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The Perfect 3-Day NYC Itinerary (Birthday Trip Edition)
- Mady Vivian
- Apr 11
- 3 min read
Updated: Apr 16
A cozy, fun, and unforgettable trip to New York City with the best food, views, and Broadway!
There's just something about New York City that never gets old! My FYP has only been NYC travel all fall, and I have been nagging to go. Little did I know that my boyfriend Zane had all this booked for my birthday, way before I even started talking about it!
We didn't go in with a strict itinerary, just a mission to see and do as much as possible… and let's just say our 30k steps a day definitely proved that.
If you're planning a trip and want a mix of touristy, foodie, and spontaneous magic, this guide is for you.
Where We Stayed
Embassy Suites by Hilton New York Manhattan Times Square
I genuinely couldn't recommend this hotel more.
We had a spectacular view of the Empire State Building right from our room (39th floor!!)
They offer a happy hour with 2 free drinks every night
The location is super central, making it easy to walk almost everywhere
It felt like the perfect mix of convenience & experience.
My 3-Day NYC Itinerary
Day 1: Tourist Dreams + Broadway Night
We started the trip the best way possible… bagels from a corner store and coffee from Ten Thousand Coffee!
From there, we leaned fully into the NYC experience:
Walked through Times Square
Explored the Rockefeller Center
Including FAO Schwarz (the Jellycat diner is EVERYTHING)
And of course, American Girl Place for the nostalgia
New York Public Library (so stunning!!)
The Plaza Hotel (dreamy photo spot)
A little stroll through Central Park
Quick bites: Pizza & pastries from Angelina Bakery
Night highlight: Seeing Hamilton on Broadway (my all-time favorite)
Post-show, we ended up at a cozy German bar with a giant pretzel, schnitzel, and a literal liter of beer. 10/10 chaotic perfection.
Day 2: My Birthday + Brooklyn Bridge + Double Broadway
We started the day at Caffe Paradiso for their VIRAL salted brown butter oat latte — worth the wait.
Pro tip: The best bagels are from random corner delis. Trust me.
Then:
Walked the Brooklyn Bridge (best pics!!)
Visited the National September 11 Memorial & Museum
Canal Street (yes… I got a $40 Coach dupe)
Cornelia Street (for my fellow Swifties)
American Museum of Natural History
Food stops:
NYC hot dog (mandatory)
Joe's Pizza (long line = always worth it)
Night surprise #2: We snagged last-minute tickets to Wicked! Seeing Emma Flynn as Glinda (after following her on TikTok!) was SUCH a full-circle moment.
Day 3: Bonus Day Energy
Our flight got delayed… which turned into a free extra NYC day!
We explored:
Grand Central Terminal
Blank Street Coffee (hot take: a little too sweet for me)
SPYSCAPE (interactive spy museum!)
Best meal of the trip: Imasa Nori Sushi Izakaya — genuinely some of the best sushi I've ever had.
Then it was back to the hotel, grab our bags, and off to the airport.
What I Ate
If you only try a few places, make it these:
Caffe Paradiso – viral latte
Joe's Pizza – classic NYC slice
Imasa Nori Sushi Izakaya – BEST sushi
Ten Thousand Coffee – perfect start to your day
Random corner deli bagels (non-negotiable)
Best Photo Spots in NYC
Save these for your trip:
Brooklyn Bridge (walk past the first arch for the BEST angle)
Hotel view at Embassy Suites by Hilton New York Manhattan Times Square
New York Public Library
The Plaza Hotel
What I Wore (End of March in NYC)
Let me save you: it is FREEZING still.
What I packed:
Trench coat
Puffer jacket (needed at night!!)
Sweaters + jeans
Gloves
Comfortable walking shoes (you will regret it if you don't)
Style tip: I kept my outfits neutral and added a pop of color with scarves/headbands.
Watch My NYC Trip
If you want the full experience & visuals, I documented everything:
This trip was honestly one of my favorites… partly because of the city, but mostly because it was so thoughtfully planned by Zane for my 25th birthday.
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