Visiting New York City for three days is just not enough. However, with frugal thinking and an intelligently designed schedule, you can make your trip to New York as wholesome as possible. One of the world’s most well-known skylines, the Statue of Liberty, ever-buzzing nightlife, etc. are some things that the world recognizes New York with. However, there is much more, a lot more to see in NYC. Here’s how you should spend three days in the Big Apple to make sure you have a great time:
Top Ten Tips before You Visit New York City
- While taxis are a great way to travel because they are so easily available in the city, they are by no means a fast way of traveling. Traffic is not one of the beautiful things about NYC and that’s why taxis travel slowly here.
- You can’t beat the locals when it comes to riding the subway. Therefore, at times, you might notice an empty car while the rest of them are packed with people. Do not go into the empty one because it’s either too hot due to the broken air conditioning unit or some weird smell has scared people away.
- Many people in NYC like to walk and that makes sidewalks pretty crowded. When it comes time for you to take a picture, find a spot where you don’t become an annoyance for the locals.
- A perfect way to save money on food in NYC is to eat from the local restaurants and stalls. Chains are expensive but not always more delicious than locals cooking at their stalls.
- Be very clever when visiting Times Square. At times, you might end up taking a photo with someone wearing a Mickey Mouse costume and paying them up to $!5 for this favor – even if you did not want to.
- Tipping is a serious matter in NYC. Make it at least 15% when you decide to tip a waiter at a restaurant. 20% is even better.
- NYC can be a test of your patience. You might find yourself standing in a long queue even if all you need to do is go to the restroom.
- If you have an issue of always having the urge of going to the toilet when traveling, Starbucks coffee shops are the places for you. There are more than 275 Starbucks coffee shops in NYC.
- Regulations around AirBnB renting are very strict in New York. Since it is a 3-day NYC Itinerary, consider AirBnB illegal for you.
- It is best to visit the best spots during weekdays. Weekends will attract so much crowd that you will end up spending half of your time jostling and wrestling with the crowd.
NYC Itinerary 3 Days – The Transportation Options
When in New York City, you will never find yourself worrying about how to get to some place because there are so many different modes of transportation available. Here is some information about each so you can pick the one that best suits your budget and the way you like to travel.
Taxi/Cabs
You will love New York City for its taxis because there are so many. A taxi can take you no matter which corner of the city you want to go to. The base you will have to pay for a taxi ride is $2.50 with a state surcharge of $0.50. You will have to pay an additional $0.50 or $1.00 when traveling from 8pm to 6am and 4pm to 8pm respectively. The additional one dollar applies only on weekdays. You don’t have to pay for the luggage you are traveling with and the fair is not on per-person basis. The passenger has to pay any toll taxes during the journey. You can pay the fair by cash or through your credit card.
A standard tip for good driving is 15% of the fair but you don’t have to give that if your driver wasn’t that good. Coming to Manhattan from JFK airport will cost you a fair of $52 and that’s it. Going to Newark Airport is not recommended on a taxi due to the additional surcharge of $17.50. If the taxi number on the panel on its rooftop is lit, the taxi is available and vice versa. Taxis are in abundance in New York City but you have to have some good whistling skills to stop them at times.
Buses and Subways
The city has an amazing bus and subway system run by MTA (Metropolitan Transportation Authority). The best thing about NYC transit is available for you at any time of the day or night, and is one of the most inexpensive ways to get around. It is a perfect means of transportation for those who are touring on a budget. You need to get a MetroCard to ride a subway. Per-ride charges are a bit high to unlimited MetroCard with 7-day expiry is a good option. If your children are not taller than 44 inches yet, you can get them to ride with you for free. People over the age of 65 get discounts and bonus offers.
If you have always wanted to experience New York City like a local, subway is the best option for you. It is advisable to get your hands on a subway map to know where you are going. You can get one for free from an information center.
Ride Sharing Service
Of course, in the modern world with so many ride-sharing services, you cannot talk about transportation options without talking about them. Uber, the biggest ride sharing service in the world, has created controversies in NYC more than it has in any other part of the country. When there is not a lot of traffic on the road, and you are going on a short trip, you will not see a huge difference between Uber and yellow cab fares.
However, UberXL, UberBlack, and Uber SUV will almost always cost you more than a yellow cab in NYC. Finally yet importantly, do not forget the high demand surge charging from Uber that can cost you two or three times more than the regular fare. In most cases, a yellow cab will prove to be cheaper in NYC.
