3 day NYC itinerary

[LuckyNumberFive]

We've decided to have our honeymoon in NYC. Will be going late summer/early autumn, 3 full days with a day's travel either side, most likely into JFK.

Looking for tips on where to stay to be convenient without spending £500 per night, sites to see, places to eat and nice shopping. Hotel will just be a base so doesn't need to be swanky, more interested in a good location.

I've been as a teenager so not as fussed to do the usual touristy bits (although want to do a Broadway show) but looking forward to having just a nice few days with lots of walking, exploring, shopping (trinkets, clothes, books, art prints, anything really) and lots of different food and snacks. Particularly want to explore a bit of Brooklyn.

We really liked staying at the Placemakr on Wall Street. It's studios, so you don't always have to go out to eat, and there's a gym and laundry room on site. The advantage of being in the Financial District is that it's pretty quiet at night and on all the express subway lines. It's also not too far to the Brooklyn Bridge.

Chelsea is a good area to stay, we liked the Moto hotel.

Agree on Chelsea. There’s lots going on locally and it’s walkable to a lot of sights in Manhattan.

https://www.ihg.com/holidayinn/hotels/gb/en/find-hotels/select-roomrate?fromRedirect=true&qSrt=sBR&qErm=false&qSlH=NYCVC&qRms=1&qAdlt=2&qChld=0&qCiD=08&qCiMy=052026&qCoD=13&qCoMy=052026&qAAR=6CBARC&qRtP=6CBARC&setPMCookies=true&qSHBrC=HI&qDest=125%20West%2026th%20Street,%20New%20York%20City,%20NY,%20US&qpMbw=0&qpMn=1&srb_u=1&qRmFltr=

Most hotels will be expensive from Sept onwards. @LuckyNumberFive You need to think about what you actually want to see. Central Park is one hell of a way from the 911 site. You cannot stay near both.

For many people staying centrally works quite well, eg for Empire State Building but if you want the High Line (a must do in my view) go lower down. Chelsea is in that vicinity. Or look around Hudson Yards. We really liked SoHo and the neighbourhood feel and we stayed at the SoHo Grand. I’d say going out to Brooklyn and walking back over the bridge is a fantastic experience as is the Staten Island ferry or the trip to Ellis Island.

I would base my hotel search on location and ratings from guests. Rooms are inevitably small and breakfasts are expensive so find nearby delis. My DD likes the East Village but we’ve not stayed there. Also don’t plan to do a huge amount each day. It’s a big place.

Thanks all.

Chelsea seems like a winner for hotels.

I'm not fussed for visiting ground zero, Ellis Island or the empire state building, but would like to do the ferry past the statue of liberty. Walking the Brooklyn bridge in the morning sounds lovely too.

We'd like to visit some of the famous NY food places, Katz Deli for example. And just lots of shopping and wandering the neighbourhoods.

I recently stayed in Midtown near the Grand Central terminus, which was a really good location for getting to lots of places. The Hyatt hotel there is pretty good and would fit your criteria.

Agree with the pp about not overloading the days - it’s easy to end up rushing from one place to another and not doing anything justice but feeling exhausted.

Narrow down the things you most want to do and focus on those.

Have a wonderful time!

Do the high line walk OP

@LuckyNumberFiveShopping is not that great in my view. What are you shopping for? It’s probably cheaper here and less faff to take it home!

@LuckyNumberFive You might find soho or Tribeca more convenient then. More of a neighbourhood feel. Famous eating places are a bit tourist trap. There’s much better on offer.

Postcards, art prints, some novelty bits to give as gifts, books, certain American shops have ranges specific to that city (Abercrombie for example), I like places like Colorful Natalie in NYC, that sort of thing.

Definitely doesn't need to be famous eateries, I'm happy with not viral but really good. There are lots of bakeries that look great, for example.

Get the ferry over to DUMBO one morning, really chilled vibe, quirky shops, nice cafes and a fleamarket style market. A real contrast to Manhattan, great views from the ferry and you can walk over the Brooklyn bridge to get back.

This is perfect! Seen a few people say the same thing, this is exactly what I'm hoping for.

when we were in NY, which was 4 years ago, we went to Brooklyn pharmacy, which is an old fashioned pharmacy that has been made into a soda/ice cream place. it was a bit cool and quirky

Thank you, I'll Google it!

A trip to Essa bagels is also a great NY experience - when we were there the waitress managed to serve us without actually speaking to us, which was quite something! but great bagels

My other half would love a proper NY bagel, and a slice of pizza. So many places to choose from though!

Stay in Midtown, you can walk pretty much everywhere

The Highline, Chelsea Market, the Frick Collection, Central Park, the Dead Rabbit for cocktails

@LuckyNumberFive I guess I’m not interested in bringing stuff home. Too much effort to pack it. I do like a book though, but souvenirs I totally avoid these days.