1 September 2015 | Updated 16 October 20245 min read
New York City needs no introduction. A world leader in finance, dining, nightlife, shopping and the arts, it sees more than 60 million visitors a year – and with good reason.
From critically acclaimed Broadway shows to some of the USA’s most iconic landmarks, the list of things to do and see in this teeming metropolis never runs out.
With five distinct boroughs – Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx and Staten Island – a short trip here will only take a small bite out of the Big Apple (one of the many reasons to visit a second time). But that doesn’t mean you can’t make the most of a whirlwind two-day New York city break.
Here’s how to check out the city's best in just 48 hours.
Brunch is a staple in New York City so you don’t want to miss out. Manhattan has some of your best options, including Tartine, one of the most iconic brunch spots in the West Village – go for the delicious eggs benedict and to-die-for croque monsieur. If you’ve got a hankering for more traditional American fare (think grilled sandwiches and piles of french toast), head to Joseph Leonard.
After breakfast, saunter through the Whitney Museum of American Art, just a 15-minute walk away on Gansevoort Street. Relocated to the Meatpacking District in 2015, the museum now houses more than 26,000 works of modern American art, from thought-provoking sculptures to 3D paintings.
Head outside and you’re directly at the entrance to the 2.3km-long (1.45 miles) High Line – a unique public park built on an elevated railroad.
Walk to the northern end of the High Line and you're bound to have worked up an appetite. Luckily, Russ & Daughters – a Jewish deli chain and icon of the city – is just up the road so you can refuel with a smoked salmon bagel.
A 9-minute subway ride (or 22-minute walk) will bring you into the centre of Midtown Manhattan, and New York’s beating heart: Times Square. The world is your oyster (apple?) here, so spend a few hours sightseeing or shopping at your own pace. Madame Tussauds New York, the Rockefeller Centre and the Empire State Building are all within walking distance, as is the legendary department store, Macy’s.
There’s only one place to see out your afternoon: Central Park. Walk just 15 minutes to the south entrance from Times Square, and you can enjoy wandering this green giant at your leisure. Anyone with weary feet can simply laze on the lawns or rent a rowing boat from the Boathouse.
If you’ve still got some steam in the engine, both the Metropolitan Museum of Art and American Museum of Natural History are fantastic visits, located either side of the park’s centre.
After a packed daytime itinerary, dinner and a show is the ultimate treat. Hell’s Kitchen, a district just a few minutes from Broadway, has plenty of fabulous bistros and bars. The authentic Thai cuisine at blink-and-you’ll-miss-it Wondee Siam is recommended for its mouthwatering salads, noodle soups and fried rice dishes.
Then, make your way to the theatre of your choice for an unbeatable performance of Wicked, Lion King, Hamilton or Chicago – the list is endless.
Your second day in New York is dedicated to seeing the best of Brooklyn and Queens, so it only seems right to enjoy breakfast there. Ovelia, in central Astoria, serves authentic Greek food with an American twist. Omelettes, sandwiches and pancakes are all on the menu, so fill up for the day ahead.
Socrates Sculpture Park on the East River waterfront (25-minute walk/15-minute subway), is free to the public and boasts amazing views of Manhattan amid 90 varieties of flora, as well as works by local artists. Next door, the art only gets more fascinating at The Noguchi Museum, showcasing the work of Japanese-American sculptor, Isamu Noguchi.
Hail a green inter-borough taxi, or grab an Uber, and head to Brooklyn. Your destination: Brooklyn Bowl. With a bowling alley, live music shows and old-school American diner, you could easily wile away the whole afternoon in this fun-filled complex. Snack on a fried chicken platter for lunch, washed down with a chocolate milkshake, before hitting the lanes for a game or two of bowling.
Cross over Kent Avenue and Bushwick Inlet Park is a great spot to stretch your legs and watch locals play soccer on the fields. If your trip coincides with a Saturday in the summer months, Smorgasburg is a buzzing outdoor food market, located at the park’s southern end.
End your New York city break in Downtown Brooklyn. To get there, you can either jump in another cab and take in the lights of Williamsburg, or if you’re feeling adventurous, catch the ferry from North Williamsburg terminal (a stone’s throw from Bushwick Inlet Park) and enjoy the sight of not one, but three spectacular suspension bridges as you cruise beneath Williamsburg, Manhattan and Brooklyn bridges.
Depart at Dumbo terminal and you’re just a five-minute walk from Time Out Market New York. From loaded hot dogs to sushi, dinner can be whatever flavour you want it to be, and there’s a good chance of live music if you’re visiting over a weekend. Fornino is also here if you’re craving pizza – it serves up some of the best wood-fired slices in NYC.
An after-dinner stroll down the Brooklyn Promenade, soaking up the sparkling lights of Manhattan across the river, is a fitting finale to your two days in New York.
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