If you are planning a trip to New York City, you might be feeling overwhelmed by the number of sights you want to see.
To maximize your time, I've grouped the activities and attractions by proximity to each other.
This means that most of the time you can walk if you want.
You do have to take the subway a few times, though.
Our post on navigating NYC's subway has everything you need to know to get you off to a great start!
In the video below Katie, a tour guide with us, Tours by Foot NYC, tells you about a one-day itinerary that includes some of the suggestions in this post.
TIP: If you haven't planned your trip yet, these posts may prove useful.
- Where to Stay in NYC
- How Much Does It Cost to Visit NYC
- When Is the Best Time to Go to NYC
- Which Airport to Fly Into?
- How Many Days Are Enough To Visit NYC?
Throw yourself into the heart of the city in Midtown Manhattan.
Times Square
Many New Yorkers don't care for Times Square because it is filled with tourists. My feeling is "So what?"
I think it is a must-see if you want to get a quick introduction to the electric energy of the city.
Passing through the area is enough of a taste, but I think Times Square is a fun place to spend a little time people-watching.
Keep your eyes out for the Naked Cowboy (he's not fully naked, don't worry!)
Read our post on things to see in Times Square to plan your time there.
Times Square is between Broadway and Seventh Avenue, east to west, and W. 42nd Street to W. 47th Street north to south.
To get there by subway, you can catch any of these lines to the Times Square station: 1,2,3,7, N, Q, R, and S.
When you are ready to move on, walk south from W. 47th Street along 7th Avenue. At W. 42nd Street walk one long block east from 7th Avenue to 6th Avenue.
There you will find Bryant Park, a calm park to catch your breath from the frenetic pace of Times Square. There are food kiosks along the west side of the park.
At the far end of the park, the magnificent building you see is your next stop, the New York Public Library.
Exit Bryant Park on W. 42nd Street and walk down to the corner of 5th Avenue where you will find the main branch of the New York Public Library, built in 1913.
New York Public Library
This is one of the most gorgeous Beaux-Arts buildings in New York City. Just walking past it is a pleasure.
I'll sometimes give a little pat on the heads of ‘Fortitude’ and ‘Patience’, possibly the world’s most famous pair of lions.
Many of my tour guests pass by the library, but not all step inside.
I suggest you spend a few minutes going into the library to see the grand lobby.
On the 3rd floor is the opulent, giant Reading Room, where a scene from the 1984 film Ghostbusters was filmed.
Read more about the library and the free tours available, including ours and those offered by the library.
TIP: If you need a pit stop, use the lovely public restrooms here. They are located on the 2nd and 3rd floors.
From the library, continue walking east on 42nd Street two long blocks towards your next destination, Grand Central Station.
On the way, take a look up in the sky and you’ll see the shimmery, scalloped spire of the Chrysler Building, which I (and many New Yorkers) think is the most beautiful of NYC's skyscrapers.
Grand Central Terminal
Enter this NYC landmark through the doors at the intersection of 42nd Street and Park Avenue.
Grand Central is one of my favorite buildings in NYC and I encourage all my tour guests to visit.
From the celestial ceiling to the bulbous light fixtures, from the iconic four-sided clock to the grandiose staircases, the place is absolutely stunning!
Our guide to Grand Central Terminal discusses its history, architecture and...secrets!
Watch this video to find out a few of them.
For a richer experience, consider one of the many guided and self-guided tours of the terminal.
Tip: A large, high-quality food court is on the lower level where you can grab lunch before heading to the next stop on the tour.
Leave Grand Central and walk back along 42nd Street to 5th Avenue to do some window shopping.
Enter Rockefeller Center by walking along the short pedestrian path known as The Channel Gardens, located along 5th Avenue between 49th and 50th Streets.
Rockefeller Center
Straight ahead of you is the behemoth 30 Rockefeller Center and beneath it is the lower concourse where the famous ice skating rink and Christmas tree are in the winter.
What I love the most about Rockefeller Center is its art-deco architecture and the amazing murals, artwork and sculptures throughout the buildings that make up the complex.
Use our free self-guided tour to see the best of the center and learn its history.
