Oh, New York, one of the most diverse cities in the United States. Who hasn’t dreamed of visiting the Big Apple? You’ll hear every language possible just by standing in line, the people in front of you and behind you will be speaking completely different languages! New York is packed with things to do, from museums and monuments to shopping and an endless variety of food.
This is also where the famous Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade takes place. It’s pretty amazing to see the massive crowds lining the streets to watch it.
Going to New York need to be organised because there are many many things to see a bit everywhere in the city. So Here is my itenary i recommend for 3 days in New York
What you need to know for your trip
Airport
There are three main airports in New York: JFK, Newark, and LaGuardia.
All of them are well connected to the city by subway, bus, or AirTrain. Newark is actually in New Jersey, so it’s a bit farther out, but still easy to reach with the AirTrain and connecting buses or trains.
You can of course get a taxi or reserve an online taxi but it will be quite expensive.
Just make sure to give yourself plenty of time when heading to the airport, especially if you’re taking a bus, since traffic can get pretty heavy.
Transportation
New York is definitely one of those cities where you won’t need a car at all. The subway and buses are the main forms of transportation, and they’ll take you pretty much anywhere you need to go.
One annoying thing, though: not all subway lines are connected inside the stations. So if you exit to switch lines or go in a different direction, you might have to pay again! A single subway ride costs $3, so that can add up pretty fast!
New York City pass
Visiting New York become quickly expensive as the main attraction such as empire state building, top of the rock or One Summit Vanderbilt are minimum 50€ each. I recommend getting a city pass to save up some money!
https://gocity.com/en/new-york/passes
https://www.citypass.com/new-york
c’est le New York CityPass ! Il vous permet de visiter les 6 meilleures attractions de la ville. A savoir : l’Empire State Building, le Metropolitan Museum of Art (MET), , l’American Museum of Natural History, le Top Of The Rock OU le Guggenheim Museum, la Statue de la Liberté & Ellis Island OU la Croisière promenade (Circle Line Sightseeing) ou encore, le 9/11 Memorial & Museum OU l’Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum. https://www.tiqets.com/fr/activites-attractions-new-york-c260932/billets-pour-new-york-citypass-p1002293/?partner=Vizeo
Day 1: Central park and Time Square
Central Park
First, head to Central Park to stretch your legs after the trip. It’s the perfect way to start your visit and get some fresh air before diving into the city!
Central Park is huge! About 4 km long, and sits right in the heart of Manhattan. It’s one of the largest urban parks in the world! The park is full of things to do: seasonal concerts, plenty of walking paths, and even the Central Park Zoo. In the middle of it all, there’s a beautiful lake that looks especially stunning at sunset.
It’s a peaceful and easy walk through the trees, perfect for families. During the fall, the red, yellow, and orange leaves are just magical.
Top of the rock and empire state building
Both spots offer stunning panoramic views of Manhattan. I highly recommend going around sunset, the tickets are a bit more expensive at that time, but it’s totally worth it. You’ll get to see the city in daylight, during golden hour, and then all lit up after dark.
Be sure to buy your tickets online ahead of time, the lines can get really long, and this will save you a ton of waiting.
If you’re choosing between the two (since both cost minimum 50€ each), I’d go with Top of the Rock. The view includes Central Park and gives you a great look at the Empire State Building, it’s a classic!
5th avenue
Fifth Avenue is a street made for everyone! It runs through much of Manhattan and is lined with luxury stores, famous landmarks, shopping malls, cafés, and more. Whether you’re looking for high-end fashion or historical sites, you’re sure to find something that brings you joy on Fifth Avenue.
On the way, right near the Top of the Rock, you’ll come across the Channel Gardens. During winter, you can ice skate on the beautiful rink here. Don’t miss the stunning St. Patrick’s Cathedral nearby, its impressive architecture is definitely worth seeing from inside and outside.
Times Square
Finish your day in the most alive place in New York! Times Square is just incredible, thousands of people walking around, surrounded by enormous screens lighting up everything. You honestly don’t even know where to look!
There are also lots of fun street shows happening all the time, so you can enjoy them while strolling through. It is also a great place to go to a comedy club or a jazz show in a restaurant.
Go in the evening once it gets dark, that’s when Times Square truly comes to life!
Day 2: Midtown Manhattan
Gospel
Start your day in Harlem by attending a gospel service in one of the local churches, an unforgettable and soulful experience. Make sure to arrive early, as seats fill up quickly. You can go in for free and ttend the service howewere photography and videos are generally not allowed.
You’ll all the information about the services and where you can attent them here.
Grand Central Terminal
Head to the center to the biggest train station in the world! Grand Central Terminal is located right next to One Vanderbilt, in the heart of Manhattan. I definitely recommend going inside, even if you’re not catching a train. Look up and admire the beautiful ceiling, it’s decorated with stunning astronomical signs. It’s one of those places that truly makes you stop and look around!
