New York in 3 days with friends
Itineraries · New York, NY · 3 days
A first-timer's 3-day New York plan for a group: Midtown views, the Brooklyn Bridge at sunrise, the High Line, the Met and Central Park, with pizza and deli stops on the way.
Three full days that hit the classics without spending the whole trip in lines. Each day stays in one part of the city, so the group walks more and rides the subway less. Swap anything out once it's in Freya, and vote on dinner as you go.
- Where
- New York, NY
- How long
- 3 days, 15 stops
- Good for
- First trips to New York, long weekends, groups of 2 to 8
- Best time
- April to June and September to November, for walking weather
- Updated
- October 15, 2026
Plan it together in Freya
Every stop goes on your trip with its place from Apple Maps, so the group gets directions, drive times and the weather. Then swap things out, vote and split the costs.
Add to FreyaNot on an iPhone? Copy the plan for the group chat, or open it in the builder.
Day 1: Midtown
- 11:00 AMGrand Central TerminalDo89 E 42nd St, New York, NY · Map of Grand Central TerminalLook up at the ceiling in the Main Concourse
- 12:30 PMJoe's PizzaEat1435 Broadway, New York, NY · Map of Joe's PizzaGrab slices to go
- 2:00 PMTimes SquareDoBroadway & 7th Ave, New York, NY · Map of Times Square
- 3:30 PMMoMADo11 W 53rd St, New York, NY · Map of MoMABook timed tickets ahead
- 6:00 PMTop of the RockDo30 Rockefeller Plaza, New York, NY · Map of Top of the RockBook a sunset slot
If we have time
- Any timeLevain BakeryEat167 W 74th St, New York, NY · Map of Levain BakeryCookies for the hotel
Day 2: Brooklyn Bridge and Downtown
- 7:00 AMBrooklyn BridgeDoBrooklyn Bridge Pedestrian Walkway, New York, NY · Map of Brooklyn BridgeWalk from Manhattan to Brooklyn before the crowds
- 8:00 AMWashington Street in DUMBODoWashington St & Water St, Brooklyn, NY · Map of Washington Street in DUMBOThe Manhattan Bridge photo spot
- 9:00 AMTime Out Market New YorkEat55 Water St, Brooklyn, NY · Map of Time Out Market New YorkCheck opening hours; it opens later on weekdays
- 11:00 AMDUMBO → 9/11 Memorial & MuseumTravel180 Greenwich St, New York, NY · Map of 9/11 Memorial & MuseumSubway or the East River ferry
- 1:30 PMKatz's DelicatessenEat205 E Houston St, New York, NY · Map of Katz's DelicatessenKeep your ticket; you pay on the way out
- 3:30 PMStaten Island Ferry Whitehall TerminalDo4 Whitehall St, New York, NY · Map of Staten Island Ferry Whitehall TerminalFree, with views of the Statue of Liberty
If we have time
- Any timeRuss & DaughtersEat179 E Houston St, New York, NY · Map of Russ & Daughters
Day 3: The High Line, the Met and Central Park
- 9:30 AMThe High LineDoGansevoort St & Washington St, New York, NY · Map of The High LineStart at the south end and walk north
- 11:00 AMChelsea MarketEat75 9th Ave, New York, NY · Map of Chelsea Market
- 1:00 PMThe Metropolitan Museum of ArtDo1000 5th Ave, New York, NY · Map of The Metropolitan Museum of Art
- 4:00 PMBethesda TerraceDoCentral Park, New York, NY · Map of Bethesda Terrace
If we have time
- Any timeSummit One VanderbiltDo45 E 42nd St, New York, NY · Map of Summit One VanderbiltIf the group wants one more view
Tips
- Buy observation deck tickets ahead for a sunset time slot; they sell out on weekends.
- Tap a contactless card or phone at the subway turnstile instead of buying a MetroCard. Fares cap after 12 rides in 7 days.
- The Met's admission is pay-what-you-wish only for New York State residents and students from NY, NJ and CT; everyone else pays the listed price.
- Split the group on Day 3 afternoon if some want shopping and some want another museum: set Who's going on each stop.
Plan it together in Freya
Every stop goes on your trip with its place from Apple Maps, so the group gets directions, drive times and the weather. Then swap things out, vote and split the costs.
Add to FreyaQuestions
Is 3 days enough for New York?
For a first visit, yes. This plan fits 15 stops into 3 days (Day 1: Midtown; Day 2: Brooklyn Bridge and Downtown; Day 3: The High Line, the Met and Central Park). Add a day if your group likes a slower pace.
When is the best time to go to New York?
April to June and September to November, for walking weather.
Where should a group eat in New York?
This plan stops at Joe's Pizza, Levain Bakery, Time Out Market New York, Katz's Delicatessen, Russ & Daughters and Chelsea Market. Vote on dinner in Freya if the group can't agree.
What if the group wants to split up?
The ideas under “If we have time” (Levain Bakery, Russ & Daughters and Summit One Vanderbilt) are optional. In Freya, set who's going on a stop so everyone knows where to meet back up.
How do we use this plan as a group?
Tap Add to Freya on an iPhone. Every stop goes on a shared trip with its place from Apple Maps, so the group gets directions, drive times and the weather. Friends join from a link with just their first name, then swap stops, vote on plans and split the costs.
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