Things to do here include taking an NBC Studio tour, seeing a show or taking a tour of Radio City Music Hall, and going to the Top of the Rock Observation Deck (next stop).
Tip: If you love Jimmy Fallon, you can try to be an audience member for the Tonight Show! Find out how here.
Top of the Rock Observation Deck
For a bird’s eye view of New York City, the observation deck at 30 Rockefeller Plaza is a fine choice.
Of the five observation decks in NYC, I've enjoyed my visits to Top of the Rock the most, as it's the only one that offers a view of the other skyscrapers AND Central Park.
You can take a selfie with the Empire State Building, One World Observatory, and Edge in one picture!
See our Top of the Rock visitor’s guide for tickets and hours.
My tour guests throughout the years I have been giving tours have told me which observation deck they have liked the most.
I suggest that if you have time, go to two!
Not sure if Top of The Rock is the observation deck that's best for you? Read our post, Which NYC Observation Deck is Best?
From Rockefeller Center walk north along 5th Avenue to Central Park South, enter Central Park at 59th Street and walk to Gapstow Bridge.
Central Park
I love stepping out of the concrete jungle and into an urban oasis.
One of the first sites to see as soon as you walk in is Gapstow Bridge, one of the park's most charming features.
You might enjoy our GPS-guided audio tour or one of our pay-what-you-wish Central Park tours.
If you are thinking of seeing some museums, these four are next to or a few blocks from Central Park.
- Metropolitan Museum of Art
- American Museum of Natural History
- Guggenheim Museum
- Museum of Modern Art (MOMA)
Wrap up your day with a Broadway Show
There’s no better way to wrap up a trip to New York City than seeing a Broadway show.
My fellow tour guides and I live on budgets and we've learned all the ways to save on tickets.
Read our guide to getting cheap Broadway theater tickets for the insider scoop!
Before or after your show, take advantage of the things to do at night in Times Square.
Even if you've seen it by day, it's a whole other creature at night.
Historical New York - Lower Manhattan
When overseas friends visit me for the first time, I bring them to Lower Manhattan to introduce them to American history.
A few of the stops I suggest below are some of the most significant to the birth of New York City and the nation.
These are just highlights. See our guide to Lower Manhattan for the many wonderful things you can do in this part of the city.
Trinity Church
At the intersection of Wall Street and Broadway is this gothic revival church that was built in 1846.
Trinity Church, whose spire is 284 feet (86 m) tall, was once the tallest building in New York City.
That's hard to imagine given the skyscrapers surrounding it!
Inside are some of the most remarkable stained glass windows.
Outside is a small cemetery with graves dating back to the late 1600s. Alexander Hamilton, the first Treasurer of the United States is buried here.
When I bring my tour guests to his pyramid-shaped tomb, I tell them to take out a $10 bill.
Lo and behold, there's Hamilton's face!
He's also the main character in the Broadway show... you guessed it, Hamilton.
Use our Trinity Church self-guided tour to learn about its storied history and architecture.
When you leave the church, walk a short distance east on Wall Street until you reach Broad Street.
Wall Street
The intersection of Wall and Broad Streets has over five centuries worth of American history stories.
If you are like me and are a history buff, you'll find this spot fascinating.
First, there's the iconic New York Stock Exchange. There's so much to tell about this center of world finance.
You can read our post on the New York Stock Exchange to learn about it.
Then there's Federal Hall where George Washington was sworn in as the first president.
The hall is open to the public free of charge and worth taking a quick peek into. There are some cool exhibits. You can see the bible Washington used at his swearing-in.
If you need to, take advantage of the public restrooms - there aren't many in the city.
The last of the three buildings at the intersection, on the corner across from the Stock Exchange, is a short limestone building with no name plaque.
It was formerly the headquarters for J.P. Morgan & Co. In 1920, a bomb was detonated by still-unknown culprits.
The Wall Street side of the building has pockmarks from the shrapnel.
Read more about these three buildings and other important sites from our self-guided tour of Wall Street.
Walk back to Trinity Church and walk south along Broadway to Battery Park at the tip of Manhattan.
Along the way, you will pass the Charging Bull statue, which is where our Lower Manhattan GPS-enabled audio tour and our guided tour start.
Battery Park
Since the 1800s, the park has served New York City in several ways.
