Are you dreaming of discovering the Big Apple and want to visit New York in 3 days ? In this article, we share with you our itinerary and our advice for a first time in New York . We were lucky enough to visit New York twice! The first time was in October 2019 as a couple for our 40th birthday. Our second trip was with our family in May 2024! We therefore offer you the ideal program to see the must-sees. So if you are wondering what to do in New York in 3 days , follow the guide!
Before telling you in detail about our trip day by day, here is the itinerary that we followed during our two stays in New York and which adapts very well to a visit to New York with the family . This program is spread over 3 full days considering that you arrive the day before Day 1 and that you leave on the evening of Day 3. But if you stay longer in New York, you can adapt this schedule by reducing some days or by modulating it according to your desires.
Day-by-Day Itinerary for 3 Days in New York
Day 1: Unforgettable First Impressions
TIMES SQUARE
Our hotel is located in the Times Square district, it is the first place we discovered when arriving in New York. The buildings, the luminous screens, the excitement… it is a pretty crazy place! You have to experience it in the early morning in total calm and at night when the district is buzzing. Times Square is a must-see place but it is also quite confusing and very noisy!
SUMMIT ONE VANDERBILT
When we came in 2019, the SUMMIT observatory did not yet exist. After seeing so many photos and videos on Instagram, we absolutely had to discover this trendy spot. We were afraid of being a little disappointed because we had loved the Top of the Rock, but we were blown away ! The different viewpoints offered by the SUMMIT are just crazy. It’s a feast for the eyes and you don’t know where to look. This new observatory offers a unique experience with its glass room, the one filled with silver balloons and its terrace! Despite the fairly high price (from €43/adult and €37/child) , this is the New York observatory not to be missed ! For the moment, entrance tickets for the SUMMIT are not part of any tourist pass.
We recommend going there at 9am when it opens to be able to enjoy the place without the crowds. The SUMMIT is a very popular place that can get crowded quickly!
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WALK IN THE MIDTOWN DISTRICT
After having feasted our eyes, we set off to explore Midtown, the heart of Manhattan. We passed by the Rockfeller Center where you will find the famous ice rink from October to March. At the corner of 5th Avenue and 50th Street, opposite the Rockfeller Center, is St. Patrick’s Cathedral whose architecture contrasts with the surrounding buildings.
Day 2: Exploring Manhattan’s Hidden Gems
HIGH LINE, LITTLE ISLAND & CHELSEA
On this second day, head to the new Manhattan neighborhood: Hudson Yards to admire the Vessel . We join the High Line , which is near the Vessel, for a morning stroll. This former elevated railway line has been rehabilitated into a 2.3 km long green promenade. This park is very pleasant with its benches, greenery, street art and its perspective on the Chelsea and Meatpacking District neighborhoods . The High Line is a haven of peace in the heart of Manhattan and it is a must for a first visit to New York.
At the end of the High Line is Little Island , a brand new park on stilts. Its design is quite astonishing and forms a floating leaf on the Hudson River.
Our green walk ends with a coffee break at the Starbucks Reserve Roastery in Chelsea before discovering the Chelsea Market . This former biscuit factory (including the famous Oreo cakes) is now a covered market with a very industrial style. This market has around forty shops. You can go shopping, come and eat or buy food to take away.
GREENWICH VILLAGE
Our discovery of the southern part of Manhattan continues with the historic district of New York: Greenwich Village , also nicknamed The Village. We fell under the spell of this very quiet residential area which also reminded us of our favorite series. If you pass by there, you can’t miss the Friends building at the intersection of Grove Street and Bedford Street or the apartment of Carrie Bradshaw from the series S*x and the City at 66 Perry Street. We advise you to wander randomly in the streets to taste the intimate atmosphere of this neighborhood.
SOHO & NOLITA
We go down a little further into Lower Manhattan to see the famous cast-iron buildings of the lively and trendy Soho district. It is in Soho that you will also find the famous bakery of the Frenchman Dominique Ansel where you have to queue to taste a cronut, this original mix between a croissant and a donut.
But it’s lunch time and we’re going to try the best bagel in Manhattan at Sadelle’s . The restaurant is packed and it’s not possible to eat in. So we take a cream cheese and salmon bagel to go. The homemade fish is delicious. At Sadelle’s they do high-end bagels and you’ll have to pay $19 to taste it.
Day 3: Cultural Gems and Natural Wonders
HARLEM
After walking nearly 25 km the day before, on this Sunday morning, we decided to take the subway to go to Harlem. We saved ourselves 8 km of walking and above all we felt like we were living like real New Yorkers! We who are not used to public transport, we found the subway rather easy to use. You just have to enter the right station (Uptown to the North and Downtown to the South) and take the right train (express: which only stops at the big stations) or local (which stops at all the stations).
We begin our visit of Harlem with Hamilton Heights, a historic neighborhood known for its magnificent Brownstones (typical red sandstone houses) and the City College of New York which looks more like a castle than a university. Going back down into Harlem, we walk along St Nicholas Park . It is a very quiet and pleasant place which leads to 125th Street, also known as Martin Luther King Jr Blvd. We make a mandatory stop at the Apollo Theater . This famous performance hall has seen the greatest artists (Aretha Franklin, Stevie Wonder, Ella Fitzgerald, etc.) whose names are encrusted in the stars of the forecourt.
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CENTRAL PARK
Central Park is truly a unique park with its 341 hectares surrounded by buildings. No need to look for squirrels, here these little rodents are everywhere! We really liked the calming atmosphere of Central Park and its “labyrinth” which leads each time to such different places.
What to see in Central Park?
We started our walk with the Harlem Meer, an artificial lake located in the North East of Central Park. Then we sat down for a moment on a bench facing Untermyer Fountain whose sculptures represent three dancing ladies. We came across many runners around the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir, the largest pond in Central Park with an incredible view of the buildings. Then we stopped for a moment at Belvedere Castle , a surprising medieval castle in the middle of Central Park but which offers a very pretty view.
HUDSON RIVER CRUISE
During our family trip to New York, we absolutely had to do the Harbor Lights night cruise that we had loved 5 years earlier. The Circle Line boat leaves from Pier 83 at 7pm in the evening. Its route on the Hudson River allows you to admire the most beautiful monuments of New York and pass under the most emblematic bridges.
We settle in at the back of the boat in the center on the outdoor terrace. And believe us this place was just perfect to fully enjoy this cruise! If we are lucky with the weather the cruise starts at sunset and ends on a fully illuminated skyline.
Then we approach the Statue of Liberty that we have not seen since our arrival. I can’t explain it but at that moment we felt a lot of emotion. Everything that we had been dreaming about for so long is right there in front of our eyes and it’s almost unreal. The boat takes a long break right in front of the most famous monument in the United States. We are simply amazed! It will be one of the most magical experiences of our stay!