visit new york in two days

2 Days in New York: The Ultimate Guide for 2024

Your perfect new york itinerary for a weekend.

Looking to see all the sights for your first-ever weekend in NYC? We’ve got you covered with a 2-day itinerary designed to help you make the most of your time. I know from experience that planning a weekend in New York City isn’t easy! You’re probably asking yourself a thousand questions, like what museums should you visit? Where should you eat? What’s on your “must see” list? What places are okay to save for your next visit?

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New York City is by far my favorite city in the world. I have visited NYC more than 20 times. I’ve taken almost every tour and tried every sightseeing pass. And I’ve made a few mistakes along the way (12-hour days + brand new shoes don’t mix!). With that experience, I’m going to share with you exactly what to see in New York in 2 days. A weekend is the perfect amount of time to get to know New York. Honestly, I’m excited for you! I’ll never forget my first trip to New York City, and I hope that with this 2-day New York City itinerary, you’ll get to make your own unforgettable New York memories, too.

Table of Contents

NYC Itinerary: Day One

Day 1 of your NYC 2-day itinerary is all about Manhattan. It includes Central Park, the High Line, Times Square, and much, much more.

In a few areas, I include options, like museums to visit or tours you can add on. These activities can add more time onto your itinerary, so depending on your energy levels (or if you’re traveling with kids), it may make sense to adjust other areas of the schedule. Given that you’ve got a fun-filled day ahead of you, it’s important to make sure you eat well throughout. We’ve included recommendations for lunch at Hudson Yards and dinner when you get to Madison Square Park. These are just suggestions, though!

One of New York’s many joys is discovering your favorite food spots hidden throughout the city, so if something catches your eye or you’re feeling a little grumble in your stomach, just go for it.

The Perfect First Morning in NYC

01 Start Your Day in Central Park!

Your time in New York starts with one of the city’s most popular tourist attractions: Central Park.

Known for its famous ice skating rink, its baseball fields, its running track, and its endlessly looping trails, Central Park is worthy of hours of exploration.

Since we’re kickstarting our NYC weekend itinerary, we’ll need to focus on the highlights for this trip. Our favorites include Bethesda Terrace , a large plaza and fountain that are often filled with performers, and Bow Bridge , a serene spot to take in the park, the city, and maybe snap a selfie.

Choose Between Two of The Best Museums!

As a note: New York may be one of the best cities in the world for museums. In fact, we’ve outlined all of our favorite New York museums here. With your 2-day NYC itinerary, however, we know you don’t have time to visit them all, so we’re recommending two of the best here.

02 Option A: Metropolitan Museum of Art

The Metropolitan Museum of Art, or the Met for short, deserves its place as one of the most famous art museums in the world. Its collection spans ancient times to contemporary collections, and includes Greek, Roman, Egyptian, Asian, European, and Modern Art.

03 Option B: Museum of Modern Art

Hands down one of the most creative, compelling museums in New York, the Museum of Modern Art is a showstopper. With impressive permanent collections and ever-evolving exhibitions, as well as a can’t-miss gift shop, the MoMA is well worth your time.

04 Stroll Down Millionaire's Row

There may be no city in the world that does glitz and glamor quite like New York.

One of the places they do it best? 5th Avenue.

Also known as Millionaire’s Row, this is both New York’s most expensive shopping street and some of the world’s most costly retail spaces. Some of the famous names that line 5th Avenue that you may have heard of: Saks 5th Avenue, Apple, Prada, Cartier, Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Tiffany, Bottega Veneta, Giorgio Armani, Versace, and so many more.

Even if you don’t want to go on a shopping spree, just strolling by these stores is an eye-opening way to start your New York adventure.

05 Visit the Rockefeller Center

Rockefeller Center, known also as 30 Rock, is one of the cultural centers of New York.

If you’ve wanted to visit Radio City Music Hall, NBC Studios, or you’re visiting during Christmas and you want to see the big tree, Rockefeller Center is the place to be. Or, if you’re fans of the NBC sitcom 30 Rock, you definitely need to swing by!

An absolute must during the winter season, Rockefeller Center has plenty to offer all year round, too, from seeing live tapings of shows to going to the Top of the Rock Observation Deck to soak up the Midtown Manhattan views.

You can find out more about Rockefeller Center at their official website.

06 Marvel at St. Patrick's Cathedral

New York City has a number of captivating churches. On this 2-day NYC itinerary, you’re going straight to the most impressive one: St. Patrick’s Cathedral.

Located on 5th Avenue right alongside some of the most well-known brands in the world, this landmark church has been drawing attention since construction finished in 1879.

Starting with its size, the St. Patrick’s Cathedral is a sight to behold as it takes up 50th and 51st streets and 5th and Madison Avenues. It’s adorned with bronze doors, Neo-Gothic architecture, thousands of stained glass windows, and twenty altars (two of which were designed by Tiffany & Co.!).

For more on the history of this Catholic cathedral in Manhattan, visit their official website .

07 Visit The Exciting Grand Central Terminal

While you may visit a lot of subway and train stations while you’re in New York, there’s no terminal quite like Grand Central Terminal in Grand Central Station.

Welcoming 750,000 visitors every day, Grand Central Station is the second most popular spot in NYC (Times Square nabs the number one slot). Yes, trains and subways connect through the Grand Central 42 St. stop, but that alone doesn’t explain the sheer numbers.

What draws visitors to The Terminal is what makes it a National Historic Landmark: it is simply stunning. Designed in the Beaux-Arts style with sweeping ceilings and ornate touches, Grand Central Terminal is a beautiful home to stores, restaurants, and more.

Plus, if you happen to be visiting New York during the holidays, Grand Central Station is a must-visit thanks to its Holiday Fair and seasonal wreaths, garland, and festive lighting.

For more about the market, dining concourse, and shops, visit Grand Central Terminal’s official website .

The Perfect First Afternoon in NYC

01 Soak Up Some Greenery in Bryant Park

When you’ve got a day filled with skyscrapers and historic buildings to enjoy, it’s important to take time to soak up the greenery, too. While Bryant Park may be small, it is one of the most loved by New Yorkers. Located by the esteemed New York Public Library between 40th and 42nd Streets and Fifth Avenue in midtown Manhattan, this important park is often called Manhattan’s Town Square.

Winter activities include ice skating, holiday shopping, iceless curling, and a tree lighting show, and summertime fun includes sunbathing, picnicking, and movie watching.

02 Visit The Impressive New York Public Library

You may not be able to fit too much book-reading into this 2-day NYC itinerary, but that’s no reason not to visit the impressive New York Public Library. As the second-largest public library in the U.S. (the Library of Congress down in D.C. takes 1st place), the NYPL has over 50 million items across 92 locations. Once you get past the sheer scale of the items they’re taking care of, let yourself be won over by the architecture.

Done in the same Beaux-Arts style as Grand Central Terminal, it features marble arches, a grand staircase, and plenty of art and murals. Just be sure to keep your voice down while you’re wandering around it because people do use it for reading and studying!

Spend Some Time at The Remarkable Hudson Yards

From the classic institution, you’ll wander past Times Square (don’t worry, you’ll be back – we’re saving it for that just-right moment!) to Hudson Yards, a modern development that’s seriously impressive.

Known to locals for being the biggest real estate development deal in U.S. history, it’s become an attraction all its own with 14 acres of public space, gardens, and a park, as well as a hotel, mall, and the eye-catching The Vessel, a bronze sculpture that stands 15 stories tall. With its mix of stairs, flights, and landings, there’s an Instagram-worthy spot just waiting for you. To make the most of your time, you’ll have two options to choose from:

03 Option A: The Edge

Take advantage of one of New York’s best views at the Edge, the world’s highest outdoor observation deck. At over 1,100’ high and extending 65’ feet into the air, the Edge offers unparalleled views of Manhattan and the Hudson River.

04 Option B: The Shed

The Shed is both Hudson Yards’ art venue, featuring dance, concerts, plays, and more, as well as home to Cedric’s at The Shed, a full-service restaurant. If there’s an exhibition you’re interested in seeing , this could be worth a visit!

05 Wander Above The Streets at The High Line

And now, it’s time for one of the absolute gems of New York: the High Line. Built on a historic rail line that carves through the city, the High Line is part public park, part gardens, part experience. The perspectives that it gives you of the city, the pockets of quietness you’ll find, and the smiles you’ll see from the people discovering this new side of New York combine for a remarkable experience. It’s more than just being above the streets and away from the traffic. Walking the High Line lets you feel more connected to the built city in a way few other cities around the world can pull off.

06 Visit Little Island, a Park on The Hudson River

Most of the parks we’ll visit on your NYC 2-day itinerary are tucked in and around towering, magnificent buildings. What makes Little Island so unique is that it’s a park that popped up just on the Hudson River.

Made from the remains of Pier 54, this floating park is indeed little – you can walk it in just 15 minutes – but that only adds to its charm. Filled with green spaces that change to reflect the seasons, rolling hills, and well-designed pathways, this is a much-needed natural pause in the middle of a mighty, industrial city.

07 Try a Delicious Slice of Pizza in Greenwich Village

Known more formally as Greenwich Village, the Village is one of New York’s most recognizable cultural spots. Though these tree-lined streets are now home to cafés, restaurants, and boutiques, this was the beating heart of the ‘60s counterculture movement. Filled with student energy courtesy of the adjacent New York University and the always-bustling Washington Square Park, the Village feels like New York. There are plenty of good eats to be had here, too. If you’ve been holding out for a New York slice, now’s the time to dig in! For my money, Artichoke Basille’s Pizza is one of the best in the city.

08 Drop by Energetic Washington Square Park

What makes Washington Square Park such a unique place to visit during a New York City weekend is how energetic the park is. More than just a public park known for its iconic arch and fountain, it’s a gathering place for people from Greenwich Village, the students from NYU, it’s a performance space for amateurs and professionals alike, it’s a battle ground for chess players of all ages, and so much more. While it may be easier to stop and stay a while during the warmer summer months, any visit to the park is a memorable one.

09 Come to Union Square

As you arrive at Union Square, you’re being welcomed fully back into the bustling, beating heart of New York City. Union Square, located at 14th Street and 5th Avenue, is one of the city’s more recognizable centers.

The park itself is a small oasis of green surrounded by buildings where you’ll find a bustling produce market four days a week. Nearby, one of the city’s most famous bookstores, The Strand, offers a collection of books that could span 18 miles. Plus, a collection of taverns, bars, and bakeries could tempt you with a mid-afternoon drink or dessert, depending on what you’re in the mood for.

10 Come to Flatiron Building and Madison Square Park

Time for a quick stroll up Broadway to get to Madison Square Park and the Flatiron Building. The Flatiron, so-named because it looks like something you’d iron your clothes with, is an iconic 1902 building from architect Daniel Burnham. It’s one of my favorite spots to take an “only in New York” photo!

From there, you’ll head to Madison Square Park and you’ll have a choice to make. If you’ve ever heard of Shake Shack, the delicious burger chain with some of the best milkshakes (and I’ve tasted a lot of milkshakes!), then you’ve got to pay homage to the very first Shake Shack that opened here in Madison Square Park. If you’re in the mood for an Italian meal in one of the most interesting markets in New York, make sure to stop by the Eataly Food Market for a bite.

11 A New York City Must-See: The Empire State Building

We’ve saved one of the best moments of your weekend NYC itinerary for the evening: the Empire State Building. Even from the street level, the Empire State Building has a magnetic presence. You’ve undoubtedly seen it during the day from different vantage points throughout the city. Now, you’re here at the base of this 102-story Art Deco beauty.

Depending on your schedule, you may decide to opt out of heading to the observation decks. However, if you have the time, we highly recommend it. From learning about the history of its construction and the city around it to the expansive views that can include up to five other states, this is a terrific way to end your day in New York.

12 End Your First Day Surrounded by Colorful Lights at Times Square

There’s no place like Times Square. Always filled with energy, Times Square is New York. The iconic filming spot for countless movies and TV shows, the always-on billboards, and the sight of the New Year’s Eve Ball Drop, it all comes together at Times Square.

With over 330,000 visitors each day, Times Square is an energizing way to cap the beginning of your New York adventure. From here, the night is yours. If you’ve been hoping to see a Broadway show, you’re now only blocks away from the heart of it! Just head north and you’ll be at your theater in a few minutes.

Soak up One Last View of NYC

If you want to soak up one last view of NYC, we’ve got two fun options laid out for you below.

13 Option A: Summit One Vanderbilt (best observation deck in NYC)

While it’s hard to go wrong with observation decks in New York, Summit One Vanderbilt’s is the best one. Opened in 2021, this is the first observation deck on the East Side of Manhattan, meaning it offers remarkable views of the East River, the Chrysler Building, Central Park, and the Empire State Building. Plus, if you manage to make it in time for sunset, you will not regret it!

14 Option B: The Refinery Rooftop

Another great way to wind down after your action-packed first day in New York is with the Refinery Rooftop, a bar in Midtown Manhattan.

With great views and even better cocktails, you’ll want to grab reservations at this popular evening spot – just in case!

Check out the menu and make your reservations at the Refinery Rooftop here .

NYC Itinerary: Day Two

Let’s get started on Day 2 of your 2-day NYC itinerary! You’ll start today in Manhattan before setting off for some adventures on Ellis Island and Brooklyn before returning to finish the day soaking up the city.

Even more than Day 1, today you’ll find tempting treats at nearly every stop of your journey. Our advice for Day 2: read through the guide once and see what sounds good to you (choosing between a SoHo brunch and a delicious meal in Little Italy is never easy!) and make some notes.

Then when you’re walking around, you’ll have a better idea of whether to give into temptation – or to hold out a little longer!

Start Your Second Day in NYC

01 Explore Soho and Little Italy

Day 2 starts with one of our favorite spots in New York: SoHo!

SoHo, or South of Houston (pronounced How-ston, not Hue-ston), is filled with visual treats good eats, and great shopping.

Start your day off with a breakfast at either 12 Chairs (a fusion of Middle East cuisine and breakfast classics) or Banter NYC (a healthy brunch choice). From there, keep your eyes peeled for both the permanent street art and the more temporary sort.

Even if you’re not big on shopping, looking into some of SoHo’s shops is an experience in and of itself. With cast-iron buildings, cobblestone streets, and brick walls, it’s worth poking around.

For a taste of New York how it used to be, you’ve got to spend some time in Little Italy!

Thanks to its roots of Italian immigrants from Sicily and Naples coming in the 1880s, this area around Mulberry Street became one of the areas most tied to the idea of New York.

While there’s plenty of history and culture still in the air, we’d be misleading you if we didn’t tell you the best thing to do here was to eat!

Start hungry at standouts like Emilio’s Ballato, Parm, Rubirosa, and Lombardi’s. Then make sure you save room for some sweets, like gelato at La Bella Ferrara or a cannoli at Caffe Palermo.

02 Take a Stroll Around Tribeca

With its fascinating blend of centuries of history and modern pop culture, a stroll through the Tribeca neighborhood is always a good time.

The history includes beautifully preserved Federal Style townhomes that date back to the 1820s and plenty of Civil War-era architecture. Those classic constructions make the backdrop for one of the most popular comedies of all time, Ghostbusters (1984), which visitors can celebrate at the fire station used for filming at 14 North Moore Street.

It’s also one of the best areas in NYC to go shopping, with a handful of timeless used book stores, great vintage shops, and boutiques. If you somehow made it through Little Italy without digging in, then you’ll definitely find a great bite to eat here.

03 Take Some Time at 9/11 Memorial & Museum

One of the most important stops you’ll make during this NYC 2-day itinerary is to the 9/11 National Memorial .

This museum is located next to the World Trade Center and designed to honor the nearly 3,000 people who lost their lives in the attacks on September 11, 2001, as well as the bombing on February 26, 1993. It is also a moving tribute to those who risked their lives to save others, as well as the support that New Yorkers showed to each other in the difficult times that followed.

Given the more serious nature of this stop, I encourage you to take your time moving through it. Visitors often share that they spend between 30 minutes and two hours making their way through the memorials.

04 Enjoy a Breathtaking View From One World Observatory

One World Observatory offers a truly unmatched view of New York. With 360° views from over 100 stories up, there is no higher building in New York from which to look out over the city.

Designed as the main building of the rebuilt World Trade Center complex, One World Trade Center is more than just an interesting place to visit, it’s a powerful reminder of the history of the World Trade Center.

It is also impressive, standing as the tallest building in the United States – and the seventh-tallest in the world. Almost as stunning as the view? The elevator ride up! It’s blink-and-you’ll-miss-it fast, shooting you up 102 stories in just 47 seconds.

For more information about the One World Observatory, including information about tickets, head to our complete guide .

Make The Most of Your Second Afternoon

01 Say Hello to Lady Liberty

More than just a fascinating stop on any first-time visit to New York, the Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island are an essential part of American history.

For more than 30 years in the late 1800s and early 1900s, Ellis Island was referred to as the “Island of Hope” because it represented the chance for immigrants to start a new life in America. The Statue of Liberty, a gift from the French that was dedicated in 1886, is located on Liberty Island and became a symbol of freedom and democracy.

Taking the ferry out to Ellis Island and being able to spend time learning about and exploring the Statue of Liberty may be one of the most powerful moments of your 2-day NYC trip.

The ferry itself only takes about 15 minutes to arrive at Ellis Island, and getting to the top of the Statue of Liberty only takes about 20 minutes.

02 Visit The World's Most Famous Financial District

Home of New York’s financial center – and known the world over – Wall Street makes for one of the more interesting stops for any 2-day NYC itinerary.

For fun photo opportunities, you’ll definitely need to head to the Charging Bull, the bronze statue on Broadway just north of Bowling Green.

As for the New York Stock Exchange, you’d need to get here by 9:30am on a weekday to hear the opening bell. Otherwise, the historic building is still well worth a photo!

You can also pay respects at the 9/11 Memorial that rests where the former Twin Towers used to stand. This open air plaza is a powerful tribute to those that lost their lives, and the memorials can be a surprisingly quiet place even in such a busy part of the city.

03 Take Some Classic NYC Pictures on Brooklyn Bridge

Get your cameras ready, because walking across the Brooklyn Bridge is going to set you up for some of the most classic NYC photos.

Built between 1869 and 1883, the Brooklyn Bridge is NYC’s oldest suspension bridge. From this majestic 5,989’ bridge you’ll have the chance to see Lower Manhattan, Brooklyn, the East River, Governors Island, Staten Island, New Jersey, and your new friend, the Statue of Liberty! For both locals and visitors alike, the Brooklyn Bridge is a popular spot. Because of that, you’ll want to be courteous of other people, especially if you’re trying to catch the perfect selfie angle.

If you’re taking your time and snapping pictures along the way, give yourself about an hour to finish the walk. If you’re planning to power through it and just take a few photos, you can expect to cross in 25 minutes or so.

04 Enjoy Amazing Views of The Manhattan Skyline From Brooklyn Bridge Park

After finishing your walk across the Brooklyn Bridge, it’s time to start exploring Brooklyn!

This 85-acre sustainable park is situated right along Brooklyn’s East River waterfront. In addition to having spectacular, unobstructed views of Manhattan (among other things, you can see the beautiful World Trade Center as part of the skyline), the Brooklyn Bridge Park has plenty of fun, free activities. With an impressive nine lawns, the park is the ideal spot for a quick break during an adventure-packed two days in New York.

Brooklyn Bridge Park is also one of the best places to see sculptures and art outdoors in New York, with displays and installations that are refreshed regularly.

For more on what you can do while you’re at the park, including upcoming events, visit their official website .

05 Take a Picture of The Manhattan Bridge in DUMBO

When you’re spending 2 days in New York, you have to make sure you seize the moment to get the best photos possible.

One of the most iconic spots? This DUMBO Manhattan Bridge view you find on Washington Street. Already one of the most eye-catching bridges in New York, the Manhattan Bridge connects Downtown Brooklyn with Lower Manhattan.

What makes this spot so unique is its combination of old, new, and New York. You’ve got trees poking out from the sides of red brick buildings, cute cobblestone streets, and the modernity of the Manhattan Bridge in the background. Not only that, you should also be able to see the Empire State Building, too!

FYI – Wondering what DUMBO means? No, there’s no connection with the animated Disney movie! It’s an acronym that stands for Down Under The Manhattan Bridge Overpass!

06 Explore Some of The Best Restaurants at Time Out Market

One of the many joys of visiting New York is experiencing some of the world’s best restaurants all throughout the city. When you’re planning a weekend itinerary for New York, however, you’ve got to head straight for the Time Out Market.

This mouthwatering marketplace features more than 20 unique food concepts with two floors of restaurants and bars.

Once you’ve eaten your fill downstairs, be sure to check out the Roof Top Bar. It’s quite a New York moment to be sipping on one of their Signature Cocktails as you take in the Manhattan skyline!

Get ready to visit Brooklyn’s Time Out Market by checking the full list of dining and drinking options here.

07 Take The NYC Ferry Back to Manhattan

From Brooklyn, it’s time to make our way back to Manhattan – and we’re going to do it in style on the NYC Ferry.

The ferry, which only takes about 10 minutes to cover the 2 miles between the Brooklyn Navy Yard and the Wall Street / Pier 11 Landing, is more than just a convenient option. From this New York City expert, this actually has one of the best views of the New York skyline you can get.

While the views of New York from the Empire State Building and 30 Rockefeller Center are impressive, seeing the city grow in size as you approach it on a ferry is one of our favorite parts of this 2-day NYC itinerary. Make sure your cameras are ready, because with just 10 minutes, you’ll have to get your pictures quickly!

08 Let The Day End in The Lower East Side

We wrap up your whirlwind 2-day NYC itinerary with an evening in the Lower East Side, or the LES (as the locals call it).

Given that it’s a popular destination for drinks, dinner, and music, it’s only fitting you spend your last evening in New York here. From a neighborhood that gets much of its character from the vibrant blend of cultures – including Jewish, Russian, Ukrainian, Italian, and Irish – the Lower East Side is a wonderful blend.

Enjoy a taste of one of the most famous Jewish delis in town by grabbing a table at Katz’s Delicatessen . To get the full experience, we recommend a pastrami on rye with mustard, juicy (meaning… fatty).

After dinner, head up to the cloudM Rooftop bar , enjoy a finely crafted cocktail, and sit back as you take in the beauty of the sunset and evening of New York.

10 Tips for Visiting NYC for First Time

Your first visit to NYC is going to be unforgettable, there’s no doubt about that.

Make sure it’s unforgettable for all the right reasons by following these 10 tips, and your NYC weekend will go as smoothly as possible.

• Wear comfortable clothing – To make the most of a 2-day NYC itinerary, you’ll need to be on the move. While you may want to dress your best for the photos, make sure that you’ve got shoes that you can use for miles of walking and layers of clothes to stay comfortable.
• Charge your phone – From taking videos of the Statue of Liberty to scanning your digital tickets, your phone is going to get a workout while you follow this NYC weekend itinerary. Charge it before you go and keep it in airplane mode when you’re not expecting calls, and you’ll be in great shape.
• Use the subway – One thing I’ve learned over my years of visiting NYC: New York City is almost *too* walkable! Don’t forget to save your legs and take advantage of the easy-to-use public transportation system in New York.
• Keep your head up – For one, there’s so much amazing architecture in New York City that you can appreciate when you’re alert to your surroundings. Another, more practical reason: there are a lot of people walking around, and you’ll need to stay active to avoid running into them.
• Grab a sightseeing pass – As a way of saving time and money for your weekend NYC trip, a NYC sightseeing pass is a great option. We share our tips for picking the best NYC sightseeing pass for your trip here .
• Stay in a hotel near transportation – New York City is one of the easiest big cities in the world to get around. The only trick? Making sure you’re near public transportation. With some hotels, you might have a great view or a great rate, but they could leave you spending more time getting to where you want to go.
• Plan your eating – There’s no shortage of delicious eats in New York City. When you’re coming for your first trip, do yourself a favor and reserve a restaurant or two. This will make sure that even if you get off your itinerary a little bit, you’ll still leave your trip having checked off some boxes.
• Stop by a park – With museums, buildings, and sports being some of NYC’s major draws, it can be easy to overlook some of the city’s true gems: its parks! Make sure to save some time to stop by Central Park, Prospect Park, Washington Square Park, and others to see a greener side of the city.
• Don’t rent a car – First of all, the public transportation is so good that you don’t need a car to get anywhere you want to go. Second, having to deal with parking will take away from the fun of your weekend. From difficult-to-find spots to overnight parking charges, save yourself the stress and enjoy a car-free weekend in NYC.
• Eat pizza and bagels – We save our best tip for last. Make sure to start one of your mornings with a bagel or egg sandwich, and include a stop for a New York slice during the day.

Easy Ways To Get Around NYC In A Weekend

If you’re planning a 2-day weekend itinerary for NYC, then you’ll need to know the best ways to get around the city. Some brave travelers want to spend the whole weekend walking, and while we commend them, our legs and feet need a break every once in a while!

Here are our four favorite ways of getting around NYC for the weekend:

• NYC By Subways and Buses – New York City’s Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) operates throughout all five of NYC’s boroughs, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Grab a MetroCard from any of the automated machines and getting around the city will be easy!
• NYC by Taxi or Rideshare – With the availability of taxis and rideshares, you really have no reason to rent a car while you’re in NYC. New York’s iconic yellow taxis can be hailed from the street or requested through apps like Curb. You can also use your favorite ridesharing apps like Uber and Lyft.
• NYC by Bike – When the weather is decent, biking around New York City can be one of the fastest and most enjoyable modes of transportation. Whether you rent a bike for your full stay or take advantage of Citi Bike, NYC’s bike-sharing system, it’s a wonderful way to see the city.
• Hop-on, Hop-off Bus – For a way of getting around NYC that’s geared toward your itinerary, a Hop-on Hop-off NYC Bus could be your best bet. Cheaper than taking the taxi to each stop, better suited to any weather, and with a better view than the metro, these buses are ideal for tourists planning a 2-day NYC itinerary.

Best Tours to Experience New York City in 2 Days

A self-guided New York City tour gives you plenty of freedom to see the city exactly how you want. Still, there’s something to be said for a guided tour to reveal more of what makes New York City so special.

From themed tours all about pizza to general tours that give you insights into the history and culture of New York, there’s something for every interest. See below for some of our favorite guided tours:

• Hamilton Musical Walking Tour – Before you see the musical on Broadway, walk the steps of Alexander Hamilton throughout New York City. Highlights include Thomas Jefferson’s home, King’s College and Trinity Church.
• New York: Central Park Movie Sites Walking Tour – Visit one of the most iconic filming sites in the world: Central Park. This guided NYC tour takes you to where famous scenes from Home Alone 2, Ghostbusters, Harry and Sally, and more were filmed.
• Radio City Music Hall Stage Door Tour – New York knows how to put on a show! Anyone who enjoys theater, stage, and New York City history will enjoy this guided tour.
• Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island: 4-Hour Guided Tour – Did you know part of the Statue of Liberty was crowdfunded? And no, not with Kickstarter! This story and plenty of other fun facts about the Statue of Liberty are revealed during this interesting 4-hour guided tour.
• Greenwich Village Pizza Walk – If pizza is on the top of your 2-day NYC itinerary, then sign up for this Greenwich Village and Little Italy walking tour. You’ll enjoy slices of pizza from 3 different stores while learning about the culinary history of the area.

For more, we’ve collected all of the best walking tours of NYC here.

Best Neighborhood To Stay In New York City For 2 Days

When you’re coming to New York City for the weekend, you can make the most of your limited time by choosing the right NYC neighborhood to stay in.

To help you with your decision, we’ve outlined the best areas to stay in New York City for 2 days, along with who they might be best for!

• First time In NYC? Stay in the Theater District – For a lively look at New York’s highest-energy area, the Theater District between 42nd Street and 50th Street to the west of Sixth Avenue is ideal. While also great for seeing a Broadway show, its main subway stop – 42nd Street Broadway – connects to many other lines throughout the city.
• Want to see all the NYC sights? Stay in Midtown – Want to enjoy lots of New York’s cultural institutions without having to travel to and fro on the subway? A Midtown stay connects you with shopping, theater, and museums at walking distance.
• Visiting NYC with family? Stay in the Upper West Side – Being close to Central Park, Natural History Museum, and a quieter part of town is the ideal combination for families exploring NYC for the first time.
• Coming for New York’s nightlife? Stay in the Meatpacking District – When you like to plan your trips around bars and clubs, stay in the Meatpacking District and enjoy bars that don’t close until 4am on the weekend.
• Traveling with foodies? Stay in SoHo – If your trip orbits around fine dining and some of New York’s best food choices, staying in the SoHo and Tribeca areas will put you right in the heart of the culinary scene.
• Looking for NYC’s quieter side? Stay in the Upper East Side – From families needing a quieter area to settle in during the evenings to those who like a nice break after a long day of exploring, the residential Upper East Side and Lincoln Center provide travelers with a calmer stay (and some of the city’s most beautiful architecture!).

3 Things To Know Before You Go

• Grab Tickets Ahead Of Time – New York is a city full of energy, so it can be tempting to just go with the flow and see what happens when you’re there. However, for trips as quick and action-packed as this NYC weekend itinerary is, we highly recommend buying tickets in advance to save time in line. With a sightseeing pass, you’ll save even more time. We’ve compared all of NYC’s best sightseeing passes for you here .
• Follow Our Maps – While it’s easier than ever to open up a map on your phone and see what’s around you, our maps were designed to help you make the most of your trip. Bookmark this page and save our maps, and you’ll have an easy-to-follow guide right in your pocket.
• Buy This Itinerary – The Big Apple is a lot to take in, and we want you to stay in the moment! By buying this New York City itinerary – along with beautifully designed maps, insider advice, and locals-only tips – you don’t ever have to worry about what’s next. Just enjoy!

FAQs About Spending A Weekend in NYC

Is it worth going to new york city for a weekend.

A weekend is an excellent amount of time to experience what New York City has to offer. It’s especially ideal for a visit because you won’t be dealing with the workday hustle and bustle, and the majority of museums will be open.

Is 2 nights in NYC enough?

2 nights is more than enough time to discover New York City. By spending full days in the city, you can focus on everything the Big Apple has to offer.Whether it’s during the week or the weekend, you’ll have the opportunity to check out different parts of the city, spend time in a museum or two, and enjoy some of the city’s famous restaurants.

How much money do I need for 2 days in NYC?

According to past travelers, the cost per day of a vacation in New York City is around $240. Average costs include $37 on meals per day and $39 in transportation. Much of this budget will also go to your hotel stay, so depending on the quality and location, you can either save or splurge accordingly!

Can you walk all of Manhattan in a day?

Yes, it’s possible to walk Manhattan in about 12 hours. If you go for it, be sure to stop for snacks! To enjoy the trip, plan out interesting activities that can double as breaks along the way. For example, walk through Central Park so you can stop for a picnic or on a park bench, but save the museums for another day when your legs are fresher!

What is the best month to visit New York City?

There are two great times for your first visit to New York City: the spring and the fall. From April to June, you’ll find New York’s weather is the best and increasingly longer days. In November and December, you can see the city’s beautiful fall colors and its unique celebrations for Thanksgiving , Christmas, and New Year.

The Ultimate New York Travel Guide 2024

New York on a Budget: The 19 Best Money-Saving Tips for 2024

3 days in new york: the ultimate guide for 2024.

I'm a true New York fan! Not only have I visited the city over 25 times but also have I spent several months here at a time. On my blog I show you the best and most beautiful spots of the city, so that you have a really good time! You can also find lots of insider tips in our New York travel guide . Also check out my hotel finder for New York !

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Destination Daydreamer

The only itinerary you need to see new york in 2 days.

In my opinion, everyone needs to visit New York City. There is something about walking down the sidewalk and looking up to be completely surrounded by insane skyscrapers on all sides. It really is an amazing city! And this is the only itinerary you need to see New York in 2 days.

You’ll find top things do in NYC, plus yummy places to eat, super fun tours you can take and tips for additional things to do in New York City if you have more time.

I have explored the city on two different trips. The second one with my husband who was a little skeptical about visiting and worried that New York wouldn’t live up to its hype. However, after spending a long weekend in New York, thankfully, his mind was changed! New York now sits at the top of his list of places he loved visiting and we often talk about going back.

Of course you could spend weeks exploring ‘the Big Apple’, but for those of us that have limited time and money you can still see and experience so much with just two days in New York!

*There are affiliate links in this post.  Read my  privacy/disclosure policy  to learn more.

What to do in New York For 2 Days at a Glance:

Day one itinerary in new york :.

• New York Public Library
• Grand Central Terminal
• Chrysler Building
• Empire State Building
• Rockefeller Center
• Hot Dog Cart
• Levain Bakery cookies to take to Central Park

Bethesda Terrace and Fountain

Belvedere castle.

• Conservatory Water Model Sailboats
• Cooper Hewitt Smithsonian Design Museum
• Times Square/Broadway Show

DAY TWO ITINERARY FOR NEW YORK :

• Morning : Walk the Brooklyn Bridge
• Grimaldi’s Pizzeria ‘Under the Brooklyn Bridge’
• Manhattan Bridge Photo Spot
• Statue of Liberty/Ellis Island Tour
• 9/11 Memorial Pools
• One World Trade Center Observation Deck
• Water taxi ride for views of NYC skyline at night

*Use this interactive map to see where all the top spots are on this New York 2 Day Itinerary*

2 Days in New York In-Depth Itinerary:

*If you plan on visiting multiple of the paying attractions in this itinerary, definitely consider buying the New York CityPASS which gives you 9 days to visit 5 out of 9 top attractions in the city.*

Day 1 New York Itinerary:

1. nyc public library.

The most famous New York Public Library known as the Main Branch was built in 1897 and is known for its marble stairs leading up from 5th Avenue guarded by two regal lion statues. Anyone can enter and see how ornate and gorgeous the library is.

The most famous room is the huge, Rose Main Reading Room with book-lined walls and an incredible ceiling mural of pink and blue billowing clouds. The library is a unique, quick stop to see some of the city’s most ornate architecure.

2. Grand Central Station

Grand Central Station (or Grand Central Terminal) is a world-famous subway station in Midtown Manhatten. It was built in 1913 and still runs today. Even if you don’t have a need to take the Subway from Grand Central, it is fun to take a step inside to see the gorgeous architecture and the amazing teal mural of Zodiac constellations covering the ceiling.

3. Chrysler Building

The Chrysler Building was briefly the tallest building in the world at the end of the 1920s before it was knocked out by the Empire State Building in 1931. It’s super fun to see its cool Art Deco spire in the midst of more traditionally shaped skyscrapers.

Since the Chrysler Building is full of offices, there is no need to gain entrance to the Chrysler building as you’d only be able to be in the lobby. However, it’s fun to admire from the street!

4. Empire State Building

The Empire State Building is probably the most famous building in NYC. It is another unique Art Deco building and was built in 1930. It held the title of the world’s tallest building after beating out the Chrysler Building and it become even more famous after the film ‘King Kong’ debuted with King Kong climbing the tower in the movie.

You can see great views of the city from the observation deck plus learn more about the history of the building at the museum exhibition. Get your official Empire State Building observation deck/museum tickets here .

5. Rockefeller Center

The Rockefeller Center is famous for it’s outdoor ice skating rink in the winter (think of any Christmas movie set in NYC and you’ll know what I’m talking about). It is also known for being home to NBC Studios where ‘Saturday Night Live’ is filmed. Plus Rockefeller Center has another one of New York’s many observation decks.

The observation area called ‘The Top of the Rock’ has both indoor and outdoor viewing areas and you can get a pretty straight-on view of the Empire State Building.

You can also get tickets to filmings of your favorite NBC shows like ‘SNL’ or even an NBC Studios Tour. Keep in mind some of these tickets need to be signed up for far in advance.

5. New York Hot Dog Cart

When we were in New York, I had such a desire to swing by a hot dog cart and order myself a New York City hot dog. I guess you can blame this on TV and movies- but I just wanted that iconic moment of heating a hot dog on the streets of NYC beneath the shadow of a huge skyscraper.

And I got my wish! I don’t know exactly where the hot dog stands were that we visited during our 2 days in NYC, but you’ll find them lining the sidewalk all over the city. I specifically remember seeing one right near Grand Central Station, one a few blocks from Grand Central, and one near the Statue of Liberty. However, as I said, you can find them all over.

6. Levain Bakery

One of our friends recommended making a stop at Levain Bakery and it did not disappoint. Levain is known for their huge, fresh-baked cookies that come out of the oven every day. The bakery started 25 years ago as two friends set out to create the ‘world’s best chocolate chip cookie’. Now, you can pick from all kinds of cookie flavors and they will all be thick, delicious, and will leave you wanting more.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Levain Bakery (@levainbakery)

We stopped by the original Levain Bakery location just to the west of Central Park. It’s a super cute, super small spot with a cute welcoming window and some steps you must take down to enter the tiny storefront. We picked up a couple of cookies and took them with us to enjoy on a bench while exploring Central Park. I definitely recommend!

7. Central Park

Central Park is an amazing green space located in the heart of Manhatten. It’s an incredible 2.5 miles long by .5 miles wide and feels like such a refuge from the towering skyscrapers that usually surround you in the city. Central Park is so large, that there are loads of things to see and do within the park.

You could spend hours exploring, or you could just take a short stroll through the park to get a feel for it. Below I’ve outlined some of the things we saw and that I recommend seeing within the park as we explored and enjoyed our time in nature.

Bow Bridge is a famous pedestrian bridge built in 1862 within Central Park known for marriage proposals, first kisses, and its many appearances in movies. The bridge is over the lake and has awesome views of the 5th Avenue skyline. It’s a lovely place to add to your itinerary as you stroll through Central Park.

The Bethesda Terrace and Fountain is another area of Central Park you will definitely recognize from movies. They are located very close to the Bow Bridge making them another easy spot to stroll through within Central Park. When we visited, there was a group singing underneath and the acoustics were amazing.

Belvedere Castle is a unique ‘miniature castle’ within Central Park located atop the second highest natural point within the park. The castle was built in 1872 as a place to enjoy the beautiful views of the park and surrounding area. The Belvedere actually means ‘beautiful view’ in Italian.

Entrance is free and it makes for another fun and interesting stop as you enjoy your time in Central Park.

Model Sailboats at the Conservatory Water

Based on the model sailboat ponds of late 19th century Paris, Central Park’s Conservatory Water provides model sailboats for rent and hosts model sailboat races each Saturday during warmer months. Whether you are a beginner or advanced, you can rent a boat here for 30-minute increments or just sit back and enjoy the ambiance as you watch others sail.

8. Cooper Hewitt Smithsonian Design Museum

When you think of New York City museums, you probably think of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, The Guggenheim, or the Museum of Natural History. However, we decided to visit the unique, smaller and easily digestible Cooper Hewitt Smithsonian Design Museum.

Dedicated to all things design, the museum’s Facebook page calls itself ‘The Nation’s Design Museum’. In size, the Cooper Hewitt is very manageable plus it’s full of cool design exhibits from everyday design like home appliances to design for mobility and everything in between (those were some of the exhibits while we were there). Check out their current exhibitions here .

9. Times Square and Broadway Show

One of the best ways to spend an evening in NYC is at a Broadway show. Almost all Broadway theatres are between 41st Street and 54th Street and 6th and 8th Avenue. This is the area of Times Square plus a few blocks around Times Square. As iconic as Times Square is, it really isn’t the heart and soul of New York City.

That being said, I do think you need to see Times Square if it’s your first time to the city. You’ll quickly see that it’s a highly touristy area with flashy billboards, chain restaurants and street hawkers. However, it’s fun to see. A great way to see Times Square is to walk through on your way to a Broadway Show.

I’ve seen a Broadway show in New York but when my husband and I went back to the city years later, we ended up not purchasing tickets because I wasn’t feeling well. To this day we (especially my husband) talk about how disappointing it is that we didn’t make it to a Broadway show during our time in the city.

What I’m saying is, if you’re on the fence about going- just go. If you are concerned about the price of tickets (because they can definitely be pricey) there are a couple of options to help you save money. One way is the TKTS booth located in Times Square underneath the large red steps.

You can generally save between 20-50% off. However, you can only purchase tickets for same-day performances and you don’t get much of an option as to what seats you are offered.

My husband and I waited in line (the line can be quite long) to see what tickets were available for that evening and, unfortunately, for the show we wanted to see there were only prime seats left. This meant that even with a discount, the tickets were still more expensive than what we wanted to pay. However, I have purchased tickets one other time from the TKTS booth and was able to save a good amount of money.

Another option to save money is to check out the NYTIX website for discount tickets, lotteries, rush tickets and standing room only tickets. In my opinion, this seems like it may be a better option for discounted tickets.

Day 2 Itinerary for New York

1. walk the brooklyn bridge.

Walking the Brooklyn Bridge is one of my favorite things we did in NYC. It felt nice to get a break from being beneath the skyscrapers and instead be over the water looking at the Manhatten and Brooklyn Skylines. The Brooklyn Bridge was completed in 1883 and is a hybrid cable-stayed/suspension bridge that connects the two boroughs of Manhatten and Brooklyn.

Cars do drive on the bridge, however, pedestrians are very safe and separated from the cars on their own wooden path down the center of the bridge. I honestly don’t even recall seeing or being bothered by the cars on the bridge. You can also bike or jog on the path if you’d like!

We took the Subway to the Brooklyn Bridge–City Hall/Chambers Street Station which is literally a 1-minute walk from the Brooklyn Bridge (super convenient), walked the bridge and then ate lunch ‘underneath the bridge’ at Grimaldi’s Pizzeria (you’ll find more about that in the next point).

2. Lunch at Grimaldi’s Pizzeria ‘Under the Brooklyn Bridge’

Grimaldi’s Pizzeria was recommended to us by a friend and it was a fun and yummy stop after walking the Brooklyn Bridge. Grimaldi’s pizzas are cooked in coal-burning ovens and because of their open kitchen, you may also get to see the pizza tossed and cooked. It was nice to have a lunch destination in mind after our casual stroll across the bridge so that we had something to look forward to.

When we visited in February, there was a line out the door but the wait did not take too long. The inside is decorated with classic red and white checkered tablecloths, old wooden tables, and black and white photos of Brooklyn.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by The Original Grimaldi's (@grimaldispizza)

3. Manhattan Bridge Photo Spot

The Manhattan Bridge viewpoint/photo spot is another great spot to visit after walking across the Brooklyn Bridge. And if you are looking for iconic Instaworthy photo spots in New York City, this is definitely one of them! It’s just a 5-minute walk from the end of the bridge and offers great views of the Manhattan Bridge which also spans the East River along with the Brooklyn Bridge.

4. Statue of Liberty/Ellis Island

Statue of liberty:.

One of the most iconic things about New York City is the Statue of Liberty in the harbor. My favorite way to visit the Statue of Liberty is a combo ticket including Ellis Island . I have done this combo trip two different times and both times I was happy we made time to visit both.

Be sure to pay attention if the tickets you purchase include the options you want. Things they may or may not include are ferry tickets, museum access, a guided tour, or pedestal access. Contrary to what you may think, there is no access to the crown of the Statue of Liberty, but you can climb to the top of the pedestal.

There are many different options for seeing the Statue of Liberty . For example, if you’re limited on time, you can take a harbor cruise past the Statue of Liberty which does not include visiting the monument itself. Or you can choose this combo ticket with a museum entrance and a guided tour .

I definitely recommend purchasing tickets in advance to avoid a long ferry queue.

Most trips begin at the Statue of Liberty and then visit Ellis Island or you can choose to return to shore and pass on the visit to Ellis Island. However, I definitely recommend visiting Ellis Island. You can spend hours there or get a quick overview in 30-45 minutes.

Ellis Island:

From 1892 to 1924, Ellis Island is known to be an important immigration station in the US from 1892-1924. Millions of immigrants were processed through the facilities at Ellis Island- that’s thousands of people per day!

Now, you can book tickets to tour the main arrivals hall, learn about the health checks, find the name of your ancestor who passed through Ellis Island, and more. My favorite part was seeing writings over 100 years old on a wall from immigrants scratching their names and dates like old-time graffiti.

As I mentioned above, most ticket or tour options include both the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. However, on both ferries, I have taken, we had the option to stay on board and skip either the Statue of Liberty or Ellis Island if we wanted (since multiple ferries are always running, you don’t just wait on the boat- the boat continues on and you head back to shore).

5. 9/11 Memorial Pools

I recommend making some time in your itinerary to visit the beautiful memorial site of the attacks of September 11th. There are two large memorial pools almost an acre each in size with a 30-foot waterfall in the center dropping into a large hole in the ground. Along the sides of the pools are the names of many people who passed away on that day.

If you have more time, you can also visit the 9/11 Memorial Museum located right next to the memorial pools. We, unfortunately, didn’t have time in our itinerary to make it to the museum, but it looks like a visit would be an interesting experience. You can learn about the history of the site and see photographs and artifacts. The museum even has a recovered FDNY firetruck from ground zero on display.

6. One World Trade Center Observation Deck

Located right next to the 9/11 memorial pools is the new (and huge) One World Trade Center. The top of the One World Trade Center is one of the many awesome observation decks in the city. This is the observation deck recommended to me by a friend who lives in NYC. She recommends this one over the popular Empire State Building or Rockefeller Center decks for two reasons:

The first reason is the One World Trade Center is the tallest building in New York/the USA (imagine how crazy tall that must be!). And the second reason is that from the top of this building, you have views of the Empire State Building and other awesome buildings since you aren’t on top of them.

Since this is right next to the 9/11 Museum and Memorial, you can even purchase a combined entrance ticket for both the observation deck and the 9/11 Museum.

*Since we last visited a new observation deck has opened in the city called the Edge Observation Deck that also looks pretty awesome. This one looks pretty awesome because it has a suspended glass floor, an outdoor viewing area with slanted glass panes to lean over the city, plus 360′ views of the city!

Another additional observation deck that looks awesome is Summit One Vanderbilt . It’s a unique mix of art and amazing city views where you get to stand in glass boxes over Midtown Manhattan and even ride an exterior glass elevator.

7. NYC Ferry Ride

One popular New York City thing to do is to take an evening dinner cruise that floats in the New York Harbor with stunning Manhatten views as the city lights turn on. A dinner cruise is a great idea, however, if you are looking for something less expensive (muchhhh less expensive) but offers the same amazing views of the city at night-then a ride on the New York ferry is what you want!