First, it was where New York built a fort, Castle Clinton, to defend against the British in the War of 1812.
In the mid to late 1800s, before Ellis Island was built, the structure was an immigrant depot.
Later it was the home to the New York Aquarium, now in Coney Island.
The park has a beautiful waterfront with vast views of New York Harbor as you can see in the video below.
Read about the other things to see in Battery Park.
Battery Park is where the ferries to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island depart.
If you have your heart set on going to the Statue of Liberty, know that this will take up several hours of your day - and that's not even including time at Ellis Island.
If you want to get up close, take a free ride on the Staten Island Ferry, the next stop in this itinerary.
Exit Battery Park anywhere along State Street and follow State Street south to the ferry terminal.
Ride the free Staten Island Ferry
Taking a free ride on this commuter ferry is one of the top free things to do in NYC.
I always take visitors on the ferry and love to watch their eyes widen when they see the incredible view of Lower Manhattan.
Besides the views of Manhattan, you'll get a close-up view of the Statue of Liberty and all of New York Harbor.
The ride there and back is about 50 minutes in total. You don't need a ticket. Just go to the terminal and walk right on.
Our guide to the Staten Island Ferry has all the information you need to take this fun trip.
From the ferry terminal, walk north on Whitehall Street which turns into Broadway. Continue north on Broadway until Cedar Street. Turn left.
Walk one block to Greenwich Avenue, turn right, and enter the 9/11 Memorial grounds.
National September 11th Memorial and Museum
Plan your visit to the Memorial with our detailed guide Visiting the 911 Memorial and Museum.
Enter Memorial Plaza from Liberty Street and Greenwich Street. There is no entry fee to this public memorial plaza.
You simply walk onto the plaza and can spend as much or as little time as you want there.
The centerpieces of the Memorial are the Reflecting Pools, two massive cascading fountains set in the exact location where the Twin Towers stood.
For details on the other sites within the Memorial, see our short, self-guided tour.
One World Observatory (Freedom Tower)
As an alternative to visiting Top of the Rock for your 360-degree bird’s eye view of New York City, visit the Freedom Tower atop One World Trade Center.
I've been here twice, once on a beautiful clear day and once at night when a lightning storm hit.
Both times I was mesmerized by the view, even with less than ideal conditions.
Tickets are pricey, but I felt it was well worth it.
If you decide to come here, it's best to buy tickets in advance. You don't want to wait in line.
Read our complete guide to how to visit the One World Observatory for ticket options, how to save on tickets and other important information.
TIP: I've heard from so many of my tour guests that sunset is a fantastic time to go to One World Observatory.
Choose a time slot that is 15-30 minutes before sunset to ensure you'll have enough time to get to the top of the building and enjoy the view!
If you don't want to go to One World Observatory, you can head uptown to the High Line for sunset.
To get to the High Line from Lower Manhattan, take the A or C train uptown from Fulton Street Station to 14th Street and 8th Avenue.
Walk to 10th Avenue where you will find the 14th Street entrance to the High Line.
Sunset on the High Line
The High Line is a narrow, long park parallel to the Hudson River. It was built on top of an abandoned elevated train track and is unlike any park out there.
With expansive views west toward New Jersey, sunset is an excellent time to visit the High Line.
The history of the High Line and the buildings along it have an interesting history.
You can learn about it on one of our three High Line tours: our free, self-guided walking tour, our audio tour or our High Line/Chelsea tour.
I think this is a must-see. My out-of-town visitors and so many of my tour guests have loved seeing it.
Finish up your evening with food from Chelsea Market on 9th Avenue and 16th Street.
Live Like a Local - Do what New Yorkers do on their days off: walk, shop, and eat.
Walk over the Brooklyn Bridge
I always take my visitors on a walk across the Brooklyn Bridge. I adore this magnificent bridge and never get bored crossing it.
My suggestion is to start the journey on the Brooklyn side since walking toward Manhattan's dramatic skyline makes for great photos.
You can easily reach the Brooklyn entrance by subway.
Our post, Walking Across the Brooklyn Bridge, has detailed instructions, maps and photographs to help you find the entrances to the bridge whether you start in Manhattan or Brooklyn.
