Your Ultimate 3-Day Itinerary for Manhattan, NYC
It’s been 10 years since I moved to New York City, and I rarely get tired of its sparkle. Though I don’t consider myself a true local—having grown up on a cul-de-sac and taken a school bus (not subway) to class—I’ve made a home here in Manhattan. Over the past decade, I’ve experienced various neighborhoods. The rent? Astronomical. The possibilities? Priceless.
Jay-Z and Alicia Keys had it right when they called NYC a “concrete jungle where dreams are made of.” People come here to find themselves; there are endless choices. Therefore, it’s up to you to carve your own path through the beautiful chaos. The city has five boroughs, each with its own magic—Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, Bronx, and Staten Island. However, I’m going to focus on Manhattan, because if you want to see the Big Apple’s greatest hits, this is where to start.
Friday
Morning: Start your day with coffee and a classic New York bagel with bacon, egg and cheese at Best Bagel Coffee or cream cheese and lox (smoked salmon) at Russ & Daughters. Then, visit Times Square, the glittering Disney World of NYC. You’ve got to see it at least once in your lifetime. I recommend getting there early to beat the crowds. If seeing a Broadway show is on your bucket list, line up at the TKTS booth for last-minute discounted tickets.
How to spend the day: Next, bypass the Empire State Building and head east to Summit One Vanderbilt, a newer skyscraper that provides sweeping city views plus immersive art installations. It’s connected to Grand Central Terminal, which is worth a stroll. Look up at the ceilings! The terminal also features a food court with a variety of lunch options.
If time allows, take the 4 or 5 express subway to the Upper East Side to visit The Metropolitan Museum of Art. You could spend an entire day there, but even an hour or two is worth your while.
Dinner: If you enjoy sake and Japanese small plates, try Sakagura—a hidden bar below an average midtown office building that could easily be missed. For fine dining, indulge in French-inspired seafood at Michelin-starred Le Pavillon.
After dark: Experience the nightlife downtown. Bar hop in the East Village, starting on St. Mark’s Place, or enjoy cocktails at a swanky rooftop bar in Lower East Side. Your night will likely conclude with a $1.50 slice of pizza. Some places still offer 99-cent slices, but many have raised prices due to inflation.
Saturday
Morning: Brunch is essential. Avoid Jack’s Wife Freda—the lines there are outrageous since gaining popularity on TikTok. Instead, visit Two Hands, an Australian café serving hearty yet healthy dishes. (Be sure to order the giant banana bread for the table!) Their TriBeCa location is usually less crowded and is across from two artistic gems: 56 Leonard Street, known as the “Jenga Building,” and Anish Kapoor’s new reflective sculpture, reminiscent of Chicago’s Cloud Gate.
How to spend the day: Head to the West Side Highway, which runs along the left side of Manhattan. This path is more spacious than The High Line. Stroll or bike down towards One World Trade Center, which gleams in the distance. You can skip One World Observatory if you’ve had your fill of bird’s-eye views, but make time for the 9/11 Memorial and Museum. It’s an emotional visit, so be sure to bring tissues.
Then stop by The Oculus, an architectural masterpiece inside and out. Pick up lunch at Gansevoort Liberty Market, featuring a range from tacos to sushi. Continue south to Wall Street to witness the New York Stock Exchange and the famous Charging Bull Statue. Expect to queue if you want to snap a photo with it.
Dinner: If the weather’s pleasant, grab a pint and standard bar bites on Stone Street, where the bars extend onto cobblestone streets. For a more formal dining experience, consider historic Fraunces Tavern or Dead Rabbit. Finish your downtown sightseeing at The Battery, a park on the southern tip of Manhattan where you can overlook the Statue of Liberty as the sun sets. This park features a remarkable SeaGlass Carousel that both children and adults will appreciate.
After dark: If you explored the east side Friday night, discover the nightlife in West or Greenwich Village on Saturday. This area hosts many gay and lesbian bars, particularly near the Stonewall Inn, where a riot in 1969 sparked the LGBTIQ+ rights movement. You’ll also find casual pubs, upscale lounges, jazz clubs, and speakeasies. Katana Kitten is a favored spot for cocktails—reservations are recommended—or check out Cellar Dog for live music and games like shuffleboard and billiards.
Sunday
Morning: Begin your day with coffee and a cronut (a half croissant, half doughnut) at Dominique Ansel Bakery. Prepare to shop till you drop in SoHo. One convenient aspect of living in Manhattan is that many brands have pop-ups or physical stores here. If you’ve been eyeing something online, it’s likely available for in-person purchase. If you’re just window shopping, I recommend sticking to streets on either side of Broadway, where you’ll find less congestion.
How to spend the day: After you’ve maxed out your shopping, hop on the subway uptown to Central Park for a leisurely walk or bike ride. For added enjoyment, bring snacks for a picnic; alternatively, grab a hot dog from street vendors like Nathan’s Famous. Central Park offers a myriad of activities, but if you have time for just one thing, make it to the Bethesda Terrace and its stunning fountain. For a more active experience, consider renting a rowboat and gliding across the lake.
Dinner: If you conclude your Central Park adventures on its west side, you can take the subway down to Hudson Yards to see the Vessel. Although you can no longer ascend it, walking through the plaza en route to Little Island—a floating park that opened in 2021—is worthwhile. First, visit Chelsea Market, and order tacos to-go from Los Mariscos or Los Tacos No.1. Enjoy your meal on the lawn while watching the sunset over lower Manhattan on your final night.
You won’t have seen it all, but you’ll have experienced enough to know how quickly you want to return to explore the rest.
This article was first published Aug 7, 2024, and updated Aug 7, 2024.
