Everyone says you can’t just spend 48 hours in New York as you need more time, but contrary to popular belief, it is possible to ‘do’ the Big Apple in two days.
Whether you are on a budget, or are strapped for time, or perhaps are using NYC as a cool stopover before heading on to the west coast, if you only have time for 48 hours in New York, you are in for a treat.
However with just 48 hours in New York, you’ll have to jam-pack it with activities—and that’s where we come in.
Our handy guide will highlight both the must-see attractions as well as the hidden gems, so if you are looking to get a little more out of the Big Apple?
Look no further!
Day One - Morning
If there’s one thing you have to do in NYC, it’s to walk everywhere.
The best way to kick off your 48 hours in New York is to walk to one of the big ticket attractions like one of the city’s fantastic museums such as the MOMA or the Metropolitan Museum.
Yup, it’s an obvious tourist attraction, but it’s one that you can’t really miss and even if you have visited before, you are guaranteed to see something new as the exhibits rotate on a regular basis.
Day One - Lunchtime
If you are looking for the ultimate lunch with one of the best views in the Big Apple, head on over to The Loeb Boathouse Central Park where you will enjoy unparalleled views of Central Park.
This elegant restaurant’s lakeside setting offers serenity which coupled with its incredible cuisine and exemplary service makes it an unmissable part of your 48 hours in New York itinerary.
It’s a little bit on the spenny side, but the culinary offerings are standout and use fresh ingredients
If you are saving your appetite for dinner, opt for something light like their namesake salad which is perfectly sculpted to incorporate generous chunks of feta cheese, tomatoes, cucumbers, red onion and juicy olives.
Day One - Afternoon
If you have perused the amazing collections at the Met, then it’s an ideal time to add another unmissable item to your 48 hours in New York schedule – a visit to nearby Central Park.
Grab a coffee to go from the fabulous FIKA which is a Swedish brand that has captivated NYC’s caffeine lovers.
It has locations throughout, but the one at its Central Park South location is ideal to get you going for your walk in the park.
It doesn’t matter what season you are spending your 48 hours in New York in, you can enjoy everything that Central Park has to offer, walking tours to boat rides to the quintessential horse-driven carriage tour.
Make sure you check out some of the standout sights such as the six-acre Conservatory Garden which has three styles (French, Italian and English) as we head into spring, you can fully expect to see beautiful blooms of peonies and lilacs that offer evocative scents throughout the air.
If you love getting into nature, you will love exploring the thirty-six acres of winding trails that have some of the best bird-watching spots in the city where you can view many of the park’s 230 species.
It’s time to leave the greenery of the park behind and head on over to one of the most well-known landmarks in Midtown Manhattan – the Rockefeller Centre. This stunning Art Deco plaza is home to some of the most iconic New York City must-sees.
Take your pick from the world-famous Radio City Music Hall, NBC Studios and the Rainbow Room Observation Deck. If you pay a visit to the Rockefeller Centre in winter, you can take advantage of New York’s most celebrated attractions – the ice rink and christmas tree.
Day One - Evening
Day two - Morning
Start your day right with a fantastic breakfast which will set you on the right track for the day.
There’s only one place to try if you are looking for the best pancakes and mimosas during your 48 hours in New York and that’s at the Mercer in Soho.
Not only is it one of the best hotels in New York, it’s also one of the best places for breakfast and brunch too.
There’s no doubt that New York has justifiably garnered a reputation for being one of the best cities in the world for shopping and you will certainly need to leave room in your suitcase for vintage finds, designer dresses, souvenirs and more.
From uber-cool vintage and thrift stores to designer boutiques and of course some of the best department stores in the world like Saks and Bloomingdales, you will love the buzz of the streets of New York.
There’s so many gargantuan tourist attractions that you can visit in New York, but if you only have 48 hours in New York, do you really want to spend it queuing up to see iconic landmarks like the Empire State Building and the Statue of Liberty?
These are always items for any NYC schedule, so plan your visit wisely and book in advance if you can.
If it’s a case of snapping the iconic New York skyline, head over to
The High Line where you can gaze upon the most incredible views of the city or head back to the Rockefeller Centre and get the lift up to the Top of the Rock where you can have a video taken of you posing against the glittering skyline.
Day Two - Afternoon
If you love musical theatre and are looking for a fun lunch experience, why not try Ellen’s Stardust Diner in Manhattan which is a short walk away from the main attractions and Broadway.
