weekend trip to new york

New York in 2 Days: The Perfect Weekend in NYC Itinerary

A weekend in New York City is one of the top short getaways in the country for very good reason… but experiencing New York in 2 days or less is quite the challenge!

Luckily, though, you don’t need to check off every single one of the incredible things to do in the city in order to have a fantastic weekend getaway in NYC.

We’ve visited New York more times than I can count at this point, on everything from quick overnight visits with friends to week-long stays.

Every trip, no matter how long or how short, leaves us even more enchanted with the city than we were before (and it’s worth mentioning that our love of New York has been a slow burn: on our very first trip to NYC, we walked away liking it, but not loving it).

If you’re planning a weekend trip to New York and want to make sure you fall in love immediately, here’s how to make the most of 2 days in NYC!

Table of Contents

Who This New York Weekend Itinerary Is For

The ultimate 2 day weekend in nyc itinerary, where to stay for a weekend in new york city, more than 2 days in nyc, getting around during a weekend in nyc, travel tips for experiencing new york in 2 days.

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We designed this New York weekend itinerary for first-time visitors to the city who want to pack in as many of NYC’s iconic attractions as possible, without getting overwhelmed or spending all of their time on a group tour.

If you’re an independent traveler who doesn’t shy away from touristy attractions but also wants to spend plenty of time pounding the pavement and exploring New York’s neighborhoods on foot, then this is the 2 day weekend in New York City itinerary for you.

Of course, with new attractions constantly popping up and many lifetimes worth of things to do in New York, there are as many possible 2 day NYC itineraries as there are people!

Don’t hesitate to cut stops that don’t appeal to you or add any must-sees that you’ve had on your bucket list.

Spending a long weekend in New York and looking for a deeper itinerary? 

We have more ideas for things to do in our 4 day NYC itinerary .

Looking for a more compact itinerary?

Our one day NYC itinerary is a quick but effective blitz through the highlights of the city!

Day 1 in NYC: Museums, Central Park, Views + Broadway

Start your weekend in new york with one of the city’s top museums..

There’s no better way to kick off your weekend in New York than with a peek inside one of the museums that help make the city so famous!

New York is littered with museums, from the enormous and iconic to the tiny and quirky, but to start your weekend off right, we recommend heading to one of the big 3.

The Metropolitan Museum of Art (Upper East Side)

The Metropolitan Museum of Art, also known as the Met, is New York’s premier art gallery.

Here, you can find more than 2 million works of art, including everything from American paintings to an impressive collection of historic armor sourced from around the world to Egyptian artifacts to entire Parisian rooms that have been relocated to New York.

This is also where you’ll find the famous steps of the Met that have shown up in so many movies and TV shows over the years!

Book skip-the-line tickets for the Met today, with no extra cost! Want to make sure you don’t miss anything iconic? This popular tour gets rave reviews and will show you the best of the Met!

American Museum of Natural History (Upper West Side)

Known for its impressive dinosaur fossils, including the first-ever found fossil from a Tyrannosaurus rex, the American Museum of Natural History is home to a mind-bogglingly large collection of specimens pertaining to the natural world.

This is one of our favorite museums in the world, and the one we personally chose to visit on our very first trip to New York!

Book tickets to the American Natural History Museum today!

The Museum of Modern Art (Midtown)

More of a modern art person?

Consider making your way to the famous Museum of Modern Art to start your quest to explore New York in 2 days!

The Museum of Modern Art is home to, among many other exhibits, Van Gogh’s Starry Night and works by Andy Warhol and Jackson Pollock.

Note that timed-entry tickets are required for visiting MOMA!

New York Travel Tip : Keep in mind that while the Met and Natural History Museum are both right next door to Central Park and located a mere 15-minute walk across the park from each other, MOMA is located south of the park in Midtown.

If you plan to visit MOMA, start your morning with a stroll through Central Park and then head to the museum, rather than the other way around.

Book your timed entry ticket for the Museum of Modern Art today!

Explore Central Park.

No weekend in NYC could possibly be complete without a visit to one of the most famous parks in the world!

Central Park is enormous and could easily eat up an entire day’s itinerary, which you quite honestly don’t have time for when trying to see New York in 2 days.

Here are a few park attractions to consider adding to your list: visiting Belvedere Castle, rowing across Central Park Lake in an adorable rowboat, checking out the Alice in Wonderland statue, snapping a photo on Bow Bridge, and visiting Bethesda Terrace.

If any particular Central Park attractions are must-sees for you, we highly recommend using your phone to navigate to them–otherwise, it’d be very easy to stroll through Central Park for ages and never see them, even if they’re technically just around the corner from you!

Make your way down Fifth Avenue.

Combining transportation with sightseeing is the best way to check out Fifth Avenue!

Exit Central Park at the southeast corner to position yourself to catch sight of some of the most famous Fifth Avenue attractions.

As you make your way further south toward the rest of the day’s highlights, be sure to slow down long enough to ogle Fifth Avenue’s famous stores and buildings.

Notable locations that you’ll pass on this section of Fifth Avenue include the Plaza Hotel, Tiffany & Co., and Bergdorf Goodman. 

The  Saks Fifth Avenue is also just a smidge past St. Patrick’s Cathedral, so if you’re the shopping type, be sure not to miss that stop, either!

Stop by St. Patrick’s Cathedral.

Arguably the most impressive religious structure in New York, the impressive Neo-Gothic St. Patrick’s Cathedral looks almost out of place on busy, modern, consumer-focused Fifth Avenue.

That’s part of its appeal, though, and the building is stunning and well worth a look inside.

Check out Rockefeller Center (and maybe Top of the Rock).

Turn 180 degrees away from St. Patrick’s Cathedral, you’ll be facing Rockefeller Plaza.

Walk toward the plaza and you’ll be confronted with Rockefeller Center, many recognizable stores (Lego, Nintendo, FAO Schwartz, etc.), the famous ice-skating rink in the winter, and Radio City Music Hall just slightly further down W 50th.

We highly recommend experiencing one of the best views of the Manhattan skyline on the first stay of your weekend in New York City, but whether that’s at Top of the Rock or the Empire State Building is entirely up to you!

If you do want to visit Top of the Rock, this is the perfect time to head up.

Head over to Grand Central Terminal.

Grand Central Terminal is just as busy as you might expect–and also just as beautiful.

Somehow, in all the TV shows and movies I saw the station featured in growing up, I never managed to catch sight of the stunning turquoise ceiling, and it’s now one of my favorite features of the building.

If you’re a fan of architectural quirks, be sure to also check out the Whispering Gallery in Grand Central Terminal as part of your 2 day New York itinerary!

Visit Bryant Park and the New York Public Library.

New York’s Public Library is made up of many buildings, of course, but the famous Stephen A. Schwarzman building on 5th is an absolutely unmissable piece of the city, especially for bibliophiles like us!

The iconic lion statues out front and the beautiful Rose Reading Room are both must-sees.

Not only is the building absolutely gorgeous, but it’s also free to visit, which will give your wallet a much-needed break (as I’m sure you’ve noticed by now, spending a weekend in NYC isn’t necessarily easy on the budget).

Depending on what time you visit, there’s a good chance you’ll see some wedding photos being snapped out front!

Want to relax a little after visiting the library and not quite ready to move on?

Bryant Park is right next door and is a great place to rest your feet for a bit.

Experience the most iconic view in New York City.

As arguably the most iconic building in New York City–and definitely the most iconic viewpoint–a visit to the Empire State Building is a must when exploring New York in 2 days!

Personally, I love the view from the Empire State Building.

Sure, the building itself isn’t in the shot, but being able to see all the way down to the Financial District and beyond, with the shape of Manhattan clearly carved out before you, is a marvel.

If you plan to head to the famous viewpoint on the 86th floor of the Empire State Building, you should absolutely book your tickets ahead of time : as one of the top things to do in NYC, it gets incredibly booked up!

Want to experience a brand new observation deck instead of one of the classics during your weekend trip?

Summit 1 Vanderbilt is located very close to Bryant Park and is another great option.

Book your tickets for the Empire State Building Observation Deck today!

Hit the theater and enjoy a show on Broadway.

There’s no better way to spend your first evening in New York than by taking in a Broadway show!

Personally, I adore the theater and we prioritize seeing at least one show every time we visit NYC, but even if you’re not generally a theater person, it’s worth experiencing the immersive experience of Broadway at least once.

While tickets to, say, Hamilton , might be exorbitantly expensive or even nearly impossible to come by, tickets to long-running classics like Chicago , Phantom of the Opera , Book of Mormon , or The Lion King are very easy to nab (even last-minute) and can be quite affordable.

Experience Times Square at night.

Yes it’s cheesy, yes it’s touristy, but it’s an iconic part of experiencing a weekend getaway in New York City!

Times Square at night is an absolute marvel, and finishing the night off here is a great way to end your first day in the city, especially since you’ll likely be right next door after wrapping up at your show of choice.

Be sure to be cautious of your pockets here–unsurprisingly, it’s one of the riskiest places for pickpocketing in the city.

Other than that, though, simply enjoy the lights and the photo ops!

Just remember: like any other tourist zone in the world, if you take photos of or make eye contact with one of the “characters” or street performers, they will want to be paid–we recommend not engaging with them at all.

Day 2 in NYC: Brooklyn + Lower Manhattan

Start your morning in dumbo..

When you’re prioritizing top attractions and trying to see NYC in 2 days, the inevitable result is that most of your time will be spent in Manhattan–but on your second morning, try squeezing in a tiny taste of Brooklyn!

DUMBO (Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass), is the Brooklyn neighborhood located right next door to the Brooklyn Bridge.

Here, you’ll find cobblestone streets, many boutiques, plenty of cafes, popular parks, bookstores , and a couple of the top photo spots in NYC.

Don’t miss the historic Jane’s Carousel or the skyline views from Pebble Beach!

And of course–don’t forget to stop by the intersection of Washington Street and Front Street, where you can capture the iconic Manhattan Bridge photo for yourself.

Be sure to note the way that the Empire State Building is perfectly framed in the arch of the bridge!

Make your way to Manhattan by walking the Brooklyn Bridge.

What better way to head back to Manhattan for the day, than by walking across the iconic Brooklyn Bridge?

By walking from Brooklyn to Manhattan rather than the opposite, you’ll be treated to stunning views of Manhattan’s skyline the whole way across.

The bridge is about 1.1 miles long, but it’s best to plan about an hour to walk the bridge in order to leave plenty of time for taking photos and soaking in the views!

Pay your respects at the 9/11 Memorial and Museum.

Without a doubt, visiting  the 9/11 Memorial and Museum is the most emotionally devastating part of this itinerary for a weekend in New York.

It’s also, of course, inseparable from visiting the Financial District in Lower Manhattan, the neighborhood that once called the Twin Towers home.

The memorial and the museum are technically separate destinations.

The memorial, which is located in the footprints of the two towers, is sobering and free to visit.

On the other hand, the museum is an intense, heartbreaking account of the events of 9/11 and the rescue and recovery events that followed, and is home to tens of thousands of artifacts and exhibits, including the preservation of first-person testimony.

If you hope to visit the museum, you’ll need to  purchase tickets in advance .

Regardless of whether or not you tour the museum during your trip, we highly recommend taking a moment to reflect at the memorial.

Book tickets to visit the 9/11 Memorial and Museum  today.

Check out the Oculus.

Part shopping mall, part subway stop, part memorial, part bizarre marvel, the Oculus is nothing if not unforgettable.

What do you see when you look at it: a whale, a bird, something else entirely?

And when you step inside, do you feel a bit swallowed?

It’s a bizarre place, but however strange, it’s also an emotionally charged one.

The Oculus is built right on Ground Zero, and, in addition to its other purposes, functions as a  somewhat subtle memorial to 9/11 .

… and the One World Trade Center.

As the tallest building in the Western Hemisphere, and the skyscraper that was built as the direct result of the Twin Towers being destroyed on 9/11, it’s safe to say that the One World Trade Center was always bound to be a famous New York City landmark.

However, it’s also home to an incredible view of NYC from its 100th, 101st, and 102nd floors!

If you’re looking for an alternative to the classic observation decks mentioned yesterday on this itinerary for a weekend in New York, the One World Observatory is a fantastic alternative (or, if you’re particularly fond of skyline views, an addition).

Book tickets for the One World Observatory today!

Visit Trinity Church.

The historic Trinity Church is still an active Episcopalian parish, and the Gothic revival building immediately sticks out on Wall Street as distinctly different from the more modern skyscrapers that surround it.

Hamilton  fans will no doubt recognize Trinity Church, whose cemetery holds the Founding Father and his family.

Alexander Hamilton was also involved with the congregation, whose history (though not the current building) dates to the 17th century.

Stop by Federal Hall.

Though the current structure is the third iteration of the original 1703 building, Federal Hall is worth dropping in on for its significance to a piece of American history that far predates the more modern vibe of the New York City Financial District as a whole.

It’s also right by the New York Stock Exchange, so it’s an easy addition to your itinerary for NYC in 2 days!

This is the spot where George Washington was sworn in as president, where the first US Congress was held, and also where–a bit earlier than the other two events–a letter to King George was drafted by the colonists formally protesting “taxation without representation”.

Federal Hall National Memorial is operated by the National Park Service and typically operates as an interesting and free-to-visit museum.

Unfortunately, in 2021, the memorial itself closed to the public due to structural concerns with the building.

We recommend checking the NPS website for updates regarding the future opening of Federal Hall.

Take a quick photo at the famous New York Stock Exchange.

Though visitors can’t go inside the Exchange, it’s worth taking a quick look at one of the most famous buildings in the city as you walk by during your 2 days in NYC!

Say hello to the Charging Bull.

To me, the Charging Bull is synonymous with the Financial District, and it’s hard to imagine that it wasn’t always there, waiting to greet visitors enjoying a weekend trip to New York.

In reality, though, you don’t have to go far back in history to find the origin of the Charging Bull: artist Arturo Di Modica first debuted the statue ( without permission ) in 1989.

The bull was conceived as a testament to the grit and determination of the American people, and New Yorkers in particular.

Today, it is incredibly popular to visit, so prepare to wait in line (or arrive at dawn) if you want to grab a photo with it!

I took the photo included here by standing off to the side and snapping quickly while two people changed places.

Head down to the Battery and enjoy the Statue of Liberty views.

The Battery is one of the most famous parks in NYC, in large part because it is where visitors board ferries to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island .

The Battery is also worth visiting for other reasons, though.

It’s home to Castle Clinton National Monument, beautifully shaded green space, many monuments and memorials, and views of the Statue of Liberty–a must-see if you don’t plan on getting closer to the monument during your NYC weekend trip (more on that below).

Wrap up your 2 days in New York in one of 3 ways.

To wrap up your weekend in New York itinerary, it’s simply too hard to narrow it down to one option!

Each of the 3 options outlined in this choose-your-own-adventure section of the itinerary offers a chance to see an iconic side of New York.

Pick the one that best appeals to your travel style and make the most of the end of your New York vacation!

Option 1: Visit the Statue of Liberty or Ellis Island. 

Want to visit one of the most popular tourist attractions in the world?

From The Battery, head to Liberty Island to experience the Statue of Liberty National Monument for yourself!

It took us an embarrassingly long time to get here, and we absolutely loved the experience and highly recommend it: everything from the views from the ferry to seeing the statue up close was a delight.

That being said, we opted not to climb the statue after hearing less-than-stellar reviews from local friends and had no regrets about that.

Also, with only an afternoon to work with, you likely won’t have time to visit the Statue of Liberty  and  Ellis Island during your NYC weekend, so you’ll need to choose one or the other (the statue is more iconic, Ellis Island’s museum is larger and arguably more interesting–your call!).

Visiting both, while possible, would eat up most of your second day in New York City.

The same ferry will take you to either destination.

Book your visit to the Statue of Liberty and/or Ellis Island today!

Option 2: Explore Washington Square Park and the West Village.

Washington Square Park is the center of NYU student life: campus buildings surround the square, it’s a great spot for people-watching (and more importantly, dog-watching), and it’s home to the famous Washington Square Arch.

From there, it’s easy to explore the West Village, one of the most famous neighborhoods in the city and one that is full of classic New York charm.

This is one of the oldest parts of New York City, and the streets have a tendency to wind together somewhat incomprehensibly here, looping back in on themselves and generally feeling worlds away from the wide, manicured avenues of Midtown.

If you’re a 90s sitcom fan, the West Village is probably best recognized as the home of Carrie Bradshaw and the gang from Friends  (if you’re the type to hunt down filming locations, you can find the buildings used for the exterior shots of both buildings nearby).

There’s also a national landmark in the West Village: the Stonewall Inn, which was the birthplace of the LGBT rights movement in 1969.

Today, you can find everything from trendy boutiques to delicious brunch spots to improbably small and photogenic coffee shops in the West Village, along with beautiful residential streets.

If you’re the kind of traveler who wants to spend part of their weekend in New York meandering through a maze of interesting streets, this is the itinerary option for you!

Option 3: Head to Chelsea Market and the High Line.

The Chelsea Market and High Line are also fabulous places to wrap up your 2 day New York itinerary!

Chelsea Market is practically overflowing with boutiques, shops, and endless delicious restaurants and food stalls (starting with Los Tacos No. 1, which is said to serve up some of the best tacos in New York).

To make the most of the overwhelming amount of choice, we highly recommend a Chelsea Market food tour to make the most of what the market has to offer.

The tour also includes a tour of the High Line and plenty of architecture and history facts, so you’ll be sure to stay entertained and learn a bit more about New York in between bites.

Once a railroad track and now a park, the High Line is popular for so many reasons.

It offers beautiful views of the surrounding area, and it’s an improbable, memorable, and eclectic use of space (why put a garden in the sky?).

The entire High Line is almost a mile and a half long, and don’t feel obligated to walk the whole thing–but even if you don’t sign up for a tour, definitely spend some time up there checking out the views and the art!

Book your Chelsea Market food + High Line tour today!

There’s no getting around it: New York is  expensive , and lodging is one of the major factors that will drive up your budget.

If you can, we recommend staying in Manhattan during your 2 day New York weekend getaway, ideally in the Village or Midtown.

We’re absolutely spoiled by having a friend who lives just a few blocks from Grand Central that we often stay with, and while Midtown isn’t necessarily the most trendy section of the city, it is extremely well-connected and home to many iconic sights.

It’s also centrally located and easy to get in and out to explore the rest of the city.

The traditional choices to try to save a bit of money on lodging by getting out of Manhattan–Williamsburg, DUMBO, Astoria, Long Island City–are all quite popular themselves now, but definitely take a quick look out there if you’re trying to save money.

Get much further out, though, and you’re going to be eating up your 2 days in New York by sitting on the subway, so be wary of that!

Our number one tip for choosing a place to stay in New York?

Make sure it’s within, say, a 10-minute walk of the subway.

Any further, and your commute every time you want to rest up in the hotel for an hour will get on your nerves immediately.

Also: renting a full apartment for less than 30 days where the host is not present on Airbnb is illegal in New York.

If you want to rent a private room in a place where the host is staying, have at it–but those prices are high, too (I know you’re shocked).

Here are a few well-reviewed hotel options to take a look at–you can’t go wrong with the locations on any of them, and they should give you an idea about what you’re going to be looking at budget-wise for places to stay in NYC.

Seton Hotel — Good reviews, a clean but no-frills property, and an excellent central location near Murray Hill all make the Seton Hotel an appealing option on a budget in NYC.

The Seton Hotel is a great pick if you want to be economical without dipping into a hostel (New York has very few hostel options) or staying further out.

Check rates & book your stay at the Seton Hotel!

Club Quarters Hotel Midtown (Times Square)  — Times Square can be a surprisingly affordable (in relative terms, that is) place to stay in New York.

The reason to consider staying nearby has nothing to do with Times Square itself, and everything to do with how well-connected it is transportation-wise to the rest of the city–it is very easy to get around from Times Square.

We’ve personally stayed in this hotel and while the room was small, the customer service was excellent and the location was phenomenal.

You can’t beat being within walking distance of highlights like Times Square, Grand Central, and the Empire State Building!

Check rates & book your stay at Club Quarters Hotel Midtown!

Library Hotel — As there is no end to the number of luxury hotel options in the city, I’ll go ahead and feature one that I’m personally dying to stay in!

The library-themed (and aptly named) Library Hotel is located right by the New York Public Library and boasts themed rooms, a stunning reading room, and a rooftop bar.

For bibliophiles–or just those looking for a swanky and popular property in a great location–you can’t go wrong with the Library Hotel if you’re looking for a piece of luxury during your weekend in New York City.

Check rates & book your stay at the Library Hotel!

Have more than a couple of days in New York City to work with and want to craft a longer NYC itinerary?

There is an absolutely overwhelming number of options to work with!

Here are just a few more things to consider adding to your list of sightseeing options: visiting Flushing in Queens to see (read: taste) the city’s largest Chinatown, visiting the (touristy, but enduringly popular) Little Italy and Chinatown in Manhattan, going shopping at the boutiques in SoHo, checking out Arthur Avenue in the Bronx for a taste of what Little Italy in Manhattan used to be, and paying a visit to Coney Island and nearby Brighton Beach.

If you’re a sports fan, you could also head out to the Bronx for a Yankees game.

You can also consider adding on some of the city’s hundreds of fascinating and lesser-known museums to your itinerary!

The Cloisters, the Frick Collection, the New York Transit Museum, the Museum of the City of New York, the Tenement Museum, and the Queens Museum (home to an entire miniature replica of New York City!) are all memorable options.

Hoping to experience more of Brooklyn? Neighborhood-hop through the borough, from trendy Williamsburg to refined Park Slope to quirky Bushwick , depending on your preferences.

From tracking down restaurants featured in movies to museum-hopping to seeking out the most memorable cheap bars in New York , there are truly millions of options for things to add to your NYC itinerary!

Wondering how exactly to get around when trying to see New York City in 2 days?

At the risk of stating the obvious, New York is dense, but it’s far from small, and you’ll need to plan on dedicating a decent amount of time to navigating the city.

Exactly how you end up managing transportation will depend on a combination of your travel style, budget, and group size.

Here’s a quick rundown of your options.

Our number one tip for getting around in New York?

Walk everywhere you can.

We’ve intentionally designed this itinerary for 2 days in NYC to be as walkable as possible, grouping attractions by geography.

True, you’ll still likely need to pick up alternate transport a few times a day–New York is enormous–but by walking where you can, you’ll save money, see more of the city, and often not waste any extra time.

Seriously: check the time difference in driving, catching the subway, and walking–in some spots and especially during rush hour, you’ll be shocked at home little of a time difference there is!

New York’s subway is not known for being well-run–quite the opposite, actually–but it’s still often one of the best ways to get around the city.

In order to ride, you must purchase a Metrocard, and from there you can buy a daily pass, a weekly pass, or simply buy tickets by the ride.

You can find updated fare details and information here .

If you’re visiting NYC in the summer , be prepared for the fact that not all subway lines come equipped with air conditioning!

Uber & Lyft

Uber and Lyft are popular in New York (Uber a bit more so), and are great options if you want to be driven and are coming from somewhere where taxis aren’t common.

At one point, ridesharing was generally a bit cheaper than the taxis, but changes over time plus many back-and-forth legal battles with the city have moved the needle enough that they’re normally about even on price.

New York’s iconic yellow taxis are most commonly found in Midtown, so if you’re looking to hail one, that’s the place to do it from!

The taxis are happy to take you anywhere, but good luck stepping outside and picking one up in, say, Brooklyn.

When the numbers on top of the cab are lit up, that means that the cab is open and accepting rides, and you can stick your arm out and hail it.

All New York taxi drivers are required to use the meter, and we’ve never had an issue with one trying not to.

You can pay by credit card.

Taxis are definitely a more expensive way to get around than the subway, but if you’re traveling with a group, it can be more economical than you might think.

Due to traffic, New York’s buses aren’t known for being reliably punctual, but if you’re looking to get somewhere via public transportation that doesn’t have a great subway connection, they are an option.

You can use the Metrocard that you purchased for the subway on buses as well.

Note that taking a bus  to  New York from a nearby city can be a great option–we’ve traveled from Boston to NYC via Megabus several times.

Rental Cars

Don’t bother driving on a weekend trip to New York City.

Just… don’t.

Pay careful attention to what airport you fly in and out of.

What do JFK, Newark, and LaGuardia all have in common?

They all service flights to New York City–and they’re not particularly close to each other.

Be sure to check and double-check what airport you’re flying into  and  out of.

The last thing you want to do is finish your couple days in New York by heading from Manhattan to JFK when your flight is leaving from Newark!

Know that you can’t see it all.

There’s no such thing as a weekend–or a year–or a decade–that encompasses everything that one of the most magnetic cities in the world has to offer, so don’t put too much pressure on yourself!

Make sure to leave enough time to enjoy each of the stops you do make, rather than worrying about hurrying to the next one.

Avoid empty subway cars.

If a subway car is empty, there’s a reason for it.

Your nose will thank you for braving the crowded car next door instead.

Bring cash.

A surprising number of New York bars and restaurants are cash-only, so come prepared!

Step out of the way if you need to stop on the sidewalk.

If there’s one thing New Yorkers are notorious for, it is moving fast and being abrupt–or even rude–on the street.

They’re not rude, they’re just busy, and wondering why in the world someone is holding up their morning commute!

If you need to stop on the sidewalk to check directions, especially if you’re in a crowded area, step off to the side first.

If you want to visit an Instagram sensation, prepare to wait… and pay.

Freakshakes. Cookie dough. Giant cotton candy. The Color Factory. The Museum of Ice Cream. Colorful, instagrammable NYC cafes.

Whatever the Instagram sensation is that recently happened across your social media feed, if it blew up within the past year, be prepared to wait in a long line to get your hands on it… and to pay a hefty fee.

There’s nothing wrong with trying these things out–some are fabulous, some are mediocre–but don’t plan your entire weekend in New York around them, or you’ll find yourself eating up too many precious sightseeing hours in line for gimmicks.

Consider picking one unmissable dish or experience, and then saving the rest for a different trip.

Wear very comfortable shoes.

Any New York itinerary is bound to involve lots and lots of walking, and this one is no different.

Bring shoes that you feel comfortable wearing all day, and your trip will automatically improve.

Check restaurant reviews before sitting down.

New York’s restaurant scene is consistently amazing… and constantly evolving.

Every day, new restaurants open, old ones close, and local favorites come under new management–it would literally be a full-time job to keep up with them all.

For that reason, we strongly recommend checking the reviews (we use Google reviews) on restaurants before picking a place to eat during your trip to NYC .

It’s the most reliable way to get up-to-date information about a location and ensure that you won’t be disappointed with a single meal you eat during your weekend in New York City!

About Kate Storm

In May 2016, I left my suburban life in the USA and became a full-time traveler. Since then, I have visited 50+ countries on 5 continents and lived in Portugal, developing a special love of traveling in Europe (especially Italy) along the way. Today, along with my husband Jeremy and dog Ranger, I’m working toward my eventual goal of splitting my life between Europe and the USA.

10 thoughts on “New York in 2 Days: The Perfect Weekend in NYC Itinerary”

I love NYC, but I’ve never been to the Natural History Museum. Something to add for the next trip!!

Oh, definitely! I’ve wanted to go there forever and it did not disappoint. :-)

your photo at the lego shop made me laugh!

Makes me smile, too! :-)

“Top of the Rock” is an HSAS song. Where did you go for Thai food?

We went to a place called “Lantern”. I don’t remember exactly where, we did a lot of following the people who knew where we were going on this trip!

Looks like you guys had a wonderful time, next time you have to do upstate New York number on the Hudson and Catskills area

We’ll add that to the list! :-) I swear that for every destination we cross off, we add five more…

I just looove NYC, your blog is awesome!! Ejnets in Lisboa

Thank you! We loved it too. :-)

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3 Days in NYC: How to Spend a Weekend in New York City

New York City is amazing. Full stop. The food. The energy. The arts and culture scene. All of it. We’re very much city people, and New York checks all the boxes in terms of what we love about cities. There’s so much to do and see in NYC that we’re pretty certain you could spend the better part of a decade trying to see it all, and still end up with things on your list that remain unchecked.

However, you don’t have a decade, do you? You’ve only got something like a weekend in New York City, so you’re going to have to be strategic if you want to see the best that the city has to offer in a few days.

Which is where we come in.

We’re not NYC locals by any means, but we’ve spent a full week in New York City on two separate occasions over the past few years, and have a pretty good perspective on how to explore the city as a tourist. We’ve done most of the major attractions, and have some (sometimes strong) opinions on what’s worthwhile – and arguably more importantly, what’s not – that we think will be helpful as you plan your New York City itinerary.

In this (admittedly very long) guide to spending a weekend in NYC, we’re going to take you through exactly how we’d spend 3 days in New York City.

It’s all based on our own personal experience, and we’ve done our best to create an NYC itinerary that we’d actually want to follow ourselves. Sprinkled in, you’ll find some museums, some Broadway, and a lot of walking (and eating). Plus, some hidden gems – like the New York Public Library – that we discovered mostly by accident and think are definitely worth your valuable time.

Along the way, we’ll also help you answer some of the less exciting – but equally important – questions like where you should stay, what airport to fly into, and how to get around.

Sound good? Grab a cup of coffee (or tequila) and buckle in – this one’s a long one – as we dive deep into how to plan an amazing 3 day NYC itinerary.

PS: Planning a trip to NYC? We’ve got some other super detailed travel guides you might find useful. Read our guide to where to stay in NYC for a detailed breakdown of the best areas to stay for your trip to help you choose the perfect one. And our guide to the best gluten free restaurants and bakeries in NYC if you’re a gluten free foodie, like us.

Disclaimer: Some of the links in this post, like hotel links, are affiliate links, meaning at no additional cost to you, we make a little bit of money if you click through and book. That being said, we would never recommend something to you that we don’t stand behind 100%.

Is 3 Days in New York City Enough?

Is 3 days in literally any major city enough time to see it all? No, definitely not. Especially in a city as big, diverse, and interesting as New York. 

But there is a but. 

But, we totally understand that you probably have limited vacation time, and are using the weekend to make the most of it. You could absolutely spend a week, a month, a year in New York City, but the reality is that you don’t have that kind of time.

3 days in New York City gives you a decent amount of time to explore Manhattan, and spend a half day or so over in Brooklyn. You won’t be able to visit every museum and eat every delicious meal that the city has to offer, but you can get a taste of it, with plenty to see next time. 

If you want to add a day trip over to Governors Island, spend more time in Brooklyn, or see some of the other museums or Broadway shows, add another day for each of those things.

If you’ve only got two days, plan on spending both days in Manhattan (which means not going over to Brooklyn), one day in Midtown / Central Park, and one day in Lower Manhattan. 

The main New York City itinerary below is written for 3 days, but in a section below we have guides on how to spend one, two, and more than three days in New York to help you organize your trip if you have more or less time in the city.  

Where to Stay for a Long Weekend in New York City

New York City is massive, so where you choose to stay is going to have a huge impact on what your weekend is like.

To avoid spending your entire trip in transit, we’d strongly encourage you to stay in Manhattan. Some people like the idea of staying in Brooklyn somewhere, but it’s really inconvenient if you’re going to be spending most of your time doing the main tourist attractions in New York City. Which is what this itinerary is written for.  

If it’s your second or third trip and you’re less interested in things like Central Park, the museums, and Broadway, and you’re more interested in eating and drinking your way through Brooklyn, that’s when you should consider staying in Brooklyn. 

Now, where should you stay in Manhattan? We’ve got three options for you, and we’ve actually personally stayed in all of them, which gives us a unique ability to evaluate the pros and cons of each. 

If you want more detail, you definitely should read our massive detailed guide to where to stay in New York City , which has a deep dive on each of these three neighborhoods with pros and cons, neighborhood highlights, and some cool places to stay. 

Here’s the short version. 

• Our overall recommendation based on our own experience is the Flatiron District / NoMad . It’s on the southern end of Midtown Manhattan, which means you’re right in the center of all the action. But it’s far enough removed from the hecticness around Times Square that you’ll have a little more peace and quiet (if such a thing is even possible in NYC). Greenwich Village, the East Village, Chelsea, and Midtown are all within walking distance, and everything else is a short Subway ride away. We’ve stayed at (and liked) the Ace Hotel and the Freehand . While nothing is particularly affordable in NYC, the Freehand is one of the better values in the city. 
• The best place to stay for first timers who want to be as central as possible is going to be Midtown Manhattan . This area is just north of NoMad (the area we recommended above) and is walkable to Times Square, Rockefeller Center, Broadway, and Central Park. It’s more crowded and packed with people at all hours, but it’s hard to beat the convenience. We LOVE CitizenM Hotels , who have a Times Square location. We’ve stayed in three of their hotels – Boston, Seattle, and London – over the past four months at the time of writing, and every single time we walk away impressed with the modern, streamlined experience from check-in (where you get to select your room, essentially) to check out. Matt also stayed at the Arlo Midtown on his last (solo) trip to NYC, and it’s a stylish option in a nice location with a cool rooftop bar.
• The last option we’d recommend is Chelsea or Greenwich Village , which are adjacent neighborhoods in southwestern Manhattan. While not as central as the two options above, Greenwich Village in particular (and Chelsea, to a lesser extent) is the place to be for foodies . The whole area around Washington Square Park, the centerpiece to the area, is a lovely place to spend an evening, and it’s full of the brownstones you see in series like Friends and Seinfeld. If you’re on a budget, look at the Leo House in the heart of Chelsea. If you’re not, stay at the Moxy Chelsea or the Walker Hotel , the latter of which is a few blocks off of Washington Square Park. 

Flying to New York City: Which Airport to Choose?

This is a hotly debated topic among New Yorkers, and the several people who I asked all basically said the same thing; “it depends.” 

There are three main airports that serve New York City. 

John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK)

The main airport is John F Kennedy International (JFK) , which is a fair distance east of the city center. It does have the best selection of flights, both domestic and international, but it’s a TREK to get to.

It took me 75 minutes to get from Midtown to the airport in a Lyft on a previous trip, and the Subway takes a full 90 minutes or so.

Here’s a guide to getting from JFK to Manhattan by public transit, which costs just $10.75 (AirTrain + Subway fare) and is BY FAR the cheapest option.

For a slightly more comfortable ride, take the LIRR from Penn Station to Jamaica Station and transfer to the Airtrain, which is $15.75 (off-peak) and closer to $20 for peak travel times.

For what it’s worth, I did the LIRR → AirTrain on my last trip, and it was seamless and easy to navigate. 

LaGuardia Airport (LGA)

Closer in, just northeast of the city center in Queens, is LaGuardia Airport (LGA) . There’s a fair selection of domestic flights going in and out of LaGuardia, particularly on American and Delta, but not as good as JFK.

Plus, the public transit links are a bit tougher because you have to use both a bus (the Q70 is a pretty easy connection though) and the Subway (more on how to do that here ), so a cab or rideshare is probably going to be your best bet. Plan on $70 and 45-60 minutes to complete that journey.

Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR)

On the other side of Manhattan in New Jersey is Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR).

This is a hub for United, and to quote Alysha who flew out of Newark for our trip, “this airport is a sh*tshow.” We’d avoid Newark if you can, but if you’re flying United (why would you do that?) then you might end up here.

Here’s a guide to getting to and from Newark via public transportation.

There are a couple of options, but none are particularly easy – they all involve at least one transfer. A cab or Lyft, while expensive ($50-80, give or take), is the fastest way to get into Midtown. I just looked, and with morning traffic at 9:30am on a Monday, it’s only about 40 minutes.

So, Which Airport Should You Fly Into (if You Have a Choice)?

The question is, which should you choose? Of course, this totally depends on a bunch of different factors, but here’s our take based on personal experience and talking with friends who live (or have lived) in NYC. 

If you’re staying in Manhattan (you probably are), then it makes the most sense to choose either LaGuardia or Newark. While neither are directly connected to the Subway system, they both are closer to Manhattan than JFK, which means a shorter cab / Lyft journey to your hotel. However, public transportation is a little tougher from both airports. 

If you’re staying in Brooklyn, OR you want to take the Subway to the airport, then you’ll want to choose JFK. JFK also has the best flight selection, especially for international routes, so if you’re coming from outside of the US, this is probably where you’ll land. 

Or, if you’re like us, just choose the airport that gets you the cheapest (direct) flight and deal with how to get into the city later. 

3 Days in NYC: A Complete Itinerary for a Long Weekend in New York City

Because there is SO MUCH to do and see in New York City, just about everyone is going to have a different take on the best way to spend your time.

Our version includes a couple of museums – but not spending all of your time inside a museum – and a lot of exploring on foot. Walking is our favorite way to see a city, and NYC is flat and walkable. Aside from the fact that it’s massive, which means you’ll need to use the Subway or ferries at some points. 

What you won’t find in the meat of this guide is detailed food recommendations UNLESS they are an easy stop along the route. Instead, we’ve compiled a list of our top NYC eats in a separate section at the bottom of this post. 

P.S.: Matt has Celiac Disease, which means he needs to eat strictly gluten free (hence the name of our website). We have a huge guide to the best gluten free restaurants in NYC if you’re in the same boat, but still want the best bagels, pastries, and tacos in the city!

Day 1: Times Square, Midtown Manhattan, and Central Park

On your first day in New York City, we’d spend your time getting acquainted with Midtown Manhattan, which in many ways is the beating heart of the city. At least for tourists, anyway.

Start in Times Square and make your way in a circle, getting one of the best views in NYC, exploring the two best parks in the city, and seeing the best church in the city. Then, spend the afternoon at one of the city’s best museums and take a self-guided walking tour of Central Park before dinner and drinks in Midtown. 

Times Square

Look, Times Square is A LOT. We’ve been there early in the morning, late afternoon around sunset, and after the sun goes down when the bright lights really blaze.

If you’re looking for the whole experience – the street performers, the characters trying to get you to take a picture with them (spoiler: you have to pay them afterwards!), and the throngs of people, then by all means come later in the day. 

If you want to check out Times Square without all of those less pleasant (in our opinion, anyway) elements, come early in the morning. There will still be people around – it’s arguably the biggest tourist attraction in the country – but it is a lot less hectic and chaotic. 

There’s really not much else to say about Times Square. It’s worth seeing once, but it’s probably not worth lingering. One thing we will say is that just about every restaurant in and around Times Square is not worth your time. 

With one exception – Los Tacos No.1 – which also has a location in Chelsea Market. At both locations, the lines are almost always at least 20-30 minutes long. The wait is supposedly worth it, but they have both flour and corn tortillas, which means we don’t get to eat here (because Matt has Celiac Disease and a few crumbs of gluten is bad news barnacles for his body). 

NY Public Library

The New York Public Library , which is right at Bryant Park, was a surprisingly great stop on our last trip to New York. The building – the Stephen A. Schwarzman Building – is iconic, and is the flagship location of the NYPL system. It was built over a century ago, and opened to the public in 1911 after a couple of decades of construction. 

It’s free to enter, though at the moment you do need to make a timed entry reservation to get into the Polonsky Exhibition (more on that in a second). You can make them onsite – they have a couple of stations to register – but they might sell out at peak times and in the summer. 

There are a couple of things to do and see here. The first is the Polonsky Exhibition which is a collection of items spanning from a handwritten copy of the Constitution by Thomas Jefferson, to the actual stuffed animals that inspired Winnie the Pooh. There’s a really cool free audio guide that you can access online with your smartphone, so make sure to bring headphones to take advantage !

The second thing to do here is a docent-led tour of the building . They’re currently offered at 11:00 am and 2:00 pm Monday through Saturday (that may change so double check the website) and last an hour. You can make reservations here , and tours are limited to the first 15 people who sign up. 

There’s also a shorter version of the tour that takes you just to the impressive Rose Reading Room. 

Bryant Park

Just outside the library is Bryant Park, a green oasis in the heart of the city’s densest area. 

If you’ve got more time and it’s a nice day, they have a reading room, some board games – chess and Connect4, for example – to rent, ping pong, petanque, and more. It’s an exceedingly pleasant place to spend a couple of hours in the sun. 

On a random Thursday when we were in town, there was a big group of people gathered near the fountain at the opposite end of the park from the library. There was a huge dance party going on! It was super fun, and something that feels uniquely “New York.” So much energy!

One of the cooler parts about Bryant Park is their events schedule. From petanque tournaments on summer Fridays, to opera and dance performances, they have a continuous calendar of art and cultural events in the summer. You can find the calendar here – we think it’s worth it to return later in the day if there’s an event you’re into.  

A coffee note : If you’re in need of a little caffeine boost, head over to Culture Espresso , a few blocks south of Bryant Park at W 38th Street and 6th Avenue. When I was there last, they used Heart Coffee from Portland , which I was surprised to see so far from home!

Rockefeller Center & the Top of the Rock

A lot of people want to go to the top of the Empire State Building, which is understandable I suppose, given its standing in the pantheon of tourist attractions in the United States. However, we’ve found that the top deck of the Empire State Building suffers a similar problem to other viewing platforms on top of major tourist attractions, like the Eiffel Tower in Paris or the Space Needle in Seattle . 

It’s missing a key element of the NYC skyline… the Empire State Building. 

Instead, head over to the Top of the Rock Observation Deck, the viewing platform on top of Rockefeller Center, for a jaw-dropping view of New York City, including the Empire State Building and Central Park. It’s pricey, but it’s the best view of the city for us. 

More information, including costs, hours, and reservations, can be found here . 

St. Patrick’s Cathedral

New York City isn’t really known for its churches in the way that Paris or Rome are, mainly because it’s historically a more protestant city, which means less ostentatious churches. It’s not all that surprising that the preeminent Catholic church in the city is also the most impressive. 

St. Patrick’s Cathedral is basically right across the street from Rockefeller Center. 

Built in the mid 19th Century, St. Patrick’s Cathedral is an impressive structure. The contrast between the Gothic Revival style and the modern structures surrounding it is quite something. 

There’s a tour, but it’s $20 for a self-guided audio tour . You can decide whether you think that’s worth it, but I can tell you that we don’t think it is. We’d pay for a live guided tour, though. 

Choose Your Own (Museum) Adventure

We’ve done three of the major museums in NYC, and while all of them were excellent, we also don’t think it’s worth spending your entire New York City itinerary indoors at a museum.

Plus, unlike London where many of the museums are free, these museums aren’t particularly cheap.

Instead, we’d pick one and go deep on that museum, which will take you the better part of an afternoon. We’d set aside two to four hours, depending on how deep you want to go. 

The three museums we’re talking about are the Metropolitan Museum of Art , the Natural History Museum , and MOMA (the Museum of Modern Art) . 

Here’s our take on which museum you should choose. All three offer a very different experience, and it really depends on what you’re looking for. 

If you want to see a sprawling collection of art, architecture, and culture from around the world, choose the Met . The Met is like the Louvre in Paris – it has just about everything. And it’s a little overwhelming. The craziest part of this collection is the fact that only a relatively small percentage of the collection is actually on display. The rest is tucked away in storage. Tickets are $25 for adults, and we’d recommend buying them online in advance to skip the line at the museum ticketing desk. Closed Wednesdays. More information on planning your visit here . 

If you want to see a more focused (sort of) collection of art from the 19th, 20th, and 21st Centuries, head to MOMA . The highlights of this collection, at least in our opinion, are Van Gogh’s Starry Night , Monet’s Water Lilies , and a lot of the colorful abstract art on the top floor. Definitely start with the fifth floor while you’re fresh, which was our favorite and is where you’ll find all three of those pieces, and make your way down through the rest of the collection. Tickets are $25 for adults, and we’d recommend buying them online in advance to skip the line at the museum ticketing desk. Closed Wednesdays. More information on planning your visit here . 

If you’re more into nature, impressive animal skeletons (like a T-Rex!), or you have kids, then we’d opt for the American Museum of Natural History , which is across Central Park from the Met. They have a bunch of cool permanent collections and a rotating group of special exhibits that cost extra. The highlights of the permanent collections for us include the blue whale skeleton, a gigantic T-rex, and Lucy, the most intact early hominid skeleton we’ve found. Tickets are $23 for adults, and you need to buy them online in advance . They’re open Wednesday to Sunday. More information on planning your visit here . 

Central Park 

Spend the rest of your afternoon in Central Park, which is the biggest park in the country. 

What’s that? It’s not? Oh right, Golden Gate Park – which we used to live two blocks from in San Francisco – is actually significantly bigger. Central Park isn’t even the biggest park in New York City! Pelham Park in the Bronx and the Greenbelt in Staten Island are significantly bigger. Both are more than double the size. 

Still, Central Park is amazing considering the location right in the center of the most densely populated pieces of land in the world. The fact that it’s not overrun by dog poop and trash (or, development) is a testament to the work that the Central Park Conservancy has put in over the centuries. 

Central Park is absolutely massive, and you probably are not going to be able to see every single one of the 800+ acres in one afternoon.

With that in mind, we’d focus your time on the southern end of the park. Start at “The Pond” in the southeastern corner, and make a loop up to “The Lake” and Bow Bridge (stop at Belvedere Castle before looping back), before heading back past Bethesda Terrace and walking along the Mall to Columbus Circle . 

We know that’s a lot – here’s a Google Map route of that walk. It’s about 2.5 miles, and will take about two hours, with stops. 

There’s a cool audio guide with QR codes around the park where you can learn about the history as you walk. 

Day 2: Lower Manhattan and Brooklyn

On your second day in New York City, start with Lower Manhattan, which is the gateway to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, before hopping on the ferry over to Brooklyn for the afternoon and evening.

The Charging Bull, The New York Stock Exchange, and Coffee

Start your day by making your way to Lower Manhattan. For most people, unless you’re staying there, that means hopping on the Subway. If you’re coming from Midtown, you can take the 1 to South Ferry or the 2 or 3 to Wall Street . 

First, coffee. Black Fox Coffee in Lower Manhattan was one of my favorite spots for coffee in the entire city, and it’s a perfect place to start your day. They rotate through different roasters from all over the world (including Square Mile from London and Coffee Collective from Denmark when I was there), and have single origin coffee options, espresso drinks, and inventive specialty drinks like a sesame chai that Alysha really enjoyed. 

Next, head west on Wall Street towards the New York Stock Exchange , which isn’t really particularly special, but is worth stopping by to see what company is doing an IPO that day, with their banners draped over the front of the building and their PR people milling about taking thousands of photos. 

From there, continue along Wall Street until it ends at Trinity Church . Alexander Hamilton is buried here in the graveyard outside the church.

It’s an Episcopal church, which essentially means it’s an Anglican church – the church that the Royal Family in Great Britain started to, uh, “get in on the cash grab” according to a historian we met in London – but in the United States (or various other places in the world). 

The Anglican movement is an offshoot of Protestantism, but – and stop me if you’ve heard this before – the British didn’t want to be beholden to people on the European mainland, so they decided to set out on their own. 

Why not just be an Anglican church, you ask? Well, because after the American Revolution, it wasn’t exactly cool in America to be required to swear allegiance to the crown. Which is what the Anglican church has to do because the Royal Family are seen as holy. 

Anyway, at the time of our visit we’re pretty sure you couldn’t actually go in, but it’s worth walking around the southeast corner of the church, where you can see the graveyard and the resting place of Alexander Hamilton. 

From there, it’s a short two blocks down to the final stop of this mini walking tour of Lower Manhattan, which is the bronze Charging Bull statue.

If you don’t get here early, you’ll likely have to wait in line to see it (there were lines starting at about 9:30 or 10:00 am when we were there). It’s a symbol of financial prosperity (a “bull market” is a good thing), and is basically the symbol of Wall Street for tourists. 

In our opinion, the cooler thing to see here is the park right behind the bull, which is Bowling Green , the oldest public park in NYC. The fence around the park is original from the 18th Century! 

If you’re interested, the building at the south end of the park is cool – the Alexander Hamilton U.S. Custom House – and it houses the National Museum of the American Indian , which is free to visit and worth poking your head into for both an education on the history of American Indians, and the building itself. 

Battery Park

From there, it’s a quick walk over to Battery Park, which is a cool park at the southern tip of Lower Manhattan. 

To be honest, the main function of Battery Park is to house multiple ferry terminals – you can get the Staten Island Ferry , the ferry out to Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty (we’ll get there in the next section), and the ferry to Governors Island .  

However, there is a view of the Statue of Liberty from the very southern end of the park, though it’s a distant one.

If you have the time, it’s worth coming back here around sunset, when you can get a nice shot of the Statue of Liberty off in the distance with the orange-pink clouds above. It was a very enjoyable way to close out a day of exploring NYC. 

The main reason you’re here is because, as we mentioned above, it’s the jumping off point for heading out to Ellis Island and Liberty Island. 

Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty

Did you know that there are actually two islands that make up the Statue of Liberty complex? Until very, very recently, I thought that Ellis Island WAS the island that the Statue of Liberty was one. But I was mistaken! Instead, the Statue of Liberty is just southwest on Liberty Island. 

You learn something new everyday, I guess. 

Both islands are symbols of the promise of the American Dream. The famous saying engraved on the Statue of Liberty reads “Give me your tired, your poor, Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free.” We welcomed millions of immigrants – including countless refugees – with open arms, offering the promise of a better life full of opportunity. 

Of course once they settled, the reality of the United States, which is decidedly not as rosy as the ideals it was built on, became apparent. 

Ironically, the history of Ellis Island actually reflects that dichotomy – it became a detention center in the early 1900’s as nativism and isolationism took hold in the country.

Following that rocky period, several laws were passed to limit the number of immigrants coming into the country after decades of an open door policy with basically zero paperwork. 

Then, shortly before closing forever in 1954, it was used to detain immigrants who had ties to facist and communist regimes around the world.

Given the current discourse in our politics, it seems like some of our countrymen may have forgotten that America, at its core, has always been a nation of immigrants. There is no better reminder of that than Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty. 

