Perfect New York Itinerary: 3 Days from Manhattan to Brooklyn
People often ask me if 3 days is enough to spend in New York City. For short trips, 3 days is definitely enough, but if you want to explore the surrounding areas by car, it might be a bit rushed. 3 days is more than enough to explore the shops, malls, landmarks, museums, restaurants, and more in downtown New York City!
In this article, I'll suggest a 3-day itinerary for New York City. Ultimately, you can decide how to plan your trip after reading this article. Because you're sure to get some interesting ideas!
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Pre-Departure Preparations for New York: My Practical Tips
- Trip.com offers the New York City Pass, which includes access to major attractions such as the Empire State Building, the American Museum of Natural History, and the Metropolitan Museum of Art. It can save you over 40%!
- As for accommodation, while everyone wants to stay in Manhattan, if you're looking for a balance between budget and experience, Long Island City is a truly underrated option. It's just one subway stop from Manhattan and offers fantastic skyline views.
- Also, rather than agonizing over choosing a SIM card after landing, having an eSIM in advance gives me peace of mind. I can use navigation immediately upon arrival without having to circle around looking for a signal!
Day 1: Reliving Classic Manhattan
The first day can be spent in Lower Manhattan.
In the morning, visit the 9/11 Memorial to experience its tranquility and the weight of history. Then, take the classic Staten Island Ferry from Battery Park. Although crowded, the feeling of watching the Statue of Liberty slowly pass by on the deck is still very New York.
In the afternoon, explore Chinatown and the Little Italy. In New York, the best lunches are often found in these bustling neighborhoods. In the evening, I highly recommend Greenwich Village. The low-rise red brick buildings and ubiquitous jazz clubs are the most authentic New York seen in American TV shows.
Statue of Liberty
Day 2: Skywalk and Modern Perspective
On the second day, explore this vibrant city from a different angle. The High Line is a place I always walk through whenever I visit. From a former abandoned railroad to a modern aerial oasis, the visual impact is fantastic. The High Line ends at Hudson Yards.
If you're interested in technology or history, the nearby Intrepid Museum is worth a visit. In the evening, don't forget to stroll through Times Square: the numerous LED screens and crowds create a truly magical atmosphere. If you still have energy, save the remaining time for a Broadway show.
Times Square
Day 3: Slow Moments in Central Park and the Brooklyn Night
On our last day, we can slow down. Wake up early and head to Central Park. Find a spot on the grass and watch locals walk their dogs and jog. Spend the afternoon strolling along Fifth Avenue. Even if you don't buy anything, looking at the shop windows is a treat!
In the afternoon, I recommend saving it for the Brooklyn Bridge. Walk across the bridge and admire the Manhattan skyline. After crossing the bridge, stay in the DUMBO area until dark. When the lights on the other side come on, you'll understand why this scene is always featured in movies—it's truly beautiful.
Brooklyn Bridge
NYC Travel Tips: Food, Budget & Best Time to Visit
What to eat in New York
Bagels and pizzas are the soul of life here. If you have trouble deciding, just browse Trip.com's local food section. You'll often find well-reviewed but not overly touristy eateries!
Regarding budget
Expenses in New York are quite flexible. I usually recommend booking hotels and flights through Trip.com's package deals. Wouldn't it be better to use the money saved to treat yourself to a nice dinner or catch a good show?!
Best time to visit
May and September are my top choices. The weather is neither too hot nor too cold, perfect for aimlessly wandering the streets!
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🔥 Recommended Hotels in New York
New York Hotels
5 star
Very Good194 Reviews
Times Square New York|5.31km from city center
The hotel's location is excellent, right next to Times Square. The front desk upgraded us to a room facing the square during check-in, which was a nice bonus! 👍
The room was quite small. It was difficult to open two large suitcases, making it feel more suitable for a solo traveler; it would be quite cramped for two people. Housekeeping was quick to respond when we requested water.
The breakfast restaurant had a nice ambiance, and everything was à la carte. The food was decent. However, the hotel didn't inform us in advance that there was a credit limit for breakfast included in our stay, nor did they mention it at check-out. We never received an electronic bill either. We only found out about the charges when we saw them on our credit card statement later. This process is really unreliable; I almost thought the hotel was overcharging me! This issue brings my service rating down from what would have been a 4.5 to a 3.5.
