How to Spend TWO DAYS in New York City: 2-Day Itinerary - Destinationless Travel (2024)

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New York City– also known as the City That Never Sleeps, the Big Apple, or the Empire City– is one of the most iconic places in the world. No matter if you have 2 days or a week in New York, you will undoubtedly find something famous to explore, delicious food, gorgeous architecture, and the vibrant pulse of the city.

We recently visited New York City, and I am already eager to return! We explored many of the typical NYC sights, like the Empire State Building and the Statue of Liberty, and ate our hearts out at Chelsea Market. But, honestly, with so much to do in New York, it can be a bit intimidating to visit!

That’s why we want to share our expertise and have crafted the perfect two-day New York City itinerary. If you’re short on time, this will be the best way to see the major sights, eat yummy food, and have an epic two days in NYC!

Don’t have time to read the full article? To maximize your two days in New York City, pick up The New York Pass! This saves you time and money to see NYC’s best sights, such as the Statue of Liberty, the Empire State Building, and even tours of the iconic Central Park! Then you can splurge on a scenic helicopter flight over the city!

Day 1 in New York City

Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island Cruise (morning)

The Statue of Liberty, the colossal statue that sits at the entrance of New York Harbor, has been a symbol of the United States’ independence and freedom for over 100 years. The statue is 305 feet (93 meters) high and was a gift from France in 1886. Lady Liberty was constructed on Liberty Island and was the first thing people would see as they sailed into the New York Harbor.

From 1892 to 1954, Ellis Island was the reason so many people were sailing into the harbor. Ellis Island is a historic immigration station, where over 12 million immigrants were processed throughout its 62 years of operation. New York City is still known as the most diverse city in the country, as many of these immigrants put down roots upon arrival. That’s why the city is so unique, it is a blend of many incredible cultures.

While Ellis Island is no longer operational, it is an interesting place to visit, simply because of its important history in shaping New York. Since it is so close to the Statue of Liberty, you can easily visit both in one day trip– perfect for your two days in New York itinerary!

You can book a tour of both Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty that includes the ferry ride, access to museums at each location, and an expert guide with you the whole way. So not only do you get to explore both historic places, but having a guide will give you a better understanding of what went down here. We learned so many fascinating tidbits of history on this tour!

This tour is our top pick because it has multiple departure times and tour lengths available. As you plan your quick 2-days of activities, you can be sure to fit this in as it works for you! I recommend taking the 4-hour tour so you can dive into both places, but there are also tours available for 2 hours or 30 minutes. The 4-hour guided tour to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island can be booked for $79 USD per person. You can book this tour in advance here, or look into the other options, too!

Related Read: Niagara Falls is one of the biggest and most grand waterfalls I’ve ever seen! You can take a tour to Niagara Falls from NYC, making the most of your time traveling in the USA.

See the Charging Bull of Wall Street (quick stop)

You’ve likely heard of Wall Street and the New York Stock Exchange. Both are world-famous parts of the financial district and home to the Charging Bull statue. They make for an interesting stop even if you’re not that big into finance yourself!

The Charging Bull represents a “bull market”, in which share prices are rising and buying stocks is encouraged. It’s basically when everyone is making money and happy, so the Charging Bull statue has become a symbol of good fortune on Wall Street.

The stock market had a terrible crash in 1987, known as the Black Monday crash, and was having trouble rebounding. So in 1989, artist Arturo Di Modica crafted the large Charging Bull statue and illegally dropped it in front of the New York Stock Exchange at night to send encouragement to investors and people.

The city didn’t love its placement (as it was very much in the way) so it was moved to Bowling Green the next morning. It still stands here today and is a unique piece of New York’s history that makes for a great quick stop as you explore the city.

Visit the 9/11 Memorial and Museum (morning)

With just two days to explore New York City, stopping at the 9/11 Memorial and Museum is one of the most impactful experiences you can have. The attack on New York’s Twin Towers in 2001 was ground-shaking to nearly everyone in the world, but it of course had a traumatic impact on the city. Visiting the 9/11 Memorial was a somber experience, but we felt it was very important to understand what the city went through, and more importantly how it managed to rebuild.