Both of our families immigrated to the United States through Ellis Island (ironically, both of our families had people coming from Sicily – are we secretly related?), and followed the same route as 12 million other Americans between 1892 and the 1950’s. 

The islands are only accessible by ferry, and the ferries leave from Battery Park at the southern tip of Manhattan, making stops at both islands. 

If you want to go to the National Immigration Museum and the Family History Center (where you can search arrival records to potentially see your family’s name), then you want Ellis Island. If you want to check out the Statue of Liberty up close and personal (and visit the accompanying museum ), you want Liberty Island. 

If you want to do both, you totally can but it will take somewhere between two and four hours, depending on how quickly you move. Given limited time, we’d focus on Liberty Island unless you’re making a specific trip to search out your family’s history coming through Ellis Island. 

All of the various museums and attractions are included in your ferry ticket price, so you don’t need to buy individual tickets for each attraction. 

There are self-guided audio guides available for all of the major attractions. 

The 9/11 Memorial

The 9/11 Memorial, which is on the site of the original World Trade Center, is a museum and monument dedicated to the victims of September 11th, 2001, an important day in American history. 

I don’t know where you were on September 11th, but I distinctly remember EXACTLY where I was.

I grew up in Washington State in the Seattle area, so we were three hours behind in terms of time of day. So the attack on the World Trade Center interrupted my morning before school cartoon routine (Pokemon, for those of you wondering). 

Then, I headed off to 6th grade, and we spent the entire day alternating between watching the news and talking about what had happened. As a sixth grader, I didn’t really appreciate what was going on, but I’ve since realized that it was a pivotal moment in modern American history. 

There are two parts to this experience – the Museum and the Memorial . The memorial, which has two reflecting pools with black squares in the center, stands on the site of the original twin towers. The museum is a multimedia experience that tells the story of 9/11. 

If you’re really interested in going deep, I’d recommend checking out their tours. That’s how we would’ve chosen to experience the museum (though as we talk about below, we tried to get free tickets, failed, and ended up skipping it this time). 

Tickets are relatively expensive, but if you happen to be in town on a Monday, then you can visit for free. You’ll need to get on at 7:00 am (on the dot) on Monday morning, go to this page , and try to snag a few of the small number of same day free tickets that are available. We were unsuccessful, so we actually ended up skipping the museum. 

Oculus Center

Right across the street from the 9/11 Museum and Memorial is the Oculus Center, which is a giant white structure that’s supposed to look something like two hands releasing a dove. I say “supposed to” because it’s so big that it’s hard to get a perspective that actually allows you to visualize that. 

It was built following the September 11th attacks to function as part transport hub, part commercial center. Today, there are a bunch of Subway lines that run through it and it’s the Lower Manhattan station for PATH (a high-speed rail network connecting New Jersey and New York City). 

It’s worth stepping inside the ground floor in mid-morning, when there is a ton of natural light pouring through the windows lining the high ceilings. There’s also a few high-end shops like Moleskine and an Apple Store here. 

Really, we’d visit just for the architecture. One tip we got after we had been here – try to come midday if you can. Since it’s a transportation hub, it’s very, very busy during commute hours (8:00-10:00am, 3:00-6:00pm, ish).  

Ferry to Brooklyn Bridge Park

From there, head over to the eastern end of Lower Manhattan to Pier 11 ( here on Google Maps), which is where you can catch the East River Ferry to head over to Brooklyn. 

The ferry is, by far, the best way to get over to Brooklyn from Manhattan in our opinion. It’s nicer than the Subway, the views are better than the Subway, and you can sit outside on the deck on a nice day. 

Plus, it takes you directly to where you need to go to continue this itinerary!

Basically, the ferry costs $2.75 a ride ($1.00 more if you bring a bike), you buy tickets in advance before boarding either through the app or at the ticketing machines onsite, and it moves FAST once you’re on the water.

For this particular route, you want the South Brooklyn ferry heading north towards Corlears Hook. Your stop is DUMBO. You can also take the East River Ferry towards Hunter’s Point South, which takes you to the same stop (DUMBO). See both routes and a map of the ferry system here . 

Walk a Loop through Brooklyn Bridge Park and Brooklyn Heights

From the ferry terminal, you’re going to make two loops. 

One will take you south along the waterfront, then up the hill and back through Brooklyn Heights, where you’ll have some excellent views of Manhattan first from the water level, and then from up a few stories higher. 

The other will take you from the ferry terminal to the east, stopping at the famous DUMBO photo spot of the Manhattan Bridge and making your way through the heart of DUMBO. 

First, make your way south along the waterfront to Pier 6. This walk takes you along the waterfront of the East River, which is pretty much just amazing views of Manhattan from start to finish. In particular we enjoyed the views at the beginning of the walk, particularly from Old Pier 1 . 

This part of the walk is a good illustration of the way that the city has used formerly industrial areas and transformed them into green spaces along the waterfront. There’s another good example of this tomorrow, where you’ll stop at Little Island on the other side of Manhattan. 

From there, head up into Brooklyn along Atlantic Avenue, hang a left on Clinton Street, and another left on Montague Street, which takes you down to Brooklyn Heights Promenade, which you can follow back to the DUMBO Ferry (the start of your next walk). 

Here’s a map of the route . All-in, it’s going to take you about an hour (not including stops) and is a 2.7 mile walk. 

DUMBO Walk #2 (Jane’s Carousel and the Insta-Famous Photo)

The other side of this figure eight loop is less about the Manhattan views, though it still certainly has some of those, but more about the food and drinks (sometimes with a view). 

Start out heading east along the waterfront, where you’ll hit Jane’s Carousel almost immediately, and continue all the way out to John Street Park (stop by Pebble Beach right after the carousel for good Manhattan views). 

Then, loop back through Dumbo, stopping at the spot where you can get that famous photo of the Manhattan Bridge with brick buildings on either side and a picturesque cobblestone street in the foreground.

It’s here on Google Maps, and it’s likely to be swarming with people trying to get the perfect picture (spoiler: to get that, you have to come before 7:00 am…which I did). 

Here’s a map of the route, although this one is definitely more dependent on what you’re craving. If you’re up for beer, head to Evil Twins Brewing . For beer on a cool rooftop, head to Randolph (summer and fall only). For wine, head to Olympia . If you’re up for ice cream, head to Oddfellows . This whole area is full of cool places to eat and drink. 

Here’s a rough map of what this walk might look like, starting at the ferry terminal and looping back through the heart of DUMBO. 

Time Out Market 

End your walk in DUMBO at the Time Out Market , which is a multi-level food hall with a rooftop bar and an endless selection of places to eat and drink. The first iteration of Time Out Market that we experienced was in Lisbon , and this one is even more impressive, with more vendors and a cool rooftop bar. 

P.S. : If you’re confused why an online travel media company has a food hall, you’re not alone. We had the same confused thought before our trip to Portugal when we were reading about the Time Out Market in Lisbon. You can read about how it came to be here . 

If you’re here in the morning (or early afternoon), stop by Ess-A-Bagel , which was recommended to us by our friends, who are bagel aficionados (definitely not gluten free though, so only good for Alysha). 

If you’re up for a drink with a view, head up to the fifth floor to their rooftop (ish) bar. Love Local Beers sells a bunch of local beers that you can take to enjoy out on the terrace (or at home). 

Dinner and Drinks in Brooklyn

If you’re up for staying in Brooklyn for a bit more time, there’s some good food and drinks to be had over on this side of the river. 

One of our favorite restaurants in NYC – Claro – is over in Brooklyn. It’s inspired by Oaxaca, where the head chef spent a bunch of time, and their back patio is an amazing place to have a cocktail and try their food.

It’s expensive, and it’s a tasting menu. Make a reservation early, and order the strawberry aguachile and the chocolate mole cake for dessert. 

If you’re looking for a more budget-friendly (but equally delicious) option for Mexican food, head to For All Things Good in Bed Stuy. Honestly, it was a close second to Claro in terms of our favorite food we ate in NYC.

For a drink, head to Cardiff Giant, who has a nice back patio full of greenery, and beer, wine, and cider exclusively from NY State, which I enjoyed learning from the bartender about. 

If cocktails and pinball sound like a good time, Glorietta Baldy is the spot for you. 

Day 3: Chelsea, Greenwich Village, and a Show

On your third day in New York City, explore the western end of Manhattan, starting in Chelsea with a walk on the High Line, heading south into Greenwich Village, and ending back in Midtown to catch a show, which is a must-do in NYC if you’ve never seen a Broadway (or off-Broadway show before). 

The High Line

Start your last day in New York City with a walk along the High Line, a former railroad that has been transformed into a nice elevated greenspace that goes from the southern end of Hell’s Kitchen to the southern end of Chelsea. 

As cities get more and more dense, we’re going to have to find more ways to create green spaces in a neverending concrete jungle. The High Line is a cool example of thinking (slightly) outside the box and turning an unused space – in this case, a railroad – into a public green space. 

It only stretches about a mile, from the entrance at W 30th Street on the north end down to Gansevoort Street on the south end (just south of W 12th Street). We’d recommend that you walk the whole thing, starting here .

Don’t miss Vessel , a cool industrial structure that consists of more than 150 interconnected staircases with some cool city views. It’s right near the entrance to the High Line ( here on Google Maps).

Along the way, you’ll see some unique architecture, the coolest parking garage in existence (the cars are stacked vertically), and plenty of flowers and greenery that feels out of place in industrial Chelsea. 

On Tuesday, Wednesday, and Saturday, there are free docent-led tours of the High Line that take you through the history of the park, including its beginnings as a railroad through its transformation over the past few decades.

Tours begin at the Gansevoort Street entrance ( here on Google Maps), and last about 90 minutes. The timing of tours varies by season and you can see the times here . 

I wish we had realized that these tours were available before Wednesday afternoon, because this is something we definitely would have been interested in. 

The High Line has become so popular that in the summer – through the end of September – you actually need to make reservations for peak times (12:00 pm – 6:00 pm) on the weekend and holiday Mondays (Memorial Day, July 4th Weekend, Labor Day). More information on making reservations here . 

Little Island

Speaking of repurposed industrial spaces, Little Island is another great example of a rundown industrial space in the city that has been transformed into an accessible green space.

In this case, it’s Pier 54 on the Hudson River that is now a multi-tier outdoor space. It’s one of the newest public parks in NYC, opening in March of 2021. 

Really, the entire section of the Hudson River is full of nice green spaces, which is another cool way to create a little break from the concrete jungle that is Midtown Manhattan. 

Again, during peak hours you’ll need to make a timed entry reservation to access Little Island. The dates are May 12 through September 19th, and you’ll need a reservation from 12:00 pm to close on Thursday through Sunday (and holidays). 

They have free events almost every day in the summer, in addition to bigger ticketed events . Seeing a show or performance in the little amphitheater on the river would be a fun night out!

If you’re interested in the history and construction, there’s a 40 minute audio tour that’s completely free!

After you exit the High Line at its southern end, you’ll head out to the river and walk a little ways north to get there. When you’re done here, cross back over the road towards Midtown and you’ll basically be at Chelsea Market, your next stop. 

Chelsea Market

Chelsea Market is a collection of mostly food stalls, with some shopping (even a flea market – Thursday to Monday: 11:00am – 7:00pm) mixed in. It’s a great stop for an early lunch / late breakfast before you continue south to Greenwich Village. 

Some of the food highlights here are Friedman’s , which is a brunchy restaurant with tons of gluten free options (including fried chicken and waffles) that you would never know are gluten free, Los Tacos no. 1 (which we mentioned above in Times Square) with authentic tacos and a huge line at most hours, Doughnuttery for innovatively flavored donut holes (it reminds us of Pip’s in Portland, Oregon ), and plenty more. 

This is also a good bathroom stop if you’ve had to go for a while. 

A block or so east of Chelsea Market is one of our favorite coffee shops in NYC, Terremoto , which is a little hole in the wall serving some of the best coffee in the city.

I love places where you can choose what beans you want to try, either for filter coffee or espresso, and this place checks that box with a few different coffees available at any given time. 

Greenwich Village & Washington Square Park

From Chelsea Market (or Terremoto Coffee), hop onto Greenwich Avenue and follow it south towards Greenwich Village and Washington Square Park. 

Along the way you’ll start to see the architecture change, moving slowly (and sometimes abruptly) from old industrial buildings now housing art galleries to historic brownstones that you’ve seen in any show or movie featuring NYC. 

Greenwich Avenue itself is lined with bars, restaurants, and shops. It’s the kind of commercial strip in a residential area (as residential as it could possibly be in the heart of NYC, anyway) that we really enjoy. 

The apartment building featured in Friends as the building where Rachel, Monica, Chandler, and Joey (and Phoebe, for a bit) lived is here .

Make your way to Washington Square Park , which is the centerpiece of the neighborhood.  On the other side of the park, you’ll find the main NYU campus, which gives this area a distinctly young feeling, and means it’s full of great bars and restaurants. It’s worth coming back here in the evening for dinner and drinks if you’re not seeing a show in the evening. 

If you’re looking for lunch, we LOVED Nami Nori , a sushi joint serving temaki, which means a handroll, but an individual portion instead of a roll cut into 6-8 pieces. 

The original location of Magnolia Bakery is also here on Bleecker Street, and while it’s not gluten free (not even close), I brought back a collection of cupcakes for Alysha on my first ever trip to NYC (along with some bagels from nearby Bagels on the Square ). 

Catch a Show

Round out your time in NYC by experiencing the diverse and impressive theater scene that is only really available in a few select cities around the world, including New York and London . 

Now, you’re going to have to do some advance preparation if you want to see one of the most famous productions in the world, like Hamilton or Harry Potter and the Cursed Child . You’ll need to buy tickets well in advance, and you’ll need to be willing to pay for them. 

However, if you’re up for seeing something a little less prestigious, then there are actually a surprising number of ways to experience it more affordably. Broadway for Broke People is a great resource if you’re looking to figure out how to get tickets on the cheap. 

The best way for most people to get cheap tickets if you don’t have time to apply for lotteries and run around to box offices is to head to the TKTS booth in Times Square , where you can get tickets for most of the major performances happening in NYC at somewhere between 20% and 50% off.

See a full list of their offerings here , but you should know that not all shows have availability for every day. Go early for the best selection, and right before show time for the best prices. 

Broadway Roulette is another fun way to do it, but you won’t be able to select a specific show – instead, they give you a list of shows (from which you can cross off a few if you really don’t want to see them or already have seen them), you pay $49-$59, and they give you tickets for one of them. No returns or refunds, so this is an option only if you don’t really care which show you’re going to see.  

For what it’s worth we’ve seen the following shows (not in NYC) and recommend them for different reasons: 

• The Lion King : We’ve seen this together multiple times, and it’s always a pleasure. The costumes, songs, and story are top notch, and there’s a reason that it has been running for several decades at this point. We’d see it again, too, if that’s any sort of endorsement for you. 
• Harry Potter and the Cursed Child : Hot take – the story is HOT GARBAGE if you’re a fan of the Harry Potter series (Matt has read the books more than 10 times at this point). But the stagecraft and magic is insanely cool and had us wondering “how the heck did they do that” through pretty much the entire show. It’s LONG too, so it’s really a full day affair (or split into two evenings) and might not make the most sense if you only have three days in NYC. 
• The Book of Mormon : Hilarious and raunchy, this is not a show for families with kids. Or people offended by jokes about Mormonism, colonialism, religion in general, and a wide variety of other topics. It’s a musical from the creators of South Park , so if you’re not a fan of the “a little too close to home” humor from that show, then we’d skip this. 
• Hamilton : We were lucky enough to win the lottery to see Hamilton in San Francisco (Alysha would like me to clarify that SHE won the $10 ticket lottery, and I was just her date), and it’s an amazing spectacle. The lottery meant that we got to sit in the second row, and the energy (and spit) coming from the stage was contagious. The writing and performances are incredible, and we’d highly recommend it if you can snag tickets. 

What to Do with Less Time in New York City

Have less than a long weekend in NYC? Here’s how we’d spend one or two days in New York City. 

One Day in New York City

If you’ve only got a day in New York City, you’re going to have to pick and choose what you really want to focus on. 

To us, the main highlights are going to be Midtown Manhattan , Central Park , and Battery Park / Ellis Island / the Statue of Liberty.  

If you’re into art and want to fit in one of NYC’s world-class museums, you’re probably going to have to sacrifice heading out to the Statue of Liberty to fit in one of the museums – the Met (Metropolitan Museum of Art) or MOMA (the Museum of Modern Art) – which each take at least two or three hours. You’re also going to have to make the hard choice between the two of those, because you can’t fit both in. 

So, assuming no museums, start your day in Lower Manhattan at Black Fox Coffee , and follow that section of the itinerary above to Wall Street , the New York Stock Exchange , Trinity Church , and the Charging Bull Sculpture . 

Continue on to Battery Park , and catch the ferry out to Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty . Pick one of the islands to explore – Ellis Island is the immigration museum where you can check the records for family names, Liberty Island is the Statue of Liberty. 

Back on the mainland, catch the Subway up to Midtown Manhattan . Follow Day 1 of the itinerary above as written, cutting out the museum stop. You’ll have to move fast, and by the end you’ll be exhausted, but it’ll be worth it if you’ve only got a day!

2 Days in New York City

With 2 days, you’ve got a little more time, and you’ll probably be able to see most of the highlights.

Cut Brooklyn (unfortunately) and spend one day in Midtown, and the other day in Lower Manhattan and Chelsea / Greenwich Village. 

That means you’d follow day 1 of the NYC itinerary above as written , and then combine the morning of day 2 (Lower Manhattan) and the morning of day 3 (the High Line, Chelsea, and Greenwich Village) . 

If you want to fit in a show, it probably makes the most sense on the evening of day 1. 

Eating and Drinking in New York City

Rather than try to shoehorn our favorite restaurants into the itinerary above, we decided to just have a separate section for them here (though, when it makes sense, you’ll also find them in the main itinerary). 

Here are our favorite restaurants, bakeries, bars, and more in NYC, in no particular order. 

Restaurants / Food Spots in New York That We Love

Cosme : I love Cosme, chef Enrique Olvera’s (of Pujol fame) outpost in the Flatiron District. I’ve been twice, and both times it was a stellar experience. It has a Michelin star, and the service, ambiance, and food are impeccable. Get the duck carnitas, which are enough to feed a small army, and DO NOT MISS the corn husk meringue, which might have been the best thing we ate on our entire trip. 

Beecher’s Cheese : Hey, look, a company from Seattle ( Filson also has a location not too far away – we’re taking over!). I love Beecher’s Flagship cheese – my mom almost always has a chunk of it waiting for me when I visit her house – and they do a mean mac n cheese here (though I can’t partake, because gluten). Bedford Cheese Shop is another good spot nearby, if you’re looking for a wider selection of cheese. 

Los Tacos No. 1 : As we mentioned above, we didn’t actually get to eat here because they serve gluten in multiple forms. But it was recommended by a couple of New Yorkers we know who didn’t think about that aspect. They also have a location in Chelsea Market, but if you’re in Times Square and you’re hungry, don’t be afraid to brave the fast-moving line for their tacos. 

Nami Nori : We loved this sushi spot in Greenwich Village that serves temaki, which are basically single-serve handrolls that are kind of like tacos. Definitely get the furikake fries with tonkatsu ketchup, and the green curry shrimp roll, which was BY FAR our favorite. Sit at the bar for the best experience, where you get to watch them crafting your rolls individually. 

Claro : We’ve been twice, and love this place. The back garden is where you should reserve if you’re coming in the summer. It’s now exclusively a tasting menu, and the most interesting things on the menu for us were the strawberry aguachile (it’s spicy!), though everything we ate was fantastic. Plus, it’s entirely gluten free!

For All Things Good : While we love Claro and Cosme, two Michelin-starred Mexican restaurants in New York City, this might have been our favorite Mexican food of the trip. They use SUPER fresh masa, and the first thing we noticed is HOW MUCH BETTER tortillas, memelas, and tlayudas are when the masa is fresh. They had just started their dinner service when we were there, and we opted to stop by for brunch. Don’t miss the tlayudas (basically, a pizza with a masa base, beans, cheese, and other toppings) and tetelas (triangle-shaped stuffed masa).

Modern Bread and Bagel : This is for my gluten free fam. If you’re gluten free, I want you to think really hard about the last time you had a good gluten free bagel. For most of us, the answer is “never,” and Modern Bread and Bagel is the antidote to bagels that are just bread with a hole in the middle. It’s so good, we went THREE times in a week. Seriously. It’s good. And their Jewish-inspired pastries like rugelach are also pretty spectacular, too. It’s a must stop for gluten free folks in NYC. 

Coffee Shops in New York That We Loved

Devoción : We have actually been to their cafe in Bogotá, Colombia, and I didn’t even know they had shops in NYC until we walked by the one in Williamsburg. The beans come straight from Colombia (within 10 days of roasting), and they have a BEAUTIFUL space filled with lots of plants and natural light. 

La Cabra : First, this import from Denmark serves some spectacular coffees. I first discovered La Cabra at i/o Cafe , one of my favorite coffee shops in Paris , and I’ve never actually seen them outside of Europe. But they have a flagship in NYC! Great coffee, including special and interesting pour over options and perfectly pulled espresso. Second, they make all of their pastries in-house – which you can see happening through the big windows behind the pastry case. It’s cool to see them take the same intentional approach that they take to coffee and apply it to pastries. Even the ceramics are gorgeous!

Terremoto Coffee : If you’re into places where you can choose what coffee beans you’re served in your drink, this place is for you. They serve Unity Coffee, and have a couple of beans available for filter coffee and espresso, along with a couple of special beans that you won’t find elsewhere (for a slight upcharge). It’s a tiny spot a block away from Chelsea Market, and it’s a good stop for coffee lovers in the neighborhood.  

Cool Bars in NYC

Tanner Smiths : A lovely cocktail bar in Midtown that was the first bar we ever went to in the city. We also discovered Stormalong Cider here, which has become one of our favorite hard cider brands. 

Cardiff Giant : If a bar that serves EXCLUSIVELY beer, wine, and cider from New York state sounds like a good time, this is the place for you. Plus, the back garden is an excellent place to spend a sunny afternoon procrastinating on all the stuff you’re supposed to be getting done. 

Arts and Crafts Beer Parlor : We went here on our first trip to NYC, and spent a solid 15 minutes on our last trip trying to remember the name of this place and find it on Google Maps. Found it! Great beer and cider selection (including gluten free beer from Glutenberg ) in a cozy basement bar (with outdoor seating now). 

Beer Culture : Another one for the beer lovers! Usually, when you think about bars and restaurants within five blocks of a major tourist attraction, you should probably run the other way. This is an exception, and they have a truly impressive selection of craft beer (and cider) on tap and even more in cans and bottles. See their current draft / bottle list here . 

Getting Around New York City

Similar to cities like London and Paris , while New York City is technically walkable because it’s flat, it’s the kind of place where you look at a map, say “oh that’s totally walkable” only to realize that it’s a 72 minute walk. 

We’re all for walking, and think it’s the best way to see a city, but sometimes it’s just not practical. Chances are, you’re going to need to use the Subway or other forms of transportation to get around while you’re in town, especially if you only have a limited amount of time. 

In general, if you’re going less than a mile, walk. It’ll take less time (not to mention money) than heading to the nearest Subway station and waiting for a train. If you’re traveling more than a mile, hop on the Subway. 

And, to be honest, we’d highly recommend the Subway. Generally, it’s fast, reliable, and easy to use (with a few caveats). We know that New Yorkers love to complain about it, and that there have been a few tragic incidents recently that have gotten a disproportionate amount of news coverage, but it’s generally safe, efficient, and easy to use. 

Our number one tip would be to utilize the ferry as often as humanly possible . 

It’s easily the best way to get around certain parts of the city – especially from Manhattan to Brooklyn – and it’s faster and more scenic than the Subway. The ferry was a great tip from our friend Erin over at Gluten Free Globetrotter , a NYC local. 

There are river cruises that you could pay $50 for… or you could just hop on the ferry for $2.75 a person and ride it from the southern tip of Manhattan at Wall Street up to the northern end. 

Riding the Subway in NYC

Lots of New Yorkers like to complain about the Subway, but at the end of the day, the Subway in NYC is probably the best example of public transportation in the entire country.

Sure, it can be crowded, the trains sometimes break down, and occasionally you’ll see signs of the ongoing homelessness and mental health / addiction crises that are happening in NYC (and every other city in the country). 

But all things considered, it’s the easiest and most efficient way to get around NYC.

Riding the Subway in NYC has become so much easier over the course of the past few years with the introduction of OMNY , a new contactless payment system. Before, you needed to buy a MetroCard (which we did on our latest trip because we didn’t realize the benefits of OMNY) at one of the machines in a Subway station, which have long lines and aren’t particularly easy to navigate. 

The MetroCards are notoriously hard for visitors to swipe correctly (New Yorkers will hate you as you swipe it seventeen times at different speeds and angles), and as we learned on our last trip, if you bend them even a little, they’ll just decide to stop working altogether. And the attendants at the booths will NOT replace it for you. 

At this point, we can confidently say that you should just use your credit card / Apple or Google Wallet to ride the Subway. It’s $2.75 a ride, and there’s a fare cap at 12 rides ($33) in a week, which means that anything over and above that is free! That’s just 4 rides per day over your 3 days in NYC, which isn’t hard to do. 

Make sure to use the EXACT SAME payment option if you’re using OMNY – either a physical card (that you can tap to pay elsewhere) or an Apple Wallet / Google Wallet.

They even introduced a $33 weekly fare cap recently, which means that after 12 rides in a week (Sunday to Monday), you get the rest of the rides in that week for free. The only reason you’d buy a MetroCard prior to that introduction was to buy one of the unlimited weekly passes, but they’ve made those essentially obsolete. 

Again, it bears repeating that to take advantage of that $33 cap, YOU MUST PAY WITH THE SAME EXACT PAYMENT METHOD. 

For reference, here’s a full map of the Subway system . 

Like we said above, the ferry system is a great way to get around New York City, particularly along the East River that runs between Manhattan and Brooklyn. If you’re trying to get from Manhattan (Midtown or Lower Manhattan) to Dumbo or Williamsburg, we’d recommend taking the scenic ferry route. 

You can see a map of the full system here .

It’s only really useful for getting between Manhattan and Brooklyn, although you could theoretically also take it from Lower Manhattan to Midtown. The stations just aren’t in convenient locations for that, so you’ll be better off on the Subway. 

More Northeast USA Travel Guides

If you like this guide, you won’t want to miss our other travel guides for the northeast!

New York City

• 3 Days in New York City: A Perfect Long Weekend in NYC
• Where to Stay in New York City: The Best Areas + Hotels
• Gluten Free New York City: The Best GF Restaurants + Bakeries
• A Weekend in Boston: A Perfect 2 Day Boston Itinerary
• Where to Stay in Boston: A Complete Guide to the Best Areas
• Gluten Free Boston: A Complete Guide for Celiacs

Philadelphia

• How to Spend an Amazing Weekend in Philadelphia (2 Days)
• Where to Stay in Philadelphia: A Complete Guide to the 3 Best Areas
• Gluten Free Philadelphia: The Best Gluten Free Eats in Philly

Matt is the founder and main writer behind Wheatless Wanderlust, which he started back in 2018 as a way to share his gluten free travel guides with his fellow Celiac travelers.

Since then, Matt and his wife Alysha have visited 18 national parks, spent three months in Europe and six weeks in Colombia, and have explored every corner of the Pacific Northwest, which is where Matt grew up.

He writes super detailed guides to the places they visit, bringing together personal experience and historical context to help YOU plan an amazing trip.

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3 Days in New York City: The Perfect Weekend Itinerary

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In a lot of ways, New York City is like its own country. It’s a melting pot of cultures and massive enough that each borough feels like its own separate city, with its own food scene, arts and attractions, and general feeling. From the hustle and bustle of the ever-busy Manhattan to the more laidback attitude of Brooklyn to the suburb-like streets of Staten Island, any visit to New York City has the potential to be totally new and different.

There’s so much to do in New York City that you may not know where to start when building your 3-day New York City itinerary. We’ve put together a plan for a 72-hour weekend adventure that will have you exploring beloved famous landmarks and more off-the-beaten-path spots. If you stick with these recommendations, you’re bound to have a fantastic time during your 3-day weekend in New York City!

If you’re still deciding where to stay then make sure to check out our article on the  best boutique hotels near New York City !

Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase or booking through one of our links we may earn a small commission (don’t worry, it’s at no extra cost to you).

How to Spend a Weekend in New York City

Getting around new york city.

There are three airports in the New York City area. LaGuardia Airport and John F. Kennedy (JFK) International Airport are both located in Queens. There’s also the Newark Liberty International Airport across the Hudson River in Newark , New Jersey . 

Although you might find that flights to Newark are a little less expensive, you’ll be significantly adding to your travel time if you fly into New Jersey instead of New York City. In the long run, it’s just not worth it. 

LaGuardia is smaller than JFK and has a lot fewer daily flights. There are also limited international options, while JFK is a major international hub. So, if you’re traveling internationally, you’ll likely end up flying into JFK. If you’re flying domestically, you’ll probably be able to choose if you want to fly into JFK or LaGuardia. 

Both have their benefits and drawbacks. Since LaGuardia is a lot smaller, you’ll be able to get in and out faster than if you flew into JFK. However, JFK is more easily accessible by public transportation. And if you’re spending 3 days in New York City, you’re going to be using a lot of public transportation.

Not only is renting a car in New York City unnecessary, but it’s also not encouraged. New York City is very walkable, but it’s also bigger than you may think. Across the five boroughs, you’re looking at over 300 square miles! Walking the entire length of Manhattan alone may take you a full day, assuming you make some stops to take in the sights. 

Luckily, you don’t have to walk everywhere in New York City. The subway system will take you to four of the five boroughs: Manhattan, Brooklyn, the Bronx, and Queens. If you’d like to get to Staten Island, you can take the Staten Island Ferry from Manhattan or hop on a bus.

Cabs are everywhere in New York City, especially in Manhattan. You can always order an Uber, but with New York City’s traffic, you may be waiting a while for the car to pick you up!

New York City Weekend Itinerary – Day 1

Ellen’s stardust diner.

Start your day the Broadway way during your 3 days in New York City. Ellen’s Stardust Diner is the perfect breakfast spot if you’re looking for good tunes and great food. 

This ‘50s-themed diner boasts more than a menu of incredible treats, like Peanut Butter Cup Pancakes. This hopping breakfast joint is known for its singing waiters. The waitstaff at Ellen’s Stardust Diner are all working toward the same goal: to make it on Broadway. 

But in the meantime, these talented folks are putting on shows for the guests at Ellen’s. You’ll hear Broadway tunes, Disney classics, and pop hits, as well as holiday favorites if you’re visiting in the winter.

From Ellen’s, you’re going to want to keep the Broadway fun going. The best way to do that is to get your own ticket. If you haven’t already bought tickets in advance of your trip, visit Times Square to get in line at the TKTS Discount Booth . 

TKTS Discount Booth for Broadway Tickets

This booth has discounted, same-day tickets to shows both on- and off-Broadway. Don’t worry if the line is a little long. It moves quickly. But if you want to avoid the line altogether, you may also be able to get same-day tickets through apps like TodayTix .

Rockefeller Center

Now that you’ve secured your evening entertainment, it’s time to see the sights. And your New York City sightseeing wouldn’t be complete without a visit to Rockefeller Center . At 30 Rockefeller Plaza, you’ll find the Top of the Rock. 

At the pinnacle of the building’s 70 floors, you’ll step onto three levels of observation decks, giving you a 360-degree view of New York City. You can also take a Rockefeller Center tour to see some of the building’s historic spaces. If you’d like to take the tour and climb up to the observation decks, be sure to purchase a Rock Pass to get these two experiences together. 

Bryant Park

Next, you’ll take a short walk over to Bryant Park . Considered Manhattan’s Town Square, there’s always something to do here. In the spring and summer, it’s a lush, green wonderland with live performances by New York City talents. You’ll also find everything from beekeeping classes to bird-watching tours to yoga in the park. 

But in the winter, Bryant Park transforms into a winter village. You’ll dine your way around the park with seasonal treats, find artisan goods to check off your holiday shopping list, go ice skating, try your hand at curling, or even play with bumper cars on the ice. 

If you’re visiting Bryant Park in the winter, you may want to just grab lunch by trying different treats from the various vendors. But if you’re arriving when the winter village isn’t up, grab a table at Bryant Park Grill instead. This New American dining spot will give you a beautiful view of the park while you relax with a decadent meal.

Empire State Building

After lunch, continue on your 3-day trip to New York City by visiting one of the most popular attractions in the world: the Empire State Building . With observation decks on the 86th and the 102nd floors, it’s no wonder the view here is unmatched. Be sure to buy your tickets in advance, and don’t forget to check out the building’s art galleries on the 2nd and 80th floors. 

Now that it’s heading into the evening, it’s almost time for your show. But first, you need to dine in style. Hop on the subway or take a stroll over to Joe Allen , which is more than a restaurant. 

It’s a Broadway institution. This upscale yet comfortable dining spot boasts an eclectic menu with dishes from around the world. From calf’s liver to tostada to steak frites, there’s something for everyone on the menu, from the more adventurous diner to the visitor just looking for some casual fare. 

The perfect way to end the first night of your 3-day New York City vacation is by watching a Broadway show. Broadway shows have been entertaining New Yorkers and tourists alike since the 1700s. 

It’s a true tradition to step foot in these magical theaters. From dramatic plays starring famous players to toe-tapping musicals with songs that’ll be stuck in your head for days, these live performances are can’t-miss spectacles.

New York City Weekend Itinerary – Day 2

Tavern on the green.

After a long night at the theater, start the second day of your 3-day trip to New York City by getting a later start and grabbing brunch at the Tavern on the Green . Arguably one of the most famous restaurants in New York City, this Central Park landmark is a stunning, upscale spot. You’ll take in the beauty of the park while you dine on dishes like Honey-Roasted Figs and Organic Scottish Salmon. 

Central Park

Once you’re done with breakfast, you’ll already be inside the first stop of the day. Central Park is bigger than you might think. It’s 843 acres, and there’s so much to do packed inside this park. 

From Belvedere Castle to the Strawberry Fields to the Alice in Wonderland and Balto statues to the seasonal Wollman Rink to the Conservatory Garden to the famous carousel, it’s hard to see all these top attractions in one day! But by taking a tour, you’ll have a knowledgeable host to guide you on your journey. 

You have many different options when it comes to taking a Central Park tour , depending on how much energy you want to put in. If you’re looking for a romantic choice, you could take a horse and carriage ride. Not into the horse and carriage but still want to sit back and enjoy the ride? Book a pedicab tour. 

Or, for a more active choice, take a bike or walking tour. For something that’s a little active and a little not, you can take an e-scooter tour. But whichever tour you book, you’re guaranteed to see Central Park’s most incredible spots.

For another iconic way to spend your weekend in New York City, your next stop is teatime at The Plaza hotel. You’ll have to book your reservation in advance to secure a spot, but it’s worth the preparation. 

The Palm Court inside The Plaza is a truly exquisite experience, featuring domed glass ceilings and intricate mosaics. It’s a picture of opulence. While the adults enjoy afternoon tea, kids can get their own teatime experience with the Children’s Eloise Tea, inspired adorably by Eloise at The Plaza .

Book a Room at The Plaza

Museum of Modern Art

When teatime is over, take a walk to the Museum of Modern Art , or the MoMA, one of the best art museums in New York City. This Midtown Manhattan treasure features both permanent and rotating exhibits of some of the most impressive collections of modern art in the world. 

With almost 200,000 works of modern and contemporary art in the museum, you can guarantee that you’ll always have a new experience and see unique masterpieces when you visit this New York City landmark.

Since you’re over by Central Park still, you have an easy walk to get one last treat before you head out for the evening. Magnolia Bakery has several locations in the city, including its Central Park South location. 

If you have a sweet tooth, take a stroll to grab yourself a delicious treat. The bakery is generally delicious, but we highly recommend getting the famous banana pudding. It’s famous for a reason! 

Dinner Cruise

Now, it’s time to head to the harbor for your dinner and your final stop of the night. End the second day of your 3 days in New York City by taking a sunset dinner cruise. You’ll likely have to book this cruise in advance to reserve your table. 

But taking a sunset dinner cruise around the New York harbor allows you to dine in style while you take in the sights of the City That Never Sleeps. Watch the sun descend behind the skyline as the moon begins to glisten off the skyscrapers. It’s a truly magical way to end your second day in NYC.

New York City Weekend Itinerary – Day 3

Start the last day of your 3-day trip to New York City at George’s , a casual dining spot that can be found on the corner of Greenwich and Rector Streets. It’s a New York legend that’s been around since 1950, though it sadly had to rebuild after it was damaged by the 9/11 terrorist attacks. 

Today, George’s stands as a symbol of the strength and spirit of New York. It’s a homey place that invites you to dine on giant breakfast staples with friendly folks who are all eager to be there for one another. 

Ellis Island and Liberty Island

You started your day off at one New York legend. Now it’s time for two more. Your next stop is Battery Park, where you’ll take a ferry to Ellis Island and Liberty Island. 

Statue City Cruises

You’ll need to grab a ferry ticket from Statue City Cruises , the only vendor authorized to provide transportation to these two iconic locations. If you don’t buy online and choose to buy in New York, be sure you’re purchasing from this vendor only. 

Ellis Island is where many families in the United States can trace their ancestry. This island once welcomed more than 12 million immigrants. Today, it stands as a monument to the American Dream. 

On Liberty Island, you’ll find Lady Liberty, the beacon that once invited these immigrants into their new home. The island has a museum dedicated to the Statue of Liberty, whose pedestal you can climb up to. 

The Brooklyn Bridge

For lunch, you’ll head back to Manhattan to take in one incredible view at The Fulton . This waterfront seafood restaurant features one of the best views of the Brooklyn Bridge around. Indulge in a two-course lunch with only seasonal ingredients and wild-caught seafood. Don’t forget to treat yourself to one of the restaurant’s specialty cocktails!

From The Fulton, it’s time to venture over to the Brooklyn Bridge itself. You can take a walking or bike tour over the bridge or simply head over it on your own, enjoying the sights of Manhattan and Brooklyn on your journey. Walking the Brooklyn Bridge will generally take you about an hour if you’re going at a leisurely pace and stopping to take some beautiful photos. So be sure to bring comfortable shoes.

Prospect Park

Once you’re over in Brooklyn, hop on the subway to go toward the Park Slope neighborhood. Take a walk through Prospect Park, or go to the Brooklyn Botanic Garden to take in the flowers that are in bloom. 

Brooklyn Botanic Garden

If you’re visiting outside of the winter months and stopping by on a Sunday, be sure to check out Smorgasburg in Prospect Park. Called the “Woodstock of Eating,” this food festival features food and drink vendors serving up all kinds of cuisines, from Puerto Rican traditions to twists on Italian fare to rainbow grilled cheese sandwiches! 

Smorgasburg

If you’re not at Prospect Park on a Sunday or your weekend in New York City is happening during the winter, grab dinner at Pasta Louise instead. This charming Italian restaurant is a neighborhood favorite, and everything is made from scratch. You won’t find the latest culinary trends here. Instead, you’ll find classic Italian food that tastes like your Nonna made it.

Nighthawk Cinema

It’s time to wind down your eventful 3-day trip to New York City, and there’s no better way to do it than at Nighthawk Cinema . Also located in Prospect Park, this independent movie theater serves up food and drinks directly to your seats. 

It shows first-run movies, old favorites, and cult classics, often screening them in a series. First-run films also have their own specialty meals and cocktails. Definitely treat yourself to a boozy float for dessert! 

More Places to Eat & Drink in New York City

Buy a slice of the award-winning Nona Maria Pie at Bleecker Street Pizza : This iconic pizza joint nearby Greenwich Village is one of the best places to get traditional New York-style pizza. It’s tradition to treat yourself to an inexpensive slice of pizza in the wee hours of the morning in New York, which you can do here since it’s open until 5 am on weekends.

Grab a pint at McSorley’s Old Ale House :

This East Village favorite is the oldest Irish saloon in New York City. It’s an unassuming New York City institution. Even President Abraham Lincoln once drank here.

Venture over to Staten Island for a grandma-made meal at Enoteca Maria : This restaurant hosts a roster of real international grandmothers cooking up traditional food from their home country’s cuisine. Because no one can cook quite like a grandma can!

What to do if you have more than 3 days in New York City

Hop on the subway and head to the ocean at Coney Island, where you can ride the classic attractions at Luna Park . From the famous Cyclone to the soaring swings of the Brooklyn Flyer, you could easily spend a whole day here. As a part of the tradition, don’t forget to grab a hotdog at Nathan’s Famous , which got its start right on Coney Island.

Metropolitan Museum of Art or Met Cloisters

The Metropolitan Museum of Art is a beautiful place to spend an afternoon, with plenty of art across centuries and across countries to explore. But it also tends to be very crowded. Instead, head over to Washington Heights to see the Met Cloisters , filled with art, greenery, and a chance to spend a quiet day in New York City.

Architecture Cruise

Take an architecture cruise . New York City is filled with stunning architecture, from the massive skyscrapers to the historic churches. Taking an architecture cruise provides you with an expert guide who can share the history and stories behind how these landmarks were created.

Roosevelt Island Tram

Take in one of the best views of New York City from the Roosevelt Island Tram . This aerial tramway connects Manhattan to Roosevelt Island. Although it’s a short trip, you’ll soar high above the city and get a bird’s-eye view of the iconic skyline.

American Museum of Natural History

Explore the American Museum of Natural History . Located on the Upper West Side of Manhattan, this museum is the largest natural history museum in the world and features exhibits all about the natural wonders of the past and present in our universe. 

We hope you enjoy your weekend trip to New York City! Should we add something else to our 3-day New York City itinerary? Let us know in the comments.

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Jacqueline is a writer and editor pursuing the freelance life to explore the world. Born and raised in New Jersey, she spent her college years in Boston before settling down with her partner and puppy in Monterey, California. When she’s not writing, you can often find her planning her next trip. Road trips are her favorite, whether it’s driving across the country or simply exploring a new city in her own backyard. She loves uncovering the history of every new place she goes. Jacqueline has a restless passion for learning and makes it a goal to pick up a new skill every year. She’s picked up embroidery, crocheting, knitting, and cross-stitching, but she’s hoping to master more languages to help her in her travels. She’s also a published author, with short stories and poetry appearing in several anthologies.

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3 Day Weekend in New York Itinerary (For First Timers!)

A long, 3-day weekend in New York is a great chance to see the highlights of one of the biggest and best cities in the world.

B ut to make the most of your time, you’ll need to be prepared for a non-stop, whirlwind trip through the most popular sights and most iconic attractions.

New York is a city that never stops giving, and a weekend in New York will never be enough to see everything, but you will be able to have an excellent New York itinerary.

You will also quickly find yourself wanting to return to the Big Apple, as each area and district has its own culture and history, and it’s always a fascinating place to delve deeper into. 

For first-timers though, we’re using our first-hand experience from 10+ trips to Manhattan to put together this comprehensive guide to spending a 3 day weekend in New York.

Don’t leave home without: Lonely Planet New York City (Travel Guide)

3 Day Weekend in New York Itinerary

Table of Contents

I would recommend a bare minimum of 3 days to hit the highlights of New York City.

With that said, be prepared for a crazy, packed 3 day New York itinerary in this guide of the best things to do in Paris.

Before you start your long weekend in New York, though, I highly recommend purchasing the  New York City Explorer Pass .

This little gem is going to give you access to pretty much everything listed in this guide and a 48 hour Hop on Hop off bus ticket.

Get the   New York City Explorer Pass online   to save time and money on your trip.

Location is Everything: Where to Stay in NYC

New York City has a huge range of accommodation, so you will be able to find just about anything to match your budget.

The secret is to be in a good location.

We’ve been to New York City no less than 10 times and we prefer to stay in the area between Times Square and Madison Square Garden.

This area is super convenient for the metro, public transportation, walking, dining, and attractions. Which is important to maximize your time in the city.

Some hotels we have stayed at and enjoyed in this area include:

• Conrad Hotel Midtown (our favorite!)
• Homewood Suites Midtown Manhattan (our second favorite!)
• Washington Jefferson at Times Square
• Holiday Inn Express New York Times Square South
• Staybridge Suites Times Square

We have also stayed at these properties outside of our recommended district. While they are nice, we hands-down prefer the area we mentioned above.

• The Benjamin

Day 1: New York Itinerary

Day one of your New York itinerary begins in the touristic center of the city, at the classic destination of Times Square.

From here, you’ll be exploring the heart of New York, as you visit some of the most famous attractions and landmarks, including the likes of Grand Central Station and the Empire State Building.

Make sure you are wearing a good pair of walking shoes because you’ve got a lot of distance to cover today. 

Times Square 

Times Square is one of the best places to start your 3 day weekend in New York because it’s a classic square that you can easily use a reference point for the rest of your stay.

More than this though, Times Square is easily the most famous and recognizable square in the city.

Renowned for its enormous neon advertisements and New Year’s Eve countdowns that are broadcast around the world. 

It’s always a busy and bustling place to be, right in the middle of Manhattan, and you can find many famous hotels, shops, and theaters all around Times Square. 

Our Top Recommended Tours:

• New York in One Day Guided Sightseeing Tour
• Private New York Walking Tour with a Personal Photographer
• Full-Day New York “Must See” Small-Group Tour with Observatory Ticket

New York Public Library

From Times Square, take a short walk across the city to the iconic building that houses the New York Public Library.

This elegant building is home to a vast collection of books from around the world that number into the millions and the interior of the library is stunning to see.

It’s one of the largest libraries in the world, and the grand building dates back to the early 20th century and has become an enduring symbol of the city and its ethos for learning. 

• New York Tour by Subway and Bus with Private Guide

Rockefeller Center

Next up on your New York itinerary, you’ll be visiting the Rockefeller Center, another famous and popular tourist attraction in the city. 

The Rockefeller Center is a classic stop on the first day of your weekend in New York.

Y ou can spend a few hours exploring the 19 different buildings that make up the complex.

There’s a lot to see and do here, from admiring the artwork and statues to making the journey to the ‘Top of the Rock’ for excellent views over the surrounding city.  

• Top of the Rock Observation Deck, New York
• New York City Explorer Pass
• Rockefeller Center Architecture & Art Walking Tour

Grand Central Station

From the Rockefeller Center, it’s time for another short walk to Grand Central Station.

Train stations aren’t exactly always high on the list of sightseeing attractions in a city, but Grand Central Station is a cut above the rest.

This is one of the most popular attractions in the city in fact, and it has to be included in your New York itinerary if it’s your first time in the city.

The building is beautiful, with an ornate interior that’s lined with giant chandeliers.

More than this though, Grand Central Station is home to a wide array of shops and restaurants, making it a good place to stop for a snack, or for lunch.

• Secrets of Grand Central Terminal Tour
• Grand Central Indoor Food Tour
• Grand Central: The Open Sesame Bagel Tour

Empire State Building

Your tour of the city continues with a trip to what is perhaps the most recognizable name on the New York skyline, the Empire State Building.

At 102 floors in height, this is one of the tallest buildings in the city, measuring up to over 400 meters in height if you include the huge antennae.

On the 102nd floor, you can find an incredible observation deck, where you can enjoy the best view of New York, as long as you aren’t afraid of the dizzying height.

It’s a truly impressive view, and you can see for mile after mile in every direction because the observation deck offers a unique 360-degree panoramic viewing area. 

Built in 1931, the Empire State Building has a long history behind it too. For many decades, it was the tallest building in the world.

Although in recent years, its crown has been taken by ever taller structures around the world, no one else can beat this classic New York sight in terms of heritage.

• Viator VIP: Empire State Building, Statue of Liberty and 9/11 Memorial
• Big Apple Helicopter Tour of New York
• Full-Day NYC Tour with Empire State Building Observatory & Statue of Liberty ticket

Take in a Broadway Show

End the first day of your New York itinerary by spending the evening enjoying the delights of a Broadway Show.

Broadway is one of the world’s most well-known theater districts, and you can find 41 professional venues in the area offering superb theatrical performances.

The most common productions are musicals, including popular shows such as Hamilton or the Lion King. 

Shows are on every night, but you’ll need to book in advance for the most sought out venues and performances throughout the year.

It’s the perfect way to end your first day in New York.

Our Top Recommended Broadway Show options:

• Phantom of the Opera On Broadway
• The Lion King On Broadway
• Chicago On Broadway

Day 2: Weekend in New York

Day 2 of your weekend in New York, will have you visiting the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island before you spend the rest of the day exploring Central Park and the many museums that are found in the area. 

Statue of Liberty

The Statue of Liberty is easily one of the most instantly recognizable landmarks in the entire city because this towering statue is known the world over.

A symbol of liberty and freedom, the statue was gifted to New York by the French and unveiled in 1886.

It’s come to represent the city’s ideals and has become a wider symbol of American independence.

Take a boat across to Liberty Island to stand in the shadow of this colossal statue.

• Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island: Award-Winning, Small-Group Tour
• Statue of Liberty Monument Access and 9/11 Memorial

Ellis Island 

Next up, you’ll be taking another boat, this time to Ellis Island, which is found just a short journey from Liberty Island.

Ellis Island is in many ways another symbol of New York, as this was the point at which many hundreds of thousands of immigrants arriving from Europe through the early 20th century would be processed. 

The island is now home to a museum, which includes the preserved remnants of a quarantine area.

It’s a fascinating look at both the dark and bright sides of emigration to the United States. 

• Small-Group Early-Access Statue of Liberty Tour and Ellis Island
• Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island Tour

Central Park 

Back on dry land, you’ll be spending the rest of the second day of your New York itinerary exploring Central Park. 

This is the largest public park in the city, and you can spend hours walking through and strolling along all the different pathways that stretch across the hundreds of acres of public space in the center of Manhattan.

