Headed to the Large Apple and overwhelmed by all of the choices? Learn on for an in depth information on the way to spend the proper weekend in New York!
New York is a metropolis of superlatives. It’s the most important within the United States, and the 8 million-plus New Yorkers are keen on calling it the best metropolis on the earth.
To be honest, they undoubtedly have a case to make. There’s no denying that New York Metropolis is among the most vibrant, various, and thrilling cities on the planet.
New York is house to so many iconic American photos that it’s unimaginable to see all of it on a brief journey.
The Statue of Liberty, Instances Sq., Central Park, Broadway, Wall Road, the Empire State Constructing — the listing goes on and on. With only a weekend in New York, you’ll have to choose and select.
I’ve been to New York a number of occasions all through my life. From seeing the sights as a child to ringing within the New 12 months with my spouse and our favourite band, I’ve had some good occasions within the metropolis.
As I’m a giant fan of improvisation, I’ll depart you plenty of wiggle room with this New York itinerary by supplying you with loads of choices to select from. Let’s get all the way down to enterprise and see what you may rise up to with 2 days in New York!
Day 1 in New York
I hope you bought some good sleep the night time earlier than and I hope you’ve obtained comfy strolling sneakers. It’s going to be a jam-packed weekend in New York.
Day one can be a whirlwind tour of the Large Apple that provides you the chance to verify most of the most well-known landmarks off your listing. I’ll additionally present some attention-grabbing detours and ensure to incorporate time to wander and linger whenever you really feel prefer it.
Earlier than we get going, you need to most likely look into the New York Metropolis Explorer Move. They’ve a number of choices, all of which prevent money and time. Each of those are valuable assets on a brief New York weekend journey.
I must also word that this itinerary will concentrate on Manhattan. With solely 2 days within the metropolis, there merely isn’t sufficient time to enterprise to the opposite boroughs. You’ll simply have to come back again.
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Day 1: Morning
I can’t consider a greater solution to begin a New York weekend journey than with a scrumptious bagel. There should be one thing within the water, as a result of bagels simply style higher right here.
Each New Yorker has their favourite bagel spot, however no matter you do, simply skip the chains and ensure it’s an area deli for a extra genuine expertise.
Since we’re going to begin the itinerary off in Decrease Manhattan, listed here are two native choices for grabbing a bagel and low – Leo’s Bagels and Milk & Honey. With a full stomach and a pleasant caffeine buzz, you’re prepared to begin exploring the town.
Decrease Manhattan is the place all of it started for New York, and in a approach for the nation. That is the place the primary Congress gathered to draft the Invoice of Rights. It’s additionally the place George Washington took the oath of workplace to develop into the nation’s first president.
Upon seeing all of the skyscrapers, it might be exhausting to imagine that this metropolis started as a easy buying and selling submit. This nook of New York Metropolis is considered the monetary middle of the world. It’s house to the New York Inventory Change, the epicenter of capitalism.
With only a weekend in NYC, you’ll need to benefit from your time. That’s why I like to recommend leaping on a strolling tour on your first morning. It ensures you’ll waste much less time getting misplaced and can study extra concerning the metropolis.
There are 1,000,000 and one choices for strolling excursions of Decrease Manhattan. Free Excursions by Foot has fairly a couple of, together with their 3-hour Downtown Manhattan Tour. It covers quite a lot of floor, together with SoHo, Little Italy, and Chinatown.
As with different free excursions, these are donation-based. Make sure to present your information some love when you loved the tour, which I’m positive you’ll! Additionally they have some superior audio excursions that you should utilize when you favor a DIY method.
Whether or not you do a strolling tour or not, it’s value it to take a look at Battery Park. From right here you may catch a glimpse of one of the iconic American photos — the Statue of Liberty.
For a lot of, heading to the Woman Liberty is a must-do. If that’s you, you’ll need to enroll in this tour.
For these like me preferring to keep away from lengthy traces and entrance tickets, you may simply hop on the Staten Island ferry. It’s completely free and offers some nice views of each the Statue of Liberty and the Decrease Manhattan skyline.
Simply bear in mind that selecting both of these choices will take up your complete morning. Time will not be in your facet with solely 2 days in New York!
Afternoon
There’s nonetheless quite a lot of floor to cowl, so I like to recommend choosing a fast lunch. Which means it’s time to seize a slice of basic New York model pizza (which is totally completely different from the Chicago deep dish).
It’s not exhausting to discover a pizza joint in Manhattan, however the very last thing you need to do is have a disappointing slice in NYC. You’ll be able to’t go improper with Joe’s Pizza, which has been known as the “quintessential slice.”