You’ll find two large pools that make up the 9/11 Memorial. They are almost one acre (0.4 hectare) each, and 45 feet (13.7 meters) deep, and the sides are engraved with all of the victim’s names. It is eye-opening to see just how many people lost their lives in the attacks.

The memorial is a place in New York you can visit for free, and you can visit the museum by purchasing tickets in advance. As moving as visiting the memorial was, I got a lot out of visiting the museum as well. Inside, you’ll see rubble from the buildings, artifacts found in the remains, media reports, and accounts of the disaster. It was a fantastic learning experience that left me with a greater understanding of New York’s culture today.

The museum has timed entrances, but you can stay as long as you want once you’re in. It’s important to arrive at your scheduled time, however, as it is a very popular attraction. You can spend about two hours at the museum, in addition to time visiting the memorial. Museum tickets are available every half hour and can be purchased for $33 USD for adults, $27 USD for children, and $21 USD for seniors.

The 9/11 Memorial and Museum is one of the attractions available on the New York CityPASS, the New York Pass, or Go City’s Explorer Pass, which covers your entrance fees! If you haven’t purchased one of New York City’s Attraction Passes, I highly recommend you do! They save you time and money, which is always needed when exploring NYC.

Go up the Empire State Building

If you only have two days in New York City, seeing the Empire State Building from the tip-top should be at the top of your list! This iconic Art-Deco-styled building makes New York City’s skyline the most recognizable in the world and is right up there with the Eiffel Tower and Big Ben!

The Empire State Building was constructed in the “race to the sky” as property developers all around the city were fighting to build the tallest building in the world. The Empire State Building won and held that title for 40 years, standing at 1,250 feet (380 meters). While it’s marvelous to see from ground level or even on a helicopter tour of the city, nothing quite beats climbing to the top and seeing the city below!

Although with 1,576 stairs to reach the 86th floor, I don’t know how much climbing you’ll want to do! Don’t worry, you can take the super-fast elevator to reach the observation deck. The main observation deck of the Empire State Building is on the 86th floor, though you can also reach the secondary observation deck on the 102nd floor. We just stayed at the 86th floor and the views were astounding, you can see all of New York below!

You can purchase tickets to the 86th floor for $48 USD for adults and $42 USD for children. You can also elevate your Empire State Building experience and visit at sunset for just $11 USD more or get a “skip the line” ticket for $92 USD. There can often be quite a long line, so if you’re in a time crunch, this might be a good idea!

As the city that never sleeps, the Empire State Building is open from 8 am to 2 am every day of the year! So if you can’t fit it into your morning schedule, maybe you can stay up late and visit in the middle of the night, like a true New Yorker!

Note: You should book a timeslot to go up the Empire State Building online in advance here, otherwise you could be stuck in line for a long time! They only allow a limited number of people up at once, and people with bookings get priority.

Related Read: In addition to the Empire State Building’s observation deck, NYC has other great birds-eye views of the city! Check out the best observation decks in New York, and add another to your itinerary.

Angelo’s Coal Oven Pizzeria (lunch)

One of our favorite parts of New York was the incredible food scene– one of the best in the world! You can find Michelin Star restaurants, hole-in-wall diners, and street food that might top them all. But, one of the stand-out foods is New York-style pizza, it’s iconic! You could probably eat pizza for every meal during your two days in New York City and just scratch the surface of the city’s pizza scene!

While many places claim to have the best slice, we are big fans of Angelo’s Coal Oven Pizzeria.

New York’s pizza scene popped off with an influx of Italian immigrants, bringing their famous cuisine and family-secret recipes. Angelo’s Coal Oven Pizzeria was opened in the 1930s by an immigrant family, and has been run by that same family for four generations now! The founder, Angelo, will say that there are few authentic thin-crust pizza joints left in New York City, so they take their pies very seriously.

Not only does the coal oven give the pizza perfect crispiness, but the flavor and fresh ingredients in every element make their pizza stand out. I didn’t realize how good pizza could be until we ate here!