Tickets for the ferry are only (get this) $2.75! My friend who lives in the city recommends the East River route for great Manhattan views- plus it’s a great way to get from the Statue of Liberty or 9/11 Memorial area back up to Midtown. To do this you would take the ‘Wall Street/Pier 11 stop to the ‘E 34th Street’ stop.

Be sure to take the ferry at night to see the amazing twinkling lights of the crazy amounts of skyscrapers and other buildings. One of the most memorable parts of our weekend getaway to New York City was admiring the lit-up skyline at night. It’s such an awesome experience. Make sure to find a way to do that!

There are multiple ways to purchase a ferry ticket like on the app, a ticket agent, a ticket machine or the website.

Additional Things to Do for a Longer New York Itinerary:

• Explore The Metropolitan Museum of Art (The Met)
• Stroll along the Highline – a 1.45-mile-long park built on a historic, elevated rail line
• Soak up the sun at Rockaway Beach and Boardwalk
• Take a trip on the Roosevelt Island Tram
• Ride the carousel in Brooklyn Bridge Park with Brooklyn Bridge views

Tours to Experience New York in Two Days:

If you are someone who enjoys a good guided tour once in a while ( I know that I do) here are some great options for New York City tours! I haven’t had the chance to take any of these tours- but they look awesome and the reviews are great:

• New York in One Day Guided Sightseeing Tour (travel by bus and boat to see top sights in NYC jam-packed into a one-day tour!)
• Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island Tour (enjoy a boat ride and museum admission to both the Statue of Liberty Museum and Ellis Island)
• Manhattan Sky Tour: New York Helicopter Flight ( experience the Manhatten skyline and harbor from the sky on a once-in-a-lifetime helicopter tour)
• Go City: New York Explorer Pass (choose 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 or 10 NYC attractions for one low price)
• NYC Dinner Cruise to see City Lights (see stunning nighttime views of the New York City skyline and harbor along with a delicious dinner)
• Boroughs of NYC: Harlem, Bronx, Queens, Brooklyn & Coney Island (get out of the major districts of Manhatten and tour neighborhoods not usually seen by tourists)
• Harlem Hip-Hop Walking Tour (guided tour by a hip-hop historian in Harlem and see popular locations for hip-hop music videos and hear exclusive stories!)
• Central Park TV and Movie Sites Walking Tour (enjoy Central and see more than 30 filming locations from your favorite movies and TV shows!)

How to get around NYC in a Weekend:

I feel like this is stating the obvious, but the best way by far to get around New York is the NYC Subway System (and bus). I highly recommend purchasing a MetroCard which is a card you use to swipe on and off the Subway or bus without having to purchase a ticket each time.

There are multiple types of MetroCards you can buy. For example, a pay-per-swipe card that deducts money for each ride or you can purchase an unlimited 7-day or 30-day card. It’s super easy to buy these cards at a MetroCard machine in a Subway Station. Or you can see all of the possible places to purchase a card here .

If for some reason you do have a car in NYC with you (maybe you are on a road trip) be sure to see how much your hotel charges for parking or that your other accommodations have parking available nearby. And you will want to keep your car parked and use the Subway during your time in the city.

Parking lots can be very difficult to find and charge around $50 per day. Less expensive street parking can technically be available in places within the city but it is difficult to find an open space and will require a lot of time spent driving around the block.

*Sidenote- if you ARE on a road trip up the East Coast, be sure to check out my top things to do in Acadia National Park article. You for sure need to add Maine and Acadia National Park to your East Coast road trip itinerary!

And that is my recommendation on what to do in New York City! Please  let me know  if you have any questions about other things to do in New York City. I love talking all things travel!

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Massive one

This itinerary is great, thanks so much for sharing it. One question: On Day 2, after you walk across the Brooklyn Bridge, you suggest the Status of Liberty/Staten Island. I am assuming that you catch the ferry from Battery Park? If so, how did you get back across the Brooklyn Bridge? Thanks!

Hey Melinda! Yes, we caught the ferry from Battery Park so we used Google Maps to take the Subway back that way 🙂

This is really helpful. I really appreciate you sharing this.

I’m happy to hear 🙂

Jennifer Turner

Planning on doing this next week. Hotel recommendations? We might have a car that we’ll want to leave at hotel. We’ll also be bringing our 2 children, 14 and 8.

TIA Jennifer

Hey Jennifer! I hope you have a great time in NYC 🙂 On our most recent trip, we stayed in an Airbnb just across the Hudson River in West New York, New Jersey (however, the Airbnb is no longer available). It was a beautiful area to stay in because each night we could enjoy the city lights and skyline of the city and only had a short bus ride into the city each day. Good luck in your search!

James J Veres

Preshika Nath

Hi James. This is so helpful, planning to replicate the itinerary. Just a couple of quick questions: – What is the best way to Statue of Liberty from Brooklyn Bridge? – From Statue of Liberty, best way to 9/11 memorial? – From there, back to Times Square?

Would really appreciate a response.

Thank you Preshika

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How to Spend One Perfect Day in Island in the Sky: Canyonlands National Park

7 awesome jerusalem tours definitely worth the money.

2 Days in New York City: Detailed Itinerary & Map (+NYC Insider Tips)

By Author Jurga

Posted on Last updated: October 16, 2023

Heading to New York for two days and wondering how to see some of the main landmarks and make the most of your time? In this guide, we share a  detailed 2-day NYC itinerary  that covers many of the ‘musts’ in the most efficient way.

New York City is massive, and two days are barely enough to scratch the surface of what this megacity has to offer. The good news is that with some good planning and preparation, you can cover a lot of ground and experience the very best of NYC in just 2 days. (In fact, you can see a lot in just a day in New York as well, but needless to say, the more time you have, the better).

Of course, there is no way to see  all  the best places in NYC in 48 hours. But – if you plan well – you can visit a few different neighborhoods, soak up the local atmosphere, and see some of the most famous sights in New York in two days.

To help you make the most of your short visit to the Big Apple, we asked for insider tips and recommendations from a NYC local and travel writer Gigi Chow, the creator behind Wet Nose Escapades . The Upper East Side in New York City has been her part-time home for over 3 years and she knows the city really well.

This itinerary is jam-packed with some of the best attractions you can experience in New York in just two days. But it’s also planned in an efficient way and is actually doable. We also include some alternative suggestions here and there to show you what’s possible and to help you create your own perfect itinerary.

Top 5 Experiences in NYC:

• Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island .
• SUMMIT ONE Vanderbilt .
• 9/11 Memorial & Museum .
• Top of The Rock .
• Manhattan Helicopter Tour .

Good to know: This article starts with a detailed itinerary highlighting all the top places to see and things to do in New York in two days, including approximate hours. Please note that the times are only indicated for your reference, to give you a rough idea of how to plan your time.

At the bottom of this article, you’ll find a short overview of the itinerary which you can easily screenshot for a quick reference.

We also include a map of all the locations mentioned in this guide, as well as practical information such as which tickets you have to prebook, where to stay, where to eat, etc. Find out!

ACCOMMODATION TIP: Before we start with the details on where to go and what to see, you may want to know that the best place to stay for this itinerary is the area around Times Square. Following our itinerary, you will end your first day and start and end the second day of this itinerary in this area. Some of the most popular choices here include RIU Plaza Manhattan Times Square , or – on a lower budget – Pod Times Square ).

CITY PASS TIP: If you follow our itinerary closely, consider getting the New York: CityPASS® . It’s a digital ticket that includes access to 5 top NYC attractions (all of which are included in this itinerary) and can save you up to 40%. Plus, you can visit the sights in any order and the pass is valid for 9 days.

Here are our suggestions for the best places to visit in NYC in two days:

Day 1 – planning info/tickets to book:

• Statue of Liberty: guided tour of the Statue of Liberty + Ellis Island OR Statue of Liberty cruise .
• 9/11 Memorial Museum (optional) – timed-entry tickets .
• Empire State Building – timed-entry tickets .
• Alternatively, New York: CityPASS (it includes all of the above and some places from day 2 of this itinerary, except the guided tour, of course).

Here’s what your first day in New York could look like:

7.30 – 8.30 AM.

Offering amazing views of Manhattan, DUMBO is an excellent place to start your sightseeing in New York. By the way, DUMBO has no affiliation with the famous Disney character but is an iconic Brooklyn neighborhood that stands for D own U nder the M anhattan B ridge O verpass.

Once home to starving artists, the cobblestoned DUMBO is now one of the most sought-after, expensive neighborhoods in NYC. This is largely thanks to its top-notch views of the Manhattan Skyline and Brooklyn Bridge. 

The intersection of Washington and Water features one of the most Instagrammed spots for selfies in the city – where the Manhattan Bridge is framed by historic red brick buildings. You’ll find the exact location indicated on our map further below.

TIP: DUMBO is a good place to stop for some coffee or breakfast . We recommend the food court at Time Out Market New York . You can enjoy amazing views from here too – don’t miss it!

Good to know: The views from here and the fact that it only opens at 8 AM – are the main reasons why we recommend planning your sightseeing itinerary this way.

Alternatively, you could start your day here earlier and head to the Brooklyn Bridge before it gets too busy with commuters heading to Manhattan.

Brooklyn Bridge

8.30 – 9.30 AM.

Connecting Lower Manhattan to Brooklyn Heights, the Brooklyn Bridge is an iconic NYC landmark that is one of the must-sees for first-time visitors.

Popularized in movies and television, this famous bridge over the East River is the first suspension bridge to use steel for its cable wire. Hence, it is considered the cream of the crop of 19th-century engineering.

Boasting views of the stunning Manhattan skyline and the Statue of Liberty, the Brooklyn Bridge gives you some of the best views of the city FOR FREE.

Good to know: A one-way walk on the Brooklyn Bridge is about 1.3 miles, which may take 25 to 60 minutes depending on your fitness level and the number of stops you make for pictures. 

TIP: If you are interested in photography, get there early (ideally before 8 AM). The Brooklyn Bridge has a lot of pedestrian traffic so the earlier you get there, the more relaxing it will be (and it’s easier to take photos). But otherwise, just come here when it best suits your itinerary. After all, crossing it with all the people and bikes around you is part of the authentic New York experience.

South Street Seaport

9.30 – 10 AM.

After crossing the bridge, you’ll reach South Street Seaport in downtown Manhattan.

This 4-acre historic cobblestoned area is home to some of the oldest architecture you’ll find in the city. From centuries-old mercantile buildings to renovated sailing ships, you’ll take a step back in time and get a historic NYC feel.

In the past, this area was a prominent site for trade in the U.S., from domestic to transpacific trade. Today, this renovated neighborhood is bustling with trendy restaurants, hip bars, and posh boutiques.

TIP: The best part about the Seaport District is its unsurpassed views of the Brooklyn Bridge, which can be seen from Pier 17.

Good to know/ alternative planning tip: If you plan to start your day later and could be at South Street Seaport at around 11 AM, you could take this 1-hour Statue of Liberty Cruise from Pier 16 here. These cruises run frequently throughout the day, but the first one only starts at around 11. It could be a good option if you are short on time and can’t fit in any of the other options that we list below.

Financial District: NY Stock Exchange, Wall Street & Charging Bull

10 – 10.30 AM.

No visit to the world’s financial capital would be complete without seeing the most famous landmarks in its Financial District .

First stop – Wall Street , which runs for eight blocks between South Street and the East River in the east and Broadway in the west.

The southern end of this famous street is just a few minutes walk from Pier 17 at South Street Seaport, and you can walk almost its entire length in just 10 minutes.

Next, stop by the impressive building of the New York Stock Exchange .

Founded in 1792, this is the world’s largest stock exchange by total market capitalization and the beating heart of NYC’s financial district.

Although the public isn’t allowed inside the NYSE, you can still walk past and get a glimpse of this Classical Revival landmark widely considered the backbone behind the American economy.

Finally, take a picture with the famous Charging Bull (also known as the Bull of Wall Street or the Bowling Green Bull).

Standing with immense energy on a cobblestoned median, the Charging Bull sculpture symbolizes financial optimism and prosperity. 

The 7,100-pound bronze sculpture stands 11 feet tall and measures 16 feet long – perfect for you to strike a pose with.

Statue of Liberty

10.45 AM – 3.30 PM (or less depending on the option you choose).

As a first-time visitor, you cannot go to NYC without seeing The Statue of Liberty . A prestigious independence gift from the French, the copper neoclassical sculpture represents the American dream – hope, freedom, and justice.

There are many ways to visit (or just catch a glimpse of Lady Liberty). Keep in mind that you need a good 4-6 hours to visit the main sights thoroughly. But you can also just see the statue from the ferry, or make a shorter visit. So it’s up to you to decide how much time out of your 48 hours in NYC you want to dedicate to Liberty Island and/or Ellis Island.

Here are the best ways to visit the Statue of Liberty that could work for this 2-day NYC itinerary:

OPTION 1 (& OUR RECOMMENDATION): For this itinerary, we recommend this highly-rated guided tour of the Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island. There are several advantages of taking this tour.

First, it starts just near the Charging Bull and they have a tour at 11 AM – an ideal fit for this itinerary. And second, you get to see A LOT in a rather short time (4 hours) and without having to worry about any practicalities or plan anything.

We have done dozens of tours with this company all over the world and they are always excellent.

Good to know: If you take this tour, be sure to get something for lunch before you go (or take it with you). You will have some free time on Liberty Island, but if you need to get food, you’ll waste all your time on that rather than sightseeing.

Also, this tour ends on Ellis Island and you can opt to return to the city with the guide or stay and explore a bit longer. Just keep an eye on the rest of your plans and the ferry schedule! If you return with the guide, you should be back in the city a bit past 3 PM.

If you prefer not to take a guided tour, here are the two other best ways to see the Statue of Liberty that would also fit this itinerary quite well taking into account the location of the ferries.

OPTION 2: The easiest and FREE way to get a glimpse of the Statue of Liberty is to hop on the Staten Island Ferry , which operates every 15-30 minutes and 24/7 (with limited hours on holidays). The ferry even welcomes dogs onboard . Depending on the time of day, the ride from the Whitehall Ferry Terminal in Manhattan only takes about 15-25 minutes one-way (so you only need about 1 hour).

Keep in mind that the Staten Island Ferry only passes by Lady Liberty. You will see the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island in the distance and can also enjoy some splendid views of the Manhattan skyline, but you won’t get very close to it. The ferry is huge and has an impressive capacity of 4,000 people, so it’s usually not a problem to just hop on the next available boat.

OPTION 3: If you prefer to go to Liberty Island and see the statue up close and personal on your own, you will need to hop on a Statue of Liberty cruise . There is a departure every hour, but the capacity is more limited so you should book in advance. Also, they recommend at least 4-6 hours to enjoy all the attractions, plus, you’ll need to figure out yourself where exactly to go, what to see, etc. You can find more practical information here .

9/11 Memorial & Museum

4 – 6.30 PM (you’ll need much less time if you are not visiting the museum).

Even though the 9/11 Memorial is not exactly the happiest place to be in NYC, it still represents a crucial part of the city’s history. So you should definitely pay a visit here, even if just shortly.

Resting peacefully inside a massive public plaza, the 9/11 Memorial is FREE for everyone to wander. Don’t miss the  9/11 Memorial Pools at Ground Zero. The calming twin waterfall pools are surrounded by bronze balustrades with names of the innocent lives taken in the 2001 attacks as well as the 1993 World Trade Center bombing. 

In addition, you can also visit the 9/11 Memorial & Museum . It’s open to the public six days a week (closed on Tuesdays).

TIP: If you want to be sure to visit the museum, reserve your timed-entry ticket in advance. Otherwise, you’ll waste too much time queuing which is not what you want to do if you have just 2 days in NYC.

If you take the Statue of Liberty tour mentioned above, we recommend that you opt for the 4.30-5 PM entry at the 9/11 Museum. This gives you some extra time to get there without having to worry about missing your time slot. If you arrive much too early, you can simply explore the Memorial before going inside.

Good to know: You really need at least 1.5-2 hours to give this museum justice. So if you are not sure that you want to spend that much time inside, you can simply opt to walk through the Memorial. For $8, you can also download the Outdoor Memorial Audio Guide on your iPhone . It’s a 40-minute tour on an app that goes over the design and meaning of the memorial.

Oculus at the World Trade Center

6.30 – 7 PM.

Near the Ground Zero site, you could also check out the unique architecture of the Oculus at the World Trade Center .

This is a railway station/ shopping center that is very impressive from both – outside as well as inside.

The building was designed by Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava after 9/11 and resembles a hand releasing a dove. It is well worth seeing if you like modern architecture, plus you can also take a subway from here to the next stop on this itinerary.

Next, head to The High Line (12-15 minutes by subway). Alternatively, if you are not interested in that part of the city or rather not pack your itinerary too much, head straight to Times Square or the Empire State Building (more info below).

The High Line & Dinner at Chelsea Market

7 – 8.30 PM – OPTIONAL.

Constructed on an elevated rail line, The High Line is one of the coolest activities you can do for free in NYC.

The High Line is a linear 1.45-mile-long historic public park running from Gansevoort Street to 34th Street. It boasts various scenic overlooks and crosstown views of the city. With over ten entrances, it is easily accessible via stairs, elevators, etc. There are also plenty of benches to rest your legs.

Founded by the residents of the Chelsea neighborhood on the west side of Manhattan, this unique attraction was created to prevent the former New York Central Railroad from demolition. Since its opening in 2009, locals and visitors alike have been flocking here to take one of the coolest walks in NYC.

Good to know: The High Line is a public space that is open daily and is free to visit. In the summer season (April – November), it’s open from 7 AM to 10 PM. In the winter (December – March) from 7 AM to 8 PM.

TIP: The most picturesque part of The High Line lies in the south, so it’s best to start from Gansevoort Street. Here, you could also stop for dinner at Chelsea Market – see below for more info. Also, you don’t absolutely have to walk the entire length of the High Line to get a feel for the area. Just see how you feel when you are there.

Despite its humbling industrial past, Chelsea Market is now a hip international food hall with frequent celebrity sightings. From Japanese tacos to German sausages, you can choose from over 40 exciting food and drink establishments – whatever fancies your appetite.

TIP: For the best experience, think tapas style when dining at Chelsea Market. You can do a sort of restaurant-hopping choosing a small bite or snack at one place and moving on to the next. If you have time, you could try 2 to 4 spots in one visit – one place for an appetizer, one or two places for a small meal or snack, and something else for dessert.

Fun fact: Chelsea Market is the birthplace of the OREO cookie! Also, the building is owned by Alphabet Inc. (the parent company of Google).

Good to know: While it’s really nice and trendy, dining here is not cheap (and it can get very busy at dinner). So if you prefer something less hectic, you’ll find plenty of restaurants nearby.

Hudson Yards

EVENING – OPTIONAL .

If you decide to walk the entire length of the High Line, you’ll reach the Hudson Yards .

This premier neighborhood is home to a plethora of chic bars, nightclubs, classy restaurants, public art, modern residences, and public squares. From laid-back Irish pubs to high-class wine bars, you won’t find a shortage of energetic places to spend the evening.

So if you’d like to experience NYC nightlife, this could be a good place. On the other hand, there are so many other amazing options. So with just two days in the city, we recommend just passing by.

Even if you’re not into bars, you can come to Hudson Yards to people-watch and admire the Vessel , a 16-story, 150-foot-tall structure of 154 interconnected flights of stairs. However, visitors are no longer allowed on the higher levels so you can only see this architectural masterpiece from the ground.

Good to know: A 100-story observation deck, Edge , is also located here. It’s the highest outdoor observation deck in the Northern Hemisphere and offers unparalleled 360° views of New York. However, sometimes it really lacks organization. On busy days, it can take forever to get to the lifts even with the timed-entry tickets. Plus, there are often way too many people at the top making it difficult to enjoy the experience.

But we have another great suggestion for you to enjoy the amazing views of New York City, namely the Empire State Building. See below for more info.

Empire State Building

We recommend ending your day with a visit to the Empire State Building in the evening. It’s located just 1 mile east of Hudson Yards, about 20 minutes walk from the Vessel. The viewing platforms are open quite late – depending on the season, to 11 PM or even midnight.

The Empire State Building probably needs no introduction. This iconic 1930s landmark was intended to be the world’s first 100+ story building. It was built in only one year and 45 days, smashing all records at the time.

A visit here offers unconstructed sprawling views of Manhattan. You can choose to visit its open-air observation deck on the 86th floor. Or you can also opt for a more expensive ticket that also allows you to visit the top deck on the 102nd (at 1,250 feet). From here, you can see unmatched NYC views with less crowd than on the main deck, but the price is quite a lot higher so most people just go to the main deck.

PRO TIP: The Empire State Building is one of the most popular tourist attractions in NYC, so be sure to get timed-entry tickets online in advance . Without advance booking, you’ll waste much too much time and ruin your evening.

Good to know: Depending on the season and your interests, you could try to visit here around sunset. If you come at least 30-45 minutes before sunset, you can admire both – daytime and nighttime views. For that, be sure to check the NYC sunset time online for your travel dates For example, the sun sets at around 8.30 PM in June – July, around 6 PM in October, or 4.30-5 PM in December – January.

But it’s well worth coming here in the dark too. The night-time views are stunning and the later you visit, the less busy it is.

LATE EVENING – OPTIONAL.

If you want to continue the night like a real New Yorker (and still have some energy left), you could explore Koreatown (or K-Town). The Empire State Building is in this neighborhood, and its central part is just one block south of the building.

This rich ethnic enclave dates back to the 1980s when Koreans started settling into the Garment District and opened a handful of restaurants and shops in the area. Thanks to its proximity to nearby touristy Midtown attractions, Korean-owned establishments grew simultaneously along with immigration from Korea. 

Despite its compact size of several blocks on 32nd Street (with its center situated between 5th and 6th Avenues), Koreatown is bustling with karaoke bars, rooftop bars, barbeque joints, K-Pop shops, and dessert lounges. Here, you can devour soju cocktails at a private karaoke room or buzzing rooftop bar.

Described as the “Korean Times Square,” K-Town has over 100 small businesses on Korea Way, the nickname for the heart of the neighborhood. Most karaoke lounges close at 4 AM, and some Korean restaurants even operate 24/7.

TIP: When visiting a Korean bar, it is customary to order a snack ( anju ) in addition to a soju cocktail or an alcoholic beverage. In Korean culture, alcohol and eating are done together, not separately. From spicy fried chicken to roasted walnuts, you can choose from a variety of snacks with your soju, beer, or wine.

Day 2 – planning info/tickets to book:

• Top of the Rock – timed entry tickets OR SUMMIT ONE Vanderbilt – timed entry tickets .
• American Museum of Natural History tickets OR The Met guided tour .
• Alternatively, New York: CityPASS , which includes most places from both days of this itinerary.
• Broadway show – find tickets for the best shows here .

Here’s what your second day in NYC could look like:

Grand Central Terminal

8 – 8.30 AM.

Start your second day at the most famous railway station in New York, Grand Central Terminal .

Situated on 42nd Street and Park Avenue, Grand Central is not just any commuter rail or transportation hub. Thanks to its unique Beaux-Arts interior design, the terminal is a true historic landmark. It’s been frequently used as a filming location for countless TV shows and movies, so you’ll recognize it instantly.

Built in 1913 in just ten years, Grand Central has bragging rights as the largest train station in the world. It has 44 platforms and 67 tracks on two levels.

In addition, the terminal also has a food hall, grocery marketplace, retail shops, fast-casual food joints, upscale restaurants, and cocktail bars. If you want to get some breakfast before another long day of sightseeing, check out Tartinery Café.

Next, head to Rockefeller Center, about 10 minutes walk from the station, where you can visit Top of the Rock (see below).

Alternatively , you can also first stop at SUMMIT ONE Vanderbilt Experience . It’s more than a traditional observation deck (although the 360° views from the 93rd floor are sensational), but also an immersive, multi-sensory art experience. It’s located just next to Grand Central Terminal and could easily fit into this itinerary as well.

Top of the Rock

9 – 10 AM.

Built in the 1930s, the renowned Art Deco-style Rockefeller Center is home to one of the most popular NYC attractions – Top of the Rock . Just like the Empire State Building, it offers spectacular views of the city from the top.

Top of the Rock presents three observation decks, the highest of them is located on the 70th floor. They have outdoor terraces facing in different directions, so you get unobstructed 360° views over Manhattan’s most iconic sites from above. There is also a large indoor space on the 67th floor.

Top of the Rock vs. Empire State Building: The deck at Top of the Rock is slightly lower than the Empire State Building. But it gives you an unparalleled view of the Empire State Building itself. In addition, from here you have better views of Central Park and Times Square (whereas from the Empire State Building, you have views of the water and One World Trade Center).

If you follow this itinerary and visit one of the observation decks in the evening of day 1 and the other one in the morning of day 2, you’ll get to see the aerial view of the city in daylight as well as at nighttime. That in itself makes it worth it going to both. Also, because the two towers are located rather close to each other, you can switch the order in which you visit them.

Good to know: These two experiences are quite similar and you cannot go wrong with either. Regardless of which one you choose, the panoramic views are simply incredible. However, if you have to pick just one of the two, we recommend Top of the Rock.

PRO TIP: Top of the Rock is extremely popular, so be sure to get timed-entry tickets online in advance . If you can, opt for one of the earliest time slots; that way, you can experience it before it gets too busy. Top of the Rock opens at 9 AM and the first hour is usually the quietest. Count 45-60 minutes for a visit.

TIP: If you’re visiting NYC during the holidays, don’t miss the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree and ice-skating rink as well!

10 – 11 AM.

NYC’s Fith Avenue is another iconic destination that should be on the must-see list for first-time visitors.

This famous street is a shopper’s paradise, featuring a blend of luxury boutiques, renowned department stores, and flagship stores of some of the world’s most prestigious brands.

Following this itinerary, you can see a big part of this famous street.

In the morning, when you walk from Grand Central, you can pass past the impressive building of the New York Public Library . After you visit the Top of the Rock at Rockefeller Center, check out the St. Patrick’s Cathedral just nearby.

Next, walk north in the direction of Central Park. On the way, you’ll pass flagship stores of brands like LEGO, Victoria’s Secret, Louis Vuitton, Tiffany & Co., and many others.

Further north and parallel to Central Park, you’ll find the so-called Museum Mile. This part of 5th Avenue features some of NYC’s most famous museums such as The Met, Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, and El Museo del Barrio. You can find information about these below.

For now, as soon as you reach The Plaza Hotel at the southeastern corner of Central Park, we recommend leaving the hustle and bustle of 5th Avenue and walking through the park.

Good to know: The distance from the Top of The Rock to The Plaza is just 0.6 miles, about 15 minutes walk without any stops. But you’ll likely want to do some window shopping, so foresee a bit more time.

Central Park

11 AM – 1.30 PM (including lunch).

Next, it’s time to explore the famous Central Park of New York. Stretching for 2.5 miles in length and 0.5 miles in width, this green space is huge.

Perched between the Upper West Side and Upper East Side, the park has lots of unique little attractions, so there is a lot to experience. It can be a bit overwhelming for first-time visitors.

To help you decide where to go, here are a few suggestions of our favorite places that we recommend checking out (they are all listed starting from the south and going northwards since you’ll enter the park on the south side):

• Pond at Central Park with the picturesque stone Gapstow Bridge .
• Wollman Rink – the famous ice skating rink (winter season only, +- from the end of October to mid-March).
• Tavern on the Green – recently restored, this iconic restaurant is one of the best places for lunch inside the park.
• The Mall and Literary Walk – a wide promenade lined with elm trees featuring statues of famous writers such as Shakespeare.
• Bethesda Terrace and Bethesda Fountain (not to be missed!).
• Bow Bridge – one of the most scenic photo spots in Central Park.
• Belvedere Castle – a 19th-century castle on one of the highest points of the park.

Good to know:  The places mentioned above are situated in the lower half of Central Park. The walk from The Pond near the southern entrance to Belvedere Castle is about 1.2 miles and takes about half an hour. But if you want to stop at all the places mentioned above, you’ll definitely need at least an hour extra (even more if you go ice skating). In addition, when making your planning for the day, don’t forget to foresee some time for lunch.

Next, we recommend choosing one of the following options – (1) visiting the Upper West Side and American Museum of Natural History OR (2) the Upper East Side and The Metropolitan Museum of Art (aka The Met).

With just two days in New York, we recommend that you pick one of these two museums because they are both quite big and you need at least a few hours to do them justice. Both are located just 10 minutes walk from Belvedere Castle in Central Park, but in different directions. See below for more info.

American Museum of Natural History (Upper West Side)

1.30 – 4.30 PM (OPTION 1).

Upper West Side (UWS) is a prestigious neighborhood with posh eateries, trendy boutiques, upscale food markets, and ultra-expensive real estate. If you decide to come here, you can also find a nice place for lunch in this area. Columbus Avenue and Amsterdam Avenue are lined with dozens of eateries, so there is a lot more choice than in Central Park.

Despite being a predominantly residential neighborhood, UWS is also home to the American Museum of Natural History and the Beacon Theatre .

Founded in 1869, the American Museum of Natural History is a New York institution that’s been families’ favorite for generations. Despite the fact that many exhibits have been here for decades, the museum is surprisingly modern. They say it’s the most interactive natural history museum in the world. It’s definitely one of the best museums to visit in NYC, and not just for families traveling with kids.

The museum houses over 32 million specimens spread over 45 halls, Rose Center, and Hayden Planetarium. Some of the most famous exhibits include the gigantic Tyrannosaurus rex, the world’s largest dinosaur fossil collection, and awe-inspiring dioramas of various ecosystems from around the world. Your ticket also includes the new state-of-the-art Gilder Center with very impressive architecture.

Practical info: The museum is open daily, from 10 AM to 5.30 PM except Thanksgiving and Christmas Day.

You need at least 2.5 hours for a visit to the regular exhibits, plus an hour extra for the temporary exhibits. Here you can find more info and book tickets .

TIP: The entry to this museum is also included with the earlier-mentioned New York: CityPASS (which also includes the Empire State Building, Top of the Rock, 9/11 Memorial and Museum, and Liberty Island ferries or cruises – all the places that we recommend visiting with 2 days in NYC).

The Metropolitan Museum of Art (Upper East Side)

1.30 – 5 PM (OPTION 2).

Upper East Side (UES) is another esteemed NYC neighborhood (that you may recognize as Carrie Bradshaw’s home from Sex & The City). The UES runs from 59th Street to 96th Street, with the East River on the east and Central Park on the west.

Constituting three smaller neighborhoods – Lenox Hill, Carnegie Hill, and Yorkville – UES is where the Rockefellers, Kennedys, and Roosevelts once called home. Parallel to 5th Avenue is Madison Avenue where you’ll find high-end boutiques and designer stores – a luxurious shopper’s dream.

Museum Mile on 5th Avenue is part of this neighborhood, so there is a lot to see here. But with just two days in New York and limited time, the most obvious choice is The Metropolitan Museum of Art (The Met). However, keep in mind that you need at least 3-4 hours for a visit here (most people recommend even more time).

The Met is one of the world’s most renowned art museums, boasting an extensive and diverse collection spanning over 5,000 years of human history. From ancient Egyptian artifacts to European masterpieces, a visit to this museum offers visitors a captivating journey through art, history, and culture.

Practical info: The Met is open daily except on Wednesdays and a few public holidays. It’s open from 10 AM to 5 PM, plus on Fridays and Saturdays, it remains open to 9 PM. You can find more info and tickets here . Plan at least 3 hours for a visit.

Good to know: The museum is really big and overwhelming for first-time visitors. You could be wandering aimlessly for several hours and still miss the most important works. So if you are short on time and absolutely want to see The Met, consider a guided tour . There are some excellent tours that bring you to the museum’s top attractions with carefully planned itineraries in about 2 hours.

PLANNING TIP: If you decide to visit The Met with a guide, we recommend this highly-rated tour . Just keep in mind that it usually starts at 11 AM so you’ll have to rearrange this itinerary a bit to make it work.

In that case, come here immediately after visiting The Top of The Rock and explore more of 5th Avenue and Central Park in the afternoon. This would actually be a rather relaxing way to spend your day since you do all the ‘musts’ that require advance planning first thing in the morning.

Broadway Show & Dinner

Whether you have been to the Big Apple before or it’s your first time in the city, attending a Broadway show is a must. Even if you have just 2 days in New York, you can easily add this to your itinerary – IF you plan and get tickets in advance.

With 41 Broadway theaters in the city, you have plenty of options to choose from. From Wicked to The Lion King to Moulin Rouge, NYC Broadway shows offer a big variety of theatrical productions and amazing musicals known to be the best in the world.

TIP: We recommend checking the HelloTickets website in advance. It’s our favorite one-stop shop for the most popular shows worldwide and they have tickets to all the best Broadway shows too. Without advance booking, you risk not being able to see the show that you like (especially if you visit on a weekend or during school holidays).

If you can’t decide what to see, we recommend either The Lion King  (Minskoff Theater) or Aladdin  (New Amsterdam Theater). We indicated both theaters on the map

Good to know: Most of the Broadway theaters are located around Times Square. So you’ll find plenty of dinner options nearby, before or after the show. Also, depending on the time of your show, you might want to consider exploring Times Square first (see below). Most shows take about 2.5 hours.

Times Square

End your short visit to New York admiring the beaming lights and glaring billboards of Times Square . It’s a MUST for all first-time visitors and no trip to NYC would be complete without a stop here.

One of the world’s busiest pedestrian-only areas, Times Square needs no introduction. You probably have seen hundreds of pictures of its colorful lights, flashing billboards, and – in the past – iconic yellow taxis. Its New Year’s Eve Ball Drop is also world-famous.

Formerly Longacre Square, Times Square changed its name in 1904 when a new skyscraper called One Times Square made its home on 42nd Street. Nowadays, this prominent commercial area attracts 50 million visitors annually. It is also home to the Broadway Theater District. Whether you want to take a stroll or hit up a nightclub or rooftop bar, you’ll never find a shortage of vibrant nightlife here. 

TIP: The best time to visit Times Square is in the evening when you can see a sea of bright neon lights flashing against darkness.

Good to know: Times Square is a traffic-free zone so it’s much more enjoyable than in the past. But it can still get extremely crowded, especially over the weekend. Be sure to keep your belongings in front of you to avoid pickpockets. 

Where to Stay

As already mentioned, by far the best area to stay for this itinerary is around Times Square. This is where you will find yourself at the end of day 1 of this itinerary, plus start in the morning and end in the evening of day 2.

Of course, staying in Manhattan is not cheap, but the prices are similar all over the center. Staying in the vicinity of Times Square will save you a lot of time.

Here are some of the best-rated hotels in this area for various budgets:

• $$$$$ RIU Plaza Manhattan Times Square – a very popular 4* hotel that sometimes offers great rates (especially on advance bookings).
• $$$$ M Social Hotel Times Square – a very nice hotel featuring a rooftop bar overlooking Times Square.
• $$$ CIVILIAN Hotel – a very nice design hotel that offers very good value for the location.
• $$ Pod Times Square – by far the most popular lower-budget option with very good customer reviews.

PRO TIP: Book your hotel in NYC as soon as you know your travel dates. It’s a very popular destination and the prices only go up as your travel dates get closer!

2 Days in NYC: Itinerary Overview & Map

Below is a quick summary of our suggested 2-day New York itinerary. You don’t need to follow a strict schedule, but this will give you a rough idea of how your days could look like and how much time to spend at each attraction.

Further below, you can also see the map indicating all the places on this itinerary.

• 7.30 – 8.30 AM: DUMBO.
• 8.30 – 9.30 AM: Brooklyn Bridge.
• 9.30 – 10 AM: South Street Seaport.
• 10 – 10.30 AM: Financial District.
• 10.45 AM – 3.30 PM: Statue of Liberty: by ferry or guided tour .
• 4 – 6.30 PM: Ground Zero & 9/11 Memorial Museum .
• 6.30-7 PM: Subway from Oculus to The High Line.
• 7 – 8.30 PM: The High Line & dinner at Chelsea Market.
• 9 PM: Empire State Building .
• Late evening (optional): Hudson Yard or Koreatown.
• 8 – 8.30 AM: Grand Central Terminal.
• 9 – 10 AM: Top of the Rock or SUMMIT ONE Vanderbilt .
• 10 – 11 AM: 5th Avenue. 
• 11 AM – 1.30 PM: Central Park + lunch.
• 1.30 – 5 PM: American Museum of Natural History OR The Met .
• Evening: Broadway Show & Times Square + dinner.

How to use this map:  Use your computer mouse (or fingers) to zoom in or out. Click on the icons to get more information about each place. Click the arrow on the top left corner for the index. Click the star next to the map’s title to add it to your Google Maps account. To view the saved map on your smartphone or PC, open Google Maps, click the menu and go to ‘Your Places’/’Maps’. If you want to print the map or see it in a bigger window, click on ‘View larger map’ in the top right corner.

Practical Tips for 2 Days in NYC

• Stay in Manhattan, close to Times Square if you can. This will save you lots of time and will enable you to make the most out of your short visit.
• Be sure to book tickets to all the sights and attractions that you want to visit. Otherwise, you’ll waste too much time in queues and won’t be able to do everything mentioned in our itinerary.
• Don’t pack anything you don’t absolutely need. Many attractions have strict security checks and a long list of items that are not allowed inside (sharp items, etc. but some don’t even allow food or drinks). Also, if you go to Liberty Island, you’ll have to leave your backpacks in a locker (be sure to bring some quarters with you!). We personally always pack a small crossbody bag for city trips (something like this or a bit smaller). Most attractions allow you to keep a small crossbody bag on you without any issues.
• Wear comfortable shoes – you’ll be walking a lot! Contrary to what you see in the movies, real New Yorkers don’t walk around in 4” stilettos either.
• If you want to save yourself some walking, use the subway for long distances or taxi/Uber for shorter rides.
• Don’t be afraid to ask for help if you are not sure where the entrance is, which metro line you need, etc. It’s better than wasting precious time trying to figure it out yourself.
• Consider having just a quick lunch on the go rather than sitting down for a full meal. This will usually save you at least 1-1.5 hours of precious sightseeing time. Also, you may want to reserve a table at a restaurant for dinner, especially if traveling on a weekend and/or if you want to have dinner at a specific time or place.
• Pack a portable charger for your smartphone (and don’t forget to fully charge it in advance + take the cables that you may need). You’ll be using your phone all the time – to navigate the city, show prebooked tickets at the attractions, take pictures, etc.

This concludes our 2-day itinerary for New York. If you want to see some of the most famous places in NYC in a short time, this itinerary will help you do just that.

Of course, this is just one of the countless ways to spend two days in New York and there are so many options.

So if it feels a bit overwhelming, cut a few places/activities that don’t interest you that much and make your sightseeing plan a bit more relaxing. That’s also why we indicated some sites as ‘optional’. And if you absolutely want to see some other landmark or neighborhood, take a look at the map and figure out where you could squeeze it in. A lot is possible, so simply use this as a guide to help you plan your own perfect trip.

Have a great time in NYC!

More travel inspiration for the USA:

• New York Itinerary for 1 Day .
• Best Things to Do in Las Vegas .
• Philadelphia 1 Day Itinerary .
• Chicago 2 Days Itinerary .
• San Diego Itinerary .
• Los Angeles 3 Days Itinerary .
• Phoenix – Scottsdale Itinerary .
• Grand Canyon 1-Day Itinerary .
• For many more destinations all over the country, take a look at our  USA travel blog .

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Monday 18th of September 2023

As always - really useful. Thanks so much for this. I find I can't go wrong with your guides!

Thursday 21st of September 2023

Thank you for your kind feedback, Carolyn. Appreciate it and happy to help!

Finding the Universe

Travel tales, photography and a dash of humor

2 Days in New York City: The Ultimate New York Itinerary

Last updated: April 14, 2023 . Written by Laurence Norah - 17 Comments

New York! The city that never sleeps. We have visited New York City many times, and still feel we’ve barely scratched the surface of what this incredible city has to offer.

Still, there are many sights in New York City that are a must-visit, especially if this is a first time visit, or if you want to spend a couple of days seeing the highlights of the city.

With that in mind, we’ve put together this itinerary for 2 days in New York. It focuses primarily on what we feel are some of the top attractions in the city, favourites that we’ve visited multiple times across many visits.

Obviously, with only 2 days in New York, there is only so much you can see and do. We’ve laid this itinerary out to be as logical as possible, so you spend more time sightseeing and visiting attractions and less time travelling from place to place.

We’ve also focused our itinerary primarily on the island of Manhattan, with a brief sojourn to Brooklyn. New York City is made up of five boroughs, and whilst we have many favourite places across the other boroughs, we think that trying to include too much if you have a limited window of time will be detrimental to your trip.

Following the step by step itinerary, we’ve also included a map of the adventure, as well as a range of practical information to help you make the most of your trip. From tips on accommodation, to transport, to saving money, this guide should give you everything you need to plan the perfect 2 day New York getaway.

If you are visiting for longer, check out our itinerary for 3 days in New York City .

Itinerary for 2 Days in New York City

This itinerary focuses on the highlights of the city, and is ordered by the way we would suggest you do the route.

Of course, as with all our itineraries, this is just a suggested starting point to help you plan your trip. Feel free to adjust this itinerary to suit your particular interests – New York City truly has something for everyone. In addition, many attractions are open quite late, so you can definitely fit a lot in if you are up for it.

It’s also always worth checking each attraction you plan to visit for opening hours and dates. A lthough most of the attractions on this list are open 7 days a week, some are closed, have seasonal hours, and may be closed for holidays and special events. So we always recommend checking dates and hours for any attractions you really want to visit before your trip to avoid disappointment.

New York: Day 1

Your first day in New York has you focusing on the southern end of Manhattan island, starting with the city’s most famous statue.

Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island

We think it’s fitting that the first place you visit on your tour of New York City is the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island . When the immigrants were flooding to the USA during the 19th and 20th centuries, they knew they were in touching distance of their dream of a new life when the Statue of Liberty loomed into view.

This is perhaps the most iconic statue in the world, and one which is an unmistakable symbol of New York City, and the USA in general.

Next to the Statue of Liberty, which is found on Liberty Island, is Ellis Island. This was the home of the United States’ busiest immigration inspection centre from 1892 to 1954, with over 12 million immigrants passing through the doors here as they arrived into the USA.

We think combining a visit to these two locations is the perfect way to start your time sightseeing in New York.

To visit the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, you need to take a ferry. Note that only ferries operated by Statue Cruises , which is authorised by the National Parks Service, are permitted to actually land on the islands. There are lots of other cruises which go round the islands, but if you want to land, you need to take an official ferry with landing rights.

These ferries run year-round with the exception of Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. Depending on the time of year the first ferry will be at either 8.30am or 9.30am. We’d recommend getting the first ferry so you have plenty of time to see everything and still fit other places into the rest of the day.

You can either book your ferry directly with Statue Cruises here , or you can take advantage of the New York Pass . This attraction pass includes a great many benefits, including round trip tickets to Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty with Statue Cruises.

However, it doesn’t include access to the pedestal or crown of the Statue of Liberty, so if visiting these is important to you, you will need to book pedestal tickets or crown tickets directly from Statue Cruises. You can also buy tickets at Battery Park, with the official ticket booth for Statue Cruises found inside Castle Clinton. However we recommend booking in advance to skip the ticket lines.

Another option we’ve done is to take a walking tour which includes the cruise to the Statue of Liberty. We’ve done and can recommend this 3.5-hour Early Access Statue of Liberty Tour with Ellis Island with Take Walks. A tour is a great way to really learn about the history of what you are seeing, and Take Walks in our experience offer some of the best guides out there. This tour also takes the first ferry, allowing you to beat the crowds.

Overall, expect to spend around 3-3.5 hours visiting the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. Ferries depart from Battery Park, which is found on the south western corner of Manhattan.

Wall Street

From Battery Park, it’s just a few minutes walk to the next stop on our itinerary, Wall Street. This is the most famous financial district in the world, home to the New York Stock Exchange and the NASDAQ.

This is a place where fortunes are made and lost, and it’s here that some of the most spectacular financial dramas of our time have played out. The name of the street itself has inspired movies, and a visit here is a popular stop for visitors to New York.

Don’t miss a photo with the famous Bull statue, which symbolises a bull market, a time when stocks are on the up.

9/11 Memorial & Museum

The events of September 11th 2001 left an indelible mark on the city of New York and its people. Two passenger planes hijacked by terrorists slammed into the twin towers of the World Trade Center, with two further planes crashing into the Pentagon and a field in Pennsylvania.

This was the deadliest terrorist attack in history, and it resulted in the deaths of 2,977 people. In the years following the attacks, many more deaths have been directly attributed to the attacks, largely of cancer and other respiratory diseases as a result of the toxic debris released into the air.

Three of the buildings of the World Trade Center collapsed as a result of the attacks, including the iconic “Twin Towers”.

In the years following the attacks, a competition was announced to create a memorial to the victims. The end result was the 9/11 Memorial and Museum .

This is in two parts, an outdoor memorial and an indoor museum. The memorial, which is titled “Reflecting Absence”, consists of two huge pools into which the largest man-made waterfalls in the USA continuously pour. These sit in the footprint of the original towers, and the names of all the victims are printed around the perimeters of each pool.

The Memorial is free to visit, and sits in the shadow of the new One World Trade Center, a spectacular glass fronted skyscraper which is the tallest building in the USA.

Below ground, you will also find the 9/11 Museum. This is a paid attraction, which tells the story of 9/11, from the events leading up to the attack, to the attack itself, and the days afterward. This is a moving place to visit, with so many stories of loss and tragedy, although mixed with tales of bravery and heroism.

The museum is open daily from 9am until either 8pm or 9pm depending on the time of year. There’s a lot to see here, so expect to spend a couple of hours on site. You can buy tickets on site, but we’d recommend booking them online in advance to skip the queues. You can do that here . The 9/11 Memorial Museum is also included on the New York Pass.

If you would prefer to take a walking tour of some of the key 9/11 sights, then we can recommend this excellent 9/11 tour , led by a local, which includes 9/11 Memorial Museum tickets. We did this tour and can highly recommend it for those wanting to learn more about the 9/11 attacks and subsequent events from a guide who lived through the experience.

