In Three Days

You've seen a sizable chunk of the best of Manhattan, but there's still plenty left to fill up a day. We haven't even gotten to some of the city's great museums or that urban oasis called Central Park. We'll do all that and maybe even escape to the wilds of the Bronx before the day is done. If the weather's nice, plan on a picnic in Central Park. Start: B or C to 72nd Street.

1. The Dakota

We'll start our day in front of this 1884-built apartment building. This was standing when the only thing around it was greenery. The building has a dubious past: It was here where John Lennon lived (and where Yoko Ono still lives) and where he was shot and killed. Across the street in Central Park is Strawberry Fields, named in honor of the former Beatle; fans gather here every year on the anniversary of his death, December 8.

2. American Museum of Natural History

Don't try to cover too much ground at this 4-square-block museum; you'll be here all day. Pick a few of the highlights, like the Fossils Halls where the dinosaurs reside, the Hall of Biodiversity, and the Culture Halls. On the 81st Street side of the building, you'll find the Rose Center for Earth and Space, where you can marvel at the beauty of the cosmos in the grand Hayden Planetarium.

3. Central Park

From the Museum of Natural History, cross the street to Central Park and enter at 81st Street. Follow the path east, and just south of the Delacorte Theater, you'll see Belvedere Castle. Climb to the top and soak in the view of the park. To the north, you'll see the Great Lawn, sight of so many concerts, and beyond that the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir. To the south you'll see the lake with its rowboats (rent one if you have time) and the skyline of Manhattan.

4. A Picnic in the Park

If you didn't pack a picnic lunch, stop in the Columbus Bakery (at 83rd St. and Columbus Ave.), just north of the Museum of Natural History, and get your lunch to go. Head to the park and grab a bench, or if the weather is nice, spread out a blanket and take in the sunshine.

5. Metropolitan Museum of Art

Continuing east across Central Park, you'll hit Fifth Avenue and the Met. As with the Museum of Natural History, there is no way you can see all the Met has to offer in one visit, but stop by the Temple of Dendur, a gift from the Egyptian government, and the museum's collection of European paintings -- including 37 Monets. There are various free (after the admission charge) museum highlight tours. They last an hour and will give you a pretty good overview of this great museum.

6. Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum

Continuing on our mini-tour of Museum Mile, that stretch of artistic real estate that runs on upper Fifth Avenue, is the Guggenheim. You'll know it when you see it; there's nothing else like this Frank Lloyd Wright-designed museum, and now you have the chance to walk the spiraling rotunda. But get off the rotunda and take a look at some of the permanent collection that includes works by Picasso, Chagall, and Klee. Or wander into the new Kandinsky Gallery for a dose of the master's eye-opening works.

Take the M96 crosstown bus at Fifth Avenue and 97th Street West. Get off at Amsterdam Avenue and 96th Street and transfer to an uptown M11 or M7 bus. Get off at 110th Street.

7. Cathedral of St. John the Divine

On the east side of Amsterdam, you will see the world's largest Gothic cathedral. Construction began in 1892 and is still not finished. You can explore the inside of the cathedral on your own or opt for a tour. If you're here at Easter or during the Feast of St. Francis in October, don't miss the blessing of animals -- where the creature congregation has been known to include an elephant or camel.

8. M&G Diner

This is the place for first-rate soul food. If you're hungry, order the pan-fried chicken. If all just want a coffee, a slice of homemade carrot cake goes perfectly with it. 383 W. 125th St., at St. Nicholas Avenue. tel. 212/864-7326.

Take the B or D train at the 125th Street station uptown to the Bronx. Get off at 161st St./River Avenue for:

9. Yankee Stadium

You come out of the subway station and you hear the din of the loudspeaker -- maybe it's the voice of longtime Yankee announcer Bob Sheppard announcing the starting lineup. You are at the Big Ballpark in the Bronx. You've got your tickets and if you arrive early enough, visit Monument Park in the outfield, open to the public when the gates open and up to 45 minutes prior to game time. The 2008 season will be Yankee Stadium's final one with a new stadium set to open nearby in 2009.