You’ll find Angelo’s two blocks from Central Park, (which is your next stop on the itinerary) and it’s open from 11:30 am to 10 pm on weekdays and until 11 pm on weekends.

Explore Central Park (afternoon)

In the concrete jungle of New York City, finding green space is a luxury. Luckily, early city developers saw how fast New York City was developing and commissioned a city park to be made near the 1850s. Today Central Park is one of the top things to do in New York, it was even deemed a historic landmark in 1963

When Central Park was originally built, it was quite far out of the city. Now it is right in the center of Manhattan, providing an outdoor escape for locals and tourists alike. Over its 1.3 square miles (3.4 square kilometers) you’ll find over 18,000 trees that provide the city with a clean air source and is a haven for wildlife. 200 species of birds use Central Park as a stop-over location as they migrate south!

Since its development in the mid-1800s, Central Park has become more than just a park. It consists of two ice skating rinks from October to April, the Central Park Zoo, and the gorgeous Belvedere Castle– all of which are totally worth checking out! You can also spend an afternoon in Sheep Meadow, which is a beautiful 15-acre lawn and perfect for relaxing on a sunny day!

Strolling through Central Park sounds like a scene out of a movie, and it certainly gives you a good look at this expansive green space. However, you can see more of the park by renting a bicycle, which is just a fun way to explore! Bike rentals are only $26 USD for an entire day, so if you want to spend a few hours cruising through Central Park, it’s not a super expensive way to spend the day. I recommend booking it in advance, as it’s a popular activity on a sunny day.

Another fun way to explore Central Park is by taking a horse-drawn carriage ride! Now this truly is a scene out of a romantic comedy movie! You can take a 45-minute carriage ride for $75 USD (up to 4 people are included in that price).This is actually one of the best tours of Central Park, in my opinion!

Regardless of how you explore, visiting Central Park is an essential stop on your NYC itinerary!

Bateaux New York Premier Dinner Cruise (dinner)

Finish up your first day exploring New York City in style with the Bateaux New York Premier Dinner Cruise! We have taken many dinner cruises throughout our travels, but I can honestly say that taking this dinner cruise in NYC was the best one we’ve ever been on!

There is something so magical about getting dressed up and cruising along the Hudson River for a three-hour dinner cruise. What stood out was the incredible views because just as the sun set the city began to light up, which was a really beautiful sight! The boat is made of all glass, so even if it’s a bit of a rainy day in NYC (like when we went) it was still a lovely experience. The cruise will sail right up next to the Statue of Liberty and Battery Park, which were also stunning all lit up at night.

While the views were incredible, the food was the thing I remember most from the Bateaux Dinner Cruise! We were served a gourmet 3-course meal and had specialty co*cktails available for purchase. It was honestly the best food we had in all of NYC– and that’s saying something! The live music on board was simply the cherry on top of this wonderful evening on the water.

This dinner cruise ranges in price from $200-$300 USD per person, depending on how far out and on which day you reserve your spot. While this is a bit spendy, it’s worth it! Dinner cruises are always a unique experience and this one is at the top of our list. I recommend booking the Bateaux Dinner Cruise as far in advance as possible so you can get the lowest price and secure your spot (it’s super popular!)

Day 2 in New York City

Get a New York City Bagel (breakfast)

A New York City bagel is just about as classic of a food as New York pizza. Since you can’t eat pizza for breakfast, a bagel is a more suitable option! There are a ton of great bagel joints around the city, but you won’t find one as good as Liberty Bagels. They are famous for their kettle-boiled method and homemade cream cheese that is fluffy and flavorful.

Not only are these bagels award-winning (shout out to the everything bagel), but they also get creative by having rainbow bagels, and bagels decorated to match the seasons/holidays! We tried the New Yorker, which had roast beef, egg, and hashbrown with your choice of bagel. I’m not exaggerating– it was to die for.

There are three Liberty Bagel locations, so you can hit one no matter where you’re staying in New York! You can find them on Broadway, Fifth Avenue, and Midtown. What a perfect way to start day two of exploring the city.

