservations ahead of time to guarantee a table.
Amor Y Amaro
Cost: $
Hours: Sun-Thurs: 5pm-12am, Fri-Sat: 5pm-1am
After dinner, stop for a drink at Amor y Amaro, an amazing bitter and amaro bar in the East Village. It is a small place, so you may have to wait, or it will be standing room only! Their menu changes depending on the season.
Please Don’t Tell
Cost: $$
Hours: 5pm-2am
This amazing speakeasy is hidden in a hot dog shop in the East Village. To get in, you MUST have reservations, as the chances of entering are slim if you do not. You can make reservations 7 days in advance, and they go quickly. Please Don’t Tell a ton of fun cocktails that also change by the season.
Day 3: Upper West Side and Upper East Side
Spend your last day in New York exploring the upper parts of Manhattan and taking in more amazing sites to see.
Ess-a-Bagel
Cost: $
Hours: Varies by Location
You cannot spend 3 days in New York City and not stop at least once for a bagel. Ess-a-Bagel has a huge variety of bagel and cream cheese flavors. You will not want to miss out on trying as many as you can. The bagels are made fresh daily, are delicious, and make for a great breakfast on the go.
American Museum of Natural History
Cost: $28
Hours: 10an-5:30pm
After grabbing a bagel, head up to the American Museum of Natural History. This is a really great Natural History Museum and has some interesting exhibits to add to your 3 days in New York City. I recommend the gem exhibit and the dinosaur exhibits. Oftentimes, you can also find the skeleton of Lucy, the oldest known human in the world, in one of the exhibits.
Teacher Tip: New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut residents can pay as they wish. No matter what, you need to make reservations online ahead of time.
Central Park
Cost: Free
After visiting the American Museum of Natural History, take a stroll around Central Park. Take in sights such as the Belvedere Castle, the Alice in Wonderland Sculpture, the Bethesda Terrace and Fountain, Strawberry Fields, the Sheep’s Meadow, and the Reservoir. You can also take a Central Park Walking Tour.
Grab Some Lunch
For lunch, opt to grab a hot dog from a vendor in the park, or there are many food options around the Natural History Museum or the Met. Osteria Nando is a delicious option near the Met. Near the Natural History Museum is a Shake Shack if you want a quicker option.
Metropolitan Museum of Art
Cost: $30
Hours: Sun-Thurs: 10am-5pm, Fri-Sat: 10am-8pm
The Metropolitan Museum of Art is a must visit for any art lover during your 3 days in New York City. This world renowned museum has every type of art you can imagine. You will not be able to see the entire museum in one visit, so I recommend choosing a few exhibits to peruse. My favorites include European Art and Egyptian Artifacts. You could also take a Metropolitan Museum of Art Tour.
Teacher Tip: If you live in New York or New Jersey, you can opt to pay as you wish and set your own price. If you have 2 or more people and also plan on visiting the Met Cloisters, getting an annual pass may be worth it.
Smith & Wollensky
Cost: $$$
Hours: Mon-Fri: 11:45am-2:30pm, 5-11pm, Sat: 5pm-11pm, Sun: 5pm-10pm
If you are looking for a delicious steakhouse to enjoy during your 3 days in New York City, opt to eat at Smith & Wollensky. It is known for its prime cuts of steak and has been a New York staple for many years. If you prefer something a little lighter or quicker, check out Joe’s Pizza for a delicious slide of NY style pizza.
Grand Central Terminal
Cost: Free
End your last of three days with a walk around Grand Central Terminal. This infamous spot is known for being in a variety of TV shows and movies and is one of the major transit hubs into NYC. This Grand Central Station walking tour is a good choice to learn about the background.
If you want a nightcap, head to The Campbell, a bar hidden within Grand Central Terminal. You may recognize it from the TV Show Gossip Girl.
More Than 3 Days in New York City?
If you have more than 3 days in New York City, you can add an infinite amount of things to this weekend itinerary. The Tenement Museum, General Grant National Monument, Theodore Roosevelt Birthplace National Historic Site, Harry Potter NY, Summit One Vanderbilt, or one of the many other museums are fun additions to a NYC itinerary.
Check out these museums:
- Museum of Modern Art Tickets
- Guggenheim Museum Tickets
- Natural History Museum Tickets
- Intrepid Sea, Air, and Space Museum
Check out these awesome tours to add to your itinerary:
Final Thoughts on 3 Days in New York City
New York City is a fantastic place to visit any time of the year. By spending 3 days in New York City, you will see all the city’s main highlights. You can also take a lot of day trips from New York City or add it to an eastern United States trip.
