How to Spend 3 Days in New York City

No matter how many times I visit New York, it just never feels like enough time. There’s always places I haven’t gotten to visit yet or restaurants I haven’t tried. Something about this city sparks this wanderlust within me, and I could spend hours on end just walking around exploring. The combination of towering skyscrapers, world class art, parks, and diverse food options truly make this city like no other. New Yok City always has something going on somewhere. Whether its store pop ups or performances, its impossible to do everything. In this guide, I cover how to make the most of your 3 days in New York City to see the highlights of this city!

Day 1: West Village/ SoHo

Bagels

Starting your day off with a bagel is an absolute must in NYC! Depending on where you’re staying, I recommend trying Ess-a-Bagel, Tompkins Square Park, or Blackseed Bagels.

Hudson Yards

Take the subway and head on over to Hudson Yards where you’ll find the Vessel and the high end Hudson Yards Shopping Mall

While the Vessel is now closed, you can still access the ground level base. It’s a unique piece of artwork that is worth the stop!

High Line

From Hudson Yards, you can across the High Line down to Little Island and Chelsea Market! What was once an old railroad has been transformed into a 1.5 mile long park filled with views of the city and pretty plants. Take a scenic walk through the park (and if you go during Spring, you may be able to catch Cherry Blossom season)!

Address for start of the High Line – 812 Washington St, New York, NY 10014
Hudson Yards High Line Entrance – W 30th St, New York, NY 10001

Little Island

The end of the Highline will get you near Little Island! This artificial island is a public park located in the Hudson River. There you can find an amphitheater for various performances, tons of greenery, and views of the city & river. Entry is free but timed entry reservations are needed after 12 pm Thursday – Sundays.

Chelsea Market

After exploring Little Island, grab lunch at Chelsea Market! It’s a bustling marketplace filled with restaurants, cafes and small retail shops. Los Tacos No. 1 is one of the most popular restaurants and they serve authentic Mexican food (try the carne asada tacos!!).

Washington Square Park

After grabbing a bite to eat at Chelsea Market, try visiting Washington Square Park near NYU’s campus. Here you’ll find the Washington Square Arch and fountain. It’s a great spot to relax or just people-watch! There’s so much diversity here from young and old people enjoying their day to dog owners strolling through the park with their cute pups!

SoHo

Then walk on over to SoHo, one of New York’s neighborhoods characterized by its cast-iron architecture. This area is known for its artists and its variety of shops ranging from designer boutiques to the retail chains we’re all familiar with such as Zara. This is probably my favorite neighborhood in the whole city!

Little Italy or Chinatown

After a tiring day of walking around and shopping, make your way to Little Italy or Chinatown which are both located near SoHo for a fantastic dinner to finish off your first day in NYC!

New York - Washington Square Park — Washington Square Park

New York - Washington Square Arch — Washington Square Park

Day 2: Midtown/ Central Park

For restaurant, coffee, dessert, & bar recommendations in Midtown check out my food guide!

Brunch

Grab brunch somewhere! Whether it’s bottomless brunch or fancy breakfast, NYC has so many amazing restaurants, definitely try to fit in a good place before you leave! I recommend checking out Nomo SoHo for a picturesque brunch, Jacob’s Pickles for a hearty Southern meal, or Clinton St. Baking Company!

Central Park

You could honestly spend a whole day in this park just roaming around all 800+ acres of it. There’s a variety of attractions and activities for you to do and see including:

Bethesda Fountain and Terrace
Belvedere Castle
Conservatory Garden
Central Park Zoo
Great Lawn
Naumberg Bandshell
Ride Bikes
Go on a boat ride

My favorite time to go is either in the Spring when the Cherry Blossoms are in full bloom or in the fall where you can see the leaves changing color.

New York - Central Park - Bethesda Fountain

Art Museums

New York has no shortage of art museums and galleries that you could spend your time at. A few located close by to Central Park include:

The MET
MoMA
Guggenheim

5th Avenue

On the way down from Central Park, why not check out 5th Avenue! It’s one of the most expensive shopping streets in the world. Here you’ll find a wide range of stores from luxury brands but also the household names you know and love!

Grand Central Terminal

One of New York’s most iconic landmarks, Grand Central is a bustling transportation hub. In addition to the dining and retail shops, make sure to check out the famous four-faced opal clock which can be found in the middle of the Main Concourse!

