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.
