3-Day Itinerary: Full Tour - Visit Manhattan

When you arrive, you might be jet-lagged, whether you are from Europe or the Western US (or further), and this certainly will impact what time your day starts. But wherever you are from, please know that the majority of Bagel stores in New York are pretty darn good. You do not have to run hither and dither looking for a good bagel. Just find a bagel place near where you are staying OR where you are headed. These are full days, and you won’t be able to do everything on this list, so pick and choose.

NOTE: This might be too much, so split it up! Plus, you might enjoy stopping, shopping, and just taking it all in. Don’t hurry or rush; enjoy your time. I know you are on a tight schedule, but pretend you are here forever, and allow yourself to absorb the sights, the smells, the motion, and emotion of everything Manhattan.

Day 1:

Morning:

Central Park- Starts at 59th and Fifth, Walk around and see some sights. Walking around and downloading the app is the best way to see Central Park. It might be cold, depending on the time of year, so see clothing suggestions on the FAQ below.
Ice Skate (which can talk a long time- lines, etc.)
Eat lunch at The Boat House in Central Park – super views – you can eat at the expensive side, or the small cafe (which isn’t so great!)

Afternoon- Leave the Park South Entrance

Stroll down Fifth Avenue. In mid-January, X-mas decorations are usually down, but these iconic stores are amazing any time of year! Stop to shop!
Bergdorf Goodman – Sign up for their texts and get discounts!
Tiffany Jewelry
Louis Vuitton building is located at 1 East 57th Street in New York City
Look across 57th Street for the Snowball decoration if it’s Christmastime!

Continue to Rockefeller Center (52 Street). Night for Best View of Tree (depending on time of year. They take it down around Jan 10)- Sunset is about 4:30

Rockefeller Center – Ice Skating, Shops, Places to Eat
Christmas Tree
Saks Department Store Light show across the street if still running
St. Pats Cathedral
The Rockettes if you are there during X-Mas

Walk across town to Grand Central: Beautiful Station with lots of History – check out the whispering tunnel (45the and Vanderbilt)

Eat at one of the restaurants there for dinner: Oyster Bar, Campbell Apartment (light snack and bar), Grand Brasserie, and many more downstairs
At Grand Central is THE SUMMIT ONE – book in advance so you have your time. Nighttime views are gorgeous!!!

Day 2:

There are a GAZILLION BAGEL PLACES all over Manhattan. You don’t have to worry. But:

Morning:

34th and Lexington – Utopia Bagels. You head to the East Side to get here. You will pass the Empire State building on the way.
34th and 5th Empire State Building ** Note, after THE SUMMIT, this might not be necessary, but the daytime view is different. It can take 2 hours up and down depending on the crowd.

Upper East Side Museums – Pick one

Take a Madison Avenue bus (try to get an express) uptown to 83rd Street and see The Met Museum. If you like Museums, it can easily be 2 to 3 hours. Cost for the bus: $2.90 – credit card, Apple Pay, Omni Card
Also, the Met is close to another part of Central Park that I LOVE called The Reservoir. With gorgeous views. Other museums include:
The Guggenheim 88th Street
The Frick Museum

Dinner:

You can head WEST to Columbus Avenue (Take a bus across 86th Street), and it will take you to Columbus Avenue. A great part of town with loads of cute shops and restaurants. I will add some soon!
After dinner, take a bus back to your hotel (if you are in the Times Square Area. If not, there are many options to get back to your hotel: Uber, Taxi, Subway, Bus.
If you are in Times Square, head to one of these bars for a nightcap and great views: Bar 54, which is the highest hotel cocktail bar; St. Cloud Rooftop Bar at The Knickerbocker Hotel, known for its direct view of Times Square., Haven Rooftop at the Sanctuary Hotel. Magic Hour Rooftop Bar & Lounge at the Moxy, Dear Irving on Hudson at the Aliz Hotel

Day 3: Financial District, Dumbo, Soho, and Chelsea

Morning: Breakfast anywhere

Take the 34th Street bus EAST to take the EAST river ferry down to DUMBO. Buy tickets for the Ferry there, OR you can get the app (NYC Ferry).
Ferry journey to Dumbo: The views from the ferry are AMAZING.
Spend time in Dumbo, visit the park (probably cold), Visit Time Out Eating Hall (Ok food, but views are supposed to be fab.) View QA for a Dumbo List
Walk around Dumbo, visiting galleries or little shops.
Cross the bridge back to Manhattan. Depending on the weather, and it IS going to be cold in January, walk across the bridge to Manhattan

If you don’t want to walk across the bridge:

Take the ferry back to Wall Street.
Eat down at the South Street Seaport if hungry.
911 Museum, Oculus, Wall Street
A new 90-minute museum I haven’t seen, in the area, called Mercer Labs

Go to Soho (Take the A or C subway from Mercer Labs)

Walk around the shops and restaurants. Then go to Chelsea
Take the bus, subway, or cab to Chelsea
In Chelsea, there is The Chelsea Market, Pier 50 (food court and outdoor park), and Little Island
All three of these things are very close to each other, so you can simply walk from place to place.

Dinner:

There are food courts at both Chelsea Market and Pier 59. Pier 59 has the City Winery restaurant with great views of the Hudson.

If you don’t like any of those spots, the dining in Chelsea is endless!

**There are so many ways to see Manhattan, and this is just one three-day itinerary. Mix and match. Spend more time in one area than another. Just enjoy the journey!!!

What can I do in Dumbo?

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DUMBO Archway + Pearl Plaza
Brooklyn Bridge Park: A family paradise stretching along the waterfront. Main Street Lawn and Pebble Beach for picnics, and free seasonal kayaking at Pier 4.
Jane’s Carousel — A l 1922 carousel housed in a glass pavilion right on the river
Randolph Beer: Craft brews, comfort bites, and rooftop views — plus arcade games and feather bowling in a lively DUMBO hangout.
Time Out Market New York: A food hall bringing together some of the city’s best chefs, cocktails with jaw-dropping skyline views.
The Shops at 145 Front Street — Collective of vintage, jewelry & creative studios.
The Brooklyn Flea – Cool vintage finds, h Every Saturday and Sunday: 10 AM – 6 PM. C

What should I wear?

It really depends on the time of year! The colder months are especially important so that you don’t freeze as you are walking. I love my light down coats (I have many), hat, scarf, gloves, or mittens. When it’s bitter, I wear an undershirt, shirt, sweater or sweatshirt and my jacket. Fleece-lined boots that are comfy are perfect for cold days.

Spring and Fall are similar – but again, I always bring a light jacket and some layers with me. Sneakers are great for walking – thick soles are the best!

Summer is going to be hot and humid — usually. Shorts or jeans, light tops. I always bring a sweater for the air conditioning. But that is me!

** Bring Umbrellas. You never know.

Transportation

Get the MTA app or an MTA map. Buses and Subways are all over the city, and if you are ever lost, ask a person on the street– who usually will be helpful.

Pro Tip: Avenues (Running east to west)