Posted: Feb 27, 2024

Updated: Oct 10, 2024

New York City 2-days itinerary: is it even possible to visit this metropole in two days? Absolutely. This New York City 2-Days itinerary offers you a whirlwind exploration of the city’s pulsating energy, historic marvels, and culinary delights. Ah! The Big Apple. New York City. Not because it has anything to do with apples, but nicknamed as such in the 1920s as a way to make reference to its growing prominence and allure back then. When I traveled through the USA a few years ago to seek clinical research and clinical rotation placements, I dreamed of having a New York City summer experience because of how mediatized and well advertised New York City was: big city, flashlights, all day, energy, possibilities. Beyond being a haven for aspiring doctors, like many North American destinations, New York City is also one of the largest metropoles in the world.

So, when a friend of mine popped in at home and asked: “Hey, you wanna go to New York City this weekend?” I was bamboozled, caught off guard and excited at the same time. And even though I gave her a resounding “yes” filled with a mélange of apprehension and enthusiasm from the fear of the unknown, I knew that my doubts would evaporate yet hoped that the Big Apple would meet my expectations during this short New York City vacation.

Less than a week. This is what we had to plan for this New York City Summer (or more like spring) weekend getaway. This article is a quick New York City 2-days itinerary including what to do, where to eat and where to stay if you are visiting New York City for a short stay and are looking for a budget experience!

First…What is New York City Known for?

There are a few elements that make New York City such a well desired tourist destination around the world, even if you are traveling there for only two days. Whilst I would not call New York City “the best city in the world” (because superlatives are dependent on each traveler’s priorities and values), I appreciate and celebrate the cultural diversity, financial ascendancy, artsy personality and resilient spirit that make New York City such a unique tourist destination, which I will share with you in this New York City’s 2-days itinerary. If you are wondering why New York City is famous, here are a few reasons why: 

New York City has impressive Cultural Diversity: New York City is the cultural capital of the USA. This is a result of post-colonial benefits, but also the openness of the country (and the city) to welcome new cultures, talents and people from all around the world. Just like in Toronto where you can find a culturally diverse population, in New York City, you can witness this cultural diversity as you explore certain areas of Manhattan, learn about other boroughs, or embark into culinary experiences that make you discover African, Caribbean, European, Asian and Indian cultures during your New York City summer experience. 

New York City is home to several iconic landmarks: and the statue of Liberty (Lady Liberty is only one of them!) Other popular landmarks in New York City include the Brooklyn Bridge, Time Square, Central Park, the Empire State Building. They are iconic symbols that bring visitors to New York City every year, and represent either an era of the city, or a pillar of what it is on the international scene. 

New York City is a great destination for art enthusiasts: visitors to New York City know that the city is one of the major cultural hubs around the world. New York City is “the” city where artists make their debuts, singers grow, actors explore their passions, and every creative can discover who they are. And the city stands by its “cultural hub” qualifier by providing multiple infrastructure to support it, such as the Broadway theaters, art museums (Museum of Modern Art, Metropolitan Museum of Art), open art and music venues, performance spaces, art galleries, artsy neighborhoods, and so much more. 

New York City is an iconic Fashion and Style Destination: Or rather, the “North American” fashion and style destination. Every traveler can have a different type of shopping experience when visiting New York City: from luxury and upscale experiences on Fifth Avenue (downtown Manhattan) to artsy and vintage experiences in the Greenwich Village (and in street markets), there is something for everyone looking to have the best New York City summer experience.

24/7 nature, a city that never sleeps: having spent only 36 hours there, I can finally understand New York City is the city that never sleeps. It reminds me a lot of Toronto, which is on a calmer end. There is always something happening in New York City: summer, spring, fall or winter; day or night; rest assured that no matter when you go, you won’t be bored.

Renowned public transportation system: the public transportation system of New York City (subway, buses and yellow taxis) allow visitors and travelers to navigate the city effortlessly. Granted, it’s easy to get lost, but trust that you will get found again!

New York City 2-Days Itinerary: Which New York City Airport is best?