Including time to take photos of the incredible views of the skyline and the harbor, give yourself 45 minutes from start to finish.
If you are curious about life outside of Manhattan, we have two tours of the area, our 3-hour Brooklyn Bridge, Brooklyn Heights, and DUMBO Tour and our 2-hour Brooklyn Heights Tour.
Begin your walk over the Brooklyn Bridge from the Brooklyn side and cross over into Lower Manhattan.
When you reach the Manhattan side of the bridge, you will be on Centre Street. Your destination is Mott Street.
Lunch in Chinatown
Centre Street is the main thoroughfare of the city's civic center. Walk north on Centre Street lined with neo-classical courthouses.
At Worth Street, turn right and walk one block to Columbus Park, always filled with locals playing cards, socializing, or doing tai-chi.
One block past the park is Mott Street, the main street of Chinatown.
When I am in Chinatown, with its small, curvy streets and signs in Chinese, I feel like I am in another time and place.
If you want to delve into this intriguing enclave, see our self-guided tour of Chinatown.
There is no shortage of inexpensive restaurants along Mott and the side streets. Some are included in our self-guided tour.
After your meal, walk north on Mott Street to Canal Street, and turn left.
Walk one block on Canal Street to Mulberry Street and make a right turn. Walk north along Mulberry to discover Little Italy.
Little Italy
Technically Little Italy starts when you cross Canal Street, but Chinatown has become so crowded that most of Little Italy is more like a Chinatown extension.
For the most authentic Italian experience, walk along Grand Street and Mulberry Street where you can find some of the oldest Italian food shops and restaurants in all of America.
We have a self-guided tour of the neighborhood with a history of the area, things to see and places to grab food or snacks.
I like getting a cannoli from Ferrara Bakery, which opened in 1892!
It's a short walk from Little Italy to SoHo, and since the streets are perpendicular, you can easily make your own route from one neighborhood to the other.
SoHo
Stroll through this trendy, fun neighborhood and its Historic Cast Iron District with impressive, decorative buildings.
Walk on the wobbly Belgian block streets that 1860 replaced the older cobblestones.
Peek into some of SoHo’s impressive art galleries and fashionable upscale boutiques.
Enjoy some retail therapy from the more affordable shops along Broadway!
Our SoHo Neighborhood Guide takes you to the best things to see and includes suggestions on where to shop and eat.
Now you have seen Chinatown, Little Italy and SoHo.
If you want to learn a lot about these three great neighborhoods in just two hours, consider joining our SoHo, Little Italy and Chinatown Tour.
Next stop, Greenwich Village!
Leave SoHo by walking north on West Broadway until you reach Washington Square Park.
A Night Out in Greenwich Village
For a huge variety of restaurants and nightlife, the Village is THE place to go.
Start in Washington Square Park to people-watch and see the spontaneous sing-alongs. Don't be shy...join in!
I have been coming here since I was a teenager (quite a while ago!) and it's a true representation of the cast of characters that make New York City the amazing place it is.
Here’s our self-guided Greenwich Village Tour including suggestions of where to eat, shop, and see live music or comedy.
If you are interested in a richer understanding of the culture and history of the neighborhood, we offer several guided tours.
We have a Greenwich Village neighborhood tour and a ghost tour.
We also have a two-hour guided food tour that you will love!
To eat at your own pace, here is our self-guided Food tour.
No matter how you choose to explore Greenwich Village, I guarantee you will love spending time in this one-of-a-kind neighborhood.
There are many other itineraries that you could use to help plan your trip.
Our neighborhood guides, many of which are linked to in the content above, can help you plan out a half or full day in just one area.
For links to neighborhood guides to the areas in this 3-day itinerary and other areas, see our NYC Neighborhoods post.
Tourist Attraction Pass Itineraries
Many people visiting NYC opt for a tourist attraction pass to take advantage of the great savings they offer.
These passes bundle tickets to popular attractions and tours and sell them at one reduced price.
By purchasing these passes you can save as much as 50% than if you bought tickets to each attraction individually.
Each of these passes offers its own itineraries to help you best maximize your savings.
