72 Hours in NYC: Things to do, Where to Eat, and Where to Stay

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I’m a professional NYC tourist. 

Seriously. I’ve got the business cards and everything. JK!! But I did live in New York City (Bushwick, specifically) for 6 months while I was interning for INSIDER! Since I’m nowhere near local status, I figured I would share my tips from an extended visitor standpoint. NYC is a magical place and it can be overwhelming to plan out your trip! How do you get Broadway tickets? Where’s the best place to stay? If you’re looking for a list of luxurious hotels and 5-star spas and restaurants, then this isn’t for you. But if you’re looking for an easy way to do 72 hours in NYC on a budget, then keep on reading!

72 Hours in NYC

Free Things to Do:

I love how the city gives you so many free options! You absolutely don’t have to have a crazy spending limit to enjoy yourself in the big apple.

– Brooklyn Bridge: 

One of my favorites and an absolute must! You can see the NYC skyline and the Statue of Liberty from the walkway.

– The High Line

– Times Square:

Of course it’s a must if it’s your first time in the city, but afterward, you’ll realize there’s a reason all of the locals hate it with a passion.

– Grand Central Station

– Union Square

– Flatiron Building

– Washington Square Park

– Charging Bull/Wall Street

– Chinatown:

I FINALLY got the chance to try out some food in Chinatown and it was amazing! The experience was so authentic. You can also check out Canal Street (the area with deceptively perfect faux luxury items) while you’re there.

– Museum of Modern Art:

You can see van Gogh’s iconic starry night painting up close! *Note: It’s only free on Fridays from 4:00 PM-8:00 PM, so plan accordingly!

– Central Park:

This is not your average park. There are too many pop culture references to count that you can visit in the park and it’s perfect for people watching!

NYC Tourist Faves:

– Coney Island:

If you’ve been to NYC a couple of times, spend the day at Coney Island! Enjoy roller coasters, the boardwalk, and the original Nathan’s Hot Dogs!

– Empire State Building

– Rockefeller Center:

– Yankee Stadium

– 9/11 Memorial + One World Trade Center: 

I would suggest observing the memorial from outside and skipping the tour. The reflecting pools are hauntingly gorgeous and allow you to pay your respects at your own pace without feeling rushed by a group.

– Bronx Zoo

– Statue of Liberty:

Try and get creative with how to view the Statue of Liberty without stepping foot on Liberty Island. You get clear views of the statue from the Wall Street area, Brooklyn bridge, and the Staten Island ferry for free!

– Broadway Show:

Take it from me. Buy your tickets at the box office 1 to 2 days beforehand and avoid the extra taxes and handling costs from re-seller websites. Here’s hoping one day I get my hands on Dear Evan Hansen and Hamilton tickets!

– Late Night Show Taping:

Winning the show taping lotteries can be difficult, but so worth it! Using the Blacklist NYC, I was able to watch Samantha Bee and had a great time!

Food:

Hands down, the BEST part of New York City. And it’ll probably be responsible for the majority of your budget. These restaurants are tastyyyy and begging to be Instagrammed.

– Food carts:

The quintessential new yorker meal. I promise they’re a lot more sanitary than they look! Sometimes I’d get breakfast from a stand right by my office on 5th. That is when I didn’t grab something from my local bodega.

– Cookie DO:

– Big Daddy’s Diner:

Giant pancakes and french toast. Thick burgers. Tots for days. Need I say more? Definitely one of my favorite brunch spots in the city!

– The Smith:

Another brunch favorite and they had amazing mimosas! They conveniently have multiple locations throughout the city and amazing hipster decor.

– The Bagel Store:

Home to the infamous rainbow bagel. They’re not as sugary as they look and make for the perfect photo opp!

– Samui:

Looking for amazing Thai food? Then Samui in Brooklyn is what you’re looking for.

– Pietro Nolita

The all-pink restaurant taking the internet (and my blog) by storm.

– Shanghai Cuisine- Chinatown

– Union Fare

– Black Tap

 Where to Stay:

I always suggest staying somewhere in midtown, but you don’t have to stay in Manhattan to enjoy the city! Thankfully, you have a lot of transportation options from subways, buses, Uber, and yellow cabs to get you where you need to go during your trip. If you’d like to stay in an area that’s less crowded with tourists, the lower east side has beautiful hotels! However, I like staying right where the action happens so I don’t have to waste too much time getting around if I’m only in NYC for a short amount of time. Here are a couple of my midtown favorites!

– citizenM: 

Conveniently located right across from the Gershwin Theater (you’re welcome all you WICKED fans) and Times Square, the citizenM hotel is perfect for tourists! This hip, boutique hotel lets you relax in hi-tech rooms with amazing service all while letting you forget you’re in the middle of one of the busiest places in the country. Check out my full review here.

– Yotel:

Another fave boutique hotel in midtown Manhattan is Yotel. I had the chance to stay there during NYFW and absolutely LOVED my experience! Plus, they have one of the largest rooftop bars in the city so you don’t even have to leave your hotel for entertainment! Read my full review of Yotel here. 

– Airbnb:

While finding decent Airbnb’s in midtown for a great price is kind of tricky, it’s not impossible. If you’d like to experience another borough and travel into the city for more touristy adventures, I’d suggest staying in Williamsburg or the border of Upper East Side/Harlem. I’ve typically had more luck finding quality rooms in midtown than in Airbnb’s throughout the city though! That could also be because I typically book a little bit later than I should…whoops.

Do you have a favorite place to visit in New York City? Let me know in the comments below!

You Might Also Like…  How to Get Into NYFW as a Small Blogger and Staycation with citizenM: A Luxe Boutique Hotel in Times Square

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