Visiting NYC for the weekend? Check out this itinerary for the best things to do in NYC in 2 days!
As a native New Yorker living in Boston, I’m constantly asked from my time to time what first-timers should do in NYC? I can’t always formulate the best answer at the top of my head, so I figured writing an itinerary would be the best thing. So, if you’re in the mood for a stop-to-stop itinerary, then keep on reading. My hope is that you’ll see the most of NYC in 2 days!
NYC Bucket List Series
P.S. This is a post in my NYC Bucket List series. Here is the complete 4-part series:
Tourist Mistakes: 12 Common Mistakes to Avoid in NYC
Solo Trip: 101 Things to Do Alone in NYC
Itinerary: NYC in 2 Days: The Ultimate Itinerary
Fall: 15 Incredible Things to Do for Fall in NYC
Day 1 – Central Park, Top of the Rock, Times Square, and The High Line
Stop 1: Get breakfast at Kirsh Bakery and Kitchen! (NYC in 2 Days)
Kirsh Bakery and Kitchen is one of the best breakfast spots to visit in NYC. Family-owned, Kirsh Bakery was started by Israeli Chef and owner, Dan Kirsh and his wife Anat. Their purpose for opening the Kirsh Bakery and Kitchen in the first place was to create their own home away from home. In the bakery, guests have the luxury of enjoying fresh baked goods from scratch, starting from the bread all the way down to the vinaigrette. If you’re planning to stop by this lovely bakery for breakfast, I highly recommend trying their french toast. In fact, from what I’ve heard, Kirsh Bakery and Kitchen have the best in the city. So, if that’s the case, this is a stop you don’t want to miss! Ordering their breakfast online is a second option too.
*For directions, check out this map for Kirsh Bakery and Kitchen!
Stop 2: Take a stroll around Central Park! (NYC in 2 Days)
As one of the best-known parks in the world, Central Park has a lot to offer to first timers. Located right in the center of the city, visitors can utilize Central Park’s paths, lakes and open spaces to escape the urban jungle. Designed by Frederick Law Olmstead and Calvert Vaux, Central Park also offers visitors integrated formal and pastoral elements that can be seen in The Mall, the Literary Walk and the Ramble. So, if you’re planning to visit Central Park for the first time, I would recommend scheduling a tour with Manhattan and Beyond Tours or By On Location Tours. From those two, you can do a regular Central Park Walking Tour or a Central Park TV and Movie Sites Walking Tour.
*For directions, check out this map for Central Park!
Stop 3: Get a NYC hotdog for lunch! (NYC in 2 Days)
Labeled as a delicacy by New Yorkers, a NYC hotdog is something you need to try in the city! Growing up, I had a tendency for purchasing these hotdogs whenever I could. I’ve been eating them for as long as I can remember so the taste of one will always stay with me. They can be purchased at any hot dog stand in the city that’s situated on a street corner. Personally, I would recommend trying out a NYC hotdog at a Sabrett stand. The price for one usually starts at $2.00 but it can vary depending on the location.
Stop 4: Head on over to Top of the Rock for an amazing view! (NYC in 2 Days)
Located at the top of 30 Rockefeller Plaza, the Top of the Rock observatory is one of the best places to view the city’s skyline. From the top of the deck, visitors can see the Empire State Building, the One World Trade Center and Central Park. So, if you’re looking to capture a great shot of the city, this might be the place for you! Compared to the Empire State Building, the admission ticket for the Top of the Rock is much cheaper. The price is usually around $40 for an adult ticket whereas the Empire State Building’s is $44. So, if you’re interested in checking it out, make a reservation online to book your preferred day and time slot in advance.
*For directions, check out this map for Top of the Rock!