Visit the Chelsea Market (late breakfast/lunch)

Don’t fill up on bagels, because the next stop on your 2-day NYC itinerary is the Chelsea Market! This historic market has become an icon in not only New York’s culinary scene but on the worldwide stage as well. The Chelsea Market consists of 40 food stalls, offering dishes from almost every cuisine imaginable, it’s your place to go if you are looking for a variety of food options!

The building in which Chelsea Market now resides was originally the Nabisco Factory, which is where Oreos originated! Over the next 120 years or so, the building owners acquired more space, changed businesses, changed owners, and eventually morphed into the thriving food spot we have today. Google purchased the Chelsea Market in 2018, securing the title of “most expensive real estate transaction for a single building” in all of NYC. Chelsea Market receives 6 million visitors every year, and we were proud to be two of the 6 million, as it was a true New York experience!

We decided to take a food tour of Chelsea Market, because with over 40 food stalls, where do you even start? We loved a food tour of Chelsea Market because we were able to try a wide variety of foods, our guide picked out the best and most unique restaurants, and we got to skip the lines!

We were blown away by the Doughnuttery, which is also Kim Kardashian’s favorite donut spot in the city. The tacos at Los Tacos No. 1 were incredible, and we loved the pizza from Filaga Pizzeria. There are obviously so many more amazing restaurants, but those were our stand-outs!

With a tight timeline in New York on your 2-day itinerary, a food tour of Chelsea Market will help maximize your experiences! You can reserve this tour for $84 USD for adults and $74 USD for kids.

Related Read: The best way to experience New York City is to eat your way through it. Check out the 10 best food tours in NYC and secure your spot for a tasty day in the city.

Walk the High Line

After all that food, it’s best to take a leisure walk to work it off! The High Line is a great walking area, and if you take the food tour of Chelsea Market above, it will take you to the High Line as well!

The High Line is known as an “elevated park” because it’s built on old freight railway tracks. It’s essentially a long skinny park that is a fantastic walking path. It extends for 1.45 miles (2.3 kilometers), and having this amount of uninterrupted walking space is quite a luxury! You get some really beautiful viewpoints of the city along this path.

The High Line cuts through the Chelsea neighborhood from Gansevoort Street and West 34th Street, near Hudson Yards. We love that the High Line is wheelchair accessible, so anyone can enjoy it! There are grassy areas with benches, playgrounds, art installations, and cute little cafes and restaurants along the way.

While we were too full from Liberty Bagels for breakfast and a food tour at Chelsea Market, we walked by some enticing restaurants. The Hearth on the Highline was a gorgeous wine bar that sits right on the Hudson River for great views. Malai Ice Cream also caught our attention with South Asian-influenced ice cream– perfect for a hot day!

Visiting the High Line gave us a look at the city’s growth over time, and was just a lovely way to spend an afternoon!

Go on a helicopter flight over the city (afternoon)

Our next activity is a bit of a budget stretch, but totally worth it in our opinion! Plus, when you’re in one of the most beautiful and iconic cities in the world, you have to take advantage of it! Taking a helicopter flight over New York City was easily the best way to see the city as you soar over the Empire State Building, the Statue of Liberty, Central Park, and its remarkable skyline.

While there are a lot of helicopter tours over Manhattan, we took this 15-minute helicopter flight, but it didn’t feel that quick! We got to soar over all the notable sights we’ve been exploring over the past 2 days and got to see just how incredibly big NYC is! And while the views were nothing short of incredible, riding in a helicopter was a super fun experience too!

If you’ve been saving up for your 2-day NYC trip, this is worth the splurge! You can reserve this 15-minute flight for $229 USD per person. Another great tour we considered was this 25-30 minute Empire Helicopter Flight for $369 USD, which gives you more time to see New York from an aerial view.

If money is no object, helicopter rides also make for some of the best private tours in New York City! But regardless of which helicopter ride you choose, you’re bound to have an incredible time.