This is a thrill-a-minute 50’s style diner that offers a great selection of menu options for visitors to enjoy whilst the waiters and waitresses sing songs from different musical theatre productions as far ranging from Hamilton to Wicked.
Many of the servers have gone on to tread the boards on Broadway and other productions across the world.
Musical theatre buffs will love the Museum of Broadway which is close to Times Square.
Here you can peruse the astonishing costumes and theatre sets via a series of interactive and experiential exhibitions that celebrates Broadway’s rich history.
If you have time to catch a show, it’s certainly worthwhile doing so, yes it will eat into your 48 hours in New York itinerary, but with shows like Wicked, The Lion King, Hamilton and the Neil Diamond musical ‘A Beautiful Noise’, your only quandary will be which show to watch.
Day 2 - Evening
If you are looking for a quick win with your ‘48 hours in New York’ list, then you really should pay a visit to NYC’s most beautiful and historic place to catch a train – Grand Central Terminal.
Not only is it a stunning landmark thanks to its ornate detailing and astrologically-adorned ceiling, it’s also a red-hot destination for restaurants and bars.
Head on over to Midtown and pay a visit to Bryant Park, where they host fantastic movie screenings and outdoor recitals, it’s also close to the New York Public Library where you definitely need to pay a visit to the splendid Rose Reading Room.
From the crown jewel of Midtown dining – Le Rock where you can enjoy French-inspired cuisine to one of New York City’s greatest culinary institutions – Keens Steakhouse where you’ll find dome of the best steak dinners in the city, plus its lush decor gives us real Gatsby vibes.
End your 48 hours in New York with a visit to one of the city’s best bars. Whether you favour craft beer, cocktails or a simple glass of wine, pick a bar where the vibe is high and the views are unforgettable!
For those who want to party until dawn, be sure to check out some of the late night bars and clubs where you can dance the night away until it’s time to depart.
Day One - Morning
If there’s one thing you have to do in NYC, it’s to walk everywhere and the best way to kick off your 48 hours in New York is to walk to one of the big ticket attractions like one of the city’s fantastic museums such as the MOMA or the Metropolitan Museum.
Yup, it’s an obvious tourist attraction, but it’s one that you can’t really miss and even if you have visited before, you are guaranteed to see something new as the exhibits rotate on a regular basis.
Day One - Lunchtime
If you are looking for the ultimate lunch with one of the best views in the Big Apple, head on over to The Loeb Boathouse Central Park where you will enjoy unparalleled views of Central Park.
This elegant restaurant’s lakeside setting offers serenity which coupled with its incredible cuisine and exemplary service makes it an unmissable part of your 48 hours in New York itinerary.
It’s a little bit on the spenny side, but the culinary offerings are standout and use fresh ingredients
If you are saving your appetite for dinner, opt for something light like their namesake salad which is perfectly sculpted to incorporate generous chunks of feta cheese, tomatoes, cucumbers, red onion and juicy olives.
Day One - Afternoon
If you have perused the amazing collections at the Met, then it’s an ideal time to add another unmissable item to your 48 hours in New York schedule – a visit to nearby Central Park.
Grab a coffee to go from the fabulous FIKA which is a Swedish brand that has captivated NYC’s caffeine lovers.
It has locations throughout, but the one at its Central Park South location is ideal to get you going for your walk in the park.
It doesn’t matter what season you are spending your 48 hours in New York in, you can enjoy everything that Central Park has to offer, walking tours to boat rides to the quintessential horse-driven carriage tour.
Make sure you check out some of the standout sights such as the six-acre Conservatory Garden which has three styles (French, Italian and English) as we head into spring, you can fully expect to see beautiful blooms of peonies and lilacs that offer evocative scents throughout the air.
If you love getting into nature, you will love exploring the thirty-six acres of winding trails that have some of the best bird-watching spots in the city where you can view many of the park’s 230 species.
It’s time to leave the greenery of the park behind and head on over to one of the most well-known landmarks in Midtown Manhattan – the Rockefeller Centre.
This stunning Art Deco plaza is home to some of the most iconic New York City must-sees. Take your pick from the world-famous Radio City Music Hall, NBC Studios and the Rainbow Room Observation Deck.
If you pay a visit to the Rockefeller Centre in winter, you can take advantage of New York’s most celebrated attractions – the ice rink and christmas tree.
Day One - Evening
New York truly is the city that never sleeps and it’s filled with amazing bars and clubs that’ll give you a taste of the city.