World Trade Center Station

Ok, I appreciate including a train station might seem a bit odd. In fact, I’ve included two on this itinerary!

The World Trade Center Station is a pretty epic building, and I think you’ll agree, well worth a visit. The centerpiece is “the Oculus”, a magnificent white ribbed construction that gave me the impression of being inside a giant futuristic whale.

It’s a great spot for some photos, and I think worth a few minutes of your time at least. It’s also only a short walk from the 9/11 Memorial Museum, on the way to the next stop on this itinerary.

Brooklyn Bridge

From the World Trade Center Station it’s a short walk to Brooklyn Bridge, one of the most famous bridges in New York, which links Manhattan with Brooklyn.

Opened in 1883, when the bridge opened it was the longest suspension bridge in the world. It was also the first bridge to link Manhattan with Brooklyn.

Today the bridge is used for pedestrian, cyclist and vehicle traffic. It’s appeared in many films and TV shows, and along with the Statue of Liberty and Empire State Building, is an iconic New York sight.

Since opening, the bridge has been a popular tourist attraction, and I’d say that a walk across Brooklyn Bridge is a must for any visitor to the city. Plus it’s free, so what’s not to love. You can walk across the whole bridge to Brooklyn if you want, or you can just take on a part of it, depending on how you feel.

By this point you might feel you have done enough walking for the day. So a nice boat ride that takes in the Manhattan Skyline might be in order.

You have a few options, depending on your budget. If you invest in a New York Pass, there are a few options you can choose from, with various departure points around the city.

Of course, if you’d prefer not to take a cruise you have some other options. First, you could stay in Brooklyn. There’s plenty to see and do here, with the New York Transit Museum a personal favourite of ours. The views from Brooklyn Bridge Park are also excellent, and you can also watch the sunset across the Manhattan Skyline.

For those with the stamina to keep exploring, our next stops on this itinerary are in Midtown. You can get here using public transport or Hop on Hop bus (included on the New York Pass).

You can also get up to midtown by using the New York Ferry Service . From DUMBO, you can take the ferry up to East 34th Street, which will bring you close to Midtown and the next stop on our tour.

Times Square

Another New York icon, Times Square has been wowing visitors with its technicolor billboards since it was given the name Time Square in 1904.

Times Square is one of the most popular tourist attractions in the world, with over 50 million visitors coming here every year. It’s the intersection of Broadway and Seventh Avenue, and actually spans a number of blocks. It’s also not actually a square, despite the name!

Since 1907, Times Square has been where New York has celebrated New Year, with the famous ball drop taken place here at midnight every New Year’s Eve. This is a spectacle watched in person by over a million people, with countless millions more tuning in from all around the world.

The real highlight for me of a visit to Times Square is just to gaze in wonder at all the spectacular lights, the throngs of people, and to soak in the feeling of being at what truly feels like the centre of the world.

It’s also the heart of Broadway, which hundreds of shows to choose from. I’ve put a Broadway show on the list for the second day, but of course you can also see a show on your first day if you prefer. This is also a good place to find tickets for TV shows that are being filmed – on one visit to New York, we got audience tickets to see David Letterman just by wandering around Times Square!

Top of the Rock

Our last stop for the day is to the top of the Rockefeller Center. Before you head up, you should definitely explore around the base, as there are some notable sights, including the famous statue of Hercules.

We think the view from the Top of the Rock , 850 feet above the city, is one of the best in New York. From the cruise ship inspired viewing area you are rewarded with spectacular views of Central Park to the north, as well as midtown and downtown Manhattan to the south.

Of course, there are a few other options vying for your attention when it comes to getting a great view of the city. The obvious other choice is the Empire State Building, which we have scheduled for your second day in the city.

We think it’s worth going up both – the views are excellent from both, but you can only see the Empire State Building from the Top of the Rock.

Of course, it’s up to you. As we usually use a New York Pass when we visit New York, we can visit both as they are both included. But it’s up to you of course, depending on your budget and interests. There’s plenty to do in the area around the Rockefeller Center, so we don’t think you’ll run out of options!

You can buy tickets in advance of your visit online here , or from the official website here .

Do be aware that the Rockefeller Center operates a timed ticketing system. Holders of passes and advance purchase tickets from third party sites need to book a time in person at the box office on site. We advise doing this early into your trip and waiting times can be long.

However, once you have booked your time you don’t need to wait in line – just return at the correct time for access. If you purchase your ticket directly from the Top of the Rock website then you can specify a time in advance when you purchase.

New York: Day 2

For your second day in New York you’re going to visit some of the best museums in the city, as well as a few more iconic locations. Let’s get started!

The Metropolitan Museum of Art

If you love art, then a visit to the Metropolitan Museum of Art should be high on your shortlist during your visit to New York.

The Metropolitan Museum of Art, usually referred to simply as “The Met”, is one of the most visited art museums in the world, and the largest in the USA.

The art collection has something for everyone, spanning 5,000 years of human history, from the Ancient Egyptians right through to the present day. It includes artifacts, paintings, sculptures and objects from around the world.

There are actually two locations occupied by the Met, with your ticket good for access to both of them for three full days. The main location is on Fifth Avenue, with Met Cloisters found in Fort Tyron park, about seven miles. All are open throughout the week.

If you’re not from New York State, there’s an entry fee for the Metropolitan Museum of Art. You can buy your ticket online in advance here , and skip the ticket lines.

If you’d prefer to take a guided tour of the museum to gain more insights into what you are seeing, we recommend this guided walking tour of the Met .

Guggenheim Museum

A short walk from the Met on Fifth Avenue (which will give you plenty of opportunity to window shop in some of the high-end stores in the area!), is the second art museum of the day, the Guggenheim .

Formally known as the Solomon. R. Guggenheim Museum, this spectacular building is worth a visit to appreciate the architecture alone. It was designed by architect Frank Lloyd Wright, and along with seven other properties designed by Wright it actually forms a World Heritage Site.

Of course, the art collection is also impressive. The collection focuses on Impressionist, Post-Impressionist, Modern and contemporary art, with artists including Cezanne, Kandinsky and Modigliani on display. There are also regular temporary exhibitions showcasing other artworks.

The Guggenheim is open daily, and there’s an admission fee. It’s free to holders of the New York Pass, or you can buy your ticket with skip the line access online here .

Central Park

One of the most impressive things about Manhattan, to me at least, is that a massive part of this island is given over to a huge expanse of park.

Spanning 843 acres – in some of the most expensive real estate in the world – this massive green area will likely be instantly recognisable to you. This is because it’s one of the most filmed parts of the world, with hundreds of TV shows and films using the park as a backdrop.

There’s lots to see and do in the park. First, you can obviously just take a walk. Be aware that the park is pretty big, so it might take you a while to get around. Highlights include the Ornamental Bridge, Bethesda Terrace and Fountain and Strawberry Fields. Central Park also has its own zoo, a 3,000 year old Egyptian obelisk, and a carousel ride.

Another popular activity is to take a horse drawn carriage ride around a part of the park. These are a popular with families and a romantic option for couples.

Central Park itself is free to visit, but visiting attractions within or taking part in any rides of course has a fee. You can also rent bikes, with holders of the New York Pass qualifying for free Central Park bike rentals.

You can also book a carriage ride in advance here , and bike rentals in advance here .

Museum of the City of New York

If you prefer your museums to tell the story of a place and its people rather than art, then you will want to visit the Museum of the City of New York . We really love this museum, and you can learn a lot about the city. We can also recommend the Queens Museum if your travels happen to take you over there.

Dating from 1923, the museum focuses on telling the stories of New Yorkers, through a series of objects and images. In fact, the museum has over 1.5 million objects in its collection! There are plenty of interactive exhibits too, as well as videos.

All in all, this is a wonderful museum to come to if you want to get an insight into life in New York over the years. It’s open every day and there’s an entry fee. You can buy your tickets online in advance here .

It’s also included for holders of the New York Pass.

Grand Central Terminal

The thing about New York is that it has so many iconic locations that you will recognise from film and TV, and many of these are well worth a visit. After all, if they are scenic enough for a movie, there must be something to them.

That’s why I have another train station on the itinerary. But not just any train station – Grand Central Terminal .

Arguably one of the most famous train stations in the world, Grand Central Terminal is primarily a commuter rail station, bringing commuters into Manhattan from the northern parts of wider New York City.

Grand Central Terminal was opened in 1913, and is today one of the top ten most visited attractions in the USA. It’s also the third busiest train station in North America, and is a designated National Historic Landmark.

The highlight for many is of course the main concourse area – a huge meeting area which, like many sights in New York, has featured in numerous movies and TV shows, from the Avengers to North by Northwest.

Grand Central Terminal is free to visit, and there are a range of shops and eateries on site, including a food court.

New York Public Library

I’m a big fan of Winnie the Pooh, a series of children’s books by British author A.A. Milne. So when I learnt that the main branch of the New York Public Library is where the original toys that inspired the books are to be found, naturally we had to visit.

If you’re interested in seeing this wonderful slice of literary history for yourself, you’ll find them in the children’s section of the Stephen A. Schwarzman Building, which is the main branch of the library.

There’s more to see at the library than Winnie the Pooh. Visitors are welcome in many of the rooms, including the wonderful General Research Division reading room.

If you do visit, just remember that this is of course a working library, with people doing actual research and work. So be mindful and respectful, as you would in any library, and obey any notices regarding photography.

The library is open daily, and is free to visit.

Empire State Building

The Empire State Building barely needs an introduction. Arguably the most famous skyscraper in the world, this 102 storey art deco building dates from 1931.

When completed, it was the world’s tallest building, a title it held for 40 years. Today it’s the second tallest building in New York, after the One World Trade Center. Many other skyscrapers have been built around the world since the Empire State Building opened, but I would say that none has quite managed to be as iconic as the Empire State Building.

In 1933, the Empire State Building started a distinguished career in film and TV, when played host to an angry King Kong. Since then, it has starred in over 250 movies and TV shows!

You can of course visit the Empire State Building, and take a ride up to the observation decks on the 80th, 86th and 102nd floors. The 86th floor is home to the main outdoor observation deck, which is most famous and visited floor, which offers spectacular views across the city. You’ll also find the famous binocular lookouts here, which are always a popular photography element for visitors (although you’ll also find these at the Top of the Rock).

The Empire State Building is open daily from 8am to 2am, so you can visit during the day or at night, depending on if you want to see the city by day or by night. There’s a fee to visit, and it’s included for holders of the New York Pass. You can also buy tickets (with optional skip the line) in advance here . We’ve found they are slightly cheaper than the official site.

For more information, see our guide to visiting the Empire State Building .

Broadway Show

We think it would be a shame to visit one of the world’s most famous theater districts and not take in a show. The Broadway area is home to some of the most well-known plays and stage actors and actresses in the world, with performances to suit all tastes.

On a recent visit to New York, we took in a performance of Phantom of the Opera. We figured that as this is the longest running Broadway show, it must have something going for it, and we were certainly not disappointed.

There are of course plenty of shows to choose from, across a wide range of price points. We’d advise booking tickets in advance if there’s a particular show you really want to see, as the more popular shows can sell out fast. If you want to save money, consider less popular shows, off-Broadway shows, or matinee performances.

And that’s it for our 2 day New York itinerary! Now let’s summarise what you’ve seen, see a map of the itinerary, and then consider some practicalities for your visit.

2 Day New York Summary

• Day 1: Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island, Wall Street, 9/11 Memorial & Museum, World Trade Center Station, Brooklyn Bridge, Boat Tour, Times Square, Top of the Rock
• Day 2: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Guggenheim Museum, Central Park, Museum of the City of New York, Grand Central Station, New York Public Library, Empire State Building, Broadway Show

Map for 2 Day New York Itinerary

To help you visualise our 2 day New York itinerary we’ve put together this map. You can also see this on Google Maps here .

How To Get Around New York City

New York City is a big place. Even focusing solely on Manhattan, you are looking at an island which is 13.4 miles long and 2.3 miles wide.

So whilst obviously you can get around on foot, you are likely going to want some other options as well. Thankfully, NYC has a plethora of transit options to help you get around which include the metro, buses, taxis, and ferries.

First though, if you follow our itinerary, you should be able to do the majority of it on foot. We set it up that way so you can spend more time sightseeing and less time travelling. Obviously, depending on where you choose to stay, you’ll need to get to the start point each day. Also, if you’re travelling from downtown to midtown, you’re not likely going to want to walk.

Here are some of the options we suggest for you for this itinerary. We also have a detailed guide to getting around New York , which you might find helpful.

Subway / MTA

One of the most economical ways to get around New York City is via the extensive subway system. With over 450 subway stations, this is one of the largest subway systems in the world. It’s also one of the oldest, so be aware that delays are a possibility!

We find the subway is the fastest and easiest way to get around New York when we visit. It’s particularly good for getting you from downtown to midtown, and the prices are very reasonable. You can buy individual fares at stations, or you can purchase a Metrocard which works on a number of transit options in the city.

A contactless payment system called OMNY is also rolling out across New York, although is not due for completion until 2023.

New York’s iconic yellow taxis are ubiquitous and fairly well priced. They’ll get you pretty much everywhere you need to go, although be aware that traffic across New York can be fairly dire, so it can take a while.

There are of course alternatives to the yellow taxi, including ride-sharing services such as  Uber  and Lyft. These need to be booked in advance using their apps, and do generally work out cheaper than a yellow cab.

Another option for getting around New York is to take the public bus. There are hundreds of routes serving the city, and prices are reasonable. You can pay using either cash (exact change, coins only), or you can use a Metrocard.

Launched in 2017, the NYC Ferry service is one of the newest options for getting around the city. We really loved using this service when we stayed in Brooklyn – it offers excellent views, and rides cost the same as the subway.

You need to buy tickets from tickets machines near the ferry port, or you can use the NYC Ferry app.

Hop on Hop off Bus

Finally, the other way we enjoy getting around New York, particularly when sightseeing, is to take the Hop on Hop off bus, such as the Big Bus New York. You can buy tickets for this in advance here .

When we travel in New York with the New York Pass, this comes with free access to one of the HOHO lines . We enjoyed the live commentary on the bus we took, and learning about different areas of the city that we might not have heard of.

Of course, this isn’t the cheapest way to get around the city, but we think if you invest in something like the New York Pass, then it’s definitely worth taking advantage of.

There are of course lots of other ways for getting around New York, including the train, bicycles, and even an aerial tram!

However, for our 2-day itinerary, we think the above options are likely to be the most common options. Again, you can see all the options for navigating the city in our detailed guide to how to get around New York .

Where to Stay in New York

We have visited New York many times, and one thing we have definitely learnt on our trips is that whilst there is a huge amount of choice in the city, it primarily falls into the mid-range and high-end categories. Budget accommodation is definitely harder to find, and can sell out well in advance. So if you find a good deal, book it early!

Based on our experiences, we wanted to share some recommendations for where to stay in the city for this itinerary. Ideally, you’ll want to stay in Manhattan itself, although Brooklyn, Williamsburg, and Long Island City can also be a good option if you stay near a subway station.

Note that different parts of Manhattan will cost different amounts at different times of the week. In our experience for example, downtown Manhattan around Wall Street tends to be less expensive over the weekends as there are fewer business people using the hotels. So definitely shop around and try different dates if you are flexible with your trip.

Here are some options, ordered from less expensive through to more expensive.

• HI NYC Hostel – found in uptown New York just ten minutes’ walk from Central Park, this Hostel offers great value dorm style accommodation in a good location
• The Local Hostel NYC – just across the river in Queens, this hostel has a kitchen, rooftop terrace, and a range of accommodation options from private rooms to dormitories. It’s a few minutes’ walk from the nearest subway, and Times Square is just 8 minutes ride away, making this a great value well location budget option
• The Jane Hotel – this quirky 2* hotel found in Greenwich Village offers well priced rooms which are styled like a ships cabin, and all of which offer river views. Bathrooms are shared, but the prices are great for Manhattan, and there’s a restaurant on site.
• Hotel 31 – this is a very well located midtown 2* hotel found just 650 yards from the Empire State Building. It offers a variety of rooms at reasonable prices, including some great value private rooms with shared bathrooms.
• Radisson Hotel New York Midtown – just 200 yards from the Rockefeller Center and within easy walking distance to most midtown attractions, this is a great value 4* hotel offering everything you need for a comfortable stay in Manhattan
• Gild Hall – A Thompson Hotel – well located for downtown attractions and a short walk to Wall Street and the Statue of Liberty ferry departure, this is a well-appointed 4* hotel with comfortable rooms and an on-site restaurant. We enjoyed our stay here.
• Warwick New York – this historic 4* midtown hotel is one of my favourite hotels in New York. It’s a historic hotel originally built by William Randolph Hearst, the infamous publishing magnate and builder of Hearst Castle . Spacious rooms and friendly staff combine with a great location to make this a great mid – upper end hotel in the city.
• The Sherry Netherland – Found on Fifth Avenue, this 5* hotel is a great luxury option located across from Central Park and The Plaza. It has everything you would expect of a 5* hotel – lovely rooms, helpful staff, stunning interiors, and a fantastic location.

Of course, there are lots more options to choose from across the city, but we think that should start you off well.

We’ve also used apartment rental sites for visits to New York. Booking.com do apartments as well, but we also recommend Plum Guide for apartments for your New York City trip.

Plum Guide carefully curate their listings so their options tend to be of a very high quality whilst still being available at a range of price points. See their  listings for New York City here .

If you can’t find what you want on the Plum Guide, or you want some new options to try out, we wrote a whole post on the best alternatives to AirBnB  which you should check out!

We also have a page full of travel resources, which includes our tips for getting the best deals on accommodation, which you can find  here .

Walking Tours of New York City

One of our favourite ways of exploring a city is on a walking tour, and New York is no exception. A good walking tour will pair you up with a knowledgeable city expert, and is a really good way to either get an introduction to a city, or to hone in on a particular topic that interests you.

We’ve taken a number of walking tours in New York , all of which we did with Take Walks , our favourite walking tour company. We’ve taken walks with them in cities all around the world, and have always had a good time.

Take Walks offer a wide range of walking tours in New York. Here are some options to consider, plus you can see all their New York tours here .

• A  tour of the Broadway Theaters  with a behind the scenes look at the Disney New Amsterdam Theatre!
• A  tour to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island , including access to the Statue Pedestal
• A tour focusing on the  memory of the events of 9/11  with a trip up the new One World Trade Center building
• A tour of the Metropolitan Museum of Art , a great way to get an insight into the museum collection with an expert led tour
• A tour of TV and Movie locations across Manhattan , including a tour of the NBC Studios

Naturally there are lots of other walking tour companies and options. If you invest in a New York Pass for example, this includes a number of walking tour options. There are also a wide range of walking tours available here on Viator and here on GetYourGuide .

Saving Money On New York Attractions

New York is not what you might call a budget destination. Whilst we have tried to include many free sights and attractions on our itinerary, many locations do charge an entry fee, and this can be quite high. This is fairly standard across the USA, and is one of the main costs of travel in the USA .

The good news is that if you plan on visiting a number of attractions, you can take advantage of one of the various city attraction passes that is available. If you take advantage of everything these passes offer, you can end up saving a lot of money.

However, you will have to decide if each pass is worth it for your visit, based on the attractions you really want to see. We have a detailed guide to the various New York attraction passes here , which we suggest checking out.

For this itinerary though, we recommend the New York Pass . Nearly everything is included, and at time of writing, the New York Pass offers free entry to over 100 attractions across the city.

These include a lot of high value and popular items like the Empire State Building, Top of the Rock, Hop on Hop Off Bus, Statue of Liberty, 9/11 Memorial Museum, and many many more.

The card also includes walking tours, bike rentals, rides at Luna Park – the list goes on!

If you were to visit all the paid attractions in our list, including taking the Hop on Hop Off bus tour, you would be looking at over $350 in attraction entry costs per person. So straight away the New York Pass would save you around $100 per person!

What we really love about the New York Pass is just how much it includes. We find that this means we often end up doing things we might not have done, just because they are included, so why not? So we don’t need to think twice about adding a museum or two to our tour, or taking a walking tour, or hiring a bike.

It also includes skip-the-line access at a wide range of attractions so in addition to saving you money, the pass can also save you time. Overall, if you are going to follow our itinerary and plan on visiting many of New York’s top attractions, we can highly recommend the New York Pass to save money.

Of course, it won’t save everyone money, so you should check the inclusions against your planned itinerary to be sure.

Check prices, and buy yours in advance of your trip here . Passes can be activated up to 24 months from purchase.

We can also recommend checking out the New York Explorer Pass from GoCity and the New York CityPASS.

Practicalities for Visiting New York

To help you plan your trip to New York, we wanted to share some information on some of the practicalities you should be aware of. Hopefully this knowledge will help you prepare for your time in the city.

Electrical outlets in New York City

Like the rest of the USA, New York uses a 110v-120v system. There are two types of plugs, formally known as types A and B. Plug type A has two flat parallel pins, and plug type B has the same plus a round grounding pin.

If you are travelling from anywhere outside North America, you will likely need some kind of travel adaptor like this . You should also be aware if you are coming from Europe, Asia, Africa or Australasia that the voltage is different. So you will need to check your devices to be sure they support the 110-120v system. Otherwise you will need a power convertor like this .

In our experience, most lower powered electrical devices like laptops, camera chargers, phone chargers etc. work across voltages from 110 – 240v. However, higher powered devices like hair straighteners, curling irons, hair dryers, and kettles do not.

You can read more about travel adapters in our guide to the best travel adapters on the market, which includes voltage convertors as well.

Currency in New York City

The United States is the home of the United States Dollar, so obviously this is the currency you’ll be using in New York City. Dollars come in note form, from $1 bills up to $100 bills. There are also a range of coins, ranging from 1 cent to 1 dollar.

Credit cards are widely accepted across the city for everything from dining to attractions. However, you will want to keep currency to hand, as tipping is very common in the USA. Having a good collection of dollar bills on hand will always be useful.

In addition, single fares on buses can only be bought using coins, although Metrocards can be bought and topped up using a credit or debit card.

We would suggest using a credit card for your purchases where practical, as this will save you carrying large amounts of cash around with you. Just make sure you have a credit card which doesn’t charge you for foreign transactions if you are visiting from outside the USA.

Safety in New York City

These days, New York is a relatively safe city to visit- a far cry from the seventies and eighties when crime was rife.

However, as with any major city in the world petty crime is an issue, and you should take precautions with your valuables so as to minimize opportunities for theft and pickpocketing.

Simple things like keeping purse and wallets out of sight in a zippable pocket, and not leaving valuables like phones lying out in plain sight will go a long way to ensuring a safe trip.

Internet Access in New York City

As a major metropolitan city, New York is obviously well connected, and it’s easy to find free WiFi as you wander the city. Coffee shops, hotels, restaurants and attractions are all good places where WiFi should be fast and free to access.

If you want to get online with your phone using data, you have a few options, which I outline in my guide to getting online when travelling . The USA is not overall a cheap destination for data in my experience, but it is possible to pick up a SIM card for an unlocked phone if you wish.

One thing to be aware of, depending on your carrier and device, is that all the huge skyscrapers in New York do impact the passage of mobile signals, creating a sort of canyon effect. Combine this with the sheer number of people in the city, and you can expect network access to be a little sporadic and slow at times.

Further Reading

Well, that just about finishes off our guide to what to do when visiting New York City for two days! Hopefully you’ve found it useful, and it’s answered any questions you had about your trip.

We also wanted to share some more content we’ve written on New York and travelling in the USA in general, to ensure you have all the information you might need. We’ve also got a few third-party resources to recommend that we think you might find helpful for your trip.

• If you’re visiting for longer, see our guide to spending 3 days in New York City
• We have a detailed guide to getting around New York , which should help you plan your transport in the city
• An attraction pass will likely save you money on your visit to the city if you visit enough attractions. See our review of the top New York passes for our thoughts on which are best.
• We have a complete guide to visiting the Empire State Building
• If you enjoy walking tours, check out our  review of some of the Take Walks New York walking tours
• Wondering how much to budget for your trip? We have a guide to  how much it costs to travel in the USA  to help you plan
• If you’re heading on from New York and thinking of hiring a car, take a look at our  tips for driving in the USA
• If you’re looking for a guide to New York, we can recommend the  Frommer’s EasyGuide to New York City .

And that’s it for this guide! As always, if you have any feedback, comments or questions, just pop them in the comments section below and we’ll get back to you as soon as we can. Safe travels!

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There are 17 comments on this post

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Eve Mitchell says

8th December 2022 at 10:33 pm

I had no idea that the Met is the largest art museum in the US. I would love to go to this museum when I visit NYC next summer!

Laurence Norah says

9th December 2022 at 8:21 am

It sure is! Have a great time in New York!

Stefanie says

29th November 2022 at 8:58 pm

Great article! Quick question: we plan on using your itinerary and visiting Rockefeller Center as our last stop on Day 1. Is there a way to reserve our time before we get there, if using New York Pass? I am worried that when we arrive late in the day, there will not be any available times left if we have to reserve in person.

30th November 2022 at 11:27 am

Hi Stefanie!

Thanks very much! So there are many attractions you can pre-book with the New York Pass (see list here ), but the Rockefeller Centre is unfortunately not one of them. You can turn up in person to book a slot for another time, but there isn’t currently a way to do this online 🙁

Have a great time in New York though!

Aileen Counce says

15th August 2022 at 2:10 am

Hello, How are you today? I loved reading about your 2 day Itinerary in NYC, My sister and I are traveling there Sept. 14-16 before a 7 day cruise. I’m going a little crazy the past 2 days trying to figure out how to make the best of our time there on our budget. I’m definitely leaning towards the NYC pass, but I’m worried about reserving the dates & times since I have no idea how long it might take to get to each attraction. Plus I know you mentioned a lot of attractions are open late. The ones we have been interested in show hours between 9 or 10am to around 5pm, which also worries me about getting the most out of our passes. Do you have any extra advice on how to book the attractions that require advanced reservations? We would also like to visit the Museum of Natural History. What do you suggest on when we should try & fit that in? I appreciate any input you can give us. My mom says I’m overthinking it. Lol Thanks So Much All the pics are wonderful Have a great day!

15th August 2022 at 4:48 pm

All good here, thanks very much! Glad to hear you enjoyed the post.

So ultimately whether or not you have the pass, you are likely going to want to reserve attraction entry. Many sites, especially the most popular ones like the Empire State Building or Statue of Liberty, pretty much require a reservation these days. If they don’t require reservations, then you run the risk of having to wait in a long line for entry, which will also lose you time. So it’s just easier to use the pass to save money and the reservations tend to save you time overall as well.

I don’t think you are overthinking it necessarily, but it is easy to get a bit overwhelmed, especially if you want to see and do a lot in a short span of time!

My tip would just be to put together some kind of document like on Google Docs or similar, and put an itinerary together. All you need to know is how much time you want to spend in each place, and then use a tool like Google Maps to plan the travel time between the locations. I’d recommend adding in 15-20 minutes on top just to be on the safe side. Then once you have an idea of your itinerary, you can make your reservations. Most locations don’t require you to be super precise with the timing, and most of them won’t mind if you are a bit late or a bit early to be honest.

For the Museum of Natural History, the most logical day to visit that if following my itinerary is Day 2, as it’s close to the Met.

Let me know if I can offer any more advice, I’m happy to help out. Have an amazing time in NYC, and enjoy your cruise as well!

Aileen says

15th August 2022 at 5:04 pm

Thank You So Much Lawrence, All your info is a great help & I appreciate you getting back to me so quickly. Enjoy your great next adventure & stay safe out there. Aileen

14th August 2022 at 3:28 pm

Can you please recommend a 2 day tour guide in New York city. thanks

15th August 2022 at 10:20 am

Thanks for your comment. So we don’t know any guides that we would personally recommend for a two day tour in New York. Normally we take a variety of walking tours and then sightsee on our own. It sounds like you want to hire a guide for a couple of days, and whilst we are sure these services are available, we don’t know any to personally recommend.

Sorry not to be of more help, but have a great time in NYC nonetheless!

Nichole says

17th March 2022 at 9:02 pm

Thank you so much for this post! Myself and my 11yr old are going to try to follow this but was wondering if you had it in a format that we could print? Even just a mini checklist! If not, I’ll type one up from your great info – just thought it would be easier on one sheet to travel will and keep us on track! 🙂

18th March 2022 at 11:48 am

Hi Nichole!

My pleasure! So there is a print button on each page, on the side on desktop and at the bottom on mobile. If you click that and go through the process then you should get a printable version. It will be too long, but it should be easier to copy the parts you want from that into a printable 🙂

Hope this helps, have a great time in New York!

8th July 2021 at 5:05 pm

Great itinerary but there’s no way anyone, even a 20 year old, would have the energy for all this in 2 days. Seriously.

8th July 2021 at 5:09 pm

Thanks for your feedback. We think this itinerary is definitely achievable, especially as many of the attractions are open late. However, we always stress that our itineraries are just starting points / suggestions, and folks should build off them. So if you want to do less, feel free to do so of course 🙂

Enjoy New York City!

Cathy Smith says

8th May 2021 at 10:25 pm

Thank you SO MUCH for this wealth of information! It is an immense help in planning our trip to NYC this August. I found your site by Googling “two days in New York City,” which is how long we will be there. What a wonderful surprise to find your do-able plan!

9th May 2021 at 9:15 am

Delighted to be able to help Cathy! I hope you have a wonderful trip to New York City and do let me know if you have any questions!

Thomaz says

13th April 2021 at 3:54 pm

I really appreciated your post, thank you !!

13th April 2021 at 4:08 pm

My pleasure Thomaz! I hope you have a great trip to NYC and do let me know if you have any questions 🙂

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2 Days in New York City: The Perfect Itinerary (2024)

A World in Reach contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, I may receive a commission at no cost to you! Read my full disclosure here .

Planning a weekend trip to NYC? This itinerary will help you plan out a perfect 2 days in New York City, including what to do, where to stay, and more NYC travel tips!

Planning your 2-Day New York City Itinerary last minute?

No time to read the full itinerary? Here are some of NYC’s top activities, tours, hotels and more! Top Tours and Activities in New York City : 1. Top of the Rock Observation Deck – get one of the best NYC skyline views! 2. Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island – visit one of NYC’s (and the USA’s) most iconic landmarks 3. See a Broadway Show – choose from Wicked , The Lion King , Hamilton , and more! 4. American Museum of Natural History – the most interactive natural history museum in the world Best Places to Stay in New York City: 1. Courtyard by Marriott Midtown West – centrally located & affordable, my #1 pick for a 2-day trip! 2. Andaz 5th Avenue – a boutique luxury hotel in the heart of Midtown 3. Margaritaville Times Square – a hotel with a fun atmosphere, and they have a pool!

Are you looking for an easy 2-day itinerary for New York City?

I’ve been to New York City quite a few times now. Sometimes I’ll be able to spend several days exploring the city , but other times I only have a couple of days to squeeze in a visit.

Even if you only have two days to spend in NYC, you’ll still have plenty of time to see a lot of what the city has to offer. You’ll probably be tired at the end, but you can sleep when you’re dead, right?

One of the last times I visited NYC, I only had two days to spend there. Since it was my fourth or fifth visit to the city, I spent my time doing things a bit more off the tourist track.

But, I still wanted to be able to provide you with a perfect 2 day NYC itinerary for those quick trips, so I asked my fellow travel blogger Julie from Family Trips and Travels to help out with this post!

Perfect for everyone who wants to cover some classic tourist spots as quickly as possible, this itinerary will have you enjoying all the sights and sounds of NYC.

From iconic attractions such as Times Square and Central Park to delicious authentic foods like pizza and bagels, we’ll show you how best to experience New York City in just 48 hours.

So, let’s get started with everything you need to know to plan 2 days in New York City!

Table of Contents

About this Itinerary

This itinerary was designed for travelers with two full days to spend in New York City.

Two days might not seem like a lot to spend exploring the biggest city in the USA, but it’s just enough to give you a bite of the Big Apple.

This itinerary is great for travelers visiting NYC on a weekend trip , having a stopover in the city before flying internationally out of JFK or Newark, or visiting the city as part of another longer USA trip.

After two full days of exploring NYC, you’ll be ready to come back for more!

Have more time to spend in New York City? Check out my 4-day New York City itinerary.

Important note about this itinerary: To help you with planning your trip, I have included helpful information about some attractions like opening hours and admission fees. These can change at any time, so I recommend checking the attraction’s official website for the most up-to-date info. I will update this post regularly to try to ensure the info is accurate.

2 Days in New York City Itinerary

Ready to dive into this 2 day NYC itinerary?

For both days, we’ve put together everything to do from morning to night.

No itinerary is one-size-fits-all, so there are also spots in the itinerary with options to choose from so you can customize the itinerary to fit your trip.

New York City Itinerary: Day 1

Ready to spend your first day in New York City? Here’s everything we’ll cover today:

• Central Park
• Metropolitan Museum of Art
• American Museum of Natural History
• Times Square

Morning in Central Park

As the hustle and bustle of New York City slowly picks up pace in the morning, Central Park offers an oasis of serenity.

Start off day 1 in New York City by grabbing an NYC bagel, grabbing a park bench, and enjoying the slow morning before your busy day of sightseeing begins.

From locals walking their dogs to tourists jogging on the winding paths, the park fills with activity as the day begins.

If you are staying in midtown, there will be tons of great options to grab bagels in that area before heading up to Central Park. 

Zucker’s (with locations all over the city) is a great option, or Broad Nosh Bagels (located on West 58th) is another option to stop at before making your way into the Park.

As you’re strolling through the park, there are several spots to stop and do some sightseeing. Perhaps the most famous is the Bethesda Terrace and Fountain, which has been featured in several movies and TV shows.

Strawberry Fields, which is dedicated to Beatles member John Lennon, is another popular spot, as is the Central Park carousel.

Getting to Central Park: There are subway stations all around the perimeter of Central Park. Use Google Maps to find the best route from your hotel. If you’re staying nearby, you can also start your morning by walking to the park.

Afternoon Museum Visit: The MET or American Museum of Natural History

As your first day in the city continues, the excitement only grows with a visit to either the Metropolitan Museum of Art or the American Museum of Natural History. These are two classic NYC museums that you won’t want to miss.

At the American Museum of Natural History, you’ll be immersed in the wonders of the natural world with their exhibits showcasing everything from prehistoric creatures to the depths of the ocean.

Plan Your Visit to the American Museum of Natural History

Getting to the American Museum of Natural History from Central Park: The museum is located on the western perimeter of Central Park at 200 Central Park W. To get there, walk through Central Park to Belvedere Castle; from there, walk west to the perimeter of the park to get to the museum.

Hours: The American Museum of Natural History is open daily from 10:00 AM to 5:30 PM. The only closures are on Thanksgiving and Christmas Day, but some exhibitions do close temporarily for maintenance. For updated hours and temporary closures, visit the official website .

Admission: Admission for adults is $28, and admission for students with valid IDs/seniors age 60+ is $22. Children ages 3-12 are $16 (ages 2 and under are free). Book your admission tickets here.

Budget Travel Tip: If you’re a college student, you can save money on admission fees all around with world with your student ID! Make sure to bring your university ID or get an ISIC (International Student Identity Card) before heading out on your trip.

The Metropolitan Museum of Art

At the Met, you’ll be transported across the globe and through time with their extensive collection of art and artifacts from cultures ranging from ancient Egypt to modern-day America.

Don’t miss the famous Met Steps, featured in shows like Gossip Girl.

As a bonus to visiting the Met, you can also make your way up to Met Cloisters, a unique NYC attraction that is included in your visit to the museum.

Explore the gardens as you marvel at the collection of art and architecture from the Medieval times set against a backdrop of the Hudson River.

Getting to the Met from Central Park: The Metropolitan Museum of Art is located inside Central Park itself, on the east side of the park. The museum is located at 1000 Fifth Avenue at 82nd Street.

Hours: The Met is closed on Wednesdays. On Fridays and Saturdays, it is open from 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM. The rest of the week, hours are 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM. The MET is closed on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, New Year’s Day, and the first Monday in May. For up-to-date hours, visit the official website .

Admission: Admission for adults is $30, admission for students with valid ID is $17, and for seniors age 65+ is $22. Children under 12 are free. Book your admission tickets here.

Evening: Visit Times Square and see a Broadway Show

New York City’s Times Square is one of the most iconic destinations in the world, and it’s even more breathtaking at night.

The bustling hub of lights and energy is a must-see for anyone visiting the city.

After taking in the lights and sounds of Times Square, why not experience it further by catching a Broadway show?

Times Square is located in the Theater District, so you’ll be very close to some of the most famous theaters in the world. Broadway has both musicals and plays, so everyone can find a show they’d enjoy.

For discounted Broadway tickets, head to the TKTS booth in Times Square. You won’t be able to miss it – it’s the big set of illuminated red steps.

You can also book Broadway tickets in advance on GetYourGuide – this is what I typically do when visiting NYC.

Some popular shows currently featured on GetYourGuide include:

• The Lion King
• Wicked (my personal favorite)
• The Book of Mormon
• Once Upon a One More Time (the Britney Spears musical that recently opened on Broadway – I can’t wait to check this one out on my next visit to the city!)

I recommend grabbing dinner nearby, either a quick grab-and-go pizza at any of the local shops or a more upscale reservation at The View for a truly unique dining experience.

New York City Itinerary: Day 2

Ready for another action-packed day in NYC? Here’s what Day 2 has in store:

• Rockefeller Center
• Top of the Rock
• Statue of Liberty
• Battery Park
• 9/11 Memorial
• Little Italy

Morning: Rockefeller Center and Top of the Rock

As the sun rises on day two of your NYC itinerary, head over to one of New York’s most iconic landmarks: Rockefeller Center.

Home to NBC Studios, Radio City Music Hall, and the famous ice-skating rink, there is so much to see and do in this bustling complex.

During the holiday season, Rockefeller Center is also home to the famous Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree.

The highlight of the morning will be heading to the Top of the Rock observation deck , where you’ll take in some of the most breathtaking views of the city skyline.

From Central Park to the Empire State Building, the views are truly incredible and one of the best the city has to offer.

Tip: Book the earliest time available to visit Top of the Rock. This will allow you some time to explore the surrounding areas before the large crowds come in. I also recommend checking out St. Patrick’s Cathedral which is located around the corner from Rockefeller Center.

Top of the Rock Hours: The observation deck is open daily from 9:00 AM to midnight, with the first entry at 9:05 AM and the last entry at 11:10 PM. Check the official website for the most up-to-date hours.

Top of the Rock Ticket Prices: Adult general admission tickets start at $40, senior tickets at $38, and child tickets at $34. There is a $15 surcharge for peak times (typically noon to 8:00 PM). Book your tickets here.

Note about the ticket prices: the $15 peak time surcharge is showing when booking tickets on the Top of the Rock website, but at the time of publication (July 2023), the surcharge isn’t showing on GetYourGuide, an authorized Top of the Rock ticket seller. Make sure to book on GetYourGuide if you’re planning to visit during peak times!

Afternoon: Statue of Liberty & Downtown NYC

Later in the afternoon on day 2 will be a perfect time to head downtown for one of the most iconic landmarks in NYC: The Statue of Liberty.

The quickest route from Rockefeller Center Plaza will be a 30 min train ride on either the 1 train or 4/5 train.

Take the train to Battery Park; there, you can hop on the ferry to Ellis Island and Liberty Island. There are signs in Battery Park directing you where to go.

A symbol of freedom and hope, the Statue of Liberty is one of those must-see places that simply awe and inspire anyone who visits.

There are several options for tours to take. You can opt to visit the island and explore everything it has to offer , or simply view from afar or up close on a NYC harbor cruise . You really can’t go wrong with either option.

When you’re finished at the Statue of Liberty, spend some time checking out Battery Park or heading to the 9/11 Memorial and One World Observatory for some additional sightseeing before dinner.

Planning your visit to the Statue of Liberty: If you want to visit the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, you’ll need to book tickets.

When booking, you’ll choose if you want to depart from Battery Park in NYC or Liberty State Park in New Jersey – make sure to select the Battery Park departure.

Statue of Liberty Ticket Prices: Adult tickets are $31.50, seniors 62+ are $25, and children 4-12 are $19. These tickets include the ferry from Battery Park to Liberty Island (where the statue is located), Ellis Island, and back to Battery Park.

Book your Statue of Liberty tickets here.

If you’d prefer, you could also spend this afternoon exploring the 9/11 Memorial & Museum rather than visiting the Statue of Liberty.

If you chose to do this but still want to see the Statue of Liberty, walk down to the Statue View Point at Battery Park (you can enter “Statue of Liberty View Point” into your maps app to pull up directions).

On a clear day, you can get a great view of the Statue of Liberty from here. On a rainy day, you can still see the statue, but not as clearly.

Evening: Little Italy & Chinatown

On the evening of Day 2, take a cab or the subway from Downtown to Little Italy, one of New York City’s most iconic neighborhoods.

An incredible meal at one of Little Italy’s many restaurants will be a perfect end to your NYC trip.

Little Italy is the perfect place to indulge in a dinner that will leave your mouth watering.

With its quaint traditional restaurants and delicious Italian cuisine, you’ll feel as though you’ve been transported straight to the streets of Italy.

When planning where to go for dinner, make sure to do a bit of research before choosing a restaurant. While there are many delicious places in Little Italy, there are also several tourist traps.

Il Cortile is a popular spot among locals and tourists alike. I’ve always had great experiences at La Bella Vita – their lobster ravioli and cannolis are two of my favorite things!

Aunt Jake’s is another spot with incredible handmade pasta, or check out Gelso & Grand if you are in the mood for pizza.

If you are still up for some more exploring after dinner, head over to Chinatown for some dim sum and ice cream at the Chinatown Ice Cream Factory . 

And that’s a wrap on your 2 days in New York City! You’ve gotten an introduction to some of the must-see tourist attractions in the city, so on your next visit, you can dive a bit deeper and check out some hidden gems.

Do I need a New York City Card (CityPASS vs. Go City Card)?

Anytime you’ve visited a city that has a lot of tourist attractions, you’ve probably seen various city cards for sale. These cards include admission to several attractions at one set price.

When visiting NYC, there are several different city cards to choose from.

New York CityPASS

The most popular city card in NYC the New York CityPASS .

The New York CityPASS costs $138 and includes admission to 5 attractions. The pass is valid for 9 days after it’s activated. Reservations for the attractions are required and they can be made on the CityPASS app.

Two set attractions are included:

• Empire State Building (AM/PM experience – go twice in one day)
• American Museum of Natural History (included in this itinerary)

You also get to choose 3 more attractions from this list:

• Top of the Rock Observation Deck (included in this itinerary)
• Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island (included in this itinerary)
• 9/11 Memorial Museum (can be swapped with the Statue of Liberty in this itinerary)
• Circle Line Sightseeing Cruises
• Intrepid Sea, Air, & Space Museum
• Guggenheim Museum

I wouldn’t recommend buying a New York CityPASS if you’re following this 2-day NYC itinerary as it’s written.

Of the two set attractions, only the American Museum of Natural History is included in this itinerary. Of the extra attractions, only two are included (Top of the Rock and Statue of Liberty). You could also switch the Statue of Liberty with the 9/11 Museum.

If you’re loosely following this itinerary and want to purchase a New York CityPASS, here’s what I would do:

• On day 1, choose the American Museum of Natural History over the Met for your afternoom museum time.
• At the end of Day 1, head to the Top of the Rock after visiting Times Square/Broadway (rather than visiting on the morning of Day 2)
• On the morning of Day 2, head to the Empire State Building for the earliest entrance.
• After visiting the Empire State Building, make your way downtown for the Statue of Liberty/Ellis Island Ferry
• After visiting the Statue of Liberty, head to the 9/11 Museum to explore before it closes for the day.
• After dinner, head back to the Empire State Building for the finale of your trip.

BOOK NOW: New York CityPass

New York Go City Explorer Pass

An alternative to the New York CityPASS is the New York Go City Explorer Pass .

With this pass, you can choose between 2-10 attractions out of a list of 90+. The price will depend on how many attractions you choose and ranges from around $75 (for 2) to $189 (for 10).

Since there are more than 90 attractions included with the pass, there are too many to list here. Of the attractions mentioned in this itinerary, the following are included:

• Statue of Liberty/Ellis Island
• 9/11 Memorial Museum (if time allows on Day 2 or if you choose this over the Statue of Liberty)
• One World Observatory (if time allows on Day 2)
• Central Park Bike Rentals (not included in this itinerary but you could explore the park by bike on Day 1)
• St. Patrick’s Cathedral Tour (recommended to visit before exploring Rockefeller Center)

Since this pass is more customizable, it’s the one I would recommend purchasing if you want to follow this 2-day itinerary exactly.

You can choose which attractions you want to visit and then pick the number of attractions you want to purchase the pass for.

If you’re going to be getting student discounts at any of the attractions, it might be cheaper to just purchase tickets individually. Before purchasing a city card, do some quick math on the individual attraction costs vs. the city card cost to see if it will be worthwhile.

BOOK NOW: New York Go City Explorer Pass

2 Days in New York City: Travel Tips

Now that you have your day-by-day itinerary planned, it’s time to go through some helpful tips to help you make the most out of your trip.

How to Get to New York City

There are three major airports surrounding the city that you can opt to fly into: John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), LaGuardia Airport (LGA), and Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR).

Most airlines fly into at least one of those airports, so it’s pretty easy to get a flight into the city that’s either non-stop or that has just one layover.

It doesn’t really matter which one you choose to fly into – I usually pick whichever is the cheapest.

From the airports, you can take public transportation or a taxi to your final destination. The subway or commuter train (Long Island Railroad) will be the cheapest choice.

If you plan on taking a taxi from JFK to Manhattan, there is a $70 flat rate plus about $5 of surcharges and an additional $5 rush hour surcharge (4:00 to 8:00 PM on weekdays. You’ll also pay for any tolls plus driver tips.

Taxis from LGA are the standard metered fare plus a $5 LGA surcharge + any other applicable surcharges. From Newark, you’ll pay the standard metered fare plus a $20 EWR surcharge and any other applicable surcharges.

Another option to get to NYC is to take a train or bus.

