Pay Respects At World Trade Center And The 9/11 Ground Zero
Visit the 9/11 Memorial Museum, included in you CityPass. The historical exhibition has three parts: the Day of 9/11, Before 9/11 and After 9/11. It is a moving experience, but well worth while. Buy tickets to skip the line for this experiences.
Cost per adult: $24 without CityPass
Address: 180 Greenwich St, New York
Eat A Classic New York Pizza
TripSavvy / Kelsea Watkins
Among other things New York is famous for, pizza is undoubtedly one of them. Is it the water? The flour? Generations of pizzaiolo knowledge passed down among families? Who knows, but it goes without saying that New York City pizza is a must-try for anyone’s first visit to the city. Among our favorites: Patsy’s, which has been slinging pies since the 1930s in Harlem, Lombardi’s, which calls itself America’s first pizzeria, and Prince Street Pizza, whose square slices are loaded up with the best pepperoni you’ve ever eaten,
One Day In New York: Afternoon
3 pm Another thing you cannot miss during one day in New York City is Times Square. More than 50 Million people visit Times Square annually with more than 60 Million passing through its highly frequented subway station Times Square / 42nd Street. Approximately 460,000 people, many of them tourists, pass through Times Square on its busiest days. See all the bright and shiny advertisements and take the typical picture everybody has from their last New York trip. For a great view over Times Square go up on the red stairs.
4:30 pm After having seen one of the busiest parts of Manhattan its time to take the Subway to Brooklyn to see another top New York City attraction: The famous Brooklyn Bridge! To get there, take the 2 or 3 train towards Brooklyn and get off at Clark Street. Walking over the Brooklyn Bridge is a must-do when you spend one day in New York City. We particularly love walking over the bridge towards Manhattan, as this gives you amazing views on the Manhattan Skyline.
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Using A Nyc Metrocard With Kids
To explore NYC via the subway, head to the nearest subway station to purchase an MTA pay-per-ride subway card. I use the MetroCard vending machines but it can also be purchased at the subway station booths. The vending machines accept credit cards and usually are faster than the booths, which might be closed.
Each fare is $2.75 when using a MetroCard and you get a 5% bonus when you load more than $5.50 on each card. A single ride ticket is $3 via the vending machines or booth.
The MTA unlimited passes come in 7-day and 30-day options. Stick with a pay-per-ride card unless you will ride the subway more than 14 separate times.
A couple of things to keep in mind
Visit Times Square At Night
TripSavvy / Kelsea Watkins
As one of the most iconic places in the world, Times Square, where the New Years Eve ball drops, is worth a visit any time of day, but especially at night. You’ll be struck by the neon signs, glowing billboards, and gridlock traffic 24 hours a day. You won’t see much of a difference at 11 a.m. versus 11 p.m.! While there are plenty of stores for shopping and restaurants, merely walking around the few block radius will be interesting enough: There are always charactersin costume and otherwiseto spot!
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Walking Tours Of New York City
When we visit a new city, we love to take a walking tour with a guide to get acquainted with it. A good walking tour will pair you up with a knowledgeable city expert, and it is a really good way to get an introduction to a city.
Weve taken a number of walking tours in New York, all of which we did with Take Walks, our favourite walking tour company. Weve taken walks with them in cities all around the world, and have always had a good time.
Take Walks offer a wide range of walking tours in New York. Here are some options to consider, plus you can see all their New York tours here.
- A tour of the Broadway Theaters with a behind the scenes look at the Disney New Amsterdam Theatre!
- A tour of TV and Movie locations across Manhattan, including a tour of the NBC Studios
Naturally there are lots of other walking tour companies and options. If you invest in a New York Pass for example, this includes a number of walking tour options. There are also a wide range of walking tours available here on Viator and here on GetYourGuide.
Enjoy A Slice Of New York Nightlife
There is far more to New York nightlife than Broadway and barsthough there are plenty of those, too!
For your third night in New York, make it a night of doing something memorable, exciting, and different than your usual night outbut what exactly that might be comes in all sizes and budgets!
Here are just a few ideas:
See a comedy show.
Comedy shows are constantly going on in New Yorkfind a nearby club with good reviews and get ready to laugh!
Attend a TV show taping.
This one requires a bit more advance planning and being in the city at the right time of year, but if youve always wanted to be in the audience for a TV show, New York is the place to do it.
Check out Sleep No More.
An immersive theatre experience based on Macbeth, Sleep No More is extremely popular and an unforgettable way to spend an evening in New York!
Find a small concert.
No matter what your musical taste is, theres a concert going on in New York City on any given night that suits it! Many of them are fairly inexpensiveweve been to $20 shows in New York more than once.
Check what museums have free hours.