Rockefeller Center and Top of the Rock

Rockefeller Center is another one of those NYC landmarks that are a must see! It is home to NBC studios and Saturday Night Live. In addition to the shopping and dining options in the plaza, you can also take a tour of the complex. At Christmas time, they even have an ice skating rink! You can also get a great 360 degree view of NYC from the Top of the Rock’s observation deck. If you get a chance, buy tickets for sunset! However, I think SUMMIT One Vanderbilt or The Edge over in Hudson Yards are better observation decks.

SUMMIT One Vanderbilt

This is NYC’s newest observation deck located on the 91st-93rd floors of the One Vanderbilt skyscraper. It’s a unique interactive art experience with two glass ledges, the world’s largest exterior glass-floor elevator, and the highest panoramic viewing point in Midtown! Remember to buy tickets ahead of time. While I have not had the chance to check this place out yet, I’ve heard nothing but good reviews here!

New York - Rockefeller Center — Rockefeller Center

Top of the Rock - New York — Rockefeller Center

Day 3: Lower Manhattan – Financial District/ Brooklyn

If you’re looking for ideas on where to eat or drink in Lower Manhattan, check out this food guide!

Brooklyn Bridge

Try waking up early this day and making your way over to Brooklyn Bridge for a scenic walk with a view of Manhattan’s skyline. There will also be less people so you can take great pictures! If you take the subway here, get off at the Brooklyn Bridge – City Hall stop which is right across from the start of the bridge.

DUMBO

To get here, you’ll have to walk across the whole Brooklyn Bridge, but you’ll see signs guiding you to Dumbo! This famous picture place features the view of the Manhattan bridge sitting between two red buildings. If you have time, take your time walking around this area and visit some of the small shops. On Sundays, you can find the Brooklyn Flea Market in Dumbo from 10am – 5pm. I highly recommend checking this out as it is Brooklyn’s largest flea market!

Address: 39-21 Washington St, Brooklyn, NY 11201

New York - Brooklyn Bridge — Brooklyn Bridge

Brooklyn – Coffee/ Lunch

Brooklyn is a borough of NYC. It has great food options and plenty of attractions. If you’re looking to get coffee or a quick bite to eat, check out:

Butler Bakeshop – Butler is a neighborhood favorite. This café is a cute, relaxing place to get a nice breakfast/ lunch or pastries that pair well with their amazing coffee.
- Address: 40 Water St, Brooklyn, NY 11201

% Arabica – This is the Kyoto, Japan-based specialty coffee chain’s first US location. They have a sleek & aesthetic white interior. What’s unique about Arabica is you can select from around 7 different options of fresh beans to be roasted for you to take home. The quality of their coffee is next level as they really place an emphasis on the freshness of their coffee. I recommend trying their Spanish latte that is sweetened with condensed milk! They also serve some pastries sourced from Balthazar.
- Address: 20 Old Fulton St, Brooklyn, NY 11201

Timeout Market – Here, you can find a diverse mix of restaurants and bars that represent some of the best food NYC has to offer. Some options include Mr. Taka Ramen (Michelin star ramen), Clinton St. Baking Company, and more! There is also a beautiful rooftop with views of both the Brooklyn and Manhattan Bridge, as well as NYC from across the water! Take some time to explore this rooftop, relax, and enjoy a meal!
- Address: 55 Water St, Brooklyn, NY 11201
- List of eateries

The Oculus and One World Trade Center

After Dumbo, take the subway back over to Manhattan and head to the Oculus. It’s a shopping mall connected to the One World Trade Center. Here you’ll find the building’s unique architecture inside featuring a dome formed by white, curved beams resembling ribs.

Right outside the World Trade Center, you’ll find the 9/11 Memorial on the site of the former World Trade Center. The twin reflecting pools feature the largest man-made waterfalls in North America, and you can also find the inscribed names of all those who lost their lives.

Wall Street

Just a short walk from The One World Trade Center, you’ll find Wall Street. To really get a feel for the big banks that characterize New York, walk around and find the Charging Bull or the New York Stock Exchange.

Battery Park

Grab a bite to eat and head to Battery Park, located at the very bottom of Manhattan, for a relaxing picnic by the water to finish off a long day of exploring!