Trains come into Penn Station or Grand Central Terminal.  Both are located in Midtown Manhattan (West and East sides) and provide access to Amtrak, New Jersey Transit, and the Long Island Railroad.

Buses will bring you into Port Authority Bus Terminal, also located in Midtown on the west side.

I don’t recommend driving into NYC unless it’s your only option. Overnight parking rates are very expensive.

Getting Around New York City

Public transportation and walking are the best ways to get around New York City.

The cheapest and easiest way to get around New York City is the NYC Subway. There are stations all around the city, and the subway runs 24/7.

The cost of a single ride (with unlimited transfers) is $2.75.

Make sure to download Google Maps on your phone to help navigate around the city. I’ve found that Google Maps is better than Apple Maps for accurate subway directions.

Walking around the city is the next best way to get around. Depending on where you’re going, it is sometimes quicker to walk than to take the subway. Plus, when you’re exploring on foot, you’ll be able to see more of the city than you would while riding on the subway underground.

Where to Stay in New York City

If you’re spending two days in New York City, staying in a central location in Manhattan will be the best option.

That way, you’ll be able to quickly walk or take the subway to your destinations without having to spend time traveling in and out of the city.

There are tons of great hotels located in Midtown Manhattan that are walkable to many areas like Times Square and Fifth Avenue.

There are also subway stations all over that can quickly get you to further parts of the city like, the upper east and west sides when visiting museums, or Battery Park and Little Italy.

Recommended Hotels in Midtown Manhattan

The Andaz 5th Avenue is located across the street from the New York Library Main Branch.  This hotel is an excellent option for its ambiance, service, and central location. It’s a short walk away from Grand Central Terminal, Times Square, and Rockefeller Center. Check rates and book your stay here.

The Courtyard by Marriott Midtown West is a great hotel that’s affordable and centrally located. Penn Station and Hudson Yards are a short walk away, making it easy to get to anywhere in the city via subway. Walking east from the hotel on 34th Street also gives great views of the Empire State Building. Check rates or book your stay here.

Margaritaville Times Square is a great option with a central location and a fun atmosphere. The pool and bar area is a fun way to relax after a long and busy day seeing the city sights. Check rates or book your stay here.

Best Time to Visit New York City

The great thing about New York City is that even with the extreme weather in New York, there truly is something to do at any time of year. 

Summer will be hot and humid but the city is bustling with outdoor activities and concerts to enjoy.

Winter will be cold and frigid, but the beautiful holiday displays will distract you from all of that!

If you want to enjoy the city sights in the best weather possible then a trip in the fall will be your best bet. The weather will be mild and there will be plenty of activities to enjoy.

You can also get good weather in the spring, but there will be a greater chance of rain during that time. If you’re visiting in the spring, don’t forget to pack an umbrella and a rain jacket!

Frequently Asked Questions

Is 2 days enough in new york city.

NYC is a huge city with enough to do that could keep you busy for weeks. But, if you’re short on time and want to discover the best NYC has to offer, 2 days are plenty to knock the top sights off your NYC bucket list!

Can you do New York in a weekend?

Yes, NYC is the perfect weekend trip destination! You can easily fly in or take the bus/train from a nearby city and spend a full weekend exploring the Big Apple. Stay in Manhattan to minimize your time traveling to and from attractions from your hotel!

Is it expensive to eat out in New York?

NYC has a reputation for being an expensive city, but there are plenty of cheap eats! NY Pizza is a must, and you can grab a slice for as cheap as $1. You can also find plenty of cheap & delicious street food all around the city.

2-Day New York City Itinerary: Final Thoughts

There is so much to see and do in New York City.

A two-day itinerary might seem short, but it’s enough to see some of the city’s most iconic landmarks and neighborhoods.

This will be a fast pace, on-the-go type of trip, but it’s a great way to see NYC on a weekend trip or if you are just passing through town.

It’s okay that you won’t see everything – NYC is HUGE, and there are enough things to see and do that would keep you busy for weeks.

This 2 day NYC itinerary is perfect for first-time visitors with limited time who want to make the most of their NYC trip while seeing some of the city’s most bucket list-worthy attractions .

After your 2 days are over, you’ll be ready to come back to take a bigger bite out of the Big Apple!

Looking for more New York City travel tips? Check out these posts next:

• The Ultimate New York City Bucket List – everything you need to see & do in NYC!
• The Perfect 4-Day New York City Itinerary – planning a longer trip? Here’s an itinerary!

After traveling outside of the US for the first time while studying abroad, I quickly developed a love for travel and an obsession for exploring as much of the world as possible. Now, I'm on a mission to teach college students, young adults, and anyone else who wants to see the world how to travel while minimizing their expenses and maximizing their experiences.

New York City   Travel Guide

2-days Itinerary in New York City

• 2-Day Itinerary
• All Things To Do
• 1-Day Itinerary
• 3-Day Itinerary

Central Park Central Park free

This part-park, part-museum, part-concert hall swallows central Manhattan, and many of the city's most notable attractions are situated next to it or within its limits ( the Guggenheim , the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the American Museum of Natural History , to name a few). But travelers insist that you shouldn't just pass through Central Park on your way to another place. This 843-acre green space is a favorite of New Yorkers and tourists; you can come here to exercise, dine, go to the zoo and more.

Almost everyone has a positive impression of the park, but no one has quite the same experience or recommends that you do quite the same thing. There's an almost impossible amount of sights to see here (hidden treasures, indeed), including more than 20 playgrounds, 48 fountains, monuments or sculptures, and 30 bridges. Here's a shortlist:

American Museum of Natural History American Museum of Natural History

Visitors love the American Museum of Natural History off Central Park West. Whether you're exploring the interactive exhibits on the land, the sea or outer space; user reviews take on a common theme. This museum is incredible. Even the cafeteria and gift shop are worth your notice.

There are more than 34 million artifacts inside, spread across four city blocks, 26 buildings and through 45 exhibition halls, so don't plan on seeing everything in one day. The Rose Center for Earth and Space is a particular favorite, but you should also plan on visiting the dinosaurs, the Dorothy and Lewis B. Cullman Hall of the Universe and the Butterfly Conservatory (accessible November through May), which houses nearly 500 butterflies. Local experts say the institution is one of the city's can't-miss museums , especially for families.

Rockefeller Center and Top of the Rock Observation Deck Rockefeller Center and Top of the Rock Observation Deck

This iconic plaza has it all – beautiful sculptures, an enormous skating rink, a fishbowl view of NBC Studios, plus a plethora of stores and restaurants. Though undoubtedly there will be intense crowds, this is an experience that's worth having at least once. During the wintertime holidays, the plaza sparkles with an illuminated Christmas tree and skaters gliding across the ice rink. But don't fret if your New York adventure doesn't take place during the cold months. There's plenty to do year-round. If you plan ahead, you can spend a morning watching a taping of the "Today" show, an afternoon admiring the city from the Top of the Rock Observation Deck and an evening catching a performance at Radio City Music Hall .

Travelers say the Top of the Rock offers some of the best views of Manhattan and say the experience is worth every penny. Visitors recommend booking the Rock Pass ticket that includes a tour of the building and observation deck access.

Times Square Times Square free

Some say that Times Square is like a five-block metaphor for New York City itself – it's exciting, colorful and always jumping. Others describe this area of midtown Manhattan as artless, overpriced and congested. Perhaps this commercial stretch from West 42nd to West 47th streets is a little of both, and though locals would advise you to avoid it, you should at least catch a glimpse of its neon lights. Most travelers recommend visiting the area after dark to see the marquee displays. Many add checking out Times Square before or after a Broadway show is the perfect time to fit it into your schedule. However, if you're not a fan of crowds, reviewers suggest you avoid this area altogether.

Times Square's biggest tourist draw is the annual New Year's Eve ball drop. Revelers crowd the area to see New York's famous Waterford crystal ball descend 77 feet from a pole on the One Times Square building. If you're feeling brave, take a trip to New York and Times Square at this time of year and watch the ball drop for free! Just plan on coming in the early morning and staying all day, and note that the area is super crowded, even by New York standards.

Broadway Broadway

U.S. News Insider Tip: Start your day with a stop at the TKTS booth in Times Square or at the Lincoln Center location to snag discounted same-day tickets for an array of Broadway and off-Broadway shows. – Catriona Kendall, Associate Editor

Some out-of-towners spend their entire New York trip at one show or another on the Broadway circuit. And if you like plays and musicals, this is where you should be: "The Great White Way" represents the heart and soul of American theater. Considering that nearby Times Square is a dizzying maze of sights and sounds with no real starting point, some visitors suggest you can see all you need to of that neighborhood just by trundling back and forth between shows. 

The High Line The High Line free

U.S. News Insider Tip: Visit early in the morning or on a weekday to avoid crowds. If you walk from north to south, add on a visit to The Standard Biergarten or the vibrant Chelsea Market for great people-watching, food and drink. – Erin Evans, Managing Editor

Set on an abandoned rail track on Manhattan's West Side, this sprawling, nearly 1½-mile-long landscaped park stretches over three of the city's most lively neighborhoods: the Meatpacking District, West Chelsea and Hell's Kitchen. Standing 30 feet above street level, the High Line offers sweeping views of the Hudson River and Manhattan's cityscape. But the vista isn't the only reason visitors and Manhattanites flock to this manicured green space. Here, you'll find continually changing public art installations, a handful of food vendors and a sprawling picnic and sunbathing area (known as the 23rd Street Lawn).

Empire State Building Empire State Building

U.S. News Insider Tip: Watch out for "sunset peak" pricing, which adds an extra $10 per ticket for two hours around sunset each evening. But on a clear day, it just might be worth it. – Elizabeth Von Tersch, Senior Editor

New York City Tourist 101 dictates that you must swing by this landmark structure in midtown Manhattan. And despite the hefty admission fees, the crowds and the long lines, recent visitors insist that you won't be sorry. In fact, taking a trip to the top of the Empire State Building is either the perfect way to begin or end your Big Apple excursion – on a clear day you'll be able to the see the city's major highlights some 1,250 feet beneath you. 

Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island

A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Statue of Liberty is at the top of many travelers’ must-see lists. A feat of 19th-century technical engineering and a beacon for immigrants arriving at Ellis Island, the statue can be admired from several different vantage points around Manhattan, including Battery Park and the High Line . But to truly appreciate its size and significance, you’ll want to visit the statue and Ellis Island while on your NYC vacation.

The only way to access the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island is by using the official National Park Service ferry operator, Statue City Cruises. If you’re departing from the New York side, you’ll hop on a ferry at Battery Park in lower Manhattan. If you’re departing from the New Jersey side, you’ll depart from Liberty State Park in Jersey City. The ferry ride takes approximately 15 minutes.

National September 11 Memorial & Museum National September 11 Memorial & Museum

The National September 11 Memorial & Museum serves as the primary tribute to the nearly 3,000 victims of the 2001 terrorist attacks, as well as the six lost in the 1993 bombing. The memorial's twin reflecting pools and human-made waterfalls rest as eerie footprints where the World Trade Center's twin towers once stood. The 1-acre pools are enclosed in bronze panels on which the names of every victim are inscribed. The museum spans across 110,000 square feet and relays the narrative of the attacks through a series of multimedia displays, real-time recordings, authentic artifacts and an interactive table.

Recent visitors cited the overall atmosphere of the National September 11 Memorial & Museum as sobering and moving. Many travelers say they were impressed with the site as a whole, noting its respectful and informational displays. Reviewers say you won't want to rush your time here, with some recommending that you budget three to four hours to see all of the exhibits.

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How to Spend 2 Days in New York [Best Itinerary]

Home | Travel | North America | United States | New York | NYC | How to Spend 2 Days in New York [Best Itinerary]

If you have just 2 days in New York , you need to plan your visit carefully, so you make the most of your time. There are hundreds of activities and attractions in NYC , which is why I suggest taking multiple trips here to explore everything.

Back when we lived on the East Coast, we would take regular trips to the Big Apple and see something new every single time. However, I understand that some people may only have one chance to visit this famous metropolis, so it’s important to organize a 2-day itinerary for New York City that maximizes your time and introduces you to the most important landmarks.

Speaking of which, many popular places and activities are included in NYC’s attraction passes . I suggest getting the New York Pass , which offers great value for your money and saves you time by avoiding long lines.

So, if you’re looking for the best way to spend a weekend in NYC , I’ve got you covered. I’m sharing my ideal way to spend two days in New York City , including where to stay and what to eat. Just remember that this is just a guide, so you can take or leave what you want and make your itinerary tailored to your interests.

Is 2 days in New York enough?

There are so many things to do in the Big Apple, so we always find something new to do here. The big question is, can you do New York in 2 days ?

Honestly, you could spend 10 days in NYC and never get bored. I recommend spending 7 days in NYC , especially if you think it’ll be your only time in this amazing city.

If you know you’ll visit again, then 2 days in New York is enough to see the most iconic attractions if you plan right. However, if you have the time, I highly recommend spending at least 3 days in New York City .

2-day New York City itinerary summary

Below, you’ll find my suggested two-day itinerary for NYC . Again, feel free to exclude any of these attractions if they don’t interest you. These are just the must-see areas and landmarks that make New York one of the most fascinating places in the U.S.

• Day 1 : Battery Park, Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, Financial District, 9/11 Memorial & Museum, Brooklyn Bridge, DUMBO, SoHo, and Chinatown
• Day 2 : Fifth Avenue, Flatiron Building, Empire State Building, New York Public Library, Bryant Park, Rockefeller Center & Top of the Rock, St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Central Park, Times Square, and Broadway

This is just a quick glance, but I’ll give you all the details for this itinerary in a bit.

Where to stay in NYC for a weekend

This is the city that never sleeps, so you’ll want to spend your 2 nights in New York comfortably and safely. There are lots of great options, whether you’re staying with friends, kids, as a couple, or even on your own. We have a guide on where to stay in NYC , but these are some of my favorite hotels:

• ModernHaus SoHo – This NYC hotel has an indoor pool and is in one of the best neighborhoods where you’ll be close to several parks and museums.
• Hyatt Centric Times Square New York – As one of the best hotels in Times Square , this is the ideal hotel if you want to stay close to the action.
• Crosby Street Hotel – This is a top boutique hotel in NYC where you can get a restful night’s sleep and feel right at home, whether you’re with your partner or the kids.

Map for a 2-day New York itinerary

Before we go into this 2-day New York City itinerary in depth, I want to share a map that highlights all the stops I recommend. You can download this map and keep it on your phone so you can quickly locate each attraction during your weekend trip to New York City .

Day 1: Lower Manhattan, Statue of Liberty & DUMBO

As I said, you need a detailed plan if you want to spend a successful weekend in New York City . Use this 2-day New York itinerary as a guide, and you’ll be able to see the city’s most famous attractions and beautiful landmarks.

Breakfast at your hotel or on the way

You’ll need energy for this action-packed 2-day trip in NYC , so wake up early and start your day with breakfast at your hotel or on your way to Battery Park. Inatteso Café at West Street and 2 nd Place is right by the park and serves a variety of coffees and quick breakfast bites. There is also George’s in the Financial District, but it’s more of a sit-down place, so you can stop there for brunch later if you want.

Stop 1: Battery Park

Battery Park is one of the best parks in NYC , a beautiful waterfront area where you can watch the ferries go by and enjoy some fresh air.

In addition to the greenery, there is the enchanting SeaGlass Carousel, a fun weekend activity in New York for kids. Battery Park is also where you can board the boat for a Statue of Liberty cruise.

Stop 2: Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island

There are several Statue of Liberty tours available, so I definitely recommend checking them out ahead of time and booking your ticket in advance. For example, this cruise takes you past Lady Liberty and Ellis Island while granting you beautiful views of the Manhattan skyline.

If you prefer getting a closer look, you can take a tour that disembarks on Liberty Island, like this one . It also stops at Ellis Island, where you can visit the Immigration Museum. Just be aware that it’ll take more time out of your itinerary.

That said, the Statue of Liberty is a national symbol, so you should really see it during your 2 days in New York , even if you just sail past it.

Lunch: Fraunces Tavern

After your boat ride, stop for brunch at George’s, which I mentioned earlier, or tuck in for a hearty lunch at Fraunces Tavern . Located in the Financial District, this historic tavern dates back to the 1760s and has delicious pub food.

Stop 3: Financial District

After lunch, take some time to walk through the Financial District , which is home to lots of important buildings and monuments. For example, the Bowling Green is an urban park that’s best known for its Charging Bull statue.

A few blocks north, you’ll find the famous Wall Street , which must be included in any weekend trip to New York City . This is where the New York Stock Exchange and the Federal Reserve are, as well as The Fearless Girl sculpture. If you travel west along Wall Street, you’ll also see Trinity Church , which opened in 1846 and is the final resting place for Alexander Hamilton.

As you can see, the Financial District is one of the most interesting places in Manhattan , so I had to make it part of our two-day NYC itinerary . If you want to maximize your time without skipping this area, consider this Wall Street walking tour .

Stop 4: One World Trade Center and 9/11 Memorial & Museum

Next, head over to One World Trade Center , which is part of Lower Manhattan’s World Trade Center complex. This is a hub for history, sightseeing, and reflection, as it commemorates the tragic events of September 11, 2001.

It’s worth looking through the 9/11 Memorial & Museum , which is full of artifacts, remnants, and touching tributes. Going through the galleries is a sobering experience, but an important one, and a nice way to pay your respects. In addition to being one of the top museums in NYC , it has a gorgeous outdoor area with reflecting pools, a Survivor Tree, and memorial plaques. You can reserve your ticket in advance here .

If you prefer, you can head up to the top of One World Observatory , the sky deck at One World Trade Center. The views are incredible, and the observatory has several special exhibits where you can learn more about the observatory and New York.

If you want to fit both the 9/11 Museum and One World Observatory into your two-day NYC itinerary , you can get a combo ticket here .

Stop 5: Brooklyn Bridge & DUMBO

For your next stop, I suggest heading for the Brooklyn Bridge on the eastern side of Lower Manhattan. You can walk, bike, drive, or take public transportation over the bridge, but you should definitely stop right after you cross the water so you can enjoy the views of Brooklyn Bridge Park . On the other side of the bridge, there is Jane’s Carousel , a restored merry-go-round from 1922 that’s still operational.

Then, walk to DUMBO , one of Brooklyn’s coolest neighborhoods with art, shopping, and entertainment. Visiting DUMBO is one of the best things to do in New York City on the weekend since all the stores and music venues are open. Plus, DUMBO is home to one of the top photography sites in NYC , particularly at sunset. The intersection of Washington and Water Streets is where you can capture the iconic Manhattan Bridge view, so you can keep a piece of the city after your 2 days in New York are over.

Stop 6: Chinatown & SoHo

It’s time to head back to Lower Manhattan. I suggest taking the Manhattan Bridge, which will lead you straight to Chinatown , a wonderland of aromatic restaurants, unique shops, and historic landmarks. Some of the best food in NYC can be found here, such as the noodles and dumplings at Joe’s Shanghai and Xi’an Famous Foods.

If Asian food isn’t your thing, continue on into Little Italy , where you can savor authentic pizza or pasta. Lombardi’s has some of the best pizza in the city!

Finally, journey back to SoHo , where you’ll be closer to your hotel. SoHo is a great place to end your night, as it’s one of Manhattan’s best neighborhoods where you can find nighttime activities and entertainment. It’s home to some of the most popular rooftops in New York City , so I recommend going out for drinks after dinner.

Some of the best spots around here are The Roof at PUBLIC Hotel and Azul at Hotel Hugo . I also like JIMMY at ModernHaus SoHo , which is located right in one of my recommended hotels for your 2 nights in New York .

Dinner in SoHo

If you didn’t grab a bite to eat in Chinatown or Little Italy, I recommend dining at one of the nice restaurants in SoHo, like Blue Ribbon Brasserie or Raku . If you’re checking out one of the rooftop bars, you get a bite to eat there. Then, get some shut-eye for day 2 of this New York itinerary .

Day 2: Midtown, Central Park & Times Square

Day 2 of this New York City itinerary is jam-packed with all the must-see attractions in Midtown Manhattan. I encourage you to take or leave whatever looks good to you, but these are the most important landmarks and areas that make the Big Apple so iconic.

Breakfast: at your hotel or on the way

To start day 2 in New York , I recommend grabbing breakfast at your hotel or heading to a café on your way to Fifth Avenue. LeVain Bakery in NoHo is delicious, and the Grey Dog near Union Square has a great location and good reviews.

Stop 1: Flatiron Building & The Fifth Avenue

For your first stop, check out the Flatiron Building , one of the most famous buildings in NYC . The 285-foot-tall skyscraper is just 6.5 feet wide at its narrowest part, creating a 25° angle that may make you dizzy. The Flatiron Building is by Madison Square Park, so you can take a stroll through there as you make your way to Fifth Avenue .

This is one of New York’s most iconic streets , which you’ve probably seen in movies and on TV. While Fifth Avenue stretches up to Harlem , the portion in Midtown is filled with all kinds of shops. So, if you’re a fan of designer brands, you can browse your favorite luxury stores.

Stop 2: Empire State Building

Just a few blocks along Fifth Avenue, you’ll get to the Empire State Building . I don’t recommend going inside all the observation decks in NYC , but this one is iconic, so if you do want to get the full experience, you should buy your ticket in advance here .

Either way, you can’t miss this famous skyscraper, which is why I recommend adding it to any weekend trip in New York City . If you go to the top, you’ll get amazing views of Manhattan and beyond, and the inside of the building has exhibits, a theater, a restaurant, and shops.

Stop 3: New York Public Library & Bryant Park

What’s great about Midtown is that it has a high concentration of tourist attractions. Just a couple of blocks from the Empire State Building, you’ll find the New York Public Library, which is part of Bryant Park.

The main branch of the New York Public Library is a beautiful Neo-Classical building with four floors, including an entire floor for children’s books. It’s worth going inside to see the McGraw Rotunda and the second-floor study.

Outside, you can admire the greenery of Bryant Park , which takes its design from the traditional parks in France. This urban oasis has outdoor games, food stalls, sculptures, a carousel, and more. If you’re planning your 2-day visit to New York City during the Christmas season , you can check out the holiday festivities here.

Lunch on Fifth Avenue

Bryant Park is close to various cafes and restaurants, so your options are virtually endless. If you don’t want to spend too much time deciding on a place to eat, check out the Bryant Park Grill or Bill’s Bar & Burger . The latter is close to the Rockefeller Center, which is the next stop on this 2-day New York City itinerary .

Stop 4: Rockefeller Center & Top of the Rock

The Rockefeller Center is one of the most iconic places in the city, so it deserves to be part of your 2-day trip to NYC . The entire Rockefeller Center complex consists of several important buildings, including Radio City Music Hall and NBC Studios . Rockefeller Plaza is where you can watch people gliding on the ice rink (or join them yourself).

Another highlight of Rockefeller Center is the Top of the Rock observatory. This is definitely one of the best observation decks in the city, especially since its Midtown location grants you a full view of Manhattan and into parts of Long Island and New Jersey. The views are even more spectacular at night, so if you want to spend a romantic weekend in New York City , consider buying some tickets and enjoying the Top of the Rock with your partner.

Stop 5: St. Patrick’s Cathedral

The next landmark I recommend visiting is right across the street from the Rockefeller Center. St. Patrick’s Cathedral is a beautiful Neo-Gothic church dedicated to St. Patrick of Ireland. You don’t have to be Catholic, or even religious, to appreciate the intricate architecture of this historic building.

The cathedral is about 330 feet tall, with big bronze doors and lovely stained-glass windows, including a heavenly rose window. The religious artwork here is impeccable, such as the relief sculptures of patron saints.

Admission to the cathedral is free, so if you want to go inside, you’ll find several altars and shrines, a replica of Michelangelo’s Pietà sculpture, and two huge pipe organs.

Stop 6: Central Park

For the next leg of your weekend trip to New York City , I suggest heading to Upper Manhattan. The best place to start your journey here is at Central Park , one of the most famous parks in NYC and the entire world.

Central Park is huge, so it’s a good idea to have a plan before you come here. You can get more ideas in our guide on the best things to do in Central Park , but I’ll tell you now that The Lake, The Great Lawn, and the Central Park Carousel are a few highlights. There are several playgrounds, monuments, and sculptures, too, and the park is surrounded by some of the most prestigious museums in Manhattan like The Met , the American Museum of Natural History , and the Guggenheim .

It’s definitely worth exploring one of the museums here, and if you have the New York Pass , you can get in for free. The pass also includes a Central Park bike rental and a walking tour of the park, and both options are great if you prefer a general overview of this NYC landmark.

Dinner by Central Park or Times Square

By now, you’re probably ready for dinner, so consider treating yourself to a fine meal at one of the best restaurants in NYC . For example, Per Se and Marea are two of the finest places to dine, and they’re both by Central Park.

Another option is to head closer to the final stop on this two-day NYC itinerary , Times Square. This area is a hotspot for shopping, dining, and entertainment, so you can find whatever you’re craving here. That said, I recommend Ellen’s Stardust Diner or Los Tacos No. 1 .

Stop 7: Times Square & Broadway

After dinner, the best thing to do is to take in the sights of Times Square at night. Times Square is open 24/7, but it really comes alive after dark when you can see all the flashy lights and watch the street performers. With all the fun things to see and do here, it’s one of the best places to visit in NYC at night .

If you’re up for it, I highly recommend seeing a Broadway show in New York . There are several theaters in the Times Square area, and you can even check if there are discount tickets available at the TKTS Pavilion by the Red Stairs. Just keep in mind that you can’t choose which show you’ll see if you opt for the discounted tickets.

We’ve watched a few Broadway shows and musicals, and I can wholeheartedly say that it’s an amazing way to spend one of your 2 nights in New York . The Lion King and Wicked were a couple of our favorites, but there are plenty of other critically acclaimed shows. The sets, the costumes, the passionate acting…it’s a mesmerizing experience!

How to get around New York in 2 days

Fortunately, the Big Apple is very pedestrian-friendly, so you shouldn’t have any trouble getting around. The public transit system in NYC is pretty good, and you can reach all the main attractions by train, bus, ferry, or subway .

Another way to get around is by taking one of the hop on-hop off bus tours in NYC . That way, you can easily travel between different attractions and hop off at any landmarks you’d like to explore. For example, the Big Bus Tour is included in several New York attraction passes , like the New York Pass . That being said, this 2-day New York itinerary is fully walkable and I recommend making the most of it on foot.

Now you should be ready to plan the most exciting 2 days in New York ! What did you think of this itinerary? We also have itinerary ideas for NYC in one week and NYC in 10 days , for next time you come back with more time. If you have any questions or you’d like to add your recommendations, leave me a comment below. I’d love to hear what you think!

Stay safe and enjoy your 2-day trip to NYC to the fullest!

Ascen Aynat

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The Ultimate New York City 2-day Itinerary: Exactly how to spend 2 days in NYC

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning I get a commission if you decide to make a purchase through my links, at no extra cost for you!

If you’re looking for the best way to spend your two days in New York City, look no further!

The Big Apple is one of the most wonderful cities to visit in the world. There are so many things to do in New York in 2 days and while you could use a bit more time, it’s a great start to discover the most famous landmarks and have some fun.

This 2-day NYC itinerary will take you to all of the major attractions. It’s perfect for first-timers but also for people who want to rediscover the essentials.

So without further ado, let’s get started and see exactly how to spend a weekend in New York City.

🔎 Table of Contents

2 Days in New York City Itinerary Summary

How to get to new york city.

The best way to get to New York City is by plane.

There are three major airports in the area: JFK, Newark, and LaGuardia. JFK is the busiest airport but it’s also where most international flights land.

You can easily get to Manhattan from either of these airports with public transport.

While there are also some shuttles and taxis available, taking the subway is by far the cheapest and fastest way to get to NYC.

Click here to see flights to New York City.

If you are travelling from somewhere on the East Coast, then you should consider taking the train or a bus to New York City. It will be much easier as well as a lot cheaper.

Click here to see the bus prices.

Where to stay in New York City for 2 days

It’s very important when planning a 2 day trip to NYC to choose your accommodation carefully.

NYC is a rather expensive city and while it may be tempting to book somewhere outside of Manhattan to save a bit of money, it actually won’t be serving you well since you will waste a lot of time on transportation and will spend the money back for the subway.

Since you are only staying for 2 days and have a limited amount of time, you need to stay somewhere practical. I particularly recommend staying in Midtown Manhattan so you can truly enjoy the attractions nearby.

Here are some recommendations:

• Budget : West Side YMCA is a cute hostel located on the upper west side, near Central Park.
• Mid-range : Pestana CR7 Times Square is ideally located near Times Square and Hell’s Kitchen.
• Luxury : Renaissance New York Chelsea Hotel features amazing views of the Empire State Building.

How to get around NYC

The best way to get around NYC is by using the public transport system.

The subway is one of the most efficient ways to get around and it will take you pretty much everywhere you want to go.

Since you’re only staying in New York for 2 days, you will probably be better off taking single rides (they cost between $2.75 and $3) however, you can get a 7-day unlimited pass which costs $33 and if you think you will be taking the subway more than 6 times a day, it will be worth it.

If you follow the itinerary indicated, you will only need to take the subway a couple of times so it will work out cheaper to buy single rides.

They can be paid in cash or card at the machines in the stations or using contactless.

Alternatively, if you want to save time while exploring the city, you can also opt for a hop-on hop-off tour .

The Ultimate New York Itinerary 2 days

Now is the time to explore the city in more depth and discover the best things to do in New York in 2 days.

Here is an itinerary for 2 days in NYC that will show you all of the best landmarks and let you experience the city like a true New Yorker.

New York City Itinerary Day 1: Midtown and Central Park

You will be starting your first day in New York by Midtown Manhattan. Your first stop will be Madison Square Park.

This location can be reached by subway (station 23 St).

Stop 1: Madison Square Park

Madison Square is a small yet very famous park in New York City. It’s located right by the Flatiron building and is a great place to start your day in New York.

It is one of the most popular parks in the city and it’s situated right in the heart of Midtown Manhattan.

It is a public park since 1686 which makes it one of the oldest parks in the city. A lot of important events took place here and if you are visiting in winter, you will get to discover a cool Christmas tree.

Fun fact: The Christmas tree on Madison Square Park was the first public Christmas tree in the United States. While it’s not as big as the one at the Rockefeller center, it’s still a very important one.

You can have a quick walk around and enjoy a bit of greenery. Once you are done, head to the corner of the park so you can admire the Flatiron Building.

Stop 2: Flatiron Building

The Flatiron building is one of the most iconic buildings in New York City. It’s a skyscraper located on Fifth Avenue and it was completed in 1902.

It was one of the first skyscrapers built in NYC and while it’s not that tall nowadays, it’s still an impressive building.

Firstly, it was one of the first skyscrapers in NYC to be built with a steel skeleton. This is now the most common way to build but at the time, it was rather exceptional.

Fun fact: The steel-skeleton structure uses the techniques of Gustave Eiffel who made the Eiffel Tower in Paris and the steel structure inside the Statue of Liberty.

Another thing that is worth mentioning about the Flatiron is that it has a triangular shape which is pretty unique.

The best way to admire it is from the street level, on Fifth Avenue.

Want to learn more about the Flatiron Building? You can join this walking tour of the Flatiron borough.

Bonus Stop: Harry Potter shop on Broadway

If you are a fan of Harry Potter, you will be happy to know that there is an official Harry Potter shop on Broadway.

The entrance is located at 935 Broadway and it’s the perfect place to find all your Harry Potter souvenirs.

The shop is incredible. There are so many photo opportunities here. They rebuilt parts of the sets which makes it as much as an experience as a shop.

In terms of products, you will find your usual Harry Potter goodies but also some exclusive designs that can only be found in this NYC Harry Potter shop.

READ MORE: 9 Magical Harry Potter Things to do in NYC

Stop 3: Empire State Building

Once you are done with the Flatiron building, it’s time to head to the Empire State Building .

The Empire State Building is one of the most famous landmarks in New York City and it’s also one of the most popular tourist attractions.

It is a 102-story skyscraper located on Fifth Avenue and it was completed in 1931.

It was the tallest building in the city at the time of construction and is now the 7th.

The great thing about the ESB (as the locals call it) is that you can see it from pretty much anywhere and it’s a great way to keep your sense of direction at its best.

There are two ways you can visit the Empire State Building.

The first one is to book a ticket which will allow you to go all the way to the top and discover the stunning views over Manhattan.

This observatory is one of the most popular things to do in NYC in 2 days and is definitely worth the money. However, you will also be going to the Rockefeller Center in the evening so it’s better to choose one or the other.

PRO TIP: The Empire State Building entrance is included in the New York Go City card . If you are planning on visiting several landmarks, this will save you a fair bit of money. See more info here.

If you decide not to go up to the top, you will quickly notice that it’s actually not that easy to see the ESB from the bottom. The view from Madison Square Park is much better.

Stop 4: New York Public Library

Once you are done with the Empire State Building, it’s time to discover one of the most beautiful buildings in New York City: The New York Public Library.

It’s an easy 5-minute walk from the Empire State Building on Fifth Avenue to get to the NYPL.

It’s a stunning building both inside and out. It was completed in 1911 and it’s one of the largest libraries in the world.

It’s free to enter the library so don’t hesitate to do so. It’s one of the best free things to do in New York and you will be mind blown by the beauty of the architecture.

Stop 5: Bryant Park

Once you are done exploring the New York Public Library, it’s time to walk to Bryant Park.

It’s located right behind the library and it’s one of the most popular parks in NYC.

The park is not very big but it’s such a cute place and you will find loads of chairs as well as cafes around. If you want to do a coffee break and enjoy a bit of lush greenery and the view of the library, it will be the perfect place to do so.

Stop 6: Grand Central Terminal

After visiting Bryant Park, it’s time to go to Grand Central Terminal , on 42nd Street and Park Avenue.

This iconic station was completed in 1913 and it’s one of the most beautiful places in New York City. It features incredible murals and a vaulted ceiling with several constellations painted.

It’s absolutely stunning!

The best thing about Grand Central is that it’s free to visit since it’s a working station. You can simply walk in and go to the main hall so you can see the murals. The ticket boxes are also very pretty.

Grand Central Terminal is often used as a filming location since it’s such an iconic place and the main train station in midtown Manhattan.

Want to learn more about Grand Central Terminal? Join this tour about the secrets of the station! You’ll learn plenty and will discover some hidden gems.

Fun fact: The opening scene of Gossip Girl with Serena Van Der Woodsen (played by Blake Lively) was filmed here.

Fun fact 2: Speaking of Blake Lively, the dress she wore at the Met Gala in May 2022 had the entire ceiling of Grand Central Terminal sewed on it (the blue version of the dress).

Want to learn more about Gossip Girl in NYC? Then you can book the bus tour with all the filming locations.

Stop 7: Chrysler Building

The Chrysler Building is located right next to Grand Central Terminal, on the East side of 42nd Street, at the corner with Lexington Ave.

It’s one of the most iconic buildings in New York City and it was completed in 1930. The building has a distinctive Art Deco style and it’s one of the symbols of New York City.

It was at the time, the highest building in NYC alongside the Trump Building in the financial district.

There are two ways you can admire the Chrysler building. The first one is from the street. You will start getting very nice views from Grand Central Terminal but don’t hesitate to walk around to find the best spot for you.

The other way is from the top of the One Vanderbilt . This 93-storey skyscraper boasts some of the best views of Manhattan and you get to see the Chrysler Building very well.

You can also see it from the Top of the Rock but it’s not exactly as good since the Chrysler is slightly hidden by other towers.

Stop 8: Madison Avenue

Madison Avenue is one of the most famous streets in New York City. It’s located on the East side of Manhattan and is only 5 minutes walk from the Chrysler.

Once you get onto Madison Ave, start walking up towards the Upper East Side.

While this avenue goes all the way down, the part near Central Park is pretty interesting since that’s where you will find loads of luxury brands such as Celine Gucci, Dolce and Gabbana, Hermes, Lanvin, and many more.

Whether you want to be shopping in these stores or not is up to you. Nonetheless, it’s a great place for some window shopping and is worth checking out.

Stop 9: Central Park

After exploring Madison Avenue, it’s now time to visit the iconic Central Park.

This world-famous park is located in the middle of Manhattan and it’s one of the largest urban parks in the world.

The park is absolutely huge (much more than you would expect!) and there are plenty of things to do inside. You could easily spend an entire day here but since you only have 2 days in New York, a couple of hours will be just fine.

If you want to make the best of your time in Central Park, the best thing to do is to hire a bike.

Not only is it one of the cheapest things to do in New York City but it will allow you to cover a lot of ground, see a lot of things and have fun.

All in all, that’s definitely one of the best things to do in NYC.

You can book your bike online here and pick it up at the park. It’s very easy and quick.

From there, take the bicycle road around the park. It’s a one-way street so you can’t get it wrong.

Please note that you will need to dismount when you enter the park and when you stop to go on the pedestrian paths.

You can cruise around the park and stop at the following spots:

• Belvedere Castle. If you want to get some Harry Potter vibes in NYC, this will be the perfect place since it really looks like a small version of Hogwarts.
• Strawberry Fields.
• Bethesda Fountain and Terrace.
• Bow Bridge.
• Cherry Hill fountain. This one is very similar to the fountain that was used in the TV show Friends.

Once you are done with the bikes, bring them back to the provider and start making your way back to 5th avenue.

Stop 10: Trump Tower

Regardless of what you think of Trump, the Trump Tower is still a cool thing to add to your list of things to see in NYC in 2 days.

This building is located on 5th Avenue, between 56th and 57th street. It’s one of the most famous buildings in Manhattan and will be on your way so there is no need to do a detour.

The Trump Tower is a mixed-use skyscraper that was completed in 1983. As the name suggests, it was developed by Donald Trump and houses one of his penthouse condos.

It’s a pretty impressive structure and you can get nice photos from 5th avenue. You can also walk in the entrance hall if you want to.

Stop 11: St Patrick’s Cathedral

If you keep walking down the 5th for 5 minutes, you will find St Patrick’s Cathedral, one of the most beautiful churches in New York City.

The cathedral was completed in 1879 and it can hold up to 2,400 people. It is the seat of the Archbishop of New York and is definitely worth going inside for a look.

There is no need to book, you can simply walk inside (as long as there are no services).

Stop 12: Rockefeller Center & Top of the Rock

From there, walk a bit more down the 5th avenue until you reach the Rockefeller Center. This is another iconic spot in New York City and one of the most popular tourist attractions.

The complex was built in the 1930s and it houses 19 commercial buildings. It’s 259 m tall, making it one of the tallest buildings in NYC.

The Rockefeller Center is famous for many reasons. It was built by John D. Rockefeller and was at the time (still is) an incredible piece of architecture and engineering.

So many people worked on this project and you may know the famous photo of the 11 workers sitting on a crossbeam.

READ MORE: Top of the Rock Review: is the Top of the Rock in NYC worth it?

It’s also famous for its beautiful Christmas tree which is by far the most famous tree in New York City. It was featured in many movies as well as the ice rink at the bottom.

FUN FACT: The first Christmas tree was paid for by the workers who pooled their money so they could buy a huge Christmas tree, a symbol of hope, during the Great Depression in 1931.

While it is a great building to admire from the street, you should also consider going up to the top.

The top of the Rock is one of the best attractions in New York City. This observatory boasts incredible views of Manhattan and the other boroughs.

While the Empire State Building may be more famous, the views from the top of the Rock are actually better since you get to see the ESB in all its beauty. At the back, you will also get a full view of Central Park.

Once you get there, that’s when you truly understand how big and unique Central Park is.

If you want to go to the top, you will need to book a ticket online.

PRO TIP: To save time, book a timed entrance. That way, you won’t have to do to the front desk to buy a ticket or exchange your voucher. You can directly go to the lift that will take you to the top.

Click here to see the prices.

PRO TIP 2: If you want to get truly amazing views, make sure to book your timed entrance for 1 hour before sunset. That way you will get to see NYC by day, with the stunning colors of the sunset and then by night with all the lights.

Stop 13: Times Square

It would be impossible to spend a weekend in New York without visiting Times Square.

This is one of the most popular tourist attractions in New York City and for good reason, there is simply nothing quite like it!

Times Square is known for its huge digital billboards, its flashing lights and its gigantic advertising screens.

It takes less than 10 minutes on foot to get there.

Times Square is a pretty incredible place and you will literally not be able to take your eyes off the lights. At the back, you will see the ball that dropped on New Years’ eve with the year.

While visiting Times Square during the day is also a good thing to do, it gets much more impressive at night. Everything is shining so bright!

That having been said, it’s important to bear in mind that it’s a very busy place so you will be in the middle of the crowds.

From Times Square, don’t hesitate to walk around and check out all the amazing Broadway theaters.

New York City Itinerary Day 2: Lower Manhattan and the financial district

Now that you’ve discovered Midtown and Central Park it’s time to add another part of Manhattan to this 2 days in New York itinerary and that is the financial district.

New York City is home to not only one but two of the largest stock exchanges in the world, NYSE and NASDAQ.

While Wall Street is particularly famous for this, the financial district actually takes much more room.

Today, you will discover some more iconic landmarks such as the Statue of Liberty and the charging bull but also get to learn about a dark time in world history, 9/11.

Stop 1: Battery Park

You will start this day 2 in NYC at Battery Park. This is the park located right at the southern end of Manhattan.

You can easily get there with the subway (station Bowling Green).

Battery Park is quite big and relaxed compared to the other parks you can find in the city (except for Central Park of course).

If you walk toward the sea, you will be able to see the stunning Statue of Liberty.

Please note that a trip to the Statue of Liberty is not included in this itinerary because it will take you a fair bit of time. However, if you are willing to drop the high line and go to the Statue of Liberty instead, you can do so.

In order to do that, you need to book a ferry that includes a stop at both Liberty Island and Ellis Island, where you can find the immigration museum.

PRO TIP: If you don’t want to pay for that and don’t mind not going to the statue itself but still want to see it up close, you can take the free ferry to Staten Island. There is no need to book for that, you can just show up!

While you are in Battery Point Park, make sure to also check out the WWII Memorial. You can then make your way back to Bowling Green Park.

Stop 2: Bowling Green Park

Bowling Green Park may be small but it’s actually a very important landmark. Just behind it, you can find the museum of the American Indians which is by far one of the most beautiful buildings in NYC.

It features wonderful greek columns as well as 4 statues representing each continent.

Bowling Green Park itself used to be a royal park and that’s why it was renamed after the US declared independence.

Fun fact: You can see that the top of the spikes on the fence are uneven. That’s because there used to be crowns there and they were cut off by federalists.

Stop 3: The charging bull statue

A bit further up, you will find another famous statue in New York City: the charging bull.

This statue was created by Arturo Di Modica in 1989 and was specifically designed for New York’s financial district.

It was meant to give hope to the people of New York that the stock market would pick back up and grow again.

The reason why he chose a bull is that a low stock market is called ‘bear’ and a high stock market is called ‘bull’.

By making a bull using lines going up, he was trying to give hope that we would go back from a bear stock market to a strong bull stock market.

Of course, nowadays it has become an Instagram sensation and there are many other things to like about it.

Stop 4: Stone Street

Stone Street is a pedestrian street in the financial district and it’s one of the cutest streets in NYC.

First of all, it’s very picturesque with its cobblestone streets and red brick buildings. It looks very European which is quite unusual in the area.

It’s also a great place to go for a drink or a bite to eat!

There are many bars and restaurants available and they have large terraces. Ideal for a pint!

Stop 5: Wall Street and The Trump Building

You can’t go to the financial district without seeing Wall Street. This is the street where all the major banks and financial institutions are located.

There is also the Trump Building, which used to be the tallest building in NYC when it was built (though it only lasted a few days since the Chrysler unveiled its spike soon after the inauguration of this one).

Stop 6: The New York Stock Exchange and the Fearless Girl Statue

The New York Stock Exchange is located on Wall Street and it is the world’s largest stock exchange.

This is where everything happens and if you’ve watched the movie ‘The Wolf of Wall Street’, I’m sure NYSE is on your bucket list!

Though the actual entrance is at 1 Wall Street, the pretty facade is around the corner on Broad Street.

It’s absolutely gorgeous and such a great photo spot!

You will also find in front of the NYSE, the Fearless Girl Statue, which was installed in 2017 and promotes female equality in the boardroom.

The statue was designed by Kristen Visbal and it represents a young girl in hero pose.

She has become one of the most Instagrammable statues in NYC and if you want to snap a great pic, don’t hesitate to go next to her!

Stop 7: Trinity Church

Trinity Church is located at the corner of Broadway and Wall Street. It is one of the most beautiful churches in NYC and will definitely grab your attention since the architecture is much different from the rest of the financial district.

It was founded in 1697 but has been rebuilt twice, after being destroyed in the Great Fire of 1776.

Fun fact: The cemetery at Trinity Church is the only place in Manhattan where people can still be buried. Obviously, it’s incredibly expensive but it’s possible.

Stop 8: Firemen Memorial for 9/11

From Trinity Church, head to the 9/11 Memorial Pools via Broadway, Cedar St and Greenwich St.

If you go this way, you will also walk in front of the memorial for the firemen. It’s quite an interesting one since it gives you a very good idea of what they accomplished that day.

Also, there are over 400 firemen who lost their life on September 11th so it’s important to take a bit of time in front of this memorial.

Fun fact: Right at the corner, you will see a pub called O’Haras. If you walk inside, you will see there are hundreds of badges (policemen, firemen and more…) from people who were the first responders for 9/11.

Stop 9: 9/11 Memorial Pools

If you keep walking for another minute, you will reach the park with the pools.

The 9/11 Memorial Pools are two large waterfalls located where the Twin Towers used to be.

They were built to remember the victims of the September 11 attacks and they are absolutely beautiful.

Each pool is about an acre in size and has the names of every victim engraved around the edge.

It’s quite a powerful thing to see since you can realise how big the towers were (ground size) and watching the water falling down is definitely something that will make you stop for a bit and think.

Interesting facts: You will notice that there are flowers in some of the names. These are placed by the association of victims on the day they would have had their birthday if they were still alive.

You will also notice some US flags. These are here to commemorate people who have served in the military.

Stop 10: One World Trade Center

From the Memorial Pools, you will be able to see the One World Trade Center.

