The city that never stops moving. Even after all the times we’ve been to New York City, we feel like we’ve just reached the limits of this fantastic metropolis. However, whether this is your first trip to New York or if you want to experience the city’s attractions, there are several places you really must see. Therefore, keeping that in mind, we have prepared this New York City schedule for your first two days there. It concentrates mainly on the sights we consider the city’s best—those we have repeatedly returned to throughout our numerous excursions. 

There is so much one can do and see in New York in only two days. We’ve planned this schedule to minimize wasted time in transit so you can spend more time in the sights. We’ll spend most of our time in Manhattan and will only be venturing to Brooklyn for a day trip. Although we have many other favorite spots across the different districts of New York City, we believe that attempting to cover too much if you have a short amount of time can be harmful to your vacation.

The First Day in New York City

One of the best ways to spend a Friday or Saturday in New York is by checking out one of the museums for which the city is known. Of course, there’s no shortage of museums in New York, from the massive and famous to the little & quirky, but to kick off your weekend, we suggest visiting one of the significant 3.

The Metropolitan Museum Of Art (Upper East Side)

You can find everything from American paintings to an impressive collection of historic armor gathered from around the world to Egyptian artifacts to entire rooms from Paris that have been relocated to New York at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, also known as the Met. The Met’s famous steps have also been featured in countless films and television shows.

The Museum of Modern Art (Midtown)

Do you like contemporary works of art? If you only have 48 hours to see all New York has to offer, you may choose to start with the world-famous Museum of Modern Art. The Museum of Modern Art has numerous notable pieces, including Van Gogh’s “Starry Night,” as well as paintings by Andy Warhol and Jackson Pollock.

Central Park

Visiting one of the most well-known parks worldwide is a must on every weekend spent in New York City.

You do not have time to spend a day at Central Park because of its size and the fact that you only have two days to tour New York. However, Belvedere Castle, the Central Park Lake, its charming rowboats, the Alice in Wonderland monument, Bow Bridge for pictures, and Bethesda Terrace should all be on your list of must-sees when you visit the park. 

The best way to ensure you don’t waste time wandering around Central Park without seeing the sights most vital to you, even if they are just around the corner, is to use your phone’s GPS navigation system.

The Second Day in New York

On your second day in New York, you’ll check out some of the city’s top museums and other must-see attractions. Okay, so let’s begin!

Inatteso Cafe, Ellis Island, Statue of Liberty

The Financial District is a great place to begin a day of sightseeing and cultural exploration. Inatteso Cafe, a hip coffee shop in Battery Park, serves delicious pastries and Nutella toast to get your day off to a good start. Seeing one of New York City’s most famous sites, the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island will take up most of your morning, but it will be well worth it.

France presented the Statue of Liberty to the United States as a gift; it has come to symbolize freedom for millions of immigrants to the United States throughout the years. A UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2010. 

Grand Central Terminal

The significant aspect of New York is that it is home to many filming and television landmarks that are also worthy tourist destinations in their own right. There must be something about them if they are beautiful enough for a film.

Empire State Building

You probably don’t need me to introduce you to the Empire State Building. This art deco skyscraper dates back to 1931 and has 102 stories.

Broadway Show

We think it would be a waste to visit one of the world’s most renowned theatre districts and not see a performance there. Broadway hosts some of the world’s most famous plays, stage performers, and actresses, with a wide variety of shows to satisfy every taste.

Our visits to New York City never fail to impress us, and it remains one of our favorite places in the United States. There is so much to see and do in New York City that even a native New Yorker like Cat may discover something new each time she returns. Read more about travel around the world here.