Thankfully, Trip.com customer service was very helpful. We only learned the full story through their communication, and they eventually resolved everything perfectly. I want to specifically commend them for that! 👍From€424
Very Good114 Reviews
Gramercy New York|3.76km from city center
This is a great hotel
1. First of all, the location is very good, located on Park Avenue and 28th Street, next to Fifth Avenue and only 1 minute away from the 28th Street subway station, which is very convenient for going to North or South Manhattan. We took the subway to Sumit, then walked along the way to Times Square and the shopping street, and finally passed the Empire State Building and walked back in less than half an hour!
2. A 5-minute walk away is a large supermarket WholeFood. It has a large buffet restaurant with a lot of oriental food, which is very convenient and delicious. There are nearly 10 kinds of soups to choose from. The buffet has a lot of cold dishes and cooked food. It feels like the problem of eating is completely solved. In addition, it also includes a sushi restaurant and a pizza restaurant, so no matter what kind of diet you need, it can be solved. Although the price is not as cheap as imagined, in New York, I think it is worth the money 😊
3. Although the equipment in the room is a bit old, it is modern so it doesn't look old. In addition, the size of the room is considered large in New York, which is a big advantage.
4. We stayed here for four nights. Room number 1401 was at least very quiet. The air conditioner, which is the most criticized in the United States, was very noisy. It didn't happen here at all. And its LCD air conditioner control was the simplest and most convenient to adjust by myself that I have ever used, so I slept well for four nights.
5. The staff is of good quality and helpful. The room service is mainly Chinese, so there is no problem in communication. They are also very polite, so I think this is a plus.Very Good623 Reviews
Times Square New York|5.2km from city center
This hotel is right in the heart of Times Square, making it super convenient to get everywhere. With over a thousand rooms, it's always bustling.
The rooms are very spacious and comfortable. The double beds are a good size, each about 1.5 meters wide.
There's a mandatory $38 daily resort fee, which they explain clearly upon check-in, unlike some other hotels. This $38 can be used for room service, and the food is actually excellent. Housekeeping is also very thorough.
My room had a view of Times Square, and if you book early, the standard rooms are quite affordable. Overall, it offers great value for money.From€388
Very Good119 Reviews
Greenpoint New York|4.24km from city center
My son and I had the most incredible experience! I would recommend the William Vale to all my friends and family. The balcony views at sunset in the summer are absolutely stunning. The hotel itself offers many thoughtful amenities including a welcome message with your name on the television upon arrival. I honestly only have one small complaint and that was the cleaning service. We called about having the room cleaned and actually spoke with the individual who said she would come back at the time we requested but she never returned. Other than that one little hiccup everything went smoothly from the time we pulled up to valet to unload our luggage. There is NO better hotel to stay in Williamsburg aside from the William Vale.From€301
Very Good163 Reviews
New York City Center New York|5.34km from city center
The room was very comfortable, clean, and tidy. I was pleasantly surprised by how quickly the front desk staff handled check-in. The hotel is grand and spectacular, making the trip totally worthwhile. It feels very safe, and the facilities are excellent.From€189
Business travel
Very Good144 Reviews
Wall Street/Financial District New York|1.37km from city center
I’ll start with the positives: the hotel has an excellent location and the breakfasts are really tasty.
Unfortunately, the rest of the stay was quite disappointing.
At check-in, we were told there had been a leak in the room and that there was a stain on the carpet. That wasn’t a huge issue for us. But the room itself was very small — especially around the beds. Looking at the floor plan, other rooms seemed to have a much better layout.
Bottled drinking water wasn’t replaced in the room. When we asked, we were told it was “complimentary” — but that didn’t explain why it wasn’t restocked.
The TV remote didn’t work — but to be fair, it was replaced quickly. The sink drain was stuck shut — also fixed promptly. Towels weren’t changed until we specifically requested it.
When the shampoo ran out, they first brought shower gel and just left it on the bed. After asking again, they replaced it with shampoo — but never refilled the dispenser in the shower, even after several days of housekeeping.
The wardrobe for coats is in the far corner of the room, so you can’t hang your jacket by the entrance — you have to walk through the whole room first.