This skyscraper was built in remembrance of the victims of the September 11th attacks and to show the world that not only there is hope but also that we can both remember and get stronger.

It’s 541m tall and has 104 floors, making it the tallest building in the Western Hemisphere.

You will get a very nice view from the Memorial pools. This area is very open since it no high buildings were rebuilt here (purposefully).

But that’s not all, you will also find an observation deck on the 100th floor called ‘One World Observatory’.

If you want to see the views from the tallest building in NYC, this is where you should go!

You can easily book your ticket online and head straight to the top.

Stop 11: 9/11 Memorial & Museum

Your next stop will be the 9/11 Memorial & Museum. It’s located right by the pools and the One Trade Center.

This museum is dedicated to the attacks of September 11th. It includes stories about the victims, the survivors and the first responders.

There are exhibitions about what happened that day, how people reacted and more importantly, it pays tribute to those who lost their lives.

It’s an incredibly moving place and it’s so interesting to learn more about this event that not only changed everything in New York or the United States but in the entire world.

It takes a couple of hours to visit the museum and it’s well worth it. You will need to book your ticket in advance here.

Stop 10: St Paul’s Chapel

Located behind the Oculus, St Paul’s Chapel is one of the oldest buildings in New York City and such an important landmark for the local community.

It was built in 1766 and it’s one of the few buildings that survived the Great Fire of New York in 1776.

The story of this chapel is pretty extraordinary because the reason why it didn’t burn is not that the fire didn’t reach it but it’s thanks to the community who came and carried buckets of water to save it!

During the 9/11 attacks, the chapel became a place of refuge and support for the first responders.

So much so that people from all over the city and the country came to put messages of support on the fences. There were so many of them that the church decided to put massive boards up so people could pin their messages on them.

They put 14 boards up and ended up filling up over 400 of them!

St Paul’s Chapel truly is a gem and such a peaceful place in the middle of the busy city. Make sure to walk inside and maybe take some time to rest on a bench and enjoy the surroundings.

Stop 11: City Hall Park

Now that you’re done with the main attractions in the financial district, you’re going to start making your way to Brooklyn Bridge.

Before reaching it though, make sure to stop at the City Hall Park.

City Hall Park is a lovely little park located near the Woolworth Building. You will get to see the New York City Hall which is where the Mayor works!

It’s very pretty and a great place to stop and have lunch. You can grab food from one of the food trucks in the street and come here to rest on a bench.

Stop 12: Brooklyn Bridge

From the park, you can take the Brooklyn Promenade and in less than 2 minutes you should start getting very good views of the bridge.

This bridge is one of the most iconic landmarks in New York City and a great place to take photos. It was built in 1883 and it’s one of the oldest suspension bridges in the United States.

It connects the borough of Brooklyn and Manhattan and was the first permanent bridge on the East River.

It’s 1,595m long and there is a pedestrian and bicycle path. You can walk or ride your bike across.

There are a lot of cycle lanes in Brooklyn so if you have time and feel like taking a bike again, you can get one of the city bikes from Manhattan.

The bridge itself is beautiful and such an impressive piece of architecture but that’s not the only cool thing about it.

From the bridge, you’ll also discover beautiful views of Manhattan and the river.

Stop 13: Dumbo

Once you’re done crossing the bridge, you’ll find yourself in Dumbo (make sure to keep your left at the end of the path).

Dumbo is a lovely little neighbourhood with cobbled streets and gorgeous views of Manhattan. It’s also where you’ll find one of the most Instagrammable spots in New York City, Washington Street.

It’s a very pretty street that boasts beautiful views of the Manhattan bridge.

You can walk around the park and discover the views of both Brooklyn and Manhattan Bridge as well as Pebbles beach and Jane’s carousel.

Dinner: Time Out Market in Dumbo

If you want to grab some food in Dumbo, head to the Time Out Market. It’s ideally located near the park and the viewpoint.

The food market has over 18 different vendors so you can get anything from pizza and bagels to sushi.

There is also a bar where you can get a drink including cocktails and local beers.

It’s a very cool spot, especially if you are travelling as a group since everyone can get what they want in terms of food.

Evening: Manhattan Bridge

To end your day, we recommend heading back to Manhattan but this time, take the Manhattan Bridge.

From here, you’ll be able to get even better views of Manhattan as well as the Brooklyn Bridge. It’s a great spot to watch the sunset!

Once you crossed the bridge, you can either make your way back on foot or take the subway.

We hope you enjoyed this New York City 2-day itinerary and that it will help you make the best of your time in the Big Apple.

You may also be interested in :

• 107 Best New York Quotes and Captions To Inspire You to visit the Big Apple
• Ultimate New York 3-day Itinerary: How to Spend 3 Days in NYC + Accommodation & Tips
• Top of the Rock Review: is the Top of the Rock in NYC worth it?
• New York Quiz: 60 Quiz Questions and Answers about New York City (inc. 1 Picture Quiz)
• 9 Magical Harry Potter Things to do in NYC
• 5 Best Chelsea Market Food Tours in New York City to Book in 2023
• 14 Best pumpkin patches in New York City

Founder of Beeloved City, I am originally from France and have been living in the UK since 2016. I've travelled to 25 countries as a backpacker, travel coordinator and for holidays. I spent a year in Australia before eventually settling down in Manchester, England

2 Days in New York: A Brilliant New York Itinerary

Spending two days in New York? The Big Apple is truly a one-of-a-kind destination, and that’s why I’ve put together the perfect 2-day NYC itinerary.

Believe me, it’s incredibly easy to head out into the big city with aspirations of doing and seeing it all. And having those great expectations are a wonderful starting point for the perfect 2 day New York trip.

While I always recommend leaving yourself room to explore New York without the constraints of a strict itinerary, if you’re only in the city for a limited period of time, hitting the hotspots is vital.

Now, you might be wondering: is 2 days in New York enough? Well, kinda. That’s where this guide will help you, as I’ve put together the perfect 2-day itinerary to help you make some memorable adventures.

What are you waiting for? Let’s pack those bags and take a bite out of The Big Apple.

Beyond just New York – here’s the ultimate USA bucket list for more epic adventures around the United States. 

Handy Tips for Planning Your New York Itinerary 

What to Pack for Your New York City Itinerary

Aside from your clothes and toiletries, let’s unpack exactly what you’ll need for the ultimate two days in NYC.

• A comfortable pair of walking shoes – this is key. If I could go back to my first time packing for New York and skip all the cute sandals in favour of a pair of trainers, I totally would. If you want comfort as well as style, opt for a pair of Tropic Feel Canyons – they’re super-comfortable and my go-to travel shoe. 
• A backpack to keep your belongings safe – a bumbag (or a fanny pack, if you’re American) is great for keeping cash and valuables strapped close to you.
• Refillable water bottle – one that can loop onto your bumbag (or fit inside a backpack) is great.

Where to Stay in New York

• The Westin Times Square – This is where I stayed on my NYC trip. It’s centrally located and is close to many of the city’s most famous attractions and venues.
• The Gansevoort – Set in the Meatpacking District in the west side of Manhattan, this hotel is perfect if you’re looking to stay in one of New York’s more trendy and vibrant areas. 

Useful Resources for Your Perfect Two-Day Trip to NYC

• Skyscanner – The best online service for booking affordable flights to New York City. 
• Booking.com -This tool is best for exclusive deals and offers on every type of accommodation for your NYC trip. 
• Tripadvisor – Tripadvisor is a great way to find out how other travellers rate certain places and restaurants. Do NOT enter a NYC restaurant without checking the reviews first (controversial I know, but I find that the food in NYC is very hit and miss).
• Get Your Guide – Handing over the planning to tour experts, using Get Your Guide is the easiest way to see New York in 2 days.
• Viator – You can rely on Viator to offer a variety of cool tours for NYC in 2 days, if you fancy taking some of the hard work out of planning your trip.

Tip: Booking the New York City Explorer Pass will make visiting any of over 95 NYC attractions accessible with a scan-and-go system.

How To Get Around During Your 2 Days In NYC 

There are loads of public transportation options when in NYC. These include the subway or the bus line, which run everywhere – both are very cheap options.

If you would rather skip the public transport, New York City yellow taxi cabs are easily recognisable, and for a reasonable fare, they’ll get where you need to be.

2 Days in New York Itinerary 

New york itinerary day one: central park, manhattan, lower west side.

The first of your ultimate two-day trip to New York is going to be a day filled with iconic landmarks, attractions, art, and history.

Get A Taste of Fine Art at The Guggenheim Museum 

There’s nothing quite like starting your morning admiring fine art. An extensive collection of modern and contemporary art is on show at The Guggenheim Museum and this iconic building is an excellent spot to see thought-provoking pieces of art and sculptures. 

Not only is the art you’ll see inside beautiful to look at, but the building also features a unique spiral design – it makes the perfect ‘Gram shot.

Top Tip for Visiting 

Book your entry ticket to the museum in advance for skip-the-line access.

Head Through Beautiful Central Park

A journey through Central Park is the best way to get a true sense of what New York is all about, completely kooky and all.

Highlights of Central Park include The Ramble and Lake, a massive forest set next to the lake – perfect for finding some serenity in the park. While Strawberry Fields is a memorial built in memory of famed Beatles frontman John Lennon.

Finally, Sheep’s Meadow is a large open-air meadow designed for fairs and parades but suited perfectly for relaxing in the sun.

Psst… If you find yourself at Bethesda Fountain surrounded by hordes of tourists, watch out for the creepers who sneak up on you, placing snakes on your shoulders for the LOLs. It totally freaked me out on my first visit.

Top Tip for Visiting

Get the best of Central Park with this guided sightseeing bike tour .

Immerse Yourself in Times Square

Equally as famous as New York itself, Times Square has a life all its own. Time Square’s gigantic billboards and lights create an almost surreal feeling of limitless excitement.

The square is a prominent feature in pop culture and is still used to premiere worldwide events. It also hosts the annual Times Square New Year’s Eve party, which is always a hit with New Yorkers and visitors. 

Seeing the dazzling sights of the square is a must and also gives you endless opportunities for social media buzzworthy shots.

Experience Times Square at night with a skyline bus tour , including an entry ticket to the famous Edge Observatory.

Discover The Empire State Building

The Empire State Building is more than a distinct part of the NYC skyline. The building is instantly recognisable and has featured in massive moments of pop-culture history, economics, and global industry.

Let’s not forget the epic views of the famous observation deck on the 86th floor and the 102nd floor. The second floor of the building is now a fully interactive museum dedicated to the history of this iconic building. For any history buff, this is a spot worth checking out.

Get ahead of the queue at The Empire State Building with the skip-the-line access ticket .

Explore The High-Line

While most of NYC is quite the concrete jungle (besides Central Park), there are numerous other picturesque escapes into nature. The High Line, located on Manhattan’s far West Side, is a 1.45-mile-long former railroad track with a new lease on life. 

Lined with food vendors and public art exhibits, walking down the high-line is fun from the first step. And, if you’re looking for great restaurants, some of the best Manhattan has to offer are located winding the high-line.

A botanical masterpiece, it is a curated park that delivers the perfect place for a guided walking tour .

The National September 11 Memorial Museum

Close off your first day by visiting the National September 11th Memorial Museum. Two beautifully constructed memorial pools stand where the World Trade Centre buildings stood. 

Both have the names of everyone who lost their lives on the 11th of September 2001. Visit the memorial pools and museum to pay tribute and experience a painful but vital part of NYC history.

New York Itinerary Day Two: Lower East Side Manhattan, Brooklyn, Staten Island

On day 2 of your trip, you will explore the lower-east side of New York. Look forward to incredible views of the Brooklyn Bridge before heading to Staten Island for one of the best meals ever. Then end the day basking in the shadow of Lady Liberty.

Get Your Breakfast Fuel at Katz’s Deli

A crown jewel of the lower East Side and a dearly loved hotspot in New York is Katz’s Deli . The classic menu has a massive list of NYC favourite sandwiches and more. 

As one of the few remaining authentic Jewish-style delis not just in the city but in the entire country, be sure to grab a bite of their delicious pastrami and corned beef offerings.

Capture Epic Moments at The Brooklyn Bridge

The Brooklyn Bridge is a must-visit during any trip to NYC. With numerous tours of the bridge and adjacent Brooklyn Promenade available, it’s a surefire way to truly sink into New York.

Enjoy walking along the bridge or set your visit for sunrise or sunset – these are the perfect times to take epic pictures of the bridge. For a great time exploring the bridge, opt to rent a bicycle and head out onto the bridge – it’s a fantastic experience.

If you have more time to spend in NYC, an afternoon wandering around Brooklyn is a must. The Time Out Food Market alone is enough to keep you occupied for a few hours.

The Brooklyn Bridge is best explored with a guided 2-hour bike tour .

Catch A Ride on The Staten Island Ferry

Departing from Whitehall Terminal on the southern tip of lower Manhattan, catching a ride on the Staten Island Ferry is an incredible adventure. The best part is that it’s one of the best free things you can do in NYC.

Hitching a ride on the ferry is the easiest way to get glimpses of not just the bay but the Manhattan skyline. While on the ferry, have your camera ready for picture-perfect moments of the Statue of Liberty and more as you skip across the water to Staten Island.

Explore St George, Wine and Dine at Enoteca Maria

Once on Staten Island, you can take in the sights of St George, where the ferry docks. The island is beautiful and holds many gems – it’s a lovely breakaway from the bustling nature of NYC with a small-town charm. 

One of the great gems of Staten Island is Enoteca Maria , an authentic Italian wine bar and restaurant a few minutes from the dock. This amazing spot serves up traditionally delicious Italian favourites paired with classic wines – all cooked by Italian nonnas (it’s epic). 

Indulge in History with The Statue of Liberty

Finally, on your trip back to Manhattan via a tour to Ellis Island or on the Staten Island Ferry, have your cameras ready for the Statue of Liberty. It’s the perfect way to round up your 2 day NYC itinerary.

I highly recommend heading onto Ellis Island as there are numerous tours that offer insight and delight into the history and construction of the statue. Seeing Lady Liberty up close is a moment you’ll never forget, and many different tours are available to help you do this.

New York Itinerary – Map 

NYC Itinerary: Discover More East Coast Guides

• 20 Beautiful East Coast Getaways
• Brilliant All-Inclusive Resorts in The USA

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I’m Julianna Barnaby - a professional travel writer and geek extraordinaire. I started The Discoveries Of to help you to discover the best of new destinations from around the world.

Discovering new places is a thrill - whether it’s close to home, a new country or continent, I write to help you explore more and explore differently.

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2 days in New York: The perfect itinerary for a weekend + Tips

Weekend in new york: the best itinerary for 2 days + where to stay.

You’re planning to spend 2 days in New York and you’re looking for the best itinerary?

You’re at the right place!

In order to help you plan your stay , I have prepared for you the perfect 2-day itinerary in New York.

During your trip, you will discover all must-see attractions of the city such as Central Park, Times Square, the Statue of Liberty and a lot more!

In addition to the best places to visit and activities for each stage of your itinerary, I will also give you all my best tips and accommodation suggestions depending on your budget.

So, what are the best places to visit in New York in 2 days? Where to stay?

Let’s find out!

1. The New York City Pass

2. the new york go city explorer pass, 3. skip the line tickets for new york’s tourist attractions, one last tip for a perfect 2-day stay in new york, a. central park, b. visit 1 or 2 must-see museums, c. fifth avenue, d. st patrick’s cathedral, e. top of the rock, f. times square, a. 9/11 memorial and museum, b. one world observatory, c. financial district / wall street / new york stock exchange / charging bull, d. helicopter tour above new york (optional), e. statue of liberty, f. brooklyn bridge, h. empire state building, where to stay in new york, new york in 2 days with kids, other places to visit during your 2-day stay in new york, map of your 2-day itinerary in new york, flight prices to new york, you’re traveling in the us these articles will help you, how to avoid waiting in line (and save a lot of time) at new york’s tourist attractions.

When you visit one of the  most touristic cities in the world , you can expect to  queue for several hours to visit the most famous tourist attractions.

In New York, the Empire State Building, the Rockfeller center or the ferry for the Statue of Liberty are always crowded by people who, like you, dream of  discovering the Big Apple!

But don’t worry, with my tips, you can avoid that!

Here are the 3 ways to save time  and optimize your 2-day itinerary in New York:

The  first solution  to save time during your 2-day trip to New York, is to buy the New York City Pass. 

This pass is really super convenient as you’ll get priority access to the most famous tourist attractions of New York!

The New York City Pass is also 100% digital . You just have to scan the tickets at the entrance of the sites on your phone.

With the New York City pass, you can visit 5 attractions:

• 2 “mandatory visits” – The Empire State Building (2nd day of your itinerary) and the American Museum of Natural History (1st day)
• Top of the Rock Observation Deck (1st day)
• Ferry Access to Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island  (2nd day)
• 9/11 Memorial and Museum (2nd day)
• Circle Line Sightseeing Cruises
• Intrepid Sea, Air, and Space Museum
• Guggenheim Museum (1st day)

You need to buy your New York City Pass for your week end in New York by clicking on the button below:

The New York Go City Explorer Pass is your 2nd option to get priority access to the main tourist attractions during your 2-day trip in New York.

There is a  New York Pass available for 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 or 10 attractions. 

The duration of your stay doesn’t really matter, as this pass is based on  the number of activities you would like to do during your 48 hours stay in New York.

The New York Go City Explorer Pass grants you access to no less than 90 places to visit and activities in New York!

Here are the most popular attractions included in the New York Go City Explorer Pass:

• The Statue of Liberty/Ellis Island Ferry
• 9/11 Museum and Memorial
• Empire State Building
• American Museum of Natural History
• Top of the Rock
• One World Observatory
• Madame Tussauds
• Circle Line Sightseeing
• St Patrick’s Cathedral Tour
• …and many many more!

To purchase your New York Explorer Pass , it’s very simple – you just have to click on the green button below:

If you are hesitating between the New York City Pass and the New York Explorer Pass to visit New York in 2 days, I recommend New York Explorer Pass (click here) .

It’s the cheapest option, and unless you plan to run from one tourist attractions to another, 5 activities are enough for 2 days !

If you don’t want to buy a pass, the last option for your 2-day stay in New York is to  purchase skip the line tickets for each attraction  you want to visit.

In order to make it easier for you,  I have prepared the list of all skip the line tickets that will be useful for your week end in New York.

By purchasing them using these links,  you are 100% sure to get the official tickets.

To check the prices and to book, just  click   on the links below  (you’ll also find them throughout the article):

•   Central Park Zoo
• A private tour in Central Park in a horse-drawn carriage
• A pedicab tour in Central Park – choose between the 1 or 2 hours tour version
• Guggenheim Museum
• Metropolitan Museum of Art
• St. Patrick’s Cathedral
• National 9/11 Memorial & Museum
• Wall street guided tour
• Helicopter tour over New York
• Statue of Liberty
• Cruise around the Statue of Liberty
• Walking guided tour in Brooklyn
• Broadway show

If you want to book other activities in New York, you should always use these 2 reliable and safe websites:

• GetYourGuide: Official entrance tickets and activities in New York .
• Tiqets: Skip the line tickets in New York

If you already know your travel dates (or as soon as you will have them!) , you should really book your accommodation.

As New York is one of the most touristic cities in the world , the hotels offering the best value for money are often fully booked months in advance.

As a seasoned traveler, I can assure you that it’s always by planning as far in advance as possible that I’ve found the best hotels or apartments deals.

You agree that it would be a shame to somewhat ruin your stay in New York by ending up in a not-so-great hotel that costed you a fortune, right? 😅

So your best bet is to take 5 minutes now to have a look at  traveler’s favorite hotels in New York.

And if you like one of the hotels you find, book it!

It’s fast, it’s easy and most accommodation offer free cancellation. That’s the best way to protect yourself from the inconvenience of finding nothing but mediocre rooms at exorbitant prices.

To check the best hotels deals in New York, simply click on the green button below:

After securing your dream stay, it’s time to continue reading this guide!

New York in 2 days: the best itinerary

It’s now time to plan your 48-hour itinerary in New York!

For each day of your stay, I will give you  all the details you need to organize your visits , as well as  a map  showing the attractions of the day.

For this itinerary, I assume you will be spending 2 full days in New York and purchased a City Pass ( New York City Pass / New York Go City Explorer Pass ) or have purchased skip-the-line tickets .

That’s the best way to save time and money and see as many places as possible during your 2 day stay!

If you still have questions after reading this guide or need help planning you trip, don’t hesitate to ask me your questions in the comments section located at the end of this article.

So, what are the best places to visit in New York in 2 days?

Day 1 of this New York itinerary – Experience the Heart of New York City

Day 1 tourist attractions:

A. Central Park B. Museums C. Fifth Avenue D. St Patrick’s Cathedral E. Top of the Rock F. Times Square

Let’s start your 2-day New York itinerary with a visit to Central Park , the city’s largest urban oasis.

Nested in the heart of Manhattan, this 843-acre park (3.41 km²) offers a lush and tranquil escape from the city’s bustle. From lakes to gardens , from pathways to picnic spots, Central Park is a must-see attraction in New York.

Here are the best places to see in Central Park:

• The Strawberry Fields memorial dedicated to John Lennon
• The Bethesda Fountain
• The Belvedere Castle
• Central Park Zoo
• Shakespeare Garden
• The Bow Bridge
• Alice in Wonderland Statue.

You can choose to take a leisurely stroll or ( simply click on the orange links below to book your activity ):

• Rent a bike
• Take a horse-drawn carriage ride
• A pedicab tour – choose between the 1 or 2 hours tour version

Regardless of how you choose to explore New York’s most famous public park, you will undoubtedly enjoy the refreshing and serene ambiance of Central Park.

On a side note, as Central Park is featured in many films and TV shows , it’s a popular spot among cinephiles. Maybe you can recognize a few places from your favorite movies!

Just beside Central Park , you will find New York’s most renowned museums.

You can’t really visit them all if you’re spending 2-days in New York, so I recommend picking one or two that interest you the most.

• The American Museum of Natural History is a great option if you’re into paleontology, astronomy, or biology.

It’s well-known for its impressive dinosaur fossils and the famous Hayden Planetarium.

You can visit the American Museum of Natural history for free with the New York City Pass and the New York Explorer Pass.

If you don’t have a city pass, you need to book your tickets here:

• If you’re an art lover, head to The Metropolitan Museum of Art .

With over 2 million works, the Met boasts extensive collections spanning 5,000 years. Its rooftop offers fantastic views of Central Park!

You need to book your tickets on the official website.

And if you prefer a guided visit , you need to book it by clicking here.

• The Guggenheim Museum

The Guggenheim not only famed for its modern and contemporary art collections , but also its unique spiraling architecture designed by Frank Lloyd Wright.

Access to Guggenheim museum is included with the New York City Pass or the New York Explorer Pass.

Otherwise, you have to buy your tickets for the Guggenheim museum here:

After soaking in some culture at the museums, it’s time to head to Fifth Avenue, one of the world’s most famous shopping streets.

Even if shopping isn’t your thing, a stroll down this iconic avenue is a must.

You can admire the stunning window displays of high-end stores like Tiffany & Co., Bergdorf Goodman, and of course, the Apple Store with its distinctive glass cube entrance.

But remember, the best things in life are free … window-shopping included!

Now, let’s make a pit-stop at St Patrick’s Cathedral , located right in the middle of Fifth Avenue.

This stunning Gothic-style cathedral is hard to miss and believe me, it’s even more impressive inside.

Whether you’re religious or not, stepping into this serene oasis of calm amidst the hustle and bustle of the city is a special experience.

Don’t forget to look up and admire the beautiful stained glass!

Entry to St. Patrick’s Cathedral is included in the New York Explorer Pass.

If you don’t have this city pass, you need to book your tickets here to be able to go inside:

Next up, we’re heading to Top of the Rock , the observatory deck at Rockefeller Center.

This is simply where you get one of the best panoramic views of New York City! (My favorite at least 😄)

You can see everything from the Empire State Building to Central Park . It’s simply breathtaking! Make sure to take your time here and snap some memorable pictures.

Even the ‘Sky Shuttle’ elevator, that takes you to the top, is an experience in itself with a dynamic light show. You’ll see, it’s super cool!

You need to book your ticket to Top of the Rock by clicking on the button below:

Access to Top of the Rock is included in the New York City Pass or the New York Explorer Pass.

To end your first day in New York , head over to Times Square .

There’s nothing like seeing those huge electronic billboards light up the night. It’s like a scene straight out of a movie.

It’s the perfect spot to grab a late-night bite, do some souvenir shopping , or simply enjoy spending time in an (the?) most iconic part of New York. And yes, it’s touristy, but come on, it’s Times Square!

Did you know that you can climb the red steps at the TKTS booth in Times Square for a great photo with the neon lights in the background? It’s really cool!

Day 2 of your weekend in New York

It’s now time for day 2 of your New York itinerary! Prepare yourself for another day packed with iconic landmarks and memorable experiences. Let’s jump right in.

Day 2 visits:

A. 9/11 Memorial and museum B. One World Observatory C. Financial District D. Helicopter tour above New York E. Statue of Liberty F. Brooklyn Bridge G. DUMBO H. Empire State Building

Start your 2nd day in New York by visiting the 9/11 Memorial and Museum .

This moving tribute to the victims of the 9/11 terrorist attacks is an essential stop during your visit to New York.

You will be able to walk around the twin reflecting pools, which mark the footprint of the Twin Towers , and visit the museum , where you will learn more about 9/11 through multimedia displays and artifacts.

The visit of the National 9/11 memorial and museum is free with the New York City Pass or the New York Explorer Pass.

Without the pass, you need to book your tickets for the museum here:

If you prefer, you can also take a 90-minute guided walk around Ground Zero and the 9/11 Memorial. Book it here!

Just a few steps away, you’ll find the One World Observatory, located at the top of One World Trade Center.

The elevator ride to the top alone is worth the visit.

The transformation of New York City from an undeveloped land to today’s skyline is shown on the walls of the elevator as you ascend. It’s like taking a time machine!

Once you’re at the top, the views are, as you imagine, pretty awesome!

My favorite part was the ‘Sky Portal’ where you can stand over a circular disc showing real-time street scenes 100 stories below . It really makes you feel like you’re walking on air!

Entrance to One World Observatory is free with the New York Go City Explorer Pass .

If you don’t have the city pass, simply click on the green button below for more info and to book your tickets:

Let’s now head to the nearby Financial District , home to Wall Street , the New York Stock Exchange , and the Charging Bull statue.

This is where big deals are made, and fortunes are won or lost!

If you’re into finance or just a fan of the movie “The Wolf of Wall Street”, you can take a guided tour of the Financial District. It really gives a deeper insight into the world of finance.

You need to book it here:

You’re looking for a thrilling experience?

Well, buckle up!

Taking a helicopter tour above New York is a once-in-a-lifetime experiences , and also the perfect gift/surprise for your family or lover.

Seeing Manatthan island and its iconic skyscrappers from the air is really something, trust me!

Well, in fact, don’t just take my word for it. Hop on and see for yourself 😎

You need to book your helicopter tour here:

And if you have the guts, you can opt for a “door off” helicopter . This is just epic!

That’s what we did and it was simply the best moment of our trip!

No trip to New York would be complete without seeing the Statue of Liberty .

You can catch a ferry from Battery Park to Liberty Island. Get up close and personal with Lady Liberty, and enjoy a great view of the Manhattan skyline from the island.

You need to purchase your tickets online by clicking here (audio guide included):

The New York City Pass and the New York Explorer Pass both includes round trip ferry ticket for the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island.

If you don’t want to visit Liberty Island and just see the Statue of Liberty, you can also choose to do a cruise around the island.

You have to book it here:

Next, it’s time leave Manhattan and cross the iconic Brooklyn Bridge.

Take a stroll across this historic bridge and enjoy the view!

If you’re feeling a bit tired, there’s no shame in grabbing a cab or hopping on the subway – but walking across the bridge is a truly classic New York experience!

After crossing the Brooklyn Bridge , you’ll arrive in DUMBO, an acronym for ‘Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass’ . Pretty cool name, right?

This neighborhood is the epitome of industrial chic, with its cobblestone streets and towering brick buildings. The street art here is worth checking out too.

And let’s not forget about the super famous shot of the Manhattan Bridge from Washington Street. Yes, the one you’ve probably seen on every New York-themed Instagram feed. Well, here’s your chance to take your version of this iconic photo!

If you want to learn more about Brooklyn , its famous bridge and DUMBO, you can book this walking tour (click here) with Sean. He knows everything about the district and will make sure you have a great time!

While you’re in DUMBO, don’t forget to try some of the delicious food this area has to offer. From mouthwatering pizza at Grimaldi’s to rich, creamy ice cream at Brooklyn Ice Cream Factory , your taste buds are in for a treat!

Finally, let’s end your 2-day trip to New York with a visit to the granddaddy of all skyscrapers: the Empire State Building.

As far as I’m concerned, no other skyscraper encapsulates the spirit of New York quite like this Art Deco masterpiece.

Hop into the elevator and get to the 86th floor. The view from up there? Unforgettable. And if you’re up for it (and purchased the correct ticket), you can even go up higher, to the 102nd floor.

T o get to the Empire States Building from Dumbo , you will need to take metro line F at York St station and get down at 34 St – Penn Station.

Then walk for about 10 minutes to reach the Empire States building. That’s the easiest route!

The Empire State Building is open until 2am, so I recommend going late in the evening. It’s less crowded, and the nighttime view of the city lights is simply magical.

Just remember to book your tickets in advance to skip the queue:

Access to the Empire State Building is included with the New York City Pass and the New York Explorer Pass.

Now that you know the best itinerary to visit New York in 2 days , there’s just one last thing to address: where to stay in New York?

In order to help you out, I have prepared  this list of the best hotels in New York depending on your budget.

To be honest, it’s really not easy to find budget accommodation in New York. As you’d expect in a city that attracts so many tourists, the hotels have no hesitation in charging high prices.

In any case, you should book your accommodation in New York as early as possible to get the best prices.

Here is my selection of the best hotels to stay for your 2 days in New York (around Times Square / Empire State Building / Central Park).

• HI New York City Hostel : Youth hostel located right next to Central Park. Dormitory beds from €50 per night. An excellent choice for cheap accommodation in New York City Center!
• Club Wyndham Midtown 45: Located next to Grand Central Station. Bright and spacious double room from €200 per night. Strong Points: the rooftop and the location.
• Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott New York Manhattan/Times Square South: Located 1 km from Times Square. Cosy, comfortable double rooms from €330 per night, including breakfast. Strong points: friendly staff, view, peace and quiet.
• Hyatt Place New York City/Times Square: Located next to Madame Tussauds. Double room with impeccable cleanliness and comfortable bedding from €350, breakfast included. Strong points: central location for visiting New York on foot, very generous breakfast, very friendly staff.
• The Iroquois New York: Located less than 500 metres from Times Square, this 5-star hotel offers superb rooms with very chic decor, from €410 including breakfast. Strong points: ideal, quiet location, attentive staff.
• Riu Plaza Manhattan Times Square: Located next to the Rockfeller Center. Very comfortable, noise-isolated room from €450, breakfast €23. Strong points: very professional staff, varied breakfast, very easy to visit the centre of New York on foot.
• Hard Rock Hotel New York: Located next to the Rockfeller Center, this luxury hotel offers elegant, contemporary rooms from €500, breakfast €47. Strong points: the rooftop, the comfort, the classy design. This is my recommendation for a luxury stay in New York!

If you don’t mind being a bit further from the centre (don’t worry, it’s still very easily accessible by public transport), here is my list of the best hotels in Wall Street.

It’s a bit quieter than the hotels in Times Square and also slightly less expensive for equivalent quality.

• Hilton Garden Inn NYC Financial Center/Manhattan Downtown: Located 160 metres from Battery Park. Comfortable, modern rooms from €225, breakfast €23. Strong points: the location close to the metro, very comfortable, practical for going to the Statue of Liberty and Staten Island.
• The Washington by LuxUrban: Located 200 metres from the 9/11 Memorial and museum. Stylish rooms from €240, breakfast included. Strong points: metro stations right next to the hotel – perfect for sightseeing, view of the One World Trade Center, quality of bedding, peace and quiet.
• Club Quarters Hotel World Trade Center: Located next to Ground Zero. Spacious and cosy double room from €330. Strong points: location next to several metro stations, views from the rooftop and some rooms, free unlimited water and coffee/tea, in-room fridge.

To help you find the perfect accommodation, I have also written a guide of the best areas and places to stay in New York depending on your budget.

You can find it here: Where to stay in New York?

If you’ve planned to  spend 48h in New York with your family , you will be happy to hear that  this itinerary is totally doable with kids.

Here are is a quick recap to make the most of your weekend in New York:

• Go to the Central Park Zoo
• Visit The American Museum of Natural History  instead of the Met or the Guggenheim. They’re more likely to be interested in dinosaur fossils than paintings.  😅
• Going to the top of The Rock, the One World Observatory and the Empire State Building. 
• Pass by the M&M and Disney’s stores in Times Square and the Lego’s store on Fifth Avenue
• Take the boat to the Statue of Liberty. 

Both the New York City Pass and the New York Explorer Pass are available for children (prices depends on their age).

The itinerary you’ve just read is the best way to  see  as many   must-see attractions as possible in 2 days.

However, don’t hesitate to personnalize it by modifying or adding activities!

For that, you should read  my guide of New York. It’s packed with many more ideas for an amazing two-day trip to New York!

You can read it here: The 57 best things to do in New York. 

To help you visualize your  daily itineraries during your 2 days in New York,  I have created this map with  all the places to visit day by day . You can view the map’s legend by clicking on the top left button, the one with a little arrow.

You can thus see the suggested itineraries for each day.

As always, you should book your plane tickets as early as possible to get the best prices.

To check the rates and schedules for flights to New York, you can use our flight comparator, in partnership with Skyscanner:

Discover all my articles about USA : All my articles to help you plan your trip to USA are listed there.

You’re using Pinterest? Here is the picture to pin!

Creator of the Voyage Tips blog, travel and photography lover. I give you all my best tips to plan your next trip.

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Two Days in New York, Detailed Itinerary

If you’re looking to spend 2 days in New York City, we have a fantastic itinerary for you. New York City is the city of dreams, a city that inspires the world. Visitors love the array of world-famous landmarks, delicious international cuisine, and vibrant energy like no other.

New York City is so international and diverse there are an estimated 800 languages spoken on the streets of the city. Also, the city was the first capital of the United States, even before Washington D.C. There is so much to see in just two days, so you’ll need a good New York City itinerary, here is an excellent option for you!

Table of Contents

Two Days in New York: Where to stay .

MOXY NYC Times Square : The MOXY NYC Times Square is a superb location next to Times Square. It also offers an on-site restaurant, private bathrooms, free WiFi, and a roof deck bar with the Empire State Building’s views. Click here for more information and to check the latest prices. Riu Plaza New York Times Square : The Riu Plaza New York Times Square is 100 yards from Restaurant Row. It offers a fitness center, the Theater Buffet, and all rooms have private bathrooms and TVs. Click here for more information and to check the latest prices. Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott New York Manhattan/Times Square South : Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott New York Manhattan/Times Square South offers guests air-conditioned rooms, a fitness center, a restaurant, and all rooms come with a flat-screen TV, private bathrooms, and a desk. Click here for more information and to check the latest prices.

How to spend 2 days in New York, a detailed itinerary

New york in 2 days: day one, metropolitan museum of art (the met).

The city first founded the Metropolitan Museum of Art in 1870, and for 150 years, it’s been one of the world’s leading art museums; it is currently the fourth most-visited art museum in the world.

When you visit the Metropolitan Museum of Art you will see over 5,000 years of art from all corners of the globe. There are ancient Egyptian paintings, a collection of American modern art, and almost all of the European Masters.

Click here to book your Metropolitan Museum of Art Tour

Guggenheim Museum

The Guggenheim Museum is on 1071 fifth avenue and is one of New York City’s most popular tourist attractions. It is also one of New York City’s most famous architectural masterpieces, initially designed by Frank Lloyd Wright.

The museum exhibits modern and contemporary sculptures and paintings.

Click here to book your skip-the-line tickets to the Guggenheim Museum.

Central Park

What New York City itinerary does not have Central Park on it? The park is fantastic during all seasons, and you’ll get outstanding views of the New York City skyline from various spots.

The park consists of twenty-six baseball fields, eighty-five miles of pathways, and various lakes to sit and watch the ducks!

Rockefeller Center

The Rockefeller Centre is an excellent spot to check out art, and here you can see various murals, architectural styles, sculptures, reliefs, and carvings. It is a must-do on a 2 day New York City itinerary.

Also, if you’re visiting New York City around Christmas time, you’ll love the Rockefeller Christmas tree, which is 69 to 100 feet tall.

Top of the Rock (daytime)

What is the best view of New York City? That is a tough question to answer, but the Top of the Rock offers outstanding city views. It has the single best view of Central Park, and you get fantastic views of Midtown and Downtown Manhattan too.

There are three different observation decks at the Top of the Rock, the 67th and 69th floor have outdoor terraces with safety glass, but the 70th floor offers 360-degree views!

Book your timed-entry ticket here in advance to avoid the lines.

New York Public Library

The New York Public Library is one of the world’s most famous libraries. It is the largest library system in the United States, holding over 88 million books, DVDs, and Ebooks. The Library serves over 17 million patrons per year.

The building dates back to 1895 is an excellent place to visit for anyone who has an interest in Manhattan architecture.

5th Avenue is the world’s most famous and expensive shopping street. It offers an incredible array of world-class shopping options with an array of famous designers, such as Louis Vitton, Gucci, Valentino and Dolce & Gabbana.

There are nine museums on the avenue, leading to the nickname ‘museum mile.’ You can also see various attractions, including St. Patrick Cathedral, which is the most prominent Catholic Church in the United States.

Times Square

Times Square attracts over 50 million visitors yearly, and it is one of New York City’s most iconic attractions. Did you know that Times Square buildings must have a minimum amount of display lighting to preserve the area’s glitz and glamour?

If you’re heading to New York City over New Year’s Eve you can see the famous Times Square ball drop ceremony.

Broadway Show

Seeing a Broadway Show in New York is a must-do on a 2 day New York City itinerary. There are 41 theaters in New York City, and they are the heart of New York City’s creative culture. Broadway is also the longest street in the whole of New York City.

Over 12 million Broadway tickets are sold every year, and there are hundreds of different shows performed during the year.

New York in 2 Days: Day Two

Ellis island.

Ellis Island is a great spot to visit on your second day. The island has welcomed over 12 million immigrants to the United States throughout history and plays an important role in the American Dream.

Ellis Island is home to the National Immigrant Museum, a world-class museum that exhibits the history of United States immigration.

Statue of Liberty

The Statue of Liberty is the global beacon of democracy and liberty; it is the most famous statue globally. The statue was a gift that France gave to the USA in 1886.

You can visit the statue’s crown, but you’ll have to climb over 350 stairs to get to the top, or you can pay to take the lift most of the way. It is well worth it for the excellent 360-degree view from the top!

Click here to book your tickets to Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty.

9/11 Memorial Plaza

The 9/11 Memorial Plaza is one of the saddest yet most inspiring attractions in New York City. The memorial pays tribute to the thousands of lives lost on September 11th, 2001.

It is a massive memorial, and you can see the names of all the victims inscribed around the monument. To appreciate the significance of 9/11, you must head here on a two-day in New York City itinerary.

9/11 Memorial Museum

The 9/11 Museum will give you more insight into the 9/11 attacks on the twin towers. You’ll find a mixture of archaeology, architecture, and history that showcase the attacks on that fateful day. It is often emotional but a superb experience.

The museum only opened in 2014, but it has attracted millions of visitors since. There is an excellent guided tour of this museum, or you can do a self-guided tour.

Click here to book your 9/11 Memorial Tour with Priority Entrance 9/11 Museum Tickets.

Walk Brooklyn Bridge

The Brooklyn Bridge is one of the world’s most famous and largest cable-suspension bridges. During construction in 1883, over 20 people died because it was such an ambitious project.

The bridge is a National Historic Landmark and a National Historic Civil Engineering Landmark.

DUMBO Area in Brooklyn

Brooklyn is a fabulous neighborhood in the Brooklyn area of New York City. The Dumbo area (short for Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass) is a district underneath Brooklyn Bridge, which offers remarkable views of the Manhattan skyline.

You can see historical locations and a wealth of interesting architecture in the area.

Empire State Building (Night)

The Empire State Building is 1250 feet above the New York City skyline, and the views from the top are some of the world’s most iconic. There are two observation decks, one on the 86th floor and the other on the 102nd floor.

When you’re at the top of the building (102nd floor), you can see up to 100km away into New Jersey and Connecticut. It’s another must-do on your 2 days in New York City.

Click here to book your skip the line tickets to the Empire State Building.

Practical Information for your 2 -day New York Itinerary

When is the best time to visit new york.

The best times to visit New York City are either November or December or between April and June. If you visit during the winter, you can expect freezing temperatures at times, but you’ll find fewer tourists and plenty of Christmas attractions, and a festive atmosphere. A fantastic time to visit is between April and June when the weather is warm and perfect for walking around the city.

How to get from the airport to the city center

Train : You can catch the train from JFK airport to the city center, and it costs around 7.25 USD in total. It is an easy way to get to the city center and relatively cheap, but it does take approximately 60 minutes. Bus : The bus costs around 3 USD, but if you take the express bus to Manhattan, it will cost another 6 USD, bringing the price to around 9 USD. It takes approximately 90 minutes. Taxi : A taxi ride between JFK airport and Manhattan will have a fixed-rate meter, and costs around 50 USD and takes about 45 minutes. Private Transfer: Welcome Pickups are an excellent option because they offer a personalized service, with a driver who tracks the flight live to ensure punctuality.

How to get around the city

Subway : The New York City subway is one of the world’s best subway systems, and it is the most economical way to get around the city. It runs 24/7, 365 days per year, and is always available.

Taxi : A taxi is an excellent way of getting around the city, but it isn’t the most economical. Taxis are affordable if three or four people are splitting the fare and amount to not much more than the subway.

Bus : The bus is a great way to get around because it is cheap, easy, and great for anyone who cannot do a lot of walking. The Manhattan bus map has both subway maps and bus routes.

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2 perfect days in New York City

It doesn’t get any bigger or more exciting than New York City . In just 48 hours, you can only scratch the surface of all there is to do here, but that's plenty of time to sample the good stuff and you'll no doubt be back to explore more.

Of course, how you do NYC depends on a few factors—the number of times you’ve been here, the season, and what kind of a traveler you are (family, college student, honeymooner, boomer—you get the drift). On this trip, we’re sticking to Manhattan , where we’ve come up with a selection of must-see attractions, local dining spots, and one-of-a-kind experiences that will be appealing to any age, at any time of the year, and whether this is your first time or your 50th visit.

We’ve also curated Tripadvisor recommendations and ratings to make sure your short stay is as awesome as the city itself. And while we’ve put together an ambitious itinerary, we’ve included a few relaxing moments that will allow you to soak in the city’s atmosphere—but not too many. After all, they don’t call this “the city that never sleeps” for nothing. You can sleep when you get home.

MORNING: Start your day like a local

On this whirlwind two-day itinerary, you’re going to take in some big highlights (Times Square, Chinatown), but we suggest starting small—along the narrow, winding streets of the West Village , a quaint residential neighborhood. The Village is known for its bohemian history and vibrant street life. Wander through its tree-lined streets to Washington Square Park , a great spot for people-watching, free performances by local musicians, and photos under the giant arch (which frames a view of the Empire State Building). Grab a bite at one of our favorite breakfast spots: Buvette (for a taste of Paris in NYC), Jack’s Wife Freda (a Mediterranean bistro that’s worth the wait), La Bonbonniere (a greasy spoon with heavenly pancakes), or Magnolia Bakery (get a cupcake or a pint of banana pudding to go).

Then, make your way west toward the Hudson River to Gansevoort Street, where you’ll find one of the main entrances to the High Line , an elevated park built on an old rail line. Stroll along and enjoy the architecture, the public art installations, and the lush greenery. The best overlook is at 17th Street, which has a great view of the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island . (Put those on your list for a longer visit.)

If you get hungry along the walk, you can pop into Chelsea Market at 15th Street for a snack. This former biscuit factory now has a massive food hall with everything from fresh baked treats ( Sarabeth’s ) to artisanal cheese (S axelby Cheesemongers ) to tacos ( Los Tacos N°1 ).

Travelers say: “If you are ever down horrendous and in need of some inspiration, I recommend a walk on the High Line. Unless it’s a weekend at peak hour as it gets PACKED. You will be like Mike Alstott having to hit the A-gap on a 3rd and 1. Just so many human beings. Built on an old elevated rail line, you can feel the blend between the old-school-transcontinental railroad and the modern design. The architects nailed it.”—@ Johnny Novo

AFTERNOON: Head to the Edge

Continue north along the High Line until you reach Hudson Yards , a modern development with two iconic look-outs. There’s The Vessel , a striking honeycomb-like structure, but we’re partial to The Edge , the highest outdoor sky deck in the Western Hemisphere. It’s an experience not to be missed, with angled glass walls providing thrilling, unobstructed views from its vantage point 100-plus floors in the air.

For lunch, Hudson Yards has lots of options, but the new outpost of the Lower East Side’s iconic Russ & Daughters is a must-visit (and the line is much shorter here). This New York institution is the place for Jewish “appetizing” (as it’s called). Order the lox on a bagel with a schmear of cream cheese, the smoked fish, or the savory matzo ball soup.

NYC TOUR OPTIONS

• On this high-flying adventure , you’ll make the world’s highest building ascent, scaling the outside of a skyscraper more than 1,200 feet above the ground.
• Have a mind-bending multi-sensory immersive experience at Summit One Vanderbilt, a three-level space that takes the “observation deck” concept to entirely new heights.
• Soar above Manhattan and check it out from the sky on this popular New York Helicopter Tour .

EVENING: The jazz era in Harlem

For dinner, venture uptown to Harlem , an area known for its soul food and rich history of African American culture. Sylvia’s —known as the “Queen of Soul Food”—is a local standby for fried chicken, collard greens, and cornbread. Or go high end at Marcus Samuelsson’s Red Rooster , a sultry, speakeasy-style restaurant that feels like a throwback to another era. Legend has it that former President Barack Obama is a huge fan of the short ribs. If they’re on the menu, you must order them.