It’s a beautiful escape from the urban confines of New York, and you’ll welcome the greenery and the relatively fresh air. 

You can visit the Central Park Zoo, enjoy the waterways and the pleasant, grassy areas, and you can also visit the many museums that surround the park too.

In close vicinity to Central Park, or on the edge of the park itself, you can spend the afternoon calling into some of the city’s most famous institutions.

This includes the American Museum of Natural History, the Guggenheim Museum and the Metropolitan Museum of Art. 

• Hell’s Kitchen Food Tour and Central Park Stroll
• Central Park Pedicab Tour
• Central Park Walking Tour

Day 3: Weekend in New York

Day 3 of your weekend in New York, will be more a somber day in many ways, because now is the time for you to learn more about New York’s defining historical event, 9/11.

You’ll visit Ground Zero and see how the event has shaped the city that you see today, as well as seeing other iconic parts of the city too. 

Brooklyn Bridge

Start the day by strolling over the famed Brooklyn Bridge.

Spanning the East River from Brooklyn to Manhattan, the beautiful work of engineering has stood here since 1883, and was the first connection across the river.

• Bateaux New York Dinner Cruise
• Manhattan to Brooklyn NYC Walking Tour: Brooklyn Bridge and Dumbo

Wall Street

From the Brooklyn Bridge, head across Manhattan to Wall Street, another equally famous part of the city, although of course, for different reasons.

Walkthrough the money-making capital of the world, and admire the grand buildings along the street, including the New York Stock Exchange. 

• New York “Must See” Full Day: Small-Group
• Manhattan Small-Group Tour: Attraction Packed w/ Wall Street and 911 Memorial
• History of Wall Street from Founding Fathers to the Fearless Girl Walking Tour

9/11 Memorial and Museum

End your final day in the city, and the last part of your New York itinerary, with a look at the tragedy of 9/11. 

You can visit Ground Zero, where the 9/11 attacks occurred, to see the moving memorials created in the aftermath.

Ground Zero is also the site of a museum that’s dedicated to the event, and that tells the tale of the people caught up in the tragic events.

It’s somber, but it’s necessary to see how the events shaped the New York that you’ve been exploring already for the previous few days. 

• 9/11 Memorial and Ground Zero Tour with Optional Skip-Line 911 Museum Tickets
• All-Access 9/11: Ground Zero Tour, Memorial and Museum, One World Observatory

More on USA Travel:

• 12 Tips for Visiting New York on a Budget
• The Benjamin: New York City Hotel Review
• Ultimate 3 Day Weekend in Los Angeles Itinerary
• Ultimate 3 Day Weekend in San Diego Itinerary
• Epic Miami to Key West Road Trip
• 18 Things to do in Outer Banks, NC
• 4 Perfect Days and Our Favorite Things to do in Asheville, North Carolina
• Southwest Virginia Road Trip – Top Things to Do in Virginia
• 13 Best Cities to Visit in the USA

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Lina is an award-winning photographer and writer that has been exploring the world since 2001. She has traveled to 100 countries on all 7 continents. Member: SATW, NATJA, ATTA, ITWA

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The Ultimate 3 Days in New York City Itinerary (2024 Guide)

• Last Updated: September 10, 2024

If you’re looking for the perfect 3 days in New York City itinerary to make the most of your first time in the Big Apple, then this is the one for you!

The Big Apple, the city that never sleeps, the capital of the world – No matter how you’ve heard it called, there’s no denying that New York City is one of the most vibrant and fascinating cities on the planet.

Visiting this cosmopolitan metropolis has been a lifetime goal for millions of people around the world. With the bright lights of Times Square, the freedom the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island represent and the human element of everybody trying to make it big here on Hollywood movies and TV screens for decades.

There’s something incredible about exploring New York City’s many neighbourhoods, districts, and attractions that you won’t find anywhere else in the United States, or in most cities around the world.

Table of Contents

One World Observatory

9/11 memorial museum, battery park, statue of liberty and ellis island, wall street, cross the brooklyn bridge, brooklyn bridge park, get dinner in dumbo, take a walk on the high line, empire state building, american museum of natural history, metropolitan museum of art, central park, fifth avenue, see a broadway show, times square, little italy, new york city hall, greenwich village, washington square park, madame tussauds, bryant park, st. patrick’s cathedral, rockefeller center, top of the rock, buy a new york citypass, purchase a metrocard, start your days early, walk between places on short distances, best hostel in manhattan – jazz on columbus circle, best mid-range hotel – pod 51 hotel, best luxury hotel in manhattan – hotel giraffe by library collection, the property, what we liked, what we didn’t like, overall impression, how to spend a perfect 3 days in new york city.

Three days in New York City might not be enough to see the entirety of the city – after all, it is enormous – but those 3 days would be just enough to see a lot of its most popular attractions.

Check out our  best tips for travel photography  to help you capture some amazing pictures of New York City on your trip.

The best way to experience the city on your first trip to New York is to explore its attractions in sections, breaking it up area by area. Manhattan is massive with a lot of things to do, so by dedicating your time to particular locations you will end up with the most efficient use of your limited time here.

If you’ve never been to the Big Apple before and are feeling a bit lost on what to see in New York City in 3 days, we recommend buying the New York CityPASS , as it will give you access to some of the most popular things to see in town at heavily discounted rates.

So without further ado, here is our perfect 3 days in New York City itinerary and travel tips to help you get the most out of your first trip to the city that never sleeps.

Day 1 – Morning

After enjoying a delicious New York City breakfast (go either as big or as small as you like), it’s time to jump on the famous New York Subway and head to WTC Cortland Station.

It’s from here that you’ll begin the first activity of your 3-day New York itinerary.

The One World Observatory was officially opened in 2015 as the replacement to the Twin Towers that made up the World Trade Centre, and since then it receives thousands of visitors every single day.

It’s one of the best ways to start your three days in New York because you’ll be observing the city in all its majesty from the 100th, 101st and 102nd stories of the tallest building in the western hemisphere (a dizzying 1776 feet, or 541 metres, high).

Make sure to arrive as early as possible, since this is a very popular attraction and the lines can get pretty long. The wait is worth it though, and on a clear day you’ll have amazing views of the entire city (and beyond).

We recommend purchasing your tickets ahead of time though , so you can get the priority express lane and avoid any queues. Buy them for a discounted price here .

Once you’re done with the One World Observatory, you should head on immediately to the 9/11 Memorial Museum,  which is just around the corner.

This is one of those museums that’s regularly packed with people, so get as early as possible to try and beat the crowds that will undoubtedly form.

The 911 Memorial is a very memorable site, and it feels quite distressing to learn more about the event that completely shook the world. No matter your views, it’s a tragic part of history.

Despite the confronting imagery and stories, you can easily spend hours there, so be sure to take that into account when planning your New York City itinerary.

If you have a personal connection to the tragedy of 9/11, or just want to pay your respects, you might want to set aside an entire morning just for this place.

We’ve been to a lot of museums and memorials around the world, and the 911 Memorial was honestly one of the most well thought out and moving museums we have been to.

Once you’re finished, be sure to check out the 9/11 Memorial Site outside, as it’s also a fascinating attraction in its own right.

The 9/11 Museum is included in your New York CityPASS.

Spending 3 days in New York City without seeing the stunning architectural wonder of The Oculus would be a shame.

It’s a beautiful reimagining and replacement of the previous PATH train station that was destroyed during 9/11, and is only a few steps away from the 911 Memorial and museum site.

This futuristic train station also serves as a shopping mall and plaza, so you’ll surely spend a lot of time looking around.

It’s a great way to wind down before going out to grab a bite to eat and continue on with your exploration of New York City.

Day 1 – Afternoon

After you grab some lunch from one of the many diners around the area (or you can grab a hot dog or something quick on the go from the street vendors), it’s time to continue the sightseeing.

You’re sure to love the afternoon, as you’re going to visit one of the most famous places in the entire city.

Take a short walk to the southernmost part of Manhattan and the famous Battery Park, which is where tour ferries operate to take you to visit Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty.

Battery Park has some amazing views of the waterfront and is a great place to stroll through.

Although it’s a generally relaxing place where many people simply walk around or chill out on the grass, you can also find a few attractions to visit.

There’s the Museum of Jewish Heritage and the Skyscraper Museum, which are great places to see in New York City if they pique your interest.

There are some unique artistic installations in Battery Park too, such as the beautiful sculpture called The Sphere.

Battery Park itself is free to enter, but some of the attractions have entrance fees.

If you’re just walking through Battery Park it will only take you a few minutes, then head down to the ferry dock and get ready to cruise over to the Statue of Liberty.

Visiting the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island will take most of your afternoon, but it’s one of the most satisfying places to see in the city.

The Statue of Liberty is one of those true New York City icons, with the famous ‘Lady Liberty’ representing freedom and opportunity for millions of overseas immigrants throughout the years.

Sent over as a gift to the US from France in the 19th century, the State of Liberty was dedicated on October 28th, 1886 and is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

This is a must-do during your New York City itinerary. So get in line and use your New York CityPASS to grab your included ticket.

Everyone that embarks on the ferry to Liberty and Ellis Islands will have to pass through security, which as you can imagine is a very important deal here.

Once you’re on the boat it’s a quick trip over to Liberty Island, where you can jump off to walk around the famous statue, and even climb up to the viewing platform if you’d like.

The next stop is Ellis Island, home to a fascinating museum dedicated to the city’s history of immigration.

Even if you have no intention of going to Liberty Island, you’ll still have to stop there before going to Ellis Island.

This is one of the most popular and must see attractions in the city so be prepared for large crowds. Both Liberty Island and Ellis Island are great experiences, so make sure to give yourself adequate time to explore both of them.

Visiting the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island is included in your CityPASS!

Once you’re back from your great tour to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island it’s time to hit up another major New York City attraction – Wall Street!

You have no doubt heard of Wall Street, as it is the financial hub of the entire US and features in hundreds of Hollywood movies and TV shows.

So what is there to do on Wall Street?

First up spots like the statue of George Washington and the Federal Hall National Monument are pretty interesting sights to check out.

The New York Stock Exchange is another fascinating place to see on Wall Street, so you definitely shouldn’t skip out on it in your 3 days in New York City.

Unfortunately, you can’t enter the Stock Exchange (unless you are a registered stockbroker!), but the building itself is pretty impressive from the outside too.

But the number one thing to do on Wall Street is to get your photo with the famous Charging Bull!

This must see bronze sculpture is extremely popular (arguably one of the most iconic sculptures in the entire city), and you’ll find dozens of excited tourists crowded around trying to get their snap with the bull that represents market optimism.

If you’re feeling peckish at this point there are tonnes of other eateries around Wall Street, so grab a snack to take you into the evening.

Keen to learn more while you’re here? Definitely check out this fantastic tour with a Wall Street insider !

Day 1 – Evening

By now the sun should be getting low on the horizon, and it’s time to go check out New York’s funkier, hipster town away from the island of Manhattan – Brooklyn.

Starting from Wall Street it’s only a short walk to get to the Brooklyn Bridge on the east side of Lower Manhattan. And no NYC itinerary would be complete without walking it.

The pedestrian walkway is a little over a mile long and is kept separate from the zipping cars on your side, so you can wander across safely.

Once you start the walk over the Brooklyn Bridge you’ll probably want to take your time though for two reasons.

First, the crossing is something you’ll probably want to savour for the views. And second, the crowds on the Brooklyn Bridge are likely hectic (plus you’ll have to watch out for cyclists).

Crossing the Brooklyn Bridge is a perfect way to ease into the evening at the end of your first day in New York City.

Once you’ve made it over the Brooklyn Bridge, head to the west and start your exploration of the amazing borough of Brooklyn, which is one of the best places you must see when you visit New York in 3 days.

We’re going to start with walking around Brooklyn Bridge Park, which has been revitalised in recent times and is now one of the trendiest spots in town.

It stretches 85 acres along the Hudson River, on the west side of Brooklyn, and there are constant events happening there.

However as you’re there at night, the best thing to do is simply sit down and enjoy the view, which has some of the best vistas of the New York City skyline.

When you’ve finished taking pictures of the NYC skyline walk back to the other side of the Brooklyn Bridge and check out the cool area of DUMBO.

DUMBO (which stands for Down Under Manhattan Bridge Overpass) is a great neighbourhood to check out, and from here, you’ll have some of the finest views of both the Brooklyn and Manhattan Bridges.

The best thing to do when you are down here is simply walking around and soak in the atmosphere.

This is also the best spot to grab dinner before ending the first awesome day of your 3-day New York City itinerary.

Jump on the Subway to head back to your hotel for a well-deserved rest.

Day 2 – Morning

Make sure you set the alarm early today so you can have a nice breakfast, then continue your adventures in New York City.

We’re going to start the day with a pleasant walk through one of New York’s most surprising and chilled out places – The High Line. To get there take the Subway to 34th Street-Penn Station or 23rd Street Station and walk west.

The High Line is an attraction you wouldn’t want to miss, especially if your goal is to get away from the hustle and bustle New York City is known for a brief while.

This elevated pedestrian walkway is a public park built on what used to be an old freight rail line, and with its high platforms twisting around a small part of Manhattan it’s delightfully peaceful compared to the traffic below.

During the summer months, the High Line turns into a garden oasis of sorts, lined with plenty of gardens and flowers that are maintained by volunteers.

It’s a brilliant way to see a different side of New York City that is loved by locals and tourists alike. The walk won’t take you too long, and 30 minutes should be plenty of time to see most of it.

You can start your walk from a number of different entry points, but we began ours from the Hudson Yards railway area.

Grab a taxi or walk the 1 mile to the Empire State Building for a step back into New York history from atop one of the most famous buildings in the world.

The Empire State Building opens up at 8 am, and we recommend you arrive right around then to beat the crowds, as it’s one of the most popular attractions in New York.

A single hour can mean the entire difference between waiting in a long line or breezing right on in.

The Empire State Building is like the Statue of Liberty, in that it is an emblem that most people instantly associate with New York City, and it features in plenty of postcards and movies of Manhattan.

Use your New York CityPASS to skip the ticket line and head straight through the photo and story gallery, before jumping in an elevator to take you to the observation deck on the 102nd floor.

Gazing at the city under you from atop the Empire State Building observation deck is one of best things to do in New York City in 3 days.

As crazy, hectic and loud as New York City is, there’s a certain feeling of calmness as you’re looking at the sprawling city from way up in the sky.

Besides the views, you’ll also have the chance to learn all about the construction of what was the tallest building in the world when completed in 1931.

The whole experience should take you about an hour if you read all of the information dotted around the place. Don’t forget to climb to the very top of the observation deck for your photos.

Visiting the Empire State Building is included in your CityPASS!

Jump back on the Subway (B Line) and take a ride to the American Museum of Natural History – one of the most important museums in New York City.

This museum is one enormous complex comprised of over two dozen interconnected buildings.

It’s such a giant house of knowledge that even if you dedicate an entire year of your life, you still won’t have time to see everything in it.

The museum holds tens of millions of different items on display, and you’ll find some of the most fascinating bits of human and natural history here.

You’ll learn about Lucy, one of our ancestors from millions of years ago, as well as the Great Blue Whale, the rainforests, and so much more.

This museum is so massive and enthralling, you’ll want to stay for days. Our best recommendation to tackle it is to just pick a handful of exhibits that really interest you and focus on those, as you won’t be able to see everything in just a few hours.

Visiting the American Museum of Natural History is included in your CityPASS!

Day 2 – Afternoon

You can choose to grab lunch in the American Museum of Natural History, from one of the many street vendors scattered around the place, or wait until you wander over to The Met on the east side of Central Park, which is your next stop.

The Metropolitan Museum of Art (commonly referred to as ‘The Met’) is one of the most visited art galleries in the world and housed in a stunning building constructed in 1874.

The Met has over 250,000 works of art on display and it showcases over 5,000 years of art.

Here you’ll find works from Ancient Egypt, the Middle Ages, and even Japan, but also American Art from the 17 th century to the present day.

This museum is a place you can get lost in for hours and you’ll definitely want to go back again in the future to explore it a bit more.

This was honestly one of the best art galleries we have ever visited.

Visiting the Met is included in your CityPASS!

Considered as New York’s backyard, Central Park is absolutely one of the most iconic spots in the entire city.

After spending several hours in the nearby museums, you’ll definitely want to get out into nature and wander around this sprawling, scenic park.

Located right in the centre of Manhattan, in what is obviously prime and expensive real estate, it’s amazing to see that New York has prioritised keeping the city’s loveliest scenery.

From the Strawberry Fields, the Belvedere Castle, to the Zoo, there’s no shortage of things to see in Central Park.

No matter your plans for a trip to the Big Apple, you must see Central Park during your 3 days in New York City.

If you’re into shopping and fashion, then you absolutely need to visit the legendary Fifth Avenue, just across the road from the east side of Central Park.

You’ll find every kind of high-end fashion brand here, from Chanel to Luis Vuitton, and if your budget allows then you’ll probably end up walking away with something that will set you back way more money than you’ll want to think about.

Most tourists spend a lot of time just window-shopping this upper east side destination, as you’ll find some of the finest items in the entirety of New York City without having to spend a dime.

Day 2 – Evening

You’re probably tired after a massive day of sightseeing, but it’s not time to head to bed just yet, because there’s still plenty of amazing things to do on this New York City 3-day itinerary.

Visiting Broadway should be a must for any trip to NYC, and no matter how tired you are, always make sure to check a show if possible.

Here you’ll have some of the most memorable moments from your New York itinerary for 3 days.

However, if you do plan to catch a show, make sure you are well prepared because the best shows sometimes book out months in advance.

If you haven’t had a chance to grab tickets beforehand, or if you don’t have the budget to spend USD$200 for a show, check out the website Broadway for Broke People , where they have ticket lotteries every day.

After your Broadway show, you should definitely head on to Times Square, as it’s the place where New York’s energy truly comes to life.

It is not actually a square, but rather a spot where 7 th Avenue and Broadway intersect and create the surrounding four quarters.

No trip to NYC is complete without visiting Times Square, making it one of the most touristy spots in New York, and the bright lights are the main appeal for people who have constantly seen this place plastered all over TV screens.

You’ll find a lot of street performers working off tips, churches performing gospels, expensive but amazing restaurants, and so much more.

Even if you don’t want to take part in the current of people and energy, you can always sit down and watch the crowds of people.

To be completely honest we really disliked Times Square, as we felt it was just bright commercial lights with far too many advertisements and people around.

However we did a survey on our Instagram to see if anybody else liked the place and almost 50% said they loved Times Square, so head there for yourself and make your own judgment call.

Day 3 – Morning

Today is your last day in New York City and we’re going to spend exploring some of the best neighbourhoods in Manhattan to get a taste of what the city is really like.

If you don’t have breakfast already organised at your hotel we recommend holding off until you get to your first stop of the morning.

Jump on the Subway and make your way to Canal Street to check out Little Italy.

One of the most common misconceptions people have about Little Italy is that the only thing that’s worth visiting in the place is the amazing food.

In fact, there are plenty of things to see and do in Little Italy that are just as great as anywhere else.

Here, you will also find some of trendiest clothing stores in New York, as well as some of the best bars in the city.

If you’re lucky to catch the annual Feast of San Gennaro held during September, visiting Little Italy will definitely become one of your favourite things to do in New York.

No long weekend in New York is complete without visiting the famous Chinatown, and luckily it is just across Canal Street from Little Italy.

This is a popular spot for everyone as it includes history and community, as well as delicious food.

The entirety of this district feels like one giant attraction, which is very interesting to think about as it’s also the place where the largest Chinese community lives outside of Asia.

Here you’ll find a large number of genuine restaurants, quirky little shops, and street markets with a general sense of community.

Don’t forget to check out some of its many pharmacies to grab unique herbal remedies.

A short 15-minute walk from Chinatown is the City Hall of New York, which happens to be one of the oldest ones in the entire US.

It’s a stunning piece of architecture, and its style is one of the most iconic places in New York City. It’s appeared in a lot of movies and TV shows and is just as famous as many other landmarks in the city.

You can also enter the City Hall for a tour if you’d like, and learn more about its fascinating history.

You’ll find out about the inner workings of New York City’s government as well as the Mayor’s Office and the City Council’s office.

Day 3 – Afternoon

Jump back on the Subway and check out the West Village neighbourhood at the 9th Street Station, and legendary Greenwich Village.

Just like plenty of other locations in New York City, Greenwich Village has appeared in a lot of movies. So if you’re on a mission to visit all of the most famous spots in town, you’ll have to stop by.

The entire village used to be the rundown home of artists and bohemians in the 60’s, and it still counts as one of the trendiest spots in the city.

Today many of the ramshackle units have been replaced with trendy bars, cafes, and restaurants, and lots of amazing music venues, like at Bleecker Street, as well as plenty of unique architecture.

It’s only a 5-minute walk to get to Washington Square Park, where you’ll be greeted by the beautiful marble arch, impressive fountain and lots of lovely, shady trees.

This is a spot where many of New York City’s avant-garde artists gather, a place for people to enjoy games of chess, and you’ll find plenty of joyful children running around.

The famous district of SoHo is quite close too if you didn’t get your shopping fix over on 5th Avenue yesterday.

Jump back on your favourite public transport system, the Subway, and make your way to Times Square to see the surprisingly realistic wax figures of Madame Tussauds (HOT TIP – pre-purchase your entrance ticket for a cheaper price here ).

There is something eerie about standing next to a lifelike sculpture of someone you’re used to reading about or maybe seeing on TV.

However, it’s not only merely about taking selfies with the wax figures as much as it’s about atmosphere and presentation.

Unlike most other types of museums, Madame Tussauds in fact encourages interactivity.

Don’t forget, instead of simply standing idly and looking at the figures from afar, you’re encouraged to touch them, take pictures and do all kinds of funny poses.

Day 3 – Evening

You’ll find no shortage of places to eat around Times Square, so grab your favourite dish before continuing with the exploring.

Your final evening in New York City is going to take you to some beautiful places to see at night, especially if you have to see the bright lights that make the city so unique.

Bryant Park, only a short distance from Times Square, is a relatively calm place considering it’s practically in the centre of Manhattan.

Here you’ll enjoy the huge lawn surrounded by lovely gardens, and it’ll almost feel like you’re in an oasis between the chaos of the city.

While it’s not as green and lush in the colder months, it’s one of the spots in New York City with the best Christmas decorations.

An ice-skating rink is a place you wouldn’t want to miss if you are planning your 3-day trip to New York City in winter.

If you’re trying to figure out what to do in New York City in 3 days and St. Patrick’s Cathedral is not on that list, then you’re missing out on something special.

The cathedral was originally constructed in the second half of the 19 th century in a beautiful (and striking) style. However, due to years of wear and tear, pollution, and acid rain the exterior started to crumble.

The city decided to renovate the gorgeous building, both on the inside and out, and the renovation itself cost around $200 million.

That might seem like a crazy amount of money, but once you step foot inside you’ll know that it was entirely worth it.

It’s a must-see spot that has a lot of intricacies in its design, but it’s also incredibly important, both spiritually and historically.

You absolutely must see it as the sun starts to set and the lights turn on.

Rockefeller Center, just south of Central Park on the east side of Manhattan, is one of the most well-known spots in all of New York City as it houses different and important studios for various networks and programs.

From the NBC building to the Radio City Music Hall and even the American Girls Doll Store, the Rockefeller Center is a place to easily get lost in.

This is also the place where the Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon is filmed, and you might be able to join the audience if you’re a fan for a live show.

However, the real reason to visit the Rockefeller Centre is to head to the top…

Use your New York CityPASS to grab a ticket to take you to the very top of the Rockefeller Center, a spot that has been cleverly dubbed the ‘Top of the Rock’ Observation Deck.

Enjoying a nice evening view of Manhattan from the Top of the Rock observation deck is the best way to end your 3 days in New York City itinerary.

It’s truly lovely to see more and more lights in Manhattan come to life just as the night starts to settle in. However make sure you give yourself lots of time to head up, as it’s quite popular in the evenings.

Overall, viewing New York from so high atop is one of the best ways to experience the city. We think the view from here is actually better than others because you can look at the iconic Empire State Building all lit up just across the way.

Visiting the Top of the Rock Observation Deck is included in your CityPASS!

Tips for Making the Most of Your New York City Itinerary

Now that we’ve shared with you the perfect 3 days in New York City itinerary, we also want to let you know some of our best travel tips to help you make the most of your holiday.

Buyinga New York CityPASS is by far our number one travel tip for any NYC itinerary. We’ve talked about it a lot in this article, and that’s because the New York CityPASS is just great value. For only USD$136 you’ll get access to some of the most popular attractions in the city.

This includes the Empire State Building, the 9/11 Memorial and Museum, Rockefeller Center Top of the Rock, a Statue of Liberty or Circle Line cruise, entrance to the Met as well as the American Museum of Natural History.

If you did all of these independently it would cost you $92 more, giving you a saving of 42%. Well worth it if you’re planning on seeing all the best things in this NYC itinerary.

Another great NYC itinerary travel tip is rather than buying single tickets for every single Subway journey, which will cost you $3 each time, grab yourself a MetroCard from the stations and save money in the long run.

You have to pay $5.50 for the card itself, but it is reusable and brings the cost of each fare down to $2.75. Plus for you get a 5% bonus each time you top it up.

So by adding $20 to the card, you actually get $21.

If you think you’ll be riding the Subway even more, or want to take buses too, you can get yourself a 7-day unlimited pass for $32. Great if you don’t feel like walking between sights, or are staying in New York City longer.

As you can tell from this NYC itinerary, your days are jam-packed, so make sure you start every day as early as possible to make the most of your 3 days in New York City.

This can of course be hard if you’re planning on hitting up some of the hundreds of awesome bars, clubs and speakeasies that the city is known for. But it’s worth laying off the expensive drinks if you have a limited time in town.

Walking around New York City can be crazy, and a couple of blocks may take a lot longer than you’d ever think because of all the people and traffic around.

But if you’re feeling fit and love to explore a city on foot, then New York is a great place to do it.

There are tonnes of excellent little shops, galleries, churches, bars and restaurants to be found if you simply wander around and keep your eyes open.

Another good resource for all things New York City is the NYC & Co website .

Where to Stay in New York City

There’s absolutely no shortage of accommodation in New York City, and the first thing you’ll need to do when deciding where to stay is to pick a Manhattan neighbourhood to use as a base.

It all depends on your budget and what you want to see when you’re in town, and there’s plenty of great articles online to help you decide which one suits you.

Best Accommodations in Town

We personally stayed in two different neighbourhoods – TriBeCa and Midtown West – and both are great options. TriBeCa feels a little more local, and has good access to the southern tip of Manhattan, while Midtown West is more central located on the west side of the island.

Staying downtown in Manhattan is always going to be expensive, but if you’re in a budget and still want to be in the heart of everything, then the absolute best hostel in town is Jazz on Columbus Circle .

It’s a small, boutique hostel and has been renovated to have modern amenities throughout. It has a funky vibe with some awesome decor, and the dorms are small with between 3-6 beds.

High-quality accommodation in New York City is not cheap, but the closest balance you can get between affordability and quality is at Pod 51 Hotel .

The rooms are no-frills, but clean, bright and more spacious than you might expect. The location is great, there’s fast wifi and an amazing rooftop garden to enjoy.

This is it – the top of the cream for hotels in New York that you can still get for well under $1000 a night.

The Library Collection has some of the best hotels all around the city, but our favourite is Hotel Giraffe. You’ll be treated like a king or queen here!

The rooms are enormous, breakfast is lovely, the hotel boasts some fantastic relaxing areas and lounges, but the best part is the 3-hour long wine & cheese receptions held every evening.

If it’s a special occasion in the city, splurge out and stay here for your 3 days in New York itinerary!

Hotel Review – YOTEL New York

We spent a couple of nights in the funky, futuristic YOTEL New York hotel in Midtown West, and it was one of the most interesting and unique places we’ve stayed in for a long time.

The YOTEL chain has been taking off around the world with its 21st-century approach to how hotels should be, introducing all kinds of elements such as computer check-ins, high tech rooms and even a robot to store your bags to make your stay pretty awesome.

If you also work online or need to conduct business while you’re travelling then you’ll love the co-working focus that YOTEL has.

Located a short walk from Times Square in one direction and the High Line in another, YOTEL New York is in a great spot and the building itself has some great hangout areas.

Once you check-in on the computers downstairs you head up the elevator to the 4th floor, which is the main hub of the property.

Here you’ll find a reception desk with staff ready to help you with any questions you might have and a large chill-out area with couches.

There’s also a couple of places to eat, drink and hang on this floor – The Green Fig for all your Middle Eastern fare, KOMYUNITI, the co-working space with a full cafe waiting to serve up coffee, and Green Room 42 for late-night parties and gigs.

This is also where you’ll be able to access The Terrace – one of the biggest rooftop terraces in all of New York City, with huge green spaces, lots of places to sit and even some games to entertain you such as mini-golf.

During the night it comes alive with guests mingling, sipping on cocktails and making the most of the beautiful New York evenings.

The rooms at YOTEL are known as Cabins and are the core of the futuristic side of things in this accommodation.

It starts with the bed, which is a super comfortable ‘SmartBed’, which you can adjust with a push of a button. It can go from upright positioning like a couch, flat for sleep mode and everything in between if you just want to lay down and read a book.

This is actually a great feature because the rooms in New York can be quite small, so by being able to turn the bed into a couch (without being a futon or fold-out) during the day gives you a lot of extra room.

The Smart TV connects to your phone and laptop so you can stream anything you want, and there’s plenty of charging hubs around the cabin.

The bathroom also makes the most of limited space, and the huge rain shower head is a great feature.

We really liked how bright the cabins were, and how they made use of limited space in really intelligent ways. The bed was amazingly comfortable and perfect for relaxing at the end of a big day exploring.

The chill-out spaces downstairs were also brilliant, and when we had to get some work done in between outings we’d much rather hang out there than in our rooms.

The wifi was also free and quite fast, which is great for us needing to work online and for anyone that likes to stay connected with their friends and family.

As great as YOTEL New York was, it wasn’t perfect, and there are a few things that we didn’t love about the place.

First up was the YOBOT, the futuristic robot that was used to store luggage. We arrived at the hotel before check-in and decided to use the YOBOT to store our luggage.

It was quite slow and there was a long line up of people doing the same thing. In the end, we stood in line for over 20 minutes, then when it finally came time for our turn the storage was full, so one of the helpers downstairs just took our bags and placed them out the back for a fee.

We felt like it was a huge waste of time, and even though the YOBOT was cool, it did seem kind of gimmicky. And we weren’t impressed that even though we were staying there we had to pay for luggage storage.

There’s also a ‘facility fee’ of USD$35 plus tax, which supposedly gives you some special features. These include access to the FOUR level, where the Terrace, bars and restaurants are, free wifi (not really ‘free’ then) and the use of the gym and co-working spaces.

Our issue with this is that anybody can access the FOUR level, even if they aren’t staying there, by just going up the elevator. The entire area is completely open to the public and you don’t need a room key to go up there. So essentially guests pay USD$35 for the same thing that anybody not staying there gets for free.

That being said we did talk to one of the managers there and they said they were planning on bringing in a bunch of extra features like free bike rental and other benefits to make the $35 worth the money.

At the end of the day, we did like YOTEL New York and would stay there again. The futuristic style was unlike anything we had seen before, and we can see many of these elements being brought into hotels around the world.

It is also pretty affordable for a hotel of this quality in what is a very popular area in one of the most expensive cities in the world.

If you want to stay in central Manhattan, be within walking distance of many great attractions and would like a funky, cool and comfortable place to rest your head at night, YOTEL is a great spot to stay for your 3 days in New York City.

Our trip to New York City was made in collaboration with ‘NYC and Company’. All thoughts, opinions and hours spent wandering the streets are, as always, our own.

Alesha and Jarryd

Hi, We’re Alesha and Jarryd!

We’ve been traveling the world together since 2008, searching for the planet’s best destinations and adventures.

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Kudos, for the incredible NYC insights! Following your advice, we savored the diverse cuisines in Hell’s Kitchen and marveled at the city lights from the Brooklyn Bridge. What a ride!

Nice Post. Thanks for writing the right information.

Thank you so much. Happy to help 🙂

Thanks for the information you shared about Romantic Places in New York City. I appreciate your efforts and taking the time and sharing this content.

The itinerary strikes a good balance between seeing the classic must-see sights and experiencing some of the lesser-known hidden gems of the city. However, as with any city as vast and dynamic as New York, it’s impossible to see everything in just three days. Visitors may need to prioritize based on their own interests and time constraints. Still, this is a valuable resource for anyone looking to make the most of their trip to New York City. Thanks!

Great information! Using it as a guide for my upcoming 3 days trip to NYC.

Happy the article could help. Have a great trip. 🙂

Thank you for taking your time and provide us with this helpful post.

Soon we will travel to New York and we already know a lot of things.

Glad the article was helpful. Have a great time in New York. 🙂

We have just returned from four days in New York and I just want to thank you so much for your itinerary. We followed it pretty much all the way and covered so much in ground and saw so many things. It was amazing. Thank you so much again!

Thanks for sharing this. I find it so help you.

Thank you SO much for such a great breakdown – I was worried 3 days would be impossible, but seeing how much you’ve fit in I’m feeling confident with some comfy shoes and a few coffees I can do this 😀

Hi Claire, NY is definitely overwhelming. We fitted a lot in when we were there. They were long days and a lot of walking but we thought “when are we going to be in NY again”. There is so much fun things to do. Have a wonderful time. Happy travels

Hi, thanks for the guide. We are planning our trip for April, so this will be really helpful. It sounds like a City Pass is the way to go! Jan

Hi Jan, that is exciting you are heading to NYC. It is such an incredible city with so much to do. When we were there, we had the city pass and it was so convenient. If you want to go to the locations that the city pass offers, then it is definitely worth it. As it was our first time visiting, it saved us money. Have a great time. Happy travels.

Hello and thanks for all the tips! We are going in April and I was trying to book a Crown visit for the Statue of Liberty. I saw somewhere you need to purchase tickets 4 months in advance but now I can’t find the site to do so. Plus I read a lot of scam sites. Do you recommend how to do this?

Hi Dannie, that is great you are heading to NYC. We never got book the crown visit for the Statue of Liberty. We only saw it from a cruise on the water. I went to the NYC Tourism Website ( https://www.nycgo.com/ ) and they link to the State of Liberty website here https://www.statueofliberty.org/statue-of-liberty/ . Maybe you could contact the State of Liberty and they may be able to help with your booking. Sorry we can not help. It would be an amazing view from the top. All the best and have a great trip.

Can you recommend any alterations to this itenirary if we choose to go around Christmas time?

Dawn, that is so exciting you are going there for Christmas. We would love to see NYC during the festive season one time. We only visited outside of the this time. We are not too sure about the Christmas activities that will be going on. This itinerary on our article would be good to follow and add in Christmas activities when you can. Have a great time.

Thanks on your marvelous posting! I seriously enjoyed reading it, you’re a great author. I will ensure that I bookmark your blog aand definitely will come back aat some point. I want to encourage yourself to continue your great job, have a nice weekend!

whoah this weblog is wonderful i really like studying your articles. Keeep up the good work! You already know, a lot of persons are lopoking round for this info, you can aiid them greatly.

Thanks for finally writing about > 3 Days in New York City – The PERFECT Itinerary (2020 Guide) < Liked it!

what an amazing city! now it is one of my favorite ones! i’ve been to different places but no city has impressed me as much as New York! I really like travelling and as the person who does it really often i can reccomend to everyone to use some car rental service to make the process much more comfortable!

So glad you enjoyed the city Michael. What was your favourite part of the city?

Hi, this is not a comment, just asking for advice which is the best time to visit New York? i suffer from arthritis so cant do winter, looking for inexpensive but comfortable accommodation in Manhattan for 4 people with a strict budget. Kind regards Pam from South Africa

Hi Pam, summer or spring sounds like a great time for you. Do give booking. com a look for the best budget rooms for the 4 of you. Here is the link – https://www.booking.com/district/us/new-york/manhattan.en-gb.html?aid=899664 Have a great tip. Happy travels.

your 3 day plan is great, however, if you could include the pricing of the attractions, will enable people to budget for the visit!!

Hi Pani, we purchased City Pass cards so all the attractions are included on this card. We feel it is the best way to see them all. You can even skip the lines sometimes if you have the card. Check out the card for yourself. 🙂 https://bit.ly/2ya654E

I am going with a group of 6 and we want to fast track the attractions with skip the lines access, etc. Does the City Pass allow this? Also, want to go to the crown of the statue of liberty. Is it worth that? And does City pass allow that?

Yes. You get to go in another line. I don’t know if it is the fast track line but we got in way faster than all the other people in the other line as we had a ticket all ready.

Just got back from nyc with my family (3 kids). I stumbled upon this blog when I started stressing about not having an itinerary of sorts. We followed it almost completely. Moved a few things around based off that we were there 3.5 days and our hotel location. But this was a lifesaver and helped us make the most of our time. I also like how it was a plan that used the city pass which we had already planned to use. Thanks!

Hi, Thank you for the information, this is really useful, but do think it would be still possible with 2 kids (2 & 5)? we will be there in Jul 24, booked in Staybridge hotel

Great article guys! I would also suggest a helicopter ride over the spectacular New York skyline, which is a sight to behold. These rides are absolutely safe for children as well; could be something of a mind-blowing experience for them.

Great information, thank you so much! I am going to New York this summer for a conference and hoping to use many of these tips during my free time, as it is the first time I am actually staying overnight in New York. I have the list of things I want to see while there, and this helped me to map the sights in my mind. Perfect timing with this detailed information!

Hi Anu – Riikka, we hope you have a great time. It is a big city and so much to do. Work out what you really want to do and concentrate on them. Happy travels

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Perfect Weekend in NYC Itinerary (2 Days in New York)

Looking for how to spend a weekend in NYC? This 2 days in NYC itinerary and weekend getaway guide is just what you need to help plan an unforgettable getaway for a bite-sized trip to one of the best cities in the world. (we might be biased!)

Sure, exploring New York in 2 days isn’t going to be enough. Heck, multiple days isn’t enough, and even though we live in the city and do more sightseeing than you’re average local, or transplant we have still have yet to do it all and doubt we will ever come close!

This weekend in NYC itinerary will be based out of Chelsea since this is one of the BEST neighborhoods to use as a launchpad to explore some of our favorite picks for how to spend 2 days in NYC (if you only have a weekend).

It’s really tough to pick the best places to explore – especially for one weekend so we went with the neighborhood we stayed in and based in when we house sat here which ultimately turned into the reason why WE moved to NYC. And since rent in this neighborhood is a bit unattainable for most – staying here is the next best thing.

This guide will cover things to do and see, neighborhoods to explore, a few suggestions of our favorite places around to eat and drink, and a few more suggestions in case you have extra time on your weekend in NYC or you have more than 2 days in New York.

This guide and itinerary covers mostly Chelsea and Midtown West including the Meatpacking District and Hudson Yards along with exploring neighborhoods like the West Village, Greenwich Village, SoHo, and NoHo.

And you’ll notice on this NYC itinerary we are skipping some of the touristy hot spots like Times Square, Statue of Liberty, and Central Park – not because they aren’t great but because we wanted to share a few cool areas to explore and it just didn’t fit. See our section later on in the guide for more suggestions if you end up having more than 2 days in NYC or have extra time on your weekend in New York.

We also have planned a lot of walking on this NYC itinerary. Wear comfortable walking shoes, you can always take the subway and/or grab a yellow cab to get around although keep in mind sometimes walking is just as fast as taking a cab if you don’t have very far to go!

Disclaimer: This post was done in collaboration with Motto by Hilton New York City Chelsea, as always all opinions are our own.

Day 1: 2 Days in NYC Itinerary

Breakfast at brooklyn bagel & coffee co..

286 8th Avenue

Start your weekend in NYC off right with one of the best breakfast options and quintessential food to try when you’re in the city – a fresh New York bagel! 

We both have been spending the past few years tasting our way around to figure out who has the best bagel in the city and well, Brooklyn Bagel & Coffee Co. comes in at the number one spot.

Their doughy bagels are perfection. We personally are fans of the flavored cream cheese spreads, although breakfast sandwiches are an option. 

There is a small seating area outside, however, we recommend grabbing your bagel to go and walking over to the High Line to find a bench to enjoy your breakfast at! You’ll walk around 2.5 blocks, you’ll want to enter the High Line at 23rd Street (at 10th Avenue).

Walk the High Line

If you’ve grabbed your bagel and made your way to 23rd St (at 10th Ave) you will enter the famous Chelsea High Line, one of the most unique parks in the city located on a former elevated railway. The entire High Line is 1.4 miles stretching from the Meatpacking District to Hudson Yards.

We recommend walking towards Hudson Yards first, then we suggest turning and walking the opposite way to build up an appetite for lunch. Along the way, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to find a bench to take a seat.

As you’re walking the skyline you’ll pass public sculptures, impressive architecture from historic buildings to modern buildings, see murals, NYC traffic from above, and of course you can make as many stops as you wish along the way.

If you want to learn more about the High Line and some of the fascinating stops along the way, they do offer free public tours too. These are not always available, so it’s best to check to see if there are any during your 2 days in NYC.

Something to keep in mind is that you can’t enter the High Line anywhere. There are designated entrances usually every few streets, check which entrances are open during your visit.

Hudson Yards

Walk to the end of the High Line to Hudson Yards on Manhattan’s West Side. This posh neighborhood was born out of high-end developers and has a few fun attractions worth visiting.

One thing you don’t want to miss (and it’s hard to miss) is the Vessel . This towering, honeycomb-shaped structure is an impressive outdoor installation that was first opened as an observation deck where visitors could climb the stairs and landings. Due to a few unfortunate events that took place here, the observation and ability to climb the Vessel are closed indefinitely.  

That being said, the Vessel is still really cool to check out and they let visitors take a peek looking up from the center of the Vessel from the base.

There’s also a mall here and if you’re already feeling peckish make you’re way to Mercado Little Spain , the Spanish market located at the lower level of Hudson Yards.

If you’re looking to see the city from sky high, check out the Edge NYC , the highest outdoor Skydeck in the Western Hemisphere! This is one of the newest, sexiest observation decks that has opened that past few years in the city and you’ve probably seen images shared from the outdoor corner where it looks like the person standing is floating above the city on a sliver of glass.

Besides the cool photos, you also get incredible views of the city like the Statue of Liberty, One World Trade Center, and other iconic landmarks like the New Yorker.

Purchase your Skip the Line Edge tickets  in advance so you don’t have to wait in any queues on the day of.

Visit Chelsea’s Art Galleries

As you start heading back the opposite way on the High Line during your weekend in NYC itinerary, we suggest popping up and down – on/off the High Line to make a few stops along the way towards the Meatpacking District.

The neighborhood of Chelsea is known for its contemporary art scene and its hundreds of galleries. This neighborhood has always been a gathering place for artists (visit the historic Chelsea Hotel to pay homage to many of the artists that were residents here from Jackson Pollock, Andy Warhol, to musicians like Bob Dylan and Patti Smith at 204 W 23rd St) and you can find the sea of galleries that make this one of New York’s best cultural hubs.

There are literally hundreds of galleries in Chelsea, too many to fit in 2 days in NYC, so we are going to recommend a few of our favorites. You will find most galleries in a 10 block section on 10th and 11th Avenues from around 18th to 28th Streets.

Guy Hepner – (521 W 26th St 5th Floor) This is one of the best galleries in the neighborhood if you’re wanting to see some of pop art’s biggest names work like Andy Warhol and Roy Lichtenstein or other contemporary and mixed artists like Jeff Koons, Keith Haring, Invader, Yayoi Kusama, and Damien Hirst to name a few.

Taglialatella Galleries – (229 10th Ave) is known for its impressive collection of street art and pop artworks from some of the most famous artists in the space like Banksy, Invader, Mr. Brainwash, Keith Haring, Jerkface, and Jean Michel Basquiat to name a few of the impressive names whose artwork is on display.

Jim Kempner Fine Art – (501 W 10th Ave) Located next to Taglialatella Galleries, this gallery specializes in contemporary art featuring works like master prints, paintings, sculptures, photography, and more.

David Zwirner Gallery – (525 W 19th St) This contemporary art gallery has not one, but three locations in the city as well as locations in Hong Kong, London, and Paris. The exhibits change, so it’s always great to pop in and see what’s currently on display. During our visit, there was a really great exhibit about Toni Morrison’s Black Book.

Little Island

On a beautiful day, you need to add this to your weekend in NYC itinerary. Another one of the city’s newest highlights is Little Island at Pier 55, an urban eco-friendly park with a unique design featuring sloping paths, small garden spaces, lawns, event spaces, and food vendors floating above the Hudson River.

If you’re running tight on time on your weekend in NYC, check out the park from the Hudson River Esplanade for the coolest view of the park, from the side!

Chelsea Market

We hope you worked up an appetite with all your exploring around the High Line! Chelsea Market is legendary for its selection of food vendors and shops to check out all under one historic roof. The building was home to the National Biscuit Company, aka Nabisco, and was where the Oreo cookie was invented!

There are some great stores to stop in and more importantly, there are great food options which is great if you’re not sure what you want to eat. If we were to give one recommendation, it’s always going to be Los Tacos No. 1 who sells street-style tacos and who always has a line if that indicates how incredible these are (don’t worry it moves quickly0.

What you won’t be able to see is that this building is also home to a few networks on the upper floors including the Food Network and Oxygen Network!

Take a lap through this historic building and market paying mind to some of the old photos and artifacts throughout the market paying homage to the past when this spot was where the Oreo was invented!

Starbucks Reserve Roastery

After all that walking on our weekend in New York itinerary and a meal at Chelsea Market you might be needing a little ‘pick me up’ and Starbucks Reserve Roastery is the perfect place for this. We fell in love with this experience back when we were exploring Seattle , where Starbucks was born and their first Reserve location is.

For those unfamiliar, this is not your average Starbucks, it’s more like a Willy Wonka version of Starbucks where you’re surrounded by the roasting of beans happening through the exposed and see-through pipes and spacious setting for a cup of coffee, snack, or cocktail at their different areas within the space.

We recommend heading up to the Arriviamo Bar on the upper level where you can sample an Espresso Martini Flight or Cold Brew and Whiskey Flight for those wanting to taste a few things or order a signature coffee drink off their bar list.

This is the perfect way to kick off a weekend in NYC all while also getting a little jolt of caffeine from all that urban exploring you’re doing in and around Chelsea, the High Line, and Meatpacking District.

Whitney Museum of American Art

99 Gansevoort St

You can’t spend 2 days in NYC and not mention at least one museum, although I feel like the art galleries do count for something! One of the best museums in the city is the Whitney Museum of American Art, aka the Whitney.

Their collection includes works from some of the best American artists from the 20th and 21st centuries including works from Edward Hopper, Robert Henri, Georgia O’Keefe, Andy Warhol, and Theodore Robinson to name a few not to mention their focus on featuring living American artists too.

Dinner at the Mermaid Inn

227 10th Ave

We recommend spending some time checking out the Meatpacking District whether that means shopping around the different retail spaces, spending a few hours in the Whitney, or making your way back to Chelsea to hit up a few more galleries before working up an appetite for our favorite oyster happy hour at the Mermaid Inn, which is also a great seafood restaurant.

This is one of the few places that also has happy hour specials on Saturdays and Sundays too making it a perfect stop during your 2 days in NYC itinerary over a weekend! On Mondays, through Sundays from 4:30 to 6:30 pm you can find incredible specials including $1.25 oysters of the day, drink specials, and other appetizers.

We come to the Mermaid Inn anytime we get a chance to just for their happy hour and an excuse to enjoy their oysters. Beyond oysters, they also have a great selection of entrees.

This is popular, so if you’re not coming close to 4:30 when they open you’ll want to secure a seat by making a reservation!

148 W 24th St

End the first day of your weekend in NYC itinerary with a bang by heading to Barcade, a Bar + Arcade that has tons of fun vintage arcade video games, pinball games, and a great draft list to enjoy your evening!

When ordering your drink you can either purchase tokens with your card on your order or if you have cash you can exchange for tokens in the machines around the space.

We are huge fans and have even visited their Brooklyn location a few times too. Better yet, this happens to be less than a 1-minute walk to the hotel we suggest as your launchpad for this weekend in NYC itinerary, but more on that later!

Day 2: 2 Days in NYC Itinerary

Light breakfast at bar cicchetti.

113 W 24th St

Located at the ground level of Motto Chelsea hotel, Bar Cicchetti is a great stop for a light breakfast (trust us you’ll want room for your meals throughout the day) and a nice cup of coffee in their stylish restaurant and craft bar space.

While this is a great dining spot for lunch and dinner, their breakfast menu features light bites from pastries to avocado toast and other fresh options like breakfast bowls over a bed of greens and farro.

This option especially makes sense for those staying here, which we did during our little staycation exploring this area of New York in 2 days. 

Explore the West Village (Shopping, Sightseeing, Lunch)

Something that’s awesome about basing in Chelsea during your weekend in NYC is that you’re just a short walking distance to some of the city’s coolest neighborhoods to explore including the West Village, a neighborhood known for its notoriously ‘cool’ bohemian residents, beautiful brownstones and architecture filled streets, and its role in the LGBTQ+ Rights Movement.

Hit up the trendy shops along Bleecker Street and swoon over the neighborhood adorable eateries and cafes along with keeping an eye out for street fashion as the people who tend to walk through here dress like they are living works of art.

If you’re a fan of popular New York City based TV shows like Sex and the City or Friends then you’ll be happy to be exploring the neighborhood these shows were ‘set’ in.

Be sure to walk to Carrie Bradshaw’s iconic brownstone (66 Perry St), it’s said that Sarah Jessica Parker actually does live on this street too just a few doors down with her husband Matthew Broderick, so maybe you’ll score big and get a ‘Carrie sighting’ as you stroll by.