TIPS FROM LOCALS AND TRAVELERS
Whether you want more advice about the attractions and neighborhoods included in our itinerary, or looking for other itinerary ideas, consider visiting our New York Travel Tips Facebook Group.
As you can see below, a lot of group members are happy to share their itineraries, suggestions and advice about touring NYC as well.
The tips are organized roughly in the order of activities in this itinerary.
Times Square
One of the most famous sights in Times Square is the Naked Cowboy. He’s not fully naked, so don't worry.
Karen wanted to know where she could find him and 106 group members commented on her question.
Times Square was always the answer. Plus, everyone had great things to say about him!
New York Public Library
While DrTracy points out that the New York Public Library is not a typical lending library (that is located at the corner of 5th Avenue and 40th Street), it has wonderful exhibits and also offers tours, making it worthwhile to visit.
Grand Central Station
As this group member notes, one of the better-known secrets of Grand Central Terminal is its "whispering corner."
This is a corner of the building where the acoustics are so good that you can hear people whispering from across the room.
Rockefeller Center
Rockefeller is fun to stroll through but if you want something a little more from your time there, I suggest being part of the outdoor studio audience of the Today Show.
These tips from group members are spot on! And just to be clear, they are talking about AM, not PM!
Knowing this, you might want to juggle your itinerary a bit and start your day with this activity.
Top of the Rock
Repeat visitors who love great views of the city will often recommend a return trip to Top of the Rock.
One of the reasons travelers and locals alike tend to prefer this location is because it's a great vantage point to see all the other historic buildings in NYC, especially the Empire State Building.
Central Park
As Lynn points out, you can easily spend several hours leisurely walking through Central Park, and with so much to see and do, who would blame you?
That said, you can make the process a lot faster by using one of the many transportation options in the area, including pedicabs, carriage rides, and bike tours/rentals.
Broadway
Who doesn't want to save money on theater tickets?
Mary advises that single-seat tickets on the day of your visit could be quite affordable.
Jennie suggests asking for rush seats, which are also same-day tickets.
The only problem with these options is that you'll likely have to stand in line at the box office to get them.
Lower Manhattan
This group member nearly followed our Day 2 itinerary PLUS had some of the best bagels in NYC!
Battery Park
Other than being a nice spot and where you catch the Statue of Liberty ferries, it's in a neighborhood that offers an alternative to hotels in Midtown, where most people gravitate.
Just hear what these group members have to say about Lower Manhattan hotels. Safe and convenient.
Staten Island Ferry
As Christy reveals, you might want to consider coming back to ride the Staten Island Ferry at night.
Not only is the Statue of Liberty well-lit and pretty easy to see after dark, but you can also get an excellent view of the city skyline when the sun goes down!
National September 11th Memorial
Many travelers, like Kimberly, think the 9/11 Memorial and Museum must be visited together and require tickets.
Group members pointed out that there is no charge to walk around the memorial and see the massive cascading fountains.
They do point out though that the 9/11 Museum does require tickets and that it is a must-see.
Note that I didn't include it in our itinerary because it would take up several hours on Day 2.
Walk the Brooklyn Bridge
This group member asked a very common question, one that you may likely have as you plan out your time.
Group members were pretty much in agreement - generally 2-3 hours.
Group members had great ideas for saving some time, including taking either the NYC ferry or the subway one way and walking back the other way.
If you decide to walk only one way there, do the walk back towards Manhattan from Brooklyn.
Chinatown
If you're looking for advice on the best places to eat in Chinatown, try this food crawl created by one of our group members.
Here's a fantastic money-saving tip. Don't shop Times Square for souvenirs - pick them up in Chinatown instead.
SoHo
So if Chinatown is about cheap food and cheap gifts, what is SoHo about?
Greenwich Village
There are loads of fun things to see in Greenwich Village, as Tracey points out, this is where the exterior shots of the Friends apartment were taken.
Of course, the actual apartment was just a set, but there is a special exhibit called The Friends Experience that recreates the set for visitors.
Little Italy
Most locals and travelers in our Facebook Group agree that the best time to visit Little Italy is in the evening, so you might even want to come back here a bit later!
Need some more suggestions? How about another four?!
For more ideas on your itinerary or any questions about your trip to New York City, check out our New York Travel Tips Facebook Group!
