Concluding Updated on Feb one, 2022 past Nellie Huang

Planning a weekend in New York? Here's the perfect New York itinerary for those with 3 days in the Large Apple.

New York City, the urban center that never sleeps, the Big Apple, the Empire Land. Telephone call information technology what you will, New York is without a dubiousness the one of the greatest cities in the globe.

We've but returned from another Christmas trip to New York, and it was spectacular in every sense of the discussion. At that place's something special about New York City and its distinctive landmarks that go far unlike from anywhere else in the world. I've designed a ability-packed New York itinerary for beginning-time visitors who want to maximize their time in that location and see it all!

weekend in new york - 3 day new york itinerary

Weekend in New York

What You lot Need to Know near New York

New York Metropolis has five boroughs: Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, and Staten Island. I would recommend staying on Manhattan island as that's where virtually attractions are, merely it can exist very expensive (wait 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 volition exist visiting mainly Manhattan and Brooklyn.

brooklyn bridge new york weekend itinerary

Current Restrictions in New York

Currently everywhere in New York, anyone aged 5 and higher upmust bear witness proof of COVID vaccination to swallow indoors or visit whatever attraction/site. Those over 12 years old must present proof that they have received two vaccine doses of an FDA or WHO-approved vaccine or one dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. In addition to proof of vaccination, anyone above 2 years of historic period must vesture a mask indoors.

view from summit one vanderbilt new york

Become the New York CityPASS

It tin be expensive to spend a weekend in New York, especially if y'all're visiting NYC at Christmas. Entry tickets tin add up to a few hundred dollars in ane day. I propose getting the New York CityPASS to save some money, as information technology volition give you lot access to some of the nearly pop things to see in town at heavily discounted rates.

The New York CityPASS costs USD$136, just it gives you lot free access to many popular attractions, such every bit the Statue of Liberty, the 9/eleven 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!

3-24-hour interval New York Itinerary

New York Itinerary Day ane: 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 near famous landmarks, from Times Square to the newest attraction, SUMMIT One Vanderbilt. You lot can hands walk from one spot to some other, so put on your well-nigh comfy shoes.

Start at Central Park

There's no ameliorate 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 Westward Side.Enjoy your bagel at Fundamental Park, the 840-acre oasis that separates the Upper Westward and Upper Eastward sides of Manhattan.

There's a slew of things to do in Cardinal Park, including the Primal Park Zoo, the whimsical Dais 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' creative person John Lennon.

Explore the American Museum of Natural History

Located on the border of Central Park on Museum Mile, the the American Museum of Natural History is a must-visit peculiarly if you're exploring New York with kids. The iconic museum has been featured in many movies, including A Dark at the Museum (my kid was particularly excited to visit because of that!). There are over 34 one thousand thousand specimens of plants, animals, fossils, minerals, and artifacts, so plan at to the lowest degree 3 hours here. Be sure to book your tickets in accelerate to avoid waiting in line.

american natural history museum - new york itinerary 5 days

Walk along the 5th Artery

From in that location, stroll along the fifth Artery towards Rockefeller Centre. This is the globe's nearly expensive street, from the high-end shops to the penthouses that line the buildings on this street. It is also known every bit Millionaire'south Row or Museum Mile. If yous're in New York at Christmas, here's where you will detect the most Christmas lights and decorations. Call up to check out my guide on what to wear in New York in winter!

Curiosity at the Rockefeller Center

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 andSabbatum Night Alive.

You tin head up to the Top of the Rock Observation Deck for a view of the city (gratuitous with the New York CityPASS), but salvage that for the Summit One Vanderbilt instead! Call up to cease by the Radio City Hall right backside Rockefeller Middle, especially at Christmas.

Meet the Grand Cardinal Concluding

From Rockefeller, it's a 10-minute walk to the Grand Central Terminal, a glorious 100-year-old building of grand stature. In one case you enter through its doors, you'll see the centerpiece of the building: the angelic ceiling, which features the 12 zodiac constellations. Head downstairs for a quick seize with teeth at Shake Shack burger or a memorable meal at the historic Oyster Bar & Eating place.

grand central terminal

Head to the Acme of SUMMIT One Vanderbilt

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 iii levels of heed-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 fine 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 information technology's not included in the pass yet. Book your tickets in advance.

weekend in new york itinerary - summit one vanderbilt

See the Newest Attraction, the Vessel

A 20-minute walk away is some other one of New York's newest attractions: the Vessel. The threescore-ton sculpture, located at sleek cultural destination Hudson Yards, resembles a honeycomb. Others say the larger-than-life art installation designed past British architect Thomas Heatherwick is New York'due south version of the Eiffel Bout.

Comprised of 154 intricately interconnecting flights of stairs – almost 2500 private steps and 80 landings – the cool building sadly cannot be climbed now due to the increasing number of suicides happening there.

the vessel hudson yard - weekend in new york

Have Dinner in Midtown New York

Later such a long day, it'south time to care for yourself to a sumptuous dinner. With so many top-rated restaurants in Midtown, we've called some of the all-time 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 manner make this spot a huge hitting. Nosotros came here for Christmas dinner and it was admittedly gorgeous with over-the-superlative festive decorations. Book your table here.

