Should I spend 3, 4, or 5 days in New York City?
Should you spend 3, 4, or 5 days in New York City?
Many visitors spend at least 3 or as many as 7 days in New York City during their trip. If you're not sure how much time you might need here, we have the answers because your journey calls for making the most of every moment. The city offers the chance to spend time at the museums, discover the big city activities, take in a show, and dine out at amazing restaurants.
New York City is one of the most iconic cities in the United States. It is filled with its own energy and personality, and visitors will enjoy exploring the unique neighborhoods and seeing world-renowned landmarks. The city is divided into 5 boroughs, with most visitors spending the majority of their time in Manhattan. Manhattan has high skyscrapers, world class shopping, and countless entertainment options such that there's never a dull moment.
Do you have 3, 4, or 5 days to visit New York City? Here's our comprehensive breakdown of how much time you might need for your trip along with some suggestions for things to do.
Is 3 days enough time in New York City?
As a popular and famous city, New York City offers a large number of activities and attractions for visitors. Three days is probably not enough time here. You might feel rushed to see the main attractions of New York City such as the famous sights and museums, the big city activities, the theatre, and the food. To thoroughly enjoy all that the city has to offer, you'll probably want more time. Most travelers schedule at least 3 or as many as 7 days to fully experience the one-of-a-kind city. Nevertheless, if time is of the essence, we have some nice suggestions for your visit.
How to spend 3 days in New York City
When visiting New York City, you can't miss the Statue of Liberty as it's one of the most famous places in the world. Make sure you give yourself enough time to enjoy it.
Don't miss an evening at the theater while in town. Whether it's a musical, opera, ballet, or a famous Broadway-style production, New York City is known for its wide range of shows. Visiting Broadway is a quintessential NYC experience. Whether you enjoy the theater or simply want to experience something new, seeing a Broadway show is a true bucket list activity.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Hamilton Musical Themed Guided Walking Tour ($69)
- Broadway Musical Theater Walking Tour ($50)
- Alexander Hamilton Musical Walking Tour ($50)
New York City is a very walkable city. With only a day in the city, you'll have no trouble exploring the local sights. The majority of the neighborhoods in Manhattan are very walkable and easy to explore on foot. Most people prefer not to drive here as it can be overwhelming and chaotic.
New York City is famous for it's world-class attractions, museums, and landmarks. You'll want to spend at least a day exploring one or more that you're interested in the most. The sights and museums around the city are too numerous to list, but some of the most famous include the Statue of Liberty, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Museum of Modern Art, Central Park, and the Empire State Building. This is a city that is filled with iconic landmarks and you could spend weeks here and still not see it all.
Make sure to set aside around 3 hours for Metropolitan Museum of Art, which is $30. It's great for families and is known for its vast and diverse collection of art spanning thousands of years and cultures.
You'll want to have around 2 hours for Museum of Modern Art (MoMA). It's a nice activity for families and couples and is known for its extensive and world-renowned collection of modern and contemporary art including works by iconic artists. It's $25 for adults, $18 for seniors, $14 for students, and children 16 and under are free with an adult..
Make sure to set aside around 3 hours for Statue of Liberty, which is $24. It's great for families and is known for being a symbol of freedom and democracy and offering spectacular views of New York City and its harbor.
It's worth around 2 hours for Empire State Building. Entry is approximately $44 for adults, $38 for children aged 6-12, and $42 for seniors, with higher prices for access to the 102nd-floor observatory.. It's known for its stunning views of New York City's skyline and iconic Art Deco design.
One World Trade Center is worth visiting for around 2 hours, which is great for families and couples. Known for its status as the tallest building in the Western Hemisphere and its observatory with stunning views of New York City, entry is $43.
Make sure to set aside around 2 hours for Rockefeller Center, which is $40. It's great for families and couples and is known for its observation deck with panoramic city views, the ice-skating rink, and the annual Christmas tree lighting event.
It's worth around 1 hour for Grand Central Terminal. Entry is free. It's known for its iconic architecture, bustling commuter rail services, and historic status as a transportation hub.
You'll want to have around 1 hour for Chrysler Building. It's a nice activity for backpackers and is known for its stunning Art Deco architecture and status as an iconic New York City skyscraper. It's free.
It's worth around 2 hours for St. Patrick’s Cathedral. Entry is free. It's known for its stunning Neo-Gothic architecture, beautiful stained glass windows, and being a major religious and cultural landmark in New York City.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Art Deco and Architecture Midtown Landmarks Tour ($40)
- "The Met" Metropolitan Museum of Art Tour Semi-Private 8ppl Max ($133)
- Highlights of the Met Museum Tour ($110)
The delicious food of New York City is one of the main highlights of a trip to the region. Dining out is one of the highlights of a trip. Make sure you take the time to taste as much of it as possible during breakfast, lunch, and dinner at some of this city's best restaurants. And consider a food tour or cooking class. You can easily fit one into your schedule since many are just a few hours or half a day. The city has a diverse variety of restaurants, with everything from local dives to Michelin star options. There are many neighborhoods that are notable for their ethnic cuisine, particularly Little Italy and Chinatown. Quintessential NYC dishes include NYC pizza, NYC hot dogs, bagels, and Chinese dim sum.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Private Food Tour in the Upper West Side | Tasty Tours NYC ($200)
- Nolita's Tasty Global Bites with Ahoy NY Food Tours est 2009 ($130)
- Best of New York Food Tour: 5 dishes plus famous sightseeing! ($99)
Public transit in New York City is easy and efficient. In just a few days, you should be able to get around the city quite easily. The city has one of the largest subway systems in the world. There's also an elaborate bus system, ferry system, and yellow taxis all around town.