For your New York City 2-days itinerary, you can get to the Big Apple by driving or by plane.

For our New York City 2-days itinerary summer/spring experience, we traveled from Toronto and did a road trip to New York City. It took us about 8 hours (each way). If you live in a proximal city, you can consider doing a road trip. It takes longer than flying, but the scenery and experience is uniquely different.

If you are flying into New York City, there are 3 New York City airports you can choose from: 

• John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) – best for international flights
• LaGuardia Airport (LGA) – best for Domestic flights from the USA
• Newark International Airport (EWR) – best for both domestic and international flights, and less crowded.

You can find out more about how to get to New York City from its main airports, or learn more about New York City airports. 

New York City 2-Days Itinerary: What is the Best Place in New York City to visit in the Summer?

Understanding New York City Boroughs

Forever grateful for my Instagram friend Jose who calmed my nerves when I felt overwhelmed about figuring out the best place to visit in New York city for this New York City 2-days itinerary. Jose explained to me that New York City is divided into boroughs, and each Borough itself is home to countless bucket list experiences. Knowing this already made me feel a lot calmer, and reduced the fear of missing out. To elaborate more on Jose’s thoughts and advice, it’s important to know that regardless of the New York City borough that you explore during your New York City vacation, you will have a great time and will see a lot to make you want to come back for another New York City Summer experience. 

New York City is organized into 5 boroughs (neighborhoods), and each borough has a unique and distinctive personality. The best place to visit in New York City depends on what you value and love as a traveler. However, if you are traveling to New York City for the first time, I recommend going to Manhattan (or spending more time there) because it is the heart of the city. it represents everything, and is a great starting point for getting to know New York City. 

So, here is what makes each New York City borough unique:

Manhattan: this is the heart of New York City, and the destination I would recommend for the first time traveler or someone who is visiting for only a few hours. It is known for its iconic skyline, 24/7 bustling streets, and has the majority of all the world-class famous attractions that New York City is known for, aka the best things to do in New York City (Central Park, Time Square, Broadway theaters, Wall Street, etc.) It is also the commercial and financial hub, and has an impressive nightlife scene. Popular neighborhoods in Manhattan include SoHo, Harlem (where we stayed), Greenwich Village. This is also where we spent all our time during our New York City 2-days itinerary.

Queens: When we talk about cultural and culinary diversity, we talk about Queens. It is considered the most ethnically diverse borough in the Big Apple. Popular attractions and infrastructures in Queens include the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center (where the US Open is held), the Flushing Meadows-Corona Park (the 4th largest in New York City) and the site of the 1964 World’s Fair. Popular neighborhoods in Queens include Long Island City (which I would love to visit on another trip), Astoria and Jackson Heights. 

Brooklyn: Brooklyn is “the” artistic borough of New York City. Eclectic, colorful and thriving culture all characterize the streets of Brooklyn. And we know that with vibrant artistic expression also comes vibrant culinary expression, so just like Queens – this would be a great place to taste and experience culinary flavors that bring life and color to New York City. Brooklyn is known for trendy areas like DUMBO and Williamsburg, and neighborhoods like Park Slope, Brooklyn Heights and Coney Island (which someone on Instagram recommended I visit on my next trip). It is also home to a lot of beautiful parks such as the Brooklyn Botanical Garden and Prospect Park.

The Bronx: This is the historical borough of New York City. The Bronx is also the birthplace of Rap, Hip Hop, and the home to the New York Yankees (professional baseball team). Green space lovers and nature enthusiasts would also love the Bronx Zoo (one of the largest city zoos in the world), as well as parks like the Pelham Bay Park and the Van Cortlandt Park. 

Staten Island: This is the suburban and “nature” borough of New York City. It is a calmer and quieter neighborhood, which brings a much needed contrast to New York City given the bustling energy of all the other boroughs. Staten Island feels very much like the quiet escape you need when in a big city. The island is home to the Staten Island Greenbelt, a network of parks and trails, as well as the historic Snug Harbor Cultural Center and Botanical Garden. The Staten Island Ferry (which carries 70,000+ people daily for free) gives locals and visitors the opportunity to take in breathtaking views of the Statue of Liberty and the Manhattan Skyline. 