Generally, when the famous New York museums have their free hours, its in the evening. For example, MOMAs free hours are Fridays from 4-8pm. If youre a big museum person, you may want to note which days are free at which museums before even arriving for your 4 days in New York!
Enjoy the jazz scene in Harlem.
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Top Tip For Your New York City Vacation:
Get a New York Sightseeing pass. It will save you money on many of the New York attractions below. We wrote a post here explaining the value of it and how it works.
This 3 day New York itinerary will ensure you get the most out of your NYC city pass, maximizing your time and saving you money.
Note:
This New York itinerary will involve a lot of walking. Get yourself walk fit before you leave.
You can always jump on the subway if your legs tire. Figure out how many times you may use the subway. It is $2.50 per ride, or you can buy a 7 day unlimited pass for $35.
Im not sure youll get your moneys worth with that deal for just three days in New York, especially if you do walk around a lot.
Top Things To Do In York On A Day Trip
There are so many things to do in York, even on a day trip York so I really recommend starting early. Ive listed all the things to do in the order that I would personally do them based on crowds and ease of walking around the city but feel free to do things in the order that youd like to.
While York is a city , it definitely cant compare to London or Manchester or even Leeds in size. It really has a small-size feel to it and its manageable and completely doable on foot.
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The Plaza Hotel Food Hall Third Stop
The Plaza Hotel Food Hall1 W. 59th St.Open from 8 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday
How to get there: From Central Park exit at its southeast corner, The Plaza Hotel is across 59th Street.
Since the Plaza Hotel features a Food Hall , its perfect for families. I found sandwiches, salads and pasta at family-friendly quick service outlets. Even the citys best desserts can be found at The Plaza Food Hall, like Lady M Crepe Cakes, Billys Bakery and Chef Daniel Bouluds Epicerie Boulud.
After grabbing dessert, shop downstairs at The Plaza Hotel gift shop. For moms of girls, the Eloise Shop is a must.
Since you recharged, walk about a half-mile east on 60th Street to the Roosevelt Island Tram for one of the best midtown views.
Morning Itinerary: Breakfast Museums And A Bus Tour
One of New York City’s signature breakfasts is the bagel and New York City is filled with great bagels, though you’d be hard-pressed to find two New Yorkers who agree about which one is the best. To make the most of your day in New York City, we highly recommend starting out at H & H Bagels at 80th Street and Broadwaynot only do they have great bagels, their location on the Upper West Side is the perfect place to begin your day.
Getting There: With your MetroCard, take the 1 train to the 79th Street station. You’ll walk one block north on Broadway and H & H Bagels is on the corner.
One day is certainly not long enough to explore all of New York City’s fabulous museums, but with this one-day itinerary, you can choose to spend your morning either at the American Museum of Natural History or the Metropolitan Museum of Art .
These two museums could be explored for weeks or months, but you’ll just have a few hours at either one. We’d suggest you try the “Museum Highlights Tour” which is free with admission at both museums. Consult the schedule for AMNH Highlights Tour and Metropolitan Highlights Tour if you’re altering your plans or if you’re visiting on a weekend.
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Statue Of Liberty & Ellis Island
You cant spend a weekend in New York City without catching a glimpse of Lady Liberty, one of Americas greatest icons. For an up close and personal encounter with Lady Liberty, take the ferry from Battery Park to Liberty Island. If youre up for a challenge, you can even climb the 393 stairs to get to her crown and gaze out over the city. For a great taste of history, dont forget to check out the Ellis Island National Museum of Immigration. The exhibits give a voice to the more than 12 million immigrants who entered the United States through Ellis Island.
Recommendation: Ferry tickets to the Statue of Liberty can sell out quickly, so to avoid disappointment make sure to buy your ferry tickets well in advance here. If you want to learn more about the Statue of Liberty and about the history of immigration on Ellis Island, consider booking a guided tour.
If youre looking to spend a weekend in NYC and stay on a budget, the Staten Island Ferry is a free alternative that gives you a glimpse of the Statue of Liberty. Though you wont be able to get on the island, youll cruise past it and be able to get some great pictures.
Is Food Expensive In New York
While meal prices in New York City can vary, the average cost of food in New York City is $37 per day. Based on the spending habits of previous travelers, when dining out an average meal in New York City should cost around $15 per person. Breakfast prices are usually a little cheaper than lunch or dinner.
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Days In New York City: Day Two
Morning: Take a cruise to the Statue of Liberty
Lady Liberty, Americas Great Lady, Mother of Exiles she goes by many names. Just a glance inside any NYC gift shop is enough to understand the hold that the Statue of Liberty has over the citys iconography.You can just about make out the shape of the statue from Battery Park. If you value your eyesight though, the best experience is to take a boat out to Liberty Island and see Frédéric Auguste Bartholdis copper whopper up close.Up close, you can actually see that the giant statue is mid-stride. There are audio guides that go into fascinating detail about the statues symbolic meaning, including the chains and shackles cast aside by her feet.Remember, if you want to climb the 377 steps from the main lobby to the crown platform, you have to book this well in advance. Fancy a slightly more exhilarating view of the statue in the summer? Hold on to your hat and take a ride on The Beast.
