How to Spend 3 days in New York: Travel Guide

So, you’ve booked your trip to New York but you don’t know where to begin with planning your days? Don’t worry, it can be completely overwhelming. Where do you start on choosing what you want to do and see? If you’re anything like me, you’ll want to do it all. You will run around like a headless chicken to see it all. But, rushing is not the way to do New York.. trust me!

I’ve been to the city a few times now and it has been different each time. With that in mind, let me break down, how I would spend just 3 days in the city.

DON’T FORGET, IF YOU CAN’T READ ALL OF THIS NOW, YOU CAN PIN THE IMAGE BELOW TO SAVE IT FOR LATER!

Firstly, the travel day all depends on the time that you fly into New York. There’s the morning flight and if this is what you’ve chosen, this is how I’d spend the day.

Travel Day – Option 1

1. Firstly, getting yourself through the airport can be a long process. Don’t be surprised if there’s long lines at passport control, especially if this is your first time entering the USA. Taxi’s have a flat rate from JFK to Manhattan of $75. But, adding in toll fee’s and a tip usually gets you to around $85.
2. Drop your bags off at your hotel, freshen up and then head to Central Park. Central Park is such a nice walk after a long travel day and the fresh air will be needed.
3. Following a good walk, head to times square. It’s most likely getting into the evening now. As the sun begins to set, times square will truly light up for you. Take it all in, all the billboards, the atmosphere, the magic. During your time in Times Square, sit on the big red stairs and people watch. You’ll find that time passes in a blink.
4. Time to eat! Head to a diner or restaurant around times square, or maybe even back near your hotel. Generally I head to a diner on the first night. AppleJacks or Olive Garden near Times Square are great for a bite to eat.
5. After dinner, stroll back to your hotel and have the best sleep of your life. You’ll be ready for it!

Travel Day – Option 2

Secondly, if your someone who took a later flight, you’ll most likely land early evening. If this is the case, this is how i’d recommend spending the rest of your travel day;

1. Firstly, get yourself through the airport and always anticipate those long passport control lines.
2. Secondly, grab a yellow taxi outside the terminal and head to your hotel. Taxi’s have a flat rate from JFK to Manhattan of $75. You’ll then need to add in in toll fee’s and a tip which usually gets you to around $85.
3. Once you have checked in to your hotel room, chill out and rest. If your hungry, get room service or use uber eats to have something delivered (this is often cheaper).
4. Once you’re ready, head to sleep and wake up fresh on New York time the following morning.

Morning: Day 1

1. Finally, you’re in New york so start the day by walking up to Ellens Stardust Diner for a broadway breakfast. I promise if there’s a queue it’s worth it! The diner is home to all those wishing to start their career on broadway. As you sit, they will sing and dance for you as they serve you breakfast. You will feel like your in a broadway show and it is incredible.
2. Once you’re fuelled up, head to Times Square and jump on the Hop on Hop Off Bus! Start with the downtoon loop in full and just stay on to get your bearings and see all the sights. The buses have optional earphones with a commentary. As you go around, you can hear the history of New York.
3. Since your already on the bus, stay on at times square but hop off at The Empire State Building. Go to the top of the building and see the city from above.

Day 1: Afternoon

1. Following your trip to the Empire State, walk up 5th Avenue and head to Grand Central Station. It’s a short walk from The Empire State and is beautiful inside.
2. Head for the Waldorf Astoria hotel. Here you can hop on the uptown route of the hop off hop on bus. This will allow you to take in the sights of Uptown Manhattan. For my gossip girl fans, you’ll be heading into the world of Blair Waldorf and passing the MET Museum.
3. Hop off the Bus at Columbus Circle and have a nosey round the Columbus Circle shops. You’ll also be on the edge of Central Park here. If you want to head back into the park and have a walk around again you can. I recommend walking along the edge of the park to 5th Avenue and you’ll reach the Plaza Hotel. If you’re a home alone fan, you’ll know the Plaza. It is a beautiful hotel to go and take a look around in.
4. Use the rest of the day to do whatever you like, explore a little and take in all the sights.

Morning: Day 2

Another day waking up in the city, have a slower morning today and let yourself ease into the day. Once you’re ready, get yourself out into the concrete jungle.

1. Head Downtown to the Staten Island Ferry. Thanks to this being one of the only ways to get to Staten Island from Manhattan, it’s free! Jump on the ferry and it will take you past the Statue of Liberty. It’s a great way to see lady liberty without paying for it.
2. Once you reach Staten Island, walk off the ferry, through the terminal and back onto the returning ferry. You can head straight back to Manhattan.
3. After your ferry trip, head to the 9/11 Memorial and World Trade Center. It’s about a 10 minute walk. Just keep looking up at the world trade center and you’ll find your way there. The memorial is beautiful, serene and quite emotional.
4. I would recommend going up the world trade center to their observation deck. Its the highest point you can go to in New York and the experience is wonderful. They also have a bar/restaurant at the top which I recommend.

Afternoon: Day 2

1. Walk over to Chelsea Market and grab yourself a bite to eat. Take a look at all the little boutique shops.
2. After a little rest at Cheslea Market, walk back uptown via the High Line. It is a disused rail track above the city that has been turned into a public park. Full of outdoor art installations, it’s a great way to walk through the city.
3. Once you reach the end of the high line, you’ll be at Hudson Yards which is home to The Edge. This is another great outdoor viewing platform and also home to a shopping centre and restaurants. Have a look around, it is an architectural marvel.
4. It’s almost sunset. Make your way to the Top of The Rock. Watch the sun fall away and the night lights of the city come to life. Top of The Rock is my favourite viewing platform in New York. Sunset to night lights is my favourite time to go.
5. Across the street from The Rockefeller Center is St Patricks Cathedral. Head inside the cathedral for a quick look and walk around. It is beautiful and stunning and a place of calm and quietness in a hectic city.
6. Use the rest of the evening to grab a nice dinner or head back to your hotel to chill out. Tomorrow is your last day in the city.

morning: Day 3

It’s almost home time.. boo! Don’t let that ruin your day. Pack your bags, check out the hotel and head off for one last day of exploring.

1. Take the subway to brooklyn and then walk over the Brooklyn bridge back to Manhattan. This is my top tip for New York. So many people walk the bridge from the manhattan end and spend the whole time walking across looking backwards. If you walk across from the Brooklyn end, you will have the New York skyline infront of you the whole time.
2. Once you reach Manhattan, walk over to Wall Street and see the charging bull. Apparently if you touch it, it brings you good luck!

afternoon: Day 3

1. Take in the sights of Bryant Park and the New York City Public Library. The park is often full of stalls and markets and is a great place to take a rest. You can also visit the library which is a beautiful building. You may know it as the place where Carrie famously threw her bouquet all over Mr Big.
2. Before you head to the airport, I would head to times square or 5th Avenue and hit the souvenir shops. These shops are all over the city. Often round about the same price so it doesn’t really matter which one you go too. Get yourself a souvenir or two to commemorate your trip.
3. Head back to your hotel to collect your bags, then jump in a yellow taxi to the airport.

As you can imagine, 3 days in the city is a whirlwind trip. You will be knackered but it is so worth it. I hope this itinerary helps you in some way. Take a look here at my other New York recommendations.