New York is one of those cities that you can visit a hundred times and still not see it all and each time discover something new, so in no way does this guide cover everything, but hopefully offers some highlights for a weekend trip to the concrete jungle!
To optimize a long weekend in NYC catch one of the earliest flight out, aim to arrive around 9 am, and take a car service into town ( usually cheaper than a taxi or Uber) and drop your bags off at your hotel, you likely wont be able to check in yet but most hotels will hold your luggage sometimes for free, others for a small fee). From your hotel, head to the metro and buy a 7 day metro pass- yes I know you’re only there for 3 days but the math works out better to buy a week long pass. Take the metro to the Lincoln Center TKTS to get show tickets for tonight – no, you won’t get to see Hamilton this way but we’ve seen some a number of awesome shows – usually saving 50% or so. Broadway theaters are so small that really there isn’t a bad seat in the house, but we’ve always been very happy with our seats and the experience through TKTS. The Today’s Tix app is another solid option for discount tickets. Once you’ve picked up your tickets head over a block to Columbus Ave and grab Shake Shack for lunch – it’s an NYC staple. Now that you’re full and satisfied walk-off that lunch at the American Museum of Natural History – this is one of our favorite places – not only is it the setting of Ben Stiller’s family comedy Night at the Museum, but it houses some incredible animal dioramas, as well as, dinosaurs, Egyptian and ancient people artifacts, and a planetarium. This place is enormous so check out the brochure or website a head of time to plan the route of what interests you to see – but don’t miss the dinosaurs or the ocean life exhibits! You could easily spend all day here but allot at least 3 hours. After the museum, walk your way down through Central Park -maybe even check out Urban Adventure Quest , an “amazing race” style game played on your phone that shows the important areas of Central Park mixed with history and a little competition. From there head back to your hotel to officially check in, and change for dinner and your show! There are any number of restaurants in the area that cater to the theater crowd with a fast prix fix menu that will ensure you make the curtain call. Broadway shows generally don’t open their doors until 15-20 mins prior to the show starting, so don’t feel like you have to rush and be there super early. Enjoy the show! If you’re in the mood for an after-show drink head over to Lillie’s for a night-cap and trip back in time at the Victorian bar .
Day 2 : An initial trip to New York just wouldn’t be complete without visiting the financial hub and Wall Street. A great way to experience this area is through a Wall Street & Downtown Walking Tour, there are any number of great tour companies to choose from, check out tripadvisor for details. Your tour will likely end around lunch -time, so be sure to ask your guide for lunch recommendation near- by, the locals will always have the better suggestions.
After your walking tour head down to the Battery to catch the FREE Staten Island ferry that will take you right pass the Statue of Liberty for some excellent photos. Disembark once you get to Staten Island and then re-board the Manhattan bound ferry back and enjoy the great views of the city’s skyline as well!
Once you are back in Manhattan, be sure to stop by the 9/11 Memorials, and the FDNY Memorial Wall Story, a bronze relief on the side of the Fire Station 10 commemorating 9/11. It took several visits to NYC before I felt emotionally ready to visit the 9/11 Museum, its gut wrenching, and devastating, but so incredibly powerful in documenting the events surrounding September 11th, everyone really should visit it.
Also downtown is Trinity Church, a lovely old church, and also where Alexander Hamilton is buried.
If you are into shopping Century 21 is a multi-level department store shopping experience!
For dinner, check out the much famed, EATALY! Make the most of this delicious Italian restaurant and market hub, by taking a progressive dinner through their 3 unique sub-restaurants, each marked by a different specialty. The market is fun to shop through and the food is amazing, you will not leave hungry or disappointed!
Day 3: Book an early morning ticket for the NBC studio tour, and spend the a.m in the studios of NBC’s Comedy Greats! The tour shows you several of the aspects of shooting and producing a tv program, as well as the actual studios of SNL and Fallon. After the tour, be sure to check out the Radio City Hall and 30 Rockefella Plaza.
New York can seem so big, and so often tourists never leave Time Square (big MISTAKE), I love walking tours of the different neighborhoods in Manhattan to see a different side of the city . One of my favorite tour companies, is Free On Foot Tours, their premise is the tour is free, but then you tip the guide after for the value you feel the tour was worth. So on day 3, I suggest you check out one of their tours. My personal favorite is the Greenwich Village Food Tour. Your guide will walk you around the streets of Greenwich Village, giving you insight in the the history of the neighborhood, and what its like today, before taking you to try some of the neighborhood’s best foods! After the tour, head over to Chelsea and take a scenic walk on the HighLine- a rail line converted into a mile and half long elevated park. If all the walking peaked your appetite, stop into the Chelsea Market right by the High Line, and wander through the 30+ different food stalls and restaurants, offering up anything from gourmet doughnut holes, and crepes, to lobster rolls and Korean BBQ, and everything in between.
If you love Broadway, cap your final day with a visit to the Broadway sing-a-long pub ‘Marie’s Crisis’ in Greenwich or the lively piano bar, ‘Dont Tell Mama’ in midtown- both ensure an entertaining evening out!
I hope this sample itinerary as peaked your interest and that you enjoy the best NYC has to offer.
Andiamo Wander 