NYC Itinerary 3 Days – Planning Your Accommodation
You can choose from four different regions within NYC for your stay based on your specific needs.
1. Upper East and the Central Park
Staying in this section of the city will give you access to many museums at a walking distance. Brownstone townhouses are in abundance in this area and if you like to visit museums, you can access The American Museum of Natural History, Guggenheim Museum and Metropolitan Museum of Art nearby. If you like to spend some time shopping at upscale stores, go to the Madison Avenue. You will find a lot of greenery in this area and plenty of fountains, lakes and playgrounds too.
2. Midtown
If you fell in love with New York after watching it in the movies, you want to stay at some affordable hotel in Midtown. It’s the southern part of Central Park and once you are here, there are all those iconic NYC buildings giving you company. The main reason to stay in this area of the city is that it gives you access to the most noticeable attractions conveniently such as Times Square, Rockefeller Center, St Patrick’s Cathedral, Radio City Music Hall, and many more. Moreover, if that’s not enough, you might peek out of your hotel room and see the sky piercing Empire State Building’s Spire.
3. So-Ho and Lower East Side
You can choose either of these locations based on what you are interested in more i.e. food or shopping. If you are a shopping enthusiast, So-Ho is the place for you. However, when it comes to foods and flavors, there is no match for the Lower East Side. You have easy access to Little Italy and Chinatown from these two locations.
When you feel like shopping, head towards Broadway and immerse in the beauty of designer apparel. For a unique electronic shopping experience, you might want to head to Canal Street during the daytime. This is the place to be for anyone coming to New York for some shopping and dining.
4. Chelsea and Greenwich Village
This area is close to the 34th street and is yet another amazing place for food lovers. People love it for the friendliness of this region. There is Meatpacking District serving as a luring place for those who love fashion and nightlife. Have you ever wanted to hear some Jazz live? If yes, pay a visit to the Village Vanguard. Of if, you want to enjoy some free music from the less known talented individuals, head to the Washington Square.
NYC Itinerary 3 Days – Things to Do on Day One
When you think of New York City, the first things to come in mind are the man-made structures and the skyscrapers. Of course, it is the amazing man-made buildings that it New York City. In addition, for that reason, it is best that you dedicated your first day to visiting the amazing structures, the marvels of the man-made architectural designs, and the buildings with tips piercing through the skies, etc.
Central Park
Central Park opens early in the morning at 6am. That’s why you want to visit it first. The visit will be refreshing and serve as a perfect way for you to do your morning walk. There is a lot to do here so be ready to spend at least three to five hours. You have zoos, museums, dining places and much to enjoy all within the Central Park.
Rock Observation Deck
You don’t get many chances in your life to trap the entirety of New York City in the lens of your eye. Get on top of the Rockefeller Plaza to have this unforgettable bird’s eye view of the city. While you have Empire State Building’s rooftop for such observation as well, there are certain benefits to selecting Rock Observation Deck. Once you are here, you can take a picture with Empire State Building in the background.
American Museum of Natural History
People who visit this museum often call it incredible. How much time do you think it will take you to visit a museum with nearly 32 million artifacts? It is not an ordinary museum. It is huge, and occupies an area of four blocks. The best thing about American Museum of Natural History is that everyone loves it. You will love it, but your kids will love it even more. It has the Butterfly Conservatory, the Hall of the Universe and much more. Quite surprisingly, people have admired even the cafeteria here. It is best if you visit the museum on a weekday to avoid the crowd.
Times Square
According to Plain White T’s, Time Square can’t shine as bright as her, but rest assured, it can. Locals might not recommend you going there because they have seen enough of it but do not make that mistake. It might seem congested, but the nightlife, the glow, and the neon of Time Square are among the must-see attractions of New York City. If noise, crowd and lights give you a headache, you might want to avoid going to Times Square. Unleash your skills of taking selfies here because there is no place better than Times Square to do that.
NYC Itinerary 3 Days – Day Two
You have to be very precise with your decisions on day two. First, because this is the last day when you will have ample time to visit places. On the third day, you might find yourself hurrying through things. Secondly, you want to visit the Statue of Liberty on the second day and start early in the morning.