After dinner, end today’s adventure on a high note. This neighborhood has been a center of jazz since the Harlem Renaissance of the 1920s, and venues like the Apollo Theater or smaller clubs like Minton’s Playhouse present live music that captures the spirit of this creative, trailblazing area.

Worthy detours along the way

MORNING: Head to the Crossroads of the World

Begin your day with a classic—a New York bagel. You’ll probably want to choose your spot depending on where you’re staying, but some of our favorite bagelmakers with multiple locations include Tal Bagels ( East Midtown , the Upper West Side , and more), Ess-a-Bagel ( Midtown East , the Fashion District , and more), Zuckers ( Lower Manhattan , Grand Central , and more), and Black Seed Bagels ( Rockefeller Cente r, Chelsea Market , and more). And then there are the one-off spots: Murray’s in the West Village, David’s Bagel in Gramercy Park, Absolute Bagels in Upper Manhattan. You get the drift: There are a lot of bagels in this town. That said, it’s probably not worth going out of your way—you really can’t go wrong with most New York City bagels (supposedly, the water here makes them better).

Enjoy your quintessential NYC breakfast staple as you make your way to Times Square in the early hours, appreciating the calm before the storm of activity. Times Square is known as the “Crossroads of the World,” and as the day goes on, it gets busier and busier. Insiders know that the best time to come here is first thing in the morning when it’s quiet, with just a few New Yorkers passing through on their way to work. If you haven’t finished your bagel by now, you can enjoy it on the stairs next to the TKTS Booth , which sells discounted same-day Broadway tickets. If you want to scrap your plans and see a show, the booth opens at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday (for matinee performances) and at 3 p.m. the rest of the week (evening performances).

Next, head north to Central Park for a midday escape from the city’s hustle and bustle. Rent a bike or simply stroll through the park’s many paths, visiting attractions like the Bethesda Fountain , the Central Park Zoo , and Strawberry Fields , a memorial to legendary musician John Lennon.

If you have the time, you can squeeze in a quick visit to the American Museum of Natural History , just west of the park. It’s one of the largest museums in the world and a great place for all ages, with exhibits ranging from dinosaur fossils to the mysteries of outer space.

Travelers say: “I’ve been here a few times on different trips over from London & each time I’ve seen something different, it’s huge! Years ago we did the zoo & ice rink, this time I visited Strawberry fields as I was with a Beatles fan. It was beautiful… the imagine mosaic, the buskers singing Beatles songs, sitting in the sun we sat for a couple of hours listening. Was free & actually one of my favourite highlights of my trip”—@ claire

AFTERNOON: Explore the Financial District and sample a deli classic

Now, head to Central Park West, where you can pick up the subway at 81st Street (near the American Museum of Natural History), 72nd Street, or 59th Street. Hop on the C train downtown—in just 30 minutes you’ll be at the tip of Lower Manhattan. Visit the 9/11 Memorial & Museum to pay respects and learn about a pivotal moment in recent history. Then, walk around the Wall Street area, past the New York Stock Exchange (no time to go in on this trip) and the Charging Bull statue .

We told you we were going to be hitting a lot today, so stick with us as we hop on the J train a few stops north to a Lower East Side classic: Katz’s Deli . If you ever watched the movie, When Harry Met Sally , the hilarious scene that was filmed here (“I’ll have what she’s having!”) will be seared in your memory. The restaurant is jam packed (and confusing), but the line moves fast. Order a pastrami sandwich, pickled tomatoes, and an egg cream, an old-fashioned drink that’s a mix of seltzer, milk, and chocolate syrup (no eggs), and thank us later.

FOOD TOUR OPTIONS

• Get a taste of flavors from around the globe on this food tour : An historian will take you around Chinatown and Little Italy, visiting small family-owned businesses.
• On this walking tour around Greenwich Village, you’ll hear about the neighborhood’s bohemian history and sample some only-in-New-York eats.
• Learn about the Lower East Side’s past—from Eastern European immigrants to punk rockers—and enjoy knishes, bialies, and more on this NYC Lower East Side Walking and Food Tour .

EVENING: Head back in time

After lunch, stroll down to the Tenement Museum , where you’ll get a glimpse into the lives of New York’s early immigrant population. The museum offers guided tours of restored apartments that depict what life was like in the 19th and early 20th centuries.

Finally, cap off your NYC adventure in Chinatown , which has a mix of Asian cultures—from Cantonese to Fujianese to Vietnamese. This neighborhood put down its roots in the late 1880s—and a visit here feels like you’re strolling through the past. One tip: Dim sum is a breakfast food, but you can still get it in the evening at Nom Wah Tea Parlor (though some critics say it’s too popular for its own good) or the more traditional Golden Unicorn . You’ll find the best dumplings at Shu Jiao Fu Zhou Cuisine (plus amazing peanut noodles), pork chops over rice at Taiwan Pork Chop House , and crispy claypot rice at Noodle Village . For dessert, head to Mai Lai Wah Bakery and sample the sugar-crusted pineapple bun, which has no pineapple but looks like a pineapple. Just trust us on this one.

Know Before You Go

New York City is a year-round destination, but consider your preferences for weather and activities when planning your visit—since each season offers a different vibe. Spring (April to June) and fall (September to November) have mild weather, making them ideal for exploring the city’s parks and outdoor attractions. Summer (July and August) is hot and busy, perfect for rooftop bars and outdoor concerts, though be prepared for higher hotel rates and more tourists. Winter (December to March) turns the city into a festive wonderland, especially around the holidays, though it can be quite cold.

Weekdays are generally less crowded at major tourist attractions compared to weekends. Museums and attractions may offer extended hours on certain days, making them ideal for visiting after the usual crowds have left. For Broadway shows, matinee performances on Wednesdays and Sundays are a good way to avoid the evening rush. Many museums are closed on Mondays.

New York City lives up to its nickname as “the city that never sleeps.” Restaurants and bars in most neighborhoods stay open late, with many offering late-night or 24-hour service. Shopping hours vary, but stores in major areas like Times Square and Fifth Avenue often close later, around 9 or 10 p.m.

Midtown: This neighborhood at the heart of Manhattan is ideal for first-timers wanting to be close to Times Square, Broadway theaters, and Central Park. The area is home to countless hotels. The Plaza (made famous by the Eloise book series) offers timeless luxury right at the corner of 5th Avenue and Central Park South. The nearby Aman New York has a three-story spa, a 65-foot indoor swimming pool, and a jazz club that’s open to the public. 1 Hotel Central Park is an eco-friendly option that brings a touch of nature into the city with its organic materials and green ethos. And if you’re on a budget, Yotel New York is known for its tech-savvy approach and rooftop terrace (though the rooms are tiny).

Lower East Side : The Lower East Side’s rich history and great food scene are best experienced by staying in the heart of it all. Hotel Indigo Lower East Side has a rooftop pool and bar, stunning views, and a location that puts you steps away from legendary eateries like Katz’s. The new Nine Orchard is a chic opening in an old bank.

Lower Manhattan: This area is ideal for travelers interested in checking out the Financial District and the 9/11 Memorial—it’s also got easy access to the Statue of Liberty. The Beekman, a Thompson Hotel combines old-world glam with contemporary style, while the Conrad New York Downtown has sleek, all-suite accommodations.

Harlem: After exploring the jazz and soul food scene in Harlem, a stay in this culturally rich neighborhood can extend the experience. Aloft Harlem offers a stylish, youthful stay close to landmarks like the Apollo Theater.

By subway: The subway is the most efficient way to get around NYC, and it operates 24/7 and covers most areas of the city. Purchase a MetroCard or use a contactless payment method for fares.

By walking: Manhattan’s grid layout makes it easy to navigate on foot, especially in areas like Midtown and the Lower East Side. The West Village is where streets start to veer off the grid, but it’s a lovely walkable neighborhood to get lost in.

By bike: Citi Bike , New York’s bike-share program, is a fun and eco-friendly way to explore. Stations are located throughout the city, making it convenient to pick up and drop off bikes as you go.

By taxi and rideshare: Taxis are plentiful, and apps like Uber and Lyft are widely used. They can be a good option for trips where public transportation is less convenient, especially late at night or when traveling with luggage.

Airport transfers: JFK, LaGuardia, and Newark airports serve NYC. Each offers various transportation options to Manhattan, including taxis, shared shuttles, the subway (from JFK), and bus services. The AirTrain at JFK connects to the subway and Long Island Rail Road for easy access to the city. Newark’s AirTrain connects to NJ Transit and Amtrak trains to reach Penn Station. Consider your arrival airport and destination in the city when planning the best route.

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Two Days In NYC: Perfect Itinerary for First Time Travelers

Disclaimer: this post may contain affiliate links, which at no cost to you I may earn a small commission.

NYC in Two Days

Planning your trip to New York City can be exhausting! I’m going to begin by saying that seeing all of NYC in two days is nearly impossible. I have been living here for 10+ years and still haven’t seen all of New York City. But I put together a jam-packed itinerary that will allow you to see most of the main tourist sights in NYC in two days!

A great way to split up your days is to divide Manhattan into two parts . One day arrange your schedule to see everything in Lower Manhattan, and the second arranges to see everything in Midtown Manhattan.

You’ll cut down your travel time by huge amounts! What you will need: a positive attitude, patience, and comfortable shoes because touring can be exhausting !

Tip:  A great way to see all of the sights in NYC is to take a Sightseeing Bus Tour . You’ll learn facts about NYC while you cruise around all the top sights. Plus you can hop on and off as you please! 

Another Tip: If this is your first time in NYC and you plan on checking out more than one tourist attraction, you are best off buying an explorer pass that lets you save 50% on admission fees from 80 famous monuments and museums such as the Empire State Building, Top of the Rock, and Statue of Liberty to name a few.

Related:   12 hotels in NYC with Epic Views 10 Best Things to Eat in NYC | Must Try Foods What to Pack for a Trip to NYC | NYC Packing List by Season 10 Iconic Things You Cannot Miss in NYC

How to see NYC in Two Days: Day One

Lower manhattan, stop 1. see the statue of liberty.

NYC’s most iconic lady is a must-see when in New York. Instead of hopping on the ferry and visiting Liberty and Ellis Island, I recommend admiring the view from Battery Park .

The ferry ride, especially in the summer can take up to 4 hours  round trip due to long lines to board the boat. While in Battery Park, you can explore the newly renovated Pier 11 which offers a variety of restaurants and cocktail bars.

Tip: My favorite photo op of the Statue of Liberty is at the point of the Battery Park Esplanade .

Stop 2: Snap a photo with the Charging Bull

The Charging Bull is one of the most famous statues in Lower Manhattan. Take your picture with the Bull and don’t forget to touch the bronze bull for good luck!

As of March 2017, they have added another statue: Fearless Girl which is right in front of the Charging Bull.

Stop 3: Wall Street

Home to the Federal Reserve and the Stock exchange, Wall Street is a historic and iconic street to see. There are guided tours of the neighborhood that cover the history of Wall Street here like an insider, however, if you are on a time budget I would skip it until your next visit to NYC.

Stop 4: Explore Oculus & Grab a Bite (and a Glass of Wine)

The Oculus is Lower Manhattan’s newest attraction. This spectacular building is a must-see as it operates as the World Trade Center Transportation Hub and includes over 100 retail stores.

If you plan on shopping during your trip, you may find this mall a less crowded option vs Soho or 5th Avenue.

Directly south of the Oculus is the newest location of Eataly , an Italian market that has different counters offering sandwiches, coffee, gelato, and wine. Just the aroma alone will make you want to shop around!

Another option for food and shopping in this neighborhood is Brookfield Place. You can get there through the underpass in Oculus. This trendy and upscale mall offers luxury shops and Hudson Eats- a large open food hall overlooking the waterfront with outdoor tables.

Restaurants include fast-casual options like the French Market Le District, Blue Ribbon Sushi, Chopt, Black Seed Bagels, Dos Toros, and many more!

Related:  10 Best Things to Eat in NYC | Must Try Foods

Stop 5: Commemorate the 9/11 Memorial

Just outside of the Oculus you will find the 9/11 Memorial . This site honors those who lost their lives on 9/11. This is an emotional place to experience, but the city has turned it into a beautiful memorial.

You can book a guided tour of the area with admission to the museum here for a closer look at what happened to 9/11.

Stop 6: One World Observatory

Take in the view from the tallest tower in NYC from the One World Observatory. Going to the top is optional , and I highly recommend purchasing tickets in advance to avoid long lines . From the top, you will see unobstructed views of downtown Manhattan, Brooklyn, and New Jersey. 

You can pre-book your tickets here and skip the line ! I have been to the top of the Empire, and the Rock, but the WTC views are my favorite.

Be sure to go when the clouds are minimal to get the best out of your experience. If it’s raining the visibility will be very low, so I would visit another day. I suggest booking your tickets in

Stop 7: Take a Walk on the Brooklyn Bridge

The Brooklyn Bridge is about a 15-minute walk from the World Trade Center. The entrance to the Brooklyn Bridge Promenade is where Centre Street and Park Row meet.

Walking the complete bridge after touring all day may be too much, but you can get the gist of it by walking part way and back.

Tip: If you really want to experience to Brooklyn Bridge, I recommend starting your day walking the bridge from the Brooklyn side into the city. Then you can explore this itinerary backward starting with the Brooklyn Bridge, then heading to Stop 6 then Stop 5, etc.

Related:   10 Iconic Things You Cannot Miss in NYC

How to see NYC in Two Days: Day Two

Midtown manhattan, stop 1. grand central station.

Start your day early and head over to Grand Central Station on 42nd and Park Avenue. Take a walk inside the main terminal hub and admire the vast space and spectacular architecture.

The ceiling is made up of constellation stars which is a pretty sight to see. If you are hungry, there are a handful of restaurants and bakeries to satisfy you. Before you go read up on 100 facts about the station to learn more about this unique stunning building.

You can book a guided tour of Grand Central Staton to learn more about the history and secrets!

Guided Tour of Grand Central Station

Stop 2: St. Patrick’s Cathedral

Next walk over to St. Patrick’s Cathedral by heading up 5th or Madison Avenue until you reach 50th Street. In my opinion, this is the most beautiful church in NYC. The visit inside won’t take long, but you’ll definitely get a glimpse of the stunning stained glass windows and marble interior.

Stop 3: Rockefeller Center

On the opposite side of St. Patrick’s Cathedral lies Rockefeller Center, home to the Rockefeller Christmas Tree, 30 Rock, and the famous ice skating rink.

During the winter months, you can experience the rink and Christmas tree, but otherwise in spring/summer, the area turns into an outdoor cafe. Check out my Christmas in New York guide if you do plan on visiting during winter, I cover the Rockefeller Tree & the Ice Rink.

Optional: Visit the Top of the Rock ! If you would like to experience stunning views with the Empire State Building in your photos, I would recommend going to the Top of the Rock vs the top of the Empire State Building.

Stop 4: Times Square

Times Square is a must-see when you are visiting NYC for the first time! The people-watching, the billboard lights, perhaps catching a Broadway show is quite magical.

However, I don’t think it is necessary to stay in Times Square. After a day of bumping into people, I am pretty sure you will develop the same irritation as the locals.

Tip: Check out the TKTS Booth for same-day discounted Broadway Tickets.

Stop 5: Empire State Building

Depending on if you went to the Top of the Rock, heading to the Empire State Building is optional . However, what is NYC without this classic NYC skyline staple!

If you do choose to go to the top, I recommend buying your tickets in advance here to skip the line ! Otherwise, you will be hounded by ticket sellers on the streets who will approach you (usually a rip-off). If you don’t have a ticket in advance you can always purchase them inside.

Stop 6: The Metropolitan Museum of Art

If I had to choose any museum in NYC to go to, the MET will always be my first answer! The MET is the second largest museum in the world and hosts some of the most famous art pieces.

However, you will not get through the whole museum to see everything exhibit. I have been living here for years and haven’t seen anything, but that’s okay! I would focus on 1-2 exhibits and explore the topics that interest you the most.

Also, check out the awesome gift shop on the first level! They have unique gifts with an art focus.

Stop 7: Central Park

After you had your art fix, take a stroll, and relax in Central Park. I recommend walking towards the Bethesda Fountain which is one of my favorite spots in Central Park.

From there you can see the stunning greenery of this massive park and if the season is right, you can rent out a rowboat from the Loeb Boathouse and have a relaxing end to your busy day!

Heading to NYC? Check out my other posts: 

What to pack for NYC

12 Hotels With the Best Views In NYC (2022)

NYC Restaurants:

10 Best Things to Eat in NYC | Must-Try Foods

26 Best Rooftop Restaurants in NYC (UPDATED 2022)

I hope you enjoyed this guide on ‘How to See NYC in Two Days’. I’d love to hear your itinerary plans while visiting NYC in the comments below! Save this pin to your NYC boards! 

Dana Berez is a fashion and travel blogger with a focus on affordable style and outfit ideas, especially when traveling. Dana Berez has been featured on the Wall Street Journal, CNN Underscored, Apartment Therapy and more! Plus , you can also watch Dana on Youtube for fashion hauls and travel guides that has over 9 million views.

Thanks for this detailed iterenary! love it. my husband and i are going to NYC next month and dont know where to go first. lol this will definitely help us.

I am so glad you enjoyed! You are going to have so much fun in NYC!

We are heading to NY for a wedding in February (fingers crossed for decent weather) and my husband has never been to NYC so we are going for 2 days! One of the most overwhelming parts of this is figuring out where to eat! I would love to see a food guide specifically with recommended places that may be good stops in the midtown and lower Manhattan itineraries above OR places that are easy to get to by subway from these locations. I want to find great places to eat, but don’t want to pick ones that will be too difficult to get to/take all of our time going to and from. Love this guide, it is so helpful to simplify things for us tourists!!

Hi Cristy! Thank you for your comment. I have always thought of doing a foodie guide to NYC! This is definitely something to work on for 2019! I hope you have the best time in NYC!

Hi Dana. I’m taking my (20-something) kids to NYC for the first time. We only have two days so was wondering how to plan an itinerary to make sure we cram in as much as possible, and have stumbled upon your itinerary on Pinterest. Everything we want to see is already included. A huge thank you!

Next up was to try and work out which rooftop restaurant to book to ensure they get to see the beautiful skyline views at night, and then I spotted your 26 Best Rooftop Restaurants Guide. This has saved me many hours of research. Thank you for your fab insight!

Best wishes Diana

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2 days in New York

Discover the Big Apple with this 48-hour itinerary for New York City. Visit the best museums, parks, skyscrapers and so much more

The Big Apple is deservedly one of the world’s most beloved travel destinations. Charismatic, busy, cultured and surprising, New York has so much to offer, from parks and monuments to landmark buildings and prestigious museums. As they’ve been the backdrop to many films and TV shows, the streets of New York seem familiar – walking through its famous neighbourhoods you will feel like you are the star of your own movie.

But with so many things to see and experiences to try, careful planning for a trip to New York is essential, especially if your time in the city is limited. That’s why we’ve created an itinerary for your 48 hours in New York that minimises travel time and cherry-picks the best the city has to offer. Alongside the unmissable classic sights, we’ve included some local gems, in full Musement style. And if you are lucky enough to have more time available to explore, our itinerary is an excellent starting point to build from.

Read on to discover how much you can pack into two days with our 48 hours in New York itinerary .

New York Itinerary: Day 1

9.00am: Stroll through Brooklyn Bridge Park, then cross the bridge

Allow 2 hours Subway station: High Street – Brooklyn Bridge Station (approx. 10-minute walk)

Start your 48 hours in New York with a morning stroll through Brooklyn Bridge Park in the borough of Brooklyn, where you can enjoy a privileged view of Manhattan and the iconic bridge. Reaching the park by public transport is easy as the subway stations are located right outside the main entrances. There’s no shortage of panoramic viewpoints from which to take some beautiful photos of the unmistakable New York skyline – we recommend the area of Main Street Park and Pier 1.

Before you go, how about grabbing a snack at Le Bagel Delight at DUMBO ? The bagel is the quintessential New York sandwich. Soft and chewy, with an unmistakable texture, this delicious, ring-shaped bread can be garnished with an infinite number of fillings. Lucky for you, Le Bagel Delight at DUMBO – just steps from the Manhattan Bridge – is just the place to sample one of the best bagels in town. Belly filled, it’s time to head for Manhattan. If you fancy the walk, it takes around half an hour to cross the Brooklyn Bridge on foot. Otherwise, jump back on the subway to cross the river.

11.00am: Explore Wall Street

Allow 90 minutes Subway station: Wall Street/William Street

The renowned NYC Financial District is a must-see on any Big Apple itinerary. Hectic and crowded during the day, the area empties out completely in the evenings. Wall Street is the district’s beating heart and main artery, bustling with enough smartly dressed businesspeople rushing about to make you feel like you’re on a movie set. Don’t miss the New York Stock Exchange at number 11 Wall Street, then around the corner on Broadway, take in the beautiful Trinity Church and the powerful statue of the Bull of Wall Street, the much-loved symbol of the district.

After all that wandering, take a break at Black Fox Coffee , a renowned New York coffee chain with a top-quality selection.

  Visualizza questo post su Instagram   Un post condiviso da Barbara Helm (@sunloverbarb)

12.30pm: Have lunch on Stone Street

For lunch, make your way to Stone Street, one of the oldest streets in New York and reportedly the first to be paved. Here, you’ll find plenty of options for an excellent meal in relaxed surroundings. And if the weather is kind, choose a restaurant with a terrace to enjoy the sunshine while you dine.

2.00pm: Admire the Statue of Liberty from Battery Park

With only two days in the city, you might not want to spend half a day on Liberty Island to visit the Statue of Liberty up close. But you’ll still want to see her and get some great photos. From Battery Park you’ll enjoy an excellent view of the monument, plus you might like to make the most of this serene waterfront spot and find a moment to sit and disconnect from the frenzy of the city.

  Visualizza questo post su Instagram   Un post condiviso da Gary Hershorn (@garyhershorn)

3.00pm: Visit the National September 11 Memorial and Museum

Allow 2 hours Subway station: Rector St (approx. 1 minute walk)

The space where the Twin Towers once stood is now occupied by the National September 11 Memorial, an airy plaza with a glade of trees and a pair of pools which mark the exact position of the towers. The memorial space is open to the public to pay their respects to the victims of 9/11 whose names are engraved into the stone borders around the twin pools. Immediately next to the memorial is the 9/11 Museum, an extensive, multi-level museum that recounts the harrowing events from the point of view of those who survived. Both sites are unmissable stops to remember a tragic, traumatic day that has forever marked contemporary history.

5.00pm: One World Trade Center and Oculus

There’s more to explore while you are in the World Trade Center area, which, like a phoenix, rose resplendent from its ashes. 2014 saw the inauguration of the One World Trade Center skyscraper, also known as the Freedom Tower, which stands at 541 metres high, making it the tallest building in the western hemisphere. Particularly impressive is the One World Observatory , the skyscraper’s viewing platform, which offers a 360° view of the city.

Why not end the day with a spot of shopping? Check out the Oculus Center , designed by the famous Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava, which replaces the shopping centre that was destroyed during the 9/11 attacks. With its white steel profile, it recalls the wings of a phoenix. The elegant structure houses a large Westfield shopping centre – ideal for indulging your inner shopaholic. You’ll find some interesting options for dining, too.

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Spend the evening in Soho

Subway station: Spring Street

After a quick pit stop at your hotel, it’s time to explore Soho, one of the trendiest neighbourhoods in the Big Apple. The area is at its best in the evening, when clubs and restaurants fill up with hip city dwellers and the atmosphere fizzes with fun. Dress up in your best outfit and reserve a table at Balthazar , a French-style brasserie often frequented by celebrities and a favourite haunt of the Sex and the City stars. Or you could opt for Soho Diner, a modern eatery with echoes of the classic American diner.

New York Itinerary: Day 2

9.00am: Start the day at the Met Museum

Allow 2 hours Subway Station : 86 St (approx. 10-minute walk)

Follow your day in downtown Manhattan with a day dedicated to Central Park and Midtown. The Metropolitan Museum of Art, also known as The Met, is located on Fifth Avenue on the east side of Central Park. It’s the largest art museum in the United States and houses more than two million pieces. The collection ranges from artifacts from classical antiquity to works by the great European masters, plus a large number of Egyptian, Byzantine and Islamic finds.

Hatshepsut’s Sphinx , Claude Monet’s Water Lily Pond and Vincent van Gogh’s Self-Portrait with Straw Hat are just some of the must-see works. Two hours isn’t enough to see all of the Met, but it’s enough for a good overview of the highlights.

11.00am: Discover the iconic Central Park

Allow 2 hours

Stepping down the Met’s famous staircase, you can exit directly into Central Park. Not only are you in the most visited city park on the planet, but you might find you feel right at home – Central Park has been the filming location for many American classics including Breakfast at Tiffany’s, Sex and the City and Home Alone 2. This huge, green oasis is a great place to walk, relax and leave the chaos of the city behind. There’s lots to see here – make sure you stop by the Bethesda Terrace and its fountain, the Gapstow Bridge , the Bow Bridge , the Wollman Ice Rink and the lake at the very least.

Options for exploring Central Park include joining a guided bike tour to see the highlights of the park in half the time or a private walking tour to find out the best stories and insights from a local’s perspective. Alternatively, snap some perfect selfies on a photo safari or keep fit with a running tour through the park. Another option is to rent a rowboat to bob across the lake for a great view of the West Manhattan skyline.

  Visualizza questo post su Instagram   Un post condiviso da Olivia | NYC🍎 (@liv_inthecity)

1.00pm: Have lunch in the park

Has all that fresh air given you an appetite? Don’t worry – Central Park is overflowing with places to grab a bite to eat. Take your pick from several restaurants, such as the famous and picturesque Boathouse and the Tavern on the Green , with their beautiful terraces. Or, for the true New Yorker experience, buy lunch at one of the many stalls dotted around the park and have a picnic on the grass, or on a bench by the lake.

2.30pm: Shop on Fifth Avenue

Allow 90 minutes Subway station: 5 Avenue – 53 St (approx. 2-minute walk)

If there’s one thing New York does well, it’s shopping. After your break in the greenery of Central Park, you’ll have the energy to hit the shops on one of the most famous shopping streets in the world – Fifth Avenue. The area between 49th and 60th Streets is the most luxurious, with stores like Tiffany & Co. Even if you’re on a budget, it’s worth a detour through this exclusive stretch to take in the beautiful window displays. As well as luxury brands, you’ll also find more affordable stores, such as Adidas, H&M and Uniqlo. Shopping not your idea of fun? Then take the opportunity to visit St. Patrick’s Cathedral and the Rockefeller Center , also located on Fifth Avenue.

4.00pm: Admire the view from the Empire State Building

Allow 90 minutes Subway station: 34 St – Herald Sq (approx. 3 minutes on foot)

While you’re in Midtown, you can’t miss the Empire State Building. Built in 1931, this 318-metre-tall skyscraper is one of the symbols of New York and, like the North Star, makes a great reference point for orientating yourself as you explore the city. Board the high-speed elevator up to the open-air observatory on the 86th floor from where you can see all of New York’s main attractions: Central Park, the Hudson River, the East River, the Brooklyn Bridge, the Statue of Liberty, One World Trade Center and so much more. On clear days you can see six different US states. Want to go even higher? Take the glass elevator to the 102nd floor with its floor to ceiling windows, where you can snap the ultimate selfie with the whole of Manhattan in the background.

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6.00pm: Times Square and Broadway

Allow 4 hours Subway station: Times Sq – 42 St (approx. 3-minute walk)

Get back down to earth and immerse yourself in the hustle and buzz of Times Square. This huge intersection between Broadway, Seventh Avenue and 42nd Street is illuminated day and night by dozens of billboards. And it’s not just the billboards that are always lit up, the shops are also open 24/7. Nicknamed ‘The Crossroads of the World,’ Times Square might not be New York’s finest attraction, but it is one of those places that you just have to visit and see for yourself.

For today’s dinner, we suggest sampling a classic New York pizza at John’s of Times Square . This pizzeria on 44th Street is housed in an old church and the pizza is among the best in town.

To round off your New York experience, why not get some tickets to one of the many Broadway shows ? The Theater District – the section of Broadway near Times Square – is home to no fewer than 41 professional theatres that offer a fantastic variety of shows. Take your pick from smaller concerts or ballets, right up to mega musicals, such as The Lion King and Wicked.

End on a High Note at the Empire Hotel

Subway Station: 66 St – Lincoln Center (approx. 4-minute walk)

Raise a toast to all the excitement of NYC – the art, the window shopping, the sights, the billboards, the pizza, and the entertainment – and finish the day on a high note with a drink on the rooftop of the Empire Hotel. Best known for the Gossip Girl series, this hotel with its big red sign is the ideal place to enjoy a cocktail among the twinkling skyscrapers of Manhattan, with the murmur of New York in the background.

  Visualizza questo post su Instagram   Un post condiviso da Empire Hotel (@theempirehotel)

Pro tip: Check out the New York Explorer Pass . It enables you to visit New York’s top attractions while saving up to 40% off admission ticket prices.

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In Two Days in New York City

On your second day, head downtown to see where the city began, Lady Liberty and its most sobering, but popular, sight: Ground Zero.

Start: Subway: 1 to South Ferry or 4 or 5 to Bowling Green.

1. Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island Whether or not you’ll get to tour both depends on how early you can get to the ferry terminal and how large are the crowds. Having advance tickets up to the crown is a good reason to get off at Liberty Island, though there's now an excellent museum on the island, too (it opened in spring of 2019). But if the stars aren’t aligned or you miss the first ferry of the day, take in the view of Lady Liberty from the ferry (without disembarking) so you can spend the bulk of your time at Ellis Island, the famed portal to the “New World” for millions of immigrants (see below). It’s the more compelling visitor experience of the two, even with the new museum.

2. Wall Street Back on the isle of Manhattan, walk uptown to the Financial District. Along the way you’ll see structures such as Castle Clinton National Monument in Battery Park—it’s what’s left of a fort built in 1808 to defend New York Harbor against the British—and the impressive U.S. Customs House, which houses the Museum of the American Indian . Once on Wall Street, stop for a photo op at the Federal Hall National Memorial , where George Washington took the oath of office as our first President (his statue is in front), and the New York Stock Exchange  (see below) across the street, with the famed Fearless Girl statue in front of it. Unfortunately, the Exchange is no longer open for tours.

Walk west past Broadway to Rector Street and turn right, walking uptown until you reach Ground Zero. Follow the signs to the entrance.

3. National September 11 Memorial and Museum Be sure to get advance tickets to the National September 11 Memorial, as the line for day-of entry admission can take up to an hour, and that’s on top of the 20 minutes it takes to get through security here. Still, the opportunity to pay your respects to all those who perished, and tour one of the finest (if most shattering) history museums in the United States, is not to be missed..

Exit the site and head east towards Broadway and Fulton Street, to the Fulton Street subway stop. There, you’ll hop a 4 or 5 train to Brooklyn Bridge, switching to the 6 train to the Canal Street stop. Get off the train and start walking east on Canal to:

4. A Chinatown Lunch If you surf to the restaurant recommendations on this site, you’ll find four top choices mentioned in Chinatown, all of which are open for lunch. Grab a bite at one of these, and then wander through this fascinating neighborhood for a bit.

Walk or take the M103 bus uptown to Delancey Street, at Delancey turn right and walk to Orchard Street, passing Chrystie, Forsyth, Eldridge, and Allen streets to the:

5. Lower East Side Tenement Museum The perfect follow-up to Ellis Island, this time capsule of a Lower East Side tenement is now an innovative museum that explores what it was like to be an immigrant in New York City between 1863 and the early 1930s. It’s an extremely moving place to visit. You’ll need advance reservations to take the 1-hour guided tour of the museum (the only way to see it).

6. Washington Square Park As the sun starts to set, head to this carnival of a park, where street musicians are always performing and crowds of Villagers and NYU students gather. Spend some time relaxing here before heading somewhere in the vicinity for a terrific dinner (the restaurants downtown are the best in the city). Choose from one of the restaurants listed on this website as being in either the Village, SoHo, Nolita, Union Park/Flatiron District, the Lower East Side, or the East Village.

Note : This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.

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Amazing Local’s Guide For Seeing New York in 2 Days Itinerary in 2024

Wanna experience the city that never sleeps but only have enough time to see New York in 2 days?

If so then never fear because this 30+ year local is here to help you plan the perfect 2 days in NYC itinerary .

Because even though 2 days in New York City is not a lot of time to see everything the big apple has to offer, you can still enjoy some of the city’s most iconic attractions – especially if you have the help of a super-savvy local like me.

So, step away from the overly generic guidebook and take the advice of a local New Yorker like me.

Because not only give will I give you a super detailed 2 days in New York City itinerary that tells you exactly what to do, where to eat, and how to navigate from one point to the next, but you’ll get access to free maps and get additional information on where to stay, how to get around, and how to get to and from the airport.

Therefore, stop stressing and start using this super handy guide to quickly and easily plan the perfect 2 days in New York itinerary.

This post may contain affiliate links. Please see my disclosure for more information. As an Amazon Associate, I earn a small commission from qualifying purchases.

? Looking for the BEST HOTEL IN NEW YORK CITY? Reserve a room at  The James New York  and feel extra special while indulging in a bit of luxury.. ?

Table of Contents

Where to Stay While Seeing New York in 2 Days

Not surprisingly, New York City is a VERY expensive place. Therefore, you’ll have a hard time finding anywhere to stay that is under $100 per night.

And yes, that includes hostels. And no, Airbnb is not really a viable option since it’s against the law to book an Airbnb stay for less than 30 days In NYC (please abide by this low to keep already insane rent prices slightly down).

So, if you’re not sure where to stay or what you can actually afford, then here are some of my favorite hotels in NYC. They vary based on your budget and make a great home base from which to explore New York in 2 days.

Pod 39 (budget) -This is a pod hotel rooms are obviously small. But, this place sits in Murray Hill – which is great since you’ll find some of the best Indian food in the city here.

The hotel itself is also pretty stylish and has rooms (starting at $120 per night) that sit inside a former residential home from 1918. So, all you need to do is decide between queen-size beds and stainless-steel bunk beds that come TVs and bedside shelves.

The Duffy Times Square by Kasa (midrange)– Conveniently located near Times Square in Hell’s Kitchen, modern rooms inside this boutique hotel start at $140 per night and feature Belgian linens, iPod docks, flatscreen TVs, and WiFi. They also overlook an interior courtyard and are super affordable but still really comfortable.

The James New York (midrange) – This NOMAD area hotel is fly like a G-6 and features clean, comfy, well-appointed rooms that start at just over $170 per night. Rooms also come outfitted with high ceilings, glass enclosed bathrooms, floor-to-ceiling windows, and cozy all-natural linens. So, if you’re looking for a nice stay that won’t break the bank then this is the hotel for you .

Lotte New York Palace (luxury) – This next-level georgeous 4.5-star hotel is probably one of the nicest hotels in all of NYC. It’s also well located in midtown east and sits right across the street from St. Patrick’s Cathedral.

And while it’s very NOT cheap, rooms sit inside a historic 19th-century mansion and come outfitted with WiFi, flatscreen TVs, and deisgner toiletries. Room service is also available all day and guests can enjoy a French bakery, spa, and wood-paneled bar too.

How to Get To NYC from the Airport

New York is next-level massive and is home to three different airports: LaGuardia (Queens), JFK (Queens), and Newark (New Jersey).

Of the three major airports in NYC, I would try to fly into JFK. Yes, LaGuardia is closer and you could basically take a bus there directly from Harlem, but the service is terrible and it typically only handles domestic flights.

Newark is also fine but it’s all the way in New Jersey. Therefore, if you fly into Newark then be prepared for a bit of trek into NYC (like over 30 minutes on New Jersey transit).

Alternatively, if you fly into JFK, you can just take the Airtrain, the A Train, or the LIRR to get where you need to go. A taxi or group shuttle (about $19 to $25 per person but it takes a while due to traffic and picking up other passengers) is also a good option if you have a ton of stuff and don’t want to take it on the train/subway. Just be aware that a taxi into and out of the city from JFK will cost around $60.

Also be aware that if you do use public transportation to get from JFK to Manhattan, there is no direct connection between these two places. So, you’ll have to transfer from the Airtrain at JFK to the subway in Jamaica, Queens.

And once you’re on the LIR (AKA Long Island Railroad) you’ll probably have to transfer again to the subway line of your choice, at least if you’re going into Manhattan. That’s why this journey can take almost an hour and a half depending on where you need to go.

Pro Tip: If you’re traveling to NYC from somewhere on the East Coast then you may want to opt for a Greyhound or Megabus since they are cheap and will usually drop you off at Port Authority in midtown.

How to Get Around NYC

So, in this guide to seeing New York in 2 days, I’ve given you detailed instructions on how to get to every point on this list – whether it’s by foot or by subway.

However, here’s an outline of all the different ways you can get around the city since, well, it’s WAY too big to walk everywhere.

• Walking – This is the best way to get around since it’s free and is a great way to get a feel for the subway. Therefore, wear comfy shoes and have a navigation app handy since you’ll be doing a ton of walking during this 2 days in NYC itinerary.
• Subway – The subway is the best and is a really easy way to get around. So, don’t be scared to use it! It’s pretty safe and easy(ish) to use. Just remember, Uptown trains go to streets with higher numbers and downtown trains go to streets with lower numbers. Also, don’t forget to buy a Metrocard and top it off before you get on the subway.
• Uber – Uber is a rideshare app that is very popular in NYC. And while it used to be a whole lot cheaper than a yellow cab, prices have gone up. However, it’s still a good option if you’re going home late at night and don’t want to use the subway.
• Taxis – NYC taxis are metered and primarily operate in Manhattan. You’ll also know they’re vacant if the light on top of the cab is lit up. To hail a cab, stand on the side of the road, facing oncoming traffic, and emphatically wave your hand up and out. They’re pretty expensive though so I only use them if I’m desperate or if I’m with a bunch of people.
• Rent a Citi Bike – Road traffic in NYC is bananas level crazy. But, if you think you can ride a bike through it then this is a great way to get around since it will cost you around $12 per day or $3 per 30-minute ride. It’s also a really nice way to see Central Park.
• Bus – Buses are not ideal for 2 days in New York City since there’s tons of traffic and it takes forever to get around. However, they’re useful outside of Manhattan and can be a good option if you’re trying to get crosstown or if subway service has been disrupted.
• Pedicabs – You’ll find this around Central Park and I discourage you from using them since they are super expensive.
• Rental Car – No. Just No. Avoid at all costs.
• Ferries – You can hop on one of the many ferries that depart from Lower Manhattan and quickly go to Queens, Staten Island, and New Jersey. Plus, the trip is sometimes much shorter, and cheaper, than attempting to take the subway. I even suggest using the Staten Island Ferry in this 2 days in NYC itinerary.

Is 2 days Enough in NYC?

A 2 days in NYC itinerary is enough if you’re planning a quick weekend getaway and what to get a taste of the city and some of the top attractions here.

That being said, NYC is massive. So, if you’re planning to see New York in 2 days then just know that you will not be able to see all the city’s major highlights during that time frame.

I mean, this itinerary doesn’t even include by fave NYC drag brunch which is really sad.

Anyway, before you visit, be sure to make a list of attractions you must-see and stick to it.

Alternatively, you could just follow this quick and easy guide to 2 days in New York City since it shows you exactly how to quickly and easily see most of the city’s major sites.

How do I Plan New York in 2 Days? (Itinerary Outline)

For your convenience, here is a bulleted list of all the major sites you can see in New York in 2 days if you follow this itinerary.

• Grand Central

New York Public Library

Bryant park, times square.

• Fifth Avenue
• Rockfeller Center

St. Patrick’s Cathedral

• Central Park
• The Metropolitan Museum of Art
• Broadway Show
• Brooklyn Bridge
• Staten Island Ferry/Battery/Statue of Liberty
• 9/11 Memorial and Museum/Oculus
• The High Line

Chelsea Market

Empire state building, how many days is enough in nyc.

Between 5 and 7 days in NYC is enough time for most people to see all the city’s top attractions. However, because the city is so large and always has new sites to see, you could spend as much time as you like here and still not see it all.

In fact, I’ve lived in the city for over 30 years and still have not seen it all since new attractions are constantly popping up all the time. But, if you have the time and can afford it then try to spend a minimum of 5 days in the city.

How Much Money do You Need Per Day in NYC?

You need around $200 to $250 per day in NYC. And don’t worry, that includes a budget hotel room. But, it all really depends on where you stay and what kind of attractions you visit.

I mean, if you dine at Michelin star restaurants, stay at the Ritz, and book a helicopter tour then your daily budget could easily triple this figure.

But, on average, most people will spend between $200 and $250 per day if they watch what they’re spending and plan a few strategic splurges.

Because in general, most visitors will spend around $40 per day on meals and around $35 per day on transportation.

Two-day New York City Tours

If guided tours are your thing then you’ll love NYC since this city has got some fantastic options for you.

So, get ready for an awesome journey through the Big Apple’s incredible sights and amazing landmarks.

Because these tours are beyond awesome and have rave reviews that will make you want to book a tour now.

• New York City: Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island with Ferry : Discover the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island on your own terms, armed with audio guides that allow you to delve deep into the area’s history. You also get to enjoy a round-trip ferry ride with the Manhattan skyline in the background.
• NYC: Edge Observation Deck : Savor incredible views of the Empire State Building from the Edge Observation Deck. It’s the highest outdoor Skydeck in the Western Hemisphere and features sweeping 360° views from a suspended platform with a glass floor and angled glass walls.
• NYC: 9/11 Memorial & Museum : Honor those who died on September 11, 2001, at the 9/11 Memorial & Museum. It’s a place of deep reflection that will give you insights into the tragedy through personal stories and artifacts from the terrorist attacks.
• NYC: Empire State Building: Take your 2 days in NYC to new heights by climbing to the 86th floor, where you’ll enjoy breathtaking 360-degree open-air views that stretch out across six states. Plus, for an elevated adventure, consider the 102nd-floor combo ticket.
• NYC: Museum of Ice Cream : Step into a world of enchantment at the Museum of Ice Cream. It offers an engaging experience filled with joy and entertainment for the entire family. Also, enjoy the signature ice cream flavors and delicious treats as you explore the museum’s immersive exhibits.
• NYC: SUMMIT One Vanderbilt Experience : Take your NYC adventure to new heights with a ticket to SUMMIT One Vanderbilt. Soar to the 93rd floor and immerse yourself in a mesmerizing, multi-sensory art experience while being surrounded by panoramic 360-degree views.
• New York City: Manhattan Helicopter Tour : Experience the magic of NYC from the skies on a narrated helicopter tour. Glide over Manhattan’s iconic skyscrapers, get up close with the Statue of Liberty, and venture uptown for a glimpse of the scenic Central Park.

New York in 2 Days Itinerary: Day 1

Up and at em’ my fellow New York lovers! Because guess what? You only have 2 days in NYC and that’s not a lot of time to see the greatest city in the world.

Yes, I may be biased but this place has been my home for over 30 years and I absolutely love it. Therefore, to make the most of your 2 days in NYC itinerary , I HIGHLY recommend getting up at or around dawn so that you can see as much as possible during your 2 days in New York City itinerary.

And our first stop? Why Grand Central Terminal of course! Not only does it open at the ungodly hour of 5;15 am, but it’s also easy to get here via the 4,5,6, or 7 train.

Alternatively, you. could take basically any train to Times Square and catch the shuttle (aka the S train) from Times Square to Grand Central.

Visit the Chrysler Building

During your 2 days in New York itinerary, don’t forget to visit the Chrysler Building. It is situated at 405 Lexington Avenue in the center of New York City, and is really a dazzling piece of Art Deco architecture.

To get there hop on the M42 bus and walk there.

Sadly, you can’t venture inside. But, the exterior alone is a sight to behold, with its iconic stainless steel spire gracing the Midtown skyline.

Honestly, you’re not really missing out on anything during your 48 hours in NYC since this top NYC landmark is mainly an office building. But, it’s an epic spot that architecture buffs will love.

Also, you can go anytime you want, but daylight hours offer the best view of the intricate design of this building.

Grand Central Terminal

Just do yourself a favor and try and get here early (like before 7:00 am) so that you can grab photos without tons of people in them.

After all, upwards of 125,000 people commute into and out of this terminal daily from Connecticut, Westchester, and beyond. So, avoid peak commuter times during the week for the best pics possible.

Other than that, spend as much or as little time here as you want. I mean, it’s a stunning, Beaux-Arts building from 1913 that features marble floors/countertop, and a gorgeous constellation studded turquoise ceiling in the main concourse.

However, after taking in all this stunning architecture, you could:

Visit the Whispering Gallery – It’s near the basement Dining Concourse and sits just outside the Oyster Bar. Then, once you get here, stand diagonally away from the person you’re with while you speak into the wall.

Whoever is with you will then be able to hear what you’re saying from across the room. It’s alright but if you’re short on time, feel free to skip it as you see New York in 2 days.

Visit the Dining Concourse (in the basement) –There’s tons of great and affordable places to eat here like Shake Shack, Magnolia Bakery (order the banana pudding and not the cupcakes), etc.

If you’re short on time and want a quick breakfast, grab a bagel at Zaro’s or a doughtnut from Doughnut Plant.

Shop at Grand Central Market – It’s basically a giant supermarket where you can get some awesome produce, baked goods, and prepared foods. If you want, grab some prepared foods here now so that you can have an affordable and delicious picnic in Central Park later.

Transit Museum Store – Great place to shop for transportation-themed souvenirs but pretty small.

Have a drink at the Campbell – This is a secret prohibition-era bar in Grand Central that you should not miss. Just come back later in the evening since it’s not open now.

Do a self-guided audio tour of the Building – If you’re really into architecture, go to the Tours Office at the Main Concourse and grab an audio guide and do a 30-60 minute tour of the building.

The office is open daily from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm and guides are $12 for adults, $11 for students, and $10 for seniors/children. You might want to skip this though since you’re short on time during your 2 days in NYC.

