Three days is the minimum for a first NYC trip. This itinerary covers the essentials without burning you out — one heavy day downtown, one mixed Manhattan day, one Brooklyn day. Adjust based on weather and energy.
Day One — Lower Manhattan & Statue of Liberty
Morning (8:30 AM): First ferry to the Statue of Liberty from Battery Park. Walk the security line is long; arrive at 8 AM. Pedestal access if you have it; grounds-only is fine. The Ellis Island stop is included and unmissable.
Lunch: Back on Manhattan by 1 PM. Eat in Tribeca or the Financial District — many options. Try Frenchette in Tribeca for excellent French-American or anything on Stone Street.
Afternoon (2-5 PM): 9/11 Memorial & Museum. Three hours minimum. Plan a quiet evening — you'll be drained.
Evening: Walk the Battery, then dinner downtown. Tribeca has the strongest restaurant cluster; the Lower East Side has more energy. Early bed — you've earned it.
Day Two — Manhattan: Museum, Park, Observation Deck
Morning (9-12): Museum. Met if you care about classical/encyclopedic art, MoMA if you want modern, AMNH if you're with kids. Don't try to see the whole museum.
Lunch: Eat near the museum. Upper East Side (Met area) has classic NYC restaurants; Midtown (MoMA area) has 1000+ options.
Afternoon (1-5 PM): Walk Central Park. Pick a section — Bethesda Fountain area in the south, the Reservoir loop for a longer walk, or the Ramble for a wild section. Pair with the Top of the Rock at 5 PM if it's clear weather.
Sunset (5:30-7 PM): Top of the Rock (Rockefeller Center) is the best deck for skyline photos. Book the timed entry 30-40 minutes before sunset.
Evening: Dinner in Midtown, West Village, or Hell's Kitchen. Broadway show after, if you want — book ahead.
Day Three — Brooklyn
Morning (10 AM): Walk the Brooklyn Bridge from Manhattan to Brooklyn. 25-30 minutes one way, one of the world's best walks. Start at the Brooklyn Bridge / City Hall subway stop on the Manhattan side.
Lunch: Brooklyn Heights / DUMBO. Try Juliana's or Grimaldi's for pizza (both legitimate, both touristy), or any of the restaurants in Brooklyn Heights for a quieter meal.
Afternoon (1-4 PM): Brooklyn Bridge Park, then either walk to Williamsburg via the East River ferry (40 min) or stay in DUMBO/Brooklyn Heights for the neighborhood deep-dive. Williamsburg has more energy; DUMBO has direct skyline views.
Evening: Dinner in Williamsburg or back in Manhattan in any neighborhood you haven't covered. Last night — pick somewhere you've been wanting to try.
Notes. Book the Statue of Liberty 2-4 weeks ahead. Book the observation deck the day-of for sunset slots (or earlier). Book Broadway shows weeks ahead for the most-popular shows. Bring comfortable walking shoes — this itinerary covers 6-8 miles of walking per day.