Statue of Liberty
The reason you want to start early on the second day is because you are going to visit the Statue of Liberty on this day. Visiting the Statue of Liberty and only seeing it from a close distance might make your entire trip six to seven hours long. Tourists say that if you want to get off the boat and meet the Statue of Liberty in person, you will have to add a couple of more hours. Starting at 12pm or 1pm can mean returning in the evening at around 9pm. Start your tour at around 830am and you should be back at around 4pm to do the rest of the things.
The High Line
Once you have seen the Statue of Liberty up close, it is time to see the beautiful sunset of the New York City while strolling through the High Line – an urban park that nearly one and a half a mile long. The High Line is as high as 30 feet, which makes it the perfect spot to view the NYC sunset. Choose the right spot and you will be able to view the scenic Hudson River too. Many of the tourists recommend the High Line to those who want a few moments away from the noise of NYC.
National September 11 Memorial & Museum
It might not be the best thing to bring to mind due to the nature of the incident, but 9/11 changed the world, and NYC. These are two shining pools built at the exact locations of the twin towers of the World Trade Center. You can read the names of the 3,000 victims who lost their lives on this day. You can also watch the many clips, artworks, and pictures that give a flashback of 9/11. The entrance fee for the museum is $24 whereas entry to the memorial is free. It might not occur to you at first but it is best that you avoid taking selfies at this spot.
Bryant Park
The Central Park is often the center of attraction and discussions, but Bryant Park is nothing ordinary. Spanning across four acres of land, it might be the most beautiful part of Manhattan. For the modern-day children, they will love the fact that there is free Wi-Fi available here. A lot goes on in this park every week, from fashion shows to performances, from talented individuals during Piano in the Park and Broadway in Bryant Park. Bryant Park is the perfect spot for you to take a break from the hustle and bustle of NYC on day two and spend a few hours refreshing yourself.
NYC Itinerary 3 Days – Day Three
You have fallen in love with NYC by this time, and saying goodbye is not going to be easy. It is best to focus on how to spend your third day rather than thinking about how many places you could have visited but didn’t.
Brooklyn Bridge
Many people visiting Brooklyn Bridge believe that they are seeing the peak of human engineering genius. What they don’t realize is that Brooklyn Bridge is a sort of visit of the history too. It is one and a half a century old and one of the first suspension bridges that were built in the US. If you want to have some unforgettable moments with it, spare some time to walk on it. It is hard to describe in words the feeling of going under its towering structures. You have DUMBO on the other side of the river, a park you don’t want to miss if you have dared to cross the bridge.
St. Patrick’s Cathedral
Do you have time to turn back the clock and immerse in the glory of one and a half a century old architectural designs? It is a Roman Catholic Church and despite its age, the structure still casts a spell on you when you stand in front of its nearly 330ft high spire. The Church is not all that big so an hour or so should be enough for you to spend here. Yes, if you are visit it in the Christmas season, you will have to spend a few extra hours under the spell of its magnificence and splendor.
Little Italy
Do you want to experience Italy in New York City? Visit Little Italy, which might have become a part of Chinatown due to latter’s exponential growth, but still maintains a place of its own. It is the perfect place to enjoy Italian cuisine in its purest form. The best spots where you can experience the true Italy include Mulberry Street and Grand Street. You can visit any other part of the US. However, you will be hard-pressed to find Italian food shops as old as the ones here.
Grand Central Terminal
It is huge and its splendor will fill you with an awe-inspiring sensation. It’s the world’s biggest train terminal and offers some of the most amazing dining experience too. Be sure to visit the Whispering Gallery. It is a section where even a whisper travels across an area of 2,000 square foot like you are shouting out loud. The astronomical ceiling over your head will make you feel as though you are in an airplane hangar. Whether you are alone or with your family, be sure to visit the Oyster Bar for the unforgettable dining experience.
Final Thoughts
One of the mistakes people often make when they visit another destination is not making proper arrangements for accommodation. It is highly advisable that you book your accommodation well in advance before visiting NYC. Affordable hotel accommodation in New York City is often around $250 per night.
Even in the most basic hotels, you will find pools, Wi-Fi, and reserve now pay later features. Of course, Chinatown and Little Italy are great places for dining. However, there is a never-ending list of hotels, cafes, and restaurants where you can enjoy some great local food too. Getting around NYC is no hassle either. You will love that this is one of the best walking cities of the world.