See a Broadway show (night)

As you reach the end of your 2-days in New York City, a Broadway show is the perfect finale! This is a classic NYC event, and even if you’re not that into musicals (like Dan), it is still a very impressive experience.

We chose to see the Book of Mormon because it has the same writers as South Park and is supposedly hilarious– and it did not disappoint! We enjoyed the performance immensely, and the logistics were mind-blowing! It surpassed our Broadway expectations.

Broadway is a collection of theaters, so on any given night you can see a handful of famous shows that have been running for decades. The Lion King has been running since 1997 and is one of the most legendary productions out there. Not only is the music fantastic, but the costumes and props are seriously impressive! You can reserve tickets for The Lion King starting at $145 USD, and prices will go up depending on seat preference and the date you select.

Wicked is another popular Broadway production, and honestly one of my favorite shows I’ve seen! Tickets start at $132 USD and can be reserved in advance here!

If you’re a Broadway enthusiast, you can take a walking tour of the Broadway Theaters to get a behind-the-scenes look at the history and production of this industry. It’s led by a true Broadway performer, so you can find out all the dirty secrets of performance life! This tour is $39 USD and lasts for 2 hours, ending just before your scheduled Broadway show!

Related Read: New York City is super close to Canada, so add a couple of days in Toronto to your itinerary. You can take one of the many tours in Toronto and decide if it lives up to the hype of NYC!

Go to a Speakeasy (night)

After your Broadway show, you can hit New York’s nightlife! As the city that never sleeps, it’s only fitting that you experience it for yourself.

Speakeasies have become a huge part of the city’s bar scene– well I suppose it’s the foundation for New York’s modern bar scene! Speakeasies have been all over New York since Prohibition made the sale and consumption of alcohol illegal in 1919. During that time, legally operating bars were forced to shut down, but people didn’t stop drinking, so organized crime groups started opening hidden bars. They would operate behind legitimate businesses, like shops and restaurants, to evade the attention of the authorities.

Though Prohibition ended in 1933, speakeasies have remained a huge part of New York’s nightlife. It’s become rather trendy to hunt down these hidden bars, although they aren’t quite so hidden anymore.

We visited this great speakeasy called Please Don’t Tell. It is hidden behind a hotdog restaurant and you have to dial 1 in the phone booth in the back to find the door. But once you step inside, the smell of hotdogs subsides and you’re in a cozy, swanky co*cktail bar as if it’s 1920! This is a very popular bar, so it’s recommended you make reservations in advance!

Another great speakeasy is The Woo Woo, near Times Square and central to Broadway. It has a great 1980s dive bar vibe with neon lights and a secret password to enter (you can find it on their website!). If you’re interested in diving into more speakeasies, I recommend taking this speakeasy tour! A local guide will take you to true hidden gems and tell you all about the Prohibition era. This tour is $35 USD and allows you to skip the line and you don’t need reservations, but you do have to purchase your drinks!

Checking out the city’s hidden co*cktail bars is the perfect end to your two days in New York City itinerary!

Know Before You Go

What are the New York Passes you can buy?

NYC Passesare a great option if you’re planning on doing some major sightseeing while visiting New York City. You’ll essentially pay one flat fee for the pass, and have admission to various sites covered. It actually ends up saving you almost 50% of sightseeing costs, which is fantastic as traveling in New York can get quite expensive! There are a few different passes to choose from, so let me break them down.

The New York CityPASS®covers entrance to 5 attractions, which is perfect if you are planning on hitting multiple sights every day on your 2 day NYC itinerary. It already includes theEmpire State Building Observation Deckand theAmerican Museum of Natural History, and then you’ll select three more attractions from a pre-set list. This pass is valid for 9 days and is $138 USD, which is a pretty good price for 2 days and 5 attractions!

The New York Passcovers over 100 attractions and has prices tailored for how many days you’ll be using it. This is my top pick, as you can choose a 2-day option for $204 USD and have unlimited access to New York’s best sights.The New York Passhas the most extensive list of attractions and gives you a lot of flexibility as you plan your 2 days in NYC.