Overall, the room was very dusty — thick dust on the safe, wardrobe, and microwave, which clearly hadn’t been wiped in a long time.
Great location and breakfast, but the cleanliness and attention to detail really let this hotel down.From€156
Very Good117 Reviews
SoHo New York|1.14km from city center
This hotel is in a fantastic location right in the heart of Soho—close to great dining, shopping, and subway access. The room was clean and modern, making it a great base for exploring the city. While the space was a bit compact (as expected in NYC), the cleanliness and convenient location more than made up for it.From€152
Very Good1823 Reviews
Wall Street/Financial District New York|1.28km from city center
The hotel is located near Wall Street and the Charging Bull, making its location absolutely fantastic. It's also really close to the Statue of Liberty ferry, surrounded by many popular photo ops. The front desk staff were very welcoming and accommodating, and they even helped us get a room with a great view.From€149
Very Good134 Reviews
Times Square New York|4.38km from city center
This is an older, established hotel with an excellent location right in Midtown Manhattan. It's convenient for taking the subway to the train station. I really appreciated the security guard checking room cards before entering the elevators in the lobby – it made me feel very safe. The room and bathroom were small, likely due to the hotel's age, and the poor soundproofing was a definite downside. The air conditioning was quite loud, but the temperature was stable. The view from the window was nice; you could even see The Edge. Housekeeping cleaned the room daily, and both the security guard and the housekeeping staff were very polite. I arrived from San Francisco at 10 AM, and it was raining and snowing and freezing outside. The front desk said I had to wait until 4 PM to check in, or pay an extra $75 for early check-in, which I couldn't do. Luggage storage wasn't free either; they charged $5 per bag.From€307
Very Good137 Reviews
Times Square New York|5.31km from city center
Room was quite small and basic, and walls were thin. Staff was very helpful. There is no on site restaurant except for the steakhouse so it was not an option for my 15 night stay to dine there every night. Great location near to Central station. Overall, it was a pleasant stay.Family friendly
Very Good48 Reviews
Times Square New York|4.45km from city center
Fenomenal location close to everything + subway
Just be aware that there is the Roof Top Bar with Lou music friday-saturday until 4AM (18th floor) we could hear it a little bit from 9th floor so closer floors might have suffered it a little more...or they maybe joined the party??!!! Needs to be 21 to get in.
Saturday Sundays entry is admitted to everyone as they offer Brunch Service there.
The grab&go thing is great for breakfast and also if you want to grab something to eat during long days visiting the city. Also ask for free water if needed!!!
The 10 dollars to spend every day per room is also good as you can use them to get some extra food or coffee or beer or discount when using the hotel bar/restaurants/club facilities.
In brief, very good place to stay in New YorkFrom€149
Very Good61 Reviews
Times Square New York|5.47km from city center
The hotel being at the heart of Midtown Manhattan is stone throw away from Times Square, Rockefeller Center, Madison Square, the Theater District, Central Park, port authority bus terminal, among many others. There are also lots of grocery stores and restaurants around so you won't worry about food. Staffs are helpful and when you're out of room, they do daily housekeeping, just make sure you remove the ”occupied room” tag on your doorknob. They support sustainability through providing a water dispenser instead of bottled water. The room size is good. Having a mini kitchen is a plus, with microwave oven, kitchen sink, water kettle and mini refrigerator. Overall, we enjoyed our stay especially the hotel's proximity to lots of attractions. Thank you, Beldevere Hotel!From€130
Very Good99 Reviews
Upper East Side New York|6.2km from city center
Great Stay, Prime Location!
I had a wonderful stay at Park Lane Hotel, New York. The hotel is situated in a fantastic location, just steps away from Central Park and many of New York's iconic attractions. The staff was friendly and accommodating, making the check-in process smooth and easy. The room was spacious, clean, and offered a great view of the city, providing a relaxing atmosphere after a day of sightseeing.
