Itinerary: A 3-day program to visit New York

Planning a weekend trip to New York or just 3 days? Here’s my itinerary from Thursday evening through Sunday. Check New York holidays against your travel dates first.

Thursday

EVENING: Times Square

• Arrive in New York in the mid-afternoon or early evening.
• Arrange your airport transfer. To reach Manhattan quickly, book your airport transfer to New York in advance.
• Check into your hotel.
• Head to Times Square for an unforgettable first impression. This is New York’s most famous intersection, with giant billboards and neon signs everywhere. Perfect for shaking off jet lag.

Friday

MORNING: Manhattan Views and Brooklyn Bridge

• Cross into Brooklyn to see Manhattan’s skyline from the Brooklyn Heights Promenade.
• Continue to Brooklyn Bridge Park and the DUMBO Brooklyn neighborhood.
• Walk across the Brooklyn Bridge to return to Manhattan.
• Lunch in Manhattan’s Financial District, perhaps around South Street Seaport. Browse my New York restaurants guide for ideas.

AFTERNOON: Financial District and Staten Island Ferry

• Head toward the World Trade Center in the heart of the Financial District. You’ll see the 9/11 Memorial, the 9/11 Memorial & Museum, and One World Trade Center. Climb to the top of One World Observatory for sweeping views across New York.
• Walk down to Wall Street and see the New York Stock Exchange, including the famous Fearless Girl statue. You’ll also pass Federal Hall, a landmark of American democracy.
• Head down Broadway, pass the Charging Bull sculpture, and make your way to Battery Park at Manhattan’s southern tip.
• Board the Staten Island Ferry, a free ferry service crossing New York Harbor. You’ll have Manhattan’s skyline right in front of you. The ferry passes near the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. Since your stay is short, I don’t recommend visiting Liberty Island itself—save that for another trip. The ferry also gives you a chance to rest after a full morning of walking.
• Once in Staten Island, get off and catch the next ferry back immediately. The turnaround is quick. Allow about an hour for the round trip.
• In the evening, you have options. After a full day of sightseeing, catch a musical or a sporting event—basketball at Madison Square Garden or baseball at Yankee Stadium, depending on the season.

Saturday

MORNING: Top of the Rock and Midtown

• Climb to the top of Top of the Rock, one of New York’s finest observation decks. In the morning, you’ll get perfect light on the Empire State Building directly across from you. Another option: the popular SUMMIT One Vanderbilt, known for its highly Instagrammable design.
• Explore Rockefeller Center and visit St. Patrick’s Cathedral.
• Walk down Fifth Avenue to 42nd Street. You’ll see the New York Public Library and the charming Bryant Park on your right.
• Continue east on 42nd Street to discover Grand Central Terminal, the Chrysler Building, and the UN Headquarters.
• Lunch at Grand Central Terminal or in a Midtown restaurant.

AFTERNOON: Flatiron Building, Greenwich Village, and Empire State Building

• Return to Fifth Avenue and take a bus or subway (lines 4, 5, or 6 from Grand Central Terminal) south from 42nd Street to 23rd Street.
• At the corner of Broadway and Fifth Avenue, you’ll see the striking Flatiron Building. If you’re hungry, grab a bite in Madison Square Park.
• Take the bus or subway south to Union Square.
• Head toward Washington Square Park and explore the charming Greenwich Village neighborhood. If you have time, visit the High Line, New York’s elevated park. Continue north to Hudson Yards to see the striking Vessel observation structure. A different way to experience New York.
• As evening approaches, head to the Empire State Building to watch the sunset and enjoy night views of New York from the 86th-floor observation deck. As the sun sets, you’ll see the Chrysler Building’s spire glow red in the fading light.

Sunday

MORNING: Central Park

• Take the subway (lines 4, 5, or 6) to 77th Street. Head west and, if you wish, visit the renowned Metropolitan Museum of Art. It opens at 10 am and easily deserves 2 hours of your time. It’s the largest of all New York’s museums.
• Alternatively, walk past the museum and enter Central Park. You’ll have plenty of time to explore the southern section. Here are the main attractions in Central Park.
• Picnic in Central Park or head back south toward Midtown for lunch.

AFTERNOON: Departure

• After lunch, return to your hotel for your airport transfer.
• If you’re staying in the Times Square area, take a final stroll through the neighborhood.
• That’s a quick New York tour, but you’ll see plenty following this schedule. The itinerary is designed around the sun’s path to keep you from walking into glare or shadows for three days. Except for the Metropolitan Museum of Art, I haven’t included other museums, but feel free to adapt the plan to your interests.

Want a longer itinerary?

Staying longer than 3 days? Check out my 5-day New York itinerary or my 8-day New York travel plan. If you have less than 3 days, see my 2-day New York itinerary.