New York itinerary in 3 days

New York, the Big Apple, the city that never sleeps: so many are the names by which it is called, so many are the emotions it gives to those who visit it. It is definitely one of those destinations that should be visited at least once in a lifetime, although perhaps a lifetime would not be enough to discover every corner of it. From the iconic Time Square to the Empire State Building, from the Statue of Liberty to world-famous museums, New York is definitely a destination for everyone.
So let's discover together how to organise a New York itinerary in 3 days!
SEE ALSO: What to see in New York

Consider buying a card: to save on the cost of individual attractions, we recommend purchasing the New York Go City Explorer Pass. Prices start at €60.00. Find out more.

Day 1

• Distance travelled: 6.6 km

• Places visited: Times Square, St Patrick's Cathedral (free), Central Park(bike rental from €14.00), The MET(entrance fee from €22.00), Rockefeller Center (free), Top of the Rock(observatory ticket from €36.00)

• Where to eat: Lunch at Central Park(Get directions), Dinner at Ellen's Stardust Diner(Get directions)

First time in New York? Let us guide you: for a first approach to the city, we recommend a Hop-on Hop-off sightseeing bus tour to spot landmarks and learn stories and anecdotes, or a Free city tour.

1 - Times Square

A trip to New York, whether it's for a weekend or a week, has to start in Times Square, one of the symbols of the city! It's not really a square, it's rather the intersection of Broadway and 7th Avenue and is easily accessible by underground from anywhere in New York.

Times Square is the hub of the American city, the reason why it is said that New York is the city that never sleeps: no matter what time you pass by, this place is crowded at any time of day and always lit up by the many signs. The choice is yours: you can either just take a picture in Times Square, or enter one of the many shops, such as the timeless Hard Rock Café or the incredible M&M's World New York!
SEE ALSO: Visit Times Square: how to get there, prices and tips

Climb thered steps: Being in the middle of the crowds in Times Square can leave you disoriented. So climb up the red steps behind the statue of Father Duffy, enjoy the place from a different perspective and take a wonderful souvenir or fun photo for your Instagram. Get directions.

2- St Patrick's Cathedral

Photo by Jean-Christophe BENOIST. Second stop of the first morning: the spectacular St. Patrick's Cathedral, the largest Romanesque Catholic cathedral in the country (Mon-Fri 6:30am-2pm, Sat 7:30am-6:30pm, Sun 9am-5pm; free admission). From Times Square you can easily walk to it following the famous 5th Ave and W 47th St (850 m, 10 min).

Open from early in the morning, it is best to visit it before 10:00 am to admire all its beauty. The interior is really big and spectacular: divided into three naves, on the left aisle there are numerous chapels dedicated to Catholic Saints, not to be missed is the Lady Chapel. Also, under the high altar is the crypt where the tombs of all the archbishops of New York are housed. Finally, one of the highlights are its stained glass windows, created by master glassmakers from all over the world.
SEE ALSO: Visit St Patrick's Cathedral: how to get there, prices and tips

Watch out for restrictions: as this is a religious place, wear appropriate clothing, with shoulders covered and trousers below the knee. Unlike many churches, visitors are allowed here even during services, so keep your voice low and your mobile phone on silent.

3 - Central Park

After a visit to St Patrick's Cathedral, which will take you just 30 min, head to Central Park, one of the world's largest parks and, inevitably, one of the symbols of New York (daily 6am-00pm; free entry). From the Cathedral you can reach the south entrance, located near theApple Store, easily on foot by following 5th Ave (850 m, 10 min).

Central Park stretches over 340 hectares, so you'll want to dedicate the rest of the morning to it. There are plenty of activities you can do here: enjoy a walk through its paths, looking for the most iconic attractions such as the Balto Statue or the Strawberry Fields Memorial, dedicated to John Lennon. Alternatively, if you are travelling with children, you could also opt for a short visit to the Central Park Zoo (daily 10am-5pm; admission from $19.95/€19.30). Our advice is to rent bicycles for an hour(bike rental from €7.00), to enjoy an overview of the park!
SEE ALSO: Visiting Central Park: how to get there, prices and tips

Central Park in winter: the park offers plenty of activities in every season. If you visit New York in winter you still have to include it in your itinerary: even if the nature will be a little dull, enjoy an hour skating at the Wollman Rink ice rink, with a great view of the city. Get directions.