Please keep in mind that this is a private residence, so if you do visit respect the sign that asks people not to go on the steps and consider donating any loose change or dollars you have to the donation box for a good cause too!

Continuing to explore the West Village through cult-classic tv series, you can make your way to the ‘Friends’ apartment building (90 Bedford St) just a few minutes walk away. While the show was filmed in Los Angeles in a studio, this building was used as a facade for the establishing shots of their famed apartment building.

We recommend stopping and having lunch in the area, we love Jeffrey’s Grocery (172 Waverly Pl). This stylish American eatery has a noteworthy oyster bar (if you didn’t get your fill the night before), seafood entrees, incredible brunch options, burgers, salads, and unbelievably delicious brussels sprouts with maple and bacon.

Be sure to also stop and check out the Stonewall National Monument , which is right here, and the location of the Stonewall Inn where the modern LGBT Rights movement kicked off after the 1969 riots that took place here.

Another not-to-be-missed stop in the area while you’re exploring and wandering during your weekend in New York make your way to Washington Square Park . This is PRIME people watching as there are always impromptu performances, skateboarders, dancers, musicians, and even recently there was a surprise performance by the legend and the man Bill Murrary right here under the iconic arch!

This park is surrounded by the NYU campus so there’s always a young, college scene going on mixed with all the things that make NYC so whacky and wonderful all gathered here at this public park. Be sure to look under the arch and get a great view of the Empire State Building framed up neatly just beneath it, and looking the opposite way you get the WTC lined up under it.

Soho & Noho Exploring

Next up on your itinerary for 2 days in New York, we are suggesting you explore two other cool neighborhoods which are known for shopping, gorgeous architecture, and area to get a great sense of what makes New York City so enchanting. I particularly love the architecture in these two neighborhoods and really enjoy just walking around and stopping in shops that catch my eye along the way.

SoHo and NoHo are named based on their location to Houston (pronounced HOW-STUN) St, a major west to the east thoroughfare in Lower Manhattan.

SoHo (South of Houston) was a popular creative community through the 70s and 80s and now is a high-end neighborhood with incredible shopping including luxury and upscale boutiques that can be found on Broadway and Spring Street.

If you’re looking for photo-friendly places to check out stop by Felix Roasting Co. (104 Greene St) for one of the most stylish and beautiful cafes in the city. Or the oh-so-popular Museum of Ice Cream (558 Broadway) is located in the neighborhood and made specifically with Instagram photo opportunities in mind. Believe it or not, this is one of the most popular attractions in NYC, so booking a ticket in advance is required .

Make your way North of Houston to NoHo on Broadway and make a stop at Great Jones Distilling Co. (686 Broadway). This insanely beautiful distillery is the first whiskey distillery in Manhattan since the prohibition, which is a surprising fact since this distillery didn’t open until 2021!

The distillery itself is a masterpiece and caught our eye from Broadway as the exterior is beautiful and the interior, well is even more so. Join a distillery tour or head up to the bar on the second level where you can enjoy a whiskey tasting or a cocktail. Not a whiskey drinker? No worries, they have gin and vodka cocktails too.

Dinner at Eataly

Walking as much as we are suggesting during your 2 days in New York you’re going to be tired out a bit which is why we recommend coming back closer towards our base in Chelsea, but to the Flatiron District to enjoy Eataly and dinner here at SERRA By Birreria , a seasonal rooftop restaurant that changes out its beautiful decor with the seasons along with its menu.

First walkthrough Eataly and work up that appetite. You can find all kinds of incredible imported goods from Italy from cheese to kitchenware along with pop-up eateries in the middle of this food heaven.

Make your way over to the elevator to head up to the rooftop restaurant and the star of the show here, SERRA. As mentioned, this popular restaurant changes out its look and menu throughout the seasons and the decor is always a canopy of flowers or winter lights which make for the most gorgeous setting.

Their plates are family style and the menu is rotating, everything we’ve tried here was spectacular and we’ve been a few times. Reservations are strongly advised to ensure you get a table.

Post Dinner Drinks

We hope you saved room for another drink and another unique spot that always has something exciting going on. Oscar Wilde (45 W 27th St) is a Victorian-style bistro and bar that decorates with over-the-top decorations for just about every holiday.

During our visit they had some really fun Lunar New Year decorations up and we’ve also seen this place around Christmas which is always over the top and really exciting!

Besides being known for the quirky and elaborate decorations, Oscar Wilde has the longest bar in New York City at 118.5 feet in length! Their whiskey bar is also made of a repurposed player piano from 1819 and they have over 300 whiskeys to offer along with season cocktails that have something for everyone.

This is such a cool spot to check out during your weekend in NYC itinerary and end night 2 with a perfect nightcap. 

More Time During Your 2 Days in NYC?

Have room for more activities during your 2 days in NYC? Or maybe you are enjoying a long weekend in NYC and have extra days. In that case, we made a few suggestions which also include getting to know other boroughs of the city!

Peru in NYC Tour

One of our favorite things to do anywhere we go is join a food tour. Not only does food in every culture bring people together, but the food of a place often tells the history and explores the culture of where you’re exploring. 

We can’t recommend checking out the Peru in NY tour which is 3.5 hours long in Jackson Heights, Queens a neighborhood known for its immersion of several cultures including South America (in addition to being home to Little India).

Through this tour we learned more about the sub-cultures of Peru including a visit to a local supermarket and a full menu of incredible Peruvian dishes from Warique Restaurant. During our sampling of every dish on the menu including lomo saltado, ceviche, and tamals to name a few paired with a Pisco sour.

All of the incredible flavors throughout the menu paired with a live demonstration and learning about Afro-Peruvian percussion instruments and dances as well as a live Andean musician who played music as we ate. Check out En Noble to see how you can request a tour during your weekend in NYC.

 Spend a Day in Brooklyn

We have an entire website dedicated to Brooklyn and all there is to do and see. If you’re looking for a place to start we recommend walking the Brooklyn Bridge into Brooklyn and checking out the neighborhood of DUMBO.

Grab a bite to eat at Time Out Market or pizza at Juliana’s. Walk around Brooklyn Bridge Park for unbelievable views of the city skyline across the East River and hit up the shops and breweries in DUMBO.

If you’re wanting to beat the crowds that gather here, walk about 10 minutes up to Brooklyn Heights Promenade for unbelievable views and perhaps a chance to have a sighting of one of the many celebrities who live here.

Alternatively, you can head to Williamsburg for the day where you are greeted with more incredible views of the NYC skyline from Domino Park, hit up all the cool vintage stores and boutiques, and have no shortage of places to eat and drink along Bedford.

It pains me to only recommend those two neighborhoods as Brooklyn is SO much more, but those two spots are the Brooklyn hot spots if you only have a short time to visit. You’ll have to check out our other site for more ideas and see why you can easily spend your entire weekend in NYC in Brooklyn too!

More NYC Attractions

If you only have a few extra hours on your weekend in New York then you most likely will only be able to fit in one more activity which we will recommend based on the proximity of Chelsea and where we suggested your base for this trip as it’s one of the best places for where to stay in New York City !

Summit One Vanderbilt – the newest observation deck in the city that also is full of interactive art installations including the insanely cool mirrored floors and ceilings with a front-row view of the Empire State Building, exhibits by Yayoi Kusama, and even the bathrooms have floor to ceiling views towering above the city directly facing iconic landmarks like the Chrysler Building. Book your ticket here.

Explore Nolita – even if you only have a few hours, walk through the streets and check out the best things to do in Nolita from the dining and drinking scene, historic landmarks, Godfather filming locations, and great shops all around the popular Little Italy neighborhood.

Empire State Building – Check out the iconic symbol of the city and check out the classic observatory which offers great views of Central Park and Lower Manhattan from the observation deck here and afterward check out Macy’s at Herald Square (the largest department store in the country) or the gorgeous Morgan Library Museum. Book your ticket here.

Bryant Park and New York Public Library – Check out one of the most famous parks in the city which is extra special in the winter when they have their winter village kiosks set up and ice skating rink. Be sure to visit the New York Public Library’s Rose Reading Room and pay a visit to the original Winnie the Pooh and friends characters as they are located in the children’s section of the library.

Check out all the wonderful things to do in the Financial District , where you can easily fill an entire day sightseeing from One World Observatory, The Statue of Liberty, riding the Staten Island Ferry, visiting historic sites, and more!

Where to Stay during your Weekend in NYC

We highly recommend staying at Motto by Hilton New York City Chelsea which is conveniently located on 24th Street and an incredible launchpad for exploring New York City as everything mentioned on this 2 days in NYC itinerary is within ~15 minutes either by walking or train which is an impressive feature for anyone familiar with the city!

Besides having a great location, their travel-sized rooms were made with every detail even the most seasoned of travelers like us can appreciate. There are several places to store and hide your luggage in the room, making it easy to access them at any time and the ability to book connecting rooms with friends with a flex room in between that can be used as a sleeping room or a living room thanks to the murphy bed set up.

There are also options to book a bunkie room that has a Queen size bunk bed. If you’re enjoying the connecting rooms you can easily open the doors and create a private hallway to the rooms you’re using!

In addition to comfortable and stylish rooms that have city views, the common areas and food and beverage options at Bar Cicchetti were also convenient. Book here.

Getting Around During Your Weekend in NYC

While most of the things we suggested on this guide for your weekend in New York City are walkable, your feet might be tired if you’re not used to exploring places on foot all the time. Lucky for you the city has quite a few and easy to use transportation options.

The subway is the easiest option. The best bet is to plug where you’re trying to go into your Google maps and look at the route they suggest, you can even look up directions by customizing your departing or desired arrival time to see which trains to take.

You no longer need to get a MetroCard and load it with funds, every subway station in the city now accepts payment via OMNY, the new contactless payment method to enter the subway station. Simply tap your credit card and it charges you automatically.

We love this so much better than being almost late for a train and realizing we need to upload more funds to our MetroCard and miss the train!

Another option is using a yellow taxi which you’ll spot driving through all the areas you’ll be exploring. Make sure you are getting in a REAL taxi, this should be obvious but if you’re not familiar, here’s a guide on how to spot a fake taxi in NYC .

You can always use rideshare apps like Uber and Lyft too. Keep in mind that sometimes taking a taxi or rideshare can be longer than the subway or walking if it’s a shorter distance due to traffic.

Last but not least, you have the option to rent bicycles from Citibike which has docking stations all over the city. You need to download the Citibike app and set up payment, then you can rent, unlock, and re-dock bikes using the app.

Keep in mind the summer months can be tricky as this is popular and sometimes docking stations are full or empty, use the app to determine the availability at the time of you renting. This is one of our favorite ways to get around in nice weather as you get to look around you as you’re biking and see the city another way!

Enjoyed New York in 2 days using our guide? Or maybe you need to save this NYC in a weekend itinerary to use to plan your future trip! Bookmark for later or share the love below on Pinterest!

Megan loves cats, pizza, and finding cool themed bars and hotels in New York and on her travels!

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Weekend in New York: The Perfect 3-Day Itinerary

For an unforgettable first visit to the Big Apple, look no further than this meticulously crafted 3-day New York City itinerary!

New York City, also known as the Big Apple and the city that never sleeps—regardless of how you refer to it. The undeniable truth remains that it stands as one of the most dynamic and captivating cities globally.

Journeying to this cosmopolitan hub has been a lifelong dream for countless individuals worldwide. From the dazzling lights of Times Square to the symbolism of freedom embodied by the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, New York City encapsulates the essence of ambition seen in Hollywood movies and TV shows for decades.

Exploring the diverse neighborhoods, districts, and iconic landmarks of New York City unveils an unmatched experience not easily replicated elsewhere in the United States or in most cities.

Crafting the Ideal 3-Day New York City Itinerary

While three days in New York City may not suffice to cover the entire expanse of this vast metropolis, it offers ample time to explore many of its iconic attractions.

For an optimal first-time experience in the Big Apple, consider approaching your visit by dividing the city into manageable sections, focusing on specific areas.

Manhattan, with its vast array of activities, can be best navigated by dedicating time to distinct locations. This will ensure efficient use of your limited stay.

If you find yourself a bit overwhelmed by the sheer magnitude of New York City and are uncertain about what to prioritize during your 3-day visit, I recommend investing in the New York CityPASS .

This pass grants discounted access to some of the city’s most popular sights, allowing you to maximize your exploration within a set budget.

Without delay, dive into my meticulously crafted 3-day New York City itinerary and valuable travel tips to enhance your inaugural voyage to the city that never sleeps.

Day 1 of Your 3 Days in New York Itinerary

Day 1 morning.

Commence your first morning in New York City with a delectable breakfast of your choosing, whether you opt for a hearty feast or a lighter meal.

Following this, embark on a quintessential New York experience by boarding the renowned New York Subway en route to WTC Cortlandt Station.

Upon arrival, kickstart your 3-day New York itinerary with a visit to the impressive One World Observatory.

Inaugurated in 2015, this observatory stands as a poignant replacement for the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center. It attracts throngs of visitors daily.

Ascending to the 100th, 101st, and 102nd floors of the tallest building in the western hemisphere—a staggering 1,776 feet (541 meters) high—proffers a breathtaking vista of the city in all its splendor.

To make the most of your visit, it is advisable to arrive early due to the attraction’s popularity and potential wait times.

On clear days, you’ll be treated to unparalleled views of the entire city and beyond.

To streamline your experience, consider purchasing tickets in advance to secure access to the priority express lane, bypassing any lengthy queues.

This strategic move ensures a seamless entry process, allowing you more time to revel in the remarkable sights awaiting you.

9/11 Memorial Museum

Following your visit to the One World Observatory, proceed directly to the nearby 9/11 Memorial Museum, located just around the corner.

As a site frequently bustling with visitors, aim to arrive as early as possible to outmaneuver the inevitable crowds that will gather.

Exploring the 9/11 Memorial Museum offers a somber yet poignant experience, delving into an event that profoundly impacted the global community.

Despite the heartbreaking narratives and visual displays, this museum serves as a vital reminder of a tragic moment in history.

Given the depth of content available, allocate ample time for your visit as you may find yourself engrossed for hours. When crafting your 3-day New York City itinerary, consider this aspect for a seamless schedule.

If you possess a personal connection to the events of 9/11 or simply wish to pay your respects, dedicating an entire morning to this site may be appropriate.

Having visited numerous museums and memorials worldwide, I can attest that the 9/11 Memorial Museum ranks among the most poignant and meticulously curated institutions I’ve encountered.

Upon concluding your visit, explore the 9/11 Memorial Site outdoors. It stands as a compelling attraction in its own right, further enriching your experience of this significant location.

Check these amazing tours to 9/11 Memorial:

9/11 Memorial and Museum skip the line entry ; Ground Zero 9/11 Memorial tour ; 9/11 Memorial, Ground Zero and optional museum entry .

To travel in New York City for three days sans a glimpse of the breathtaking architectural marvel that is The Oculus would indeed be a missed opportunity.

This resplendent structure serves as a striking reimagination and replacement of the former PATH train station that fell victim to the events of 9/11. It is conveniently situated just a stone’s throw away from the 9/11 Memorial and Museum.

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The futuristic design of this train station transcends conventional boundaries, seamlessly blending as a shopping mall and plaza.

Prepare to immerse yourself in its innovative ambiance, guaranteeing an engaging experience that will captivate your attention.

Venturing through The Oculus provides a serene interlude before embarking on a culinary escapade, allowing you to recharge before resuming your exploration of New York City’s myriad attractions.

Day 1 Afternoon

Following a satisfying lunch from one of the diverse diners in the vicinity or a quick bite from the street vendors, delve back into your sightseeing adventure.

Prepare for an engaging afternoon as you venture to a renowned locale that holds a special place in the heart of the city.

Battery Park

Embark on a brief stroll to the southernmost tip of Manhattan, where Battery Park awaits.

Not only is this park a departure point for ferries headed to Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty, but it also offers picturesque views of the waterfront, ideal for a leisurely promenade.

The park exudes a tranquil ambiance, offering ample opportunities for relaxation or casual walks on the grass.

You’ll also discover intriguing attractions within its perimeters. The Museum of Jewish Heritage and the Skyscraper Museum beckon to those seeking cultural enrichment.

Moreover, artistic installations like the exquisite sculpture called The Sphere grace Battery Park’s landscape, adding to its allure.

While entering Battery Park is free, certain attractions within may require admission fees.

After taking in the park’s charm, proceed to the ferry dock for an unforgettable journey to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island.

Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island

Exploring these iconic landmarks will occupy the majority of your afternoon. They present a fulfilling experience that is quintessential to any New York City itinerary.

The Statue of Liberty stands as a symbol of freedom and opportunity, embodying the hopes of countless immigrants arriving in the United States.

Gifted by France in the 19th century, this UNESCO World Heritage Site was dedicated on October 28, 1886.

Ensure you utilize your New York CityPASS for seamless ticket acquisition, granting you access to this essential destination.

Security protocols are strictly enforced before boarding the ferry, emphasizing the significance of these historic sites.

Embark on a swift boat ride to Liberty Island, where you can explore the iconic statue. If you want you can also ascend to the viewing platform for a breathtaking panorama.

Subsequently, venture to Ellis Island, home to a captivating museum chronicling the city’s rich immigration history.

Even if Liberty Island isn’t initially on your agenda, a stop is mandatory before proceeding to Ellis Island.

Expect bustling crowds at these popular attractions, underscoring their significance, ensuring you allocate sufficient time for a comprehensive exploration of both Liberty and Ellis Island.

These are the most exciting tours of the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island:

Priority or flexible ticket to the site ; One-hour cruise around the Island ; 4 hour guided tour to the Statue and Ellis Island ; Pedestal tour, Ellis Island and pre-ferry tour ; Pedestal express tour and Ellis island ; Early access tour .

Wall Street

Upon returning from your enriching visit to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, transition seamlessly to Wall Street. A prominent New York City sight.

As an eminent financial center renowned globally, Wall Street has been immortalized in countless Hollywood productions and television series.

So, what sights await you on Wall Street?

Begin your exploration by marveling at landmarks such as the statue of George Washington and the Federal Hall National Monument. Both offer intriguing glimpses into the area’s historical significance.

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The New York Stock Exchange stands as another captivating edifice that demands your attention. It provides a glimpse into the heart of the financial district.

While access to the Stock Exchange is restricted for travlers, the grandeur of the building’s exterior is worth admiring.

However, the highlight of your Wall Street visit undoubtedly lies in capturing a snapshot with the renowned Charging Bull.

This iconic bronze sculpture, symbolizing market optimism, draws throngs of enthusiastic tourists seeking to immortalize their encounter with this emblematic piece of art.

Amidst your explorations, if hunger strikes, fret not, for Wall Street boasts a plethora of dining options to satiate your cravings, ensuring you’re fueled for the evening ahead.

Day 1 Evening

As the sun begins its descent on the horizon, the evening beckons you to explore the vibrant and eclectic borough of Brooklyn. A haven for the city’s funkier and hipster spirit.

Cross the Brooklyn Bridge

Embarking from Wall Street, a brief stroll leads you to the Brooklyn Bridge situated on the east side of Lower Manhattan. An essential component of any NYC itinerary.

Spanning a little over a mile, the pedestrian walkway provides a safe passage separated from the bustling vehicular traffic, allowing you to savor the scenic journey.

As you traverse the Brooklyn Bridge, relish the panoramic views and take your time to appreciate the experience, mindful of the bustling crowds and cyclists vying for space.

This iconic crossing sets a perfect tone for the evening, marking the culmination of your first day in New York City.

Brooklyn Bridge Park

Upon reaching the Brooklyn side, venture westward to commence your exploration of the enchanting borough of Brooklyn. A must-visit locale during your 3-day New York itinerary.

Begin by meandering through the revitalized Brooklyn Bridge Park, spanning 85 acres along the Hudson River. It is now transformed into one of the trendiest spots in the city.

Immerse yourself in the ambiance, perhaps relishing the unrivaled views of the New York City skyline.

Get Dinner in DUMBO

After capturing the mesmerizing skyline, retrace your steps back across the Brooklyn Bridge and discover the charming district of DUMBO. (Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass).

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Revel in the quaint neighborhood’s allure and marvel at the breathtaking vistas of both the Brooklyn and Manhattan Bridges.

Stroll leisurely, absorbing the unique atmosphere, and treat yourself to a delightful dinner as you wrap up the unforgettable experiences of your first day in New York City.

Conclude your evening by boarding the subway to return to your hotel, where a well-deserved rest awaits after an enriching day of exploration.

Day 2 of Your 3 Days in New York Itinerary

Day 2 morning.

Rise and shine early today to kick off your second day in New York with a delightful breakfast. Then delve into another exciting chapter of 3-day New York City itinerary.

Stroll Along the High Line

Embark on a serene morning jaunt through one of New York’s most unexpected and tranquil spots — The High Line.

To reach this urban oasis, board the Subway to either 34th Street-Penn Station or 23rd Street Station and head westward.

The High Line beckons as an unmissable attraction, offering respite from the city’s renowned hustle and bustle.

This elevated pedestrian walkway, transformed from an old freight rail line into a public park, winds gracefully above a slice of Manhattan. It provides a peaceful sanctuary contrasting with the bustling streets below.

In the summer, the High Line blossoms into a verdant haven. It is adorned with vibrant gardens and flowers meticulously tended to by dedicated volunteers.

Embracing this urban escape allows you to witness a different facet of New York City, cherished by locals and visitors alike.

A leisurely walk along this elevated path promises a refreshing experience, offering a unique perspective on the city’s charm.

While various entry points welcome explorers, this New York itinerary commences from the enchanting Hudson Yards railway precinct, setting the stage for an enchanting morning.

Empire State Building

Either hail a taxi or enjoy a leisurely 1-mile stroll to the Empire State Building. The Building offers a captivating journey through New York’s storied past from atop one of the globe’s most renowned edifices.

With doors opening promptly at 8 am, I recommend arriving around that time to outmaneuver the crowds. The Empire State Building stands as a premier attraction in New York City.

Timing is crucial, as a mere hour can make all the difference between queuing for an extended duration or swiftly accessing this iconic site.

Much like the Statue of Liberty, the Empire State Building symbolizes New York City, gracing postcards and featuring prominently in films depicting Manhattan’s allure.

Leverage your New York CityPASS for expedited entry. It helps to bypass the ticket line and immerse yourself in the engaging photo and story gallery before ascending via elevator to the observation deck on the 102nd floor.

Surveying the city from the pinnacle of the Empire State Building’s observation deck ranks among the top experiences during a 3-day New York City itinerary.

Amidst the city’s frenetic pace, a sense of tranquility envelops you as you gaze upon the sprawling metropolis from high above.

In addition to the awe-inspiring views, delve into the building’s rich history. Learn about its construction and its erstwhile status as the world’s tallest building upon its completion in 1931.

Allow approximately an hour for this immersive experience, ensuring you absorb the informative displays scattered throughout the site.

Remember to ascend to the observation deck’s summit for picturesque photo opportunities, capturing unforgettable moments against the breathtaking cityscape.

American Museum of Natural History

Hop back on the Subway (B Line) and travel to the American Museum of Natural History. A cornerstone of New York City’s cultural landscape.

The museum comprises an extensive complex of over two dozen interconnected buildings. It stands as a colossal repository of knowledge, offering a wealth of information across diverse disciplines.

The sheer magnitude of this institution is staggering, with tens of millions of artifacts and exhibits on display. They illustrate captivating facets of human and natural history.

Delve into the origins of humanity with insights into Lucy, one of our ancient ancestors from millions of years ago. Marvel at the majestic Great Blue Whale, explore the enchanting realms of rainforests, and encounter a myriad of other enthralling displays.

The museum’s vast expanse and captivating offerings are so all-encompassing that a single visit may leave you yearning for more.

To navigate this treasure trove of knowledge effectively, I recommend honing in on a select few exhibits that pique your interest the most. Attempting to explore everything within a few hours may prove daunting.

Embrace the museum’s immersive experience by focusing on the exhibits that resonate with you, ensuring a fulfilling visit despite the boundless offerings.

Day 2 Afternoon

For a flavorful dining experience during the afternoon, consider indulging in lunch within the American Museum of Natural History premises. They relish offerings from the numerous street vendors scattered throughout the vicinity.

Alternatively, you can opt to postpone your culinary exploration until you venture towards your next destination—The Met on the east side of Central Park.

Metropolitan Museum of Art

Enter the hallowed halls of The Metropolitan Museum of Art, affectionately known as ‘The Met,’ a renowned art gallery attracting visitors from across the globe.

Housed within a striking building erected in 1874, The Met boasts a staggering collection of over 250,000 artworks, spanning an impressive timeline of over 5,000 years of artistic expression.

Immerse yourself in a diverse array of masterpieces. They range from Ancient Egypt and the Middle Ages to Japan and American Art from the 17th century to the present day.

The museum beckons you into a labyrinth of creativity. It offers an immersive journey through the evolution of artistry across cultures and epochs.

A visit to The Met is akin to embarking on a captivating odyssey, where each turn reveals new wonders waiting to be discovered.

The allure of this gallery is so profound that you may find yourself drawn to return in the future, eager to delve deeper into its mesmerizing depths.

Unquestionably, The Met stands as a pinnacle of artistic expression. It leaves an indelible mark on visitors and cementing its status as one of the most exceptional art galleries in the world.

Central Park

Regarded as New York’s verdant oasis, Central Park stands as an iconic gem within the vibrant tapestry of the city.

Following an enriching exploration of nearby museums, immerse yourself in the tranquility of nature by meandering through this expansive and picturesque park.

Nestled at the heart of Manhattan, within prime and coveted real estate, Central Park’s preservation reflects New York’s unwavering commitment to safeguarding its most enchanting landscapes.

From the poignant Strawberry Fields to the regal Belvedere Castle and the lively Zoo, Central Park teems with a plethora of attractions awaiting your discovery.

A visit to the Big Apple would be incomplete without basking in the allure of Central Park during your 3-day itinerary. It offers a respite from the city’s hustle and bustle amidst a tapestry of natural splendor.

Fifth Avenue

For shopping and fashion enthusiasts, a pilgrimage to the illustrious Fifth Avenue is a non-negotiable must. It is conveniently situated just opposite the east side of Central Park.

Dive into a realm of opulence where prestigious fashion houses like Chanel and Louis Vuitton reign supreme, tempting visitors with exquisite offerings that may beckon even the most disciplined budget to splurge.

The avenue serves as a mecca for haute couture. It attracts tourists and fashion aficionados alike to partake in the art of high-end window-shopping.

Embrace the allure of this upper east side destination, where you can revel in the finest offerings that New York City has to offer. Indulge in a visual feast without breaking the bank.

Day 2 Evening

After a day brimming with sightseeing adventures, the night holds promise for more remarkable experiences on your New York City 3-day itinerary.

Catch a Broadway Show

No visit to the Big Apple is complete without immersing yourself in the dazzling world of Broadway.

Despite the weariness that may accompany your day’s exploits, seize the opportunity to witness a show if possible.

A Broadway performance promises to be one of the most memorable highlights of your 3-day itinerary in New York City. It offers captivating moments that linger in your memory for years to come.

Should you decide to attend a show, ensure you plan ahead, as the most sought-after performances often sell out months in advance.

Embark on this theatrical journey prepared, ready to soak in the magic of Broadway’s enchanting shows.

Times Square

Following your Broadway escapade, an essential stopover awaits you at Times Square, where the vibrant pulse of New York City resonates with unparalleled energy.

Despite its name, Times Square isn’t a traditional square but rather a bustling convergence point where 7th Avenue and Broadway intersect, anchoring the bustling epicenter of the surrounding quarters.

A visit to New York City remains incomplete without experiencing the allure of Times Square. This fact solidifies its status as a quintessential tourist hotspot in the city.

The dazzling lights serve as a beacon, drawing in visitors who have grown familiar with this iconic locale through television screens and media portrayals.

Within Times Square’s lively embrace, you’ll encounter an array of street performers captivating audiences with their talents. Churches resonating with uplifting gospel melodies. Upscale eateries offering delectable fare. And a myriad of other attractions waiting to be discovered.

Whether you choose to immerse yourself in the throng of bustling energy or prefer to observe from a quieter vantage point, Times Square promises an unforgettable experience teeming with people and activity.

Some may find Times Square’s commercial brightness and pervasive advertisements overwhelming. However, the diversity of opinions surrounding this iconic place is evident.

Through your own exploration, you have the opportunity to form a personal assessment, as opinions on Times Square vary widely.

Venture to this celebrated square. Allow your experience to shape your own unique perspective on this renowned New York City landmark.

Day 3 Morning

On your final day in New York City, embark on a trip to explore some of Manhattan’s most vibrant neighborhoods. They offer a glimpse into the essence of the city’s diverse tapestry.

If breakfast isn’t already arranged at your hotel, consider waiting until you reach your first morning destination.

Little Italy

Begin your morning adventure by hopping on the Subway and venturing to Canal Street to explore the charming enclave of Little Italy.

While renowned for its delectable cuisine, Little Italy offers more than just culinary delights.

Discover a plethora of trendy clothing stores, inviting bars, and a vibrant atmosphere. It rivals any other neighborhood in the city.

If you chance upon the annual Feast of San Gennaro in September, your visit to Little Italy will undoubtedly become a cherished highlight of your New York City experience.

Adjacent to Little Italy, lies the renowned Chinatown, a must-visit destination for an enriching cultural experience.

This historic district seamlessly blends history, community spirit, and gastronomic delights, inviting visitors to immerse themselves in its vibrant tapestry.

Serving as the largest Chinese community outside of Asia, Chinatown exudes a palpable sense of authenticity. It features authentic restaurants, eclectic shops, and bustling street markets.

Explore the myriad of offerings. From unique herbal remedies at local pharmacies to the bustling atmosphere that characterizes this vibrant neighborhood.

New York City Hall

Conclude your morning odyssey with a leisurely 15-minute stroll from Chinatown to the historic New York City Hall, one of the oldest in the United States.

Marvel at the architectural grandeur of this iconic landmark, a setting steeped in history and cinematic allure, having graced the screens of numerous movies and TV shows.

Delve deeper into the city’s governance by opting for a guided tour of City Hall. Gain insight into the inner workings of New York City’s government, including the Mayor’s Office and the City Council’s chamber.

Immerse yourself in the rich history and significance of this revered institution. Add a touch of civic enlightenment to your New York City itinerary.

Day 3 Afternoon

Continue your exploration by boarding the Subway and venturing to the West Village neighborhood. Disembark at the 9th Street Station to uncover the legendary charms of Greenwich Village.

Greenwich Village

A cinematic darling, Greenwich Village has graced the silver screen in numerous films, cementing its status as a must-visit locale for those on a quest to discover New York City’s iconic landmarks.

Once a haven for artists and bohemians in the ’60s, Greenwich Village retains its bohemian allure, evolving into one of the city’s trendiest enclaves.

Formerly dilapidated dwellings have given way to chic bars, inviting cafes, and gourmet eateries. Alongside a vibrant music scene epitomized by venues like Bleecker Street. All set against a backdrop of distinctive architecture.

Washington Square Park

A brief 5-minute stroll leads you to Washington Square Park, where the majestic marble arch, ornate fountain, and verdant trees welcome visitors to a serene oasis in the heart of the city.

Embracing a creative spirit, Washington Square Park serves as a gathering place for New York City’s avant-garde artists. It offers spaces for chess enthusiasts to engage in friendly competition, while joyful children frolic amidst the tranquil setting.

Should the shopping bug linger, the famed district of SoHo lies in close proximity, beckoning with its array of enticing boutiques and designer stores.

Madame Tussauds

Return to Times Square via the Subway and venture to Madame Tussauds to encounter the uncannily lifelike wax figures that populate this renowned establishment.

Standing beside a lifelike depiction of familiar faces evokes a surreal sensation, adding a unique dimension to your museum experience.

While capturing selfies with the wax figures is a popular pastime, the true allure of Madame Tussauds lies in its interactive approach to showcasing these celebrity sculptures.

Encouraging visitors to touch, pose with, and engage with the exhibits, the museum offers a dynamic and engaging experience that sets it apart from traditional museums.

Immerse yourself in this realm of artistry and entertainment, where the lines between reality and artistry blur. The museum invites you to create lasting memories through playful interactions with these remarkably crafted wax figures.

Day 3 Evening

As night descends upon the vibrant cityscape of New York, embark on a culinary adventure around Times Square, indulging in your favorite dish before continuing your exploration.

Bryant Park

A stone’s throw away from Times Square, Bryant Park offers a serene respite amidst the bustling heart of Manhattan.

Embrace the tranquility of this urban oasis, boasting a sprawling lawn enveloped by enchanting gardens that create a peaceful haven within the city’s frenetic energy.

While the park’s greenery may dwindle in colder months, the enchanting Christmas decorations that adorn Bryant Park during the holiday season are sure to captivate visitors.

Don’t miss the opportunity to glide across the ice-skating rink. A winter wonderland experience that adds a touch of magic to your three-day New York City itinerary.

St. Patrick’s Cathedral

No 3-day New York itinerary is complete without a visit to the venerable St. Patrick’s Cathedral. A cornerstone of architectural and spiritual significance.

It was originally erected in the latter half of the 19th century. Then this majestic cathedral underwent extensive restoration due to environmental factors, culminating in a remarkable $200 million renovation project.

Step inside this resplendent edifice to marvel at its intricate design and historical significance. An experience that epitomizes the cathedral’s profound spiritual and cultural importance.

Witness the cathedral’s ethereal beauty as twilight descends, illuminating its ornate façade in a mesmerizing display of light and shadow.

Rockefeller Center

Situated just south of Central Park on Manhattan’s east side, Rockefeller Center stands as an iconic hub housing prestigious studios for various networks and programs.

From the renowned NBC building to the legendary Radio City Music Hall and the beloved American Girl Doll Store, Rockefeller Center offers a cornucopia of attractions waiting to be explored.

Immerse yourself in the vibrant atmosphere of this cultural epicenter. Home to the filming location of The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, it offers the possibility of joining the live studio audience.

However, the pinnacle of your visit to Rockefeller Center lies in ascending to the summit. This is where you can admire breathtaking panoramic views of the city that never sleeps.

Best Travel Tips for Your New York City Itinerary

After sharing the ideal 3-day New York City itinerary, I’m thrilled to offer you some New York travel tips to enhance your holiday experience.

Purchase a New York CityPASS

My top travel tip revolves around buying a New York CityPASS , a fantastic value proposition for any NYC itinerary.

Priced at only USD$136, this pass grants you entry to some of the city’s most iconic attractions.

Included in this pass are visits to the Empire State Building, the 9/11 Memorial and Museum, Rockefeller Center’s Top of the Rock, a Statue of Liberty or Circle Line cruise. As well as admission to the Met and the American Museum of Natural History.

Individually experiencing these attractions would cost $93 more, resulting in a substantial 42% savings.

An absolute must-have if you plan on exploring the best that NYC has to offer.

Opt for a MetroCard

Another invaluable travel tip for your NYC itinerary is to invest in a MetroCard instead of purchasing single tickets for each Subway journey.

By obtaining a MetroCard at the stations for $5.50 (reusable), you can reduce each fare to $2.75, saving money in the long term.

Additionally, you receive a 5% bonus every time you recharge the card, enhancing its cost-effectiveness. Topping up $20 on the card actually gives you $21, providing added value for your transportation needs.

For those planning to utilize public transport extensively, consider acquiring a 7-day unlimited pass for $32. Particularly beneficial if you intend to explore beyond Manhattan or prefer not to walk between destinations.

Commence Your Days Early

Given the packed schedule outlined in my 3-day New York itinerary, it’s essential to kickstart each day as early as possible to maximize your time in the city.

The allure of New York City’s vibrant nightlife is undeniable. Thus, consider balancing your evenings to fully capitalize on your limited stay.

Walk Short Distances Between Places

Navigating New York City’s bustling streets can be daunting. Instead, embark on short walks between attractions can be a rewarding and immersive experience.

By exploring the city on foot, you’ll stumble upon hidden gems like quaint shops, art galleries, historic churches, cozy bars, and enticing restaurants.

Embrace the urban landscape and uncover the city’s charm by venturing through its diverse neighborhoods, allowing serendipity to guide you.

Where to Stay in New York City For 3 Days

For your 3-day New York itinerary, seeking accommodation near Times Square without immersing yourself in the city’s vibrant chaos presents an excellent starting point.

Having meticulously researched numerous lodging options in NYC based on factors like affordability, location, and overall experience, I’ve curated a selection of top recommendations, having personally enjoyed memorable stays at some of these establishments.

Leveraging Hotel Points and Rewards

New York City hotels are renowned for their premium rates, making it advantageous to utilize hotel points for rewarding stays.

If you possess credit card rewards, consider leveraging the partnership between Hyatt and Chase for lucrative point redemptions.

Alternatively, accruing IHG points through credit card spending enables you to redeem them for complimentary nights, enhancing your lodging experience in the city.

Best Value Hotels

For those not inclined towards accumulating hotel points, the following hotels offer exceptional value for your money.

It’s crucial to recognize that value in New York City can extend beyond mere affordability, encompassing factors like prime location and quality amenities, enriching your overall stay experience.

414 Hotel is located in Hell’s Kitchen, Midtown West and comprised of two historical townhouses separated by a leafy courtyard. This mid-range boutique hotel offers quaint tree-lined street views, complimentary breakfast, Wi-Fi, as well as an iPod docking station, mainly for those looking for a homey stay and a bit different from the major hotel chains.

Hotel Giraffe

This is a boutique luxury hotel conveniently situated in North of Madison Square Park of Manhattan. They offer a continental breakfast and complimentary wine and cheese reception every evening. This sophisticated Art Moderne hotel is even featured in the “Sex and the City” movie with the Penthouse Piano Suite playing as Mr. Big’s apartment.

Casablanca Hotel Times Square

Sitting in the heart of Midtown Manhattan, the Casablanca Hotel Times Square is a European-style family-owned boutique hotel with a special touch of color and warmth of personal service. Inspired by the romantic classic film “Casablanca”, this luxury boutique offers complimentary deluxe continental breakfast, as well as complimentary afternoon tea and nightly wine and cheese receptions.

Library Hotel

This hotel is a place every book geeks’ dream. You’ll find it on the Library Way, right next to the New York Public Library, which is great if you’re coming from Grand Central Station just a block away. The 4-star exceptionally rated Library Hotel boasts a swanky rooftop bar and more than 150 books in every bedroom. These range from spicy erotic fiction to more sedate topics of economics and computers and will keep you busy for hours.

EVEN Hotel Times Square South

EVEN Hotel Times Square South is a great option if you want to base yourself near Madison Square Garden, Times Square, Penn Station, Highline, Hudson Yards and the Jacob Javits Center. Located on 35th street, between 8th &9th avenue, this innovative hotel offers free Wi-Fi, your own in-room fitness zones for private workouts and pretentious and incredibly modern rooms’ design.

NobleDEN Hotel

Nestled right at the heart of Little Italy only three blocks east of SoHo and two streets north of Chinatown, NobleDEN Hotel makes for a less hectic but incredibly convenient hotel to stay in New York City. The hotel is positioned as no-frills with no bells and whistles and this could be a more affordable place to stay in NYC considering where it’s located. The 54-room property offers free Wi-Fi, cable TV, mini-fridges, morning pastries from the nearby bakery, and 24-hour reception.

The Pearl Hotel

Located in Midtown, this family-friendly, yet romantic hotel is steps from Rockefeller Center, Fifth Avenue shopping, Central Park, and St. Patrick’s Cathedral. All 94 rooms feature free Wi-Fi and refrigerators. Other amenities include a valet parking, a fitness center, a 24-hour front desk, and a full-service restaurant.

CitizenM New York Times Square

The location of this funky hotel is superb since it is based on the corner of Broadway just an 8-minute walk to Times Square and an 11-minute walk to Central Park. The 21-floor hotel features self-check-in at its 230 compact but stylish rooms, which offer Wi-Fi, rain showers, huge windows, comfy king-sized beds, and cool MoodPad gadgets – a centralized digital system that controls everything in your room!

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12 comments.

Jessica Shaw

Love this blog! Your breakdown is great! Took me 10 years to learn all of this lol

Great article! I love New York!

Samantha Esquivel

Great post! I’ll be bookmarking this for the next time I visit!

Gemma Newbery

Amazing guide! I’m going next month for the second time and one area of concern was travel from JFK to Manhatten. We got a taxi last time (stayed in Williamsburg) and I was hoping to find cheaper alternatives. Thank you!

Youliana Veltcheva

Wow! What a thorough and detailed guide! I really appreciate it. It makes a big difference to have all this information sorted out systematically to make it easier to plan and set expectations. Thanks for sharing!

Jamie Edwards

Really in-depth article! I liked your pro-tips. Having lived in NYC for more than a decade, I enjoyed reading your take on it.

Thank you for tons of valuble information, juicy details about places to stay and attractions to see. Your article has so many interesting ideas that it inspired me even more to visit NYC. I entered through JFK as an immigrant and would love to visit the National Museum of Immigration as well as other iconic attractions.

Amanda Kerr

I love New York!! It makes it a great quick trip since it’s close to home in Toronto! 🙂 So many things to do there!

Melody Forsyth

Can’t wait to use these tips!!

Kanupriyaa Choudhary-Legha

I loved this article. I have been to New York many times and each time I end up feeling awed by how amazing the whole city is. This article perfectly captures the NY spirit!

A well-rounded guide! We’ll use it for our next visit 🙂

Hey great article heading there next month for daughters birthday well certainly use these tips. I didn’t even know about city pass . Thank you

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The Perfect Three-Day Weekend in New York City (Video)

Travel + Leisure is exploring America one three-day weekend at a time. Here’s how to pack in the best of New York’s food and cultural attractions into a short trip.

Meena Thiruvengadam is a lifelong traveler and veteran journalist who has visited more than 50 countries across six continents. Her writing has appeared in The Wall Street Journal , Departures , TripSavvy , and other publications.

New York literally is the city that never sleeps. The subway runs 24 hours a day, the lights are always on in Times Square, and there are plenty of things to do over a long holiday weekend. Just don’t try to do everything in one trip.

From some of the best museums in the world to one of the most iconic parks on the planet, here’s how to have the perfect three-day weekend in New York (and don't forget your packing list ).

There’s no better way to start a New York vacation than with an authentic New York bagel from H&H Bagels on the city’s Upper West Side. Make sure you get it to go.

Take your bagel into Central Park , the 840-acre oasis that separates the Upper West and Upper East sides of Manhattan. This urban green space is one of the best places for picnicking — and people watching — in the city.

While you’re in Central Park, visit Strawberry Fields, a memorial to John Lennon, who spent the last decade of his life in New York. Movie buff? Make your way to Tavern on the Green , which made an appearance in "Ghostbusters", and Sheep Meadow, a 15-acre swath of grass you might remember from "Wall Street," "It Could Happen to You," and "The Manchurian Candidate."

On the east side of the park, you’ll find its famous Alice in Wonderland statue.

When you’re done, make your way to the closest train to head to Chinatown. Have a lunch of delicious dumpings at Joe’s Shanghai , then get lost in the streets of both Chinatown and Little Italy. Do make a stop at Little Italy’s Ferrara Bakery for dessert.

For dinner, head to Peter Luger’s, a Brooklyn steakhouse that’s one of the city’s best. Don’t forget to stop at an ATM first. The restaurant only accepts cash.

If you haven’t already scored tickets to a Broadway show, do it this morning. Grab an on-the-go breakfast and head to the TKTS booth on 47th Street in Times Square for same-day, discounted tickets. Don’t be surprised to find a favorite celebrity among the cast members of whichever show you select and don’t let a line deter you . Lines here move as fast as the city does.

While you’re in midtown, explore Times Square — the world’s largest pedestrian district — and head toward the Empire State Building. Head to the top for iconic postcard views of midtown Manhattan and beyond. Do a little shopping at one of the world’s largest department stores, the nine-story Macy’s location in Herald Square.

Once you’ve worked up an appetite, head to Katz’s Delicatessen on the Lower East Side for a pastrami on rye for lunch. Take a walk around the neighborhood before heading to the 9/11 memorial and museum.

The memorial sits where the iconic Twin Towers once stood and is a somber tribute to the tragedy that struck the city in 2001. The memorial is near the highly Instagrammable Oculus, which serves as a shopping and transportation hub that will get you back up town to catch whichever show you’ve selected.

Before the show, stop at Tony di Napoli’s for a family style Italian feast. Be sure to make a reservation as tables fill up fast across this area ahead of showtimes.

Spend your last day in New York sampling the city’s world class museums. But first go to Tanner Smith’s in midtown for brunch. This restaurant’s spiked tea brunch cocktails aren’t to be missed. Tea is served in an elegant pot made for two, and the food is simple but hearty and delicious.

After brunch, head to the nearby Museum of Modern Art. Wander through its galleries and don’t miss the garden. Catch a train from there to the Metropolitan Museum of Art on the city’s Upper East Side where you’ll want to carve out time to see the Temple of Dendur and checkout the views from the museum’s roof.

Grab a slice to snack or street vendor hot dog to snack on along the way.

From there, walk north to the Guggenheim and do take a moment to gawk at this magnificent piece of architecture before you walk into the museum.

For dinner, head to Stone Street in the financial district. This street includes a collection of restaurants ranging from steakhouses to pizzerias, even a Mexican restaurant. Whatever you’re craving for your last dinner in New York, you’re likely to find it here.

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Weekend in New York City: An Epic 2 Days In NYC Itinerary

Here is a perfect first time guide to spending a weekend in NYC!

September 20, 2023 //  by  Follow Me Away //   Leave a Comment

Planning an epic weekend in NYC? Let us help! I have spent plenty of weekends in New York City, and want to help you plan an amazing, stress-free weekend in the Big Apple.

So who is this itinerary for? It is for people who are looking for an itinerary for first-time visitors. The city is huge. You won’t be able to do everything, and that is okay! And with my insider tips , you will navigate NYC like a true local.

It doesn’t matter what time of year you come to NYC all of the seasons are magical. During fall in New York , the foliage is out of this world! New York in the winter and Christmas in New York City are also sights to be seen.

You may be thinking how long to spend in NYC, or is 2 days enough to spend? Yes, 2-3 days is always recommended, but if you have to you can do New York in a day . If you are lucky enough to have 4 days in New York , you will absolutely get plenty in!

The Perfect 2 Day Weekend In New York City Itinerary

Day 1 lower manhattan and financial district.

Start your New York City weekend itinerary with breakfast at a cafe near the World Trade Center. I recommend Blue Bottle Coffee and you have to try the famous cold brew! It will get you ready to start your day with a pep to your step for your weekend in Manhattan.

For this itinerary, you will be focusing on parts of New York so that you can make the most of a short time in the city. You don’t want to start at the World Trade Center and then your next stop is the MET! That is way too far!

At the end of this itinerary, I have a section of extra things that you can add on if you have more days in New York City! You can swap out any activities that you want to customize it for you.

I will hold your hand as we plan this amazing NYC itinerary together!

Stop 1: One World Trade Center.

Your first stop is the One World Trade Center . This is the tallest building in the entire Western Hemisphere. And its observatory deck provides breathtaking views of NYC.

One World Trade Center is located on the bottom of Manhattan, so for this itinerary, you will be starting at the bottom, and working your way up!

There is an entrance fee and it is best to buy tickets in advance to avoid long lines.

Check out the skip-the-line tickets

Stop 2: 9/11 Memorial Museum

Just steps away from the One World Trade Center is the 9/11 Memorial & Museum . This Memorial features two reflecting pools set where the North and South Towers once stood. There is also a Museum that tells the story of 9/11. It beautifully pays respect through technology, archives, narratives, and beauty. This is a must-visit on your weekend in New York City.

Book Here : Memorial and Museum tickets

Stop 3: Charging Bull On Wall Street

As you leave the 9/11 Memorial, make your way up to Wall Street and the famous statue of the Charging Bull. You will see tourists rubbing the bull for good luck and fortune. Most likely there will be too many people around to get a good photo alone, so you will have to get creative, try a selfie!

While you are here and looking for things to do in New York City in a weekend check out the New York Stock Exchange and Federal Hall. Keep in mind that these are working offices and you can enter as they aren’t open to the public, but they also offer great photo opportunities.

Book Here : Wall Street Insider Tour

One great place to grab lunch near the New York Stock Exchange is La Pizza & La Pasta . This is at Eataly NYC Downtown and is known for its authentic Italian dishes. Try the Margherita Pizza it is the most ordered slice.

Stop 4: Statue Of Liberty/Ellis Island

After lunch, head to Battery Park to catch a ferry to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. The ferry ride offers the best views of the Manhattan skyline. Tickets for the ferry and access to the islands can be purchased online to save you some time on your NYC weekend trip.

Once you arrive you will see the Ellis Island National Museum of Immigration. Here, you can explore exhibits of America’s immigration history. As you walk you will be taking the same steps as millions of immigrants before you.

At the Statue of Liberty, you can see the iconic lady up close. There’s an option to access the pedestal or crown of the statue for a perfect view of New York City. There are also exhibits around the ground of the statue of its history and significance. Remember, both locations are self-guided tours so you can take your time exploring at your own pace.

Book Here: Statue Of Liberty Sightseeing Cruise

Stop 5: Explore Battery Park

When you return from some of the more iconic islands in NYC, spend some time walking around Battery Park. This is a lovely green space that is perfect for relaxation after a day of sightseeing. Plus, it offers stunning views of the Statue of Liberty from a different perspective. You cannot be visiting NYC and not look around Battery Park.

After you get some energy back grab Dinner at one of the restaurants at the South Street Seaport.