In New York City, the only borough that is not primarily located on an island is the Bronx. The other boroughs: Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens and Staten Island are either located on islands or part of one. During our New York City summer/spring escape, we spent the majority of our time in Manhattan, which is where we got to do all our New York City bucket list experiences. We also spent a few hours on Staten Island, but not enough to explore, which warrants another visit (sooner rather than later I hope!)

What is the Best Time to Visit New York City ?

If you are wondering: “Can I travel to New York City right now?” here is your answer: I love summer travel experiences, so I would recommend visiting New York City in the summer. Because it is also the high season, the city would most likely be full of tourists too. On this trip, we went at the end of the spring (which is a prelude to the summer), and it was still quite chilly, with occasionally sunny days.

If you are into holidays, I would also recommend visiting New York City in the winter (specifically December and January) to see how the city transforms into a winter wonderland!

Should I explore New York City by Car or on Foot?

Given how extensive and well developed the public transportation system is in New York City, I highly recommend exploring the city as a local: by bus, metro or on foot. This is particularly important because it will save you a lot of time (and money) as it did for us in this New York City’s 2-days itinerary. Feel free to use an Uber or a Lyft when needed, but during our 36-hour stay, we used public transportation. It is also important to observe standard safety procedures when using public transportation, and follow local regulations and safety protocols. 

New York City 2-Days Itinerary in the Summer: Where to Stay

Where you stay in New York City depends on your budget, sightseeing priorities, the amount of time you are spending in New York City and the type of traveler you are. For our New York City 2-days itinerary, since we were going to be in the Big Apple for only 36 hours, we were planning to spend a lot more time outside than inside, so it did not matter as much: as long as our accommodation was pretty close to where our activities were (Downtown Manhattan). We stayed at a popular Airbnb in Harlem (one of the popular neighborhoods in Manhattan), and we liked it because it was convenient, clean and comfortable.

When I plan to do a luxury New York City experience, I will opt for hotels located downtown Manhattan. So, when picking your accommodation, you can choose between Airbnbs, hotels (3-5 stars) depending on what you prioritize.

New York City Summer Experience: Where to Eat

Similar to where to stay, the choice of where to eat for your New York City 2-days Itinerary and summer experience depends on the type of traveler you are, the vibe of your trip and your budget. New York City is known for its cultural and culinary diversity, so you can find anything (or close to anything) that is to your liking. If you are spending time in Manhattan, I recommend looking up restaurants online and making reservations ahead of time to guarantee your space. 

We wanted to try a Caribbean restaurant during our New York City vacation, but were not able to get a table because we did not have a reservation (the wait time was also 40 mins). Websites like Opentable and Google Reviews are great for restaurant research to see menus, and see what other travelers tend to like and recommend.

And of course, for your New York City 2-days itinerary, you’ve got to try out some of the city’s street foods! We lunched and dined on street hotdogs, Philly cheesesteaks and authentic New York Style pizzas! But rest assured, I used other methods of staying healthy when traveling. (wink).

New York City 2-Days Itinerary: What to Pack

Spring is the transition season between Winter and Summer. Temperatures fluctuate a lot as the weather is adjusting from winter to summer. With that in mind, if you are traveling to New York City during the spring, wear clothes that can keep you warm on chilly days (long pants, cute/handsome sweaters, light jackets and tennis shoes, etc.) but also pack a few pieces in case the weather is warmer (short or sleeveless dresses for women, light shorts and shirts for men). This is the approach that I recommend, as my travel style is “comfortable and cute”. 

New York City 2-Days Itinerary: Free Things to Do

There are at least 10 activities you can do and sights you can see in New York City this summer. This is particularly useful for you if you are either on a budget, or prefer prioritizing low-cost experiences because you are there for a short stay. Here are fun, iconic and unique “must-do activities in New York City”. 