4 - Afternoon of museums: MET, Guggenheim or Museum of Natural History

After lunching on a classic American hot dog in one of the many food trucks in Central Park, visit one of the park's museums. We recommend the MET, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, one of the most important museums in the world (Mon, Tue, Thu, Sun 10am-5pm; Fri, Sat 10am-9pm. Closed Wednesdays; full price $30.00/€29.00), easily accessible on foot from Belvedere Castle in Central Park (750 m, 10 min).

The MET houses one of the largest collections of ancient and contemporary art, with some 2 million works ranging from Egyptian to Greek and Roman art, African to Islamic art, painting, sculpture and photography.

B options for visiting the museum. Also within walking distance of Central Park is the Guggenheim Museum, the Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation 's museum of modern and contemporary art(entrance fee from €24.00), and theAmerican Museum of Natural History , a natural history museum with the world's largest collection of dinosaur fossils ideal for visiting with children(entrance fee from €27.00).
SEE ALSO: What to see at the Metropolitan Museum of Art: opening hours, prices and tips

Plan your visit: The MET takes on average 3 hours to visit, ideally in the 2pm-5pm time slot. Ask for a map at the entrance so you don't get disoriented by the many collections, maybe even plan in advance what you want to see. Buy your ticket in advance to avoid queues at the ticket offices. Info and costs here.

4 - Rockefeller Center and Top of The Rock

Having completed your visit to The Met, it is now late afternoon. Then head to the marvellous Rockefeller Center, not far from Times Square, to watch the sunset from the top of The Rock (daily 9am-11pm; full price $40.00/€38.70). From The MET, Rockefeller Center is a 30 min walk: take the M1, M2, M3 or M4 bus from 5 Av & E 80 St to 5 Av/W 50 St (10 min).

Rockefeller Center is a complex of 19 commercial buildings, where you will also find the NBC Studios, Radio City Music Hall and, above all, the Top of The Rock, the panoramic observatory from which you can admire one of the most beautiful views of New York: from here, you will have a splendid view of the Empire State Building and the whole city! The observatory consists of an indoor and two outdoor viewing terraces. It is one of the city's most popular attractions, so we recommendbuying your ticket in advance to avoid the long queues at the ticket offices, especially during the sunset hours.
SEE ALSO: Visit the Top of the Rock: how to get there, prices and tips

Where to spend the evening: for dinner head toEllen' s Stardust Diner, an iconic 1950s retro-themed venue located on Broadway (9 min walk). Alternatively, if you're visiting New York between November and April, don't miss Rockefeller Center's iconic skating rink (8:30-00:00, 1 h 30 min $25.00/€21.20, skate rental $13.00/€11.00).

Day 2

• Distance travelled: 7.3 km

• Places visited: Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island(ferry tour from €29.00), World Trade Center (free), 9/11 Memorial($26.00/€25.00), Soho and Little Italy (free), Empire State Building(standard and priority admission from €46.00)

• Where to Eat: Lunch at Gansevoort Liberty Market(Get Directions), Dinner at Shake Shack(Get Directions)

1 - Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island

Start this second day by heading to The Battery, the large historic park at the tip of Manhattan from which ferries depart to the Statue of Liberty. It is easily accessible from anywhere thanks to the Bowling Green underground stop.

From here take an excursion to visit the Statue of Liberty, New York's national monument since 1886 and a symbol of all America. Accessible only by ferry, you can also visit the statue's pedestal. You can also climb up to the crown, but in this case the visit must be booked months in advance (directly on the official website). Also visit theEllis Island National Museum of Immigration, the museum on Ellis Island, a nearby island that became a sorting station for immigrants (daily 9.30 a.m. - 5.30 p.m., admission included in the ferry to Ellis Island).
SEE ALSO: Visit the Statue of Liberty: how to get there, prices and tips

Join a guided tour: Includes ferry transportation, priority entrance fees to the new Statue of Liberty Museum and Ellis Island Museum, and a professional tour guide. Departs 9am from The Battery, duration 3hrs.

2 - World Trade Center and 9/11 Memorial

Once you have completed your visit to the Statue of Liberty, from The Battery head to the World Trade Center, where the twin towers once stood. From The Battery it is an easy walk along West St (1 km, 13 mins).

