A Complete Long-Weekend Guide To The City That Never Sleeps – New York

America's first major landscaped public park, a walk around the Central Park is the perfect way to kick start your 3 days in New York. Spread over 843 acres, Central Park offers hundreds of special attractions for explorers; green meadows, sprawling lakes, gardens, unique bridges and classical architecture.

Expect tan-hungry locals to take over the area on weekends, alongside Frisbee-throwing bros and guitar sing-alongs. Do not forget to attempt a handstand!

There is no better stage than The American Museum of Natural History to unleash the nerd within. It is one of the world’s preeminent scientific and cultural museums renowned for its vast collections that “serve as a field guide to our planet’s history and present a panorama of the world's cultures.”

Since the American Museum of Natural History was founded in 1869, its collections have expanded to more than 32 million specimens and artifacts culled from all around the world. The dinosaur exhibits in particular will blow your mind!

One of the world’s most recognized locations, Times Square is a must for any New York City itinerary. You may have seen it in countless movies, but there is nothing like standing in the middle of it, especially at night, and absorbing its sights and sounds. Times Square is an overwhelming experience for all of your senses. Marvel at massive billboards, catch a famous musical, shop in the area or soak in the unique Times Square vibe with a hotdog in hand. There is plenty to do here.

Call it a night guzzling beer at the New York Beer Company in Hell’s Kitchen. Their goat-cheese pizza is to die for.

Begin the second of your 3 days in New York City by visiting The Empire State Building. It is a towering masterpiece in Midtown Manhattan and is the most photographed building in the world. Standing at a whopping 1,454 feet, it was the tallest building in the world for nearly 40 years, until the original North Tower of the World Trade Centre was constructed in 1970. Aerial observatories are situated on floors 86 and 102. From here, you can get an unbelievable 360 degree view of New York City that gives you a real feel for how densely populated the Big Apple is. Get here early or during lunchtime to avoid queues and tour groups.

An art deco landmark and a spectacular viewpoint across the city, the Rockefeller Center was constructed in the 1930s. Out of the 14 Rockefeller Center buildings in New York City, the ‘Top of the Rock’ observation deck is situated at the top of the GE Building. The 360° panorama of New York City icons like the Empire State Building, Central Park, Chrysler Building and Brooklyn Bridge can’t be missed.

Right in front of the Rockefeller Centre is the world famous rink was first opened on Christmas Day in 1936. It is 122 feet long and can accommodate approximately 150 skaters at a time. Let your hair down and skate to your own version of ‘Let it go’!

The biggest indoor theatre in the world, Radio City Music Hall is larger than life. So much so, that it is said, "The Music Hall needs no performers." Just its marquee is a full city-block long. More than 300 million people have enjoyed stage shows, movies, concerts and special events at the Music Hall. There's no place like it to see or stage a show.

Renowned for its elegant Art Deco architecture and its history of movie premieres and awards shows, Radio City Music Hall tops the list of must-see attractions for many art aficionados. Join an expert docent to tour The Hall that has been awing visitors since the its opening in 1932.

Kick start day three of your long weekend trip to the Big Apple by visiting The Brooklyn Bridge. Completed in 1883, it connects the boroughs of Manhattan and Brooklyn by spanning the East River. From the Brooklyn side of the bridge, you can visit Brooklyn Heights or go under the bridge to the DUMBO area which is one of the most interesting destinations in New York City.

Not highlighted on every weekend guide to New York City, DUMBO stands for “Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass” and is a former manufacturing district that was deserted until two decades ago. Today, it’s a trendy nook lined with artist studios, designer boutiques, and even a poetry bookstore called Berl’s. A must for every New York City itinerary, pizza fans can’t afford to give Grimaldi’s a miss!

The Charging Bull is one of the most popular statues in the world and was created by Arturo Di Modica after the 1987 stock market crash. His 7000 pound work represented "the strength, power and hope of the American people for the future."

The story goes that the statue was dropped off outside the New York Stock Exchange by the artist in 1989. The police swiftly removed the unwelcomed bull. Soon after, the parks commissioner had it placed in its current spot at the Bowling Green Park. The bull has remained there and has been a huge hit with the public ever since.

Get a picture taken standing beside the fierce looking head, climbing on top of the bull, or posing next to the anatomically detailed backside!

The final stop on your New Work City itinerary has to be Chinatown. The Chinatown in New York City is a destination in itself. It is the largest community of Chinese immigrants in the United States and is well-known for its restaurants, markets and crowded streets. This makes it a perfect setting for soaking in Chinese immigrant culture.

Chinatown is also a food-lover’s paradise and it will delight you with its authentic yet cheap food options. Dig in to a pile of dumplings at the Flaming Kitchen while you’re here. Also be sure to check out the teeming Canal Street, which is lined with narrow shops and stalls selling T-shirts, jewelry, and “luxury” handbags. Your 3 days in New York City come to an end with this experience!