Stop 6: Brooklyn Bridge For Sunset

End the first day of the itinerary for New York City with a stroll along the waterfront near the Brooklyn Bridge. This area is particularly beautiful at night time when the bridge and city skyline are all lit up. If you have the energy, you can even walk across the Brooklyn Bridge for a memorable end to your day and to walk off your yummy dinner.

If it is a nice day, this is the perfect place for a walking tour and the best way to start your weekend off!

Book Here: Tour of the Brooklyn Bridge and surrounding area

Day 2 Midtown Manhattan

Today you are going to focus on the middle of the island of Manhattan. With two days, you want to make the most of your time and this allows you to focus on one area without running all around and wasting time sitting on the subway or in a Taxi!

Stop 1: Empire State Building

Head towards the Empire State Building for an early morning start and view of the city. Your first stop is the iconic Empire State Building. This beautiful Art Deco skyscraper has some of the best panoramic views of New York City from its 86th and 102nd-floor observatory decks. This site is best to go to early in the morning to avoid the large crowds, and purchasing skip-the-line tickets online is highly recommended.

After your wonderful views stop for breakfast at the City Bakery on 18th Street. They are best known for their delicious croissants. Indulge a little, because you will spend plenty of time walking the streets during your weekend in NYC.

Book Here : Skip the line tickets to the Empire State Building

Stop 2: New York Public Library

Next up is just a short walk from the Empire State Building. The famous New York Public Library and Bryant Park. The NYC public library is known for its impressive architecture and is also home to one of the world’s largest collections of books. After you walk around and check to find a few of your favorite reads, you can head to.

The lovely public Bryant Park is perfect for a quick break or picnic in the park. Grab yourself quick street food, like a NYC hotdog for lunch, and savor it at the park. This is always one of the most popular things to do in New York City this weekend.

Stop 3: Time Square

After lunch, make your way to Times Square. This is the true symbol of New York City is best known for its bright billboards, Broadway theaters, and buzzing energy at all times of the time. Spend some time exploring, shopping, or just people-watching.

I know that the locals don’t like going here, but sorry, it is popular for a reason and I love it. It is 100% worth visiting and you shouldn’t skip it!

You will see famous street performers, like the naked cowboy, people dressed up as your favorite storybook characters, and people from every walk of life. You can also circle back and check this out during nighttime, but that is recommended for a New York City itinerary for adults. Be sure to be aware of your surroundings here.

Stop 4: Top Of The Rock Observation Deck

After the Times Square chaos next up on your New York City trip itinerary is to head to the Rockefeller Center. The best thing to do here is to go up to the Top of the Rock Observation Deck for another view of the city.

The deck offers three levels of indoor and outdoor viewing areas, providing stunning views of the city’s skyline no matter what the weather is.

Book Now: Tickets for the observation deck

Stop 5: Dinner At Rockefeller Center

For dinner make a reservation at the The Sea Grill at Rockefeller Center . It is world-renowned for its seafood dishes. One of the popular dishes to order there is the Maine Lobster Roll which comes with Old Bay fries. Yes, you will be ordering a Maine staple during your weekend in NYC, but trust me I still dream about this sandwich!

Stop 6: Experience A Show On Broadway

End the day with a Broadway show at one of the nearby theaters. Whether it’s a classic like Chicago or a newer show, experiencing a Broadway show is a must-do during your two-day trip to NYC. The atmosphere around Broad wa is electric with the anticipation before the curtain rises.

I am obsessed with Broadway! My top two favorite shows of all time are Wicked [which I’ve seen over 25 times!] and Rent [which I’ve seen about 5 times]. I also love Mamma Mia, The Book Of Mormon, and more!

Shows are always going on and off Broadway so it is good to check in advance to see what is running and choose and plan in advance!

Once you take your seat and the performance begins, you will transported into a new world. These shows are always high-quality productions, with amazing acting, incredible singing, beautiful choreography, and stunning like-life set designs.

There is also something very special about a show life in person. It doesn’t matter if you are a theatre lover or not, seeing a Broadway show during your weekend in NYC is always a memorable part of your visit.

Book here: Chicago theatre tickets

Book here : MJ Broadway tickets

More Than 2 Days In NYC? Greenwich Village, Chelsea, and Central Park

If you are spending a long weekend in NYC such as Labor Day, Memorial Day or one of the other federal holidays, you may have more time than two days.

If you are looking for things to do for 3 days in NYC or more, that is okay! I got you! This is for those who want to see more of the city in a short period of time.

You can customize this itinerary however you want. You can use these extra activities to include in my above-suggested itinerary, or you can swap out things that you prefer.

Either way, I just know that you will have a great time exploring NYC!

For breakfast during your time in the Village check out the French-inspired cafe the Buvette Gastrothèque . This super cute cafe offers a large variety of dishes that will make your breakfast memorable.

Come join me for your suggested things to do with 3 or more days of exploring New York!

Stop 1: Walk The High Line

After breakfast, go relax or take a stroll on the High Line. This elevated linear park, greenway, and rail trail was created on top of the former New York Central Railroad. It is on the west side of Manhattan and also has stunning views of the city and the Hudson River.

The High Line has many different sections full of plants and designs and each part of the walk is a new experience. Besides the wonderful greenery, the High Line also has stops with food, fun events, and activities for all ages. This definitely a stop to put on your New York City trip planner.

I love this place and I am a Taylor Swift fan and she references a lot of the Village as well as the Highline in her songs! This is something New Yorkers love, and Taylor is a New Yorker so it makes sense!

Stop 2: Chelsea Market

After you get your fix of nature at the Line Park head over to the Chelsea Market for some shopping and food tasting. You can have a NYC vacation itinerary without doing some shopping. There are many unique shops where you can find the perfect souvenir for you and your loved ones.

You can also enjoy dinner at one of the many stalls in the Chelsea Market. You will be spoiled for choices. There are sushi shops, taco stands, classic New York sandwiches, and slices of pizza! This is the best place for food on your New York City itinerary for families.

Stop 3: Washington Square Park

Head uptown and continue day 3 of your weekend in NYC with a tour of Washington Square Park. This park is best known for its iconic arch and pond.

It is one of the best places to people-watch, one of the best parks in NYC, and you might even catch a live street performance. During the fall, the leaves change and it is one of the most romantic things to do in NYC .

Stop 4: Visit The Metropolitan Museum Of Art

After visiting Washington Square Park visit the Metropolitan Museum of Art, famously known as the Met. This is one of the world’s largest and finest art museums. It has a collection that includes over two million pieces! These artworks span over five thousand years of world culture.

Now, I am going to be honest, I am not recommending the Museum Of Modern Art simply because I think this is better if you only have 2 days in New York!

You can find displays from prehistory to the present and from every part of the globe. The museum is open until 5 p.m. on Friday and Saturday which gives you plenty of time to explore. Just be sure to check the current hours and see if there are special exhibits that you might want to see. Visiting the Met is one of the best things to see in New York City in 2 days or with a little more time!

This is literally one of my favorite museums to visit in the entire world. We could spend hours at this place. It is so cool!

Book Here: Take a private tour of the Metropolitan Museum of Art

Stop 5: Bike Through Central Park

The last stop to make while planning a trip to New York City is with a relaxing evening at Central Park. Visiting Central Park at night can be a truly unique experience. If you get lucky you may catch a concert.

The park is technically open until 1:00 a.m., and there is a different type of beauty under the moonlight, especially if you are visiting during the winter and there is fresh snow on the ground. While Central Park is generally safe for anyone to walk try to be gone by 10 p.m.

Central Park is also a great place for a walking tour through the park or city so it just depends on what you want!

I love renting a bike in Central Park . This place is HUGE and it can be hard to get around. So this is an easy and fun way to see the whole thing!

Book Here: Central Park Bike Rentals

Getting Around During Your Weekend In NYC

NYC is famous for its public transportation system. But if you know what you’re doing and plan right it is also a very walkable city. Here is a quick guide to help you navigate your way for your Weekend in NYC. Getting around New York City is quite easy and there are multiple ways to do it.

Subway : The New York City subway system is one of the largest and most comprehensive in the world. There are over 470 stations that serve 27 subway lines! Plus it runs 24 hours, seven days a week.

Plus, subway fares are very affordable. You can purchase a metro card for unlimited rides. The subway is popular with native New Yorkers, and is my favorite way to get around!

This is my favorite way to explore the city, it is cheap, easy, and fun.

Walking : One of the best ways to truly see NYC is by foot. Walking allows you to take in the sights, sounds, and even the smells of the city. It’s popular in Greenwich Village and SoHo, where the streets are lined with trees, boutiques, cafes, and many beautiful historic buildings. This is how you find the best things to see in NYC! You never know what you will pass!

Cycling : If you are into exercise, consider renting a bike to get around NYC. The Citi Bike has thousands of bikes available throughout NYC. Please be extra careful.

Rideshare : Companies like Uber and Lyft are available in NYC. However, keep in mind that traffic in the city is heavy, especially during the rush hour, and rideshare prices surge high during these times. It could cost you a fortune.

Taxis : Yellow cabs are an NYC icon, but they can be an expensive way to travel. Avoid taking them during peak times when traffic is heavy. You can call them on the street, and there are many in Manhattan. NYC taxi drivers drive crazy and if you are not used to it, it’s a good experience.

Buses : One of the best ways to see the sights of NYC is with a Big Bus Tour. These two layered open-air buses take you around to see all the sites and save your feet.

This is our favorite suggested Bus Tour in NYC and it can sell out. I have personally done this multiple times and it is a great introduction to the city.

Where To Stay During Your Weekend in NYC

Now, let’s talk about where to stay during your weekend getaway to New York City. Choosing the right place to stay can make or break your NYC experience. Here are some of my favorite places to stay in New York.

Luxury: Four Seasons Hotel New York Downtown

For those seeking a luxurious hotel in NYC check out the Four Seasons Hotel New York Downtown . This hotel always ranks as one of the best hotels in the city. It is located in Lower Manhattan and it offers easy access to attractions like the 9/11 Memorial and Wall Street.

Check rates here: Booking.com

Mid-range: The Ludlow Hotel

The Ludlow Hotel is a great mid-range hotel located in the vibrant Lower East Side. The hotel has a vintage vibe with hardwood floors, silk rugs, and beautiful Moroccan lamps. Book a room with views of the city skyline. The onsite garden bar is a perfect spot for relaxing after a day of sightseeing.

Budget Friendly: Moxy NYC Times Square

If you are a budget traveler take a look at the Moxy NYC Times Square . Although this hotel is budget-friendly it does not skimp on style or comfort. The rooms are small, but perfectly designed, with floor-to-ceiling windows and comfy bedding. Plus, the location in the heart of Times Square puts you just steps away from some of NYC’s most popular attractions.

Top Restaurants To Try in NYC In 2 Days

Choosing where to eat is hard! I am going to be honest and tell you that you can NEVER go wrong with choosing something at Eataly, Chinatown, or Little Italy. Make sure to read the reviews online because there are a lot of restaurants in New York City [over 23,000!] and not everything is good, even in the villages!

Le Bernardin

La Bernardin is a seafood restaurant always ranked as one of the best restaurants in NYC. The famous chef Eric Ripert runs this Michelin star restaurant and the menu is centered around the motto that fish is the star of the plate. Try the lightly cooked scallops with brown butter dashi or the poached halibut with Manila clams and wild mushroom casserole. Yum!

Eleven Madison Park

This is another must-try restaurant in NYC. It is best known for its multi-course tasting menu that changes based on availability. Be sure to book your table in advance as this highly acclaimed restaurant is in high demand.

To get your pizza fix, head to Lucali in Brooklyn. This mom-and-pop cash-only spot has the best New York-style pizzas and calzones. Be prepared for a wait!

Insider Tips for A Weekend Trip To New York

One of the most important things is to be aware of scams. Like any major city, NYC has its share of scammers. Always be aware of your surroundings, don’t buy tickets from street vendors, and always use licensed vendors for attractions.

Choose your airport closely. New York City is served by three major airports . They are JFK, Newark, and LaGuardia. Please pay careful attention to where you’re flying in and out. There is nothing worse than running across town and missing your flight. Book a private ride from the airport to NYC

Another thing to keep in mind is the sidewalk etiquette . New Yorkers walk fast! And they will expect you to do the same thing. Do not let your party take up the whole sidewalk or walk slowly. Always walk to the right and fast walkers pass by. I am also a fast walker so please be aware of this. New Yorkers WILL say something to you whereas I wouldn’t!

You will want to pack with comfort in mind. Pack comfortable walking shoes and clothes that are suitable for the season. If you follow our Weekend in NYC guide you will be on your feet a lot.

The best way to get around New York is by using public transportation . The subway is very efficient and reaches all corners of NYC.

Don’t be disappointed by Times Square. Times Square is often very crowded and touristy. There are plenty of Things to do in New York not in Times Square. You will also want to be very smart with all of your electronics, pursues, wallets, and anything valuable. Avoid flashing anything valuable in public places and be cautious when using your phone at night for your safety.

Another big thing to keep in mind is using bathrooms . Finding public restrooms in NYC can be hard. Use the bathroom when dining out and take advantage of any available bathroom.

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Wild Junket

Weekend in New York: The Perfect 3-Day Itinerary 2024

Last Updated on September 20, 2024

Planning a weekend in New York? Here’s the perfect New York itinerary for those with 3 days in the Big Apple.

New York City, the city that never sleeps, the Big Apple, the Empire State. Call it what you will, New York is without a doubt the one of the greatest cities in the world .

We’ve just returned from another Christmas trip to New York , and it was spectacular in every sense of the word. There’s something special about New York City and its distinctive landmarks that make it different from anywhere else in the world. I’ve designed a power-packed New York itinerary for first-time visitors who want to maximize their time there and see it all!

Table of Contents

Get the New York CityPASS

Start at central park, explore the american museum of natural history, walk along the 5th avenue, marvel at the rockefeller center, see the grand central terminal, head to the top of summit one vanderbilt, see the newest attraction, the vessel, have dinner in midtown new york, wander around times square, take the ferry to the statue of liberty & ellis island, how to get to the statue of liberty, see the wall street stock exchange, have dinner in chinatown , explore dumbo brooklyn, head to the most popular instagram spot in brooklyn, snack at time out market, catch a show at st ann’s warehouse, hang out at brooklyn bridge park, cross the brooklyn bridge, relax at the city hall park, visit the 9/11 memorial and museum, get blown away at the oculus, dinner & drinks at daintree nyc, how to get to and from the airport , best time to visit new york, where to stay in new york, enjoy your weekend in new york, travel resources, weekend in new york, what you need to know about new york.

New York City has five boroughs: Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, and Staten Island. I would recommend staying on Manhattan island as that’s where most attractions are, but it can be very expensive (expect to pay up to $80/night in a hostel).

Manhattan is nominally divided into Uptown, Midtown, and Downtown , all of which are subdivided into more than 50 neighborhoods. In this New York itinerary, we will be visiting mainly Manhattan and Brooklyn.

It can be expensive to spend a weekend in New York, especially if you’re visiting NYC at Christmas . Entry tickets can add up to a few hundred dollars in one day. I suggest getting the New York CityPASS to save some money, as it will give you access to some of the most popular things to see in town at heavily discounted rates.

The New York CityPASS costs USD$136, but it gives you free access to many popular attractions, such as the Statue of Liberty, the 9/11 Museum, the Met, American Museum of Natural History, and more. It would cost $228 if you visit the attractions I mentioned independently.  That’s a saving of $92 with the pass!

Get Your CityPASS!

3-Day New York Itinerary

New york itinerary day 1: explore midtown manhattan.

Prepare for a power-packed day in Midtown Manhattan! This stretch between 34th and 50th Streets has some of New York City’s most famous landmarks, from Times Square to the newest attraction, SUMMIT One Vanderbilt . You can easily walk from one spot to another, so put on your most comfortable shoes.

There’s no better way to start off your weekend in New York than with an authentic New York bagel from H&H Bagels on the city’s Upper West Side.   Enjoy your bagel at Central Park , the 840-acre oasis that separates the Upper West and Upper East sides of Manhattan.

There’s a slew of things to do in Central Park, including the Central Park Zoo, the whimsical Belvedere Castle , and the iconic tree-lined promenade, Bethesda Terrace . For the music lovers, don’t forget to head to Strawberry Fields, the memorial to world-famous Beatles’ artist John Lennon.

Located on the border of Central Park on Museum Mile, the the American Museum of Natural History is a must-visit especially if you’re exploring New York with kids. The iconic museum has been featured in many movies, including A Night at the Museum (my kid was particularly excited to visit because of that!). There are over 34 million specimens of plants, animals, fossils, minerals, and artifacts, so plan at least 3 hours here. Be sure to book your tickets in advance to avoid waiting in line.

From there, stroll along the 5th Avenue towards Rockefeller Center. This is the world’s most expensive street, from the high-end shops to the penthouses that line the buildings on this street. It is also known as Millionaire’s Row or Museum Mile – take this guided historical tour here .

If you’re in New York at Christmas , here’s where you will find the most Christmas lights and decorations. Remember to check out my guide on what to wear in New York in winter !

An icon of New York, the   Rockefeller Center is famed for its Art Deco buildings, its expansive underground concourse, and its ice-skating rink. This NYC landmark has been featured in dozens of films and TV shows over the past century, and is home to the legendary NBC Studios and Saturday Night Live . You can also visit the Rockefeller Center with this architecture and art walking tour.

Then head up to the Top of the Rock Observation Deck for a view of the city (free with the New York CityPASS ), but save that for the Summit One Vanderbilt instead! Remember to stop by the Radio City Hall right behind Rockefeller Center, especially at Christmas.

From Rockefeller, it’s a 10-minute walk to the Grand Central Terminal, a glorious 100-year-old building of grand stature. Once you enter through its doors, you’ll see the centerpiece of the building: the celestial ceiling, which features the 12 zodiac constellations. Head downstairs for a quick bite at Shake Shack  burger or a memorable meal at the historic  Oyster Bar & Restaurant .

It’s time to visit New York’s newest cultural landmark! Newly opened in October 2021, SUMMIT One Vanderbilt takes the concept of an “observation deck” to entirely new heights.

Explore three levels of mind-bending multi-sensory immersive experiences : from the all-mirror deck to the silver balloons installation (which my kid loved!). The five part story-driven immersive art experience is designed by Kenzo Digital, mixing transparency and reflectivity to create the illusion of boundless space.

Tickets for the observation deck start at $39. It’s a brand new attraction, so it’s not included in the pass yet. Book your tickets in advance .

A 20-minute walk away is another one of New York’s newest attractions: the Vessel . The 60-ton sculpture, located at sleek cultural destination Hudson Yards, resembles a honeycomb. Others say the larger-than-life art installation designed by British architect Thomas Heatherwick is New York’s version of the Eiffel Tour.  

Comprised of 154 intricately interconnecting flights of stairs – almost 2500 individual steps and 80 landings – the cool building sadly cannot be climbed now due to the increasing number of suicides happening there.

After such a long day, it’s time to treat yourself to a sumptuous dinner. With so many top-rated restaurants in Midtown, we’ve chosen some of the best to kick start your weekend in NYC.  

French brasserie, Papillon Bistro , is a fixture in New York’s culinary scene. The vibrant bar scene and elegant French provincial style make this spot a huge hit. We came here for Christmas dinner and it was absolutely gorgeous with over-the-top festive decorations. Book your table here.

To end the night off, stroll over to Times Square and get lost in the bright lights and digital billboards that stretch between the 42nd to 47th street. All of that energy is palpable, and you can easily tell why this is the epicenter of New York City. I spent New Year Eve’s at Times Square one year and watched the ball drop amidst the biggest crowd I’ve ever seen!

New York Itinerary Day 2: Venture Out to Ellis Island

Today we’ll be heading to the outlying islands for the highlight of your weekend in New York. Make your way to Battery Park in the southernmost part of Manhattan. The nearest subway station is South Ferry station.

Battery Park is named for the 17th-century artillery batteries that line the shoreline, built to protect the settlement behind them. It’s also home to Fort Clinton, the first immigration station in the US, the SeaGlass carousel, and numerous memorials and monuments.

From the ferry dock, take a ferry to the Statue of Liberty, one of those true New York City icons. The famous ‘Lady Liberty’ was a gift of friendship from the people of France to the United States and is recognized as a universal symbol of freedom and democracy. It’s a must-see in New York, and the best way to visit it is to take a ferry there and climb up to its crown.

From there, it’s a quick boat ride to Ellis Island , home to a fascinating museum dedicated to the city’s history of immigration. There are free tours of the museum, which you can sign up for when you’re there.

Prepare to spend around 5 hours in total as you’ll need time to get through security, catch the ferry, take photos and visit Ellis Island. Book these tickets if you prefer fast-track access .

Tickets for the Statue of Liberty sell out very early, especially for climbing to the crown, so book way in advance!

Cost: $21.50 Adults, $12 children 4 – 12 years for the Crown  

Tickets: Free with your New York CityPASS .

Hours: Ferries depart from 8:30 am to 5 pm

Website: Book your tickets in advance here or a Statue of Liberty tour here .

Alternative Way to See the Statue of Liberty for FREE!

If you’re visiting New York on a budget, there is a way to see the Statue of Liberty for free. Catch the free Staten Island ferry, a commuter ferry that shuttles back and forth between the Whitehall Terminal and Staten Island.

The ferry ride each way is approximately 25 minutes (you have to get off at Staten Island). It runs 24 hours a day and 7 days a week. The ferries run every 30 minutes, on the hour and on the half-hour. You can even ride the ferry at night since it runs 24 hours a day!  But you can’t get off at the Statue of Liberty, you’ll only be cruising past it.

Our next stop on this New York itinerary is the world-renown Wall Street Stock Exchange . The building is no longer open for tours. With the rise in electronic trading, there are less than 1,000 traders on the floor – less than a fifth of what used to be. To get a glimpse at the inner workings of the financial system, though, you can visit the Federal Reserve, also located on Wall Street or go on a Wall Street insider tour with a finance professional.

From Wall Street, you can either walk or catch the subway to Canal St. New York’s Chinatown is one of the biggest in the world. One of my favorites for authentic noodles is Great NY Noodletown . It’s a no-frills Hongkong-style eatery with a series of roast duck and meat hanging on display. The award-winning  Joe’s Shanghai is another popular spot in Chinatown, but prepare to wait in line. With so many famous dishes you may have a hard time choosing, but make sure you start with their soup dumplings.

  New York Itinerary Day 3: Get to Know Brooklyn

On your last day in New York, head to Brooklyn, one of New York’s most diverse boroughs. Ultra hip and trendy, Brooklyn is a hotspot for entrepreneurs, startups and artists. In recent years, the neighborhoods of Brooklyn have seen a dramatic increase in gentrification.

Start your morning at DUMBO – Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass – one of New York’s most expensive neighborhoods. The closest subway station is York St station. Just 20 years ago, it was an industrial area where few people lived, but now it’s a hotbed of dining, recreation and shopping with great views of the Lower Manhattan skyline. Be sure to stop by the bookstore, Powerhouse Arena; they have a great collection of books on New York.

Many people flock to Washington Street between Front and Water Streets to capture a shot that features Dumbo’s cobblestone streets, the Manhattan Bridge, and the Empire State Building. You’re almost certain to see many people taking the same photograph—making it sort of a meta-attraction.

Stop by the Time Out Market for some lunch. The market brings together some of New York’s top culinary talent, all curated by our editorial team. Don’t miss the delicious ice cream from Sugar Hill Creamery , expertly crafted pizza from  Fornino  and homestyle Thai food from  Wayla .

Across the road, you’ll find St Ann’s Warehouse , a roomy warehouse space that hosts cutting-edge theater performances & progressive musicians. The 19th-century space is an attraction in itself; feel free to sit in the public garden, whether or not you’re there for a show.

Walk along the waterfront to reach the Brooklyn Bridge Park. This 85-acre waterfront area had largely fallen into disuse for years after industry left, but it’s now been transformed into a park where residents get fresh air, play sports, and enjoy skyline views. This is the best spot to photograph the Brooklyn Bridge.

Finally it’s time to walk across the Brooklyn Bridge! Try to do this before lunch, as the morning sun will be at your back and you can still perfectly see the Manhattan skyline. Stretching across the East River, the iconic Brooklyn Bridge opened up back in 1883 to carry traffic between Lower Manhattan and Brooklyn. Most people take 1 hour to cross the Brooklyn Bridge.

Once you cross the bridge, you’ll find yourself at the City hall Park, a great place for people watching. Surrounded by centuries-old majestic government buildings that date back to 1812, this park provides a much-needed green spot in a bustling downtown area.

A 15-minute walk away is the 9/11 Memorial and Museum , which commemorates the lives lost in the tragedies of the September 11, 2001 attacks as well as the 1993 World Trade Center bombing. Despite it being a somber experience, this is an essential stop for anyone spending a weekend in New York.

Where the Twin Towers once stood, you’ll find two reflecting pools that are the largest man made waterfalls in North America. The names of everyone who passed in the 2001 and 1993 attacks are engraved around the pools.  

To avoid waiting hours in line, it’s best to  buy tickets ahead of time for the museum. Ticket prices start at $26 per adults – It’s free with your New York CityPASS .

Across the street you’ll notice a large white building with steel, wing-shaped tips reaching toward the sky. That’s the Oculus , a transportation hub built alongside the One World Trade Center after the devastating September 11th attacks.

Spotting a striking interior, the Oculus was designed by Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava. He intended it to resemble a dove leaving a child’s hands. You can see it in the tall, crossed steel columns that make up the exterior.

It’s free to enter and walk around. The best time to visit is 11 a.m.-3 p.m. and after 7 p.m. Go to the second level where you can capture the steel ribs of the roof above.

On your last evening in New York, head up to the hip Daintree NYC on the rooftop of Hotel Hendricks. The stylish rooftop bar is a great spot to go watch the sunset and see the Empire State building light up by night. It’s not very high, but you still get a spectacular view of the surroundings. Best of all, not many know about this bar just yet, so get there soon.

Cocktails are priced at $18 and food is just as pricey, but you’ll be spending the same here as at any observation deck and you get a meal out of it. Plus, you get free flow of salted chicken popcorn here!

Sadly, your epic weekend in New York City has come to an end. Now that you’ve seen the best of the best in New York City, what do you think of the Big Apple? Can you see why it’s one of the best cities in the world ?

New York Travel Guide

There are three airports in the New York City area. If you’re flying internationally, you’ll land in either either JFK or Newark Airport.  

From JFK, the AirTrain runs to Jamaica Station, where you can connect with the subway to Manhattan (Penn Station); and Howard Beach, to connect with the subway to Brooklyn. The fee each way is $7.75, payable only by Metrocard. Alternatively, book a private transfer with door-to-door service.

From Newark, the AirTrain serves the New York Penn Station, where you can change to a subway. The journey from Newark to the city is about 30 minutes and also costs $7.75. Or book a private transfer here .

LaGuardia Airport is the closest airport to Manhattan but it doesn’t have any rail service. From LaGuardia, take the Golden Touch Bus ($16 each way) which has 3 dropoff locations in Manhattan: Grand Central Station, Port Authority Bus Terminal and Times Square. Alternatively, book an airport shuttle for $38 that provides door-to-door service.

How to Get Around New York

The best way to get around New York City is by subway. It may seem confusing when looking at the map, but follow Google Maps’ directions and you’ll be fine. Buy a multi-day MetroCard and pay per ride or get a 7-day pass for $33 for unlimited rides.

Taking an Uber or Lyft can be a good alternative to using a yellow taxi. They are completely legal and authorized for use in NYC. You can request Uber cars at any of the major airports, JFK, LaGuardia, and Newark.

Winter is an exciting time to visit New York with the festive mood in the air, holiday decorations everywhere, and vibrant celebrations. We have visited New York at Christmas twice and the city always had a special atmosphere. If you’re planning to visit New York in winter, check out my NYC winter packing list .

The least crowded time to visit New York City is April – June and September – November when the weather is pleasant but the tourist crowds are not overwhelming. The cheapest time to visit New York is on weekends from mid-January to the end of February.  

Hotels in New York are pricey, as you’d probably imagine. I recommend staying in Manhattan as most attractions are located there, but Brooklyn is a cheaper alternative and also easily accessible.

Budget: The Paul Hotel NYC-Chelsea

A short walk from the Empire State Building, The Paul Hotel is a chic budget hotel with tiny rooms but stylish designs. It boasts a sun terrace and lots of hangout space. Check the rates here.

Mid Range: Moxy NYC East Village 

Super slick and stylish, this Moxy branch boasts unique designs and affordable rooms with a central location. Its onsite bar and restaurant has a particularly cool look. Check the rates here.

Luxury: Warwick New York

A historic hotel in midtown Manhattan, the Warwick (pictured) is one of the most prestigious hotels in New York. It’s just a block from Central Park, and it’s home to the famous Mural’s on 54th restaurant. Check the rates here.

Apartment: Mint House at 70 Pine

Families or friends traveling in a group will love this spacious 2-bedroom apartment housed in a historic landmark building near Battery Park. It has a fully equipped kitchen and enough sleeping space for six. Check rates here.

Feel free to print out this New York itinerary and bring it with you on your New York weekend getaway! I have packed this itinerary with all the best things to do in New York in 3 days, so get ready to have a blast.

Be sure to leave a comment below if you have any questions. Read more of my US articles to get idea for your next weekend trip:

• 25 Festive Things to Do in New York at Christmas
• What to Pack for New York in Winter
• Weekend in Boston
• Weekend in Seattle
• Weekend in Los Angeles
• Weekend in San Francisco
• Weekend in Miami

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links to companies I use and trust. I get a small commission when you click on my links, at NO EXTRA COST TO YOU.

Inspired? Pin it!

Over the years (and traveling to 140+ countries), I’ve learned a thing or two about travel planning. I’ve put together this list of travel resources that I personally use to find the best deals and book travel! For more details, check out my travel tips resource page .

• Booking Flights : Kayak is brilliant for finding the best dates to fly as it allows you to search for the lowest airfares within a 3-day period. Then I use Skyscanner as they’ve consistently given me the lowest airfares.
• Accommodations:  I always use  Booking.com   to book hotels, mainly because of the flexible cancellation policy and good customer service. You can also find short-term rental apartments there (I prefer not to use Airbnb due to the extra charges).
• Travel Insurance:  It’s important to have travel insurance, regardless of whether you’re traveling for a few days or months. Safety Wing is the most popular travel insurance company for COVID19-coverage. I use their Nomad Insurance plan , which covers any healthcare expenses I may have worldwide. Refer to my travel insurance guide for more details.
• Health Advice:  I always refer to the travel guides on the   CDC website  for recommended medications and vaccines. You can get them at your travel doctor’s office or a walk-in pharmacy.
• Tours:  If you’re looking for all-encompassing tours, I recommend small-group adventure tour outfitter, G Adventures . I’ve traveled with them to Antarctica, Mongolia, Svalbard, and Nepal, and loved every single trip. For day tours, I always book with  Viator  and  GetYourGuide ; they have easy booking systems and free cancellations.
• Car Rental: I always book car rentals on Discover Cars , as they’ve consistently given us the best rates and customer service (with free cancellations). We’ve used them in Seychelles, South Africa, Spain, Peru, and Mexico.
• Transportation : Whenever possible, I book local transportation online using  Bookaway and Busbud . They’re more reliable than many local transport websites and cover trains, buses, and car hire.
• Restaurants: TripAdvisor is my go-to resource for restaurant reviews and bookings. I also make restaurant reservations on OpenTable .
• Travel WiFi: I always travel with my Travel WiFi Sapphire 2 device; it’s the most convenient way to get internet data on the go. Instead of getting a local SIM card in every country I travel, I get an internet data package online and the device works immediately when I land.

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Nellie Huang

Nellie Huang is the founder of WildJunket. Originally from Singapore, Nellie has traveled to over 150 countries across 7 continents. As an accomplished travel writer, she has written for BBC Travel, CNN and Rough Guides . She is also the author of five travel books, including the latest Lonely Planet's Mexico guidebook. Read more about her here and follow her on Facebook and Instagram .

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The Comments

Encarnación Jurado Alameda

Un Post interesante y muy completo Nellie

Is the vaccine mandate still in place? I though they dropped it this year.

Yes they have dropped it. Sorry I’ve just updated the post. Thanks for pointing that out!

Thank you for crafting the perfect 3-day itinerary for a weekend in New York! Your guide makes planning so much easier, and I love how you’ve balanced iconic sights with hidden gems. Can’t wait to experience the city following your recommendations.

You May Also Like

Weekend in boston: the perfect 3-day itinerary, best national parks in usa 2024, christmas in new york: 25 festive things to do in nyc.

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Home » North America » New York

WEEKEND in New York – 48 Hour Guide (2024)

It’s a good thing New York is the city that never sleeps because you’ll need the extra time to fit everything in! There is literally an endless list of incredible shows, hidden gems and iconic landmarks that have been gracing our movie screens for decades. It’s one of those places that feels familiar as soon as you arrive!

Whether you’re looking for an idyllic experience ice-skating in Central Park or a bona fide rave, we’ve compiled a jam-packed list of the best things to do in NYC this weekend.

Get packed, get pumped and head on a weekend adventure in a city known for being one of the most exciting and intoxicating places to visit in the world. Guaranteed, after a weekend here you’ll be coming back for more time and time again, and each time you do, you’ll discover something new!

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New york nightlife guide, new york food guide, sporting events in new york, weekend cultural entertainment in new york – music/concerts/theatre, new york weekend travel faqs.

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If you’re looking for a whirlwind weekend trip packed with activities or much-needed time out, NYC is the dream vacation spot. Whether you’re planning to chill in lush parks with a picnic or hit the pavement every day searching for the most underrated spots in New York, this is the city for you!

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Know Where to Stay in New York

New York is famously known for its five boroughs (Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx and Staten Island), each with a unique atmosphere and fantastic attractions. While New York does have a top-notch subway system, it’s a good idea to remain central and find NYC accommodation close to the things you’re planning to do!

Most of central Manhattan is laid out well with Fifth Avenue as its equator and the main streets labelled for easy exploration. Midtown Manhattan is one of the best NYC areas to stay in because it’s nearby to so many NYC haunts and landmarks, as well a sprinkle of iconic New York skyscrapers.

The best place to stay for easy access to bars and eateries is Williamsburg in Brooklyn. This hipster paradise is a New York staple and home to a myriad of coffee shops, bistros and bars. With everything from pub grub to NYC’s finest cuisine, Williamsburg is the go-to stop for foodies.

We could go on about all the fantastic areas to stay in, but we’ll finish it off with the unassuming Meatpacking District, the perfect place for anyone interested in high-end wine bars and fashion. With household names lining its cobblestone streets and Chelsea Market nearby, as well as the amazing High Line, this fantastic New York area hits the sweet spot.

Save more and experience more. Get a city pass before you travel.

Our Favorite Hostel – American Dream Hostel

• Delicious breakfast served between 7 am and 11 am every morning.
• Has a wonderful chilled atmosphere.

With a prime spot in lower Manhattan, this classic and comfortable NYC hostel makes for the perfect NYC accommodation. Situated near the Empire State Building, Madison Square Park and a subway station for easy access to the rest of NYC, the American Dream Hostel checks all the boxes.

Best Airbnb in New York – Amazing East Village XL Studio

Perfect if you’re on a budget, this studio apartment is on the ground floor of a building in Manhattan’s East Village. There is another mattress in the closet, but it might be a bit of a squeeze. Still, as an apartment for a solo traveller or couple, you really can’t beat this! It has a loft feel with the indoor brickwork, and there’s a dedicated workspace should you be travelling as a digital nomad.

However, there are plenty more Airbnbs in Manhatten waiting for you. if this is not the right one for you, check out the others!

Our Favorite Budget Hotel – Hotel Mimosa

• Tasty Coco Bubble Tea is offered on-site.
• The hotel is close to Madison Square Garden, Time’s Square and the Met.

This lovely gem in the middle of Chinatown makes for the perfect home-away-from-home. With a fantastic central location near the famous Brooklyn Bridge and just a stone’s throw from Little Italy, this welcoming hotel with an amazing view of the New York skyline is a perfect choice!

Our Favorite Splurge Hotel – The Peninsula New York

• There is a curated art exhibition celebrating prominent artists throughout the hotel.
• Enjoy delicious cuisine at the hotel’s on-site restaurant and rooftop bar.

Feel incredibly swanky at this first-class hotel in Midtown Manhattan. With a rooftop terrace as well as an incredible spa with an indoor pool, the hotel promises a luxurious experience. The Peninsula is nearby to Central Park, The Rockefeller Center and the Museum of Modern Art.

Know How to Get Around in New York

You could jump into a classic yellow taxi which is a well-trusted mode of transport! Being the most populated city in the world, NYC is also accessible by alternative taxis such as Uber and Lyft.

The public bus is also a good option( and yes, it’s safe !)especially if you’re trying to get between the five boroughs. If you’re a first-time visitor, it’s a good idea to get a map of the bus routes!

One of the most well-known modes of transport is the New York Subway, which operates 24 hours a day. Check out one of the maps in the station to avoid any mishaps (although that’s all part of the New York experience )!

You can also try out one of the water taxis where you can travel via the city’s waterways. You can also cycle around the city streets and rental passes can be bought from the Citi Bike app or from one of the kiosks.

You can also make use of the super-touristy Hop-On-Hop-Off bus, which is perfect for all the incredible places to visit in New York and to get your bearings. Finally, pop on your walking shoes and head out into the concrete jungle just like a true New Yorker.

A new country, a new contract, a new piece of plastic – booooring. Instead, buy an eSIM !

Jetpac eSIMs work just like an app: you download it, pick your plan, and BOOM! You’re connected the minute you land. It’s that easy.

Read about how e-Sims work or click below to see one of the top eSIM providers on the market and  ditch the plastic .

If you’re looking for an unforgettable weekend in New York, check out our list of fun things to do in NYC this weekend. Between old school Jazz or modern urban hangouts, New York comes alive at night, so don’t miss your chance to join in!

Gotham City Lounge

• Enjoy signature themed drinks like the Green Lantern.
• Home to an amazing range of superhero collector’s items.
• Take some ‘instagram-able’ pictures in front of their life-sized mural.

This slightly off-kilter pool bar is an underrated New York feature! Tucked beneath the tracks of the elevated M train, lies the Gotham City Lounge.

If you’re a comic book fan or even just looking for an eclectic NYC spot, you’ll find chilled vibes and next-level superhero memorabilia at this quirky dive bar. Keep an eye peeled for the bat signal aka a giant Batman mural outside and you’ll know you’re in the right place.

Enjoy an animated night at one of New York’s most unique bars!

Chelsea Music Hall

• Join in an old school swing dance session.
• The uber-popular Mizon restaurant handles the music hall’s cuisine.
• It combines old school with a mix of modern sounds to create a unique experience.

In the basement of the unmissable Chelsea Market is its underground music hall. Filled with smooth Jazz, gut-busting comedy nights with groups like The Juice, and fantastic musical performances, the Chelsea Music Hall has something for everyone!

You can also keep a lookout for the nights when a bona fide orchestra comes to play at the music hall. Join in the unbelievable Soul in the Horn, a weekly dance party and musical showcase, all to the sound of a horn-infused musical performance!

For a truly vibrant experience of New York’s music scene, head to the incredible Chelsea Music Hall!

Staten Island Ferry

• Enjoy the fun atmosphere of a nighttime ferry ride.
• Head for Roller Jam USA where you can skate the night away on Staten Island.
• Perfect for For a unique view of the New York skyline.

If you’re searching for amazing things to do in NYC tonight, take a ride on New York City’s best ‘free bar’! Bring your drinks and snacks as you take a moonlit sail on the Staten Island Ferry.

With a stunning view of the lower Manhattan skyline all in lights, a nighttime ride on the ferry is a truly memorable experience! Head for the back of the ferry for the best view as it sets sail onto the Hudson River. You can see the incredible Statue of Liberty with her torch held high, the historic Ellis Island and Brooklyn Bridge with its garland of lights!

After your ferry ride, why not explore Staten Island for a while (but don’t forget to catch the ferry back before it closes for the night).

Want to save money on accommodation?

We got you. For reals.

Give your tastebuds the New York experience at some of the best eateries in the city. With everything from next-level ice creams to picnics in the park, New York has some excellent grub!

Milk and Cream Cereal Bar

• Enjoy some truly unique cones with multicolored designs.
• This is the perfect place for a photo op with its simple and retro interior.
• You can even grab a bowl of cereal (with some toppings and drizzles thrown in there).

Bring your favourite cereals to new life with modern twists and some incredible combinations!

At the Milk and Cream Cereal Bar, you’re invited to “treat yo’self” with every Froot Loop-topped ice cream creation. Enjoy any cereal from Apple Jacks to Frosted Flakes, which you can combine with some epic toppings.

Milk and Cream also offer some incredible signature ‘dishes’ including the Cookie Crisp Carnival (with everything from Oreos to cookie dough) or the P-Nut Jelly Crumble, a twist on the classic PB&J, just with Reese’s Pieces and Puffs!

Make this your stop for a sweet treat of the day, or even breakfast, this is New York after all!

Frankel’s Delicatessen

• Enjoy a taste of home-cooked food at this New York staple.
• Grab your food and then visit McCarren park for a picnic.
• Don’t forget to try the oh-so-delicious latkes with their crunchy interior and creamy inside.

Head out for lunch at this classic, family-owned restaurant in Williamsburg!

Frankel’s chef has dug out some favourites from the family recipe box and added a twist to some traditional Jewish dishes. The Frankel brothers keep it simple with their tasty menu and decor, which is fresh and nostalgic.

With everything from the beefy hot pastrami sandwich or braised brisket, to homemade matzo ball soup, Frankel’s serves up some feel-good dishes.

Joe’s Pizza

• The restaurant is run by the original Joe Pozzuoli himself!
• According to trusted sources, the sauce is what makes Joe’s pizzas so delicious.
• Joe’s pizza has been listed in Time Out and GQ as one of the best on earth.

It would be almost criminal to visit NYC and not have a slice of true-blue New York pizza!

This Greenwich Village institution serves up some tried and true (and unbelievably tasty) pizza! You can keep it simple with a margarita or go all out with a Sicilian Square.

Whether you’re grabbing a slice to eat and walk as you explore the city, or heading there for a late-night dinner, it’s the perfect spot for a taste of New York.

For any sports fans looking for NYC events this weekend, the city always has something going on. From league giants like the New York Mets to the US Open, there’s something for the hardcore sports lovers to the budding enthusiast!

Catch a Knicks Game

• The team has hosted famous players like Patrick Ewing and Larry Johnson.
• New York is home to 2 NBA teams, including the New York Knicks and the Brooklyn Nets.
• The Knicks have become a long-standing New York sporting institution.

If you’re a basketball fan (or a keen visitor), you have to watch a Knicks game when you’re in NYC. The team usually has games from October through to June, as long as they make it to the playoffs. All home games are played at the incredible Madison Square garden where you can see the team in action!

Watch a Baseball Game

• You can take a tour around the impressive Yankee Stadium or Citi Field where the Mets play.
• Famous Yankees players include Babe Ruth and Joe Dimaggio, while the Mets had well-known players like Mike Piazza and Dwight Gooden.
• The Yankees’ old mascot, Dandy, was created from the classic folk song, Yankee Doodle Dandy.

Enjoy a taste of one of the USA’s great pastimes – a game of baseball. New York City is home to two national league baseball teams, the Yankees and the Mets. If you’re not from the USA, brush up on your baseball rules and then head down to the stadium for a unique sporting experience!

Take in a New York Ice Hockey Match

• Ice hockey season is between October and April.
• The Rangers play home games in Madison Square Garden.
• Prominent players include Wayne Gretzky and Brian Leetch.

You don’t often get to see an action-packed ice hockey game if you’re not from the USA, so take advantage of being in NYC and head to a New York Ranger’s game. As one of the ‘Original Six’ teams who competed in the National Hockey League, the Rangers have a long-standing reputation!

Wanna know how to pack like a pro? Well for a start you need the right gear….

These are packing cubes for the globetrotters and compression sacks for the  real adventurers – these babies are a traveller’s best kept secret. They organise yo’ packing and minimise volume too so you can pack MORE.

Or, y’know… you can stick to just chucking it all in your backpack…

New York will never be short on incredible shows to watch or music to listen to, but we’ve compiled some of the best options on offer if you’re wondering what’s happening in NYC this weekend!

The Punderdome

• Enjoy a unique form of comedy where puns are an art form.
• The Firestone comedian duo runs the show!
• The Punderdome has become a favorite at the Littlefield Theatre.

If you’re looking for a beyond hilarious and, at times, cringe-worthy show, head for the Punderdome! Led by the suitably hilarious ‘alleged’ father-daughter duo, this beloved competition incites participants to bring their best pun game in a battle of wits!

The first individuals or teams to sign up at the door enter a pun-off to end all pun-offs as they go through 3 hours of competitive pun-making, which is judged by a human clap-o-meter until 2 winners remain.

This monthly competition takes place between May and September each year and is unmissable on a visit to NYC!

Watch a Broadway Show

• You can find some incredible adaptations of famous movies including The Lion King , Frozen or King Kong.
• You could see some big names from films doing a Broadway show.
• Broadway shows can sell out very quickly so try and book in advance for shows in NYC this weekend.

One of the all-time best things to do tonight in NYC is enjoying an incredible show on Broadway!

This iconic theatre lane in Midtown Manhattan has become a New York stalwart and is known the world over as a place where incredible music and theatre is made. The majority of Broadway shows are musicals with some of the most recent favourites being Hamilton and Dear Evan Hansen.

You can even choose to get tickets to the avant-garde Off-Broadway or the truly non-traditional Off-Off-Broadway. Whether you’re heading for a long-running Broadway classic or something more edgy and intimate, catching some New York theatre definitely belongs on your NYC itinerary !

Brooklyn Bowl

• It has an amazing history of performers including Elvis Costello, The Roots and Guns ‘N Roses.
• Enjoy Family Bowl on Saturdays from 11 am to 5 pm.
• Delicious gourmet to classic bowling alley food is served up by Blue Ribbon.

Head to Williamsburg for a night out at the Brooklyn Bowl! With the winning combination as a vibrant music venue, restaurant and bowling alley, you get it all at the Bowl – one of the best things to do in Brooklyn this weekend!

Feel like a kid again at the 16-lane bowling alley alongside its giant dancefloor! The Brooklyn Bowl’s high-tech green construction and fantastic musical acts including the likes of Pk.Kid on 100% vinyl or Spinback Saturday featuring pumping Top 40 mash-ups.

With everything from themed tribute nights, original DJ mixes and live bands, the Brooklyn Bowl meets all your music needs!

Stash your cash safely with this money belt. It will keep your valuables safely concealed, no matter where you go.

It looks exactly like a normal belt  except for a SECRET interior pocket perfectly designed to hide a wad of cash, a passport photocopy or anything else you may wish to hide. Never get caught with your pants down again! (Unless you want to…)

9 Other Awesome Things to do in New York This Weekend

Make the most of your weekend in New York as you find the best in art, shopping and sightseeing! With an unending list of fun things to do, NYC is your oyster!

#1 – The Metropolitan Museum of Art

The stunning Metropolitan Museum of Art sits on the iconic Museum Mile and is home to a permanent collection of over 2 million artworks. Incredible works from antiquities and prominent European styles sit alongside a huge collection of American and modern art! The Met’s collection also extends to the Cloisters, which is the home to art and artefacts from Medieval Europe, while the Met Bauer is where you’ll find some incredible collections of musical instruments, traditional dress and weapons from across the globe!

#2 – Central Park

Like a scene from a movie, Central Park awaits with its ice-skating rink turned fun park in the summer, an iconic fountain or incredible lake with tiny rowboats gliding along. The designated national historical landmark is the most visited urban park in the USA and, unsurprisingly, is known as one of the most filmed in locations in the world. Get lost in this all-season New York location on a Hidden Secrets tour or make the most of its gorgeous landscape with a photo tour!

#3 – Visit the Iconic Empire State Building

Nothing says NYC more than The Empire State Building, this iconic structure has stood proud over the city since 1931 and was the tallest building in the world for nearly four decades. The building symbolises the city and its pioneering hopes and dreams over the years. A visit to New York wouldn’t be complete without scaling to the top of this Art Deco skyscraper and taking in the impressive view.

#4 – Chelsea Market

This all-in-one food hall and shopping market makes for the perfect day out in New York! Beneath a collection of major media companies, including YouTube, lies a unique combination of traditional farmer’s markets and hipster foodie paradise. Pick up yourself anything from classic artisan bread to personalized baskets this the Chelsea Market.

American Dream Hostel

American Dream Hostel is a great family run place in Manhattan’s Gramercy Park district – a great central location!

• Free Breakfast

#5 – Times Square

Don’t miss this iconic New York attraction off your list! Take a Hop-On-Hop-Off sightseeing tour, and jump off at the vibrant and neon-infused Times Square. You can visit the National Geographic Encounter: Ocean Odyssey, where you can get up-close with the digital habitats of some amazing marine life. Then take a trip around the world (in miniature) at Gulliver’s Gate – a replica of landmarks from across the globe! If you stick around till midnight, you’ll see the billboards put on a stunning digital show in perfect synchronisation.

#6 – International Centre of Photography

Explore the world of image-making at the ICP, which is dedicated to preserving the legacy of concerned photography. Make your way through exhibits featuring photographs that have had a social or political impact on the world, as you learn about the community of artists, photographers and scholars the ICP has created. Experience the legacy and future of photography through the incredible dynamic exhibitions!

#7 – Pay a Visit to Lady Liberty

The Statue of Liberty is possibly the most well-known icon of NYC after the Empire State Building. Dedicated in 1886, it was a gift to the people of the USA from France and has greeted many people sailing into the famous harbours for generations, including scores of immigrants arriving on these shores for the first time looking for the liberty and opportunities not available in their homeland. The statue is a symbol of the culture of the USA and a symbol of hope. You’ve just got to visit!