The World Trade Center, also known as Ground Zero, once consisted of 7 buildings, including the Twin Towers, which were destroyed in the terrorist attack on 11 September 2001. Today in their place is the 9/11 Museum and Memorial, a true tribute to those who lost their lives that day (daily 10am-5pm, closed Tuesdays; full price $26.00/€25.00). We recommend you visit this museum, the visit will take you about 1 h, and then take a minute to admire the beauty of the World Trade Center train station, a unique sight!
SEE ALSO: Visit the World Trade Center: how to get there, prices and tips

Consider a visit toOne World Trade Center: it is one of the tallest observatories in New York, with a splendid view of the Manhattan peninsula, the Statue of Liberty and New Jersey. Plan your visit according to the time you have available, bearing in mind that the Empire is scheduled to be visited in the evening. Info and costs here

3 - Soho and Little Italy

From the World Trade Center you reach two of Manhattan's most characteristic neighbourhoods: Soho and Little Italy, located close to each other. You can reach Soho easily on foot, with a 20 min walk along W Broadway (1.5 km).

Soho is Manhattan's artistic and shopping district and one of the most famous in New York. Characterised by the famous cast iron and coloured brick buildings with fire escapes outside, typical of New York films and TV series, it is a must-see. Take an hour or so to wander around its streets.

Just a 10-minute walk away is Little Italy, once the neighbourhood of Italian immigrants in New York. Today there's very little Italian about it, and some of it is even now engulfed by Chinatown, but it's certainly a quaint neighbourhood to see, and the visit will take you just half an hour.

Walk down Greene Street: this is Soho's main thoroughfare, packed with high-fashion shops such as Louis Vuitton, Dior and Versace, as well as tech shops such as Apple SoHo, and art and emerging artists' boutiques. Get directions

Empire State Building

By now it's late afternoon. From Little Italy walk (5 min) to the Grand St underground station, take the B or D line and get off at 34 St - Herald Sq Subway Station (8 min): here you'll be only a 3 min walk from another New York landmark, the iconic Empire State Building (daily 8am-10pm; full $44.00/€42.00).

At 443 m high, it's one of the tallest buildings in New York, as well as being one of the most popular attractions: you can't say you've been to New York without climbing the Empire! With its incredible observatory on the86th Floor, we recommend that you visit it around sunset time, so that you can also admire the lights of the city as they slowly light up before your eyes.
SEE ALSO: Visit the Empire State Building: how to get there, prices and tips

Buy thepriority ticket: this is one of the most visited attractions, especially in the late afternoon around sunset. Buy a priority ticket and skip the queue at the ticket office. Info and costs here

Day 3

• Distance travelled: 19 km

• Places visited: Wall Street (free), Brooklyn Bridge (free), Brooklyn Botanic Garden (from €16.00), DUMBO borough and Empire Fulton Ferry (free), Times Square (free)

• Where to Eat: Lunch at Bagel Pub(Get Directions), Dinner at STK Steakhouse Midtown NYC(Get Directions)

1 - Wall Street and Charging Bull

Third and final day: we start on Wall Street, in the city's Financial District. We are in the financial, banking and institutional heart of New York, easily accessible from every point in Manhattan thanks to the Wall Street underground stop.

Here are the headquarters of some of the most important American banks and numerous financial offices, such as the American Stock Exchange, the New York Stock Exchange. Mornings are really the best time to visit Wall Street: you will run into businessmen and women in suits, briefcase in one hand and takeaway coffee in the other, making room between people to rush to the office. You'll almost feel like you're in a movie! Of course, a stop at the Charging Bull, the statue of the Wall Street Bull, one of the symbols of the financial district, is a must.
SEE ALSO: Visit Wall Street: how to get there, prices and tips

Touch the Wall Street Bull: there's a bit of Italy here! It was in fact built by the Sicilian-born artist Arturo di Modica, who placed the statue in front of the stock exchange offices without having the necessary permits. However, the statue was not removed and today it is a true symbol. It is said that touching it brings good luck!

2 - Brooklyn Bridge

After strolling the streets of Wall Street, walk to one of New York's most famous bridges: the Brooklyn Bridge. Following Gold St you'll reach your destination in no time (1 km, 13 min).

The Brooklyn Bridge is one of the most famous suspension bridges in the world, as well as being one of New York's most beautiful attractions: a photo op here is practically a must. At about 1,825 m long, we recommend that you walk across it, admiring the wonderful view of Manhattan. Reach the opposite side of the bridge, located in the Brooklyn borough of the same name, in about 20 min.
SEE ALSO: Visit the Brooklyn Bridge: how to get there, prices and tips

3 - Brooklyn Botanic Garden

Photo by Andre Carrotflower. And once you cross the Brooklyn Bridge, there you are in the borough of the same name! Many people make the mistake of considering only Manhattan, but New York is divided into no less than five boroughs and Brooklyn is one of them! Once you reach the end of the bridge, go to the Borough Hall underground station and take the 2 or 3 line to get off at Eastern Parkway Brooklyn Museum: you'll be just a few steps away from the wonderful botanical gardens.