Wander effectually Times Square

To end the night off, stroll over to Times Square and get lost in the bright lights and digital billboards that stretch betwixt the 42nd to 47th street. All of that energy is palpable, and you tin can easily tell why this is the epicenter of New York Metropolis. I spent New Year Eve's at Times Square ane twelvemonth and watched the ball drop amidst the biggest crowd I've ever seen!


New York Itinerary Solar day two: Venture Out to Ellis Isle

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. Information technology'south likewise dwelling house to Fort Clinton, the first immigration station in the Us, the SeaGlass carousel, and numerous memorials and monuments.

Take the Ferry to the Statue of Freedom & Ellis Island

From the ferry dock, accept 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 every bit a universal symbol of liberty and democracy. Information technology'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 costless tours of the museum, which you tin can sign up for when you're there.

Prepare to spend effectually five hours in total as y'all'll demand fourth dimension to get through security, grab the ferry, take photos and visit Ellis Island. Book these tickets if you prefer fast-track access.

How to Get to the Statue of Freedom

Tickets for the Statue of Liberty sell out very early, especially for climbing to the crown, so book way in accelerate!

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 bout here.

Culling Way to Run into the Statue of Liberty for Gratuitous!

If you're visiting New York on a budget, at that place is a way to run into the Statue of Freedom for free. Catch the free Staten Island ferry, a driver 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 become off at Staten Island). It runs 24 hours a day and 7 days a week. The ferries run every xxx minutes, on the hour and on the half-hour. You tin can even ride the ferry at night since it runs 24 hours a solar day! Merely yous can't get off at the Statue of Freedom, you lot'll simply be cruising by information technology.

statue of liberty - things to do in new york in a weekend

See the Wall Street Stock Exchange

Our next stop on this New York itinerary is the world-renown Wall Street Stock Commutation. The edifice is no longer open for tours. With the rising in electronic trading, at that place 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.

wall st - new york city weekend trip

Have Dinner in Chinatown

From Wall Street, y'all tin can either walk or take hold of the subway to Canal St. New York's Chinatown is one of the biggest in the earth. Ane of my favorites for authentic noodles is Great NY Noodletown. It's a no-frills Hongkong-style eating house with a series of roast duck and meat hanging on display. The honour-winningJoe's Shanghai is another popular spot in Chinatown, but fix to look in line. With so many famous dishes you may have a difficult time choosing, but brand sure you start with their soup dumplings.


New York Itinerary Solar day 3: Get to Know Brooklyn

On your last solar day in New York, head to Brooklyn, 1 of New York's virtually diverse boroughs. Ultra hip and trendy, Brooklyn is a hotspot for entrepreneurs, startups and artists. In contempo years, the neighborhoods of Brooklyn have seen a dramatic increase in gentrification.

Explore Dumbo Brooklyn

Start your forenoon at DUMBO – Downwardly Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass – one of New York'south most expensive neighborhoods. The closest subway station is York St station. But xx years ago, it was an industrial surface area where few people lived, merely now it's a hotbed of dining, recreation and shopping with not bad views of the Lower Manhattan skyline. Be sure to stop by the bookstore, Powerhouse Arena; they accept a dandy collection of books on New York.

Head to the Almost Popular Instagram Spot in Brooklyn

Many people flock to Washington Street between Front end and H2o Streets to capture a shot that features Dumbo'due south cobblestone streets, the Manhattan Span, and the Empire State Building. You're almost certain to see many people taking the aforementioned photograph—making it sort of a meta-attraction.

dumbo brooklyn - new york weekend

Snack at Time Out Marketplace

Stop by the Time Out Market for some luncheon. The market brings together some of New York'south pinnacle culinary talent, all curated by our editorial squad. Don't miss the delicious ice cream from Carbohydrate Hill Creamery, expertly crafted pizza fromFornino and homestyle Thai nutrient fromWayla.

Grab a Prove at St Ann's Warehouse

Beyond the road, you'll discover St Ann's Warehouse, a roomy warehouse space that hosts cutting-edge theater performances & progressive musicians. The 19th-century space is an allure in itself; feel gratuitous to sit in the public garden, whether or not you're at that place for a show.

st ann's warehouse - three days in new york

Hang Out at Brooklyn Bridge Park

Walk along the waterfront to reach the Brooklyn Span Park. This 85-acre waterfront area had largely fallen into decay for years after manufacture left, but it'southward at present been transformed into a park where residents become fresh air, play sports, and savor skyline views. This is the best spot to photograph the Brooklyn Bridge.

Cantankerous the Brooklyn Span

Finally it's time to walk across the Brooklyn Bridge! Attempt to do this before lunch, as the morning sun volition be at your back and you can still perfectly run into the Manhattan skyline. Stretching across the Eastward River, the iconic Brooklyn Span opened upward back in 1883 to carry traffic betwixt Lower Manhattan and Brooklyn. Nearly people accept 1 60 minutes to cross the Brooklyn Bridge.