#8 – TV Show Taping

Wondering what to do in NYC this weekend? New York is the home to a plethora of late-night hosts so why not get tickets to one of their tapings! Most tapings are free and you can try to book a reservation online, or just rock up and see if there’s a space. Getting a ticket to the monologue rehearsal can also be an awesome experience. Get an inside look at some of the wittiest and most popular talk shows in NYC!

#9 – Top of the Rock Observation Deck

Get a unique look at the city from the ultimate vantage point on top of the Rockefeller Center! Take in the skyscrapers and landmarks of the skyline in NYC this weekend. Head up to one of the three unforgettable observation decks, including the Radiance Wall on Level 1 or the 70th-floor open-air deck for the perfect photo op!

#10 – Take a Once in a Lifetime Helicopter Tour

If you’re short of time and you want to take in the whole of Manhatten on just a weekend, well how can you fit it all in? Why not fly overhead and see it all in one! Get a birdseye view of one of the most iconic cities in the world and a view that will stay with you forever. For such an incredible experience, it’s actually pretty affordable and you’ll come away with some epic photos of NYC.

Here are some of the most frequently asked questions if you’re visiting New York this weekend!

What should I pack for a weekend in New York?

– New York follows the seasons like a champ so pack for the weather you’re going to get. In winter, you’ll be needing a super warm coat and shoes, as well as enough clothes to layer for the weekend. – In summer, it gets exceedingly warm so dress lightly and have enough clothes to change if you need to, and don’t forget to pack your sunglasses! It’s also a great idea to bring a blanket or towel with you for any picnics you might have. – In general, you’ll always need a pair of excellent walking shoes and an umbrella on the off chance you get caught in the rain!

Can I get an apartment in New York for the weekend?

NYC is one of those places where accommodation is no problem, but it’s important to try and book in advance because of how popular the city is. From bachelor flats to palatial apartments, you can take your pick for a weekend away. Besides conventional booking sites, there’s also Airbnb where you can find some great options that won’t break the bank!

Is New York Safe for a weekend trip?

New York is considered to be one of the safest large metropoles in the USA with crime rates lower than the national average! However, petty theft and pick-pocketing does occur. Keep an eye on your belongings, especially on crowded midtown streets and packed subways. Try not to carry too much cash with you and be aware of your surroundings

Don’t Forget Your New York Travel Insurance

ALWAYS sort out your backpacker insurance before your trip. There’s plenty to choose from in that department, but a good place to start is Safety Wing .

They offer month-to-month payments, no lock-in contracts, and require absolutely no itineraries: that’s the exact kind of insurance long-term travellers and digital nomads need.

SafetyWing is cheap, easy, and admin-free: just sign up lickety-split so you can get back to it!

Click the button below to learn more about SafetyWing’s setup or read our insider review for the full tasty scoop.

Final Thoughts on a Great Weekend in New York

Whether you’re heading on a 4-day NYC holiday or a weekend getaway to New York City, just jump right in because there’s a whole heap of things to do in New York! As one of the most visited cities in the world, NYC has so much to offer. It’s the home of incredible street art, museums galore and incredible cityscape that will have you snapping pics left and right! Whether you’re looking for a laid-back getaway or a jam-packed NYC experience, you’ll never run out of things to do in New York this weekend!

• Check out our ultimate guide to backpacking in New York . 
• There are heaps of totally epic places to visit in New York . 
• Revitalize your spirit with a NYC yoga retreat .
• Have a look at our guide to where to stay in New York to choose the perfect area!
• You’ll need a   hostel in New York – it’s a great way to start your trip!
• Sort your international SIM card for the USA out to avoid unnecessary hassle. 
• Get yourself covered with travel insurance for the USA before you leave.  
• Our in-depth backpacking packing list has all the info you’ll need for your trip.

Buy Us a Coffee !

A couple of you lovely readers suggested we set up a tip jar for direct support as an alternative to booking through our links. So we created one!

You can now buy The Broke Backpacker a coffee . If you like and use our content to plan your trips, it’s a much appreciated way to show appreciation 🙂

Mary Beth Skylis

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2 Day Itinerary in New York City – The Perfect Weekend In NYC

Last Updated July 31, 2024 William Tang

You are here: Home » Travel Itineraries » 2 Day Itinerary in New York City – The Perfect Weekend In NYC

While New York City can feel overwhelming. There are tons of things to do in the city, and squeezing them all into one weekend might seem a superhuman task. As much as you can’t see everything, planning the perfect weekend in New York City is more than possible. 

Find a place to stay that will be the perfect launch pad for your adventures, and get ready for a fantastic weekend in the Big Apple.

This 2-day itinerary in New York City will focus on Manhattan, with a small stroll in Brooklyn. Traveling to NYC for just a weekend simply doesn’t give you enough time to explore the other boroughs so we’ve narrowed it down to our best bits.

In This Article

Highlights of a Weekend in New York City

What is the new york city region, day 1 – midtown manhattan, day 2 – lower manhattan & statue of liberty, map of new york city, closing thoughts, frequently asked questions, travel resources for your next trip, 2-day new york city itinerary.

• Learn how to get Top of the Rock and see the best views in NYC.
• Discover incredible museums, galleries and immerse yourself in the rich culture of the city.
• Get our tips on the best places to stay that are budget friendly and located in the best areas.
• Find where to eat classic NYC foods.
• If you have just a few days in New York City this is the itinerary for you!

TOP TIPS FOR TRAVELING TO NEW YORK CITY

• Where to stay – To be centrally located, stay at citizenM New York Times Square . We use Booking.com for all of our stays. Alternatively, you can always see if hotel corporate codes might work for you.
• Car rentals – It is unlikely you will need a car in NYC, in fact, we don’t recommend it! But if you are taking a road trip outside the city you can save the most money through car rental coupon codes and always start your search with Discover Cars and RentalCars so you know what the best deals are.
• Flights – International flights are never cheap, but with the Skyscanner “Everywhere” feature you can find the best deals. Check how much it would be for you to get to America!
• Insurance – Not always required but always recommended! Make sure you’re covered with the best travel insurance .
• Hottest deals – Never be without our frequently updated travel deals page .

NYC is full of personality, entertainment options, movie locations, and surprises. Add on the fact that it is among the most visited places in the world, and you get the recipe for a fantastic weekend. 

If our 2 day itinerary in New York City taught us anything, it’s that there is a lot to uncover in this iconic spot . The choices of what to see and do are endless, so much so that the span of a weekend is barely enough to capture the feel of what makes New York City so incredible. 

For those looking to make a longer trip, check out our suggestions for off-the-beaten-path things to do in NYC for an extra unique stay.

If you are new here, we love our travel itineraries at Going Awesome Places. You will see a lot of similarities with other ones we’ve created such as 6 Days Missouri Itinerary in the Ozarks and 8 Day Iceland itinerary .

In this one, you will find a day-by-day breakdown, boxes labeled “What you need to know” with details for main activities, restaurant and accommodation recommendations, trip planning maps, and more.

Located in the state of New York, New York City is one of the largest urban conglomerations in the world. In addition to the famous Manhattan, the city comprises four more boroughs: Brooklyn, the Bronx, Queens, and Staten Island.

While Manhattan and Staten Island are islands, Brooklyn and Queens are geographically part of Long Island, and the Bronx is attached to the US mainland. The five different boroughs are linked by bridges, tunnels, and ferries.

Another geographical element that dominates New York City is the Hudson River, which runs along the city’s western shore, forming the border with New Jersey. The eastern side of NYC is instead bathed by the East River, which separates Manhattan from Brooklyn and Queens. Staten Island lies to the south on the New York Bay.

In Manhattan, you won’t have problems getting around as the area is fantastically connected by subways, buses, rails, taxis, and Ubers. The subway is also the best transport option to reach Brooklyn, Queens, and the Bronx. For Staten Island, you will need to take the bus or ferry.

Given its extension and the large population of immigrants from over 180 countries, New York City is a cosmopolitan place that we are always excited to travel to. Following our 2 day itinerary in New York City will give you a good feel of its culture, energy, and diversity – and all almost without having to take any public transport. So, wear your most comfy shoes, and get ready to explore New York City.

Supposing you arrived in NYC on Friday evening, you have plenty of time to make the most of your jam-packed weekend in the Big Apple.

Get out of your hotel in Midtown Manhattan and grab a coffee and a delicious bagel at Bagel Shop to enjoy them in the first iconic site of NYC: Central Park . At 693 acres, Central Park is enormous, and you can easily spend an entire day there.

We suggest walking by a few of Central Park’s main attractions while you finish your breakfast before heading to the next stop. Belvedere Castle, Bethesda Fountain, and the Shakespeare Garden are unmissable.

After a relaxing hour in the park, it’s time to visit NYC’s world-renowned museums . Around Central Park, you will find three of the best museums in the city, namely the MET , the American Museum of Natural History, and the MOMA.

Depending on your interests, you will choose how to spend the next two hours or so of your morning. Personally, we found the Metropolitan Museum of Art the most complete in terms of artistic offerings. Its permanent collection displays artistic expressions from different cultures worldwide and throughout time. Inside, you will see everything from ancient Egyptian papyri to contemporary American paintings. 

The American Museum of Natural History is instead ideal for traveling with kids since it boasts impressive exhibits of dinosaur fossils. 

The Museum of Modern Art , or MOMA, is one of the top five most visited museums in the United States. The museum houses some of the most famous paintings in the world, including works from Pablo Picasso and Vincent van Gough. Paintings aren’t the only type of artwork found in the MOMA though, as you’ll find popular films, architectural work, sculptures, photography and more.

TIP: The MET and the American Museum of Natural History are next door to Central Park, just a 15-minute walk across the park from each other. So, if you are having a long weekend in New York City, you might very well visit them both. Instead, the MOMA is located south of the park in Midtown.

Continue with a half-hour’s walk to the southern end of Central Park – unless you decide to visit MOMA: in this case, you will be just 5 minutes from the next attraction. St. Patrick’s Cathedral is so striking that stopping by is an absolute must.

This Neo-Gothic St. church is surrounded by sky-scrapers, looking almost out of place here. Inside St. Patrick’s Cathedral you will find high-vaulted ceilings, rose windows, and a unique system of catacombs that you can tour. Take a quick look around the church just to appreciate the architecture, before heading on, this weekend itinerary is packed with many more things!

Next up is the iconic Rockefeller Center. This larger complex has stunning Art Deco buildings housing many recognizable stores (like Lego and Nintendo) and the Radio City Music Hall, the famous theater home to the Rockettes. 

TIP : The plaza right in front of Rockefeller Center is where you will find NYC’s gorgeous Christmas Tree and the famous ice-skating rink during the winter season.

However, the Rockefeller Center’s real centerpiece is the observatory deck of the Top of the Rock . Ascend at 850 feet, and get ready to be astonished by fantastic views of Central Park, the Empire State Building, the One World Trade Center, and all the way to the Hudson River.

The tickets to the Top of the Rock are valid for a whole day, so how much time you spend on this attraction is entirely up to you.

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

Address: Entrance to the VIP Lounge is located at 52 W 50th St., New York, NY 10112, USA .

Hours: Multiple times per day, from 9:20 a.m. to 10:10 p.m.

Price: 

• General Admission Off-Peak Timed-Entry – $43.55.
• General Admission Sunset Timed-Entry – $59.88.
• VIP Timed-Entry – $174.20.

Other Info:

• Lift tickets are not included in the package and must be purchased separately on-site.

You will surely be hungry by now. You can snatch food inside the Rockefeller Center or walk 10 minutes towards the Theater District. A place that we particularly love for a meal with Caribbean and Latin American flavors is Margon – their Cuban Sandwich is to die for! 

With a full belly, you will be ready to walk for another 13 minutes to get to Grand Central Terminal . This expectedly busy station is featured in many TV shows and movies and is known for its beauty. Three features of the Grand Central Terminal are too cool not to see.

The first is the Zodiac Ceiling in the main hall. The green-colored ceiling is painted with twelve constellations and decorated with more than 2,500 stars, 59 of which are illuminated by LED lights.

The second must-see is track number 61 , once the private line of President Franklin Delano Roosevelt. Last but not least is the Whispering Gallery , whose exceptional architecture creates a jaw-dropping acoustic effect.

Half an hour should be enough for getting a feel of the Grand Central Terminal. Next up is Bryant Park . Less than 10 minutes on foot from the station, Bryant Park is a lovely green space lined by tall buildings.

Perfect for a moment of relaxation on a sunny day, the reason why we include Bryant Park in the itinerary is the New York Public Library . The famous Stephen A. Schwarzman building with the lion statues out front is gorgeous, and it boasts many more wonders on the inside, especially the Rose Reading Room.

TIP : The New York Public Library is free to visit, but tourists are not allowed inside the historic Rose Reading Room. So how can you see it? Just tell the library personnel that you are there to study or research, and you will be granted access!

You will feel particularly inspired after the New York Public Library, so there is no better time to marvel at one of NYC’s top landmarks, the Empire State Building . This Art Deco skyscraper, with 102 floors, was once the tallest in the world. 

So iconic that it has been featured in numerous movies and TV shows , such as King Kong, but the Empire State Building mainly hosts offices rather than exciting film studios. However, you can also find shops, eateries, and three observation decks inside.

If you haven’t taken advantage of the Top of the Rock, you should climb up the Empire State Building’s 102nd floor for expansive views of Manhattan.  

TIP : If you plan to head to the famous viewpoints of the Empire State Building, you should absolutely book your tickets in advance as it is such a popular attraction.

The perfect weekend in New York City can’t be complete without catching a phenomenal show on Broadway. So get the subway line B or D from 34 St-Herald Sq . stop and get off at 7 Av. to be right where the action takes place!

Personally, we prioritize seeing a Broadway show every time we visit NYC, as we love it. So, even if you are not that much into theatrical performances, we highly recommend doing this quintessential New Yorker experience. 

TIP : You will find shows for every taste and budget. Some tickets, like Hamilton, might be exorbitantly expensive or nearly impossible to come by. In contrast, the tickets for long-running classics, like Wicked, are very easy to get and can be pretty affordable. Check out the official website to secure your spot!

With the excitement after the Broadway show, you will probably realize how late it is – and how hungry you are! A 5-minute stroll will get you to Times Square . Before venturing around, enjoy a delicious pizza at Joe’s Pizza Broadway or a fantastic burger at the NYC-founded Shake Shack .

Times Square is at its best at night. Giant and bright billboards, illuminated window shops, street entertainment, and delighted tourists all around make ending your first day in NYC in Times Square just perfect.

Day 1 Summary

Driving time: No driving time

What you’ll do:

• Central Park
• Museum (, American Museum of Natural History, or MOMA)
• St. Patrick’s Cathedral
• Rockefeller Center & Top of the Rock
• Grand Central Terminal
• Bryant Park & New York Public Library
• Empire State Building
• Broadway Show
• Time Square

Where you’ll eat:

• Breakfast – Bagel Shop – This is hands down one of the best bagel spots in NYC for its massive bagel-filling options.
• Lunch – Margon – Great venue for a quick, budget-friendly, and delicious Caribbean and Central American lunch, with vegetarian options.
• Dinner – Joe’s Pizza Broadway – This pizza place is popular for a reason: their freshly made pizzas are mouthwatering and huge. You can order single slices or an entire pizza, and either way, you won’t be disappointed. Note that you will need to queue to eat here. 

Where you’ll stay:

• Pod 39 Hotel – Its central location, a stroll away from Times Square, doesn’t make the rooms at this hotel noisy. On the contrary, you will sleep like a baby in the greatly-equipped rooms. At Pod 39, guests also find a restaurant and a seasonal rooftop lounge & bar.

What better way to kick off the second day of this 2 day itinerary of New York City than by walking across the iconic Brooklyn Bridge ?

Among the most recognizable bridges in the world, the Brooklyn Bridge connects Manhattan with Brooklyn. Take a relaxing stroll over the 1.1-mile-long bridge, stopping from time to time to snap pics. Once you are off the Brooklyn Bridge, head left to find yourself in the DUMBO district. 

Before exploring Dumbo, it’s time for a bite! We loved having breakfast at Dawn’s TIL DUSK. After the meal, it’s time for a quick stroll around DUMBO. Not-to-be-missed is the iconic photoshoot spot for taking the ultimate pic of the Brooklyn Bridge that you will find on Washington Street .

DUMBO and the other Brooklyn districts are beautiful. With plenty of things to do, but with the limited time of one weekend in NYC, you should head back to Lower Manhattan. So walk on the Brooklyn Bridge the opposite way, where you will be treated to stunning views of Manhattan’s skyline.

Once off the bridge, in 10 minutes, you will be at the 9/11 Memorial . This spectacular memorial is extraordinary as it is a moving piece of art called “Reflecting Absence”.

Looking at the footprint of the Twin Towers and the two giant pools in their place with the list of the names of those who lost their lives during the terrorist attacks is an emotional experience. Take your time paying your respects and, if you feel like it, check out the 9/11 Museum .

Walk more south through the Financial District . Make sure to pass by the district’s main sites – the New York Stock Exchange, Federal Hall, Trinity Church, and the Charging Bull.

When you reach the Charging Bull statue , the very symbol of Wall Street , you will be at Battery Park . From this river-side park, you can catch a glimpse of the one that is the #1 icon of New York City and America itself, the Statue of Liberty .

Curb your enthusiasm for a moment, and have lunch before setting sail for Lady Liberty. Just steps from Battery Park are many restaurants serving various cuisines, from Mexican to Italian to American. If you feel like having a good burger and a refreshing beer, Broadstone Bar & Kitchen is the right choice. 

The perfect weekend in New York City continues with catching the ferry to see the Statue of Liberty up close. During the cruise, you will also admire Ellis Island, Manhattan and Brooklyn bridges, and One World Trade Center. The experience is a total delight! If you had more time in NYC, you could also visit the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island – but that’s something for a more extended trip.

OUR RECOMMENDED TOUR

Address: Meet at Pier 36, at 299 South St, New York, NY 10002, USA .

Hours: The cruise starts at 10:50 a.m., 12:20 p.m., 2:20 p.m., 4:20 p.m., 5:50 p.m.

Price: Starting from $32.99.

• The cruise lasts for 1-hour.

The afternoon proceeds with discovering a wonderful Manhattan neighborhood, Greenwich Village . Once off the ferry, walk to East Broadway subway station to take the F line. In an 8-minute ride, you will get to stop at W 4 St-Wash Sq , where you will find Washington Square Park .

With the stunning Washington Square Arch at its center, this park is a great spot for people-watching as artists, poets, and students of the nearby NYU frequent it. 

From Washington Square Park, it’s easy to explore the West Village, one of the oldest parts of New York City. Affectionately nicknamed ‘The Village’, the area was the heart of the modern LGBTQ+ movement. You can still see important historical landmarks (one among them the Stonewall Inn bar) and buildings featured in 1990s sitcoms, particularly Carrie Bradshaw’s and the ‘Friends’ apartments.

Your NYC weekend itinerary needs to include a visit to another fabulous Manhattan neighborhood, Chelsea . You will find Chelsea north of the Greenwich Village, just 20 minutes on foot from it. 

Chelsea is a culturally diverse area, home to more than 200 art galleries, many of which are free to enter. So, if you are into contemporary art expressions, it might be a good idea to check them out.  

Before it’s too dark, check out the High Line , a public park built on the site of a former train track. Then, let’s head to the main reason everyone should visit this neighborhood: the iconic Chelsea Market . Overflowing with boutiques and shops, the Chelsea Market is also one of the best venues in NYC for food!

Inside the one-block-big market, countless restaurants and food stalls serve different cuisines. There isn’t a more perfect venue for dinner. If you are like us and love Mexican food, stop by Los Tacos No. 1 , which is said to serve up some of the best tacos in New York – and we couldn’t agree more!

Your weekend in New York City has come to an end, but the city has so much more to offer – so we are sure that you will plan your next trip to the city soon.

Day 2 Summary

• Brooklyn Bridge
• 9/11 Memorial
• Financial District
• Battery Park
• Statue of Liberty
• Greenwich Village
• Breakfast – Dawn’s TIL DUSK – A cute spot for a lovely breakfast. They serve delicious cakes and cookies, with lots of vegan and gluten-free options.
• Lunch – Broadstone Bar & Kitchen – This modern gastropub is ideal for tasting classic and innovative burgers or sharing tasty tapas-style appetizers with your travel companions.
• Dinner – Los Tacos No. 1 – Come hungry because the tacos here are out-of-this-world!

Alternative location to stay:

• Hilton Garden Inn NYC Financial Center/Manhattan Downtown – Located next to Battery Park, this mid-range Hilton hotel has comfortable rooms with modern amenities. On-site, guests will also find a 24-hour fitness center and the Garden Grille & Bar to enjoy breakfasts, lunches, and dinners.

Below is an interactive Google Map with every location featured in the 2 day itinerary of New York City pinned, which will help with your trip planning.

TIP: Expand the map and create a copy in your logged-in Google account. This way, you can access it in your Google Maps app under the ‘Saved’ entry.

There are many different ways to craft the perfect weekend in New York City. With so much to see and do, you can barely scratch the surface of what NYC is about in two days. 

Here are the things that we just love about the itinerary:

The views – New York City has an incredible number of viewpoints. From state-of-the-art observatory decks to strategic spots for admiring the Manhattan skyline to the ferry cruise to Lady Liberty, you won’t ever forget NYC vistas.

The vibe – A magnet for dreamers and a haven for hustlers, New York City has many different vibes corresponding to its many boroughs and districts. Depending on where you are in the city, it corresponds to a specific atmosphere that makes the city an endless surprise. 

The entertainment – There’s a lot happening in the Big Apple at all times. Nicknamed ‘the city that never sleeps’, we are always blown away by the number of choices to have fun. The best to us are Broadway shows, which you can’t miss from every NYC trip.

New York City is at its best from April to June and September to early November when the weather is nice, and you can walk around without freezing from the cold or melting from the heat. 

While two days is a great start to getting a feel for NYC, you will want to spend at least four full days in the city to fully take advantage of its attractions and experiences.

At restaurants, even those that serve breakfast, you must leave a 15% – 20% tip, which is calculated from the total receipt. Sometimes, the tip is suggested already at the bottom of the bill.

Yes. The two things you will spend more on during your weekend will be attractions and meals. Since you are staying in the city for such a short time, accommodation won’t be that expensive – although the discourse is different if you are taking a longer trip to NYC.

What you should read next

• Go Off The Beaten Path in New York City
• Top 4 Things To Do In NYC In The Summer
• Top Things to Do in NYC
• 20 Best North York Restaurants You Gotta Visit
• How To Plan a Great Weekend in Chicago

If you’re in the process of planning your trip and putting together your itinerary, these are genuinely the best resources that the Going Awesome Places team stands by 100% .

Credit cards: Don’t get burned by hidden fees on top of terrible exchange rates. When we travel now, we use the Wise Card . Simply load it with the currency you need before you go and use it as a regular VISA or their digital wallet card. Use their free app to track how much you have and top up when you need to.

Flights: Of all the booking search engines, Skyscanner is the most helpful and easy to use thanks to their Everywhere feature . Kayak is also another that’s we will often check as well.

Car Rental: If you’re looking to save money, these car rental coupon codes will be a true game-changer. Otherwise, DiscoverCars and RentalCars are great places to start.

Airport Parking: You’ll need a spot to leave your car at the airport so why not book a spot at a discount. Use code AWESOME7 to get at least $5 off at Airport Parking Reservations or Park Sleep Fly packages.

Wifi Hotspot: We’ve been a huge fan of wifi hotspot devices such as PokeFi (use code GAP24300 ) because their rates are are hard to beat and it works globally. Solis is another that we recommend. Pros are that you can share the wifi with your whole group but cons are that you have to invest in a device and you have to charge it every night.

eSIM: Lately, we’ve really loved using eSIMs. We’ve tested several over the years and we have access to a few special promotions.

• AloSIM – Use code GOINGAWESOMEPLACES to save 15%
• KnowRoaming – Use code GAP10 to save 10%.
• Airalo – Use referral code WILLIA9500 to get $3 USD credit on your first purchase.
• Ubigi – AWESOME10 to save 10% on your first order.

Hotels: Our go-to is Booking.com because they have the best inventory of properties including hotels and B&Bs plus they have their Genius tier discounts . Expedia is also worth using especially with their One Key rewards program which is basically like cash. The exception is Asia where Agoda always has the best prices. Always do a quick check on TripAdvisor as well.

Vacation Rentals: Your first instinct will be to check Airbnb but we always recommend checking VRBO as well if you’re looking for a vacation rental (now eligible for One Key ).

Tours: When planning our trips, we always check both Viator and GetYourGuide to at least see what’s out there in the destination that we’re going to. They often have different offerings and prices so check both.

Travel Insurance: Learn how to buy the best travel insurance for you. This isn’t something you want to travel without.

• HeyMondo – Popular insurance provider for frequent travelers and comes with great coverage and special perks.
• RATESDOTCA – Search engine Canadians looking for the cheapest insurance including multi-trip annual policies.
• SafetyWing – A perfect fit for long-term nomads.
• Medjet – Global air medical transportation.
• InsureMyTrip – Best for seniors, families, and those with pre-existing conditions.

If you need more help planning your trip, make sure to check out our Travel Toolbox where we highlight all of the gear, resources, and tools we use when traveling.

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About William Tang

William Tang is the Chief of Awesome behind the award-winning Going Awesome Places which is focused on outdoor adventure, and experiential travel. His true passion lies in telling stories, inspiring photography and videos, and writing detailed itineraries and travel guides. He is a member of Travel Media Association of Canada (TMAC), Society of American Travel Writers (SATW), Adventure Travel Trade Association (ATTA), and Travel Massive. He has also been featured in publications such as Reader's Digest, Entrepreneur, Men's Journal, and Haute Living. Make sure to learn more about William Tang to find out his story and how Going Awesome Places started.

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The Best New York Itinerary: Visiting NYC On A Budget

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Planning a New York Itinerary is no easy feat. Choosing from the copious number of NYC sights and endless options of delicious food can be overwhelming. However, visiting NYC on a budget can add even more anxiety to the planning process. No need to fret. Our New York City Itinerary is packed with everything your need for your budget trip to NYC!

Best Trip to New York on a Budget

On our trips to New York City, we challenge ourselves to experience NYC on a budget. Even for a short stay, costs can add up quickly.

However, thrifty travelers need not worry. There is plenty to do and see (and eat) in New York without breaking the bank. We’ve created a Budget NYC Itinerary that includes iconic sights, neighborhood walks and classic, cheap eats.

We believe this is the Best New York Itinerary for budget travelers, as we focus on the free things to do in NYC. In fact, it might be the absolute cheapest way to visit New York. We also happen to think that these are some of the absolute best things to do in New York City! 

Planning a New York Budget Itinerary

When we decided to visit NYC on a budget, we found multiple resources offering suggestions of what to do in New York on a budget. However, none of them wrapped it all up into an easy-to-follow itinerary. 

After spending hours planning our trip, we came up with the perfect way to visit the city without going broke. We are sharing our outline of how to spend 4 days in NYC on a budget so that fellow travelers can easily plan their trip. 

In addition to our day-by-day New York City itinerary planner, we include tips for a New York budget trip – such as where to find an affordable place to stay, how to get there and what to pack. 

Just like the city itself, this New York DIY Trip Plan is humungous . It contains absolutely everything you need for planning a trip to New York on a budget.

Pro Tip: We suggest using our Trip Planning Templates to research and organize your NYC vacation!

How Many Days to Spend in New York

We are detailing a day-by-day plan for a New York 4 Day Itinerary – but what if you have more – or less time in NYC? No problem! We provide NYC itinerary planner tips on how to spend your time in the city.

Whether you have 1 day in New York or are planning 7 days in New York, you can use our sample New York itineraries, which we feature at the end of the post.

Save, Pin or Bookmark our NYC Trip Plan to create your best itinerary for New York City!

NYC Budget Trip: New York Itinerary Planner Tips

Before we dive into our incredibly comprehensive New York City Itinerary, we have some essential tips that will help you prepare for a trip to NYC on a budget. 

NYC on Budget: Subway and Shoes

Our suggested itinerary for New York covers some ground; up to 10 miles a day! In order to keep up, you will need two things: comfortable travel shoes and a MetroCard. An unlimited weekly MetroCard costs $34, plus $1 for the card. More info about using the subways and the MetroCard are included at the end of the article.

NYC Sightseeing Map

We provide a New York itinerary map link for each day’s adventures. But if you are visiting New York City for the first time and are unfamiliar with the area, a paper NYC map may help. In fact, we recommend getting a New York City Map in advance and spending a little time studying it. Having a separate NYC Subway Map is also helpful.

Sightseeing in New York City on a Budget

The big (not so) secret tip on how to do NYC cheap is to skip the expensive, ticketed attractions. In our 4-day New York trip plan, we include many free and cheap attractions. However, our New York trip itinerary does not include visiting any museums or skyscrapers. Don’t worry, there are plenty of great things to see and do in New York City without paying for pricey tickets!

That said, our NYC sightseeing route passes by many of those high-dollar attractions, so they are easy to visit if within your budget. Now, we have a few tips for how to balance New York on the cheap with expensive admission to top attractions. 

Top Tips for Sightseeing NY on the Cheap

Soaring to the top of skyscrapers (like the Empire State Building , Top of the Rock or One World Observation Deck ) is expensive. Rather than going to the top of all 3 buildings, choose just one. Or, if you are really trying to see NY on the cheap, eliminate them altogether.

Instead, take in the city skyline views from a free vantage point – like the Staten Island Ferry, The High Line, the Brooklyn Bridge or Roosevelt Island.

Likewise, spending time at a museum (like The Metropolitan Museum of Art or the Museum of Natural History ) requires ticket. If one of the pricey museums is high on your New York travel itinerary must-sees, pick just one. 

The New York Botanical Garden is another top attraction that charges a steep admission price. We suggest skipping it in favor of the free NYC parks and green spaces. Swap out visiting the NY Botanical Garden with other outdoor things to do in NYC cheap – like Central Park, Prospect Park and the Hudson River Greenway.

Top Tip : We chat more about ticketed sights and money-saving NYC Sightseeing Passes later in the article!

About Our New York Itinerary 4 Days

With 4 days in NYC, you can see the major attractions, feel the distinct vibe of New York neighborhoods and get a taste of some of the city’s best food. Our robust and easy-to-follow NYC itinerary will help make your trip planning simple!

Budget Itinerary for NYC: Sights, Info and Directions

For each sight in our New York tour itinerary, we include information, facts and (if applicable) a link to more info. To help you better navigate, we indicate which is the closest subway station to the first sight of the day. We also include a link to Google Maps so that you can get directions from wherever you are. 

When visiting New York on a budget, the best way to get around is on your own two feet. In our NYC trip itinerary, we group sights together on self-guided walking tours. However, if public transportation is required, we have included the recommended subway route. 

Bathrooms and Water Fountains

Our New York Itinerary includes long stretches of being outdoors and eating on-the-go, so we’ve indicated where there are convenient public bathrooms along the route. With so much walking in our budget New York trip plan, it is important to stay hydrated. There are numerous public drinking fountains where you can fill up water bottles along the way. 

NEW YORK BUDGET TRAVEL ITINERARY

Now that we have covered the important details of planning a trip to NYC on a budget, we are ready to share our best New York trip plan!  

Day 1 of your New York Vacation on a Budget

On the first day of your 4-day trip to New York City, see the city’s top sights. Start in Lower Manhattan to get a view of the Statue of Liberty; then embark on a self-guided walking tour through Midtown to the most iconic NYC buildings and sights. Start at Subway Station: South Ferry or Whitehall St .

LOWER MANHATTAN

Lower Manhattan is the district located on the southern tip of Manhattan that is often referred to as Downtown. The district is both historic and modern – and it is the perfect place to kick off your budget New York trip!

Statue of Liberty via the Free Staten Island Ferry

There is no doubt that Lady Liberty is one of New York’s most recognizable sights. Every visitor should get a look at her – which is why we include it as the first thing to do on your budget NYC trip. 

Expensive Statue of Liberty Tours allow visitors to get up close and personal, but the cost may exceed your New York travel budget. No worries – there is a free way to get a fabulous view: The Free Staten Island Ferry. In fact, we think riding the Staten Island Ferry is one of the best things to do in New York City on a budget. 

The free ferry transports passengers from Lower Manhattan to Staten Island. The route passes by Ellis Island and Liberty Island, providing a stunning view of the Statue of Liberty…and the ride doesn’t cost a dime! In addition to the views of Lady Liberty, passengers also get a phenomenal view of the NYC skyline. 

Taking the Staten Island Ferry

To catch the ferry from Lower Manhattan, simply go to the Whitehall Terminal, get in line, get on the ferry and get a spot on the starboard (right) side. Ferries make the journey at least every half hour; get the full schedule on the official website .

When you arrive at Staten Island, you must disembark and circle around to the entrance to ride back. Once back in Manhattan, spend time exploring the NYC Financial District in Lower Manhattan on foot. 

Lower Manhattan Walking Tour

The best way to see the sights in Lower Manhattan on a New York Low Budget Trip is on a self-guided walking tour. The district is highlighted by historic places, iconic buildings and poignant memorials. The 1.5-mile walk begins at The Battery and ends at The Oculus – and should take about 1-2 hours. U se this Map for walking directions. 

The Battery

The Battery (previously known as Battery Park) is the reserved green space at the southern tip of Manhattan. The name dates to the time when the area housed a fort and artillery batteries for defense purposes. 

Charging Bull on Bowling Green

The iconic Charging Bull sculpture was created by artist Arturo Di Modica in 1989 (following the stock market crash of 1987) as a nod to the self-determined (some might say bullish ) spirit of America to prosper. Weighing 3.5 tons, the bronze sculpture made its first appearance in front of the New York Stock Exchange, left there mysteriously by the artist in the middle of the night. It was quickly removed and relocated to nearby Bowling Green, where it stands today.

It is estimated that 1,000 tourists stop to see the sculpture each day, many posing with it for a photo and then rubbing its nose, horns and genitals (no joke) for good luck. 

Wall Street and the New York City Stock Exchange

Wall Street is at the center of Manhattan’s Financial District. Standing at the corner of Wall Street and Broad Street is the New York Stock Exchange, one of the world’s top financial markets. Even travelers who visit New York City on a budget should check out the famous Financial District.

Running 8 blocks to the East River, Wall Street is also home to the Museum of American Finance, Old Stonington Custom House and Federal Hall (where George Washington was sworn in as the first United States president in 1789). 

New York City Trinity Church

The first Trinity Church was built on the location in 1698, but was destroyed by the Great New York City Fire of 1776. The second Trinity Church was built in 1790, and was the place of prayer for President Washington. The current Trinity Church with its soaring spire was built in 1846 and, at the time, was the tallest building in the US. 

The Sphere in Liberty Park

Opened in 2016, Liberty Park is located south of One World Trade Center. The raised park provides an elevated view of the National September 11 Memorial. At the center of Liberty Park is The Sphere.

The 25-foot-tall sculpture once stood in the plaza between the Twin Towers. After the 9/11 attacks, The Sphere was recovered from the rubble at Ground Zero, surprisingly intact. Left in the condition in which it was found, The Sphere was first placed in Battery Park, but was relocated to Liberty Park, closer to its original location. 

9-11 Memorial

The National 9-11 Memorial honors and remembers the nearly 3,000 people who were killed on September 11, 2001 – and is a must-see on every itinerary planner for New York.

In place of where the Twin Towers once stood are now two reflecting pools. Etched in the railing surrounding the pools are names of the victims in New York, Pennsylvania and at the Pentagon, as well as those who died in a World Trade Center bombing in 1993.

Among the many trees at the monument is The Survivor Tree, which was discovered in the wreckage but still lives. It serves as a reminder of resilience and rebirth. The 9-11 Memorial Museum offers additional detailed information. 

One World Trade Center

Also known as Freedom Tower, One World Trade Center was built from 2006 to 2013 on the north side of the 9/11 Memorial. The building stands at 1,776 feet (the year of US independence), which makes it the tallest building in the Western Hemisphere and the 7th tallest building in the world.

The One World Observatory , which offers a birds’ eye view over the city, is located on the 102nd Floor. However, when you visit New York on a budget, you can simply stand at the base of the tower and look up at it. 

To the east of the 9/11 Memorial is The Oculus, which was designed to look like a dove in flight. The unique building, which serves as a memorial and houses both a train station and a mall, cost an astounding $4 billion to build (most certainly NYC’s most expensive train station ever). From The Oculus, walk to the Cortlandt Street station and take the subway to East 23nd Street Station.

  Map of Sights in Lower Manhattan for Day 1

NYC Midtown marks the middle of Manhattan – and it is the district you will explore in the afternoon of Day 1 of your New York trip on a budget. Walking among the classic skyscrapers is one of the best things to do in NYC – and it’s absolutely free!

LUNCH – Shake Shack at Madison Square Park

Before you set off on your discovery of Midtown, stop for a budget Manhattan lunch at Shake Shack. In 2001, Shake Shack was just another food cart in Madison Square Park. By 2004, they transformed from a cart into a permanent residence, grilling up hot dogs and burgers for long lines of waiting customers. Today, the popular fast-food chain has more than 400 locations…but nothing beats the original!

Midtown Walking Tour

Our self-guided Midtown Manhattan walking tour passes by the best buildings in NYC. The route starts at the Flatiron Building and ends in the Broadway Theater District. The walk covers about 3 miles and should take 2-3 hours to complete. Use this Map  for walking directions to Midtown sights.

Flatiron Building

The 22-story, triangular Flatiron Building was completed in 1902 – at the time, it was one of the tallest buildings in the city. The name comes from the design resembling a clothes iron. Stand with your back toward the pointed tip of the Flatiron Building for a great view of the Empire State Building!

Empire State Building

The Art Deco Empire State Building has been a symbol of New York since it was completed in 1931. It’s total height, including the antenna, is 1,454 feet and it reigned as the world’s tallest building from 1931 until 1970.

For many visitors, a trip to the 86th and 102nd story observation decks is a must-do in NYC. However, the ticket is a bit pricey, so you will need to determine if you can squeeze it into your New York travel budget. 

New York Public Library

The main branch of the New York Public Library opened in 1911 and is an important NYC landmark. At the entrance, two stone lions (named Patience and Fortitude) guard the doors. However, the real gem of the library is the Rose Main Reading Room, which is lined with thousands of books. 

Bryant Park

Behind the library is Bryant Park. Designated a park in 1847, in the 1970s Bryant Park was the site of unruly rallies and drug deals. In 1988, the park was completely renovated, including the bathrooms, which had been closed for 35 years.

Today, the bathrooms are an odd highlight of the park, as the public toilets are said to be the nicest in the entire city (complete with floral arrangements and an attendant). Bryant Park is also home to one of the best NYC Christmas Markets!  

New York City Grand Central Terminal

Grand Central Station has been a hub of NYC transportation since the year 1913. Today 750,000 people pass through GCT every day, not only to hop a train, but also to visit the shops and restaurants within the terminal.

First time visitors, however, will want to walk through the Main Concourse to look up at the impressive zodiac ceiling and the classic opal clock perched above the information booth. Public Bathrooms. 

Chrysler Building

Built in 1930 for the Chrysler car corporation, the Art Deco Chrysler Building features a ‘crown’ of steel (not a crown of hub caps, which is a popular urban myth). The building held the title as tallest building, but only for 11 months, until the Empire State Building was completed. The observation deck has been closed for decades, but fans of Art Deco and historic places might want to take a peek inside the lobby, which is the only portion open to the public. 

St. Patrick’s Cathedral

Build between 1858 and 1878 (and replacing Old St. Patrick’s in Little Italy), St. Patrick’s Cathedral is the largest Neo-Gothic Catholic church in North America. Main features include the 330-foot spires, the stained-glass Rose window, the Tiffany & Co altars (of St. Louis and St. Michael) and as well as the manger scene during Christmas. 

Rockefeller Center

Rockefeller Center is a complex of 19 buildings, originally designed and developed between 1930 and 1939 by the Rockefeller family. The Art Deco structures were declared both a New York City Landmark and a National Historic Landmark in the 1980s. Among the most popular buildings are the Top of the Rock and Radio City Music Hall.

The two most recognizable statues at Rockefeller Center are Prometheus (a glittering statue in the Lower Plaza fountain) and Atlas (a 45-foot-tall sculpture across from St. Patrick’s Cathedral). The Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree and ice-skating rink are main attractions during wintertime in NYC. 

Top of the Rock Observation Deck: The observation deck at Top of the Rock is another amazing viewpoint. In fact, we prefer the view from Top of the Rock over the Empire State Building. If you can fit the admission price into your NYC trip budget, we suggest heading up!

Radio City Music Hall

Home of The Rockettes dance company, Radio City Music Hall opened in 1932 featuring (at the time) the world’s largest auditorium. In 1978, the building was designated a New York City Landmark. Today, the 7-story-high neon signs glow bright and the theater is still used for performances and shows. 

Times Square

Nicknamed “The Center of the Universe,” Times Square is part of the entertainment district in NYC. It is probably the busiest, most congested area of the city (an estimated 330,000 people walk through Times Square each day). However, it is not a square at all, but two triangles created by the crisscrossing of 7th Avenue and Broadway.

Electronic billboards featuring advertisements light up the square – day and night – and brand name shops line the streets. Consider popping into the Hershey’s Store for a free mini-chocolate bar. The Times Square Ball that drops annually at midnight on December 31 to mark the new year occurs at One Times Square on the southern end.

Broadway Theater District

Although there is only one Broadway Theater, there are actually 41 theaters in New York’s Theater District that are collectively known as Broadway. Highly regarded as the top theater performances in the world, tickets are extremely expensive.

However, even on a cheap NYC trip, you might be able to get more affordable entry to Off-Broadway and Off-Off-Broadway shows – and TKTS sells deeply discounted tickets the day of the show.

Besides seeking out the one-and-only Broadway Theater, others that may be of interest are the famous 1970s disco, Studio 54 and Concert Hall, Carnegie Hall. 

DINNER IN MIDTOWN MANHATTAN

Now that you have discovered how to see New York on a budget and taken in some of the top sights, you have undoubtedly worked up an appetite! The good news is, we have two Midtown dining recommendations where you can eat in NYC on the cheap. 

The Halal Guys Food Cart

The Halal Guys is a classic New York success story. What began in 1990 as a hot dog cart transformed into filling a void in the Halal food market – and now they have more than 200 franchised locations. However, the original cart at West 53rd and 6th Avenue still operates, cranking out platters and sandwiches of chicken or gyro (or mix) topped with their secret ‘white’ or ‘red’ sauce starting at $9. Reviews for The Halal Guys .

Xi’An Famous Foods

Xi’An Famous is another well-known budget food stop in Midtown. The menu features a combination of Chinese and Middle Eastern fare, which is found in the city of Xi’An, China. The ‘cheap’ option is their Spicy Cumin Lamb Burger, but for a little more, the dumplings are even better! 

Map of Sights in Midtown for Day 1 

Day 2 of your NYC Trip on a Budget

On the second day of your 4-day trip to New York, wander the city’s most-loved and largest park and explore two often-missed neighborhoods: Roosevelt Island and East Harlem. Start at Subway Station: Cathedral Pkwy

CENTRAL PARK

Every New York Itinerary should include a visit to Central Park – and with four days in New York, there is ample time to see the many attractions. While the museums charge a fee to enter, the park itself is free to visit – so it is easy to include in a budget trip to New York!

Even if you plan a trip to NYC on a budget, you may want to splurge for entry into one of these museums. While there are many museums in or near Central Park, the top two are The Met and the American Museum of Natural History . 

Central Park Walking Tour – Part 1

Start your exploration of the west side of Central Park on a self-guided walking tour from north to south visiting some of the most features. The route extends 3.5 miles and should take about 2-3 hours. Use this Map for directions.

1. North Woods, 2. The Ravine, 3. The Loch

One of the most secluded and natural sections of Central park, North Woods, The Ravine and The Loch are also the most beautiful part of the park. The wooded area features ponds, streams and waterfalls.

4. North Meadow

The North Meadow is comprised of 23 acres of open space, which is most often used for organized sports in the summertime.

5. Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir

Built as a temporary water supply for New York City in the 1860s, the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir holds one billion gallons of water. That would only last the city 4 hours today!

6. Great Lawn

Located in the center of Central Park, the Great Lawn has been the site of many concerts, like Simon and Garfunkel, Bon Jovi and the New York Philharmonic. Public Bathroom at south end.

7. Belvedere Castle

Built in 1869, the fairytale Belvedere Castle provides fabulous views to the north (over Great Lawn) and to the south (over the Ramble). Weather instruments are hosted on the castle’s tower, allowing weathermen around the world to report the current weather in Central Park.  

8. The Ramble

Designed as a natural landscape, the Ramble is one of the popular places to visit in Central Park. The 38 acres of woods features several intertwining paths.

9. Strawberry Fields (and 10. The Dakota)

Dedicated to famed Beatles member John Lennon – and named after one of his songs, “Strawberry Fields Forever” – the tear-shaped garden (designed by Yoko Ono) is classified a Quiet Zone for meditation. At the center is a black-and-white tiled mosaic, spelling out “Imagine,” the title of the best-selling song.

The Dakota, or The Dakota Apartments, is a historic Renaissance structure on the northwest corner of 72nd Street and Central Park West. The building is where John Lennon lived from 1973 until he was fatally shot in front of it in 1980.

11. Tavern on the Green

A restaurant since 1934 (and a sheep fold for the 700 sheep that grazed in Central Park’s Sheep Meadow before that), Tavern on the Green is an NYC landmark restaurant serving upscale cuisine and classic cocktails. While a meal there isn’t for a trip to New York City on a budget, we do recommend at least stopping to take a look (especially during Christmas in NYC !).

12. Central Park Carousel

The carousel first opened in Central Park in 1871 (when it was powered by a mule and horse that were hidden below the ride). In total, there have been four carousels on the site; today’s carousel dates to 1908 and was restored for the park in 1990. 

13. Wollman Rink

The Wollman Rink, with NYC’s incredible skyline as a background, was opened in 1950 and has been featured in several films (like Serendipity and Love Story).

14. Gapstow Bridge

The picturesque Gapstow Bridge was built in 1896 and provides stunning NYC skyline views. It’s also a good spot for photo ops in Central Park. 

LUNCH AT CENTRAL PARK

Central Park is the perfect place for a picnic lunch – whether you are traveling to NYC on a budget or not! There are grocery stores and corner delis nearby where you can pick up picnic items. On the other hand, indulging in a famous New York City hotdog is a top tip for how to visit NYC cheap!

Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Cart

At the southeast corner of Central Park, seek out the Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Cart by the William Tecumseh Sherman Monument. Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Cart was started in 1916 by a Polish immigrant with a secret spice recipe. The original stand was on Coney Island and, back then, hot dogs only cost a nickel. Today, they are a bit more expensive, but may still fit into your New York trip budget. 

ROOSEVELT ISLAND

Roosevelt Island is a slender, 2-mile-long island in New York’s East River. In the 1800s, the area was used to conceal the ill and poor from the rest of society. A smallpox hospital, almshouse, penitentiary and asylum were built on the small spit that was renamed Welfare Island. Today, high-rise apartments are clustered here, but a few historical structures remain – along with a memorial. 

Exit Central Park from the southeast corner and walk east on 59th Street. Pass Bloomingdale’s and continue another block to the Roosevelt Tramway Plaza. The roundtrip walking distance is about 2 miles (including Roosevelt Island sights) and will take about 2 hours. Use this Map for the detour to the Tramway; Use this Map for Roosevelt Island.

Roosevelt Tramway

The 3,100-foot-long Roosevelt Island Tramway is an aerial commuter tram connecting to Manhattan’s Upper East Side. Opened in 1976, the tramway has two capsules, each of which can carry 125 passengers on the 3-minute ride. The cost of the ride is included with the weekly unlimited MetroCard – so it is essentially free to ride! 

Explore Roosevelt Island

There is an inexpensive bus that makes a loop around Roosevelt Island, but we think the best part of the island is the southern end, which is just a short walk from the Tramway station. The area hosts a memorial dedicated to President Franklin D. Roosevelt and the remains of a hospital. Additionally, there are fantastic views of the NYC skyline. Public Bathroom. 

Walking Tour of Central Park – Part 2

Re-enter Central Park where you exited on the southeast corner. Start your discovery of the east side, traveling all the way to the far northeast corner. This 3-mile walk should take about 1-2 hours. Use this Map for walking directions.

18. Balto Statue

Balto is the famous Siberian husky that in 1925 led a team of sled dogs from Anchorage, Alaska to the town of Nome with the necessary medicine to stop a deadly epidemic. The dogs were considered heroes and Balto’s statue in Central Park commemorates their efforts.

19. The Mall

The Mall is a wide pedestrian path (not a shopping center) that is canopied by towering American Elm trees. The Literary Walk begins at the southern end of The Mall, featuring famous writers of the past. Follow The Mall to the north, which ends at Bethesda Terrace.

20. Bethesda Terrace, Fountain and Arcade

The grand and opulent Bethesda Terrace is a highlight of Central Park. The terrace overlooks The Lake and Bethesda Fountain. Beneath the terrace is the tiled arcade where musicians perform and wedding couples are photographed. Paddleboats can be rented nearby and The Loeb Boathouse restaurant is a popular spot to stop for an afternoon refreshment.

21. Hans Christian Andersen Statue

Author of The Ugly Duckling and The Little Mermaid, Hans Christian Andersen’s statue is a favorite for children visiting Central Park – and it’s one of our favorite spots, too!

22. Conservatory Water Pond

Conservatory Water is a well-known Central Park pond that is used mostly for navigating model sailboats.

23. Alice in Wonderland Statue

In 1959, the bronze cast of characters from Alice in Wonderland was installed at the park, including Alice, the White Rabbit and the Mad Hatter.