From there, it’s only a fast stroll to the subsequent cease — the One World Commerce Middle. This 1,776-foot tall constructing is the tallest within the nation, constructed after the horrific occasions of September eleventh, 2001. That is the place you’ll discover the 9/11 Memorial and Museum.
The place the Twin Towers as soon as stood, there are actually two reflecting swimming pools. Surrounding them are plaques with all the names of those that handed away in each the 1993 and 2001 assaults on the World Commerce middle.
Whereas the memorial is free to go to, you’ll want a ticket for the museum. Click on right here to choose one up that means that you can skip the road. Should you’d relatively simply buy your entrance ticket, click on right here to take action.
If it’s a pleasant sunny day within the metropolis, your subsequent cease ought to be Rockefeller Park. It’s an excellent place to take a seat and replicate on the somber expertise of visiting the 9/11 memorial. You too can soak within the views of the Hudson River and revel in some high quality people-watching.
After a busy day of exploring the Large Apple, it’s good to relaxation your drained toes and make a recreation plan for the night.
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Night
The way you spend your first night in NYC depends upon what you’re into. Some might need to make a reservation at one of many metropolis’s world-class eating places, whereas others can be content material consuming a road vendor scorching canine!
You’ll be able to actually discover delicacies from all corners of the globe right here. New York actually is a foodie’s dream come true.
What I’ll do is agree with Johnny T and what he says in a hilarious video giving ideas for vacationers. If you’ll find a spot in your hometown, don’t go there in New York! Skip the tasteless chain eating places, strive one thing new, and ensure it’s native.
This video is a must-watch for any first-time guests to NYC, by the way in which.
New York is called the “Metropolis That By no means Sleeps,” so that you’ve obtained numerous choices for nightlife. I’m assuming you’ll be a bit exhausted after that epic day and really actually need to get some sleep.
You’ll be able to sleep whenever you’re lifeless, although. No relaxation for the weary on a weekend in New York! Summon that third wind and energy by way of for not less than a couple of extra hours.
The world actually is your oyster on a weekend in New York. You’ll be able to go salsa dancing, drink in a hidden speakeasy, hit a comedy membership, see an underground punk band, be a part of a pub crawl — the listing goes on and on.
My finest recommendation on your first night time in New York is to do one thing you like. For me, that’s seeing reside music, and there’s loads of it in NYC! Verify the calendar on Jambase to see who’s enjoying whenever you’re on the town.
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Day 2 in New York
It’s time for one more busy day — a New York itinerary in 2 days is feasible, however it’s busy!
Morning
“Morning” means various things to completely different folks, particularly on a New York weekend journey. The go-getters amongst us can seize a leisurely breakfast whereas the hungover people wrestle to get off the bed.
I personally don’t assume I’ve stepped exterior earlier than midday on any journey to NYC in my grownup life. My technique is normally to seek out the closest native cafe for a cup of espresso and a fast chunk to eat.
Should you’re into the entire brunch factor, there’s no scarcity of locations the place it’s completely acceptable to dine with sun shades on whereas nursing a Bloody Mary. A good way to take pleasure in brunch is aboard a ship with implausible views of the NYC skyline. Take a look at that have right here.
Nonetheless you select to get your day going, finally make your approach over to Central Park. It’s fairly exhausting to overlook — it’s that huge inexperienced area on the map smack dab in the midst of the town.
There’s a lot happening in and across the park that you could possibly simply spend your complete day there. If you wish to go that route, I absolutely help your resolution.
Central Park actually is large, so you may want some wheels that will help you get round. You’ll be able to hire a motorbike for 2 hours for simply $7.50 and discover at your individual leisure. There’s additionally an excellent 2-hour bike tour of the park with an area information if you wish to get extra out of your go to.
Spending the whole morning out within the park is nice when it’s a pleasant day. It’s not so good when it’s raining or freezing chilly. If mom nature isn’t in your facet, by no means worry. There are many methods to spend a morning indoors.
New York is house to some completely unbelievable museums, a number of of that are situated proper by Central Park. There’s the Metropolitan Museum of Artwork, which options one of many best artwork collections on the planet. Click on right here to e book your ticket and skip the road.
Only a stone’s throw away is the Guggenheim — a Frank Lloyd Wright-designed constructing full of recent and modern artwork. Get your ticket upfront for simply $25.
Afternoon
Among the best issues about spending a few days in New York is simply wandering across the metropolis’s many distinctive neighborhoods.
Try the structure, do some window purchasing, pop into an area bar for a drink, and simply see the place the wind takes you.
