Overview

This post is for the person that has limited time in New York City, but they would like to “see it all.”

In my opinion, it is feasible to see all of NYC in 2 days, but it would be a challenge if you would like to do a lot of shopping.

I have lived in New York City for the past 4 years and grew up just across the river in New Jersey.

What are the must sees in NYC?

These are my list of must sees in New York City.

• Statue of Liberty (Opens at 9:00 could board ferry at 8:30)
• Ellis Island
• Central Park
• Met (Mon: Closed; Tues – Thurs: 9:30 am – 5:30 pm; Fri/Sat: 9:30 am – 9:00 pm; Sun: 9:30 – 5:30)
• High Line (7:00 am – 10:00 pm)
• Times Square
• Empire State Building (8:00 am to 2:00 am)
• Top of the Rock (Only necessary if don’t go to Top of the Empire State Building)
• Rockefeller Center (8:00 am – 12:00 am)
• Chinatown
• Little Italy
• Walk the Brooklyn Bridge
• Broadway Show (Shows usually closed on Mon/Tues)
• Chelsea Market (7:00 am – 9 pm)
• Baseball Game – Summer
• Ground Zero Memorial (10:00 am – 6:00 pm)

How would you split up the days?

DAY 1

Start at 6:30 am with walk across the Brooklyn Bridge and back
8:30 – Ferry to Statue of Liberty (Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island are closed temporarily)
8:30 – 10:30: Statue of Liberty
11:00 – 2:00: Ellis Island
2:00 – 3:00: Ground Zero Memorial
3:00 – 5:00: SOHO (Shopping and Walking Around)
5:00: Grab Dinner in Little Italy or Chinatown
7:00: Broadway Show
11:00: Party late in the night or Comedy Show

If you prefer to walk across Brooklyn Bridge to Grimaldi’s (1 Front Street, New York, NY 11201 ), this would only be feasible if you largely pass on SOHO or make only an abbreviated stop.

If Broadway show is not available, I would go to Baseball Game, any other sporting event (Nets, Knicks, Rangers, Devils), or a Comedy Show

DAY 2

7:00 AM – Grab breakfast at Chelsea Market
8:00 AM – 9:30 AM: Highline
9:30: Macy’s (34th Street)
10:00 AM: Empire State Building
12:00 AM: Lunch in Midtown
1:00: Timesquare
2:00: Walk up 5th Avenue to Central Park
3:00 – 6:00: Central Park including MET and Boating in Central Park
7:30: Baseball Game

You could spend more time at Central Park if you decide to pass on Baseball game or head straight there from Central Park.

If I had an extra day in NYC and loved to shop, I would go to SOHO/5th Avenue/Tribeca. If I would rather do a family activity, I would go to the Bronx Zoo.