24. The Metropolitan Museum of Art

The Metropolitan Museum of Art, or just The Met, is New York City’s most popular museum. The Met opened in 1880 and features major artworks from around the world. While The Met is not one of the cheap places to visit in New York, it is a top city attraction. You will need to determine if you want to include it in your 4 Days in New York Itinerary. 

25. Cleopatra’s Needle

The Obelisk, often called Cleopatra’s Needle, dates to the year 1450 BC, which makes it the oldest object in Central Park. It stands at 69-feet, weighs 220 tons and was erected in 1881. A matching Obelisk stands along the Thames River in London .

26. Conservatory Garden

The formally-planned Conservatory Garden features flowers, manicured hedges and fountains. It is a beautiful and peaceful place to relax in the middle of the hustle and bustle of NYC.

27. Duke Ellington Circle

At the northeastern tip of Central Park is Duke Ellington Circle. A statue of the famed jazz musician stands in the center of the plaza. ( Public Bathroom behind the statue. )

Map of Sights in Central Park and Roosevelt Island

EAST HARLEM

End the second day of your New York City trip on a budget in East Harlem. The neighborhood, which is also called Spanish Harlem or El Barrio, is the district that lies between the Upper East Side and Harlem.

Once settled primarily by Italians (and earning it the nickname Italian Harlem), the area saw an influx of Puerto Rican and Latin American immigrants in the mid-1900s. Today, it’s a diverse neighborhood filled with bodegas, inspiring street art and a variety of Latin American restaurants. Use this Map for East Harlem sightseeing.

East Harlem Sights

East Harlem is a district to be experienced, not necessarily explored with a checklist in hand. We recommend wandering freely, keeping an eye out for intriguing street art along the way. 

Graffiti Hall of Fame

East Harlem is a hotbed of street art. The walls of the Jackie Robinson Educational Complex Playground are covered in paint; the spot is now known as the Graffiti Hall of Fame. 

Street Art in East Harlem

However, the Graffiti Hall of Fame isn’t the only spot to find murals and messages in El Barrio. While the East Harlem Street Art is ever-changing, a few of our favorite murals when we were there were Tito Puente Oye Como Va (at 110th and 3rd Avenue); Angel Wings under the tracks (at Park Avenue and 111th); and a sketch by local street artist, James De La Vega (at 111th and Lexington Avenue). 

DINNER IN EAST HARLEM

One of the things we love best about East Harlem is that there are a variety of restaurants in a range of prices – which is fantastic if you are traveling to New York on a budget!

Drinks in East Harlem

Drinking at bars and restaurants in NYC is expensive. However, seeking out Happy Hours can definitely assist in keeping the budget in check. In East Harlem, we found a couple of places offering great happy hour prices for drinks.

Craft beer enthusiasts should head to East Harlem Bottling Co for a great selection of innovative brews. For those craving a Latin-inspired cocktail, go to Cascalote for happy hour margaritas. If you’re enjoying the vibe, consider staying for dinner – as the prices are fairly affordable for the modern Latin fare. 

Restaurants in East Harlem

If you want to keep your New York City trip cost to a minimum, check out the food options in East Harlem. We recommend eating cuchifritos, popular Puerto Rican soul food, at the aptly named Cuchifritos on 116th Street.

Meals of whole roasted chicken with sides and a large drink cost less than $25 and are enough to feed at least 4 people! Don’t need so much food? Sample an array of the fried Latin goodies displayed in the restaurant window; each nugget costs about $1.

If you are interested in dining at a historic establishment, try one of the Italian restaurants still operating in the neighborhood. For a truly classic place, go to Patsy’s Pizzeria . Opened in 1933, Patsy’s legendary regulars included Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Joe DiMaggio, Yogi Berra and Francis Ford Coppola (who used the restaurant as inspiration for The Godfather films).

Map of Sights in East Harlem for Day 2 

Day 3 of your Budget NYC 4 Day Itinerary

Day 3 of this NYC trip itinerary is all about visiting the diverse districts of New York. Enjoy a scenic view, take a walk on an elevated park, then immerse yourself in a few of New York City’s best neighborhoods.

Use this Map for Day 3 NYC Sightseeing. Start at Subway Station: 34th Street-Hudson Yards

The Hudson Yards Vessel

Opened in 2019, The Vessel is a unique architectural structure of intertwining staircases and viewing platforms. As one of the best Free NYC attractions, tickets are required and need to be booked in advance. UPDATE: Closed indefinitely, but still a cool sight to see on your cheap New York trip. 

High Line Park

The High Line is NYC’s elevated-tracks-turned-park – and one of our favorite spots in the city! Visiting the park is free – so it won’t add a dime to your New York trip cost, either. 

The High Line Park – similar to the Promenade Plantee in Paris and Chicago’s Bloomindale Trail –  hovers above the Meatpacking District in Chelsea. From 1934 until the 1980s, trains ran along the tracks on Manhattan’s west side transporting meat and other goods from the industrial zone.

When the use of the trains became obsolete, the tracks were set to be demolished, but residents took up the cause to turn the relic into usable green space.

Throughout the modern park are art installations, amazing viewpoints and a few remaining railway tracks, which can be seen running through flowerbeds. Walk the length of The High Line from north to south – but detour at 16th street, taking the stairs to Chelsea Market.

Chelsea Market

The upscale fare at the uber-hipster Chelsea Market (which is essentially a fancy food court) is most likely over-priced for budget NYC travelers, but it is still worth a walk through. Check for free samples on the counter at Li-Lac Chocolates, which claims to be the oldest chocolate house in the city. After walking through Chelsea Market, return to The High Line and continue walking south.

Hudson River Greenway

The Hudson River Greenway is just steps from The High Line and a fantastic place to walk along the Hudson River. Part of the Manhattan Waterfront Greenway that follows almost the entire shoreline of Manhattan, strolling south on the Greenway offers fantastic views of the Hudson River and the Lower Manhattan skyline. Walk for a couple of blocks and then take West 11st Street to explore a favorite NYC neighborhood, Greenwich Village. 

GREENWICH VILLAGE

Greenwich Village – or simply The Village – is known as the artsy, bohemian district in Manhattan. The Village is home to NYU and Washington Square Park and the neighborhood is best explored with wonder. 

LUNCH IN GREENWICH VILLAGE

If you have already worked up an appetite, you are in luck because three of the best cheap places to eat in New York are located in atmospheric Greenwich Village. 

Percy’s Pizza

Hands-down our favorite cheap pizza in the city is Percy’s Pizza. It’s not just the crispy crust and ample cheese used to top each slice that gets us excited about this former NYC $1 slice pizza (even though now it’s $3!), but also the friendly neighborhood vibe and shake-it-yourself Parmesan. TripAdvisor Reviews Percy’s Pizza.

Mamoun’s Falafel

Mamoun’s Falafel has been serving up their signature Falafel sandwich  from the original Village location since 1971. The tasty sandwich gets bonus points for having heaping amounts of fresh veggies! TripAdvisor Reviews Mamoun’s Falafel.

Saigon Shack

Craving an amazing Banh Mi sandwich for a great price in NYC? Be sure to save room for a stop at the Saigon Shack. Crispy bread and fresh ingredients make this an absolutely tasty and inexpensive bite…the best Banh Mi we’ve had outside of Saigon ! 

Washington Square Park

Before leaving Greenwich Village, walk through Washington Square Park. It has the most interesting history of any NYC park. The area was originally marshland, then farmland, and then a graveyard (20,000 bodies are said to still be buried below!). After a brief period as Military parade grounds, it’s been a public park since 1950.. The notable features are the Washington Square Arch and the large fountain. ( Public Bathroom ) 

NEW YORK SOHO

From Washington Square Park, it is just a short walk south to Soho. Top-end retailers and art galleries line the streets of Soho, but history buffs and fans of architecture will enjoy a stroll around the neighborhood without ever stepping foot in a store.

The Cast Iron Historic District is a sub-district of Soho, which consists of more than 200 buildings featuring cast iron design. The area has been designated as a National Historic Landmark.

Fun Fact : The name Soho comes from it’s location; South of Houston…pronounced House -ton.

LITTLE ITALY NYC

New York Little Italy, which has dwindled to just 3 blocks on Mulberry Street, sits east of Soho. Although not the flourishing district it once was, we still think visiting the area is a NYC-must-see. In 1910, 10,000 Italians lived in this neighborhood – including many Mafia members. 

The shops and restaurants mostly cater to tourists who are enthralled by the tales of NYC’s crime families and the feeling of stepping into scenes from The Godfather. Follow this useful self-guided tour what on see in Little Italy NY. 

NEW YORK CITY CHINATOWN

This wouldn’t be the best NYC Itinerary on a budget if we didn’t visit Chinatown! Walk down Chinatown’s Pell Street, where neon signs display Chinese symbols and dried fish products overflow from markets. Known for a high concentration of Asian restaurants and street vendors hawking knock-off merchandise, a stroll through the neighborhood is truly a feast for the senses. 

Top Tip : Follow this self-guided tour of Chinatown for tips on what to see in NYC Chinatown.

Want a Guide to lead the way to Top NYC Neighborhoods? Take a Free Walking Tour! To join a FREE (tip-based) Guided Tour of Soho, Little Italy and Chinatown, make a reservation . 

DINNER IN CHINATOWN

One of the best things about NYC Chinatown is the food! And, with so many affordable restaurants in Chinatown, even travelers planning a cheap trip to NYC can eat in Chinatown without over extending the budget.

Our favorite way to feast in Chinatown is to grab mini take away meals from numerous establishments. To start, get a cheap portion of pork dumplings from Fried Dumpling . Then, make your way to Mei Li Wah Bakery for delicious baked pork buns ($1.50). Finally, pop into a noodle shop for more fantastic fare.

Map of Sights for Day 3 of our NYC Itinerary

Final Day of your New York City Itinerary

To wrap up your amazing 4-day trip to New York City, spend time in Brooklyn before ending your stay with a classic NYC deli meal. Start at Bedford Avenue Station

The Brooklyn borough is three times larger than compact Manhattan and quite a bit more time consuming to travel around. The once inexpensive area has seen a sweep of gentrification. Still, there are many interesting enclaves in Brooklyn to check out that will fit into a cheap New York trip budget.

Williamsburg

Williamsburg is the original hipster district in Brooklyn, known for its incredible nightlife and trendy brunch spots. Note, however, that eating in Williamsburg is not one of the things to do in New York on a budget!

Instead, on cheap trips to New York, take a stroll around the stylish neighborhood (you can even use this self-guided Williamsburg Walking Tour ) then continue on to The Bushwick Collective via subway from Bedford Avenue Station to Jefferson Street Station . 

Bushwick Collective Street Art

Unlike Williamsburg, which is being polished clean, Bushwick is a gritty industrial neighborhood. The buildings’ exterior walls are perfect for artists to use as canvases for street art murals.

In now what is known as The Bushwick Collective, artists have livened up the district with colorful and contemplative art. One of the fun things to do in NYC on a budget is to peruse the neighborhood in search of the latest and greatest street art. 

Top Tip: Find the best street art in the neighborhood using this self-guided tour  complete with helpful map.

CHEAP LUNCH IN BROOKLYN

There are so many things to love about Brooklyn – and the food scene is most certainly one of them. From classic American eats to the best New York bagels to international fare to legendary markets, Brooklyn food is divine. While many Brooklyn restaurants will test the budget for a cheap trip to New York, there are still many affordable places to eat in Brooklyn, too.

Top Tip : After lunch, we head to Prospect Park, so you can grab a bite to go and eat in the park picnic-style.

Tina’s Place

An American greasy spoon, Tina’s Place cranks out cheap breakfast sandwiches and classic breakfast platters – but get there before 11am for the best deals. The diner is located in Bushwick – so you can walk there after (or before) seeking out street art. 

A&A Bake and Doubles Shop

Typical Trinidadian fare that is soft on the budget, but big on the taste buds, A&A is an absolute gem! Grab a couple of doubles (curried chickpeas in fried dough) – they start out at $2 each. To get to A&A, use the subway to Nostrand Ave Station . 

Olde Brooklyn Bagel Shoppe

The bagels in NYC are out of this world – and they are one of our favorite things to eat in New York City on the cheap!

A bagel with schmear (that’s cream cheese) is a perfect affordable lunch. There are several bagel shops in Brooklyn where you can get your fix, but we recommend popping into Olde Brooklyn Bagel Shoppe, where they make fresh bagels on site. 

Smorgasburg Market

If it’s a summer Sunday, head inside Prospect Park and the Smorgasburg Market , an open-air market with 100 food vendors dishing out delectable fare.

Prospect Park 

Designed by the same duo who laid out Central Park, Prospect Park features open fields, ample paths, a zoo, amphitheater and several lakes. Wander through the park from the Prospect Park subway station to the northwest to the Grand Army Plaza. ( Public Bathrooms in park. ) 

Brownstones of Park Slope

The Park Slope Brownstones are quintessentially Brooklyn. The term ‘brownstone’ comes from a type of sandstone building material used in many structures in NYC. However, it also refers to the architectural element of a staircase rising from street level to the front door on the second level.

There are a high concentration of brownstones in Brooklyn, with some of the most beautiful buildings in Park Slope. Head south on 8th Avenue from Grand Army Plaza and zigzag through the neighborhood or follow part of this walking tour .

Then take the subway from the 7 Av Subway Station to York Street Subway Station to DUMBO.

DUMBO, which stands for “Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass,” was once an industrial district. Today, the warehouse buildings are being used as galleries by artists and as offices by tech firms. The riverside park, Brooklyn Bridge Park, offers stunning views of the Manhattan skyline.

Brooklyn Bridge

After visiting the sights in DUMBO, it is time to walk across the Brooklyn Bridge – one of the best free activities in NYC! Taking 14 years to complete, the Brooklyn Bridge opened in 1883 to connect Manhattan to Brooklyn over the East River. At the time, the 1,595-foot-structure was the longest suspension bridge in the world and an instant icon of the city. Often referred to as the 8th Wonder of the World, the bridge is crossed by an estimated 150,000 vehicles and 4,000 pedestrians every day. Those who walk from Brooklyn to Manhattan are treated to the most spectacular Manhattan skyline views!

New York City Hall 

At the west end of the Brooklyn Bridge is City Hall Park. At the center of the park is the landmark New York City Hall, which was completed in 1812 and is the oldest city hall in the United States. The Office of the Mayor of New York and city council chambers are still located inside the building.

From City Hall Park, walk north on Center Street and take the subway from Chambers Street Subway Station to the Essex Street Station . Walk north to Katz’s Deli.

Katz’s Deli

A lot of a splurge on a low-budget New York trip, we think a meal at Katz’s Deli is worth it! With a history that dates to 1888 – and meat that takes 30 days to cure – Katz’s Delicatessen is legendary in New York City. Many movies and TV shows have filmed scenes at Katz’s Deli, including a famous scene from When Harry Met Sally.

Pastrami on Rye is the thing to order, but it’s a bit of a budget-buster, costing more than $25. However, it can easily be shared with two people and is oh-so tasty!  

Pro Tip: If the prices at Katz’s Deli push the budget for your New York trip, opt instead to eat at Veselka. The nearby Ukrainian restaurant is a favorite NYC diner for hearty yet inexpensive eats. Established in 1954, the restaurant is open 24/7!

McSorley’s Old Ale House

The final stop on our NYC travel itinerary is a classic and much-loved New York bar, McSorely’s Old Ale House. Claiming to be NYC’s oldest continuously operated pub, McSorely’s was opened in 1854. The historic boozer, which was a “men’s only” bar until 1970, has been visited by many famous people, including Abe Lincoln, Dustin Hoffman and the New York Rangers hockey team after they won the Stanley Cup in 1994!

Inside the cozy tavern, newspaper articles and old photos cover the walls, sawdust covers the floor and classic bartenders pour the beers. They keep it simple with just two choices of house beer, light or dark, and it’s cash only!

Map of Sights on Day 4 for our New York Itinerary

Best New York Itinerary Suggestions

Whether you are trying to see New York in a day or have a week, we can help! Using our New York City Itinerary 4 Days as a base, we have created alternate NYC itineraries that can fit into your timeline.

1 Day in NYC Budget Trip Plan

Trying to see NYC in a day is a huge challenge – but it is possible to get a sweeping overview in a single day using our succinct New York One Day Trip Planner. 

NYC Itinerary 1 Day

The best way to create a NYC 1 Day Itinerary is to simply follow Day 1 of our New York City 4 Day Itinerary. If time permits, add a visit to Central Park to the end of your day, strolling through the southern end of the park after sightseeing in Midtown. 

2 Days in NYC Itinerary

Planning 2 days in New York on a budget? Whether you are visiting mid-week or trying to create a Weekend in NYC Itinerary, there are numerous ways to plan your time in the city. 

NYC Itinerary 2 Days

Don’t stress about what to do in New York for 2 days – we’ve got it covered! We recommend following Day 1 from above – then combine Days 2 and 3 to create an optimal NYC 2 Day Itinerary. For example, on the second day, spend the morning in Central Park and in the afternoon, explore Soho, Little Italy and Chinatown.

3 Days in NYC on a Budget

The choice of things to do in New York in 3 days are almost endless – but we have designed a great 3 Day Itinerary NYC for you! 

NYC Itinerary 3 Days

Using our NYC Itinerary 4 Days as a guide – we’ll optimize for the best sightseeing. For a great 3 Days in New York City Itinerary, follow our tips for Day 1 (Lower Manhattan and Midtown), then on the second day, use Day 3 (High Line and NYC neighborhoods). On the last day, combine Days 2 and 4 (spending the morning in Central Park and the afternoon in Brooklyn). 

5 Days in New York

Our tips for what to see in New York in 5 days includes more district discovery and a possible spurge in the budget. 

NYC Itinerary 5 Days

Spending 5 days in NYC? Incredible! Use our New York in 4 days, then a bit more! For example, add in Hell’s Kitchen and/or Harlem. Alternatively, you could create a New York Itinerary 5 Days that includes one day of splurging on experiences, like Top of the Rock or The Met .

7 Days in New York

Looking for a 1 week in New York Itinerary? We just happen to have one of those! Check out our suggestions in our New York City One-Week Itinerary .

How To Plan a Trip To New York on a Budget

When we talk about how to visit NYC on a budget, we are not only talking about sightseeing and attractions, but how to plan every aspect of the trip. So, we have a few more budget-saving tips that apply to the overall cost of a trip to New York, too. 

Trip to New York Cost and Money Saving Tips

As outlined above, our only costs while sightseeing were the MetroCard and meals. However, there are other expenses involved in a trip to New York City. We are sharing our advice on how to plan a trip to New York on the cheap when searching for hotels and transport. 

Finding Cheap Places To Stay in New York City

Accommodations can easily account for the biggest cost of a trip to NYC. We wont’ lie: booking cheap accommodation in NYC is quite the task! Cheap hotels in NYC don’t really exist, and you wouldn’t likely want to stay in the absolute cheapest places anyway.

Budget Accommodation New York

If you are searching for where to stay in NYC on a budget, then we have a few recommendations. 

First, start your search as early as possible, as the best value hotels get booked the quickest. 

Second, consider looking outside of Manhattan. Brooklyn, Harlem and even Jersey City are where to stay in NYC for cheap. Although, finding anything less than $200 might still be a struggle (especially on weekends). 

Third, if you do stay outside of Manhattan, be sure to choose accommodations that are close to subway access! This will save heaps of time when transiting into the city for sightseeing. 

Finally, be flexible about your accommodation choice. For example, the Nap York Capsule Hostel is a great budget option for travelers looking for an affordable bed in the heart of the city. The hostel gets rave reviews for being quiet, clean and offering privacy for each bunk. 

Start your search on Booking.com – but first read our tips for Finding Top Hotels at the Best Price .

Airbnb in NYC

For more affordable accommodations, consider staying in an Airbnb Apartment . We have found that staying in apartments is often less expensive than hotel rooms – with the added benefit of a kitchen and, usually, more space. While there’s been a lot of changes on how Airbnb can operate in NYC, there are still private rooms in Queens, Harlem and Jersey City that start at about $100.

NYC Housesitting

On our budget trip to New York, we were house and pet-sitting , so our accommodations were free. Yep, free . Sound interesting? Find out more about how to become a house sitter in our article, International Housesitting . 

Getting Around NYC for Cheap

One of the top tips for travel to New York City on a budget is to avoid taxi cabs! Cabs in NYC are notoriously expensive – not to mention, the traffic is horrendous. Uber is a better option, but still expensive. We do not recommend driving in NYC for any reason.

For our outlined 4 Day New York City Itinerary, we suggest using the subway, buses and walking – it’s the cheapest way to travel in New York! The unlimited weekly MetroCard is one of the best New York City travel trips for budget travelers. 

MetroCard: How To Travel Cheap in New York

A weekly unlimited MetroCard allows access to the subway, buses and the Roosevelt Tramway for seven days. The 7 day unlimited pass becomes financially beneficial if used for at least 12 rides. Our 4 Day New York itinerary includes 16 rides.

For the best, up-to-minute NYC public transportation options, we recommend using Google Maps. Just make sure to carry a portable power bank , as we needed the extra boost for our phones by the end of each day!

Tips for using the NYC Subway

• Before entering the subway, check for a direction on the station sign. Some stations are direction-specific, but not all.
• Swipe your card at a steady pace. Going too fast or too slow won’t work. 
• When a train approaches, check the sign on the front and side of the cars to ensure it is the train you want (several trains use the same platform).
• Forget what you’ve heard about attitudes – most New Yorkers are actually incredibly nice and helpful, especially when it comes to assisting with the subway. If you are unsure where to go, just ask a fellow passenger!
• For more tips on using the NYC subways and buses, go to the official MTA Website . 

Getting To NYC

New York City is well connected to…everywhere. The metropolis can be reached by plane, train, boat and car. However you arrive, you should include the cost in your vacation budget for New York City. 

Finding Cheap New York Flights

There are three major airports that serve NYC: John F Kennedy International (JFK), LaGuardia (LGA) and Newark International (EWR). When you travel to New York on a budget, your flight will likely account for a big portion of your overall trip cost. We start our search for the best deals on airline tickets and cheapest flights to New York on Skyscanner.

Trains to NYC

New York City is connected to major US cities by train, too – like Boston , Philadelphia and Washington DC . Although train travel in the US can be slow and expensive, short train trips from destinations on the east coast can be one of the ways to travel to New York cheap. 

More Tips for New York Travel on a Budget

We have shared some of our best tips on how to visit New York on a budget, but we have a few more pieces of advice for planning a cheap New York trip. 

Cheap Eats in NYC

Eating at sit-down restaurants in NYC is expensive, which is why we chose takeaway food for our NYC Budget Itinerary. However, if you have a week in NYC, pop into one of the many New York grocery stores, corner markets or delis, where you can buy more affordable food.

Cheap Sightseeing in NYC

Our itinerary includes incredible free sightseeing in NYC that doesn’t cost a single cent. However, if visiting some of the iconic New York sights is high on your list, buying a New York Sights Pass might be financially beneficial.

New York Sightseeing Deals

Top NYC sightseeing passes promise to save you time and money – and they certainly can if you choose the right one! Some offer unlimited sights for a specific number of days (1 to 10 days), while others offer a number of sights (2 to 12 attractions) that can be visited over a certain time period.

• The New York Sightseeing Pass offers both types, one for a specific number of days and another for a specific number of sights. 
• The New York Pass is a great way to visit New York on a budget – as it offers access to more than 100 attractions and tours for time periods of 1 to 10 days.
• New York CityPass is another fantastic sightseeing card for a cheap trip to New York City. The card features the top city attractions at one low price.
• You can also save money with discounts of up to 40% on New York City tours and Activities with Viator .

Shopping in New York on a Budget

New York City is one of the premier shopping destinations in the world. However, many budget travelers skip shopping on New York cheap trips…but you don’t have to! Rather than shop at the luxury stores on posh 5th Avenue, seek out top thrift stores – they are the best places to shop in NYC on a budget! Top picks for thrift threads on Cure Thrift, Beacon’s Closet and AuH20. The Bloomingdale’s Outlet on the Upper West Side is another great place to find clothes for cheap in NYC.

NYC on a Budget Packing Checklist

Use our free New York trip planning checklist and our trusted packing hacks for your budget NYC vacation!

Walking Shoes for New York

A good pair of walking shoes are a must for your 4 day trip to New York City! I like lightweight shoes, like these by Columbia , and Kris prefers wearing Merrell trail shoes. Read our top tips for the Best Travel Shoes !

NYC Weather Gear

Nearly all of the sights on our 4-Day NYC Itinerary are outdoors. Make sure you are prepared with appropriate gear. In the summertime, make sure to pack sunscreen , your sunglasses and a wide-brimmed hat . If rain is in the forecast, bring a travel umbrella and travel rain poncho – or a better raincoat . 

Travel Camera 

New York is a stunning city! Use a proper travel camera with a zoom lens for your trip to NYC. We travel with a Canon Rebel and use a 18-135mm lens , which takes amazing photos. 

Day Bag 

Whether you travel with a backpack or a suitcase , you will certainly want a great day bag to organize and secure all of your essential travel items .

Start planning your trip to the USA ! Search for the lowest airfares , the best accommodations and fun things to do …then start packing !   Want more travel advice? Head over to our Travel Planning Page for more tips on traveling – and for country-specific information, take a look at our Travel Guides Page !

Need Ideas for Quick US Trip Destinations?

We highlight some of our favorite locations in The Best Weekend Getaways in USA . Also check out our top Underrated US Destinations !

Pin it! See all of our travel pins on our JetSetting Fools Pinterest Board .

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Weekend In New York City: The Perfect Itinerary for 48 Hours in NYC

Shocker, New York City is massive. Therefore, there is no way that you will be able to see everything that this amazing city has to offer in just a weekend (I’ve lived here for over thirty years and still haven’t seen it all). But don’t let this deter you can see a ton of amazing sites in just 48 hours in NYC.

Now if you’re reading this, then you’re probably here from out of town. Therefore, I will stick to central Manhattan since this area contains some of the most iconic buildings and attractions that New York City has to offer.

Weekend In New York City Itinerary

So we’ll start your trip off right with breakfast from Ess-A-Bagel on 831 3rd Avenue. They have the perfect bagels and an amazing assortment of cream cheese options to choose from. I usually get the cinnamon raisin bagel with the chocolate chip cream cheese, but their strawberry cream cheese is also really good too.

After you’ve fueled up, let’s hit the ground running and head over to Grand Central Terminal . This building is famous for its pale blue ceiling that is studded with a series of eye catching constellations that mimic the night sky ( free tours of the building are available if you’re interested).

Now I know we just ate but there is an awesome food court downstairs that has a Shake Shack and a Magnolia Bakery, among other things. Whatever you do, get the Banana Pudding because it is insanely awesome.

Next, we’ll walk along 42nd street, towards 5th avenue. On the way, you’ll be able to see the Chrysler Building and the Empire State Building . While the view from the top of the Empire State building is amazing, the line is incredibly long and the tickets are incredibly expensive so I wouldn’t recommend it. (Top of the Rock is also a popular place to catch a bird’s eye view of the City).

On your left, you’ll see the New York Public Library , an amazing spot to take a picture but be sure to go inside and check out some of the awe inspiring artifacts like the first book every printed, the Guttenberg Bible.

After you’ve had your fill of the library, be sure to stop for awhile and take in the greenery at Bryant Park . Not only is it a great place to people watch, but you can play ping pong, check out some magazines from their library, or hop on the Carousel for a truly enchanting experience (as long as it’s not too cold).

Next we’ll keep walking down 42nd street and head into Times Square . Honestly, I am not a huge fan because it is VERY touristy, so I wouldn’t buy or eat anything here since it’s overpriced and just not worth it. Therefore, I would snap a few pictures and get out of there.

***The only reason to stay in Times Square is if you want to see a Broadway Show. Just hop on the TKTS line in Times Square and get half price tickets for Broadway shows that evening.

From here we’ll walk up 42nd and turn left onto 5th Avenue; you’ll know you’re going in the right direction if the street numbers go up. On the way up 5th Avenue you’ll see Rockefeller Center, St. Patricks’s Cathedral, Saks Fifth Avenue, the Plaza Hotel, and eventually hit Central Park.

***If you enjoy a nice afternoon tea, the Russian Tea room is close to Central Park West and serves an amazing afternoon tea. Just be sure to make reservations since this restaurant is an icon in New York City.

Once you’re in Central Park , Bathesda Fountain is the most picturesque part of the park, so you’ll definitely want to snap a photo with the iconic Tavern on the Green in the background. From here, you can explore Strawberry Fields or head to  The Metropolitan Museum of Art  ( MET) . I adore the MET and go all the time because the price is pay what you wish.

To get there, just walk along Fifth Avenue, on the east side of Central Park, and if you’re here on a Friday or Saturday, the MET stays open until 9:00 pm so you’ll have plenty of time to explore.  If you are short on time here is a guide to what you must see at the MET .

Since you have a limited amount of time, I would enter the MET and head right towards the Temple of Dendur, one of the most famous and photogenic spots in all of New York City. From here, head upstairs and take in the beauty of the Contemporary art collection. Since you’re in the area anyway, cut across the park and stop at LeVain Bakery on 167 W 74th Street, for some of the best chocolate chip cookies in the entire city.

By this point you’re probably exhausted, but if not, hop on the 2 and take it to the 42nd Street Station in Times Square. From here, you’ll transfer to the 7 and get off at the 34th street and Hudson Yards station. Be sure to look up as you exit the subway because there is some amazing art on the ceiling.  (If you have never ridden the subway before, make sure to read my NYC subway guide  first!)

Head towards the river and walk through Highline Park , taking in the vibrant glow of the city at night. Not only is it a beautiful park, but there is some gorgeous street art here that you can check out along the way (the park doesn’t close until 10 pm so this is a fun place to explore at night).

For day two of this weekend New York City itinerary, we’re going to head to Lower Manhattan and start out at the iconic Flatiron Building . You can get off at the 23rd street metro station and explore this iconic building, as well as Union Square Park and Union Square café. They have a great brunch that includes butterscotch donuts.

***If you have time, definitely stop at Union Fare on East 17th Street and get a birthday cake croissant. It oozes rainbow sprinkles and is everything good in the world.

You will need all that brightness because next we will be exploring the somber but totally amazing, September 11th Memorial . This monument it a stark and austere commemoration of all those who lost their lives on that tragic day. Depending on your interests, you can also check on the September 11th Museum.  Skip the line and book your September 11th Memorial and Museum Admission here .

From here, depending on how hungry you are, you can stop at Eataly for some of my favorite pizza and pasta in the city. This restaurant and grocery store combo was created by none other than Mario Batali so you know the ingredients are fresh and that the food is delicious.

After you’ve had your fill, walk on over to Wall Street , see the Stock Exchange, and the Charging Bull statue.

After you’ve gotten all the photos you need, you are just a short walk from Battery Park . Take a walk along the river, hop on the seaglass carousel and see the vastly underrated Irish Hunger Memorial .

But before you call it quits for the night, be sure to catch the free, Staten Island Ferry . I like taking the ferry at night time because you get a great view of the iconic, Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island for free.

So while you won’t be able to see all that New York City has to offer, this 2 day itinerary will help you to explore some of the most notable buildings and attractions that make New York City one of the most vibrant and exciting cities in the world.  If you only have one day in New York City or want to explore at a more leisurely pace, then check out my itinerary for a day in NYC .

Author Bio: Kelly currently lives and works in New York City. She has a passion for solo female travel in Europe and hopes to one day quit her job, travel the world, and continue work on her blog  www.girlwiththepassport.com .

Have more than 2 days in New York? Check out this 3 day NYC itinerary .

Looking for an affordable hotel in NYC? Check out this list of the best affordable hotels near Times Square .

Looking for more affordable food suggestions while in NYC? Check out this list of 20 Cheap Places to Eat in New York City .

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savvyglobetrotter

This is one of the best 48hr itineraries out there for NYC. MoMA is a great place to visit too, admission is free every Friday, 4–8 PM!

This would have come in handy the last time I was in New York. We only had a day and there was so much to choose from!

Proud to say I’ve been to all these places! I hope this New Jerseyan earned a thumbs up from New Yorker Kelly ;P

Thank you for this guide by locals! It’s always best to follow locals as they know the best stuff in a place! I’ll definitely follow this guide if I have only a weekend in NYC!

Great itinerary. I love Battery Park. It’s usually one of the first places I stop by when I’m in NYC.

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The 42 Best Things to Do in New York City

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Our selection of the best things to do in New York City has been compiled over several years, with the help of editors and contributors past and present. We all call this place home, or did at one point, and put in the time living like tourists to figure out just how exactly to make the most of its myriad pleasures. What is the best way to see the Statue of Liberty? Where can one get the most “New York” meal, whatever that means to you? How do you get off the beaten path to avoid ceaseless crowds and discover something nobody else is talking about? We've got the answers to all of these questions and more, with recommendations spanning all five boroughs. Read on for the best things to do in New York City.

Read our complete New York City travel guide here .

This gallery has been updated with new information since its original publish date. Additional reporting by Andrea Whittle.

Balthazar Arrow

Keith McNally's flagship restaurant—this is also the master behind such atmospheric Manhattan mainstays as Pastis, the Odeon, Minetta Tavern, and Morandi, each also worth a visit if I may suggest a “Keith McNally crawl”—is a high-ceilinged, brasserie-inspired scene to end all scenes. Martinis are omnipresent at the bar and in deep red-leather booths. So are steak frites smothered in peppercorn sauce. But the asset that's fabulous with the greatest diversity are the patrons—like if that New York magazine cover all convened to share a meal. Alison Roman once told Interview : “The food is so bad, it’s too expensive, I love going there.” She's being facetious for comedic effect—the food is just fine, but it is true that you're really going there to go there. With your expectations duly measured, enjoy an uncomplicated onion soup gratine and some yummy, well-buttered escargot for starters before moving on to the steak frites main event. For dessert, there's nowhere worth going more than the perfect profiteroles, poured with warm chocolate sauce tableside.

Arthur Avenue

Almost every awning along the stretch of The Bronx's Arthur Avenue between D'Auria-Murphy Triangle and Ciccarone Park marks an Italian name possessing something—a pizzeria, a restaurant, a bakery. But just because it's all Italian, all the time along these two blocks doesn't mean all aren't welcome to come and patronize these establishments. It's some of the absolute best Italian food in New York City lined up for your convenience, bustling with life and good eats. Executive editor Erin Florio's relatives still do their Sunday shopping in the market, which she describes as "dusty but great." Poking around and picking a few things up there is really where it's at—bright seasonal produce, sausages of all stripes dangling from the ceiling, fresh-baked bread and vinegar-y imports from the old country line the walls in cans and jars. It's true one-stop shopping.

Film Forum Arrow

This is the last independent, nonprofit cinema in New York City. Little has changed about this humble, unpretentious theater since it first opened in 1970 as a screening space for independent films—there's the big marquee outside, lighting up an otherwise quiet stretch of West Houston; a ticket booth with microphone and glass partition; and a red carpet underfoot. It's retro without feeling dated, a warm place out of time. Behind the concessions counter, by the way, are some very nice people selling some very good espresso and baked goods (try the cakes carrot and orange bundt) in addition to regular sodas and candies. From new and obscure cinema made outside the US to a dazzling assortment of global classics that has most recently included Midnight Cowboy and Le Samourai , you can rest assured that every last thing on the marquee is worth a few hours of your time.

Central Park Arrow

To get that Nora Ephron New York experience, you have no choice but to take a stroll through Central Park while in the city. As you step off the crowded sidewalks of 59th Street into a mass of green, you’ll hardly realize what lies before you: 693 acres of man-made gardens, meadows, forests, and  hillsides. If you ambled down every one of Central Park’s pathways, you would walk 58 miles. Along the way, you pass sculptures, bridges, and arches, plus 21 playgrounds, a winter ice-skating rink, even a zoo . But you’d hardly notice the four major crosstown thoroughfares, which cleverly disappear into foliage-covered tunnels. Map your park route to stop at classic Central Park landmarks, like the Bethesda Fountain, Bow Bridge, Belvedere Castle, and the Strawberry Fields John Lennon Memorial.

Chinatown Arrow

 Chinatown is one of the neighborhoods that makes lower Manhattan vibrant and unforgettable. After surfacing from the steps of the Canal Street subway station onto the sidewalk, meandering past thick crowds, neon light shops, and vendors peddling fake designer bags, you’ll find yourself in the narrow streets of Chinatown, where there are bright heaps of produce, succulent ducks hanging in windows, and restaurants old and new. Touching Tribeca, SoHo, Little Italy, and the Lower East Side, Chinatown has a rich history and began being populated by Chinese immigrants as early as the 1850s. You can visit in whichever way makes sense for you. Whether you spend an hour devouring a box of roast pork or duck from street-style Wah Fung No. 1 before you have to proceed elsewhere, or you spend half a day shopping for produce, dining out, and paying a visit to the Museum of Chinese in America , everyone will gain something from a visit to Chinatown.

Brooklyn Bridge Arrow

When the Brooklyn Bridge was constructed in 1883—extending 1,595 feet across the East River, connecting lower Manhattan to Brooklyn Heights—it was the longest suspension bridge in the world. Now, it’s a historic staple of the New York City skyline, transporting commuter car traffic underneath and touristic foot traffic above . Standing before arches and rectangles with city skyscrapers rising in the distance, will at once inspire a sense of grandiosity and slightness.

The Noguchi Museum Arrow

This intimate, meditative museum in Long Island City was conceived and built by Isamu Noguchi himself. Here, his mostly abstract sculptures and often-copied paper lamps are displayed across two levels of exhibition space and throughout a quiet, ivy-covered walled garden. Even if you're not familiar with Noguchi's work, you've probably come across one of his Akari light sculptures—geometric or globular lamps made of washi paper and bamboo that glow softly from within—which have become something of a modern design trope since he started designing them in the early 1950s.

Yankee Stadium Arrow

A spring or summer day spent cheering at an NYC ballpark is a classic activity for a reason. Located in the Bronx, Yankee Stadium is the home field of New York’s 27-time World Champions. It’s a half-hour subway ride from Penn Station and approximately a 20-minute subway ride from Grand Central Terminal, making it easily accessible from Manhattan. It replaced the 1923 original in 2009 and cost $1.5 billion to build, making it one of the world’s most expensive stadiums. It seats 50,287 fans. New York Yankees games, obviously, are the main event here, but you can also attend concerts, college football, and soccer matches.

Jewish Brooklyn: Tours of Hasidic Brooklyn Arrow

The pockets of Brooklyn inhabited predominately by the Hasidic are not often explored on the average Big Apple itinerary. There are two guided tours you can take of Hasidic Brooklyn: Frieda Vizel's of conservative Williamsburg and the Friedman family's of the slightly-more-flexible Crown Heights (none yet open us to the cosmopolitan Borough Park.) The former rendezvouses in the bus plaza just below the Williamsburg Bridge, the latter around the dining room table of a family home. From there, you're off to the races learning from people who know and love their subject deeply. You'll also sample kosher sweets and stop at the deli, dip into a toy store or wigmaker, and meet quite a few friendly faces. Both are excellent ways to immerse yourself, for a few hours, in the culture of some of Brooklyn’s more enigmatic inhabitants.

The Cathedral of St. John the Divine Arrow

The Cathedral of St. John the Divine on 112th and Amsterdam in Upper Manhattan’s Morningside Heights is the largest cathedral in the world and the sixth-largest church by area. Hundreds of thousands of visitors walk through these doors annually for a reason. The cathedral itself—and its remarkable Gothic architecture, story-telling stained glass windows, and 17th century tapestries—is already worth visiting. But there is artwork that is especially meaningful to New York City here as well, including Keith Haring's white gold and bronze altarpiece and a 9/11 memorial sculpture by Meredith Bergmann, which holds debris of the towers in it. The cathedral holds daily and Sunday worship services, which welcome all. There is no charge to pray, meditate, or contemplate in the cathedral. Visitors who show for sightseeing purposes can enter for $15 admission. Special tours are offered depending on the day of the week.

Staten Island Ferry

One of the first things associate editor Hannah Towey did when she moved to New York City was board the (free! bright orange!) Staten Island Ferry by Battery Park at Manhattan's bottom, watch the sunset over the water on her way to that far-flung borough, and then turn around and get right back on for the return to Manhattan. Forget the outrageously expensive Statue of Liberty cruises and the discomfort of the official ferry (although Ellis Island, unfortunately the next stop on the same trip, is worth a visit)—here you see plenty of Lady Liberty, Governor's Island, and the skyline without opening your purse. It's a dreamy 25 minutes each way, passed easily watching the myriad terns dip into the ship's wake. This is not to say you shouldn't spend a few hours on Staten Island if you have the time—the Botanical Garden is as gorgeous as it is free, and the food is impeccable with abundant Sri Lankan options (try New Asha, although you can't go wrong anywhere) and excellent Italian at Enoteca Maria for nonnas and their appreciators.

The Morgan Library & Museum Arrow

The Morgan is like a multi-hyphenate millennial—only instead of actress/model/influencer/whatever, it’s museum/library/landmark/historic site/music venue. Inside the multimillionaire’s personal library, expanded into a must-see museum and cultural space, you'll find rare artifacts, paintings, and books, some dating back to 4000 B.C. that are worth more than your house. In particular the museum is home to one of 23 copies of the original Declaration of Independence; Mozart's handwritten score of the Haffner Symphony; the collected works of African American poet Phillis Wheatley; the only extant manuscript of Milton's  Paradise Lost ; and Charles Dickens’s manuscript of  A Christmas Carol . Swoon.

MoMA PS1 Arrow

The sister institution to MoMA   is no ordinary art museum. Located in a striking Renaissance Revival former public school building in Long Island City, Queens, MoMA PS1’s setting is just as interesting as its collection. All manner of cutting-edge contemporary art is shown here, with a collection over 200,000 pieces strong, from the likes of James Turrell and Ai Weiwei. The people-watching can be just as good as the art, as creative types from around the city come here to find inspiration.

For locals and first-time visitors alike, seeing a Broadway show is a special experience, and one that is exclusive to New York City. Times Square is ordinarily a drag, but when you’re moseying into Midtown Manhattan for a show the bright billboards and lights don’t flash in your face—they dazzle in your eyes. A Broadway show's costumes, sets, songs, and stories are the stuff of dreams. Shows that could very well run forever include Wicked, The Book of Mormon, and Hamilton , but there's also an ever-rotating selection of revivals and debuts worth checking out. And that's not to mention the more daring fare happening downtown at theaters like the Public, Off-Broadway.

Bemelmans Bar Arrow

At Bemelmans, Ludwig Bemelman's illustrations—you might remember them from the Madeline books—adorn the walls. In one panel, a bunny smokes a cigar in Central Park ; in another, a man hands a boy a clutch of balloons. This is a bar where gawking is permissible. The cocktails here very much depend on who’s making them: an Old Fashioned might be a bit watery, a whiskey sour too tart. But often a dirty gin Martini is just perfectly executed. Everything is expensive—it’s clear why you’re here—so take the edge off that sensation by digging into the free, hearty snacks that float your way.

New York Botanical Garden Arrow

The New York Botanical Garden has carefully manicured flower gardens, lush fields, winding hikes, and impeccable greenhouses. There are spaces that feel deeply intimate, as if you're truly separated from the world, and there are vast expanses where it's hard to believe you're still in the Bronx . In winter, the greenhouses host an annual train show recreating all of New York City in miniature; the warmer months bring every floral delight imaginable, from cherry trees to peonies. Plan to spend at least half a day here and pack a picnic.

Brooklyn Heights Promenade

It’s one thing to be in the midst of Manhattan, on the ground; it’s quite another to look upon it from across the river. In Brooklyn Heights, a couple subway stops away from lower Manhattan, the city’s image looms large before you. Arguably the best view of the skyline in the city, the Brooklyn Heights promenade hovers above the Brooklyn-Queen Expressway. Underlying the peaceful, tree-lined walkway, traffic rumbles below. The promenade stretches from Remsen Street at the south end to Middagh Street at the north. Around the corner, pedestrians can discretely cross a basketball court to access a suspended footbridge that zigzags down to the piers of Brooklyn Bridge Park. While in the picturesque neighborhood, make stops at the New York Transit Museum, the Sardinian trattoria River Deli, and the old-time dive bar Montero.

Grand Central Terminal Arrow

Grand Central Terminal is more than just one of the busiest train stations in the world—it's a window into old New York and into a time when train travel was the ultimate luxury for the wealthy and a necessity for the working man. If you aren't commuting in or out of the city, avoid coming during rush hour, and take your time admiring the landmark architecture and checking out the top-notch dining and shopping.

9/11 Memorial and Museum Arrow

Every American should visit the 9/11 Memorial and Museum at least once. As you enter the museum, you descend from the street to bedrock level—the foundation of the former Twin Towers—and are placed in a meditative mindset, forced to recall where you were on that fateful day. The museum itself is a masterful balance: It's grand in scale, contemplative in its construction, and personal in its execution. It pays homage to the enormity of the loss, both physical and spiritual. 

The Cloisters Arrow

Located on four acres in northern Manhattan's Fort Tryon Park, the Met Cloisters is a branch of the Metropolitan Museum of Art and is America’s only museum dedicated exclusively to the art and architecture of the Middle Ages. The building overlooks the Hudson River and actually incorporates five medieval-inspired cloisters into a modern museum structure, creating a historic, contextualized backdrop in which to view the art.

Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) Arrow

Located in Midtown Manhattan, the MoMA is larger than it appears as you approach it from the street below. One of the world’s most influential museums—displaying the works of important artists like Van Gogh, Monet, Picasso, Matisse, Rothko, Frida Kahlo, Salvador Dali, and Diane Arbus—it has 630,000 square feet of space and attracts more than a million visitors a year. While making a beeline for the fifth-floor Collection Galleries to take in The Starry Night and Monet’s Water Lilies is understandable, don’t miss the exhibitions, which tell new stories and can only be experienced in a limited time frame. Allocate time to spend pouring over the remarkable books and objects in the famous gift shop, too—an NYC must-visit in its own right.

Apollo Theater Arrow

Countless careers have been made and stars have passed through this world famous, legendary Harlem theater—Duke Ellington, Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin, Ella Fitzgerald, Diana Ross, Lauryn Hill, and D’Angelo to name a few. The venue—which began as a white-only burlesque destination until 1934, when under new ownership it began welcoming and becoming central to the Black community—has been active for 88 years, with swing, blues, jazz, R&B, and comedy acts taking the stage. Today, visitors can attend events like Amateur Night at the Apollo, one of the city’s most long-standing, fame-making live shows. Capacity is 1,500, with three levels of seating, and contrary to the way it appears on 'Showtime at the Apollo,' is intimate without much legroom.

Prospect Park Arrow

Prospect Park is in many ways the Central Park of Brooklyn; in fact, it was designed shortly after by the same team of architects, Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux, and has many of the same features: sprawling meadows, walking trails, and picturesque bodies of water. In feeling though, it’s more rambling and less manicured than its touristed Manhattan counterpart. Prospect Park Woodlands is Brooklyn’s last remaining forest, with 250 acres of trees, turtles, chipmunks, 200 species of birds, and other fauna and flora. There's also basketball and tennis courts, a carousel, playgrounds, zoo, and a 3.35-mile loop for runners and bikers (they’re fast —watch out!). While there, make a trip to adjacent Brooklyn Botanic Garden , particularly lovely during cherry blossom season.

Coney Island Arrow

Coney Island has a reputation as a circus-worthy tourist trap, which is exactly what it is. But you may be surprised by the old-timey charms of this beachfront American town. You’ll definitely be impressed by the food and drinks—Totonno's Pizza, Gargiulo's and Coney Island Brewery in particular. Locals and tourists hang out on the beach, eat ice cream cones on the promenade, and stand in line for the famed Cyclone roller coaster. The beach and boardwalk along with spots like Nathan’s are open year-round. The amusement park itself is seasonal. Events like the annual Mermaid Parade (crowded as they may be) are worth watching for the audacity and theatrics you can’t find anywhere else in the world but Coney Island.

Lincoln Center Arrow

World-renowned performing arts center Lincoln Center is always worth visiting when the opportunity arises, and in October 2022, David Geffen Hall, home to the New York Philharmonic, reopened after a major renovation that improved the venue’s acoustics and spiffed it up with a modern look. The sprawling Upper West Side complex is also home to the Metropolitan Opera, the New York City Ballet, the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center, and Juilliard. All kinds of music, dance, theater, and films show here; some highlights from the upcoming calendar include the rapturously energetic New York Film Festival (catch the latest films long before they hit theaters, embedded in one of the reactive audiences on this Earth), the operas like The Life and Times of Malcom X and La Boheme , and ballets like The Nutcracker . Whether you’re on a special date or reconnecting with old friend when you’re in town, seeing a live performance at Lincoln Center will always make for an elegant and memorable night out.

Washington Square Park Arrow

If people-watching is your sport, Washington Square Park is your place. Entertainment is a given in this intimate, not-quite 10-acre space, filled with career chess players, musicians, performers, students, sunbathers, strollers, and general throngs of Greenwich Villagers, desperate for a bit of fresh air. Take your time as you go through: Pause beneath Washington Arch, honoring our country’s first president (for whom the Park is named), and observe the laurel wreaths and intricate motifs that extend from the base to the keystones, atop which twin eagles perch like constant watchmen. Washington Square Park is the beating heart of this vibrant New York neighborhood.