Pro Tip: If you haven’t eaten yet, visit Ess-A-Bagel and get an affordable (under $5.00) New York bagel for breakfast. If you want to order like a real New Yorker, get an un-toasted (this is VERY important) everything bagel with cream cheese.

Otherwise, you can be weird like me and get a raisin bagel with chocolate chip cream cheese. Whatever you order though, you’ll love it since this place has some of the best bagels in the city.

It’s also only about a 10-minute walk from Grand Central. So, go down East 45th street and then turn on to 3rd Avenue. Continue walking until just before you hit East 51st street.

If you’re coming from the bagel place, it’ll be about a 20-minute walk to the Library. However, if you’re visiting from Grand Central, it’ll be a quick, 6-minute walk along 42nd Street.

Either way, don’t miss out on this iconic New York landmark. So, after admiring the two proud marble lions out front – aptly named ‘Patience’ and ‘Fortitude’ – head inside to the second floor and enjoy a stunning reading room here that can accommodate up to 500 people.

Next, check out fascinating artifacts like a copy of the Gutenberg Bible, the ORIGINAL Winnie the Pooh animals, and the Declaration of Independence.

If you want, you can even do a free tour of the building at 11:00 am and 2:00 pm Monday through Saturday and at 2:00 pm on Sundays (just not in the summer).

Pro Tip: Do note that the library does not open until 10:00 am. Therefore, if you get here early, it definitely won’t be open. Personally, I wouldn’t stick around and would just snap some photos before checking out Bryant Park in the back since 2 days in NYC means you’re short on time.

And if you REALLY love libraries and museums then 100% visit the Morgan Library instead. It’s right down the street, is absolutely stunning (it looks like the library from the movie Beauty and the Beast), and has a ton of cool rotating exhibits for you to see.

This is a great place to hang out if you want to kill a little time before the library opens or just need a break from walking.

After all, Bryant Park is a relatively small greenspace (only about 9.5 acres) that is home to a great lawn, ping pong tables, lending libraries, European food kiosks, a vintage french carousel, and more.

It also sits right behind the library and is super easy to get to from there. So, take a seat at one of the metal tables and chairs and just watch all the busy residents of New York walk by.

If you’re hungry (I doubt you are) you can eat some waffles from Wafels and Dinges or grab a loaf of chocolate babka from Breads Bakery for later. Honestly, I cannot emphasize enough how delicious this chocolate babka is. It’s also pre-wrapped so you can save it for later.

And if you happen to be here in the winter, you can also enjoy the winter village that pops up here annually, complete with an ice skating rink, igloos, alpine-inspired vendors, bars, and even a small curling area.

Pro Tip: Come back later to enjoy a drink at the Bryant Park Grill. In fact, it’s so lovely that many people have their weddings here in the spring.

Like most locals, I hate Times Square with a passion and generally avoid it like the plague. However, if it’s your first time in NYC and you’re trying to see New York in 2 days then it’s kind of a must-see.

And while the lights are much more mesmerizing in the evening, you can always come back either before or after you see a Broadway show since Times Square is right in the theater district.

However, I definitely recommend visiting now since it’ll be less crowded (ish) and is only about a 4-minute walk from Bryant Park. Just do yourself a favor and watch out for pickpockets since they frequent this area.

Also, be aware of people walking around dressed as giant Elmos or Dora the Explorers or whatever other character they are. They won’t bother you but they can be annoying and will expect some form of payment if you take a photo with them.

Other than that, just get in, admire all the bright colors and electronic advertisements, snap some photos, and get out since most things here are tourist traps.

You could also stop by the TKTS booth and grab some discounted (50+% off regular prices) Broadway tickets for later today before leaving and walking Uptown on Fifth Avenue (you’ll know you’re going the right way if the street numbers go up).

Pro Tip: I use the TodayTix app to quickly and easily get super cheap Broadway tickets and highly recommend you do the same since everyone should see a Broadway show as part of their 2 days in NYC itinerary.

You could also come back later, either before or after your show, and enjoy a cocktail at the R Lounge inside the Renaissance Times Square Hotel. The views are great and their Rose All Day Cocktail is delish and costs around $16.00.

Continue Uptown Along Fifth Avenue

Fifth Avenue is probably one of the most famous streets in NYC. And that makes sense since its home to the Atlas Statue, Tiffany’s, Saks Fifth Avenue, the Plaza Hotel, St. Patrick’s Cathedral, etc.

So, depending on time and what you’re interested in, you can visit as many or as few of the attractions on Fifth Avenue as you try to see New York in 2 days.

However, some noteworthy highlights include:

We’ve all at least heard of St. Patrick’s Cathedral since it’s probably the single most famous church in the entire city. It also conveniently sits right across the street from Rockefeller Center on Fifth Avenue and is free to visit.

So, even if you’re not super into churches, I highly recommend taking a quick look inside to enjoy the impressive neo-Gothic architecture. Then, head across the street to see the Atlas Statue and Rockefeller Center.

Rockefeller Center and The Top of the Rock

There are ton of different things to do in Rockefeller Center. So, be sure to visit the Lego store, FAO Schwartz, Radio City Music Hall (close by on W 50th), the ice rink that pops up here in the winter, and see where the Today Show is taped live.

Then, be sure to photograph it up before continuing with your New York in 2 days itinerary.

Visit the Top of the Rock

⭐️ Rating: 4.6/5 (3645 Reviews) Price: $43.55 per person Duration: Valid for 1 day ? Meeting Point: The main entrance to Top of the Rock  Details: Read more on Get Your Guide Now!

Because you’re doing a 2 days in NYC itinerary you’ll be short on time. Therefore, I recommend picking out and enjoying one epic observation deck while you’re in the city.

“We booked into the first visit to Top of the Rock, which was the best decision we made. It was a beautiful, fresh morning and the view was beautiful! We really enjoyed being able to see the Empire State from Top of the Rock. It was also great that in photos we didn’t have a wire fence in the background as it’s surrounded by glass.” Alexandra ( read more reviews now! )

So, if you’re after epic photo ops and stellar views of the Empire State Building, then head up to the Top of the Rock now . Just be sure to purchase tickets well in advance so that you can enjoy unobstructed panoramas from the 67th, 69th, and 70th floors (the top floor is an open-air roof deck and great place for photo ops).

Pro Tip: Try to purchase flexible date tickets for the Top of the Rock . This way if the weather sucks you can come back when it clears up.

MOMA (The Museum of Modern Art)

⭐️ Rating: 4.6/5 (2460 Reviews) Price: $25 per person Duration: Valid for 1 day ? Meeting Point: Enter the Museum of Modern Art at 11 West 53rd Street Details: Read more on Get Your Guide Now!

Since you only have 2 days in NYC, I would only visit one epic art museum. And while I personally love the MET, MOMA is the place to be if you are a huge fan of modern art. And since it’s on West 53rd Street (right near St. Patrick’s Cathedral), I’d visit BEFORE you go to Central Park.

“The Museum of Modern Arts it absolutely amazing! It has 5 floors which all have many amazing arts to see. Make sure to come early because if you want to take your time a view everything it could take a good 2-5 hours. The 5th floor has the most arts to see and it’s kinda like a maze because of all the rooms. Over all it’s amazing and if your early or late it does not matter because you still can get it!” Grace ( read more reviews now! )

Highlights include works from Jackson Pollock, Andy Warhol, and Van Gogh, and you should 100% purchase your tickets well in advance to avoid a queue. FYI, they also offer free admission on Friday evenings between 5:30 pm and 9:00 pm. The line will be long so be prepared to wait if you choose to do this.

If you’re seeing New York in 2 days then I’d just admire the exterior of this iconic hotel along Fifth Avenue before entering Central Park . However, if you have a bit of extra time, you can always enjoy a luxurious afternoon tea in the Palm Court.

Explore Central Park

⭐️ Rating: 4.7/5 (90 Reviews) Price: $60 per person Duration: 2 hours ? Meeting Point: Meeting point may vary depending on the option booked. Details: Read more on Get Your Guide Now!

At 843 acres, Central Park is the fifth-largest park in the entire city.

Therefore, it’s hella big and you could easily spend a couple of days here exploring Strawberry Fields, seeing Bethesda Terrace (great for photo ops), catching the view from Belvedere Castle, indulging in a decadent meal at Tavern on the Green, saying hi to the animals at the zoo, walking through the Ramble, experiencing the Mall, and more.

However, since we’re in a bit of a time crunch and you’re probably a bit hungry by now, I’d walk through the Southern end of the park, stop for a picnic at Sheep’s Meadow (picnic), and see as much as you can see before visiting the MET.

“I booked a scooter tour as my mum has some mobility issues and I thought it might be easier than walking but on arrival she had a bit of a meltdown about riding the scooter. Philip our guide was so kind, he adapted to a walking tour and showed us the main sights of the park with some history. It was a great tour and I’m sure it was hard to suddenly adapt the tour. We really appreciated it and would highly recommend any tour with Philip.” Claire ( read more reviews now! )

Because of where you are, you’ll probably run into Sheep Meadow, the Central Park Zoo, and the Alice in Wonderland statue before stumbling across the MET on East 82nd Street and Fifth Avenue.

Pro Tip: If you’re short on time but want to explore Central Park a bit more then do this 2-hour guided scooter of Central Park . It’s an awesome way to quickly and easily see all that Central Park has to offer.

Especially if you only have 2 days since an expert guide will provide you with fascinating commentary as you ride on an electric scooter to landmarks like Bethesda Fountain, Cleopatra’s Needle, the Jackie Kennedy Reservoir, and the North Woods.

You also won’t have to worry about wasting time while getting lost in this insanely large greenspace. Plus, this tour is pretty reasonably priced too at just $60.00 per person too.

Then, after enjoying Central Park, consider doing one of the following:

The Met (Metropolitan Museum of Art)

This would be my pick since this is my single favorite museum in the entire city. It also sits right on the Upper East Side (it’s on Fifth so you’ll literally be right here) and has a little bit everything.

Therefore, regardless of whether you’re into Modern art, Egyptian art, Asian art, African art, or Renaissance art, this museum WILL have something to interest you. Plus, they have extended hours until 9:00 pm on Fridays and Saturdays.

Therefore, even if you don’t make it here until 5:00 pm, you still have plenty of time to see things like the Temple of Dendur. Just be sure to purchase tickets well in advance to avoid lines.

Alternatively, if you’re a resident of New York ( or a student in Connecticut and New Jersey) then you can pay what you wish upon arrival with a valid ID.

The Museum of Natural History

⭐️ Rating: 4.3/5 (1,840 Reviews) Price: $28 per person Duration: Valid for 1 day ? Meeting Point: Meeting point may vary depending on the option booked. Details: Read more on Get Your Guide Now!

While you absolutely can visit this museum, it’s actually on the Upper West Side. So you will have to walk/ride all the way across the park to get here (maybe 15/20 minutes).

“This Museum is awesome. I went as a family of six including a 23 month old. My baby didn’t really like the loud theater but it was over all a great experience as a family. Some things I recommend is coming hours earlier to view the whole entire museum. It is four floors with a LOT to view. Their not strict if your super early or late which is awesome if you running late! Definitely come here to learn and explore!” Claire ( read more reviews now! )

It’s also better for kids since it’s geared more towards natural science and features things like dinosaur fossils, a planetarium, and a giant blue whale. Per usual, book tickets in advance to avoid lines.

The Guggenheim

⭐️ Rating: 4.1/5 (16 Reviews) Price: $25 per person Duration: Valid for 1 day ? Meeting Point: The main entrance is located between 88th and 89th Street. Details: Read more on Get Your Guide Now!

Designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, this museum is a true architectural wonder and a must-see for anyone who loves Impressionist, Post-Impressionist, early Modern, and contemporary art.

“Worked just fine. Guggenhiem is excellent!” Dan ( read more reviews now! )

There’s also a great café on the third floor with sweeping views of Central Park. It’ll also be pretty easy to get here since it’s right on Fifth Avenue by East 88th. As always, book your tickets in advance to avoid long waits.

Alternatively, you could stop by on Saturdays between 4:00 pm and 6:00 pm to enjoy “pay what you wish” tickets but there will be a line since everyone loves cheap tickets.

Since you’re only doing a 2 days in NYC itinerary, I’d recommend grabbing some dinner on the Upper East Side before heading back downtown to Times Square and the theatre district.

Some great places to eat include the Lexington Candy Shop (the cafe has a cool vintage vibe, they serve breakfast all day, prices are reasonable, and the pancakes are epic), Cafe Sarbarsky for Viennese pastries, Shake Shack for a burger and fries, and Ellen’s Stardust Diner if you want to enjoy some greasy diner food served to you by vivacious waitstaff who belt out show tunes.

Alternatively, you could always have dinner in Hell’s Kitchen at The Meatball Shop instead. It’s a pretty chill place that serves great Italian food. You also can’t beat the classic pork and beef meatballs with marinara sauce so be sure to order that if you stop here.

Cooper Hewitt Design Museum

After exploring all that the MET has to offer during your 2 days in NYC itinerary, make sure to stop by the Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum.

It’s a quick, 9-minute walk from the museum and is a design lover’s paradise since it has an extensive collection of historic and contemporary design exhibits, ranging from textiles to cutting-edge technology.

Seriously, this museum is awesome, features rad things like a scratch and sniff wall (a la Willy Wonka), and is easily accessed via the 4/5/6 at 86th Street station.

Also, feel free to visit the museum at any time since admission is just $15.00 per person. But don’t forget to check their website for more info on discounts and free admission days.

So, get ready for an immersive journey, during your 2 days in New York, through the vibrant world of design, filled with exciting surprises around every corner.

Go Back to Times Square for a Broadway Show!

So, if you’re still on the Upper East Side, head to the 77th street station and take the 4, 5, or 6 train back downtown to the station of your choice. Take the 6 though if you’re not sure where to get off since this is a local and makes all the stops.

And if you’re on the Upper West Side then you can always take the 1,2, 3 train back downtown to Times Square instead.

Then, end your first day in NYC with an amazing Broadway show. This is without a doubt one of my fave things to do in NYC and I cannot in good conscience let you leave the city without enjoying at least one theatrical performance.

You’ll also be delighted to know that off-broadway shows are just as good as broadway shows. Yup, a show is referred to as “off-broadway” only because it’s in a smaller theater.

So, a great way to save money on a performance while you enjoy New York in 2 days is to see an off-broadway show instead.

Or, as I mentioned earlier, you can always get cheap tickets using the TodayTix App. It’s my favorite way to get cheap tickets since they can routinely cost as little as $30 per ticket (plus tax).

And while there are a ton of great shows on Broadway, some of my faves include Wicked, The Lion King, Moulin Rouge, Phantom of the Opera, Chicago, Book of Mormon, and more.

Then, after the show, be sure to swan dive into a giant piece of New York cheesecake from Juniors. Order their classic cheesecake (with whipped cream and strawberries) and split it with your partner in crime (the slices are huge) before heading home and ending the first part of your 2 days in NYC itinerary.

Pro Tip: Short on cash or not a fan of Broadway? Then have a drink at one of the bars I mentioned earlier or head to Hudson Yards (take the 7 train to Hudson Yards station) and admire the wonky beauty of the Vessel before walking the Highline and ending your day in NYC.

New York in 2 Days Itinerary: Day 2

I hate to break it to you but it’s gonna be another EARLY morning since we only have 2 days in NYC and we still have a ton of stuff to do.

So, that being said, hop on the A/C train and take it to High Street station. Once here, I would first head over to the corner of Washington Street and Water Street in DUMBO (aka Down Under the Manhattan Bridge) and take an ultra-rad picture of the Manhattan Bridge in between two buildings.

Try to get this shot as early in the morning as possible since this spot is always crowded. Then, if you’re hungry, head over to Timeout Market and order a giant stack of blueberry pancakes from Clinton Street Baking Company.

They typically open around 8:00 am and serve probably the best pancakes in the city. However, if they’re not open, you can explore nearby Brooklyn Bridge Park and grab a coffee from Butler.

Pro Tip: DUMBO is a great part of Brooklyn and you could easily spend the better part of the day here. So, if you have a bit of extra time, grab some pizza at Juliana’s and explore the shops and charming cobblestone streets here. To can also head further into Brooklyn and visit the amazing Bushwick Collective too.

Walk the Brooklyn Bridge

When you’re ready, put your best pair of walking shoes to good use and take a leisurely stroll across the Brooklyn Bridge.

I always suggest walking from the Brooklyn side to the Manhattan side since the views of the NYC skyline are better. I’d also try and get an early start to avoid crowds.

However, if you go early on a weekday morning, the hordes of selfie-stick-wielding tourists shouldn’t be too bad.

Now, generally speaking, the 1.1-mile walk along the length of the bridge will take about an hour. Although, that can vary based on how fast you walk and how many pictures you take.

Other than that, just make sure that you watch where you’re going (i.e. stay in the Pedestrian lane), wear comfy shoes, and avoid visiting during icky weather.

Then, once you’re in Manhattan, mosey on over to the Battery and get ready for our next stop as you attempt to enjoy New York in 2 Days.

Battery, the Staten island Ferry, and the Statue of Liberty

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Walking from the Brooklyn Bridge to the Battery (aka Battery Park) will take around 20 minutes. However, I’d opt for the long way around and walk along the water, through the Southstreet Seaport area.

You won’t have time to do a whole bunch here but it’s just a really pretty walk that features a wealth of historic ships and some pretty great views of the Brooklyn Bridge too, either on your own or during a Brooklyn walking tour .

“ The cruise was great! The cost was fair and reasonably priced. It was a good way to see some sites in an efficient way without eating up a lot of time. Great idea to make it 1 hour. The crew was very nice and was quite accommodating especially with assisting people with their photos. Having the guide was great to help provide context to the things we were seeing. I would absolutely recommend this tour.” Natasha ( read more reviews now! )

Then, when you finally make it to the Battery, take some photos of the Statue of Liberty before walking over to the Whitehall Terminal.

Pro Tip: Honestly, the views of the Statue of Liberty from the Battery aren’t that great since she’s pretty far away. And while you can do a Statue of Liberty/Ellis Island tour , I wouldn’t recommend it for a 2 days in New York City itinerary.

And here’s why. Yes, the tour is well-priced at $30.00 per person and includes access to both the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. And yes, you will get great shots of the Statue of Liberty (the on-site museum is pretty cool too) and will also get to visit Ellis Island (aka one of the coolest museums in NYC ).

But, and it’s a big but, the tour will take the majority of the day. So, while I do think the tour is worth it, I don’t think you’ll have enough time for it if you only have two days in NYC – unless you basically don’t want to do anything else all day since you’ll probably finish the tour around 3:00 pm.

So, plan accordingly and definitely grab your tickets for the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island Tour now (to avoid those stupid long lines) if you have a bit more time in the city.

Otherwise, hop aboard the Staten Island Ferry. Not only is it free but it runs 24 hours per day and offers you some pretty great views of the Statue of Liberty.

Just sit on the right side of the ferry (as you travel from Manhattan to Staten Island) and be sure to sit by a window that opens so that can take photos through the open window.

Then, just relax and enjoy the 25-minute ride aboard the ferry. Just be aware that you WILL need to disembark in Staten Island and then reboard the ferry back to Manhattan.

Ellis Island (Optional)

If you are visiting the Statue of Liberty don’t forget to explore Ellis Island. I mean, any ferry from Battery Park to Liberty Island definitely includes a stop at this iconic NYC landmark.

After all, Ellis Island is situated in New York Harbor and is where many immigrants went through physical inspection before entering the United States.

Once on the island, immerse yourself in the Immigration Museum’s evocative exhibits, tracing the journeys of immigrants from the late 1800s to the early 1900s.

Also, enjoy the panoramic sights of Lady Liberty and the majestic Manhattan skyline.

I’ve been here multiple times and it’s fun to explore the original brick buildings, learn about your personal family history, and understand the intense inspection process that immigrants had to endure.

It’s also a fairly big museum and depending on how interested you are you could definitely spend a few hours here. But, since you only have two days in NYC, try to keep it to an hour.

9/11 Museum and Memorial and the Oculus

⭐️ Rating: 4.7/5 (8121 Reviews) Price: $19.40 per person Duration: Valid for 1 day ? Meeting Point: Please go directly to the “Ticket Holder” line at the main entry. Details: Read more on Get Your Guide Now!

When you’re back on dry land, make the 20-minute walk from here to the World Trade Center. Personally, I’m not a huge fan of the Financial District, but some stops you can easily make along the way include:

• Wall Street
• The Charging Bull Statue
• The Fearless Girl Statue
• Trinity Church – Where Alexander Hamilton is buried
• Federal Hall
• Stone Street – one of the prettiest streets in NYC and home to a ton of great bars like the historic Fraunces Tavern

Once at the World Trade Center, you have a couple of options available to you depending on time and your budget. If you’re short on time and money then skip the museum and just visit the memorial instead.

They are free to visit and feature two giant black reflection pools that sit on the same spot where the Twin Towers once stood. Take some time to walk along the perimeter and read the bronze panels that have the names of the 3,000 victims of those terrorist attacks etched into them.

“The words to this beautiful, somber museum are hard to articulate. In order to describe the feeling you get when you enter this breathtaking monument you have to go and feel it yourself. It’s a feeling of loss, but it’s also a feeling of proudness and courage for not only the victims but for the survivors who helped to make this place something we should never forget.” Tracie ( read more reviews now! )

Watch as the water cascades 30 feet down into a seeming black hole before either heading into the museum or continuing on to the Occulus (pictured above), where you can take some photos of this gorgeous, uber-modern Transportation hub.

Now, depending on how hungry you are, you can either grab lunch before or after you visit the museum at Eataly Downtown NYC. It sits on the third floor of a nearby shopping complex, is only about 2 minutes away, and is a great place to enjoy some authentic Italian food from Mario Batali.

So, opt for either a full sit-down meal (the gnocchi and pizza are exceptional) or just grab something to go from their incredible Italian market.

Pro Tip: I HIGHLY recommend getting your tickets for the 9/11 Museum now to avoid the queue and to get a better understanding of the events of that tragic day and to commemorate all those who died here.

Yes, the museum can be difficult to walk through (this is coming from someone who lived in NYC at that time and who was there that day and who knows people who died and who has a police officer brother who had to sift through the rubble) but I personally feel it is extremely well-done and 100% worth it.

Plus, it should only take you around 2 hours to visit and will introduce you to a wealth of videos, photos, and artifacts that include the Survivor’s Staircase, a retaining wall with messages of hope, remnants of the Engine Company 21 Fire Truck, and more.

So, be sure to get your tickets now and get a better understanding of one of the most important sites in NYC.

When you’re ready, make your way to the Oculus. It’s basically a giant transportation hub in the World Trade Center. Therefore, even though there isn’t a ton to do here, definitely admire the stunning modern architectural designs of Santiago Calatrava

For the best photo ops, visit during the day and enter the building at street levels. The steps here will then bring you to an expansive overlook where you can get a great aerial shot of people walking through the complex.

From here, take the 2/3 train to 14th Street station and walk around half a mile to the Highline.

The Highline

Just in case you’re not in the know, The Highline is a truly unique, elevated pedestrian walkway/park that sits atop an old railway track that was initially constructed in 2009.

It runs along the west side of Manhattan and extends for 1.5 miles from the Whitney Museum in the south all the way to the Javits Center and Hudson Yards in the North.

So, depending on the time you have and how tired you are, you can walk the entire length of the Highline or just a portion of it.

If you want, you can also check out the Whitney Museum of American Art while you’re here since it’s home to an exquisite collection of contemporary American art from Edward Hopper, Alexander Calder, Georgia O’Keefe, and more.

Not gonna lie, the views of the Hudson River from the rooftop are pretty dang impressive. Plus, they offer special “pay what you wish” tickets after 7:00 pm on Friday evenings when the museum closes at 10:00 pm. Or, you can just get your tickets now .

Otherwise, continue along the Highline and get off around West 15th Street to grab something to eat. it’s a short walk, only about 5 minutes, so you can always come back if you’re not quite hungry yet.

Housed inside a former industrial factory, Chelsea Market is a great place to go shopping for souvenirs or to grab some dinner before you head to our next stop.

After all, this place is positively brimming over with cool boutiques and unique eateries that you’ll only find in New York City.

And some of my favorite shops include:

• Artists and Fleas – Kind of like an upscale flea market/boutique with shop with a collection of local artisans who sell cool stuuf.
• Bar Suzette Creperie
• Doughnuttery – Delicious mini-doughnuts.
• Takumi – A Japanese/Mexican fusion restaurant that is really good. If only eat at one place, let this be it.
• Fat Witch Bakery – Their brownies are delicious.
• Posman Books – Super fun bookstore.

Pro Tip: If you’re not feeling any of the restaurants here or it’s too damn crowded, visit Artichoke Bassile’s pizza nearby and get a giant slice of their artichoke pizza. It basically tastes like the best spinach artichoke dip of your life has been smothered on top of an amazing slice of New York-style pizza.

Then, after you’ve shopped til you dropped, hop on the A/C/E train and take it to Penn Station. From the station, it’s a short 5-minute walk up West 34th to the man, the myth, the legend, the Empire State Building.

⭐️ Rating: 4.6/5 (7608 Reviews) Price: $47.91 per person Duration: 45min to 1 hour ? Meeting Point: Meeting point may vary depending on the option booked. Details: Read more on Get Your Guide Now!

Depending on how you’re doing on time and the time of year at which you’re visiting, try to plan your visit to the Empire State Building around sunset.

Trust me, it’s well worth it since the views from the top at this time of day are utterly incredible. Other than that, be sure to purchase your tickets well in advance since lines can be seriously long.

I also prefer the Empire State Building observation deck to the Top of the Rock since the experience at the Empire State Building is way more than just a view,

“Great tour, really good informative information regarding the building and really well organised. The view at night was truly exceptional and well always live on in the memory. Despite all the new buildings which are fabulous, the Empire State still packs a punch.” Ste ( read more reviews now! )

So, when you purchase your tickets , you’ll be able to marvel at the stunning Art Deco interior before learning all about the history of the building in the Story of an Icon Museum.

You’ll then marvel at interactive exhibits that demonstrate how the Empire State Building was constructed and see a full-scale replica f the original elevator before enjoying some of the best views in the city from the 86th-floor outdoor deck (this is the best place for photos) and the 102nd-floor indoor observatory. with floor-to-ceiling windows.

And for an extra special experience, stop by on Thursday evenings when you can enjoy live saxophone music from the 86th floor. Also, try and visit on a clear day since clouds can easily obstruct the gorgeous view at the top.

Pro Tip: If you already went to the Top of the Rock yesterday then I would skip the Empire State Building and walk the full length of The Highline until you reach Hudson Yards. Once here, I’d check out the Vessel (you need to reserve tickets to climb to the top but they’re totally free) and then inside the Hudson Yards mall to experience some of the shops here.

Alternatively, if you’re not totally exhausted after your trip to the Empire State Building, you could always take the 7 train to Hudson Yards and experience the Vessel before heading back to your hotel and calling it a night.

New York in 2 Days Itinerary FAQ

Can you walk manhattan in a day.

Manhattan is a huge place to explore but walking across the district in a day is definitely doable. To be honest, the whole excursion could take you about 12 to 14 hours depending on your speed and what you want to do.

My advice would be to break it up and take short breaks along the way. Skip what isn’t on your priority list. No matter how comfortable your shoes maybe, a whole day of walking will definitely wear you out!

How Far Is Times Square From The Empire State Building?

The Empire State building is very close to Times Square. In fact, the distance is under a mile and you can literally walk there in anywhere between 10 to 15 minutes. It is a pretty safe walk and takes you through 7th avenue which is definitely one of the things to do in New York!

What Is The Number 1 Attraction In New York?

The Statue of Liberty is hands down the top attraction of New York. You will find hordes of people heading to it every day and it is not a surprise. After all, the Statue of Liberty is iconic to say the least. It is also a big part of the New York Skyline. You can’t miss it when you visit the city!

What Is The Prettiest Place In NYC?

There are loads of gorgeous places in NYC but if you really wanted to be wowed then head to Astoria, East Village or even Park Slope. These aren’t just upscale neighborhoods, they also have a nice vibrant nightlife. Yes! These are the places you want to be in if you want a good party and some luxury!

Additional New York Resources You’ll Love

• Pros and Cons of Living in NYC
• 4 days in NYC itinerary
• Cool Restaurants in NYC
• Best Brunch in NYC
• Best Places to Shop in NYC on a Budget

There you have it! That just about wraps up this mega epic guide to seeing New York in 2 days!

Tell me, did your fave activities make it on this 2 days in nyc itinerary if not then let me know in the comments below., and if you found this post useful, don’t forget to join our email list before pinning this post now so that you can read it again later.

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A local’s travel guide to New York City: what to eat, see and do in three days

Top destinations in New York include a ferry ride, shopping for watches in Chinatown and a Brighton Beach bender

I first came to New York City by accident, after a miscommunication with my father led me to believe my (long-deceased) mother had been desperate to visit the city before she died.

Years later I found out that my mum had actually wanted to go to Paris. But I still had a great time in New York, and ended up moving here a couple of years later.

On that first trip I did all the main tourist things which, owing to the miscommunication, I had thought my mother had wanted to do: I went up big buildings, looked at big buildings, drank in bars beneath big buildings.

It was great and everything, but there’s much, much more to do here – especially if you like eating, riding about by subway and ferry, and bargaining for knockoff luxury goods.

Day 1: Boating and brownstones

A lot of people have heard of the Staten Island ferry , and for good reason. It’s free to travel on the big orange boats between the southern tip of Manhattan and Staten Island. The route goes right past the Statue of Liberty, and offers amazing views of lower Manhattan.

As a boat lover, I’d also recommend taking the NYC ferry . It has a flat fare of $4 and operates up and down the East River, passing under bridges and allowing riders to snoop at waterside buildings.

If you’re starting in Manhattan (which you probably are), take the southbound ferry from East 34th Street to the Brooklyn neighborhood of Dumbo, which stands for “down under the Manhattan Bridge overpass”. It’s here where everyone with an Instagram account gets their shots of both the Manhattan Bridge and the (older, better-known) Brooklyn Bridge. Plenty of people will visit this area then turn their back on Brooklyn, but I’d recommend sticking around New York City’s most populous and, depending whom you speak to, trendiest borough.

Pop by Jane’s Carousel , an exquisitely restored 1922 ride which is plonked between the bridges, and then walk south through Brooklyn Bridge Park. You’ll go past several piers – once working docks now transformed into leafy picnic and sport areas. There are magnificent views across to Manhattan. It’s a nice spot to propose to a partner, as my little brother did last year. If you don’t want to do that, but do like to play soccer or basketball or roller-skate, you’re in luck.

After you hit Pier 6, where there’s a pleasant, if expensive, rooftop pizza restaurant called Fornino , walk up Atlantic Avenue for some shopping and coffee at Goose Barnacle , an independent clothing store with a hidden bar in the back. The owner, Dave Alperin, a fourth-generation Brooklynite, is very friendly and knowledgable about the area and can give you tips about everything from where to buy the best sandwich ( Lillo Cucina Italiana – try the Mamma Roma) to the location of a semi-secret basement speakeasy ( Le Boudoir ) nearby.

From there I’d take a bus or cab to Fort Greene, a very pretty neighborhood whose townhouses are the sort of Brooklyn thing you see in the movies, and grab dinner at Olea . If you make it before 6.30pm, there’s a great happy hour.

Day 2: Rude T-shirts and not-quite Rolexes

Manhattan’s Soho neighborhood has all the posh shops, so if you have money, or like looking through windows at expensive clothes and bags, walk east along Prince Street from West Broadway. There are nice buildings to look at around here too – the newly constructed towers that abound in the city are largely absent in this neighborhood. Stop in at Fanelli Cafe , a neighborhood stalwart that has been around since 1847, for a coffee or some food, then head south along Broadway to Chinatown.

There are lots of great dim sum places, including Golden Unicorn , whose large fancy dining hall is located on the second floor of a marble-esque building. From there I’d take a walk along Canal Street, dipping into sidestreets for cheap souvenirs – snow globes, little statues and that sort of thing – and bizarre T-shirts (many of which are very rude).

Chinatown also does a roaring trade in imitation watches and handbags. So if, like me, you will not and cannot spend $30,000 on a watch but have about $100 to spare, you can get (to my eye) a fairly good imitation. The food markets along Canal Street also sell real nice timepieces – they even work – if you fancy sticking it to big watch. You’ll find plenty of “designer” bags too.

Hopefully you’re hungry again, because Great N Y Noodletown is, per its name, great – especially the roast pig on rice.

From there I’d head farther south and stop in at Whiskey Tavern , the friendliest bar I’ve ever been to in my life (and I’ve been to a lot of bars). They print out personalized welcome signs that they will stick to your table or behind the bar, which sounds a bit naff – but isn’t. The real reason to come is to chat to locals and regulars. It’s also one of the closest bars to city hall, which means there’s a regular stream of “Just Married” couples doing shots of whiskey and eating chicken wings.

If you’ve still got energy, and like singing or shouting, go to Up Stairs , a karaoke bar tucked behind a nondescript doorway on Canal Street. Drinks are cheap, and it gets packed with revelers.

Day 3: Seaside shenanigans

If, like me, you’re a fan of once-glamorous seaside attractions that are now in a state of faded glory, then take the F train to Coney Island. People seem to overlook the fact that the city is surrounded by water, and while Coney Island isn’t the nicest beach for bathing (for that, try Fort Tilden or Jacob Riis Park), there’s loads to do.

Kick things off by watching a Brooklyn Cyclones game. The Cyclones are a feeder team to the New York Mets. They play at Maimonides Park, tickets are usually dirt cheap and easy to get, and you’ll be able to enjoy a nice view of the Atlantic Ocean. If you want a snazzy memento, buy a beer in a foot-long plastic baseball bat. Sometimes they let the crowd “run the bases” after the game, which is a lot of fun, especially if you’ve had more than one of the baseball bat beers.

After the exhilaration of taking in second-tier baseball, walk east towards the Cyclone , one of the oldest and, as far as I can tell, rickety-est rollercoasters in the US. The wooden ride – described as “pretty extreme” by Coaster Critic – will celebrate its 100th birthday in 2027, and it sounds and looks its age. Buyer beware.

Once you’ve stumbled off the ride, go for a settling drink at Ruby’s , the oldest bar on the boardwalk. You can take in the black-and-white shots of Coney Island in its 1930s glory, and if you’re feeling brave, buy a cardboard box full of clams.

Every Friday night from late June to September there is a fireworks show on the beach, which draws a large crowd. You could take it in while eating borscht and sipping coffee or vodka at Tatiana’s , a Russian restaurant-cum-nightclub a 10-minute walk along the boardwalk from the Cyclone.

Side note: you don’t need to wait until summer to visit. I went a day after it had snowed, and it was brilliant.

Question time

How many days do you need to visit new york city.

Three would be fine. If you want to take in all the Instagram favorite destinations, then maybe four.

What’s the most-visited attraction? Is it worth it?

Times Square. And not really. But it’s near enough to other attractions that if you’re heading to a Broadway show then you might as well walk through it.

When is the best time to visit?

The peak of summer can be boiling hot, and winter can be freezing cold. May through early July and September through October are usually a safe bet.

How expensive is it?

New York City is expensive. If you’re staying in Manhattan you’d be (very) lucky to get a hotel room for about $200 a night – but bear in mind that there will usually be hefty taxes on top of that. A bog standard coffee will cost you about $5, a pint anywhere from $6 to $10. The subway fare recently went up: it’s $2.90 a ride now.

Adam Gabbatt is a writer for the Guardian and is originally from the north of England. He has lived in New York City for 13 years and now says “trash” instead of “rubbish” and “sidewalk” instead of “pavement” and his family hates him for it

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‘vigilantes’ try to evict squatters at $1m queens house after homeowner who confronted them is arrested in tense standoff.

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A pair of vigilantes allegedly tried to forcefully evict three alleged squatters from a million-dollar Queens home after the homeowner was arrested when she changed the locks and tried to remove them .

Two unidentified men driving a black pickup truck pulled into the driveway of the Flushing home searching for the tenants Tuesday afternoon, according to the Daily Mail .

“We are looking to get this guy out,” one of the men allegedly said, a neighbor told the outlet. “I am here to talk to him. I want to see why he is here.”

Adele Andaloro, 47, was in the process of selling the property when the group shadily took refuge in the home last month.

Andaloro inherited the $1 million property from her parents after they died.

She confronted the trio and changed the locks in hopes they would not be able to re-enter if they left.

However, a male inside the home called the police on Andaloro, who was later arrested.

Neighbors have noticed some concerning activity from the house since the alleged squatters snaked their way into the home .

A 24-year-old college student living next to the home, identified only as Kosta, said she’s been “on edge” since the occupants arrived.

“We all know what they are up to, so we’re all kind of pissed about it,” Kosta told the outlet Tuesday.

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The concerned neighbor claimed boards were all over the property and the people occupying the home were “doing construction on the house all night long.”

“I heard a drill and saw through my window that they were drilling holes into the wall and putting up boards,” Kosta said.

“I don’t know if the board is still there, but it looked like they were trying to hide what was inside.”

A woman, who requested to remain anonymous, claimed she saw one of the unethical dwellers carrying a door into the home late one night.

What you need to know about squatters in New York:

What are squatter’s rights in new york.

Squatters in New York state can claim a legal right to remain on a property without the owner’s permission after 10 years of living there. However, in New York City a person only needs to be on the property for 30 days to claim squatter’s rights.

Why is it so hard to get rid of a squatter?

Squatters are allowed a wide range of rights once they have established legal occupancy, making it difficult to evict them.

How does someone become a squatter?

Some of the scenarios in which a person becomes a squatter include: a tenant refusing to pay rent, a relative of a former owner refusing to leave the property or even a stranger who entered the property and never left.

According to Manhattan-based law firm Nadel & Ciarlo , squatters must have a reasonable basis for claiming the property belongs to them and must treat the home as if they were an owner — such as doing yard work or making repairs.

How can a property owner get rid of a squatter?

A property owner must first send a 10-day eviction notice and then file a court complaint if the order is ignored. If approved by a judge, the owner can get a summons and have a sheriff evict the squatter.

Why does the law provide squatters with rights?

The law was designed to help prevent long-term tenants from getting evicted. New York City’s law was partially made in response to vacant and abandoned buildings that were becoming a blight on the city.

How can property owners protect themselves from squatters?

Owners should avoid keeping any properties vacant for an extended period of time. They should also make sure the building is secure, has adequate lighting and has surveillance cameras installed.

If a squatter does appear, owners should notify the police quickly before squatter’s rights are established.

The woman also noted that a “For Sale” sign had been on the property for “a long time” before one person “came out of nowhere” and began living in the home.

Residents of tight-knit Queens Street, which many have called home for over 30 years, expressed that they’re ready to do as much as possible to get the alleged intruders out. Some have even floated the idea of starting a petition in hopes that it will help, according to the Daily Mail .

Andaloro had been living in the home with her daughter and mother until her mom’s death a few years ago.

A beloved community member, Andaloro put the two-story home on the market, but that’s when the tenants got in and brazenly replaced the entire front door and locks.

Before her arrest on Feb. 29 — which was captured by  ABC’s “Eyewitness News”  — Andaloro faced off with the group in a tense standoff.

The police were eventually called and escorted two people off the property. 

With at least three apparent residents still inside, cops told Andaloro she had to sort the saga out in housing court because it was considered a “landlord-tenant issue” before she was arrested.

The home’s owner was charged with unlawful eviction because she had changed the locks and had not provided a new key to the person staying there.

In New York City, a  person can claim “squatter’s rights”  after just 30 days of living at a property.

Under the law, it is illegal for the homeowner to change the locks, turn off the utilities, or remove the belongings of the “tenants” from the property.

“By the time someone does their investigation, their work, and their job, it will be over 30 days, and this man will still be in my home,” Andaloro said.

“I’m really fearful that these people are going to get away with stealing my home.”

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Killing of Teen in Front of Her Twin Sister Stuns Brooklyn Neighborhood

Samyia Spain, 19, was fatally stabbed outside a Park Slope deli. She and her twin were attacked by a man who had been trying to flirt with her, the police said.

By Maria Cramer ,  Chelsia Rose Marcius and Sean Piccoli

Five days after 19-year-old twin sisters were attacked outside a Brooklyn deli and one of them was fatally stabbed, the man accused in the killing has surrendered to the authorities.

Police investigators have said that the man, Veo Kelly, 20, armed himself with a knife after the sisters rejected his advances.

He turned himself in on Friday and was charged with the murder of Samyia Spain, who went to the Park Slope deli for a late-night snack with her twin, Sanyia, the police said. Mr. Kelly, of Brooklyn, is also accused of assault and criminal possession of a weapon.

Early on Sunday, the sisters had been up for hours playing games with friends at their father’s apartment, the police and neighbors have said. Afterward, they and the rest of the group headed to the Natural Plus deli on the corner of Fourth Avenue and St. Marks Place in Park Slope, a go-to spot for the twins where the owners knew them by name.

The friends walked in around 2 a.m. and ordered food, and while they waited, a group of young, drunk men including Mr. Kelly approached them, Joseph Kenny, the Police Department’s chief of detectives, told reporters on Thursday. Mr. Kelly began flirting with the twins, and pressed for their contact information, the police said.

Mr. Kelly had never met the twins and was in Park Slope for a party at a building next to the deli, Chief Kenny said.

When the women turned him down, he grew more aggressive. Moments later, the twins’ friends and deli workers pushed him and his companions out of the store and locked the door, according to a deli employee. The women and their friends stayed inside to finish their meal.

When they stepped back out, Mr. Kelly was waiting with a knife and attacked the twins, slashing Sanyia in the arm and fatally stabbing Samyia in the chest, the police said. The women were taken to NewYork-Presbyterian Brooklyn, where Sanyia was treated and her sister was pronounced dead.

Investigators this week searched Mr. Kelly’s apartment on Hancock Street in the Stuyvesant Heights neighborhood, the police said. They found the clothes he was wearing the night Samyia was killed. Law enforcement officials and U.S. marshals had been searching for Mr. Kelly, whose criminal history includes an arrest on robbery charges, Chief Kenny said.

In Park Slope, friends and neighbors were stunned that the twins had been attacked, apparently for refusing to give someone a phone number. Many expressed anger at the owners of the building next door to the deli and blamed them for allowing parties where, neighbors said, underage people line up around the block on weekends to drink inside.

At a vigil on Wednesday night, more than a hundred people gathered outside the deli, many of them surrounding the twins’ father, Steven Spain, who wept as he struggled to speak about Samyia.

“How could you take her?” he cried out. “I don’t understand.”

His friends took turns talking into a megaphone, many of them warning young men in the neighborhood that women have a right to stay out late without worrying about being attacked.

Darryl Hobson, a pastor and vice president of the 79th Precinct Clergy Council, who spoke, said he was struck by what he heard from one young woman at the vigil, who described the pressure she has felt to give a man her phone number just so he would leave her alone.

“It just gave me another viewpoint into what is faced by women in the world,” Pastor Hobson, 65, said in an interview on Thursday.

The location of the attack, near the popular deli, was also troubling, said the twins’ neighbor Najee Wright, 23. It is a gathering place for those who live in Wyckoff Gardens, the public housing development where the twins grew up, and it is also close to where their father lives. Workers at the deli knew their usual orders: Samyia favored the honey-glazed turkey sandwich, said Mohammed Albaher, a cashier at the store who had known the sisters since they were little girls.

Octavia Bell, the mother of an 18-year-old man who was with the twins that night, said her son was distraught, unable to cry or even speak about what happened.

“I’m really, really scared for him because hurt comes out in so many ways,” she said. “I don’t want it to be detrimental to him.”

Samyia and Sanyia “practically lived at my house,” Ms. Bell said. Samyia was in a close-knit group of friends and was part of a cooking club with Ms. Bell.

Samyia “was my favorite of the group,” Ms. Bell said. “The one with the head on her shoulders, that speaks sense into these kids.”

In the hours after Samyia was killed, Yvette Ramos, who grew up with the twins’ mother, watched Sanyia process her sister’s death. At first, she pushed down her pain to comfort her mother, Lashawn Goodson, whose grief is all-consuming, Ms. Ramos said.

Sanyia was too filled with rage to talk with the police, Ms. Ramos said, and had to be persuaded. “I told her, come on, get your sneakers on, we’re going to the precinct,” Ms. Ramos said.

Sanyia finally broke down about 24 hours after her sister’s death, Ms. Ramos said.

“She said, ‘Auntie, my sister’s not here.’ And all I can do is hold her and tell her it’s OK to cry, it’s OK to scream,” Ms. Ramos said.

Erin Nolan contributed reporting.

Maria Cramer is a Times reporter covering the New York Police Department and crime in the city and surrounding areas. More about Maria Cramer

Chelsia Rose Marcius covers breaking news and criminal justice for the Metro desk, with a focus on the New York City Police Department. More about Chelsia Rose Marcius

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Yankees’ visit to Mexico is a dream come true for many Mexican baseball fans

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MEXICO CITY (AP) — For the New York Yankees, their first trip south of the border in more than 50 years probably means nothing beyond two exhibition games, but for many Mexican fans and the host team, Diablos Rojos, the visit of the most popular team in the country is a dream come true.

The Yankees played in Mexico in 1968 when they split the two-game exhibition series in the extinct Parque Delta.

Management from the Diablos Rojos said they hoped to get a chance to do it again after that, but it wasn’t until Omar Minaya was hired as senior adviser for baseball operations with the Yankees that the two-game exhibition series starting Sunday became a reality.

“Alfredo (Harp Helú, the Diablos owner) is close friends with Omar Minaya and that propelled everything,” said Othón Díaz, the team’s president. “We let them know how much it would mean for us to have them here again and they agreed.”

According to the Major League Baseball office in Mexico, the Yankees are the most popular team in Mexico, followed by the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Boston Red Sox.

Díaz said hosting a MLB regular-season series between the San Diego Padres and the San Francisco Giants helped their chances because the Yankees’ front office was aware that Mexico City and the Diablos Rojos have a stadium that could host them.

The $160 million Alfredo Harp Helú Stadium opened in March 2019 and seats 20,000.