Stop 5: Explore the heart of the city at Times Square! (NYC in 2 Days)
As one of the most popular NYC attractions, Times Square is the epicenter for all things media! Known as the geographical heart of the city, it is also an amazing hub for visitors to stroll through as they pass by skyscrapers with bright lights and digital billboards. From fine dining and shopping to fantastic entertainment, there is always something to do. Personally, I would recommend visiting the Madame Tussauds New York Wax Museum since this will give you the opportunity to take some selfies with some of your favorite celebrities like Lady Gaga, Audrey Hepburn or Wendy Williams.
*For directions, check out this map for Times Square!
Stop 6: Walk The High Line at Chelsea! (NYC in 2 Days)
More than a city park, The High Line at Chelsea provides visitors with a stunning view of architecture and contemporary installation art. It’s very common for visitors to stroll through this ever-changing landscape or sit as they watch the world go by. Built once as an abandoned rail line, The High Line also offers visitors unparalleled views of the West Side. The park itself is free to enter and no reservation is needed. So, if you’re interested in checking out the High Line for yourself, book a walking tour with the Manhattan Walking Tour or the Uncle Sam’s New York Walking Tour.
*For directions, check out this map for The High Line!
Stop 7: Finish the day with some dinner at Chelsea Market! (NYC in 2 Days)
Known as the Urban Food Court, Chelsea Market is the place to go to buy food, visit stores and eat! For dinner, you can find almost anything from Maine’s lobsters to Italian ravioli. Personally, I would recommend getting some tacos from Los Tacos No. 1 for dinner. From what I’ve seen, the place has nothing but good reviews from tourists all around. So, if you’re interested in trying out these tacos for yourself, make sure to locate the stand in the Chelsea Market directory.
*For directions, check out this map for Chelsea Market!
Day 2 – Roosevelt Island, Grand Central Terminal, 9/11 Memorial, Brooklyn Bridge, DUMBO
Stop 1: Enjoy a Mini Muze at Little Collins (NYC in 2 Days)
Situated near Lexington Avenue, Little Collins is a sleek, trendy cafe that’s known for serving Aussie espresso drinks from Australian coffee culture. The cafe is usually full of regular Australians from time to time since its known for invading New York with its distinct culture. So, if you’re planning to visit Little Collins for the first time, I highly recommend purchasing some of their espressos and mini muze. The Little Collins blend is one of their most popular espressos and it’s made from caramel hot chocolate. A mini muze, in particular, is a blend of oats soaked in apple cider and Greek yogurt.
*For directions, check out this map for Little Collins!
Stop 2: Take the tram to Roosevelt Island! (NYC in 2 Days)
Living in the shadows of NYC, Roosevelt Island is a place that was once home to many prisons and asylums. Currently, the island is now brimming with culture at every art gallery, museum, park and restaurant. In fact, most tourists usually visit Roosevelt Island in the summer since the locals tend to celebrate it with carnival rides, live music, food and city-wide beautification projects. So, if this stop seems appealing to you, you’re in luck! The Roosevelt Island Tramway can take you directly to the island all the way from the city. The fare for the tram is also one MetroCard swipe and it gives you a free bird’s-eye view of the East River and the city skyline.
*For directions, check out this map for the Roosevelt Island Tramway!
Stop 3: Check out the celestial ceiling at Grand Central Terminal! (NYC in 2 Days)
A historic NYC landmark, Grand Central Terminal is a transportation hub that offers so much shopping, dining and culture. Opened to the public in 1913, it’s history is a story of immense wealth and great engineering. The four-faced opal clock is one of its main attractions and it sits in the center of the Main Concourse. The celestial ceiling is also another attraction that was constructed by many well-known men. So, if you’re interested in checking out this stop, I highly recommend visiting the celestial ceiling for yourself. It used to represent 12 zodiac constellations painted in reverse but this has now been corrected.
*For directions, check out this map for Grand Central Terminal!