The New York City Explorer Pass by Go Cityallows entry for between 2-10 attractions, depending on which tier you choose. This is great if you have a handful of “must-sees” or enjoy tours, as there are a lot to choose from with this option. Prices start at $79 USD for 2 attractions and go all the way up to $264 USD for 10 attractions, depending on how much you want to see!The Explorer Pass by Go Citycovers a lot of sights, so check out what they offer before you decide on which pass to purchase!

Can you explore New York City without a car?

Yes, this is actually the best way to explore New York City. You can use public transportation and walk to all of the main sights. The subway system is used by travelers and locals alike, just add some extra time into your itinerary to figure the system out. You can download the NYC Subway App and get a 7-Day Unlimited Ride Metrocard for $34 USD, and trust me, you’ll be using that a lot!

Most of the time, you can take the subway close to whatever attraction you’re going to see, then walk a few blocks to find it. Uber and taxis are also an option if you don’t want to take the subway.

Is it safe to visit New York City?

Overall, New York is a safe city to explore. As with any major city, use caution at night, don’t carry valuables or large amounts of cash on you, and use your smart-traveler senses. If an area feels sketchy– it’s probably best you get out! But for the most part, New York is safer to visit than many movies and TV shows like to depict it – so don’t stress and enjoy your NYC trip!

Where to Stay in New York City

New York City is huge – there is just no other way to put it! Even Manhattan (the area you’ll want to base yourself in) is a lot bigger than you think. That’s why choosing the right hotel in the right location is so important during your stay in New York.

Below, we’ve simplified it all for you by choosing a couple of the very best hotels available in the city. All three of these options have ideal locations close to attractions and the subway system. They all have amazing reviews, too, so just choose the one in your budget category and you’ll be ready to pack your bags!

Motto by Hilton – $$$

Motto by Hiltonis a gorgeous hotel located in the Chelsea neighborhood only 600 meters from the Flatiron Building. The hotel features modern decor that has “speakeasy vibes.” In fact, they have a beautiful bar onsite that looks like the perfect place to sip an Old Fashioned. There are a variety of rooms on offer including some that are a little more budget-friendly, and some that are pure luxury with city views! Prices start from about $400 USD per night plus tax.

You cancheck prices and availability for Motto by Hilton online here!

Delta Hotels by Marriott New York Times Square – $$

Delta Hotels by Marriott New York Times Square is where we stayed the last time we visited New York, and honestly, we loved it! This hotel is the perfect combination of comfort and value for money. It was clean, modern, and our room had all of the amenities we needed for an enjoyable stay (air conditioning, k-cup coffee maker, steamer, large shower, big windows, etc). Plus, the location is ideal – it’s only a couple blocks from Times Square!

Prices do range, but they do go as low as $200 USD per night plus tax depending on the time of year and day of the week. You can check prices and book online here!

Nap York Central Park Sleep Station – $

For those traveling on a tight budget,Nap Yorkis a budget hostel that’s an ideal choice. Although affordable, this property is immaculate and offers a ton of amenities for a great stay including air conditioning and a shared kitchen. The rooms are modern and the location is about as central as it gets! This property only offers dorm rooms, but they are affordable at as little as $100 USD per night.

You can check prices and book Nap York online on eitherBooking.comorHostelworld.

Thanks for reading!

No matter how much time you have in New York City, even if you only have one day to spend, you’re sure to see a lot of amazing things! I was so surprised by the hustle and bustle of NYC, that it made me wonder, “Do these people actually not sleep?”. While two days in the city will let you see a handful of the highlights, I hope you can go back and visit again to really dive into the culture. I know I’m already planning my next trip to New York!

Thanks for reading this blog, and I hope you were able to find some guidance while planning your itinerary! If you found this helpful, be sure to explore our other blogs about the USA, Canada, and general travel! We have something for any sort of traveler, check out a few below:

BEST New York City Attraction Pass – Comparison of the Best NYC Passes

The BEST 2 Days in Washington, DC: A 2-Day Itinerary

5 BEST Bike Tours in Toronto

How to Spend SIX DAYS in New York City – An Ideal NYC 6-Day Itinerary