• See the Statue of Liberty: The Statue of Liberty is one of the top landmarks in the USA, and in New York City. You can see it for free by taking the Staten island ferry, which runs every single day, 24/7.

• Walk on the Brooklyn Bridge: Also one of New York City’s historical landmarks, the Brooklyn Bridge is very popular for visitors, and easily accessible from downtown Manhattan.

• Relax at Central Park: Central park is the 5th largest park in New York City, and a breath of fresh air in a busy metropolis. Whether you are walking, cycling or having a picnic at Central Park, every moment there can be a unique experience.

• Visit Bryant Park: Bryant park is a popular urban park in midtown Manhattan, where locals and visitors stop by to catch their breath, take in beautiful sights of the city, or simply relax. It is also close to a lot of eateries and local vendors, and has seasonal activities, including during the summer.

• Explore the Grand Central Terminal: Grand Central Terminal is popular in New York because it epitomizes wealth, abundance, engineering, architectural prowess, survival and rebirth. The terminal is a great sight to see when in New York City the architecture lover, the history nerd and the regular traveler. Really felt like an easy activity to fit in our New York City 2-Days itinerary.

• Spend time at the Rockefeller Center Plaza: This plaza is popular for roller skating, and is also a well-liked plaza for popular spring and summer activities in New York.

• Stroll through 5th Avenue Shopping alley: Even if you don’t plan on shopping, walking through streets lined and paved by luxury stores and boutiques is inspiring!

• Walk around Broadway Street: Broadway Street is a boulevard of famous theaters that attract locals and visitors from around who love musicals, as well as top notch performing arts experiences. 

• Spend time at the New York City Time Square: City life, big lights, never ending music, performances and excitement: these are all elements that characterize the iconic New York Time Square! Whether you are visiting during the day or night, you will feel the energy of New York Time Square!

• Walk Around Wall Street: Wall Street is an eight-block-long street in the Financial District of Lower Manhattan in New York City (Wikipedia). It is a final symbol of what New York City represents in North America and the world, and is definitely worth the stroll for the traveler who cares to feel inspired. 

New York City 2-Days Itinerary: Here is what we did!

To conclude this guide, I want to share our actual New York City 2-Days itinerary!

We arrived in New York City in the afternoon (from Toronto), and because we had 36 hours, we wanted to maximize our time and do as much as we could. So here is my sustainable travel itinerary for a New York City summer/spring weekend!

Day 1 in New York City

Mid-Afternoon (3:00 – 4:00 PM): park downtown Manhattan and take the Staten Island Ferry (to see the Statue of Liberty). Explore Staten Island if you have a little bit of time, then take back the free Staten Island Ferry to downtown Manhattan.

Evening:

6:00 – 7:00 PM: drive to the Airbnb, park the vehicle and get ready for a night at the New York City Time Square.

7:00 PM and onwards: spend a night at Time Square – street foods, live music, street arts, everything you need to feel the energy of New York City summer energy at night! This was a good and restful way to end the first day of our New York City 2-Days Itinerary.

Day 2 in New York City

Morning: Take a walking tour of Harlem (where we stayed), and stop at a local spot for breakfast. Then, head downtown for some light shopping and start sightseeing. Go on a walk on the Brooklyn Bridge, followed by some restful time at Central Park. 

Afternoon: Walk around the city: explore the Grand Central Terminal, walk through 5th Avenue (High end luxury shopping alley) on your way to the Rockefeller Center where you can enjoy seeing roller skating or why not… join the fun! (roller skates available for rent on site).

Then, walk to Bryant Park, enjoy the scenery and take in the beautiful views. For dinner, go to Joe’s Pizza NYC, one of the best in New York City! If you can’t find a spot to eat (it’s always packed and when you go you will understand why), head back to Bryant Park and savor some of the best New York Pizza Slices!

Evening:

Take the subway and head to Wall Street: take in the riches, abundance and energy of the neighborhood: you are meant to be there! Then, head back to Time Square for your last moments in New York City.

Hope you enjoyed this New York City 2-Days Itinerary, and see you for the next adventure!

First published: June 11 2023 – Updated: February 26 2024