Stop 4: Grab a slice at Bleecker Street Pizza (NYC in 2 Days)
Unlike Chicago pizza, New-York style pizza is known for having slices that are large and wide with a thin crust. The pizza is also foldable yet crispy and is traditionally topped with tomato sauce and mozzarella cheese. Extra toppings can also be placed on the New-York style pizza in place of regular, cheese or plain pizza. So, if you’re interested in trying out New-York style pizza for yourself, I highly recommend checking out Bleecker Street Pizza! Their prices are usually consistently cheap and they also do deliveries late at night.
*For directions, check out this map for Bleecker Street Pizza!
Stop 5: Visit the 9/11 Memorial! (NYC in 2 Days)
A monument of human dignity, courage and sacrifice, the 9/11 Memorial and Museum in NYC honors the 3,000 people that were killed in the terrorist attacks on September 11. It also celebrates February 26 as a day of recognition for the people who survived and risked their lives to help others. The Memorial itself is free and open to the public seven days a week, while the Museum is open 5 days a week with the purchase of an admission ticket. So, if you’re interested in checking out the 9/11 Memorial and Museum for yourself, I highly recommend purchasing your ticket online in advance.
*For directions, check out this map for the 9/11 Memorial!
Stop 6: Walk the Brooklyn Bridge! (NYC in 2 Days)
As an iconic landmark, the Brooklyn Bridge is set apart by its gothic towers and crisscrossing cables. With its grace and gentle curvature, most locals and visitors walk or bike across the bridge to get to the other side. Lower Manhattan, Tribeca and Chinatown are on the Manhattan side of the bridge while Brooklyn Heights and DUMBO are on the other side. Designed by Roebling, the bridge originally made pedestrians pay a penny to cross it but now it is free to all who visit. So, if you’re interested in checking out the Brooklyn Bridge for yourself, I highly recommend booking a walking tour with Central Park Bike Ride!
*For directions, check out this map for the Brooklyn Bridge!
Stop 7: Head to DUMBO for an Instagrammable Shot! (NYC in 2 Days)
DUMBO, Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass, represents a small neighborhood underneath the Manhattan Bridge that sits along the edge of the East River. Personally, my favorite spot in DUMBO is the view in between Washington and Front St! This place, by far, is the one of the most instagrammable spots in Brooklyn. In fact, the last time I was here, I saw a professional photographer take photos of the bridge as he strolled around the area with his tripod and camera lens. So, if you’re interested in checking out this spot for yourself, I highly recommend hiring a photographer or a friend to take some awesome photos of you!
*For directions, check out this map for the DUMBO Manhattan Bridge View!
Stop 8: Finish your trip with some dinner at Time Out Market New York! (NYC in 2 Days)
Last but not least, finish your trip to NYC in 2 days by having some dinner at Time Out Market New York. Located in Brooklyn, Time Out Market New York is the best place to visit some of the most amazing restaurants in the city under one roof. These restaurants include but are not limited to Felice Pasta Bar, Chef Ivy Stark, and Clinton St. Baking Company & Restaurant. So, if you’re looking to grab a nice dinner in the city, I highly recommend visiting the Felice Pasta Bar! You can order the Rigatoni Cacio E Pepe pasta which is made with pecorino romano, parmigiano-reggiano, black pepper and butter.
*For directions, check out this map for Time Out Market NYC!
NYC in 2 Days: Frequently Asked Questions
To end this 2 day New York City itinerary, I thought I would finish it off with an Empire State of Mind video and some frequently asked questions about the city! 🙂
– Where to stay in NYC?
The list below highlights some of the most top rated stays in NYC!
- Arlo Midtown ~ 5 stars
- Public Hotel ~ 4.5 stars
- Arlo Nomad ~ 4.5 stars
- Margaritaville Resort – Times Square ~ 5 stars
- Pod Times Square ~ 4 stars
- Artezen Hotel ~ 5 stars
- The Draper, Ascend Hotel Collection ~ 4.5 stars
– What can I expect as a solo traveler?
