Although it is virtually impossible to cover New York City in two days, well, you have little choice if you just have two days in the world’s most iconic city. All you can do is plan a perfect itinerary to experience the best of what the Big Apple has to offer you.
As a traveler, you are bound to be carrying some luggage with you when visiting New York City – even if you are a savvy packer/minimalist. But thanks to LuggageHero, you can take advantage of the many convenient luggage storage facilities in NYC.
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If you’re strapped for time and want to cover the most ground possible without missing out on key experiences, check out our New York 2-day itinerary.
Visiting New York during the holiday season? Read our guide featuring the best things to do in New York during winter.
Day 1
Here are the best thing to do during your stay in New York City.
Hop-on-hop-off Sightseeing Bus Tour
Kickstart your day with a leisurely hop-on-hop-off bus sightseeing tour to get a comprehensive overview of the history, culture, and layout of the city.
With no planning required – except for checking the bus schedules – you’ll be able to get an all-in-one feel for the city before deciding which areas to explore further. Just sit back, relax and take it all in as the comfortable bus takes you around NYC’s most iconic landmarks.
Guggenheim Museum
Visit the Guggenheim Museum and dive into a world of prestigious modern art on display at the museum. The building itself, which was designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, is iconic in its own right, and not a sight to miss.
Stroll around the museum and discover the works of both classic and modern artists, including Picasso, Van Gogh, Calder and Kandinsky.
Statue of Liberty
After grabbing some lunch, take the Lady Liberty cruise to say hello to the iconic Statue of Liberty.
Spend the late afternoon visiting other additional sights like Ellis Island, World Financial Center and the Freedom Tower, and admiring the city’s skyscrapers and spectacular architecture.
9/11 Memorial and Museum
When you’re visiting New York, there are a few things that should not be overlooked. One of the most important sights is the 9/11 memorial & museum. Visiting this memorial is sure to be an emotional experience and may well stir up your feelings.
For some more in-depth information about the events of 9/11, visit the museum and learn more about one of the defining moments in recent history.
Times Square
No New York City tour would be complete without taking in the bright lights and flashing billboards of Times Square. One of the best free things to do in the Big Apple is to simply admire the city’s main attraction.
You can shop at some big-name stores or check out the street performers and artists.
Day 2
Ready for day 2? Let’s see what else yo can do in NYC.
Empire State Building and Observatory
Your first stop the next day should be the Empire State Building, one of the tallest and most iconic structures of NYC. You can enjoy the best views of the entire city from the 86th floor and admire the distinctive interior and Art Deco exterior of the building.
See if you can spot other giants such as the Chrysler Building. On a clear day, you can even see the 6 neighboring states from the Empire State Observatory.
Museum of Modern Art
If you’re a fan of modern art, visit the Museum of Modern Art, one of the most famous art museums in the country, is a must-do. Here, you can enjoy looking at some of the most significant collections of modern artworks such as Van Gogh’s Starry Night, Warhol’s Campbell’s Soup Cans, and Claude Monet’s Water-Lily Pond.
Central Park
By noontime, you’re probably getting a bit hungry. Have a quick bite to eat at the local street stalls and head for Central Park, the country’s most famous green space, and the Big Apple’s own oasis.
The park is spread across more than 800 acres, so there’s plenty of space to stroll around and get your nature fix. Some of the top attractions within the park include Central Park Zoo, Bethesda Fountain and Terrace, and the Strawberry Fields mosaic.
Top of the Rock Observatory
After a refreshing walk in the park, you’re ready to head back into the hustle and bustle of the city. Head for the Top of the Rock Observatory, which offers a birds-eye view perspective of NYC.
Plan to spend at least an hour here, as you compare the views to the ones you saw earlier from the Empire State Building.
Brooklyn Bridge and Brooklyn
Finally, get a better feel for the culture of the city by crossing the Brooklyn Bridge to explore the diverse neighborhoods of Brooklyn. The hippest and indie area of New York boasts great views of the East River and nearby art galleries. There is a lot of things to do in Brooklyn, from having a drink in chic bars to going thrift shopping.
Final Thoughts On Visiting New York City In Two Days
There you have it. The perfect 2-day New York City itinerary. You cover many of the city’s most famous landmarks, get a taste of the culture, and get your fix of all things New York.
If you have more than just a couple of days in the Big Apple, you can stretch out these top things to do in New York.
