The Ultimate Guide to Exploring NYC in 3 Days!
- Chasidy Delgado
- Jul 6, 2019
- 5 min read
Updated: Jan 20, 2020
So this past summer, I had a week off from work, so my friends & I decided to fly all the New York City! We only stayed for 3 days & 2 nights, but we for sure made the best of our time!
Right off the bat, I discovered that the vibe in NY is completely different than that of SF! I can't really find the words to explain how or why - you just have to be there!
We generally stayed in SoHo & downtown Manhattan area, however, I've created a guide based off our experience to help you, if you, yourself ever decide to visit the Big Apple!
Booking the Plane Tickets:
We opted to take the red-eye flight going there and the late night flight going back in order to avoid paying for an extra day at the AirBnB.
How to Get to NYC from EWR Airport:
-Airtrain to Penn Station:
drops you off right by downtown ($12.75) + NY Subway to your destination ($2.75/trip) = $15. *Only downside is, you may be carrying your luggage up and down the subway stairs so we opted for the Uber option instead (see below).
OR
-Uber $20-$80 depending on time of day as well as demand
How to Get Around:
GOOGLE MAPS was definitely our best friend! It mapped out all the train routes and which train station we had to get on in order to reach our destination.
SUBWAY: fares were only $2.75/trip! You can buy a metrocard at any station ($1 for a new card + loaded fare) or buy a 7-day unlimited pass for $33.
Where to Stay:
I discovered this lovely hidden gem when our former Airbnb was cancelled out of nowhere & I was on the hunt for a new place. I knew that I wanted something that close to downtown Manhattan & this place was absolutely perfect (& not to mention a steal at $119/night)! It was clean, spacious, & minimalistic - heck, I would love to live here if I were to ever find myself living in NY.
Pros:
LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION!
This was pretty crucial to us when picking a spot, bc we wanted to be in a somewhat safe neighborhood & close to everything or at least a subway that was going to take us everywhere. Because our trip was short, I didn’t want to waste time or money on transportation & this was definitely the spot!
-White, clean, minimalistic & aesthetically pleasing: for all you IG influencers/bloggers out there, you’re welcome
-Flexible Check-in/check-out: Robert & Sergio, our AirBnB hosts, were fast at communicating & their flexibility which saved us a TOOON from having to go out and find another luggage drop due to our flights being at odd times of the day.
Check-in was through a lock box & we were provided with 2 keys which were handy when we decided to split up for a couple hours.
-Halal cart & Breakfast carts downstairs if you’re traveling on a budget.
Mediterranean food isn’t normally my first pick, but the HALAL FOOD IN NYC IS FIRE!
-Spring Street & Canal Subway Stations: down the block & definitely your go to subway line to hitting downtown manhattan. It’s about 10-15 min away.
-Other nearby stores: Trader Joe’s, Stussy, Arianna Skincare
-Pretty views of the community park/street
Cons:
-5 flights of stairs you will need to climb bc there’s no elevator (but this is expected in NYC), so make sure you have a strong friend who will help you bring up your luggage or learn how to pack light.
-Smaller than average shower.
Where to Eat:
*Essen SoHo: a bomb spot to go to for a plethora of food when you’re on the go or wanna grab a quick breakfast. Grab a box & start loading up! (They charge by the weight so choose wisely!)
-TIP: Get here early while the food is fresh to eat.
*Saigon Shack (Vietnamese): We hit this spot right after the airport bc it was cloudy and raining. (cash only)
*Famous Ben’s Pizza: There’s literally a PIZZA JOINT right next door where you can try some fiiiiine NEW YORK PIZZA! I totally recommend the ALFREDO PIZZA! It’s bombbbbb!
King Cab Halal Food: While we were in downtown Manhattan (by the Vessel) I found this spot. I’m not normally keen on mediterranean food, but their CHICKEN GYROS ($6) made me a SOLID BELIEVER in Halal Street Food! (Cash Only)
*The Taco Shop: They have an awesome Happy Hour deal (3 tacos + margarita or beer) for $15. I recommend the CHICKEN TACOS and CHICKEN QUESIDILLAS!
Hershey’s Chocolate World (Times Square): You can get chocolate at any grocery store, but definitely check out their S’mores “truck” in the back! We got the Cookies n’ Cream S’mores ($9) & we totally recommend it!
*La Colombe: For all you coffee lovers out there, THIS is your SPOT! My coffee-loving friend, Marvin, kept raving and going back to this place as his go-to spot for editing and finding the best cup of coffee.
(Fun Fact: If you ever want to try it, they sell one of their cans in Trader Joe's)
*POPBAR: At $7/pop, their handcrafted gelato on a stick lands around the pricier range, but if you're looking to try something homemade & unique, this is your spot. We recommend trying the S'MORES YOGURTPOP!
* Indicates it’s within walking distance from our AirBnB in Soho
Where We Visited:
We met a lovely young woman singing in the subway station who led us to the front steps of Times Square! All I can say is this place was so pretty with all of the lights! Definitely a must for when you come to New York!
This place is If you happen to make it to the top, the view is BREATHTAKING. It definitely is a work out going up, but do not skip it! We almost did, bc we were too lazy from walking the whole day, but trust me, it’s worth it(; Note: You will need a ticket to go in, (but it’s free) & elevators are only allowed for older people or people with disabilities.
If you want to find a spot that encompasses the whole NYC hustle & bustle vibe. This is your spot. They have a neat park across the street where you can hang out and get a wide view of this famous building.
BONUS: 368 AKA Casey Neistat's Building
If ya'll are familiar with Casey's vlogs off of youtube, then you know what this space is. 368 is his current project in the making as he is creating an space for creatives to create, whether that'd be through filmmaking, podcasting, gaming, or production design, with the right tools around them. You can easily find his office off of Broadway street. Of course, be mindful of the work area, take a picture, and keep it moving.
Trip Breakdown/person: $500-$750/person Minimum Spend
Plane Ticket: $240-480
AirBnB: $127.20 for 2 nights
Uber: $50 round trip Uber fare to/from EWR airport
Subway: $28.75 for 3 days
Food: $60-$100 for 3 days
Obviously, we probably walked around and ate more than seeing some of the tourist-y sites due to our time constraints. But nonetheless, we will be back to finish seeing everything that NYC has to offer! This bustling city as well as the people are awesome & there is always something going on! I hope this guide helps if you ever decide to visit the City that Never Sleeps! :D
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