New York: a 3-day plan and the best time to go

The best time to go

The most comfortable months for walking about are July, August and September: mild days and less rain. The warmest month is July, at about 79°F (26°C) in the afternoon. The wettest is December.

1. Jan38°99 mm
2. Feb39°95 mm
3. Mar44°114 mm
4. Apr54°107 mm
5. May63°101 mm
6. Jun73°115 mm
7. Jul79°114 mm
8. Aug79°114 mm
9. Sep74°97 mm
10. Oct64°124 mm
11. Nov53°101 mm
12. Dec44°133 mm

Bars show the typical night-time low to daytime high; the numbers are daytime highs in °F and rain in millimetres for the month. Averages for 2001–2020 from NASA POWER, so a given year can be warmer, colder or wetter.

Three days in New York

Written with AI from public facts about New York, then checked by Sureno's rules. Opening times and prices change: check them before you go.

Day 1 Midtown landmarks

Morning

Bryant Park

Midtown

Take a gentle stroll or sit among the gardens before exploring nearby landmarks.

Afternoon

Top of the Rock

Rockefeller Center

See the city from an observation deck, with views that include Central Park and the Empire State Building.

Evening

Times Square

Theater District

See the bright signs at an unhurried pace and choose a nearby restaurant for dinner.

Day 2 Central Park and museums

Morning

Central Park

Upper Manhattan

Enjoy a short, flat section of the park and pause on a bench when you like.

Afternoon

Metropolitan Museum of Art

Upper East Side

Choose a few galleries rather than trying to see the whole museum in one visit.

Evening

Upper West Side

Have dinner at a neighborhood restaurant and keep the evening close to your hotel.

Day 3 Harbor and downtown

Morning

Staten Island Ferry

Lower Manhattan

Take the free ferry for harbor and Statue of Liberty views; check current service before setting out.

Afternoon

9/11 Memorial

World Trade Center

Visit the outdoor memorial at a thoughtful pace, with time to rest nearby.

Evening

Stone Street

Financial District

Choose from the restaurants along this historic cobbled street, or simply enjoy the atmosphere.

What to eat

• Try New York-style pizza, bagels, and deli sandwiches. Restaurants offer many cuisines, so choose places with seating and menus that suit y…

Getting there

• Fly into John F. Kennedy International (JFK).
• From Los Angeles: about 5 h 19 min in the air, non-stop (a straight-line estimate; real routes take longer).
• From London: about 7 h 12 min in the air, non-stop (a straight-line estimate; real routes take longer).
• Use the subway for longer trips and taxis or rideshares when fewer stairs or less walking would help. Subway stations and sidewalks can involve stairs, crowds, and uneven surfaces. Allow extra time and check current transit service.
• Check official U.S. entry rules for your nationality before travel.
• July and August can be hot and humid; plan breaks, carry water, and check the weather forecast.

Plan the flight from your city

Where to stay

• MidtownIt is central for many first-visit sights and has a wide range of hotels and places to eat.
• Upper West SideIt is near Central Park and museums, with a neighborhood feel and convenient subway access.
• Lower ManhattanIt is handy for the ferry, downtown sights, and several subway lines.

The official New York tourism siteWhere to sleep, on Wikivoyage

About New York

New York, often called New York City (NYC), is the most populous city in the United States. It is located at the southern tip of New York State on New York Harbor, one of the world's largest natural harbors. The city comprises five boroughs—Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, and Staten Island—each being coextensive with its respective county. It is the geographical and demographic center of both the Northeast megalopolis and the New York metropolitan area, the largest metropolitan area in the United States by both population and urban area. New York is a global center of technology, fina…

From Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).

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