Relax at the City Hall Park

Once yous cross the span, you'll detect yourself at the Urban center hall Park, a corking identify for people watching. Surrounded by centuries-onetime imperial government buildings that appointment dorsum to 1812, this park provides a much-needed green spot in a bustling downtown surface area.

Visit the 9/11 Memorial and Museum

A xv-minute walk away is the 9/xi Memorial and Museum, which commemorates the lives lost in the tragedies of the September xi, 2001 attacks likewise equally the 1993 World Trade Centre 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 human made waterfalls in North America. The names of anybody who passed in the 2001 and 1993 attacks are engraved around the pools.

To avoid waiting hours in line, it's best tobuy tickets ahead of time for the museum. Ticket prices start at $26 per adults – It'southward gratis with your New York CityPASS.

9/11 memorial plaza - things to do in nyc

Get Diddled Abroad at the Oculus

Across the street you'll notice a large white building with steel, wing-shaped tips reaching toward the sky. That'due south the Oculus, a transportation hub congenital alongside the One World Trade Centre later 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 outside.

It's free to enter and walk around. The best time to visit is 11 a.thou.-3 p.yard. and after 7 p.m. Go to the second level where y'all can capture the steel ribs of the roof above.

the oculus - new york itinerary

Dinner & Drinks at Daintree NYC

On your last evening in New York, head upward to the hip Daintree NYC on the rooftop of Hotel Hendricks. The stylish rooftop bar is a great spot to go watch the dusk and see the Empire State building light up by night. It's non very high, but you still become a spectacular view of the environs. All-time of all, not many know about this bar just yet, and then get in that location shortly.

Cocktails are priced at $18 and food is merely as pricey, but you lot'll be spending the same here as at any observation deck and y'all become a repast out of it. Plus, you get free flow of salted chicken popcorn here!

Sadly, your ballsy weekend in New York Metropolis has come up to an end. Now that you've seen the best of the all-time in New York City, what exercise you think of the Big Apple? Can you come across why it's one of the all-time cities in the earth?


New York Travel Guide

How to Become to and from the Airport

There are three airports in the New York City area. If you're flying internationally, you'll land in either either JFK or Newark Drome.

From JFK, the AirTrain runs to Jamaica Station, where you tin 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 past Metrocard. Alternatively, book a private transfer with door-to-door service.

From Newark, the AirTrain serves the New York Penn Station, where you lot tin can change to a subway. The journey from Newark to the city is nearly 30 minutes and besides costs $7.75. Or book a private transfer here.

LaGuardia Airport is the closest airport to Manhattan but information technology doesn't have any rail service. From LaGuardia, have the Golden Affect Bus ($16 each style) which has 3 dropoff locations in Manhattan: Grand Central Station, Port Authority Bus Terminal and Times Square. Alternatively, volume an aerodrome shuttle for $38 that provides door-to-door service.

new york skyline - weekend trip to new york


How to Get Around New York

By Subway

The all-time way to get effectually 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.

By Uber

Taking an Uber or Lyft tin exist a good alternative to using a xanthous taxi. They are completely legal and authorized for use in NYC. Y'all can asking Uber cars at any of the major airports, JFK, LaGuardia, and Newark.


All-time Fourth dimension to Visit New York

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 urban center always had a special atmosphere. If you're planning to visit New York in winter, check out my NYC wintertime packing list.

The least crowded fourth dimension to visit New York Metropolis is April – June and September – November when the weather is pleasant but the tourist crowds are non overwhelming. The cheapest fourth dimension to visit New York is on weekends from mid-January to the terminate of February.

visiting new york in autumn


Where to Stay in New York

Hotels in New York are pricey, every bit you lot'd probably imagine. I recommend staying in Manhattan as most attractions are located there, but Brooklyn is a cheaper alternative and also hands accessible.

Budget: The Paul Hotel NYC-Chelsea

A short walk from the Empire State Building, The Paul Hotel is a chichi budget hotel with tiny rooms simply 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 fundamental location. Its onsite bar and eating place has a particularly absurd expect. 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'southward abode to the famous Mural'southward on 54th restaurant. Check the rates here.

Apartment: Mint Business firm at 70 Pine

Families or friends traveling in a group will love this spacious two-bedroom flat housed in a historic landmark building near Battery Park. It has a fully equipped kitchen and plenty sleeping space for vi. Check rates here.

where to stay in new york for the weekend - warwick hotel


Relish Your Weekend in New York!

Feel free to impress 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 practice in New York in 3 days, so get ready to have a blast.

Exist sure to leave a comment below if you have any questions. Read more of my United states articles to go idea for your adjacent weekend trip:

  • 25 Festive Things to Practise in New York at Christmas
  • What to Pack for New York in Winter
  • Weekend in Seattle
  • Weekend in Los Angeles
  • Weekend in San Francisco
  • Weekend in Miami
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