New York, New York: Definitely one of the most overwhelming cities to visit because there is just so much to do and so much to see while you’re there. I’ve visited three times, and during each trip, we packed in a ton of fun activities and delicious restaurants. My nine days in the Concrete Jungle feel like at least three months, as I’ve covered miles and miles of the city by foot (lesson learned the first time: pack comfortable shoes!).
“The glamour of it all! New York! America!”
-Charlie Chaplin
Instead of creating a City Guide like I have in the past, where I outline my favorite restaurants, activities and sites, I’ve created a three day itinerary which includes all of my ‘must do’s’ for NYC. I’ve also made a Google map of these locations, which you can access here. I find the city can be challenging to navigate, so I hope this helps!
Also, if you’re up for church on Sunday, you should definitely go to Hillsong NYC and C3 Brooklyn. I’ve been to the former (it’s incredible), and the latter was started a few years ago by a sweet couple I traveled to Manila with three years ago.
Three perfect days in New York City
Day 1
- Eat breakfast at Pastis in the Meatpacking District
- Shop at nearby boutiques (favorites include Kate Spade Saturday Pop Up and Rebecca Taylor on Gansevoort Street)
- Walk through Chelsea Market – spend time at Artists & Fleas (great vintage jewelry finds)
- Get on the High Line and walk it to the end (amazing photo opportunity)
- Walk or cab to the Gramercy Park Hotel and have a cocktail in the intimate lobby bar
- Eat lunch at nearby Barbounia (never ending bellinis for around $17) or Gramercy Tavern
- Take the subway or a taxi to the Empire State Building and go to the observation level (very touristy, but totally worth it), then take a cab to the hotel to get ready for dinner
- Enjoy dinner at Market Table (reservation highly recommended)
- Get frozen yogurt at nearby 16 Handles
- If you’re up for it, take a cab to get a cocktail at PDT (reservation required – I’ve never been, but heard it’s quite the event)
Day 2
- Take the East River Ferry to Brooklyn from E. 34th St. in Midtown (check schedule here) and get off at Brooklyn Bridge/DUMBO
- Walk through the Brooklyn Bridge Park and through Brooklyn Heights (gorgeous historical brownstones)
- If you’re up for a decently long (but pretty) walk, grab a mimosa at Marlow and Sons (I recommend a quick cab ride)
- Continue your walk (or take a taxi) to Smorgasburg (opens at 11am – Saturdays only) to enjoy brunch – drink Blue Bottle Coffee, eat at Brooklyn Piggies (so I was told, I don’t eat meat!), and Barry’s Tempeh
- Take the ferry back to Manhattan and take the subway or a taxi to the 9/11 Memorial Museum (make sure to reserve ahead of time)
- Drink a cocktail at nearby Ward III
- Walk to Battery Park and take a photo with the Statue of Liberty in the distance – or visit it, if you’re interested
- Stroll over to Wall Street and snap a photo with the iconic Charging Bull, then take a taxi back to your hotel to get ready for dinner
- Go to dinner at Almond (Flatiron District)
- Take a taxi to Times Square and then walk to see a show – I highly recommend Kinky Boots, The Phantom of the Opera, Jersey Boys, The Lion King or The Book of Mormon
- Enjoy a drink at the rooftop gardens at Rockefeller Center
Day 3
- Start your busy day off with breakfast at Sarabeth’s (Upper East Side)
- Go to the Guggenheim Museum or the Metropolitan Museum of Art
- Take a stroll through through Central Park
- Briefly walk through The Frick Collection (it’s free on Sundays!)
- Visit the flagship Kate Spade store on Madison Avenue
- Go and see pieces of the Berlin Wall at Paley Park
- Visit the Museum of Modern Art (MOMA)
- Take a taxi to the Flatiron District
- Walk through Eataly and grab a snack or dessert if you’re peckish (it can be slightly overwhelming, but worth a visit!)
- Take photos of the Flatiron Building (iconic and architecturally interesting)
- Stroll through the pretty Madison Square Park (get a milkshake at Shake Shack… but be prepared to wait in a long line)
- Walk to the New York Public Library (over 6 million books!)
- Wander through Bryant Park (think NYFW), then go back to the hotel to get ready for dinner
- Eat dinner at Cafe Mogador (East Village) or Serafina Osteria (Business District)
- Walk to d.b.a. for a drink in East Village or take a cab to the trendy Ace Hotel bar and enjoy a cocktail in the trendy lobby bar – cheers to three wonderful days in New York City
Have a city that you love and want to share your own guide? Email me.
8 Comments
Doing it big time in the Big Apple! I’ll have some wine with that cheese 🙂
OHHH, Pierre! It’s your favorite city, Smurf!
Great guide! I love the Brooklyn flea too – if you’re already at Smorgasbord, worth checking out. And I always recommend a late night comedy show at the Comedy Cellar – so good (reserve in advance or get there early (like an hour+ before a show) and stand in line for extra tickets). Oh, and John’s pizza after the show. Mmmm…Maybe I need to do a NYC pizza guide post… we’ve basically tried 15 places there. My heart belongs in Chicago, but I LOVE NYC.
What a pro!!! Seriously. You need to do a NYC guide! Are y’all going to go this year with Simon? I want to go back and go to that comedy show. Also, I love Brooklyn Flea! Got a bow necklace there that I love. Xo
You are so good at this, Ailee! You are certainly a reliable travel guide. 🙂
Cheers,
Jae
SCATTERBRAIN
Thank you, Jae!!! Xo
Oh friend, this is a fabulous itinerary!!! Love it.
Just discovered your blog and I’m loving it. Apparently we share this traveling passion and the city guide hobby. I discovered some nice spots with this article so thanks for sharing. If you want to check mine (a more architectural approach maybe) this is the link to New York’s Architecture Guide. I have one of Chicago too by the way 🙂