New York. The Big Apple. So much can be said about this iconic city, that it can be difficult to know where to begin. As a visitor, then, you'll be hard pressed to make heads or tails of where to go in this illustrious burg. Luckily, we're here to help you out.

New Yorkers are lucky. But you, dear visitor, are far luckier. This is a city made for explorers: the more you roam in New York, the more you discover, the more you'll want to see; and the more you'll be thrilled by the range of things to do in New York City.

Day 1: Get Oriented

A CityPass is still widely regarded as the best deal in Manhattan (a bold statement), and will help you to gain entry into a number of 'must-see' monuments and museums, all while skipping the line. Alternatively, see what you wish aboard a hop-on hop-off bus tour, and roam the Big Apple at your own pace.

Day 2: Museums, Shopping, and Eating

New York is perhaps the center of the Earth for these three leisurely activities. The Metropolitan Museum of Art (MOMA) is a must-see experience, and routinely displays some of the best artistic exhibits anywhere in the world.

The Guggenheim on Fifth Avenue is also a sight to behold (both inside and out), and is highly recommended. While out eyeing masterpieces, window-shop your way into something more affordable than priceless art, and get your shopping fix. The city's Garment District in Midtown is singularly New York, while for cool boutique shopping check out SoHo (a great area in its own right), the once gritty, now chic Meatpacking District, Greenwich Village's Bleeker Street, NoLita, and the Lower East Side.

Got your shopping bags? Been on your feet too long now? Why not take it easy on a romantic dinner cruise, or enjoy some light jazz before heading to bed? And if you’re a natural New Yorker and sleep standing up, how about some culturally rich soul food and jazz in Harlem?

Day 3: More

Typically, with only three days in a location, it is advisable to see some of the surrounding countryside and the foray into what landscape made the city you’re visiting so spectacular. New York, however, is a different case. Practically a UNESCO World-Heritage site for the diverse range of cultural, historical, and beautiful monuments, spend this day seeing what you failed to earlier on.

A helicopter tour is an exhilarating and delightful way to see all of the cityscape, while taking in a Broadway play is another option. Don't forget Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty, which beckon to those looking to explore the Big Apple a bit more.