Travel & transfer: Arrival at JFK and journey to Midtown
After landing, take the AirTrain and subway or a taxi to Midtown. The taxi has a flat fare to Manhattan, while the train is cheaper.
John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK)approx. 3–$75 pp
3 days · 28 stops
New York in 3 days
Three days in Manhattan, based in Midtown: arrival and Midtown architecture, then Downtown with history and food, and finally the Lower East Side, the Brooklyn Bridge and departure.
- Pace
- Balanced
- Budget
- Mid-range
- Season
- May
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Plan with your own wishesDay 1 · New York
Arrival and Midtown architecture
Arrival in New York, luggage at the Hotel Edison and an afternoon full of Midtown architecture: Grand Central, the Chrysler Building and Bryant Park, plus food at local favourites.
11:00
12:15
1 h by taxi
13:15
13:45
Stay: Luggage storage at the Hotel Edison
You drop off your luggage, as the room is only ready from 3:00 pm. Alternative if needed: The Pod Times Square.
20 min by public transport
14:05
15:05
Lunch: Bagel lunch at Ess-a-Bagel
Sidecar at Hello Kitty? Nein: Ess-a-Bagelapprox. 12–$20 pp10 min on foot
15:20
16:50
Sightseeing: Explore Grand Central Terminal
4 min on foot
17:00
17:30
Sightseeing: Chrysler Building from the outside
You can admire the 1930 Art Deco skyscraper best from the street. Look out for the eagle gargoyles and the steel spire.
12 min on foot
17:50
18:40
Café: Break at Tudor City Greens
In this small hidden park above 42nd Street you can enjoy the 1920s Tudor architecture and a quiet view back over the city.
20 min on foot
19:10
20:10
Sightseeing: Bryant Park and the Stephen A. Schwarzman Building library
10 min on foot
20:30
22:00
Dinner: Dinner at Los Tacos No. 1
Popular taco stand with fresh tortillas, loved by many New Yorkers too. Try the adobada and nopal. You can switch to Joe's Pizza instead.
Los Tacos No. 1approx. 12–$22 pp
Day 2 · New York
Downtown history and classics
A day Downtown: Wall Street, the 9/11 Memorial and the Oculus, then a Tribeca diner, Greenwich Village and finally pastrami at Katz's and a drink on the Lower East Side.
08:00
08:45
Breakfast: Cuban breakfast at Margon
Margonapprox. 12–$18 pp30 min by public transport
09:15
10:00
Sightseeing: Trinity Church and Wall Street
The Gothic Revival church from 1846 stands right at the end of Wall Street. From there you walk past Federal Hall and the Stock Exchange.
10 min on foot
10:10
12:20
Sightseeing: 9/11 Memorial and Museum
9/11 Memorial und Museumapprox. 33–$35 ppBook a timed-entry ticket online in advance, then you skip the queue at the entrance.
8 min on foot
12:30
13:10
Sightseeing: Oculus and Brookfield Place
15 min on foot
13:25
14:25
Lunch: Lunch at the Square Diner
Traditional railway-car diner in Tribeca since the 1960s, with burgers, sandwiches and breakfast all day. Alternative: Walker's.
Square Dinerapprox. 15–$24 pp20 min by public transport
15:00
15:50
Café: Cappuccino at Caffe Reggio
This 1927 café in Greenwich Village is said to have served America's first cappuccino. Antique furnishings and real Village history.
Caffe Reggioapprox. 8–$14 pp4 min on foot
16:00
16:45
Sightseeing: Walk around Washington Square
The marble arch and the fountain plaza are the heartbeat of the Village. All around stand lovely 19th-century brick houses.
20 min by public transport
17:15
18:15
Dinner: Pastrami at Katz's Delicatessen
The city's most famous deli since 1888. Try the pastrami sandwich on rye bread.
Katz's Delicatessenapprox. 25–$38 ppPick up the ticket at the entrance and only hand it in when you leave. Order at the carving counter and tip there.
12 min on foot
18:40
19:45
Drinks: Cocktails at Attaboy
Small speakeasy bar with no menu: the bartender mixes you a drink to your taste. Alternative: Frankies Spuntino on Clinton Street.
Attaboyapprox. 18–$30 pp
Day 3 · New York
Lower East Side and Brooklyn
Last day: breakfast near the hotel, then the Lower East Side with the Tenement Museum and local favourites, a walk across the Brooklyn Bridge, pizza in DUMBO and departure towards JFK.
08:00
08:45
Breakfast: Breakfast at Cafe Grumpy
Cafe Grumpyapprox. 12–$20 pp10 min on foot
09:00
09:30
Travel & transfer: Collect luggage and check out
Check out at the Hotel Edison and leave your luggage in storage for the day until it is time to go to the airport.
40 min by public transport
10:15
12:00
Sightseeing: Tenement Museum: the story of immigrants
Tenement Museumapprox. 30–$35 ppBook tickets online for early Saturday, as the tours often sell out.
8 min on foot
12:10
12:40
Shopping: Essex Market: browse and snack
Local market hall on Delancey Street with many small stalls and food vendors from the neighbourhood.
Essex Marketapprox. 5–$10 pp8 min on foot
12:50
13:30
Lunch: Knish lunch at Yonah Schimmel
Yonah Schimmel Knish Bakeryapprox. 8–$14 ppOrder a potato knish and an egg cream.
10 min on foot
13:40
14:10
Café: Coffee and doughnut at Doughnut Plant
A short break with one of the city's well-known handmade doughnuts, just a few minutes away.
Doughnut Plantapprox. 5–$9 pp20 min by public transport
14:30
15:30
Sightseeing: Walk across the Brooklyn Bridge
Walk from Manhattan to Brooklyn and enjoy the architecture and skyline views of the historic suspension bridge from 1883.
10 min on foot
15:40
16:30
Dinner: Pizza at Juliana's in DUMBO
Classic coal-oven pizza under the bridge, a late lunch or an early evening snack. Alternative: Time Out Market.
Juliana's Pizzaapprox. 20–$30 pp8 min on foot
16:45
17:15
Sightseeing: Photo stop on Washington Street
A short walk to the cobblestone view of the Manhattan Bridge between old brick warehouses.
35 min by public transport
17:50
18:10
Stay: Collect your luggage at the Hotel Edison
Collect your luggage at the reception desk.
18:15
Travel & transfer: Journey to JFK Airport
Travel by taxi or by subway and AirTrain to JFK, allowing a generous buffer.
JFK Airportapprox. 70–$90 pp
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FAQ
How many days do you need for New York?
Three to four days are enough for a first impression. With two days, you'll have to limit yourself to Manhattan and a few highlights.
Where is the best place to stay in New York?
For first-time visitors, Midtown is practical because of its transport connections. Lower Manhattan or Brooklyn are quieter and cheaper, each with good subway links.
Is New York expensive?
Yes, hotels in particular are among the most expensive in the world. But you can save money on food and with free attractions such as Central Park or the Staten Island Ferry.