New York in 2 Days: The Perfect Two Day Itinerary

*Updated February 2024

New York City is one of those places that should be on everyone’s bucket list. In fact, there are so many things to do and see that you will probably want to visit more than once! I have explored the city several times and still feel like I have barely scratched the surface. Seeing all of New York in 2 days is simply not feasible. However, my New York two day itinerary will help you make the most of your time in the city.

Insider Tip: Before your trip spend some time making a rough outline of your days in the city. You will need to be strategic if you want to see as much of New York in 2 days as possible! Start with a list of places you want to go, and then use Google maps to get an idea of where everything is located. A little planning ahead of time will keep you from traveling back and forth across the city, saving you both time and energy. My New York two day itinerary is organized this way to make your trip planning easier. Of course, be flexible! You might stumble upon a hidden gem or two that you did not have on your list at all.

New York Two Day Itinerary Overview

Day 1 New York Itinerary

• Cornelia Street
• Friends Apartment
• The High Line
• Little Island
• Edge
• Central Park
• Roosevelt Island Tramway
• Times Square/Broadway Show

Day 2 New York Itinerary

• Dumbo
• Brooklyn Bridge
• Brooklyn Bridge Park
• Books Are Magic
• McNally Jackson Books

New York Two Day Itinerary Details

Day 1 New York Itinerary

Cornelia Street: 23 Cornelia Street, New York, NY 10014 (free)

This one is for all the Swifties out there! Walk down the street made famous by Taylor Swift’s song Cornelia Street, and stop for a picture in front of number 23. Swift rented the townhouse briefly in 2016 while her Tribeca home was undergoing renovations. We have done this twice at my daughter’s request. Just be sure not to disturb the current residents!

Friends Apartment: 90 Bedford Street, New York, NY 10014 (free)

Fans of the hit TV series Friends will enjoy seeing the building that was used for exterior shots of the apartments where Monica, Rachel, Joey and Chandler lived. Central Perk did not actually exist, so don’t be surprised when you find a restaurant called The Little Owl below instead of a coffee shop. I haven’t eaten there myself, but have heard good things.

High Line: Manhattan’s West Side from Gansevoort Street to 34th Street, New York, NY (free)

This public park was built on a 1.45 mile long elevated rail structure and is accessible at several points via elevators, ramps and stairs. The best way to experience the beautiful harmony of nature and art that is the High Line, is to simply wander at your desired pace. There are plenty of places to stop for photos, or sit and enjoy the view, through-out the park.

Little Island: Pier 55 at Hudson River Park, West 13th Street, New York, NY 10014 (free)

Little Island opened to the public in May of 2021. This unique floating park blends nature and art on the Hudson River. The park opens at 6:00am 365 days a year weather permitting. Closing hours vary depending on the season. You can find current closing times, event schedule, and more on their website. Pack a picnic, or purchase food onsite when available, to enjoy on the lawn or at their tables. We brought cookies from a local bakery since the food stalls were not open at the time.

Edge: 30 Hudson Yards, New York, NY 10001 ($$$)

As the highest outdoor sky deck in the area, Edge offers some pretty amazing views of the city. You can also stand on a section of glass floor and see one hundred stories below you, or lean out over the city on angled glass walls. Tickets start at $36 for adults, $31 for children, and $34 for seniors.

Central Park: 59th Street to 110th Street between 5th Avenue and Central Park West, New York, NY 10024 (free)

At 843 acres you could easily spend an entire day walking around Central Park. We have visited the park multiple times, exploring a new section each time rather than trying to tackle the whole thing in one go. The park is open daily from 6:00am to 1:00am.

Roosevelt Island Tramway: 254 E 59th Street and 2nd Avenue, New York, NY 10022 ($)

This modern aerial tramway offers a unique view of the city. As you can imagine the tram can get very crowded. For the best views you need to be close to the front of the line in order to get a spot near a window. If there is already a large crowd waiting to board when you arrive I recommend skipping the next tram, which will allow you to be closer to the front of the line when the following one arrives. Trams arrive every 7-15 minutes so you won’t be waiting long. You will be required to exit the tram at each stop and pay again to return. This tram follows the same fare per ride as the subway ($2.90 per swipe). You can find hours of operation, fare information and more on their website.