As a native New Yorker, I have some mixed opinions on this since this is my hometown; but, you can expect to be catcalled as a solo traveler from men of every race, ethnicity, or culture. This happens to me a lot when I’m out and about by myself so I usually tend to ignore it. In addition, you can also expect some locals to be out and about in the city after midnight. This isn’t really common in other cities like Boston or Providence but there’s a reason why NYC is nicknamed “the city that never sleeps”.
– Is NYC safe?
In my opinion, I think NYC is relatively safe! The only thing you need to worry about is ending up in the wrong place at the wrong time. So, try to stay away from neighborhoods like the South Bronx, Bedstuy, and East Harlem at night. If you have any sense of street smarts, you should be okay!
– What’s the best way to get around NYC?
The subway is the best way to get around NYC! It goes through all of the five boroughs which include: The Bronx, Manhattan, Queens, Brooklyn, and Staten Island. The only thing you need to worry about is getting a MetroCard. They can be purchased in advance at any subway station or local merchant.
– Are there any other interesting things I can do in NYC?
Yes, of course! Here is a list of some stops or things you can do in NYC for your 2 day trip below:
- New York Helicopter Tour: Ultimate Manhattan Sightseeing
- Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island Tour
- NYC One World Observatory
- Empire State Building
- New York Catacombs
- Bateaux New York Premier Dinner Cruise
Overall, I really hope you enjoyed this itinerary on the best things to do in NYC in 2 days! Let me know in the comments down below which stop you liked the most, I would love to hear from you!
Also, if you’re looking for some more NYC content, check out this post on the 12 Common Mistakes to Avoid in NYC!
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Have been really wanting to go to NYC definitely going to use this when I go!
Great read!
Hi Jade, love this itinerary and have bookmarked it to use at a later date. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks Cheri!!
Next time I go to NYC I’ll be using this guide. Thank you for sharing so much detail, it is really helpful for someone like me who doesn’t know much about the city.
You’re so welcome! I’m so happy you enjoyed it
Very good article.
What a great guide for NYC! I haven’t been back since I was a kid but I’ll have to hit up some of these spots for sure!
Yes please do!!
Of course, 2 days might never feel enough for a city like New York – but more reasons to return in the future! My NYC’s favorite used to be Central Park, but after reading your post I’ve been daydreaming of the iconic DUMBO area, Down Under the Manhattan Bridge.
It’s so beautiful!! You have to come see it 🙂
This NYC Itinerary is incredibly helpful. You’ve really thought through everything you need to know before planning a trip. Thank you for this helpful resource. Saving this guide for later!
Why thank you! 🙂
I live in NYC for years and still have not come close to exploring the city. Manhattan alone is enough. So many things to do and see. You shared some great NYC hotspots and tourist attractions for new visitors. They will definitely benefit from your blog.
Thanks Kevin! I’m so glad I finally got to do another post about NYC
Great tips. You’ve inspired me to buy a hot dog next time I’m in New York.
Glad to hear it!
Awesome itinerary! You’ve included so many of my favorites on this list – especially Central Park and DUMBO. I’ve lived in the city for 2 years now and still haven’t visited Top of the Rock, so you’ve inspired me to do that!
Thanks Kate! I haven’t been there either but it’s a cheaper version than the Empire State Building
I love Chelsea Market. Next time I go, I want to explore the market solo. I was with a group and felt very rushed, but I know there are lots of things to discover there!
This is why solo travel is the way to go!
Brilliant blog! Takes me back to my time in New York and can’t wait to go back!
Thanks Emma! 🙂
Great tips. I can’t believe I’ve been living in New York for almost 6 months now and haven’t even walked the highline yet.
You have to check it out! It’s incredible 🙂
Very helpful and informative.
The breakfast on your first day looks lush. We spent a few days in NYC and definitely didn’t have enough time. So I would love to go back and follow your itinerary next!
Thanks Krista! I’m glad you enjoyed it
I walked the high line a few years ago. It was soo hot that we bought a hat from a street vendor. I still wear that hat today! I love NYC.
Omg really? NYC summers are terrible