Some nice locations for this embody Greenwich Village, the Decrease East Aspect, and Chelsea. My private suggestion on a weekend in New York goes to the latter.
Hop on the subway or hop in a cab and make your solution to the Chelsea Market. That is the proper place to seize a snack or a cup of espresso earlier than persevering with in your approach. For the consumers amongst us, it’s possible you’ll resolve to linger a bit to peruse the choices.
Chelsea can also be house to the scenic Excessive Line, an elevated park constructed on a former railroad line. It was saved from the wrecking ball by decided residents and is now a captivating place to expertise nature, artwork, and design within the metropolis.
There’s nothing improper with exploring Chelsea by yourself, however you’ll get much more out of it with an area information. Try this superior expertise that excursions each the market and the Excessive Line — together with meals!
Night
On the finish of a busy weekend in New York, a sundown cruise is a superb choice for an informal night. This wonderful champagne sundown tour departs from the Chelsea Piers.
For many who favor to remain on land, the Frying Pan is the proper spot for dinner and drinks with a view.
As soon as once more, I’m going to advocate you do no matter goes to make you cheerful. It might be cliche, however there actually is one thing for everybody in NYC!
Should you’re a sports activities fan, catching a recreation ought to be in your weekend in New York itinerary. Town is house to a number of groups in all skilled sports activities in addition to many minor league groups.
Each the Knicks (NBA) and Rangers (NHL) play in Madison Sq. Backyard, which is called the “World’s Most Well-known Enviornment.” Catching a recreation or a live performance there’s a must-do expertise in NYC.
Should you’re extra into the performing arts, I like to recommend catching a present on Broadway. There are such a lot of completely different reveals each night time of the week so it shouldn’t be exhausting to seek out one thing. Tickets could be robust to get and costly, although.
Try the humorous web site Broadway for Broke Individuals to seek out data on offers. We used their tricks to rating standing room tickets to E-book of Mormon for under $30 and had an absolute blast. I’ve by no means laughed so exhausting in my complete life!
It’s a bit too touristy and kitschy for me personally, however I do know lots of people have Instances Sq. on their listing. Go forward and be a part of the throngs of individuals underneath the neon glow of fixed billboards and take a selfie with Spiderman.
Maybe the proper solution to wind down a weekend in New York is by taking within the sundown views from above. In a metropolis filled with skyscrapers, you’ve obtained loads of choices!
On the Rockefeller Middle, you may head to the High of the Rock for what simply is perhaps the very best view within the metropolis. On my go to there was even a band and a pop-up bar up there! Click on right here to e book your tickets.
Insider’s Ideas for a Weekend Journey to New York
You’re set to take pleasure in a implausible 2 days in New York with that epic itinerary. You’ll have a fair higher time when you comply with the following pointers:
Carry comfy sneakers – You’ll be doing an entire lot of strolling, so it’s necessary to be comfy.
Don’t hire a automotive – It may be complicated determining the NYC subway, however it’s value it for the financial savings in money and time. With solely a weekend in New York, you don’t need to be caught in a site visitors jam in a cab with the meter going up and up.
Seize a MetroCard – Decide up a MetroCard instantly and cargo it up. That approach you gained’t have to attend in line each time. A single experience prices $2.75 and also you pay $1 for the cardboard.
Make a listing of your “must-sees” – Too many individuals come to NYC considering they will do all of it in a weekend. Spoiler alert – you may’t. Having a listing of your High 5 sights is rather more doable over a weekend.
Take breaks – It may be tempting to overdo it with simply 2 days in New York. Settle for the truth that you’re not going to see all of it and provides your self a break right here and there, even when it’s simply 5 minutes on a park bench.
Skip the chains – I’ve stated it earlier than and I’ll say it once more. Don’t come to New York simply to go to Starbucks and Applebees. Discover the native locations as an alternative.
Search for the offers – Cash tends to fade into skinny air in New York. Fortunately you’ll find nice offers, from sightseeing tickets and excursions to Broadway reveals to Pleased Hours. You too can get this CityPass card which saves 40% on many sights. In case your new York weekend consists of visiting plenty of sights, it is perhaps a very good choice for you. Study extra right here.
Getting Round New York
New York Metropolis in a weekend is doable. Fortunately, as the largest metropolis within the nation, there are many choices for attending to New York.
If touring by air, you may look into flights for any one of many three main NYC airports — JFK, LaGuardia, and Newark.
LaGuardia is the smallest and the closest to Manhattan. Within the curiosity of saving time, that is your finest wager. There’s no rail service to the town, however there are a couple of completely different buses you may take.