Broadway Show: various theatres, New York, NY ($$$$)

Experience the magic of the theatre on Broadway! A few of my favorite shows are Hamilton, SIX, and Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. Ticket prices vary.

Times Square: 42nd to 47th Streets from Broadway to Seventh Avenue, New York, NY (free)

Times Square can be a bit of a tourist trap, but it is still fun to see and experience walking around the area at least once. There is plenty to do, from shows to shopping, and lots of restaurants to choose from. I recommend visiting both during the day, and after dark, to fully experience the view and the lights. As always, be aware of your surroundings and keep your personal items secure. Pickpocketing and theft are common here, especially after dark.

Day 2 New York Itinerary

DUMBO (Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass): 39-21 Washington Street, Brooklyn, NY 11201 (free)

This intersection is popular for taking photos with the iconic Manhattan Bridge as a backdrop. Unless you arrive early, expect to find people lined up for this photo. We got there right after the sun had risen and had the place to ourselves for a few minutes. After you snap a few photos be sure to explore the rest of the area where you will find independent boutiques, high-end restaurants, and trendy cafes.

Brooklyn Bridge: Manhattan & Brooklyn (free)

Walk across this iconic landmark, completed in 1883, to get a fantastic view of New York City. You can enter the pedestrian walkway from the Manhattan side or the Brooklyn side. If you are following my New York two day itinerary route, you will be nearest the Brooklyn entrance. Plan on about 30-60 minutes to walk the bridge, with the pedestrian walkway entrances being approximately 1.6 miles apart.

Pedestrian Entrance: Tillary Street & Boerum Place or via the staircase located in the underpass on Washington Street/Cadman Plaza East and Prospect Street

Brooklyn Bridge Park: Brooklyn waterfront from Washington Street to Atlantic Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11201 (free)

This park encompasses 85 acres of Brooklyn’s waterfront, and has something for everyone to enjoy. The highlight for us was the pedestrian walkway on Pier 1, an ideal spot for a stroll along the East River with panoramic views of Lower Manhattan and the New York Harbor.

Books Are Magic: 225 Smith St, Brooklyn, NY 11231 (free)

Supporting local independent bookstores is one of my favorite things to do! I can think of very few things that are more enjoyable than browsing a beautiful bookstore, carefully choosing which books you want to purchase and take home to read. Books Are Magic is owned by New York Times bestselling author Emma Straub and her husband. Open everyday from 10am to 6pm.

McNally Jackson Books Seaport: 4 Fulton St, New York, NY 10038 (free)

The Seaport neighborhood in Lower Manhattan was formerly a fishing port in the 1800s. This historic area is now home to shops, restaurants, and businesses. We loved browsing for books in the beautiful McNally Jackson Books shop. This bookstore has two floors of books, a cute children’s area, and a bar and cafe.

The Best Way to Get Around New York City

Subway: The subway is generally the most affordable option for traveling around New York City. I have tried both Pay-Per-Ride ($2.90 per swipe) and 7-Day Unlimited ($34) Metrocards. Depending on how much you plan to utilize the subway, it may be more cost effective to purchase a 7-day unlimited even if you will only be in New York for 2 days.

Walking: Expect to do a lot of it! New York City is very walk-able, which is one of the things I love about it. Between walking and the subway, you really won’t have much need (if any) to hail a cab or use a ride-share.

Insider Tip: Bring comfortable, supportive shoes because you will be doing a lot of walking! All that walking, combined with going up and down the stairs to the subway, will wear your feet out fast if you aren’t wearing the right shoes. Even if you will only be visiting New York for two days your feet will thank you, trust me!

Are you adding any of the places I highlighted to your NYC bucket list? Did I miss any of your favorite spots? Let me know in the comments and I will add them to my list!

Visiting New York City for the holidays? Find out my top three things to do in New York in December!

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