The hotel’s amenities were top-notch, and I especially appreciated the comfortable bed and the stylish, modern decor. The proximity to public transport made getting around the city very convenient. Overall, it was a great experience, and I would highly recommend it to anyone visiting New York. Will definitely consider staying here again on my next trip!From€426
Great137 Reviews
SoHo New York|1.24km from city center
I looked a lot online and saw that various hotels had bad reviews, so I just picked one at random. I didn't expect it to be a pleasant surprise. The front is not big, but the staff are very enthusiastic when I go in. The room is much larger than I expected, and there is a separate sink and a sofa, which is suitable for family travel. The room is cleaned every day, and chocolates that can help you sleep are placed at the head of the bed. Soho is around, and the nearby restaurants are also blindly selected, but they are delicious. I also found a treasure cake shop, which should be opened by Japanese, but it is not sweet, and the cream tastes very good. Banana and strawberry cakes are more suitable for Chinese tastes~ I will stay again~From€401
Very Good105 Reviews
Tribeca New York|0.57km from city center
Incredibly noisy, even on the top floors. The live music can be loudly heard the rooms (stayed on the 8th floor) due to open ceiling from ground floor all the way to the top floor. No escaping from it, no matter which room you get.From€288
Gym
Very Good56 Reviews
New York City Center New York|4.46km from city center
I've stayed here for one night during thanksgiving before I left for DC. The room was not small, but the facilities were quite old. The lifts were too small & slow. The price was reasonable and the reception was very friendly. Overall not bad.From€143
Very Good176 Reviews
Gramercy New York|4.07km from city center
Had an amazing experience despite the snow storm in NYC. Arif, the staff was really helpful and kind. Our stay here was memorable because of him and his team.From€150
Very Good117 Reviews
Wall Street/Financial District New York|0.78km from city center
I enjoyed staying at this hotel. It was quick and easy to check in. The room was clean and quiet. The bed was comfortable, and the bathroom had everything I needed for getting ready and showering. The hotel also has good restaurants in it. Highkey has a lovely brunch and good drinks. The staff here are kind and helpful. The location is fantastic. It's a short walk from the subway, and there are lots of cafes and restaurants nearby, some of which are very affordable.From€105
Very Good135 Reviews
Wall Street/Financial District New York|1.03km from city center
The room was great! However, the parking lot management was chaotic. One staff member insisted on a tip before parking, making up various excuses like it was late or the car was oversized. Also, they would make me pay the parking fee twice with my credit card, otherwise they wouldn't let me park.From€281
Very Good146 Reviews
Times Square New York|5.02km from city center
Nice 4* hotel closed to popular Times Square and Hard Rock cafe with easy access to lots of food and amenities. City Subway is just 2mins walk from the hotel lobby
Helpful staff and room is comfortable and clean
Got free pass for general admission fo American Museum of Natural History
Will stay at this Westin again in next visit to NYFrom€298
Breakfast
Very Good85 Reviews
Chelsea New York|3.64km from city center
The location is great, close to Koreatown and Macy's, and the 1 train at 28th Street is just about a 2-minute walk away. There are lots of food options nearby! The hotel isn't too tall, so the elevators aren't usually crowded, and all the staff are very nice! It's also super convenient for temporary parking right in front. Excellent value for money, I'd definitely stay here again!From€166
Very Good138 Reviews
Times Square New York|4.32km from city center
Location of the hotel is superb. It is within walking diatance to everything. The area is much less crowdes than those in the Times Square Area. It is also nice that it is just minutes away from Bryant Park.From€148
Very Good345 Reviews
Times Square New York|5.01km from city center
Small but perfectly formed. The location is absolutely fantastic, with several subway lines just a 5-minute walk away. Right downstairs, there's a bus terminal for buses heading to New Jersey. There's also a delicious pizza place downstairs. And contrary to some online reviews, housekeeping was prompt every day.From€142
Great138 Reviews
Times Square New York|4.71km from city center
Great location. Located on a quiet street yet close to the heart of the city. Breakfast was good too.
Our room's shower did not work so they switched us to a new room swiftly, but the new room's air was a little stuffy. Opening the window fixed it. Quick check in & check out. Thank youFrom€166
Good105 Reviews
Times Square New York|5.15km from city center
I must say the location was perfect and very central. Close to nearly everything.
Things weren’t great from the check in as I was sent to two different rooms (both being occupied) with other people’s belongings inside. However this was escalated to management and they handled it well.
There were not many amenities in the room however the ideal location and stunning views made up for the loss.
Overall I would consider staying here again.From€187
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