Personal Constitution
A enjoyable solution to get round New York is with a non-public constitution bus, both a full-sized bus or minibus relying in your group measurement.
Plenty of folks come to the Large Apple for a marriage get together, a household reunion, a piece occasion, or only a group of associates getting collectively for a weekend in New York!
Should you’re a kind of folks, take a look at Nationwide Constitution Bus for a free quote. With personal transport, you gained’t want to fret about discovering parking, coping with complicated transportation techniques, or having too many drinks at night time!
Bus
The general public bus is the most affordable but in addition the slowest and also you’ll want a MetroCard or cash. Because you don’t have quite a lot of time, I wouldn’t advocate this selection.
The NYC Airporter bus will get you from both LaGuardia or JFK to locations like Grand Central or Instances Sq.. Buses depart usually and value $15 one-way.
Shuttle Bus
There’s additionally the Go Airlink Shuttle, which serves all three airports and in addition has door-to-door service. Click on right here to take a look at all their choices.
AirTrain
Should you fly into JFK, your finest wager is to catch the AirTrain to the town. It takes you to close by rail and metro stations the place you’ll must switch. This prices $7.75 for the AirTrain after which the standard $2.75 for the subway. Click on right here for extra particulars.
Taxi
In fact, taxis are available in any respect three NYC airports. You’ll be able to anticipate to pay $60-70 or much more from JFK or Newark, and nearer to $30 from LaGuardia.
Rideshare
Rideshare apps like Uber and Lyft are additionally a very good choice when you don’t really feel like navigating public transport. These have their very own pickup areas that may be complicated to seek out if it’s your first time, so ask round.
Attending to New York By Practice/Bus
New York can also be a significant hub for trains. They arrive at Penn Station, which is instantly underneath Madison Sq. Backyard. Amtrak has 14 completely different routes that journey to NYC so that you’ve obtained plenty of choices.
Lastly, there are numerous corporations working buses to New York. I’ve taken each the Greyhound and the Megabus out and in of NYC and like the latter, particularly when reserving early as they’ve some nice offers.
The place to Keep For a Weekend in New York
One of many hardest issues about planning a visit to New York is deciding the place to remain. It’s a large metropolis comprised of 5 completely different boroughs.
For only a weekend in New York, you’ll undoubtedly need to keep in Manhattan. The place you resolve to remain there depends upon quite a lot of components, specifically your price range and pursuits.
If you wish to be close to Central Park and the museums, for instance, you may search for a spot within the Higher East or Higher West Aspect.
Those that favor a extra central location close to landmarks like Instances Sq. can look to Midtown. Need a extra hip vibe? Try SoHo or the Decrease East Aspect.
The good information about NYC is that irrespective of the place you keep, you may get anyplace within the metropolis on the subway. This itinerary strikes round Manhattan fairly a bit anyway, so it actually doesn’t matter all that a lot the place your lodging is. See our full information to the place to remain in New York.
It may be robust discovering lodging in Manhattan that doesn’t break the financial institution, that’s for positive. This undoubtedly isn’t the most affordable place for a weekend getaway!
Take a look at our submit about the way to discover free lodging and take a look at these lodge choices to go well with all budgets:
Click on right here to seek for extra lodging choices in NYC. One factor to think about when reserving a spot to remain on your weekend in New York is that this — how lengthy will you actually be spending in your room? Should you comply with the itinerary above, not very a lot!
In my humble opinion, much less cash spent on a lodge simply means extra money for issues like good meals, rooftop cocktails, and present tickets.
Take pleasure in Your Weekend Journey to New York
Hopefully you’re much more excited on your weekend in New York after getting by way of this information. I’ve introduced you with plenty of choices to make sure you can benefit from a brief journey there and get a style of what the town has to supply.
There’s little question that New York could be an intimidating place to go to.
There’s a lot to see and do right here, there are 1,000,000 completely different subway traces to determine, and individuals are all the time in a rush. In any case, one of many unofficial slogans of NYC is “I’m walkin’ right here!”
That being stated, braving the crowds and the chaos is properly value it. Even with simply 2 days in New York, you may get a style of what essentially the most well-known metropolis on the earth has to supply.
In fact, there’s no solution to do all of it in simply a few days. You can spend a lifetime exploring NYC and nonetheless not see all of it. It’s a metropolis that undoubtedly warrants many return visits.
It is probably not the simplest or most cost-effective place to journey, however it’s a very good one. There’s a sure vitality about New York Metropolis that’s exhausting to explain. You’re simply going to must expertise it for your self.
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