Three Days in New York: A First-Timer's Plan

Start early at City Hall and walk the Brooklyn Bridge toward Brooklyn, with the Manhattan skyline behind you and the towers rising ahead. In the first hour after sunrise the walkway is close to empty.

Come down into DUMBO and stand on Washington Street for the famous view of the Manhattan Bridge framing the Empire State Building. Then walk the waterfront in Brooklyn Bridge Park past Jane's Carousel, and climb up to the Brooklyn Heights Promenade for the long view back across the harbor. Lunch can be a coal-oven pie at Juliana's, right under the bridge.

In the evening, ride back to Manhattan for dinner in Chinatown or on the Lower East Side: dim sum at Nom Wah on the bend of Doyers Street, or pastrami at Katz's.

Enter Central Park from the south and walk north up the Mall under its old elms to Bethesda Terrace and the fountain. Cross Bow Bridge, then keep going to Belvedere Castle for a view over the park.

Leave the park on the east side for the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Pick two or three galleries rather than trying to see everything; the Temple of Dendur and the rooftop in warm months are good places to start.

As the afternoon fades, head to Midtown. Walk through Grand Central's main concourse, then go up to Top of the Rock for sunset and the lights coming on. Finish with dinner at Keens, a Midtown steakhouse with clay pipes on the ceiling, or a drink at The Campbell inside Grand Central.

Begin with coffee at Caffe Reggio on MacDougal Street, then wander Washington Square Park and the crooked streets of the West Village. Grab a slice at Joe's Pizza on Carmine Street when you get hungry.

In the afternoon, walk to Chelsea Market and climb onto the High Line, the park built on an old elevated railway. Follow it to its southern end and step out over the Hudson on Little Island.

Spend your last evening back in the West Village: dinner at Via Carota, then a nightcap at Employees Only, or jazz at the Village Vanguard if you can get in.