New York City makes the perfect destination for a long weekend away. The city’s excellent transport system makes getting around a breeze, and three days is the perfect length of time to tick off some of the best sights while also getting a feel for the city itself, and seeing some of its lesser-known corners.
Given New York’s wealth of attractions and experiences, a three-day itinerary is pretty action-packed, but it makes for a great long weekend away, or little extra pre-vacation before heading off on an NYC cruise.
Day 1
Start your trip off in style with a stroll around Central Park. Head to Zabar’s on the Upper West Side for a breakfast bagel, wander through the most elegant streets of Manhattan, and head into the park, stopping off for a look around the American Museum of Natural History. Afterward, spend the morning enjoying the peace, tranquility and natural beauty of New York’s finest green space.
On the other side of the park lies Museum Mile, a stretch of Fifth Avenue which boasts The Met, El Museo del Barrio, the Guggenheim, the Jewish Museum and the Cooper Hewitt Smithsonian Design Museum, among others. This unbelievable cultural hub could occupy you for days, so pick your spots wisely!
NYC’s Upper East Side is full of intriguing new restaurants and fashionable old favorites and is the perfect place to end your first day. Try the sleek, modern stylings of Flora Bar or the chic excellence of Daniel’s.
Day 2
Your second day takes you diving into the hustle and bustle of Manhattan proper. Have a long, leisurely breakfast with plenty of refills at one of Midtown’s historic diners, before checking out the glittering lights and frantic business of Times Square.
Time for a view! Climbing to the top of either Rockefeller Centre or the Empire State Building offers unparalleled vistas across this wonderful city, and the chance to recreate THAT scene from Sleepless in Seattle. Head further west and take a stroll along the High Line, a gorgeous raised park built along an abandoned train line.
While dining in a train station might not sound exciting, Grand Central Station’s Grand Central Oyster Bar and Restaurant might just change your mind. Enjoy fabulous oysters, an impressive selection of draft beers, and marvelous vaulted ceilings and interior decor.
Day 3
Time to get out of the city. After breakfast, jump on the Staten Island Ferry for an up-close and personal look at Lady Liberty herself, the Statue of Liberty. On Staten Island itself, check out the National Lighthouse Museum and try a Mediterranean tapas lunch at the wonderfully welcoming Vida.
In the afternoon, head to Brooklyn for a real taste of New York cool. Check out the city’s aquarium and the botanical garden in Prospect Park, but mostly just soak up the effortlessly hip atmosphere of Park Slope, and explore artisan coffee shops, craft breweries and vintage thrift stores to your heart’s content.
Finish your NYC vacation off with a dinner at the famous institution that is Junior’s. With more than six decades of service, this is a true New York icon. Whatever you do, don’t miss out on the cheesecake, which might well be the best in the world!