Afternoon: Discover Americas long history of immigration
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New York City Itinerary: Day 5
Empire State Building, Chelsea Market, the High Line & Hudson Yards
Walking distance 3 miles
Empire State Building
Start the day with a trip up the Empire State Building. Completed in 1931, this was the tallest building in the world for 40 years until the North Tower of the World Trade Center was completed in 1970. The Empire State Building has been featured in over 250 TV shows and movies and is listed as one of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World.
Looking north from the Empire State Building .
Looking south from the Empire State Building.
If you dont mind waking up early, you can watch the sunrise from the top of the Empire State Building. Tickets are limited to 100 visitors and need to be purchased in advance. Its pricey, costing $100 per person, and tickets are only available for Friday and Saturday mornings.
Cost: standard tickets start at $42 for adults and $36 for childrenHours: Daily 8 am 2 amWebsite: Get the full details on packages and VIP experiences on the official Empire State Building website.Get Your Guide: You can also purchase your entrance tickets in advance through GetYourGuide.
Chelsea Market
From the Empire State Building, visit Chelsea Market for lunch.
Optional: Ground Zero Museum Workshop
This is a kid-friendly museum and if you want your child to learn about 9/11, this museum is the perfect place to take them.
Optional: Greenwich Village
The High Line
It takes about 30 minutes to walk from Chelsea Market to Hudson Yards.
The Vessel
The Edge
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Safety In New York City
These days, New York is a relatively safe city to visit- a far cry from the seventies and eighties when crime was rife.
However, as with any major city in the world petty crime is an issue, and you should take precautions with your valuables so as to minimize opportunities for theft and pickpocketing.
Simple things like keeping purse and wallets out of sight in a zippable pocket, and not leaving valuables like phones lying out in plain sight will go a long way to ensuring a safe trip.
New York Itinerary Day : Explore Midtown Manhattan
Prepare for a power-packed day in Midtown Manhattan! This stretch between 34th and 50th Streets has some of New York Citys most famous landmarks, from Times Square to the newest attraction, SUMMIT One Vanderbilt. You can easily walk from one spot to another, so put on your most comfortable shoes.
Start at Central Park
Theres no better way to start off your weekend in New York than with an authentic New York bagel from H& H Bagels on the citys Upper West Side. Enjoy your bagel at Central Park, the 840-acre oasis that separates the Upper West and Upper East sides of Manhattan.
Theres a slew of things to do in Central Park, including the Central Park Zoo, the whimsical Belvedere Castle, and the iconic tree-lined promenade, Bethesda Terrace. For the music lovers, dont forget to head to Strawberry Fields, the memorial to world-famous Beatles artist John Lennon.
Explore the American Museum of Natural History
Located on the border of Central Park on Museum Mile, the the American Museum of Natural History is a must-visit especially if youre exploring New York with kids. The iconic museum has been featured in many movies, including A Night at the Museum . There are over 34 million specimens of plants, animals, fossils, minerals, and artifacts, so plan at least 3 hours here. Be sure to book your tickets in advance to avoid waiting in line.
Walk along the 5th Avenue
See the Grand Central Terminal
Have Dinner in Midtown New York
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Start Your Days Early
As you can tell from this NYC itinerary, your days are jam-packed, so make sure you start every day as early as possible to make the most of your 3 days in New York City.
This can of course be hard if youre planning on hitting up some of the hundreds of awesome bars, clubs and speakeasies that the city is known for. But its worth laying off the expensive drinks if you have a limited time in town.
Visit Yorks Harry Potter Locations
If youre a fan of the famous J.K Rowling books and the later films then youll probably already know Yorks deep association with Harry Potter.
Potter mania is real in York and even though none of the films were actually filmed here, its said that a few places inspired the books. Its now a great place to go to pick up some Harry Potter gifts and visit some stores. Even though it hasnt been confirmed, many speculate that Yorks Shambles were the inspiration behind Diagon Alley in the Harry Potter films- they do look pretty similar.
Other locations youll want to check out if youre a huge Potter fan are The Shop that Must Not Be Named, The Boy Wizard and World of Wizardry- three very popular, Harry Potter-themed shops on the Shambles as well as the National Railway Museum which has a plaque for Platform 9 3/4.
If youre a huge fan then I highly recommend doing the Harry Potter-Themed Guided Tour of York which will take you to all the above locations and more.
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