Planning to spend 3 days in New York? How do you fit in everything the Big Apple has to offer in just 72 hours? The short answer: you can’t. But you can still create an unforgettable, culturally rich experience in this city that hardly ever sleeps.
Organization is key to success. This doesn’t necessarily mean spreadsheets and printouts (no one likes those), but a carefully planned three-day itinerary will be your faithful companion on this journey through the city.
A great way to explore New York is by renting a bus for your group, where experienced guides will share interesting facts about all the attractions of this amazing city with you.
To experience the best of New York City’s attractions, rely on Comfort Express Inc. You can book group trips on charter buses to any part of the city, ensuring convenient and memorable exploration for all.
A Stroll Through Central Park
We’ve all seen the iconic aerial view of Central Park: this perfect oasis of lush greenery sprawled against the backdrop of Manhattan, surrounded by concrete jungles as if the park is shielded by an invisible energy field.
A walk through this public park, which has served as the backdrop for many films such as “Elf,” “Night at the Museum,” “Breakfast at Tiffany’s,” and many others, is an essential part of visiting New York. The park’s gates can easily swallow up an entire morning.
Explore the park’s prehistoric legacy, estimated to range from 190 million to 1.1 billion years old. Immerse yourself in the charm of sculptures such as “Alice in Wonderland” and “Balto,” the heroic Siberian husky.
Enjoy panoramic views from Belvedere Castle and visit the “Strawberry Fields” memorial dedicated to John Lennon of the Beatles. Find your quiet corners to relax and take note of “Cleopatra’s Needle.”
Get Lost in the World’s Largest Natural History Museum
The American Museum of Natural History stands as a symbol of the Upper West Side of Manhattan. This globally renowned museum, conveniently located across from Central Park, houses over 30 million exhibits and artifacts. There truly is something for everyone here, especially if you’re passionate about natural sciences and decide to drop by after lunch.
Enter through the main entrance on Central Park West to immerse yourself in an imagined ancient encounter between a brave allosaurus and a caring mother barosaurus.
Wave to the Alaskan brown bears in the Hall of North American Mammals and gaze upon the impressive model of a blue whale majestically suspended from the ceiling in the Hall of Ocean Life. You can talk to the statue of Theodore Roosevelt all you want, but it still won’t answer (at least not until dusk).
Marvel at Effie, the mammoth, whose age reaches 21,000 years, as you explore the vast collection of prehistoric fossils in the museum. And if you’re more inclined towards cosmic mysteries, delve into the 13-billion-year history of the universe at the Rose Center for Earth and Space.
The Willamette Meteorite, weighing in at a mere 15.5 tons, will simply leave you speechless with wonder.
Embark on a Cruise to the Statue of Liberty
Lady Liberty, the Great Lady of America, Mother of Exiles – she goes by many names. Just walk down any street in New York to see how deeply rooted the statue is in the city’s iconography.
From Battery Park, you can almost make out the outline of the statue. However, to truly appreciate its magnificence, it’s best to take a boat to Liberty Island and behold Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi’s copper giant in all her glory.
Up close, you can truly grasp the sheer size of the statue. Audio guides are also available here, providing insights into the symbolic significance of the statue, including the chains and shackles cast off at her feet.
Remember, if you want to ascend the 377 steps from the main lobby to the crown platform, you’ll need to book tickets in advance. Want a more exhilarating view of the statue in the summer? Grab a hat and head to the Beast.
Immerse Yourself in America’s Long History of Immigration
“Give me your tired, your poor, Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, The wretched refuse of your teeming shore. Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me.”
These powerful words from Emma Lazarus’s sonnet “The New Colossus,” engraved on a book in the left hand of the Statue of Liberty, have become an indelible symbol of American values and the statue’s concept as a welcoming mother to those arriving in the United States.
The modern metropolis of New York was shaped by immigrants. In fact, by some estimates, over 40% of Americans have ancestors who arrived at Ellis Island in search of a better life. Europeans, Jews, Russians, Greeks, Italians, and others mingled closely on the island, bringing their traditions and culture, creating a mosaic of a new American identity.
The National Immigration Museum on Ellis Island, situated on a 27-acre site in New York Harbor, is home to touching stories of dreamers who arrived in the United States for nearly 500 years.
Brave and aspiring for a better life, they have left their mark on the history of this great nation.
Start Your Morning with Great Masters of American Art
Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney, sculptor and art enthusiast, deserves special thanks for creating a treasure trove of American art in New York. Back in the 1930s, European art took center stage, which saddened Whitney as American artists remained overlooked.
So she decided to establish her own museum. The Whitney Museum of American Art continues to promote and support American artists to this day. Here, you can enjoy works by such famous masters as Andy Warhol, Jasper Johns, Georgia O’Keeffe, and Edward Hopper.
Additionally, you can discover talented American artists through exhibitions of paintings, sculptures, drawings, videos, photographs, and new media.
The Whitney Museum, or simply “the Whitney” as it’s affectionately called by enthusiasts, is located at one end of the High Line, New York’s green urban railway.
Why not start your morning with a stroll along the alleys of this unique urban garden after acquainting yourself with the works of great American artists?
Ascend to Heights to Enjoy the Best Views of New York
Concluding three days in New York while marveling at the breathtaking views of this sleepless city holds its own special poetic charm. One such place, like the One World Observatory, offers much more than just an observation deck. Just take a look at the long queues at the entrance, but you can skip them by purchasing tickets online.
Step into the SkyPod (a special elevator for you and your experience) and witness the time-lapse evolution of New York, from forested marshlands to concrete jungles, as you ascend high above the city where yellow taxis buzz and hot dog stands are stationed.
Take a stroll across the hyper-realistic glass floor, through which you can see the city streets directly beneath your feet, and listen to engaging stories from the staff who spare no facts. Grab an iPad with augmented reality and embark on a virtual helicopter tour of the city.
And, of course, there’s something special about sunset. Get close to it and enjoy the sunset rays illuminating the city with golden light, completing your three-day golden journey through New York.
Gourmet Tip: Don’t miss the best food truck in New York
Tiru Kumar, also known as the “Dosa Man,” has been serving appetizing Sri Lankan dosas in Washington Square Park since 2001. These days, Tiru has become somewhat of a celebrity, but his vegetarian dosas and curries retain all the homemade flavor they had when he first rolled out his cart many years ago.