The Metropolitan Museum of Art Arrow

For nearly a century and a half, the Met has remained the cultural epicenter of New York City, thanks to forward-thinking exhibits and an extensive permanent collection. With its Gothic-Revival-style building, iconic tiered steps, and Central Park location, the building is a sight to be seen. But step inside its Great Hall—as a ceaseless parade of museumgoers move to-and-fro—and you’ll feel the overwhelming sense of possibility and discovery that lays beyond. If you've got limited time or compatriots with limited attention spans, start with the Temple of Dendur, a 2,000-year-old soaring Egyptian temple (the only complete one in the Western Hemisphere)

Blue Note Jazz Club Arrow

Blue Note has been one of the best jazz clubs in New York, and the world, since the 1980s. It offers music every night at 8 p.m. and 10:30, and on Friday and Saturday nights has a late night series at 12:30 a.m., which showcases emerging talent. If you're looking to get a taste of jazz in NYC, you can do no better. Over the years, legendary musicians including Sarah Vaughan, Dizzy Gillespie, and Ray Charles have performed on the Blue Note Stage, as well as contemporary jazz acts such as Wynton Marsalis, Keith Jarrett, and Chris Botti. Tables are intimate, close-set, and all-ages (with the bar being 21-plus).

Union Square Greenmarket Arrow

Union Square is a place of the people, not unlike the agoras of ancient Athens—and no offering of Union Square showcases this quality quite like the bustling Greenmarket. From upstate New York, the Berkshires , New Jersey, and Pennsylvania, vendors sell artisan bread, honey, fresh-cut flowers, heritage meats, pastries, seasonal fruits and vegetables both common and uncommon, and much more. Don't miss the free events, like book signings and more: Cooking demos take place at the Market Information tent daily, beer and spirits pop-ups show seasonally, and the education station offers tours and tastings.

Rockefeller Center Arrow

Rockefeller Center sits in the heart of midtown Manhattan, both in terms of its physical location and its prominent place in the city's folklore and culture. Whether you want to check out a performance on the plaza outside the TODAY show, visit the Christmas tree, or practice your best moves on the ice skating rink, you're in for an iconic, family-friendly experience. If you buy a ticket to Top of the Rock, you'll enjoy spectacular views of the city below. No matter where you are, you're bound to be constantly pointing and shouting “hey, look at that!”

Comedy Cellar Arrow

None of the promoters on MacDougal Street shouting “stand-up comedy tonight!” are trying to get you into the Comedy Cellar, where the show is already sold out. Blockbuster stars like Jerry Seinfeld and Eddie Murphy made their names at the Cellar; if you're lucky, one may show up the night you're there. Seating is intimate and close together, and there is a two-item minimum on food or drinks. It's 21-plus and vaccine-mandatory; be prepared to surrender your phone at the door, too. There's no bad seat in the house, but sit in the front at your own risk of getting (playfully) heckled by the host or a comic.

American Museum of Natural History Arrow

Truly one of the world's great natural history museums, the American Museum of Natural History spans four city blocks just across from Central Park . All aspects of the natural world are represented here, from a vast collection of taxidermy mammals, to depictions of the life of Native American tribes, to an entire hall dedicated to marine life—including a life-size model of a blue whale. The crown jewel is the dinosaur floor, with an imposing Tyrannosaurus Rex skeleton that dominates the room. The newest attraction comes in the form of the long-awaited Richard Gilder Center for Science, Education, and Innovation , which opened in May of 2023 and, among many other things, boasts a comprehensive insectarium and vivarium. Breathtaking architecture from New York-based Jeanne Gang doesn't hurt, either.

The Strand Book Store Arrow

With its towering stacks, filled with more than 2.5 million titles, this 94-year-old bookstore is less neighborhood haunt and more globally recognized institution. You could call the Strand's employees tour guides, considering their deft ability to find the exact title you're looking for and recommend a book you may not have otherwise plucked from the shelves. The store will make you question why you don’t read more; and chances are you won’t leave empty-handed.

Bronx Zoo Arrow

With more than 700 different animal species spread across 265 acres of parkland thoughtfully designed to mimic natural habitats, the Bronx Zoo is a great place to escape from Manhattan for the day, especially if you're traveling with kids. Don't miss the giraffe building, the Congo gorilla forest, the house of reptiles, the flamingos in the sea bird aviary, and the sea lions, who always make for an exciting show. If you want to blow the minds of a bunch of kids, you can do no better.

Governors Island Arrow

Located in New York Harbor, only 800 yards from Manhattan and 400 yards from Brooklyn, walking onto quirky, car-free, brick-covered, 173-acre Governors Island feels like being transported to an alternate universe from the city—but in reality it's a quick, affordable ferry ride away. One-way fare is $4 and boats are serviced from Lower Manhattan’s Battery Maritime Building every day, as well as from Brooklyn Bridge Park and Atlantic Basin in Red Hook on the weekends. In the past couple of years, Governors Island has become an even more popular city destination, and has welcomed a slew of new luxury businesses. One is special in particular: Collective, the only place you can stay overnight on the island. Collective is a glamping experience, offering plush beds inside the tents, morning yoga, sunset cocktails, and iconic skyline views—Lady Liberty included, herself. Which is all to say, you’re by no means roughing it here. On the menu at their restaurant, you’ll find grilled seafood, gorgeous spreads of pastries, and more. Another luxury experience new to the island is QC NY Spa, with top-grade saunas and a skyline view-filled pool.

Elsewhere Arrow

Located in Brooklyn on a hip stretch of Bushwick’s Jefferson Avenue, Elsewhere—a vast, three-story nightclub and live music venue with multiple dance floors, stages, and a rooftop—has become one of the city’s best nightlife destinations. Spinning disco balls and kaleidoscopic lights set the scene. A somewhat recent staple in the city’s nightlife scene, Elsewhere is a converted warehouse that opened in 2017. Blocks away from similar venues like Avant Gardener and House of Yes, Elsewhere stands out for its inclusivity, its intimate vibe in spite of its size, and for lifting up smaller, up-and-coming acts.

Rockaway Beach Arrow

One of the best public beaches you can visit in New York City proper, Rockaway is a sandy, sprawling stretch of surf located in Queens on the Atlantic Ocean, complete with a 5.5-mile boardwalk of delicious concessions. A summery way to get there in style? Take the ferry from Wall Street or Sunset Park, Brooklyn, and let the wind blow through your hair as you take in the city views, sailing under the Verrazano Bridge and past Coney Island on the way. From just about everywhere else in the city, you can also get there via the A train. Each stretch has a different crowd and personality: Beach 90-106 is the busiest section, with the most food and drink options; Beaches 67-69 as well as 90-92 are the surfing zones; between Beach 153 and Beach 169 you’ll find Jacob Riis Park, which is popular with young people and is a summer gathering place for the city’s LGBTQ+ community.

Bedford Avenue, Williamsburg Arrow

Sip iced coffee in McCarren Park, catch an indie show at Baby's All Right, walk two blocks over to some of the city's most-coveted Italian at Lilia (with a month-in-advance res, of course.) This is the busiest thoroughfare in hip Williamsburg: Bedford Avenue—and the L train that feeds it—might as well be North Brooklyn’s own personal people-watching catwalk. Pedestrians with voluminous pants, dogs with miniature rain boots, and high-speed scooters will swish past you. As you make your way south from the subway station, likely en route from the East Village, you’ll pass local businesses that characterize the area, like Catbird (ethereal, vintage-inspired jewelry), Spoonbill & Sugartown Books (poetry, special design and cookbooks, cards), and Awoke Vintage (best-known for their genuine denim often from the ‘90s.)

Empire State Building Arrow

Though many across town are trying, there's still no better way to enjoy Manhattan's cityscape than from the top of the Empire State Building. The 102-story skyscraper was the tallest building in the world for 40 years, and though it's been outgrown by dozens of projects across three other continents, it's just the classic viewing point. There are, of course, always long lines to buy tickets, but that's nothing a little planning and purchasing in advance can't solve. It's also still a functioning office building with a bustling Art Deco lobby, so the people watching on the way up is excellent.

Tenement Museum Arrow

The Lower East Side Tenement Museum is, as the name implies, a historic tenement house (two, if you want to get technical). On a tour of the tenements, you’ll hear personal histories of the working-class individuals who lived there and see how they made do with cramped quarters to build new lives in America. On a neighborhood walking tour—the other way to visit the museum—you’ll learn about the evolution of the Lower East Side and how its thriving immigrant population made it the most densely populated area in the country during the 1900s.

Industry City Arrow

This stretch of waterfront has been a hub of Brooklyn manufacturing since Irving T. Bush first developed his family's rail-marine terminal (then called Bush Terminal) in the mid-1890s to add warehouse structures. The sprawling campus that stands today in the quiet Sunset Park neighborhood is Industry City, the ripe and succulent fruit of decades' worth of redevelopment efforts. The idea here is one-stop shopping: Pick up a coffee from one proprieter and sip it while flitting through the Makers’ Guild’s wonderful artisan shops. There's also a slate of full-service restaurants and outdoor spaces—manicured lawns on-par with what you'd expect from those in a private, luxury apartment building.

Russian Turkish Baths Arrow

This is a really nice place to hang out for half a day—beneath the churning East Village, sweating it out in a no-frills den of functionality. Up a steep, nondescript stoop in that neighborhood and through a heavy door and you’re in, leaving your wallet in a safety deposit box in exchange for a locker room key and then down another stair to the subterranean saunas and steam rooms. They’ve got ‘em all here, from the red hot Russian room (where they also perform the platza venik treatment) to a more bearable Turkish, with a cold plunge and showers for in-between regulation. There’s also a bountiful food menu serving up such classics as borscht and beef stew to keep you nurtured.

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What to do in New York, according to owner of New York’s buzziest spot

If your hotel already has a nickname less than a year after opening, you’re probably doing something right. New York’s The Fifth Avenue Hotel , affectionately known as “the Fifth”, has been one of the vibiest new openings in a city hardly short of them. Built inside a century-old Gilded Age mansion on Fifth Avenue and 28th Street, it has also brought fresh buzz to NoMad, a district of Manhattan that often goes under the radar.

Founder Alex Ohebshalom has history here – his family has owned the building since the 1970s. But he was determined to imbue the hotel with a modern spirit and match the desires of guests who are jaded with the blander trappings of luxury. “We’re not going to get away with just a bottle of champagne and some caviar anymore,” he says.

The Fifth’s interior, designed by Martin Brudnizki, is deliberately eclectic, with bric-a-brac from south-east Asian markets next to French antiques and custom-made pieces. It's an approach that extents to the rooms, which are pretty and intriguing enough to tempt you to sack off Manhattan and stay indoors. The artist Pae White spent three years weaving a large, intricate tapestry called Bugz & Drugs , which hangs in the lobby behind the front desk. It’s all meant to “provoke curiosity, slowness, a sense of adventure [and] whimsy”, says Ohebshalom.

Jeremy Strong gives a speech during an event celebrating his long-standing creative partnership with Sam Gold and Amy Herzog, and their work on "An Enemy of the People" on Broadway, at The Fifth Avenue Hotel, June 11, 2024

Then there’s the Fifth’s crowning glory, Café Carmellini, a restaurant that has become an instant hit with New York’s foodie set. “Head chef Andrew Carmellini has done a masterful job of marrying Italian and French cooking with a classic New York feel,” Ohebshalom says, a sentiment echoed in the New Yorker among others. “My favourite dish there is the Duck Duck Duck tortellini. The sauce is totally addictive.”

Here, Ohebshalom shares his top recommendations for where to eat, drink and shop in New York.

“In the West Village, there’s this really wonderful trattoria called Via Carota. I love this restaurant for the traditional Italian fare; it’s all-day dining, very consistent. [Then in] NoMad-slash-Flatiron, there’s this really amazing lunch spot called S&P: a classic old-school New York lunch counter, perfect for a quick bite, [with] arguably the best pastrami sandwich you’ll find in New York. Their sandwich the S&P Regular has got cherry peppers on the pastrami. Just out of control.”

“For something casual, with a great outdoor patio, there’s a new spot in the Penn district, not too far from NoMad: Bar Primi. Really fantastic Italian cuisine.”

“C’H’C’M’, on Bond Street down in the Noho district, has this insanely curated selection of Japanese, European and American brands, perfect for every season. The last thing I got from there was a loose-fitting, black, Japanese blazer for the fall. [Then] there’s a store called Stòffa down on Grand Street in SoHo; a beautifully inviting space informed by timeless design. I recently had a made-to-measure, double-breasted, stone-coloured suit done there.”

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“I love this place down in the West Village called Oslo Coffee Roasters. It’s very small – there’s like six, seven seats in there – but they’re [an] amazing artisanal roaster. I love walking around the West Village, so I’ll pop in there and grab an Americano and maybe do some work. But my go-to, for many, many years, is La Colombe – any location. I’m always heavily reliant on their product. They’re super dependable.”

“It sounds like a bias, but it’s not. In the back of our hotel on the ground floor, we created this really beautiful bar called The Portrait Bar. It’s one of the most indulgent retreats in the city: you have a collection of one-of-a-kind portraiture hung all over wood-panelled walls, and the cocktail list is inspired by the collective travels of the people that created the hotel. It’s an amazing place to get lost in. Otherwise, close to Nomad, there’s a bar called Martiny’s – great cocktails, classic vibe. It’s become a favourite of our beverage director, Darryl Chan”.

“Madison Square Park is really pushing the envelope [by] featuring some really great sculpture artists that are routinely coming into the park and showcasing their work. I feel like I’m in this little oasis in the middle of the city when I’m there. I love to walk along in Chelsea on the far West Side, 27th Street, where all the small boutique galleries are, [like] Pace Gallery. A block south of us in NoMad is the Rizzoli bookstore – world-class illustrative coffee table books. And then, of course, there’s the New York Public Library on Fifth Avenue, which I love spending time at.”

The Best Last-Minute Weekend Getaways From New York City

N ew York City: capital of commerce, capital of culture, and to many people, the center of the universe. But every now and again, even the most die-hard New Yorkers will admit to needing an escape from the city’s draining hustle and bustle. Luckily for them—and for you—NYC has an abundance of last-minute getaways on offer. Here, we’ve put together a short list of some of the best of the best, with a keen eye for what’s new, what’s fabulous, and what’s going to properly recharge your batteries.

The Hamptons might be hot, but it’s cooler upstate—that’s what the numerous artists, designers, and restaurateurs who have relocated to this region over the last 15 years would say, anyway. The once-sleepy Hudson Valley has pulsed with renewed activity in recent years, and the good news is that it’s become a utopia of swoon-worthy hotels ripe for your next escape. This expansive region is easily accessed via both car and train from New York, and is a veritable choose-your-own adventure of getaways.

Check out the modern, design-forward cabins and delectable spa at Piaule in Catskill. Hiking, rock climbing, and outdoor pursuits of all sorts are king at the old-school Mohonk Mountain House . Those looking for lower-impact activities to enrich their upstate time should consider Wildflower Farms, Auberge Resorts Collection , which offers a range of experiences, like feeding the on-site chickens and donkeys, floral focaccia-making workshops, and painting and pottery classes taught by local artists.

And not that you need to do a lot of convincing to get us to venture upstate, but Wildflower Farms also has a long-standing partnership with Mercedes-Benz, in which specific properties maintain a fleet of three to six of the automaker’s luxury vehicles at all times, for guests to use on and off the road (as well as a number of exclusive benefits just for Mercedes-Benz owners). There’s a ton to explore—and it would take literally years to do it all—but you’ll walk away from even a single getaway here amazed at how quickly you can get from Manhattan’s city streets to the bucolic, tranquil countryside.

Again, no shade to the Hamptons, but North Fork is our next great suggestion for a getaway, especially if you’re a foodie. If the Hamptons are all about see-and-be-seen hot spots, North Fork is where to go for farm stands, unpretentious restaurants, and winemakers like Macari Vineyards and Peconic Bay Vineyards . In Greenport, the must-book restaurant of the moment is Anker, which cooks up a contemporary take on local and seasonal bounty—like monkey bread doused in lemon-nori butter, or grilled fish collars with rosemary lemon barbecue sauce.

The hotels here have a particularly unpretentious air about them—so when you’re in North Fork, there’s a real sense that you can let your hair down, enjoy some local food and wine, and connect to the beauty of the landscape without waiting in line at the Surf Lodge or steaming your tennis whites for a trip to the Maidstone Club. The recently renovated Silver Sands Motel in Greenport includes several nods to the region’s midcentury-modern heyday, and a killer waterfront location that is tough to beat. Make sure to grab a meal at on-site diner Nookies , which offers indulgent old-school milkshakes and smash burgers.

Ah, Newport. In its heyday a warm-weather respite for Manhattan’s Gilded Age elite, this seaside town still teems with activity and goings-on in the summer months. Order some Veuve Clicquot fieldside at a Newport Polo match, tour the mansions of Bellevue Avenue, and channel your very own Gilded Age moment by securing tickets to the annual Preservation Society of Newport County’s Summer Dinner Dance . And as one of the great sailing capitals of the world, this is also a great getaway if you’re looking to get out on the water with a sailboat charter .

As for where to rest your head, there is no shortage of fabulous options in this town. Castle Hill Inn , a historic mansion on a prime stretch of shore at the mouth of Newport Harbor, was a favorite of screen legend Grace Kelly’s and offers some of the best waterfront views in town. The Chanler at Cliff Walk sits advantageously, as its name implies, at the top of Newport’s famous Cliff Walk, a seaside walking trail with enviable views of the town’s historic mansions. For something in the center of the action, however, book a room (or at least stop by for the infamous spicy margaritas) at darling newcomer Gardiner House —it’s by the waterfront, just steps off the main drag, Thames Street.

Maine might be a longer drive from New York than, say, the Hudson Valley or points east on Long Island. But if you’re willing to invest just a little more time on the road (or on a quick, painless flight up to Portland), you’ll be rewarded with stunning seashores, a secluded atmosphere, and all the lobster rolls your heart desires. Or, as the state’s slogan so aptly puts it: “Maine, the way life should be.”

You’ll want to focus your getaway on the coastal regions. Rub shoulders with the Bush family in Kennebunkport, where you can stay at the tony Cape Arundel Inn overlooking the Atlantic, or just a few blocks away at the Kennebunkport Captains Collection (a group of refurbished historic sea captains’ homes). For a different side of Maine, visit York—where the adorable, newly renovated Nevada Hotel offers minimalist-meets-retro rooms, many with ocean views. Speaking of views, it is hard to beat the luxurious Cliff House : this sprawling resort occupies 70 oceanfront acres atop a dramatic 90-foot cliff. The Maine coast positively sings during the summer months, but is truly a delight to visit at any time of year, especially in the autumn once the foliage changes colors and the summer crowds thin out.

And any Maine adventure should include at least one night in Portland, widely considered one of the best food cities in the country. Check into a room at the Weldon , a brand-new collection of one- and two-bedroom suites in one of downtown Portland’s converted mill buildings. It’s conveniently located just a few short minutes from Twelve , one of Maine’s toughest tables to book—we recommend reserving one of the coveted bar seats, where you’ll have a front row view into the dramatic open kitchen.

Pink sand beaches, pastel-hued homes, friendly locals—there’s a lot to love about Bermuda. And believe it or not, the flight here is so short that on a busy weekend, it can be quicker to fly to this Atlantic island than to drive to the Hamptons.

The main island of Bermuda may be just 21 miles long, but it offers a wealth of fabulous hotels. The island’s grande dame is the Hamilton Princess Hotel & Beach Club , in the center of Hamilton and with a shuttle to the resort’s own nearby private beach club. If some secluded beach time is more your speed, however, check out the St. Regis Bermuda Resort , nestled on the northern tip of the island in St. George’s, and dramatically perched on the beachfront next to Fort St. Catherine.

The seafood, the infamous rum swizzles at the Swizzle Inn , the island attractions like the Crystal Caves —for an island fix this close to NYC, it’s tough to beat Bermuda. The island feels most itself in the peak summer months, but offers temperate, subtropical weather year-round. If the winter blues are getting you down, consider visiting in February for “Spa Month,” when a number of the island’s best spas offer steep discounts.

The history, the food, the nearby beaches—there’s a reason the Holy City has swelled with popularity in recent years. There are dozens—and we mean dozens—of adorable boutique hotels in Charleston, but the buzziest of late has been the Pinch . It is centrally located on popular King Street, in a series of meticulously restored historic structures, and its signature restaurant, Lowland , offers a contemporary take on classic low-country cuisine. The grilled local grouper with creamy sweet corn and shishito peppers? Inspired.

For a jaunt outside the city proper, check out the brand-new the Dunlin, Auberge Resorts Collection —the epitome of low-country chic, surrounded by 2,000 bucolic acres of Kiawah River waterfront. The resort offers a rich array of experiences, from moonlit evening paddles and fishing charters to private boat rides to nearby Edisto Beach. For a getaway packed with history, food, and beaches all in one go, Charleston is your spot.

People really underestimate just how close and convenient Cancún International Airport is to New York—in about four hours flat, you can leave the city behind in exchange for tropical weather, unending beaches, and vast jungles. Of course, you’ll want to hightail it out of Cancún proper as soon as you land, so you can leave the rowdy spring breakers behind. Make your way south to Casa Chablé , an intimate and luxurious beachfront lodge perched on an isolated peninsula surrounded by the enormous, unspoiled Sian Ka’an Reserve. Put your phone on airplane mode, go barefoot the entire time, you do you—this is the type of spot that Mexican beach vacation dreams are made of.

For a different type of beach vacation, set your sights on the newly opened Sha Wellness Clinic Mexico , in Costa Mujeres, just north of Cancún proper. This is the debut Americas outpost of the iconic Spanish wellness retreat, which boasts the likes of Gwyneth Paltrow and Naomi Campbell as fans. It may not be the tacos-and-margaritas take on Mexico that most Americans know and love, but you can check in for an intensive wellness program that last from four days to three weeks, in which a team of wellness practitioners will use the latest technologies to whip your mind and body back into shape.

Three and a half hours. That’s how quickly you can get from NYC to having your toes in the white sand beaches of Turks and Caicos. In terms of luxury, this small British Overseas Territory is one of the best in the Caribbean region, offering an excellent culinary scene, some of the best diving and snorkeling in the world, and waters so turquoise and sand so white, they’re almost blinding.

Accommodations here run the gamut from secluded villas to full-service resorts. Opened in 2023, Rock House offers a mix of poolside studios up to two-bedroom oceanfront villas, built directly into the limestone cliffs on Providenciales’ north side. On the even-more-luxury end of the spectrum, the decadent Amanyara leads the way, situated in the Northwest Point Marine National Park, far away from the crowds. Not secluded enough for you? Hop a private charter to the nearby Como Parrot Cay , an iconic resort where Donna Karan and Christie Brinkley own villas. Wherever you land, you’ll feel amazed at how easily it was to get there from New York—just a quick flight from home, yet worlds away.

• 9 Picturesque Towns in New York for a Weekend Retreat in 2024

Despite the state's famous attractions—not just the Big Apple— New York City is largely a concrete jungle, making one yearn for a retreat. Offering to exchange the unending city pace for the undulating natural serenity, these nine small towns are idyllic for a weekend retreat in 2024. The serene atmosphere is enhanced by their unique natural surroundings, from the Adirondacks in Lake George and Saranac to Trumansburg of the Finger Lakes.

Walking through Chatham Downtown is like traveling through Americana, albeit an eclectic mix of comfort stays and fine-dining restaurants. From Our Daily Bread Deli for a java companion to kickstart your morning to the events and a Ferris wheel at the Columbia County Fair Grounds, Chatham has lots to experience. See what musical is playing nearby at Mac-Haydn Theatre, an intimate, 350-seat theater presenting Broadway revivals and kids' shows. Home to small-town hotspots like Lagonia's Bistro, Crow Cottage, a gift shop, and Chatham Brewing, the local favorite watering hole, which is a stroll away from the Stony Kill.

The proudest feature of downtown Chatham is the Main's clock tower from 1872, which is in working order for a selfie or a short video backdrop. Also on the Main, Bimi's Cheese Shop is unmissable for a fine selection of local cheeses, plus coffee and a bakery to fuel your ventures. Once you feel winded, the over-40-year-old Chatham Book Store complements a shopping spree, offering a lovely space for leisurely browsing before Chatham Grill for dinner. Smith's Pond to the west and Borden's, a hiking area just east, offer the outdoors from the doorstep of your lovely stay, like Art Park, a small, stylish inn with a hot tub.

Exuding a relaxing vibe, Freeport is a charming town at the base of Long Island, steeped in watery views and town greens. Its South Shore Blueway Trail attracts non-motorized boaters to sail along a recreational, environmentally friendly waterway in between parks, historic sites, and nature areas. You can reroute to another stream or stop for a greenway bike ride or a hike that connects to more preserves, parks, wetlands, and islands within the South Shore Estuary Reserve. Hibiscus on the Mile is a must-hit for seafood lovers, while Coral House is a multi-menu American restaurant in a beautiful building next to Milburn Creek Park. Nearby, Baldwin Bowl & Lounge—Ultra Lanes is an energetic spot for bowling, with food and big screens, plus a lounge.

The 2.693-acre Waterfront Park offers a playground, a large picnic area with two pavilions, and waterfront walking paths with a fishing area and a scenic gazebo overlooking Little Swift Creek and Baldwin Bay. Its astronomy program is free to join on Tuesday evenings in July and August. You don't have to leave the bayfront for dinner on the cozy outdoor patio at Sonny's Canal House, or go for the breezy and informal Bracco's Clam & Oyster Bar, serving raw and cooked seafood bites with tropical drinks. From the Freeport Inn and Marina, you have easy access to the 171-acre waterfront park and preserve, Cow Meadow Park, with a marina, fishing, sports fields, and hiking trails. In the north, Martin Luther King, Jr. Park offers two free outdoor swimming pools for families.

Nestled up against Rondout Creek, High Falls is just a short trip from NYC , perfect for a weekend jaunt. Across the Lucas Turnpike from the larger town of Stone Ridge, High Falls offers an enviable laidback feel and mix of natural features. The small Ulster County hamlet, once known for its canal and named after the 150-foot eponymous waterfall in the Hudson Valley, is a premier town in the Hudson Valley. High Falls attracts antiquers and dining enthusiasts with homey places like Ollie's Pizza. Sky Lake Lodge is a popular stay in town as well. Stop by D&H Canal Historical, a museum bordering the former waterway and D&H Canal Roebling Bridge.

A trip to High Falls is incomplete without a hike to the waterfall, complete with a lovely picnic in the mist. South of town, Table Rocks attract hikers with its unique features, which allow them to scramble around and enjoy a one-on-one photo shoot with nature. The town also features tiny galleries, the Well of Souls, and the opportunity to pick up a pretty bouquet for someone special at the cute Green Cottage. The tasteful Wired Gallery showcases area artists, while the Spy Social Eatery and Bar is a destination in itself, offering New American fare with veggie picks and wine galore in farmhouse digs and a screened porch. Stop next door at the High Falls flea market, popular among visitors to browse for a special memory of the town.

Lake George

Home to under 3,500, Lake George is a small town with a huge personality on a serene namesake lake. Displaying a true Adirondacks spirit through heritage and natural beauty, there's more than a weekend getaway worth of relaxation and intrigue. Steeped in Colonial and Revolutionary War history, the Fort William Henry Museum reminisces on its strategic importance during the French and Indian conflict. Many enjoy the tour around the waterfront fort, including pretty lake views during live demonstrations of musket and cannon firing. The nearby Million Dollar Beach is open from late May through early September and is free to the public. It includes showers, lifeguards, picnic areas, and a boat launch—just pay for parking. The couples enjoy a memorable cruise on a historic vessel with Lake George Steamboat Company.

Prospect Mountain Highway offers lovely overlooks on a drive, including the lake in a colorful frame of fall. Enjoy leaf-peeping along Prospect Mountain Hiking Trail or a snowshoeing adventure in the winter. Barnsider Smokehouse BBQ is a hiker's favorite for an array of smoked meats plus classic American comfort fare, sides, and beer on an ample patio. You'll be tripping over accommodation options here, but Admiral Motel is a top-rated budget stay by the water. The waterfront Shepard Park delights families from the doorstep, with beach access, a playground, and an amphitheater for summer concerts. After an adventure with Kayak Lake George, grab a drink at the cabin-like Garrison on a patio with live music. No family visit is complete without the pirate-themed 18-hole minigolf among waterfalls and caves.

Marking the easternmost part of Long Island , Montauk is a world-renowned destination with a laidback vibe and nature advantage in between many beaches and pristine coastal parks. From boating to paddling and fishing, the proud Montauk Point Lighthouse is perched at the very tip. Built in 1796, it is the nation's fourth-oldest and the oldest active lighthouse in New York. Montauk County Park offers a sprawling waterfront with a pond and horseback riding trails, plus the site of the first US cattle ranch. Next to Lake Montauk, the large Ditch Plains Beach is popular among watersport lovers and families alike for surfing, swimming, and sunbathing along the sands in scenic views. You don't have to go far for a bite—just a hop to Duryea's Montauk, a unique self-serve waterfront eatery.

Montauk Downs State Park offers a pool, tennis courts, and an 18-hole golf course designed by Robert Trent Jones, Sr. For those visiting in winter or looking for cultural experiences or a relaxing stay, Montauk boasts some pretty options, like Ocean Vista Resort, plus fine dining through excellent restaurants. Navy Beach Restaurant serves simple seafood and burgers with outdoor seats and a nautical interior, while Harvest on Fort Pond has the bygone era feel, serving platters of Tuscan-style Italian cooking, family-style, waterfront. For serenity, escape to the nearby white-sanded Kirk Park Beach. Between here and the next town along the peninsula sprawls Hither Woods Preserve.

Saranac Lake

Follow the beautiful stretch of road through the Adirondacks High Peaks region, past Keene and the touristy Lake Placid . Welcome to Saranac Lake , a real nature lover’s paradise, feeling secluded against the edge of McKenzie Mountain Wilderness. Tangled amid forest trails and dirt roads, Saranac Lake exudes authentic small-town Adirondack vibes, blending adventure with a tagline, “decidedly different," into four seasons of outdoor attractions. This Upstate destination offers a winter wonderland under the snowy conditions, with access to the Whiteface Mountain's signature skiing slopes. Stop by the French-inspired Blue Moon Café and stay along Lake Flower at Sara Placid Inn & Suites.

The springtime rivers are full-flowing, and ponds filled with snowmelt transform the surrounding scenery into lush landscapes. In the summer, enjoy the lake for paddling and swimming, plus adventurous hikes like Baker Mountain Trailhead east to Mount Baker Peak. Spring through fall hiking is as bountiful and uncrowded as the vast Adirondacks landscapes. Having dubbed itself "The Adirondacks' Coolest Place," there is a slew of proof amid stunning mountains. From Robert Louis Stevenson Cottage, buried in the wilderness, to the antiquated Adirondack Carousel with carved horses and historic themes downtown, Saranac Lake is sure to impress, alongside Red Fox, which offers delicious dining away from the crowds.

Nestled between the Hudson River and the Catskill Mountains , this Mid Hudson Valley town is one of New York’s coolest, with Overlook Mountain views to the west. Its small downtown area bathes in natural beauty, history, and small-town charm through antique shops, cafés, and art galleries. Calling for a relaxing afternoon stroll, the lovely commercial district stretches along the easily walkable Main and Partition streets. Opus 40, an environmental sculpture and museum, was created by sculptor and quarryman Harvey Fite. Attracting culture fans and the curious from around the nation, this series of dry-stone ramps, pedestals, and platforms sprawls over 6.5 acres of bluestone. Saugerties is also known for its historic Saugerties Lighthouse.

Dating back to 1869, the lighthouse at the Esopus Creek intersection doubles as a luxurious bed and breakfast with two rooms for a memorable or romantic overnight stay. Guests have access to the top of the tower for stunning views of the river and the surrounding landscapes. Nearby, the gentle half-mile winding trail through wetlands presents birding opportunities. From the Indian Head Wilderness to the steep and rocky Devil's Trail ascending five peaks, with rock formations, waterfalls, and views of the Catskills, Saugerties can satisfy any outdoor craving. For an epic weekend getaway, take a stroll through Falling Waters Preserve and Esopus Creek Conservatory, plus a stop at the Catskill Animal Sanctuary.

Sleepy Hollow

Just 25 miles north of the Big Apple in Westchester County, visit the main inspiration for Washington Irving's “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow.” Sleepy Hollow , a real-world Halloween-themed village within the town of Mount Pleasant, is one of New York's most picturesque. Complete with a rustic lighthouse circa the 1880s and historic residences like Philipsburg Manor, Sleepy Hollow offers a fun and laidback feel year-round within scenic natural surroundings. Take a stroll through the serene Sleepy Hollow Cemetery, the final resting place of many real-life characters from the tale. For dinner, Bridge View Tavern welcomes patrons with an array of microbrews and pub grub, while Tarrytown House Estate on The Hudson may set you back but is worth the pretty buck.

Boasting the pet-friendly Scenic Hudson Riverwalk, a beautiful stroll or setting for a picnic, enjoy the mountain views across the river, the Tappan Zee bridge, and the lighthouse, particularly at sunset. Just south, Lyndhurst Mansion is a stunning 19th-century Gothic Revival mansion on a 67-acre estate with self-guided audio tours. Stop by the historic Kykuit, the Rockefeller estate, a landmark with tours of a 40-room home, gardens, and art collection, plus panoramic views. The next-door Washington Irving's Sunnyside is the famed author's charming riverfront house, complete with costumed guides and scenic gardens. Rockefeller State Park Preserve features a system of historic carriage roads through woodlands, meadows, and fields. Oh, and this town just celebrated its 150th birthday!

Trumansburg

Due to the misspelling of the founder's name, Abner Treman, welcome to Trumansburg, which actually does remind you of The Truman Show thanks to its idyllic feel. With Trumansburg Creek through the heart and Taughannock Creek just south, the locals enjoy access to creekside strolls. Minutes from the long Cayuga Lake's western shore, make a quick drive to the lakefront Frontenac Point Vineyard & Estate Winery, perfect for the harvest season's bounty of tastings and views. This Finger Lakes town boasts a fantastic highlight, the Taughannock Falls. Play a round at Trumansburg Golf Course and take the 3/4-mile Gorge Trail to the 215-foot Taughannock Falls, the tallest waterfall east of the Rockies.

Meanwhile, the 16 Elm Heritage Hotel is a top-rated stay, and Hazelnut Kitchen serves farm-to-table fare, like chicken schnitzel, complete with a wine list. The next-door Trumansburg Main Street Market is the organic hotspot in town. The Spa at Gothic Eves offers relaxation after a hike, or choose from the many wineries in the area, like Idiot Brothers Cider. More into suds? How about imbibing local culture at Garrett's microbrewery? Next to the old, columned Ulysses Philomathic Library, stop by Ulysses Historical Society and don't miss the unique Salmon Pottery Gallery & Studio for viewing or a class to make pottery. Atlas Bowl is a popular bowling alley, while Falls Restaurant & Catering serves American fare away from the downtown action.

Yearning for a memorable weekend of tranquility with adventures at your fingertips? Saugerties offers a vibrant mix of attractions for an epic weekend getaway, including Opus 40 and the historic Saugerties Lighthouse, which doubles as a romantic B&B. Freeport boasts the South Shore Blueway Trail, Saranac Lake offers access to Whiteface Mountain's signature skiing slopes, and Lake George is a leaf-peeping paradise along Prospect Mountain Hiking Trail. Each as different as the sprawling Empire allows, the one-of-a-kind attractions cater to different interests.

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Sweeping Raids, Giant Camps and Mass Deportations: Inside Trump’s 2025 Immigration Plans

If he regains power, Donald Trump wants not only to revive some of the immigration policies criticized as draconian during his presidency, but expand and toughen them.

Donald Trump wants to reimpose a Covid 19-era policy of refusing asylum claims — this time basing that refusal on assertions that migrants carry other infectious diseases like tuberculosis. Credit... Doug Mills/The New York Times

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By Charlie Savage Maggie Haberman and Jonathan Swan

• Nov. 11, 2023

Former President Donald J. Trump is planning an extreme expansion of his first-term crackdown on immigration if he returns to power in 2025 — including preparing to round up undocumented people already in the United States on a vast scale and detain them in sprawling camps while they wait to be expelled.

The plans would sharply restrict both legal and illegal immigration in a multitude of ways.

Mr. Trump wants to revive his first-term border policies, including banning entry by people from certain Muslim-majority nations and reimposing a Covid 19-era policy of refusing asylum claims — though this time he would base that refusal on assertions that migrants carry other infectious diseases like tuberculosis.

He plans to scour the country for unauthorized immigrants and deport people by the millions per year.

To help speed mass deportations, Mr. Trump is preparing an enormous expansion of a form of removal that does not require due process hearings. To help Immigration and Customs Enforcement carry out sweeping raids, he plans to reassign other federal agents and deputize local police officers and National Guard soldiers voluntarily contributed by Republican-run states.

To ease the strain on ICE detention facilities, Mr. Trump wants to build huge camps to detain people while their cases are processed and they await deportation flights. And to get around any refusal by Congress to appropriate the necessary funds, Mr. Trump would redirect money in the military budget, as he did in his first term to spend more on a border wall than Congress had authorized.

In a public reference to his plans, Mr. Trump told a crowd in Iowa in September: “Following the Eisenhower model, we will carry out the largest domestic deportation operation in American history.” The reference was to a 1954 campaign to round up and expel Mexican immigrants that was named for an ethnic slur — “ Operation Wetback .”

The constellation of Mr. Trump’s 2025 plans amounts to an assault on immigration on a scale unseen in modern American history. Millions of undocumented immigrants would be barred from the country or uprooted from it years or even decades after settling here.

Such a scale of planned removals would raise logistical, financial and diplomatic challenges and would be vigorously challenged in court. But there is no mistaking the breadth and ambition of the shift Mr. Trump is eyeing.

In a second Trump presidency, the visas of foreign students who participated in anti-Israel or pro-Palestinian protests would be canceled. U.S. consular officials abroad will be directed to expand ideological screening of visa applicants to block people the Trump administration considers to have undesirable attitudes. People who were granted temporary protected status because they are from certain countries deemed unsafe, allowing them to lawfully live and work in the United States, would have that status revoked.

Similarly, numerous people who have been allowed to live in the country temporarily for humanitarian reasons would also lose that status and be kicked out, including tens of thousands of the Afghans who were evacuated amid the 2021 Taliban takeover and allowed to enter the United States. Afghans holding special visas granted to people who helped U.S. forces would be revetted to see if they really did.

And Mr. Trump would try to end birthright citizenship for babies born in the United States to undocumented parents — by proclaiming that policy to be the new position of the government and by ordering agencies to cease issuing citizenship-affirming documents like Social Security cards and passports to them. That policy’s legal legitimacy, like nearly all of Mr. Trump’s plans, would be virtually certain to end up before the Supreme Court.

In interviews with The New York Times, several Trump advisers gave the most expansive and detailed description yet of Mr. Trump’s immigration agenda in a potential second term. In particular, Mr. Trump’s campaign referred questions for this article to Stephen Miller, an architect of Mr. Trump’s first-term immigration policies who remains close to him and is expected to serve in a senior role in a second administration.

All of the steps Trump advisers are preparing, Mr. Miller contended in a wide-ranging interview, rely on existing statutes; while the Trump team would likely seek a revamp of immigration laws, the plan was crafted to need no new substantive legislation. And while acknowledging that lawsuits would arise to challenge nearly every one of them, he portrayed the Trump team’s daunting array of tactics as a “blitz” designed to overwhelm immigrant-rights lawyers.

“Any activists who doubt President Trump’s resolve in the slightest are making a drastic error: Trump will unleash the vast arsenal of federal powers to implement the most spectacular migration crackdown,” Mr. Miller said, adding, “The immigration legal activists won’t know what’s happening.”

Todd Schulte, the president of FWD.us, an immigration and criminal justice advocacy group that repeatedly fought the Trump administration, said the Trump team’s plans relied on “xenophobic demagoguery” that appeals to his hardest-core political base.

“Americans should understand these policy proposals are an authoritarian, often illegal, agenda that would rip apart nearly every aspect of American life — tanking the economy, violating the basic civil rights of millions of immigrants and native-born Americans alike,” Mr. Schulte said.

‘Poisoning the Blood’

Since Mr. Trump left office, the political environment on immigration has moved in his direction. He is also more capable now of exploiting that environment if he is re-elected than he was when he first won election as an outsider.

The ebbing of the Covid-19 pandemic and resumption of travel flows have helped stir a global migrant crisis, with millions of Venezuelans and Central Americans fleeing turmoil and Africans arriving in Latin American countries before continuing their journey north . Amid the record numbers of migrants at the southern border and beyond it in cities like New York and Chicago, voters are frustrated and even some Democrats are calling for tougher action against immigrants and pressuring the White House to better manage the crisis.

Mr. Trump and his advisers see the opening, and now know better how to seize it. The aides Mr. Trump relied upon in the chaotic early days of his first term were sometimes at odds and lacked experience in how to manipulate the levers of federal power. By the end of his first term, cabinet officials and lawyers who sought to restrain some of his actions — like his Homeland Security secretary and chief of staff, John F. Kelly — had been fired, and those who stuck with him had learned much.

In a second term, Mr. Trump plans to install a team that will not restrain him.

Since much of Mr. Trump’s first-term immigration crackdown was tied up in the courts, the legal environment has tilted in his favor: His four years of judicial appointments left behind federal appellate courts and a Supreme Court that are far more conservative than the courts that heard challenges to his first-term policies.

The fight over Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals provides an illustration.

DACA is an Obama-era program that shields from deportation and grants work permits to people who were brought unlawfully to the United States as children. Mr. Trump tried to end it, but the Supreme Court blocked him on procedural grounds in June 2020.

Mr. Miller said Mr. Trump would try again to end DACA. And the 5-4 majority of the Supreme Court that blocked the last attempt no longer exists: A few months after the DACA ruling, Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg died and Mr. Trump replaced her with a sixth conservative, Justice Amy Coney Barrett.

Mr. Trump’s rhetoric has more than kept up with his increasingly extreme agenda on immigration.

His stoking of fear and anger toward immigrants — pushing for a border wall and calling Mexicans rapists — fueled his 2016 takeover of the Republican Party. As president, he privately mused about developing a militarized border like Israel’s, asked whether migrants crossing the border could be shot in the legs and wanted a proposed border wall topped with flesh-piercing spikes and painted black to burn migrants’ skin.

As he has campaigned for the party’s third straight presidential nomination, his anti-immigrant tone has only grown harsher. In a recent interview with a right-wing website , Mr. Trump claimed without evidence that foreign leaders were deliberately emptying their “insane asylums” to send the patients across America’s southern border as migrants. He said migrants were “ poisoning the blood of our country .” And at a rally on Wednesday in Florida , he compared them to the fictional serial killer and cannibal Hannibal Lecter, saying, “That’s what’s coming into our country right now.”

Mr. Trump had similarly vowed to carry out mass deportations when running for office in 2016, but the government only managed several hundred thousand removals per year under his presidency, on par with other recent administrations. If they get another opportunity, Mr. Trump and his team are determined to achieve annual numbers in the millions.

Keeping People Out

Mr. Trump’s immigration plan is to pick up where he left off and then go much farther. He would not only revive some of the policies that were criticized as draconian during his presidency, many of which the Biden White House ended, but also expand and toughen them.

One example centers on expanding first-term policies aimed at keeping people out of the country. Mr. Trump plans to suspend the nation’s refugee program and once again categorically bar visitors from troubled countries, reinstating a version of his ban on travel from several mostly Muslim-majority countries, which President Biden called discriminatory and ended on his first day in office .

Mr. Trump would also use coercive diplomacy to induce other nations to help, including by making cooperation a condition of any other bilateral engagement, Mr. Miller said. For example, a second Trump administration would seek to re-establish an agreement with Mexico that asylum seekers remain there while their claims are processed. (It is not clear that Mexico would agree ; a Mexican court has said that deal violated human rights .)

Mr. Trump would also push to revive “safe third country” agreements with several nations in Central America, and try to expand them to Africa, Asia and South America. Under such deals, countries agree to take would-be asylum seekers from specific other nations and let them apply for asylum there instead.

While such arrangements have traditionally only covered migrants who had previously passed through a third country, federal law does not require that limit and a second Trump administration would seek to make those deals without it, in part as a deterrent to migrants making what the Trump team views as illegitimate asylum claims.

At the same time, Mr. Miller said, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention would invoke the public health emergency powers law known as Title 42 to again refuse to hear any asylum claims by people arriving at the southern border. The Trump administration had internally discussed that idea early in Mr. Trump’s term, but some cabinet secretaries pushed back, arguing that there was no public health emergency that would legally justify it. The administration ultimately implemented it during the coronavirus pandemic.

Saying the idea has since gained acceptance in practice — Mr. Biden initially kept the policy — Mr. Miller said Mr. Trump would invoke Title 42, citing “severe strains of the flu, tuberculosis, scabies, other respiratory illnesses like R.S.V. and so on, or just a general issue of mass migration being a public health threat and conveying a variety of communicable diseases.”

Mr. Trump and his aides have not yet said whether they would re-enact one of the most contentious deterrents to unauthorized immigration that he pursued as president: separating children from their parents , which led to trauma among migrants and difficulties in reuniting families. When pressed, Mr. Trump has repeatedly declined to rule out reviving the policy . After an outcry over the practice, Mr. Trump ended it in 2018 and a judge later blocked the government from putting it back into effect.

Mass Deportations

Soon after Mr. Trump announced his 2024 campaign for president last November, he met with Tom Homan, who ran ICE for the first year and a half of the Trump administration and was an early proponent of separating families to deter migrants.

In an interview, Mr. Homan recalled that in that meeting, he “agreed to come back” in a second term and would “help to organize and run the largest deportation operation this country’s ever seen.”

Trump advisers’ vision of abrupt mass deportations would be a recipe for social and economic turmoil, disrupting the housing market and major industries including agriculture and the service sector.

Mr. Miller cast such disruption in a favorable light.

“Mass deportation will be a labor-market disruption celebrated by American workers, who will now be offered higher wages with better benefits to fill these jobs,” he said. “Americans will also celebrate the fact that our nation’s laws are now being applied equally, and that one select group is no longer magically exempt.”

One planned step to overcome the legal and logistical hurdles would be to significantly expand a form of fast-track deportations known as “expedited removal.” It denies undocumented immigrants the usual hearings and opportunity to file appeals, which can take months or years — especially when people are not in custody — and has led to a large backlog. A 1996 law says people can be subject to expedited removal for up to two years after arriving, but to date the executive branch has used it more cautiously, swiftly expelling people picked up near the border soon after crossing.

The Trump administration tried to expand the use of expedited removal , but a court blocked it and then the Biden team canceled the expansion. It remains unclear whether the Supreme Court will rule that it is constitutional to use the law against people who have been living for a significant period in the United States and express fear of persecution if sent home.

Mr. Trump has also said he would invoke an archaic law, the Alien Enemies Act of 1798 , to expel suspected members of drug cartels and criminal gangs without due process. That law allows for summary deportation of people from countries with which the United States is at war, that have invaded the United States or that have engaged in “predatory incursions.”

The Supreme Court has upheld past uses of that law in wartime. But its text seems to require a link to the actions of a foreign government , so it is not clear whether the justices will allow a president to stretch it to encompass drug cartel activity.

More broadly, Mr. Miller said a new Trump administration would shift from the ICE practice of arresting specific people to carrying out workplace raids and other sweeps in public places aimed at arresting scores of unauthorized immigrants at once.

To make the process of finding and deporting undocumented immigrants already living inside the country “radically more quick and efficient,” he said, the Trump team would bring in “ the right kinds of attorneys and the right kinds of policy thinkers” willing to carry out such ideas.

And because of the magnitude of arrests and deportations being contemplated, they plan to build “vast holding facilities that would function as staging centers” for immigrants as their cases progress and they wait to be flown to other countries.

Mr. Miller said the new camps would likely be built “on open land in Texas near the border.”

He said the military would construct them under the authority and control of the Department of Homeland Security. While he cautioned that there were no specific blueprints yet, he said the camps would look professional and similar to other facilities for migrants that have been built near the border .

Such camps could also enable the government to speed up the pace and volume of deportations of undocumented people who have lived in the United States for years and so are not subject to fast-track removal. If pursuing a long-shot effort to win permission to remain in the country would mean staying locked up in the interim, some may give up and voluntarily accept removal without going through the full process.

The use of these camps, Mr. Miller said, would likely be focused more on single adults because the government cannot indefinitely hold children under a longstanding court order known as the Flores settlement. So any families brought to the facilities would have to be moved in and out more quickly, he said.

The Trump administration tried to overturn the Flores settlement, but the Supreme Court did not resolve the matter before Mr. Trump’s term ended. Mr. Miller said the Trump team would try again.

To increase the number of agents available for ICE sweeps, Mr. Miller said, officials from other federal law enforcement agencies would be temporarily reassigned, and state National Guard troops and local police officers, at least from willing Republican-led states, would be deputized for immigration control efforts.

While a law known as the Posse Comitatus Act generally forbids the use of the armed forces for law enforcement purposes, another law called the Insurrection Act creates an exception. Mr. Trump would invoke the Insurrection Act at the border, enabling the use of federal troops to apprehend migrants, Mr. Miller said.

“Bottom line,” he said, “President Trump will do whatever it takes.”

Zolan Kanno-Youngs and Eileen Sullivan contributed reporting. Kitty Bennett contributed research.

Charlie Savage writes about national security and legal policy. He has been a journalist for more than two decades. More about Charlie Savage

Maggie Haberman is a senior political correspondent and the author of “Confidence Man: The Making of Donald Trump and the Breaking of America.” She was part of a team that won a Pulitzer Prize in 2018 for reporting on President Trump’s advisers and their connections to Russia. More about Maggie Haberman

Jonathan Swan is a political reporter who focuses on campaigns and Congress. As a reporter for Axios, he won an Emmy Award for his 2020 interview of then-President Donald J. Trump, and the White House Correspondents’ Association’s Aldo Beckman Award for “overall excellence in White House coverage” in 2022. More about Jonathan Swan

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