“The cornerstone was to have the stadium,” Diaz said. “You can see everything that has happened since we opened it: A young squad from the San Diego Padres came for the opening day of it and then everything slowed with the coronavirus pandemic, but last year we had a great series with Padres and Giants and now this.”

Even though the ballpark is small compared to MLB standards, the carnival-like atmosphere stands out. Last year, Padres players wore Mexican wrestling masks in the dugout and broke a Buzz Lightyear piñata after the games against the Giants.

“To have the opportunity to go there, to Mexico, and pitch there, I have a lot of family members there who will have the opportunity to see me pitch,” said Yankees reliever Victor Gonzalez, who is Mexican. “So to wear the Yankee pinstripes and be at home and pitch in front of my family, I think it’s going to be incredible for me.”

Giancarlo Stanton, Anthony Volpe, Jose Trevino and Oswaldo Cabrera were among the players listed on the Yankees’ travel roster, which did not include any members of their projected starting rotation.

Tickets for the games sold out a month ago in less than an hour, and prices in the resale market range from $130 in the bleachers to $2,000 behind home plate.

“To me the price is reasonable; it’s not every day that you can watch your two favorite teams playing against each other,” said Armando Arce, a 45-year-businessman who purchased a $250 ticket for Sunday’s game.

NOTES: Yankees manager Aaron Boone expects 1B Anthony Rizzo to be ready for the season opener Thursday at Houston but remains unsure about 3B DJ LeMahieu. Rizzo missed his second game Saturday with lat soreness. “When I talked to him after he had been here a couple hours and got treatment and moved around a little bit, he felt like today would be something he would play with,” Boone told reporters in Tampa, Florida. Boone didn’t rule out Rizzo playing Monday in the Yankees’ final spring training game in Florida. LeMahieu, who hasn’t played since fouling a ball off his right foot on March 16, continued a running program, took infield and hit in the cage on Saturday. “He’s still feeling it pretty good,” Boone said. “I do think it’s improving every day. I do feel like he’s moving in the right direction, but will it be in time we’ll see.” Oswaldo Cabrera likely would fill in for LeMahieu at third.

AP freelance writer Mark Didtler in Tampa, Florida, contributed to this report.

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OG Anunoby OUT vs Warriors - Knicks Injury Tracker

• Author: Geoff Magliocchetti

In this story:

The 2023-24 New York Knicks season is officially underway. With the excitement of a new season, alas, comes injuries. Follow medical updates for the Knicks' affairs below ... 

3/18/24 ANUNOBY OUT VS WARRIORS

The latest injury report for the Knicks' Monday game against the Golden State Warriors (10 p.m. ET, MSG/ESPN) lists OG Anunoby as out due to "right elbow, injury management." Anunoby played each of the Knicks' last three games, all wins, after missing the prior 18 with the elbow injury. 

Ultimately, the "management" designation does a lot of heavy lifting: Anunoby was previously listed with the same designation for Saturday's game in Sacramento but wound up playing. The term "management" hints at precautionary purposes, ones where the Knicks don't want to risk Anunoby's long-term health in March games, especially against an interconference foe.

3/16/24 ANUNOBY STARTING VS KINGS

Per Fred Katz of The Athletic, OG Anunoby will be in the starting lineup when the New York Knicks face the Sacramento Kings on Saturday night (10 p.m. ET, MSG). Anunoby, back in the fold after missing 18 games with an elbow injury, was originally listed as questionable. 

Another report from Stefan Bondy of the New York Post hints that Anunoby is one some sort of minutes "guideline," as relayed by head coach Tom Thibodeau.

"He's just coming back," Thibodeau said, per Bondy. "So we'll see where he is and we'll go from there."

3/15/24 ANUNOBY QUESTIONABLE VS KINGS, "MANAGEMENT" CITED

OG Anunoby (elbow) is listed as QUESTIONABLE on the New York Knicks' injury report for Saturday's game against the Sacramento Kings (10 p.m. ET, MSG).  

Of note, Anunoby's designation is listed as one of "management," hinting at relatively precautionary reasons for his inclusion on the report. Having previously missed 18 games with the ailment, the Knicks will likely look to be careful with his elbow, especially considering he was seen wrapping at several points of Thursday's win in Portland.

3/12/24 REPORT: ANUNOBY ACTIVE VS 76ERS 

Per SNY's Ian Begley, OG Anunoby will be active for Tuesday's rematch with the Philadelphia 76ers (7:30 p.m. ET, TNT). Anunoby will partake in a Knicks game for the first time since Jan. 27, having missed each of the last 18 games with an elbow injury. The Knicks went 8-10 in that span after winning 12 of their first 14 since acquiring Anunoby from the Toronto Raptors on Dec. 30.

3/11/24 ANUNOBY "EXPECTED TO RETURN" VS 76ERS

The New York Knicks are slowly returning to full form.

Forward OG Anunoby (elbow) is currently listed as "questionable" on the injury report for Tuesday's game against the Philadelphia 76ers (7:30 p.m. ET, TNT), but Shams Charania has reported that the former Toronto Raptors is "expected to return" when the Knicks close out their speedy doubleheader with Philadelphia.

The Knicks are 12-2 with Anunoby in the lineup, which includes a 36-point shellacking of Sixers back on Jan. 5. New York has gone 8-10 without him. 

3/8/24 BRUNSON STARTING VS MAGIC

The New York Knicks have announced that Jalen Brunson will appear in the starting lineup for Friday night's game against the Orlando Magic (7:30 p.m. ET, MSG). Brunson will return to action after missing Tuesday's loss to Atlanta. He previously had to leave the Sunday win in Cleveland early after enduring a knee injury in the opening minute.

3/7/24 ANUNOBY CONSIDERED "DAY-TO-DAY," ROBINSON 'MAKING PROGRESS

Good news continues to trickle out of the New York Knicks' medical updates.

While neither OG Anunoby or Mitchell Robinson will be available on Friday night against Orland (7:30 p.m. ET, MSG), head coach Tom Thibodeau had a positive update for both fallen Knicks as they prepared for the Magic's visit.

“OG Anunoby is going through contact drills and is playing five-on-five now, Tom Thibodeau said. Sounds like he’s getting closer," Fred Katz of The Athletic said. "Thibodeau said he’s now day to day, but he hasn’t been cleared to fully play yet."

Anunoby (elbow) has not played since Jan. 27 due to an elbow injury. New York went 12-2 in January after he arrived in a late December deal with Toronto but has gone just 5-9 with him on the sidelines.

Thibodeau also had a positive update for Mitchell Robinson, who has been out since December with an ankle injury.

“He’s making good steady progress,” Thibodeau said, per Kristian Winfield of the New York Daily News. “But he hasn’t had contact or anything like that. It just the normal progression that he’s making. Shooting and that sort of stuff. You can script a little bit with him and that’s where we are with that.”

3/5/24 BRUNSON OUT VS HAWKS BUT MRI CLEAN

Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau revealed that Jalen Brunson (knee) will not play on Tuesday night against the Atlanta Hawks (7:30 p.m. ET, MSG) but that an MRI came back clean after he was forced to leave Sunday's game in Cleveland in the opening minute.

"He's feeling better, just not quite there, yet," Thibodeau said in video from the New York Post. "When he's ready to go, he goes ... It is a bruise. It's a lot better than it was. We just want to make sure that he's completely ready. He had an MRI, everything came back good.

3/5/24 MILTON AVAILABLE VS HAWKS 

Per SNY's Ian Begley, Shake Milton will be available to make his New York Knicks debut on Tuesday night when the team hosts the Atlanta Hawks at Madison Square Garden (7:30 p.m. ET, MSG). Milton, formerly of the Philadelphia 76ers, has officially been signed with the Knicks after clearing waivers following four games with the Detroit Pistons. 

3/4/24 BRUNSON TO BE QUESTIONABLE FOR TUESDAY VS HAWKS

Per SNY's Ian Begley, New York Knicks point guard Jalen Brunson will be listed as questionable for Tuesday's game against the Atlanta Hawks with a knee contusion. It's perhaps the latest sign that the Knicks have avoided a major medical catastrophe when it comes to the health of their franchise face after he had to leave Sunday's game in Cleveland after the opening minute.

"Brunson has avoided serious knee injury, as was the hope following last night’s game in Cleveland," Begley wrote.

3/3/24 BRUNSON LEAVES VS CAVS, WILL NOT RETURN

Jalen Brunson left Sunday's game against the Cleveland Cavaliers early with an apparent knee injury. Brunson was injured in the opening stanzas of Sunday's game going up for a shot against Donovan Mitchell and appeared to make contact on a screening Isaiah Hartenstein shortly before the shot.

View the play where Brunson was injured below:

The Knicks, officially declaring that Brunson was suffering a "sore left knee" originally listed Brunson as questionable to return but have since announced he will not return.

[[UPDATE: 9:45 p.m. ET]]:  Per Fred Katz of The Athletic, Tom Thibodeau announced in the aftermath of a 107-98 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers that Jalen Brunson sustained a knee contusion but that initial x-rays were negative.

2/29/24 BRUNSON ACTIVE VS WARRIORS

Per Ian Begley of SNY, the Knicks have announced that Jalen Brunson (neck) will be able to partake in Thursday's game against the Golden State Warriors (7:30 p.m. ET, TNT). Brunson was held out of Tuesday's game against the New Orleans Pelicans with a neck injury.

2/28/24 HARTENSTEIN OFF LIST, BRUNSON QUESTIONABLE VS WARRIORS

The New York Knicks are poised to get Isaiah Hartenstein back on Thursday when they face the Golden State Warriors (7:30 p.m. ET, TNT). Hartenstein, who has missed four of the past seven games with a sore Achilles, does not appear on the opening injury report for the annual visit of the Warriors, while Jalen Brunson (neck spasms) is listed as questionable with Steph Curry on this way.

2/27/24 BRUNSON, HARTENSTEIN MISSING BACK-TO-BACK VS PELS

Already missing OG Anunoby and Julius Randle, the New York Knicks will be missing two more starters for Tuesday's game against the New Orleans Pelicans (7:30 p.m. ET, MSG).

Per SNY's Ian Begley, Jalen Brunson (neck) and Isaiah Hartenstein (Achilles) will each miss the latter half of the Knicks' back-to-back. Thibodeau said that Brunson woke up with neck spasms after a physical bout with the Detroit Pistons on Monday while Hartenstein's sore Achilles injury is acting up again.

2/24/24 ILL MCBRIDE QUESTIONABLE VS CELTICS

Miles McBride (non-COVID illness) has been added to the New York Knicks' injury report for Saturday's visit from the Boston Celtics (8:30 p.m. ET, ABC), listed as questionable for the high-profile Eastern Conference clash. 

McBride's minutes have taken a bit of a dive since the Knicks acquired Alec Burks from Detroit at the trade deadline but he nonetheless remains a welcome defensive presence, one that would be well-missed an NBA-best Celtics group averaging over 120 points a game. 

[[UPDATE: 8:05 p.m. ET]]: Per Fred Katz of The Athletic,  head coach Tom Thibodeau announced that McBride will be available to play

2/21/24 BOGDANOVIC, HARTENSTEIN BACK VS 76ERS

The New York Knicks will inch just a little bit closer to full strength on Thursday night.

After missing the team's prior game on Feb. 14, both Bojan Bogdanovic (calf) and Isaiah Hartenstein (Achilles) will be back in the lineup for Thursday's post-All-Star break opener against the Philadelphia 76ers (7 p.m. ET, MSG). Per Stefan Bondy of the New York Post, there will be "guidelines" surrounding Hartenstein's return, hinting at an abnormal mi nutes restriction where he won't be able to play extended time consecutively.

2/21/24 DIVINCENZO OFF INJURY REPORT, OTHERS PROBABLE

The opening injury report for the New York Knicks' first game after the NBA All-Star break, a Thursday tilt with the Philadelphia 76ers (7 p.m. ET, MSG), has removed Donte DiVincenzo, who missed the team's last game in Orlando with a hamstring ailment.

While the Knicks will have to continue to go without both OG Anunoby and Julius Randle in the near future, there's a slightly more optimistic outlook for Bojan Bogdanovic (calf) and Isaiah Hartenstein (Achilles), each of whom are listed as probably for the visit to Wells Fargo Center. Hartenstein has missed each of the last four games while Bogdanovic also missed the Magic game

2/12/24 HARTENSTEIN OUT, SIMS STARTS VS ROCKETS

Isaiah Hartenstein is out of the New York Knicks' Monday night game against the Houston Rockets , as he'll sit for the second straight game due to a sore Achilles. That opened the door for Jericho Sims, who was in the starting lineup after sitting the last three due to an illness.

2/11/24 HARTENSTEIN UPGRADED ON ROCKETS REPORT

The New York Knicks might get an old friend back in the lineup as they embark on a brief road trip before the All-Star break.

The injury report for Monday's game against the Houston Rockets (8 p.m. ET, MSG) offers a bit of hope for center Isaiah Hartenstein's participation, as the interior threat has been upgraded to questionable after missing Saturday's showing against Indiana with a sore Achilles. The ailment forced Hartenstein to leave the loss to the Dallas Mavericks early, limiting the Knicks to only seven men in the latter stages. Hartenstein previously missed two games in late January due to the injury. 

In addition to Hartenstein, Jericho Sims (illness) is now listed as probable.

2/10/24 BRUNSON STARTING VS PACERS

The New York Knicks will be partly back to their All-Star selves on Saturday night.

The has announced that Jalen Brunson (ankle) will not play in Saturday's game against the Indiana Pacers (7:30 p.m. ET, MSG) but that he will also appear in the starting lineup. Brunson missed Thursday's game against his former employers, the Dallas Mavericks, with an ankle injury but will be back in the lineup to play with Bojan Bogdanovic and Alec Burks, who are making their season debuts in Knick jerseys.

Brunson previously teased his participation in Saturday's game during an interview with Jimmy Fallon on the Friday edition of "The Tonight Show," mentioning that his ankle felt "good." 

Despite Brunson's return, the Knicks will still be missing some depth, as Jericho Sims (illness) will miss his third consecutive game.

2/9/24 HARTENSTEIN OUT, BRUNSON QUESTIONABLE VS PACERS

With Bojan Bogdanovic and Alec Burks set to make their New York Knicks debut and return respectively, they'll have to go without at least one regular.

Per Ian Begley of SNY, Isaiah Hartenstein (Achilles) will not play in Saturday's game against the Indiana Pacers (7:30 p.m. ET, MSG) while Jalen Brunson (ankle) is listed as questionable. Hartenstein, who left Thursday's loss to Dallas early, previously missed two games in January with the same ailment and was replaced by Precious Achiuwa. The Knicks will also have Taj Gibson back in tow, as the tenured veteran was signed to another 10-day contract on Thursday.

Brunson did not play in Thursday's game after leaving the Tuesday win over Memphis early. Miles McBride stepped into the starting lineup at point guard in his place.

2/8/24 HARTENSTEIN LEAVES MAVERICKS GAME

The Knicks announced that Isaiah Hartenstein (sore left Achilles) will not return to Thursday's game against the Dallas Maverick. Hartenstein, who left the game after landing awkwardly after a rebound, previously missed two games in late January with the same ailment. With Hartenstein down, the Knicks are down to seven active, dressed players for Thursday's game, having traded several reserves to Detroit for Bojan Bogdanovic and Alec Burks.

New York trails Dallas 87-71 after three periods.

2/8/24 BRUNSON OUT VS MAVERICKS

Per Bruce Beck of WNBC , Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau announced that starting point guard Jalen Brunson will not play on Thursday night against the Dallas Mavericks (7:30 p.m. ET, TNT). Brunson, who left Tuesday's game against the Memphis Grizzlies early after rolling his ankle is considered "day-to-day." 

After the trade for Bojan Bogdanovic and Alec Burks, one that sent Ryan Arcidiacono, Malachi Flynn, Evan Fournier, and Quentin Grimes to Detroit, the Knicks will have only eight men dressed for Thursday's game. Thibodeau joked that eight is "more than enough" in his pregame statements, per Beck. 

2/8/24 ANUNOBY OUT AT LEAST THREE MORE WEEKS

On a day where the New York Knicks made some major additions, they learned they the subtractions of one of their attractions will last a little longer.

The team announced on Thursday that OG Anunoby will miss at least three more weeks after he underwent surgery to remove a loose bone fragment in his elbow. Anunoby had missed each of the Knicks' last five games and had already been ruled out for Thursday's visit from the Dallas Mavericks (7:30 p.m. ET, TNT). Anunoby originally was said to be missing due to elbow inflammation but Tuesday's injury report remarked that he was missing due to "bone spurs." 

Anunoby's arrival has been a turning point for the Knicks' season, as they've gone 16-3 since his first game with the team on Jan. 1.

2/7/24 BRUNSON TO BE QUESTIONABLE, ANUNOBY OUT VS MAVERICKS

Per Stefan Bondy of the New York Post , Jalen Brunson is set to be listed as questionable for Thursday's visit from the Dallas Mavericks (7:30 p.m. ET, TNT). Brunson left Tuesday's win over the Memphis Grizzlies with just over five minutes remaining after apparently turning his ankle, which required an immediate departure for the Knicks' locker room. 

Brunson previously turned his ankle in a December loss in Boston but did not miss any games. Of note, Brunson was able to make it to the Knicks' locker on his own strength

In another report, Ian Begley of SNY declared that OG Anunoby would miss his sixth consecutive game, albeit with a new designation: while Anunoby was originally listed as out with elbow inflammation, Begley's report says he's now dealing with "bone spur irritation." Begley also said that Quentin Grimes (knee) will likewise sit out.

2/6/24 BRUNSON LEAVES GRIZZLIES GAME EARLY

Dropping a 39-26 score to the depleted Memphis Grizzlies wasn't the scariest thing about the Knicks' fourth quarter. 

Just past the midway mark of the final dozen on Tuesday, Brunson, helping the Knicks nurse a 10-point lead, turned his ankle on an offensive possession and left for the locker room shortly after. Though Brunson departed, he did make it to the locker room on his own strength. 

The Knicks won the game 123-113. Brunson had 27 points on 11-of-21 shooting prior to his departure.

2/6/24 ANUNOBY, GRIMES OUT VS DEPLETED GRIZZLIES

Two Knicks continue to linger on a packed injury report for Tuesday's visit from the Memphis Grizzlies.

While 13 Grizzlies appear on Tuesday's injury report, the Knicks are missing two of their own, as OG Anunoby and Quentin Grimes have both been ruled out. Anunoby continues to deal with elbow inflammation while Grimes is dealing with a knee injury. They'll each be missing their fifth and third consecutive games respectively. 

2/3/24 ANUNOBY, GRIMES STILL OUT VS LAKERS

The New York Knicks will be shorthanded for Saturday night's high-profile showdown against the Los Angeles Lakers (8:30 p.m. ET, ABC).

New York previously revealed that Quentin Grimes (knee) would sit out his second consecutive game but head coach Tom Thibodeau revealed that paradigm-shifting acquisition OG Anunoby would miss his fourth with elbow inflammation, per Ian Begley of SNY. Thibodeau offered a brief analysis on Anunoby's injury in his pregame comments with his absence getting noticeably glaring after he was a gametime decision on Monday.

"You’ve always got to trust the medical (staff) and trust the player," Thibodeau said. "So when he’s healthy enough, and he feels comfortable and he can trust his body, he’ll be out there."

2/1/24 GRIMES, ANUNOBY OUT VS PACERS

The New York Knicks will be missing pieces of their present when a remnant of the past comes to Madison Square Garden on Thursday night.

Per Fred Katz of The Athletic , both OG Anunoby and Quentin Grimes will sit out of Thursday's visit from Obi Toppin and the Indiana Pacers (7:30 p.m. ET, MSG). Anunoby will miss his third consecutive game with elbow inflammation while Grimes is working off a knee injury sustained during Thursday's win over Utah.

1/31/24 GRIMES, ANUNOBY QUESTIONABLE THURSDAY VS PACERS

The New York Knicks are facing a Grimey situation on the medical front.

Quentin Grimes (knee sprain) is listed as questionable for Thursday night's game against the Indiana Pacers (7:30 p.m. ET, MSG), joining OG Anunoby (elbow inflammation), who is likewise questionable after missing each of the last two games.

Despite dealing with reported trade rumors, Grimes has been an asset off the Knicks' bench, having reached double-figures in three of the past four games, which included a season-high-tying 19 in last Thursday's blowout win over Denver. 

1/29/24 ANUNOBY OUT WITH ELBOW INFLAMMATION 

The Knicks announced that OG Anunoby will miss Monday's game against the Charlotte Hornets (7 p.m. ET, MSG) due to right elbow inflammation , denying the Knicks two of their regular starters. Julius Randle is already out with a shoulder injury while Anunoby will be held out of the lineup for the first time since since joining the team via a trade with the Toronto Raptors on Dec. 30.

Anunoby is a late addition to a crowded injury list on both sides: on the hosting Hornets' side, LaMelo Ball, Gordon Hayward, and Mark Williams will all be sidelined. The Knicks have since confirmed that Precious Achiuwa and Josh Hart will enter the starting lineup in place of Anunoby and Randle.

1/29/24 RANDLE ABSENCE CASE OF 'WEEKS, NOT MONTHS'

The New York Knicks may have caught a break when it comes to Julius Randle's shoulder injury.

Reports from Adrian Wojnarowski and Shams Charania seems to agree that Rande's dislocated shoulder should keep him out "weeks" rather than months . Wojnarowski said that Randle will continue to undergo testing while Charania declared that the MRI performed on Saturday after the injury was sustained revealed "no significant damage."

Wojnarowski's full report says that the hope is that Randle will be able to avoid surgery. He also mentions that the upcoming All-Star break should help the Knicks overcome any potential issues brought about by Randle's ailment, which will sideline him for the first time this season. 

1/28/24 RANDLE OUT VS HORNETS, LONG-TERM STATUS STILL UNCLEAR

Pre Fred Katz of The Athletic, Julius Randle will not play in Monday's game against the Charlotte Hornets (7 p.m. ET, MSG). Randle left Saturday's game against Miami with a shoulder injury. Katz reports that there is no long-term timetable for Randle's return after he underwent an MRI on Saturday after enduring the ailment.

As for who might start in Randle's place, the primary options appear to be Josh Hart or Precious Achiuwa. The latter came through big when Isaiah Hartenstein was forced to miss two games (picking up 40 rebounds over the past four total) while Hart has made six starts in place of other injuries earlier this season.

With Randle out, Donte DiVincenzo is now the only Knick capable of playing in all 82 games this season.

1/27/24 THIBODEAU 'VERY' CONCERNED AFTER RANDLE LEAVES GAME EARLY

The New York Knicks took a 125-109 decision from the Miami Heat to earn their sixth consecutive victory on Saturday but could be dealing with a glaring loss moving forward.

Two-time All-Star Julius Randle left Saturday's game with what has since been reported by ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski as a dislocated right shoulder. Wojnarowski further reported that Randle's x-rays "didn't show much damage" and that he will undergo an MRI tonight.

Randle had 19 points and nine rebounds in 32 minutes before he left the game with four minutes remaining in the fourth quarter, crouching down in pain after colliding with Jaime Jaquez Jr. on a drive. Randle fled for the New York locker room chased by trainers in the aftermath.

Per video from SNY, Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau replied "very" when asked how concerned he was about Randle's ailment.

"He's a guy that plays through things and that's what you love about him," Thibodeau said. "He's a warrior. Anytime someone walks back, you know it's something."

1/27/24 HARTENSTEIN BACK SATURDAY, STARTS VS HEAT

The New York Knicks announced that Isaiah Hartenstein would not only return to action on Saturday against the Miami Heat (3 p.m. ET, ABC) but that he would also return to the starting lineup. Hartenstein returns to the opening five after a two-game absence. 

Though Hartenstein has been a valuable addition to the Knicks' starting five after they lost primary big man Mitchell Robinson, his replacements were able to weather the storm: the Knicks' active five-game winning streak was partly sustained by the efforts of Precious Achiuwa and Jericho Sims, as the former put up 30 rebounds in extended opportunities over the last three games.

1/25/24 HARTENSTEIN OUT VS NUGGETS

The New York Knicks will be missing a key piece of their interior with Nikola Jokic in town. 

Per SNY's Ian Begley, Hartenstein will miss the Knicks' Thursday night tilt against the Denver Nuggets (7:30 p.m. ET, MSG), leaving them drastically shorthanded in the interior with two-time MVP Nikola Jokic taking to Madison Square Garden hardwood.

It's expected to be another expansive night for Jericho Sims and Precious Achiuwa: Sims earned the opening minutes in Tuesday's win over Brooklyn (the first game Hartenstein has missed in two seasons with the Knicks) while Achiuwa closed things out, picking up four of a team-best nine rebounds in the fourth quarter of the 108-103 triumph. 

1/23/24 HARTENSTEIN OUT VS NETS

Per Fred Katz, Knicks starting center Isaiah Hartenstein will not play against the Brooklyn Nets on Thursday night (7:30 p.m. ET, TNT). Hartenstein had been listed on the Knicks' injury report with a "Left Achillies tendinopathy" after leaving Saturday's game against Toronto early with ankle soreness. Jericho Sims will reportedly start in Hartenstein's place while Katz reported that head coach Tom Thibodeau entertained the thought of using OG Anunoby and Julius Randle at the five.

1/22/24 "SORE" HARTENSTEIN MISSES PRACTICE

Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau briefly addressed the status of starting center Isaiah Hartenstein as his team prepared for Tuesday's game against the Brooklyn Nets (7:30 p.m. ET, TNT), keeping mum but mildly optimistic.

"(He has a) sort left foot, and we'll see where he is tomorrow," T hibodeau said in video from SNY. The head coach further reiterated that Hartenstein did not practice on Monday beyond watching film and stated that the tall man received "medical treatment" when asked if x-rays were involved.

While Thibodeau kept his cards close to the chest, the fact that the Knicks are even considering having Hartenstein take the floor in Brooklyn can certainly be viewed as a step in the right direction, especially after he left Saturday's game early. Precious Achiuwa took over Hartenstein's minutes in the win over the Raptors and pulled in a season-best 11 rebounds, helping New York maintain a plus-30 advantage on the offensive glass in the 126-100 win

1/19/24 HARTENSTEIN LEAVES GAME VS RAPTORS

The New York Knicks took home a 126-100 victory from the Toronto Raptors on Saturday night but may have been dealt a major blow to their interior picture. 

Primary center Isaiah Hartenstein left the game during second half action and did not return. The Knicks later announced that Hartenstein had endured a sore ankle. 

Hartenstein has been the Knicks' primary paint man since Mitchell Robinson endured an ankle injury that may prove to be season-ending. Working through a contract year, Hartenstein has been brilliant in relief, entering Saturday's game averaging 14.3 rebounds over his last 10 games. Hartenstein's streak of games with at least 10 rebounds ended at seven, as he pulled in only four over 23 minutes on Saturday night.

If Hartenstein is forced to miss extended time, his minutes will probably be taken by Precious Achiuwa, one of the arrivals from the OG Anunoby trade on Dec. 30. Achiuwa pulled in 11 rebounds off the bench against his former team in Saturday's win.

1/19/24 HART AVAILABLE VS RAPTORS

The New York Knicks are getting the whole gang back together for RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickley's return to Madison Square Garden.

Per Fred Katz of The Athletic, Josh Hart (knee) is available for the Knicks when they take on the Toronto Raptors on Saturday night at Madison Square Garden (7:30 p.m. ET, MSG). Hart, the Knicks' primary reserve since trading Quickley, did not play in Wednesday night's win over Washington due to his knee issue that was labeled a "day-to-day" concern by head Tom Thibodeau at the time.

1/18/24 HART OUT VS WIZARDS

When it comes to Thursday's game against the Washington Wizards, the New York Knicks just won't have the Hart.

Per Fred Katz of The Athletic, Josh Hart (knee) has been ruled out for Washington's visit (7:30 p.m. ET, MSG) and perhaps longer, as head coach Tom Thibodeau labeled him "day-to-day." 

Hart was previously added to the injury report for Wednesday's game against Houston but wound up not only playing but also hauling in 14 rebounds in a 109-94 victory. He was one of only four Knicks to appear in every game over the first half of the season alongside Donte DiVincenzo, Isaiah Hartenstein, and Julius Randle.

1/17/24 BRUNSON RETURNS VS ROCKETS

Jalen Brunson is ready for liftoff.

Per the starting lineup released by the Knicks, the star point guard will return to the lineup on Wednesday after a two-game absence due to a calf bruise. New York went 1-1 with Brunson out and faces the Houston Rockets at Madison Square Garden on Wednesday night (7:30 p.m. ET, MSG). 

In addition to Brunson, the Knicks also confirmed that Josh Hart will play against Houston. Hart had also been listed as questionable on Wednesday's injury report due to a knee contusion.  

1/15/24 BRUNSON OUT VS. MAGIC, DEUCE BACK IN STARTING FIVE

Per SNY's Ian Begley , Jalen Brunson (calf) will miss his second consecutive game, giving way to Miles "Deuce" McBride again when the Knicks take on the Orlando Magic on Monday (3 p.m. ET, MSG). McBride had a career night in his first start of the season in place of Brunson, scoring 19 points in Saturday's win in Memphis.

1/13/24 BRUNSON OUT, MCBRIDE STARTS IN MEMPHIS

Per SNY's Ian Begley , Jalen Brunson is among the numerous name-brand talents who will miss Saturday's game against the Memphis Grizzlies (8 p.m. ET, MSG). Brunson has been ruled out due to a calf injury, giving way to Miles McBride in the starting. Brunson, who will miss the game alongside Grizzlies stars like Ja Mortan, Jaren Jackson Jr., and Desmond Bane, was originally listed as questionable on Saturday's injury report. McBride, a third-year man, will make his first start since Dec. 22, 2022. He has taken on a larger role among the Knicks' second unit since the trade of Immanuel Quickley to Toronto.

1/5/24 FLYNN QUESTIONABLE VS 76ERS

Per the official game day injury report, Malachi Flynn (ankle) appears to be inching closer toward his New York Knicks debut on Friday night against the Philadelphia 76ers (7:30 p.m. ET, MSG/ESPN), as he is now listed as questionable after sitting out the first two games of the new year and his metropolitan tenure. 

[[UPDATE: 6:55 p.m. ET]] Per Fred Katz of The Athletic, Flynn will be available to play in Friday's game on a "situational" basis.

1/3/24 FLYNN OUT VS. CHICAGO

New York Knicks fans will have to be patient if they're awaiting Malachi Flynn's metropolitan debut: the team's injury report for Wednesday's game against the Chicago Bulls (8:30 p.m. ET, MSG/ABC) lists the newly acquired ex-Toronto Raptor as out due to a sprained right ankle, further delaying his first time in a Knicks jersey. Flynn did not play in Monday's win over Minnesota, the first time he had been medically sidelined all year.

1/1/24 GRIMES BACK, TORONTO TRIO DEBUTS?

Per Ian Begley of SNY, OG Anunoby and Precious Achiuwa are on pace to make their New York Knicks debuts on Monday afternoon when they face the Minnesota Timberwolves at Madison Square Garden (3 p.m. ET, MSG/NBA TV). Neither appeared on the gameday injury report and Begley reiterated that the morning plan was for Anunoby to partake. Fellow Canadian acquisition Malachi Flynn (ankle) was listed as out, having played only 11 minutes in his last two games with Toronto. Begley also reported that Quentin Grimes will return to the New York rotation after skipping Saturday's game in Indiana due to an illness. The report says that Grimes wanted to play in Saturday's game, especially considering the Knicks would be shorthanded as it was after the trade with Toronto, but "caught a bad cold" that kept him out. 

12/30/23 ILL GRIMES OUT FOR SHORTHANDED KNICKS

The Knicks announced that Quentin Grimes (non-COVID illness) will miss Saturday night's game against the Indiana Pacers (7 p.m. ET, MSG). Grimes'absence comes as the Knicks (17-14) will likely be shorthanded as is thanks to Saturday's trade of RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickley to the Toronto Raptors. Missing Grimes could lead the Knicks to grant extended minutes to Miles McBride or perhaps even Evan Fournier.

12/20/23 ROBINSON OUT FOR THE SEASON?

The New York Knicks may have picked up a major win on the floor, but it appears that they're preparing for a major transactional loss: per Shams Charania , the team has "applied for a Disabled Player Exception worth $7.8 million as the franchise projects center Mitchell Robinson will miss the rest of the season." Robinson was originally projected to miss 2-3 weeks with an ankle injury after undergoing surgery. The exception can only take effect if the player in question is projected to miss the remainder of the season. 

12/20/23: SIMS OUT 1-2 WEEKS

Per ESPN Adrian Wojnarowski, Knicks center Jericho Sims is out for at least one week due to a right ankle sprain. Sims' injury comes at an inopportune for the Knicks, who are already missing primary center Mitchell Robinson. The third-year man Sims started each of the last five games for the Knicks in place of Robinson but appeared in only three minutes during Monday's win over the Los Angeles Lakers. Isaiah Hartenstein will likely leap into the starting five while extra minutes could be afforded to the recently re-added Taj Gibson.

12/19/23: HART LEAVES GAME VS LAKERS

Josh Hart left Monday's game against the Los Angeles Lakers early, venturing to Crypto.com Arena's visitor's locker room during fourth quarter action. Despite the minor injury score, Hart wound up returning to the game and hit two crucial free throws in what became a 114-109 victory for New York. Hart had six points and five rebounds in 22 minutes of relief.

12/16/23: HART AVAILABLE VS CLIPPERS

Josh Hart (knee inflammation) is listed as probable for the Knicks' Saturday night showdown with the Los Angeles Clippers (10:30 p.m. ET, MSG). Hart has appeared in all 24 games for the Knicks this season, making five starts. He played 29 minutes in Friday night's win over Phoenix and was a team-best plus-34 when he was on the floor, putting up six points and two offensive rebounds. 

[[UPDATE: 10:05 p.m. ET]]: Per Steve Popper of Newsday , Hart is available to play on Saturday and that head coach Tom Thibodeau described the injury as "just a little soreness." 

"(The training staff) looked at him this afternoon," Thibodeau said. "They said he’s fine so we’ll see how it goes." 

12/13/23: QUICKLEY AVAILABLE VS JAZZ

Immanuel Quickley is available for the New York Knicks as they open a five-game road trip against the Utah Jazz on Wednesday night (9 p.m. ET, MSG). Quickley, who missed only one game last season, did not play in Monday's win over Toronto due to knee inflammation.

1 2/11/23: QUICKLEY OUT VS RAPTORS

The Knicks announced that Immanuel Quickley (knee inflammation) will not play on Monday night against the Toronto Raptors (7:30 p.m. ET, MSG). Quickley was originally listed as questionable on the Knicks' Monday injury report and will miss his first game of the season. The reserve point guard is the latest injury for the Knicks, who already learned that they would be missing Mitchell Robinson for the next 8-to-10 weeks. On a brighter note, Jalen Brunson is available to play on Monday despite leaving Friday game's against Boston with a late ankle ailment. 

12/11/23: ROBINSON TO UNDERGO SURGERY, REEVALUATED 8-10 WEEKS

The New York Knicks announced on Friday that starting center Mitchell Robinson (ankle) will undergo surgery and miss at least 8-to-10 weeks before a reevaluation. Robinson was previously ruled out for Monday's game against the Toronto Raptors (7:30 p.m. ET, MSG) after playing only five minutes of the Knicks' Friday loss in Boston. With Robinson out, starting duties will likely move to Isaiah Hartenstein while Jericho Sims could find a role in the New York rotation.

12/10/23: ROBINSON DUE FOR 'ADDITIONAL TESTING', OUT VS TORONTO

The New York Knicks' injury report lists Mitchell Robinson (ankle) as out for Monday's game against the Toronto Raptors (7:30 p.m. ET, MSG). Robinson was late coming out of the locker room after halftime of Monday's game in Boston and wound playing only five minutes over the final 24. The longest-tenured Knick, Robinson has been one of the most consistent contributors on the roster, particularly in the interior where he's pulling in 10.3 rebounds a game. Earlier in the afternoon, Fred Katz of The Athletic reported that head Tom Thibodeau said that Robinson would undergo "additional testing" on the ankle in question.

12/10/23: BRUNSON 'GOOD' AFTER ANKLE SCARE, WILL PLAY MONDAY

New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson left fans uneasy after Friday's loss against the Boston Celtics, injuring his ankle in the final minute of the game. However, it doesn't appear like the injury will force him to miss any time.  Per Fred Katz of The Athletic , Tom Thibodeau says Brunson is "good," giving him the green light to play against the Toronto Raptors on Monday night (7:30 p.m. ET, MSG).

12/8/23: BRUNSON LEAVES IN FINAL STAGES OF CELTICS LOSS

New York Knicks star Jalen Brunson left Friday night's loss to the Boston Celtics with just over 21 seconds remaining. Brunson, still in the game with the Knicks down 12, got tangled up with Payton Pritchard while Derrick White shot free throws. Brunson tried to move forward but wound up limping, leading the Knicks to call timeout. Per Kristian Winfield of the New York Daily News , head coach Tom Thibodeau was mum on Brunson's status in the aftermath of a 133-123 defeat, saying he had not spoken to the training staff at the time. 

12/1/23: RANDLE QUESTIONABLE VS TORONTO

Per SNY, Julius Randle (right knee inflammation) is QUESTIONABLE for Friday's game between the Knicks and Toronto Raptors (7:30 p.m. ET, MSG). Randle has been extraordinarily reliable during his Knicks tenure, missing only 18 regular season games since his metropolitan tenure began in 2019. He played 29 minutes in Thursday night's win over Detroit, scoring 29 points and pulling in 10 rebounds.

[[UPDATE]]:  Randle appeared in the starting lineup and scored a Knicks-best nine points in the first quarter.

11/20/23: GRIMES RETURNS IN MINNESOTA, "COULD" START

Per Fred Katz of The Athletic, head coach Tom Thibodeau announced that Quentin Grimes (wrist) will return in time Monday's game against the Minnesota Timberwolves after a two-game absence. Katz further reported that Thibodeau said Grimes "could" return to the starting five, where Donte DiVincenzo has taken his role in each of the last two games. Though Grimes has returned, Evan Fournier (ankle) will not be available.

11/18/23: BARRETT RETURNS, FOURNIER AND GRIMES OUT

The New York Knicks have placed RJ Barrett back in the starting five while Evan Fournier (ankle) and Quentin Grimes (wrist) are both out for Saturday night's game in Charlotte (6 p.m. ET, MSG). Barrett will be back in after missing four games. Fournier is dealing with inflammation after earning his first minutes of the 2023-24 season against Washington on Friday. Donte DiVincenzo will start in Grimes' place for the second consecutive contest.

11/17/23: BARRETT, GRIMES OUT FOR IST GAME IN WASHINGTON

Knicks starters RJ Barrett (migraines) and Quentin Grimes (hand) are each listed as questionable for Friday night's game against the Washington Wizards (7 p.m. ET, MSG), which will serve as the second game of New York's In-Season Tournament trek. Barrett has missed each of the last two games while Grimes left Wednesday's win after sustaining the injury on defense during the fourth quarter.

[[UPDATE: 5:35 p.m. ET]]: Both Barrett and Grimes have been ruled out for Friday's game

11/15/23: GRIMES TO LOCKER ROOM IN ATLANTA GAME

Quentin Grimes left Wednesday's game against the Atlanta Hawks with a hand injury. The ailment occurred when Grimes fouled Bogdan Bogdanović on a fastbreak and he immediately departed for the New York locker room. Grimes had 11 points on 4-of-10 shooting (including 3-of-7 from three-point range) prior to his departure.

11/15/23: BARRETT OUT VS. ATLANTA

Per Stefan Bondy of the New York Post, RJ Barrett will not play in Wednesday night's game against the Atlanta Hawks. Barrett's departure has not been specified. The fifth-year pro did not appear in the first game of the Knicks' five-leg road trip against Boston on Monday night due to migraines. New York is 0-3 when Barrett does not play this season.

11/13/23: BARRETT (MIGRAINE) OUT VS. BOSTON

Per Steve Popper of Newsday, RJ Barrett (illness) is a game-time decision for Monday's game against the Boston Celtics (7:30 p.m. ET, MSG). Barrett enters the Knicks' five-game road trip as the team's leading scorer at 22.6 points per game and has already missed two games due to knee soreness, both New York losses.

[[UPDATE: 6:45 p.m. ET]]: Barrett is suffering from migraines, per Stefan Bondy of the New York Post. He remains a game-time decision.

[[UPDATE: 7:10 p.m. ET]]: The Knicks have officially ruled Barrett OUT for Monday's game. Josh Hart will take his place in the starting five.

11/13/23: FOURNIER OUT VS BOSTON FOR PERSONAL REASONS

Per Steve Popper of Newsday, Evan Fournier is not with the Knicks on Monday for the opening of a five-game road trip against the Boston Celtics due to personal reasons. Fournier, who has yet to take the floor in any of the Knicks' first nine games, is expected to rejoin the team at some point in the trip, which travels to Atlanta for a Wednesday showdown.

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Chicago begins evicting migrants from shelters as residents decry a 'lack of respect'

CHICAGO — Chicago has begun evicting some migrants from its shelters , a controversial policy that had been delayed for months but appeared haphazard, a migrant told NBC News on Monday.

Migrants who have been evicted, as well as those who face a rapidly approaching deadline , said there has been widespread confusion about the process and frustration with being forced to leave while they still lack the resources to find their own places to stay.

In the first two days of enforcement, fewer than 10 migrants have been evicted from their shelters, according to the city. Five migrants were forced to leave Monday because of the policy, a city spokesperson said, while three were evicted Sunday.

Franklin Romero, 29, a Venezuelan migrant, said someone told him at the Woodlawn shelter just one day before that he had to leave by 2 p.m. Monday. 

“It was unbelievable. We have no stability,” said Romero, who was wearing a silver coat and black pants after he was forced out on a day with freezing temperatures and snow flurries.

Romero said he tried to explain that he had to work Monday and could not leave the shelter before 2 p.m. with all of his belongings. He also said another person at the shelter told him that he actually needed to leave by 12:30 p.m.

He felt disrespected by being rushed to leave the place he called home for months. 

“It was clear that I needed to leave, and I respected that, but the treatment, it was a lack of respect,” he said. 

The city said Monday that there were 11,253 migrants in 23 city- and state-run shelters and that it has received about 37,308 new arrivals since 2022, when Texas Gov. Greg Abbott began sending people to cities across the country.

The city has sought to limit shelter stays to 60 days for the more than 10,000 migrants , requiring them to find housing or apply for other shelter at the city’s “landing zone” for new arrivals after their exit dates arrive. The evictions also come amid a measles outbreak at one of the shelters .

Thousands of migrants, including families with children, have been given extensions. 

On Friday, the city said that nearly three dozen people would be evicted from their shelters Sunday, but by the evening it said 31 migrants received extensions because of the exemptions, which include enrollment in public benefits, pregnancy or infant care, medical care, medical isolation and quarantine, as well as having families with children under 18.

City officials also said Friday that 2,026 people would be evicted from their current shelters by the end of April. 

Enforcement was postponed three times because of extreme winter weather, staffing concerns and backlash from advocates and some elected officials. On Monday, the City Council’s Progressive Reform Caucus released a statement opposing the policy. 

Volunteer Maria Perez, a member of the Southwest Collective, a collection of groups providing social services, said the extensions do not solve the bigger problem of a lack of resources for the migrants to obtain work and housing they can afford.

“Thirty more days is not enough time. They need the tools to set them up in order for them to succeed in this community,” she said Monday outside a shelter where migrants face eviction. 

“Why are we reprocessing them, right?" she asked. "So we’re just putting these people back into this situation again where they’re going to be migrating everywhere.”

Mayor Brandon Johnson’s administration has said the policy is needed to “decompress” some shelters, especially three that house single migrants, including the Woodlawn facility. 

“These are some of our more expensive shelters to operate, and what we’re trying to do is optimize the resources that we have to be able to carry through,” Cristina Pacione-Zayas, the mayor’s deputy chief of staff, said at a recent briefing. 

Johnson said Friday that “by encouraging resettlement while also providing case-specific extensions with a focus on health and safety, we are advancing a pathway to stability and self-sufficiency.” 

Romero went to the landing zone Monday to seek placement at another shelter, but after his new exit day was processed, he still did not know where he was being placed.

“I still don’t know,” he said before he headed to a warming bus for migrants at the landing zone. “Let’s wait and see where they take me.”

The city said in a statement Monday evening, "Those exiting have the option to return to the Landing Zone and be reprocessed and placed in shelter once again if appropriate beds are available or opt for onward movement."

Yorman Yepez, 25, a Venezuelan migrant, stood for hours in the freezing cold waiting for his friend Romero to return from inside the landing zone as occasional snow flurries fell. The two would not be able to communicate because they lacked Wi-Fi, and Yepez wanted to accompany Romero to his new placement.

“How would you feel if someone told you that you have to leave today from the place where you’ve been living?” said Yepez, wearing a gray hoodie and white sandals with socks. His exit date is April 8. “It’s not pretty. You feel cast aside," he said.

Yepez said the policy disrupts friendships and the camaraderie that builds between shelter residents who come to the U.S. not knowing anyone in the country.

“It’s really difficult. We’re here alone,” he said.

Multiple migrants at the former Wadsworth Elementary School in Woodlawn said that the shelter had cots and rooms still empty and that they did not understand why people had to be evicted. 

Lisbeth Velasquez Mambel, 36, said she was anxious about her exit day in a few weeks, but then she was given an extension Monday because she is in the process of getting an apartment.

Her new exit day is in May, but she fears some fellow migrants will be forced onto the street in the cold, like when she had to sleep on cardboard outside shelters at police stations.

“This is not the solution,” she said. 

Romero said his question about where he would be placed next ended in a bus ride that brought him back to the same shelter he left that morning. 

He discovered Tuesday morning that he had lost his job helping to remodel a home because he was stuck at the landing zone on Monday.

“It cost me so much to find that job,” Romero said Tuesday. “I don’t even know what to do. I have no money coming in. And I’m the head of my household in Venezuela.”

He now has 60 more days before he faces eviction again.

Daniella Silva is a reporter for NBC News, focusing on education and how laws, policies and practices affect students and teachers. She also writes about immigration.