Three days, in many ways, is the perfect amount of time to spend in New York, especially for first-timers. The city can be overwhelming to tourists. While you may feel rushed at every turn, that's just the way the Big Apple operates. No need to stress about getting where you need to go or doing what you've planned to do. Once you've gotten an idea of a general itinerary and feel comfortable in your shoes, you'll be set. It's easy to get around the city, whether your mode of transport is on foot or by boat, wheels or rail.
Get On a Boat
- On your first day in New York City, you need to get oriented. A good way to do this is to take a Circle Line cruise around Manhattan. Departing from a dock on the Hudson River in Midtown, this nearly three-hour narrated cruise hits the highlights, providing a good overview that can give you more confidence navigating the city streets once your feet get back on dry land. Along the way you'll get up-close views of the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, the Brooklyn Bridge, Yankee Stadium and the Manhattan skyline. You'll need to take an authorized National Park Service ferry to visit the Statue of Liberty, but keep in mind this could take up most of a sightseeing day with long lines and security screenings.
Hit the Streets
- Now that you're off the boat and have a feel for the city, it's time to hit the streets. Some don't-miss spots for first-timers are just a few blocks from the Circle Line dock, including Times Square, the Empire State Building and Rockefeller Center. Hop in a yellow cab or take public transit to other parts of town to see the 9/11 Memorial at the World Trade Center site, and take the pedestrian walkway over the Brooklyn Bridge in Lower Manhattan. North of Midtown, you'll want to spend a good deal of time exploring Central Park and its surrounding world-class museums, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the American Museum of Natural History and the Guggenheim. The High Line is a linear greenspace built along an old elevated train line that runs through Chelsea. It's well worth a stroll.
In the Evening
- You can't come to New York for a few days and not take in a theater show along the Great White Way. Broadway bisects Times Square and the Theater District. No need to purchase advance tickets, unless there's a show you simply must see. The TKTS ticket booth in the center of Times Square sells day-of-show tickets for a greatly discounted price. Many famous and critically acclaimed restaurants are in and around the Theater District, especially along Restaurant Row -- West 46th Street.
Holiday Activities
- If your three days in New York are during the Christmas and holiday season, you're in for a treat. The city comes alive between Thanksgiving and early January in a way that it doesn't at any other time of year. It may be cold, even snowy, but that's how you want it during the holidays when spirits are high. The hub of activity along Fifth Avenue includes holiday window displays at major department stores; Rockefeller Center with its ice rink and enormous Christmas tree; and the high-stepping Rockettes putting on their annual show at Radio City Music Hall. If the wait at the ice rink is too long, try Wollman Rink at the south end of Central Park. It's much larger and the lines much shorter.