Of course, no visit to New York is complete without cocktails at the rooftop of the Standard Hotel in the Meatpacking District: no matter what time of year it is, you’ll be afforded the most incredible views across the whole of the city.
Or why not take a trip over the famed Brooklyn Bridge to enjoy some drinks at the elegant Wythe in Brooklyn where you can indulge in some of the best cocktails in the city whilst looking out into the view of the iconic Manhattan skyline.
If you are the kind of person that loves a real insider tip, a secret bar is most definitely on the cards. Not even all the locals know about PDT (please don’t tell) a secret bar in the East Village. You will need to put a call in beforehand, and you’ll find the entrance via an old phone box by a restaurant called Crif Dogs, a fantastic hot dogs joint.
Naturally you will be wanting to add an amazing restaurant experience to your 48 hours in New York itinerary and you won’t be short of great choices.
Choosing a great restaurant in New York City is filled with a myriad of amazing possibilities.
Whether you are looking for the hottest sushi spot in Brooklyn, Korean cuisine in Hell’s Kitchen, or a steakhouse in Manhattan, you will truly be spoilt for choice!
One of the hottest restaurants around right now is Sofreh which is one of New York’s few Persian restaurants.
Here you can enjoy some excellent cocktails and carefully-crafted dishes like roasted eggplant dip and beef kebab.
Day Two - Morning
Start your day right with a fantastic breakfast which will set you on the right track for the day.
There’s only one place to try if you are looking for the best pancakes and mimosas during your 48 hours in New York and that’s at the Mercer in Soho.
Not only is it one of the best hotels in New York, it’s also one of the best places for breakfast and brunch too.
There’s no doubt that New York has justifiably garnered a reputation for being one of the best cities in the world for shopping and you will certainly need to leave room in your suitcase for vintage finds, designer dresses, souvenirs and more.
From uber-cool vintage and thrift stores to designer boutiques and of course some of the best department stores in the world like Saks and Bloomingdales, you will love the buzz of the streets of New York.
There’s so many gargantuan tourist attractions that you can visit in New York, but if you only have 48 hours in New York, do you really want to spend it queuing up to see iconic landmarks like the Empire State Building and the Statue of Liberty?
These are always items for any NYC schedule, so plan your visit wisely and book in advance if you can.
If it’s a case of snapping the iconic New York skyline, head over to
The High Line where you can gaze upon the most incredible views of the city or head back to the Rockefeller Centre and get the lift up to the Top of the Rock where you can have a video taken of you posing against the glittering skyline.
Day Two - Afternoon
If you love musical theatre and are looking for a fun lunch experience, why not try Ellen’s Stardust Diner in Manhattan which is a short walk away from the main attractions and Broadway.
This is a thrill-a-minute 50’s style diner that offers a great selection of menu options for visitors to enjoy whilst the waiters and waitresses sing songs from different musical theatre productions as far ranging from Hamilton to Wicked.
Many of the servers have gone on to tread the boards on Broadway and other productions across the world.
Musical theatre buffs will love the Museum of Broadway which is close to Times Square.
Here you can peruse the astonishing costumes and theatre sets via a series of interactive and experiential exhibitions that celebrates Broadway’s rich history.
If you have time to catch a show, it’s certainly worthwhile doing so, yes it will eat into your 48 hours in New York itinerary, but with shows like Wicked, The Lion King, Hamilton and the Neil Diamond musical ‘A Beautiful Noise’, your only quandary will be which show to watch.
Day Two - Evening
If you are looking for a quick win with your ‘48 hours in New York’ list, then you really should pay a visit to NYC’s most beautiful and historic place to catch a train – Grand Central Terminal.
Not only is it a stunning landmark thanks to its ornate detailing and astrologically-adorned ceiling, it’s also a red-hot destination for restaurants and bars.
Head on over to Midtown and pay a visit to Bryant Park, where they host fantastic movie screenings and outdoor recitals, it’s also close to the New York Public Library where you definitely need to pay a visit to the splendid Rose Reading Room.
From the crown jewel of Midtown dining – Le Rock where you can enjoy French-inspired cuisine to one of New York City’s greatest culinary institutions – Keens Steakhouse where you’ll find dome of the best steak dinners in the city, plus its lush decor gives us real Gatsby vibes.
End your 48 hours in New York with a visit to one of the city’s best bars.
Whether you favour craft beer, cocktails or a simple glass of wine, pick a bar where the vibe is high and the views are unforgettable!
For those who want to party until dawn, be sure to check out some of the late night bars and clubs where you can dance the night away until it’s time to depart.
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