See our 3 days in New York itinerary. With 72 hours available in the city, you can visit the main tourist attractions and immerse yourself in the enchanting atmosphere of the Big Apple. So, read our tips and enjoy.
First day itinerary in New York
There’s nothing like starting your trip to New York by visiting its most famous landmark: the Statue of Liberty. Inaugurated in 1886, this statue was a gift from France for the 100th anniversary of the United States and is a symbol of freedom for millions of people.
The tour there is enchanting, starting with the transportation to get close to it. As the attraction is located on an island, you have to board a ferry, which offers an unforgettable view of the city. For this, and many other reasons, the Statue of Liberty is also one of the 10 best things to do in New York.
Then, to save time, our tip is to eat your meals at a major tourist attractions. A good option is to have lunch at Grand Central Terminal.
This location is often the setting for many successful american films and series, so once you get there, you’ll be very familiar with the place. Take a break at Shake Shack or Junior’s Cheesecake, both of which are good and inexpensive.
Both are good, cheap and you’ll get to see the famous Grand Central Terminal, which is closer to Fifth Avenue, your next stop. If you’re interested in learning more about the place, there’s a tour every Wednesday at 12:30 p.m., which lasts 90 minutes.
To take the tour, just go to the information booth in the main hall and ask about the tour a few minutes before it starts. As well as a food court, the station has some world-famous stores such as Mac, among others.
Once you’ve had your lunch break, take the opportunity to stroll along the chic Fifth Avenue. This avenue is home to numerous nationally and internationally renowned stores such as Tiffany & Company, Louis Vuitton, Gucci and Prada, making it a great place for shopping. Among the sights, you’ll pass by the charming St. Patrick’s Cathedral and the New York Public Library.
As our tip is to get to Fifth Avenue from Grand Central Terminal, walk north on the avenue, which will take you to Central Park. Both attractions are among the main tourist attractions in New York.
The most important tip to make the most of your time and see all the tourist attractions is to stay well located. So also see our article on where to stay in New York. With tips on the best area and good, cheap hotels.
Don’t miss a stroll through the haven of New York City’s inhabitants, this green area that involved the planting of more than 500,000 trees and shrubs. In Central Park, try to pass through the area called Strawberry Fields, created by Yoko Ono as a beautiful tribute to John Lennon. You should know that this memorial is near the entrance to the Dakota building, where they lived.
This park is incredible and has many attractions to do there, as well as being a great place to rest. Central Park is huge and there are many places to visit, as well as many recognizable scenes from American films and series.
At the end of your first day, a good idea is to enjoy a bit of Times Square, the city’s most famous intersection. If you’re sure about the day you’re going there, you can buy a Broadway show in advance. It’s important to note that Times Square is home to many stores, restaurants, museums, galleries and many other attractions that you can take advantage of during this 1 day itinerary in New York.
It’s an incredible avenue, all lit up and with very different stores that attract tourists from all over the world. So, as it’s a place with lots of options, make the most of your evening, as you won’t regret it and this area is truly incredible.
Second day in New York
To start the second day, our suggestion is to visit the Empire State Building, a must-see attraction in New York. Opened in 1931, this 102-storey and 443-meter-high building has welcomed more than 120 million visitors and has been the setting for more than 250 films. The main observatory there can be reached in just 45 seconds by elevator, offering spectacular views.
This space also has “super lenses”, where tourists place two 25-cent coins and see all the details of the buildings surrounding the Empire State Building. If possible, plan to watch the sunset from this observatory, but arrive about 3 hours in advance, just to make your way up calmly and guarantee the best place to enjoy this view of New York.
But beware: this attraction is very popular, so we recommend that you book this ticket well in advance. If you want, book your ticket here.
Our next tip is to try the traditional fast-food Shake Shack, perfect for lunch before visiting the Metropolitan Museum of Art. There are more than twenty stores throughout the city and the world, which are visited by people from all over the world.
Our suggestion for a treat at Shake Shack is the SmokeShack, a cheeseburger with smoked bacon, accompanied by cherry peppers and a super tasty sauce. To give you an idea, the price there is very affordable, around US$7 for a burger.
Continuing your itinerary, a cultural tip is to visit the famous Metropolitan Museum of Art (MET), which has one of the best collections in the western world. One of the highlights there is the collection of Egyptian art, made up of masks, mummies, statues, jewels, the Tomb of Perneb and the Temple of Dendur, the latter laid out as it was on the banks of the Nile.
In our opinion, your second night in New York should also end in Times Square, especially for chocolate lovers, because there you’ll find the Hersheys and M&Ms superstores. These incredible stores are next door to each other, both very close to the famous Broadway.
These stores are huge and, as well as selling every product you can imagine, they have become tourist attractions in New York, visited by thousands of tourists all year round. Take the opportunity to buy these delicious chocolates as a gift for friends and family, as there’s no doubt that you won’t be short of delights during your farewell to the Big Apple.
Third day in New York
On your last day in the city, it’s worth visiting the famous Museum of Modern Art, also known as MoMA. It has one of the largest art collections in the world, featuring artists such as Picasso, Cézanne, Rodin, Matisse, Van Gogh, Munch and Gauguin.
You’ve probably heard of Van Gogh’s Starry Night and Picasso’s Les demoiselles d’Avignon. These are some of the artistic highlights you’ll find there. So be sure to secure your ticket to MoMa, one of our favorite museums.
Next door to MoMA is Ellens Stardust, a well-known restaurant that has been open since 1987. It has a great menu with mouth-watering snacks. In addition, the place is nicely decorated, with some pieces that hark back to 1950s New York. So it’s a great restaurant option for you to enjoy in the city.
Right after lunch, you can go to the Brooklyn Bridge, a beautiful bridge that connects the Manhattan area with the Brooklyn neighborhood. The beautiful view makes it one of the most beautiful sights in New York.
And to enjoy your final night, it’s best to visit the great bars on Stone Street, one of the city’s busiest streets. Stone Street is located near the famous Wall Street, the city’s financial center. As a result, it is highly frequented by executives who work in the area.
Save money on your trip to New York:
Saving money: do you want to plan your trip while making the most of your budget? Be sure to read our article on how to travel to New York cheap, with all the tips to save the most, while still enjoying it!
Tickets: find out where to buy your tickets in the cheapest and safest way – for Broadway, tours, museums and ticket combos. You can save up to 42%!
Mobile chip: We always use this chip. It’s electronic (eSIM), you install it instantly and you can use your cell phone’s internet anywhere in the world.
Hotels: our article on where to stay in New York. You will find out the best area, the hotels that we have stayed there and how to save a lot on the hotel.
Travel insurance: medical care in another country is very expensive and it is extremely important to take out travel insurance for any trip abroad. This is the website we always take out our insurance on. Reliable and at a good price.
Car: if you are thinking about renting one this is the best website. It compares the price at all rental companies and finds unbeatable prices. You can save up to 30%!
Transfer: do you need one, from the airport to the hotel? Find out here how to book and for the lowest price!