The Brooklyn Botanic Gardens are a true oasis of greenery in New York City, the green lung of the Brooklyn borough. Covering some 21 hectares, they are home to over 10,000 species of plants. They are perfect to visit in any season and allow a two-hour break from the city traffic! The highlight is the Japanese Hill-and-Pond Garden.
SEE ALSO: Visit the Brooklyn Botanic Garden: how to get there, prices and tips

Plan your visit: ideally you should allow 1 h 30 min to visit, maximum 2 h, no more. Wear comfortable shoes to move easily through the beautiful gardens and ask for a map at the entrance, which you can also consult online before your visit. Map on the official website

4 - DUMBO Quarter and Empire Fulton Ferry

After visiting the Botanical Gardens by mid-afternoon, head to one of Brooklyn's most iconic neighbourhoods: the DUMBO neighbourhood. From the gardens, take the underground line 2 or 3 again and get off at Borough Hall, from here enjoy a 10-minute walk to the neighbourhood.

The Dumbo neighbourhood lies between the Brookyln Bridge and the Manhattan Bridge and is famous for hosting one of the most Instagrammable spots in New York: the Dumbo - Manhattan Bridge View(Get directions). Here you can take a photo of the Manhattan Bridge framed by the red buildings on the street, a perfect souvenir photo. Then enjoy a stroll through the streets until you get to the Empire Fulton Ferry, the park that overlooks the river with a great view of Manhattan and the skyline. This is one of the most beautiful places to watch the sunset, not to be missed!

Finally, to get back to Times Square and spend the last evening, simply take the direct underground line A or C from High St station and get off directly at 42 St - Port Authority Bus Terminal (16 min), just a 5 min walk from Times Square.

Make astop at Jane's Carousel: in Empire Fulton Ferry Park is this carousel, a true piece of New York history, dating back to 1922. Completely restored, you can take the perfect photo here, with the carousel in the foreground and Manhattan in the background! Get directions

How much does a weekend in New York cost

New York is an expensive destination, as are all big American cities. One of the first expenses in the city is accommodation: the best district to stay in is Manhattan, due to its excellent central location. The best area is definitely Times Square, among the cheapest are Harlem, Soho, Little Italy and Chinatown.

Second major expense: transport. Getting around on foot alone is impossible, it is essential to get around by metro: running 24 hours, it has 26 lines. Even if only for 3 days, it is recommended to buy the 7-Day Unlimited-Ride MetroCard for $32.00 (€28.30). Also recommended is the panoramic bus, ideal for getting acclimatised in the city! Another major expense is the attractions: the observatories, for example, cost an average of €30.00. That's why we recommend purchasing the New York Go City Explorer Pass to save on admission!

Let's take a detailed look at the costs for a weekend:

• Costs foreating: at least €50.00 per day per person (for three cheap streetfood meals)

• Costs formuseums and attractions: average price €60.00 per person per day following our suggested itinerary

• Transport: average price €20.00 per day per person - book a private transfer from the airport

• Hotels, accommodation and b&b: minimum €70.00 per room (hostels, shared rooms) - see offers

• Entertainment: at least €30.00 per day per person (for snacks, coffee, drinks, ...)

• Total cost of a weekend in New York: from €620.00 per person (excluding flights and/or transfers)

Before you go: useful tips

• When to visit New York: every season offers unique experiences. Summer with the long days, spring and autumn with the beauty of Central Park, winter with the magic of Christmas - find out more here;

• Getting there: served by 3 airports. The main one is JFK International Airport, 30 km from Manhattan, accessible by AirTrain $7.75 (€6.80) + underground $3.00 (€2.60) or by taxi (45 min, average cost $75.00/€66.40) - flights from €198.00;

• Where to stay: Manhattan, for the centrality and high offer. Times Square for centrality, transport and nightlife, Upper West Side and Upper East Side for families, Soho, Litte Italy and Harlem for savings - find out more here;

• Getting around: by underground. New York has 26 lines, 470 stations and 1,055 km of routes. Purchase of the 7-Day Unlimited-Ride MetroCard ($32.00/€29.10) is recommended. Buses not recommended due to traffic - find out more;

• What to know: New York is a safe city, but as one of the largest cities in the world move with awareness. Choose good insurance before you go, remember that healthcare is not free in the US - find out more here.