Given that New York City is a large and popular city, give yourself a full day to uncover the diverse neighborhoods, captivating attractions, and engaging activities scattered throughout the area. Be sure to include visits to some of the city's premier landmarks and quintessential neighborhoods, too. It is your quintessential big city, with skyscrapers climbing high, a nightlife that never sleeps, and restaurants tucked into every corner - NYC is among the best big cities in the world.
Fifth Avenue is worth visiting for around 3 hours, which is great for families and couples. Known for luxury shopping, iconic landmarks, and cultural institutions along a famous Manhattan avenue, entry is free.
Wall Street is worth visiting for around 1 hour, which is great for backpackers. Known for its role as the heart of the US financial industry and home to the New York Stock Exchange, entry is free.
It's worth around 3 hours for Broadway Theater District. Entry is varying amounts depending on the show and seating, with adult tickets typically ranging from $50 to $200 and discounts sometimes available for children and students.. It's known for being the global hub of professional theater and live performances, especially musicals and plays.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Manhattan Adventure Sightseeing Boat Tour - departing MIDTOWN ($99)
- New York City Sunset or Daytime Sightseeing Cruise ($60)
- 6 hour Bus tour and 1 hour Boat Ride by the Statue of Liberty ($219)
This city is very popular for nightlife. After the sun goes down, head out to one of the many popular venues around town. Known as the city that never sleeps, you can be assured that NYC has some of the best nightlife in the world. There are world class bars and clubs, but also local venues that have a more relaxed atmosphere. Several famous clubs include Paul's Cocktail Lounge, Le Bain, and Avant Gardner.
A few tour suggestions include:
- NYC Pub Crawl Experience ($24)
- NYC Pub Crawl with Rooftop Clubbing Experience ($33)
- New York Ghosts Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl ($36)
Is 4 days enough time in New York City?
Four days is usually not enough time to experience the one-of-a-kind city of New York City, so you may find yourself somewhat rushed. You don't want to miss the chance to spend time at the museums, discover the big city activities, take in a show, and dine out at amazing restaurants. You'll likely want more than four days, as many tourists set aside around three to seven days for their visit. However, if your schedule is tight, we have a handful of recommendations to make the most of your journey.
New York City
How to spend 4 days in New York City
If you have more than 4 days in New York City, you'll appreciate the added time for everything the city has to offer.
Shopping in New York City is very popular, and it's easy to see why. Spend time exploring the many shops and boutiques to find the perfect gift, souvenir, or outfit. The shopping is as diverse as the city itself. Head for Fifth Avenue for high end shopping or check out any of the many street markets for local items. New York is known for its many flea markets where you can find vintage items at a good price. And if you're looking to pick up a souvenir shirt or knick knack, there are plenty of souvenir shops around town as well.
Chelsea Market is worth visiting for around 2 hours, which is great for families. Known for diverse food options, artisanal shops, and its iconic industrial architecture, entry is free.
A few tour suggestions include:
- NYC Private Vintage and Secondhand Shopping Day ($98)
- Private Secondhand Bargain Shopping & Styling Tour with a Personal Shopper ($195)
- Fashion on Fifth Avenue Shopping Tour ($155)
Live music is very popular in New York City, so make sure you spend the evening exploring some of the more popular venues. Popular music venues include Music Hall of Williamsburg, Radio City Music Hall, Beacon Theatre, and Forest Hills Stadium.
A few tour suggestions include:
- NYC Greenwich Village Music And Food Tour ($89)
- Harlem & The Rise Of Gospel Music Walking Tour ($57)
- Hamilton Musical Themed Guided Walking Tour ($69)
Is 5 days enough time in New York City?
Many visitors choose to spend around five days in New York City. This would give you the chance to experience the city's most popular activities and spend time at the museums, discover the big city activities, take in a show, and dine out at amazing restaurants. Since many visitors prefer to spend around three to seven days here, we have a few suggestions of things to do in the one-of-a-kind city.
New York City
How to spend 5 days in New York City
Having 5 days in New York City will provide you with more time to take in the best activities in the city.
After you've explored most of New York City, take a day trip to one of the many beautiful destinations nearby.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Day trip to Washington from New York ($119)
- Long Island Wine and Food Day Trip with Sommelier host from NYC ($148)
- Hoboken Day Trip to Sleepy Hollow & Historic Tarrytown ($95)
New York City is known to be such a beautiful destination, so just exploring and taking it all in should be one of the top things to do on your list. The beauty of the skyline at night or the views from the top of the Empire State Building will take your breath away.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Manhattan Adventure Sightseeing Boat Tour - departing MIDTOWN ($99)
- Lower Manhattan Secrets And History Walking Tour ($60)
- Art Deco and Architecture Midtown Landmarks Tour ($40)
More Info
If you're looking for more information about New York City, we have even more advice to help you plan your journey.
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