One Summit Vanderbilt
One of the most recent attraction as it opened in 2021. You’ll get a stunning panoramic view of Manhattan from the top! And don’t forget to buy your tickets online before going there.
There are several floors to explore. On the first one, you’ll find fun helium balloon displays, great for photos. Then you head up to a level with a glass floor where you can take pictures standing above the city.
Just a heads-up: once you move up to the next floor, you can’t go back down, so take your time and enjoy each level before moving on.
New york Library
Don’t miss the beautiful library, both inside and out! You don’t need a library card to enter, just walk in and explore the stunning interior, it’s totally worth it and it’s free.
Park Bryant
Right in front behing the library is Bryant Park, a super cute and lively spot with tons of local stands, food trucks, and handmade souvenirs. In the winter, you can even go ice skating if the rink is open! It’s the perfect place to take a break and soak in the view of all the towering buildings around you.
Day 3: Downtown Mannahatan and the Statue of Liberty
Memorial of 11/09
A beautiful memorial was built to honor the victims of the tragic attacks on September 11, 2001. Make sure to stop by and take a moment to reflect, it’s a powerful and moving place that commemorates the lives lost.
Bulls of Wall Street
If you walk towards the city right next to the shopping center of the vessel, you will find the famous Bulls of walls street!
Statue of Liberty
The famous Statue of Liberty was a gift from the French to the Americans to celebrate their friendship and shared values. Today, it’s considered a powerful symbol of freedom and democracy.
There are two options to see the statue:
If you’re on a budget or just want to see the statue from a distance, take the Staten Island Ferry. It runs every 30 minutes, it’s completely free, and it gives you a great view of the Statue of Liberty from the water.
The other option is to take the Ferries to Liberty Island and Ellis Island. The run every 20–30 minutes. Tickets cost around $24 for adults (a bit more than $19 now), and that includes access to both islands, the museum, and a basic view of the statue. If you want to go inside the pedestal or crown, you need to reserve those in advance!
Day 4: Hudson Yards, the High Line
Vessel
As soon as you exit the metro station 34 St-Hudson Yards, you’ll spot a massive sculpture called Vessel, it’s a centerpiece of Hudson Yards, built like a giant spiral staircase. You can walk around the base for free, but if you want to go all the way up, you’ll need to pay.
Right next to this impressive sculpture is a huge shopping mall filled with big-name brands if you love shopping, this is definitely a place to check out!
High line
Right next to the Vessel, you’ll find the beginning of the High Line park. It’s super easy to spot and a great starting point for your walk! The High Line is an elevated public park, 2.3 km long, built on a former railroad track. It’s a super pleasant walk, especially on weekends, where you’ll see families, couples, and friends enjoying time together.
Along the way, you’ll get some really nice panoramic views, including the Empire State Building, 10th Avenue, and the Meatpacking District. Make sure to walk all the way to Little Island, from there, you’ll get a great view, and if you look closely, you might even spot the Statue of Liberty in the distance!
Watch a Jazz show at the restaurant
Finish your day with a nice dinner accompanied by some great jazz music. There are plenty of restaurants where you can enjoy a live jazz show while eating. Just keep in mind, you’ll need to pay for both the show and your meal, of course!
Day 5: Dwontown Brooklyn
Brooklyn Height and Dumbo
One of the best things to do is walk from Manhattan and cross the iconic Brooklyn Bridge, which connects the neighborhoods of Brooklyn Heights and DUMBO. It’s a beautiful and scenic walk with great views of the city.
Once you’re in DUMBO, take some time to stroll around, it’s a lovely area with cobblestone streets, cute cafés, and views of the Manhattan skyline. From there, you can make your way to the Bushwick neighborhood, where you’ll be amazed by the vibrant street art and all the little street shops. It’s a totally different vibe and definitely worth exploring!
China Town and Little Italy
On your way back from Brooklyn, take time to walk through both areas, Little Italy and Chinatown. Both neighborhoods are within walking distance of each other. They each offer a unique cultural atmosphere and delicious food. If you’re in the mood for European flavors, try one of the Italian restaurants. If you’re craving something more Asian, Chinatown has plenty of authentic and more budget-friendly options.
Conclusion on New York
Well, as you can see, there are so many things to do in New York! You can visit most of the major sights in about 5 days, but it makes for a pretty packed schedule with little time to rest. If you’re staying for a week, I’d recommend spreading it out over 6 or 7 days to enjoy the city at a more relaxed pace.
New York is a great city to see the diversity and energy of people from all over the world. Walking through its neighborhoods, you’ll hear dozens of languages, taste food from every continent, and experience a rich blend of cultures that truly makes the city unique!