A weekend in New York City – With Tips and Recommendations
– By Maria Potehina from Call It Adventure
To spend a weekend in New York is a great idea. It is impossible to cover all the corners of the city, but it is definitely more than enough time to fall in love with the Big Apple, as they call New York.
Grand avenues that we all know from movie scenes, yellow cabs that fill the city streets, bustling Times Square and busy Wall Street. New York City has many faces, and we love them all.
So, the question is: how to spend a weekend in New York and see as much as you can? The best suggestion will be to know where to go and what to do in New York.
Continue reading to find out about the New York guide to the most legendary NYC places.
PS – Useful Travel Resources to use while heading to New York City to tick off this NYC Weekend Travel Itinerary
- Book your Rental Car in New York City on Discover Cars and RentalCars.com
- Book the best New York City Tours at GetYourGuide or Viator
- Book your Accommodation in New York City on Agoda or Booking.com
- Unlock Massive Savings by getting an All Inclusive New York City Pass from GoCity
- Get an eSIM by Airalo to stay connected and Save on Roaming Fees
- Sign up for a Priority Pass before flying to New York City, and get access to premium Airport Lounges.
- Sign up for a Travel Insurance to enjoy a hassle free vacation in New York City.
The Perfect New York Itinerary For a Weekend
Day 1 in NYC
Breakfast at Paris Baguette
Paris Baguette is a French style fast food boulangerie with delicious food. I love stopping by this place for a coffee break of a substantial meal. It is a chain, so there are a lot of Paris Baguette places around the city.
Price range : $
Hours : Mon-Fr 6:30 am – 10 pm, Sat-Sun 7 am – 10 pm
Address :Â 591 Lexington Ave, New York, NY 10022
Walk in the Central Park
No doubt, some of the places are well-known from movies. And Central Park by far is the most famous place.
One of the most popular photo-scenes is Bethesda Arcade near Bethesda Fountain and breathtaking Bow Bridge with views of grand New York skyscrapers.
Hours : Sunrise till 1 am
Address : Between 59th and 110th Streets and between Fifth Avenue and Central Park West Avenue.
Metropolitan Museum
If you are into art or wish to visit the famous Metropolitan Museum, which is located on the eastern part on the Central Park at the 5thavenue, I suggest you do so. Because the Metropolitan Museum has one of the best art collections in the world and with masterpieces from famous artists, counties, and eras.
Hours : Sun-Thur 10 am-5:30 pm, Fri-Sat 10 am-9 pm
Address : 1000 5th Ave, New York, NY 10028
Lunch
As heading from Central Park to the next attraction, the best idea would be to have lunch at the food court of Rockefeller Business Center. The place is filled with cafes to fit everyone’s taste. From salads and sandwiches to soups and desserts.
Price range : $
Address : Rockefeller Plaza, Concourse level
Top of the Rock
Stop at Rockefeller Center and get ready to become breathless because of the beautiful city spread under your feet. Top of the Rock offers the best views of the city because of the glass walls and is open from morning till the very late evening, but the best time would be to around sunset to fully enjoy the beauty of the magnificent city laying at your feet.
Tickets : $40+
Address : head towards Rockefeller Plaza and then follow the signs to the Top of the Rock
Washington Park
Probably the first place any F.R.I.E.N.D.S fan should go, because of Washington Park recognisable arch. But it is not only for those who love Friends sitcom. It is a very lovely place with lots of shade, benches and a cool area around to relax and enjoy the Greenwich Village vibes.
Address : Corner of West 4thstreet and Macdougal Street.
Dinner at Tsurutontan Udon Noodle Brasserie
Treat yourself with an exceptional dining experience, friendly atmosphere, and healthy food at Tsurutontan Udon Noodle Brasserie. Wide selection of dishes and drinks makes this place a perfect stop for dinner with friends or even a date.
Price range : $$
Hours : Mon-Fri 11:30 am – 2:30 pm and 5 pm-10 pm, Sat 12 pm – 10 pm, Sun 12 pm –9:30 pm
Address :Â 64 W 48th St, New York, NY 10036
Times Square
Big colorful posters of Broadway shows and commercials playing from all over the buildings around the square. A busy heart of New York looks best in the evening because all the lights go crazy in a rushing dance.
Broadway Show
One of the reasons to visit New York can be to see a Broadway show. My personal favorite is a performance called Sleep No More. It is an immersive performance where everyone and everything is a part of the action. But also it is a good idea to go and see classics such as Chicago or The Phantom of the Opera. No matter the choice, the experience will be breathtaking.
Price range : $30 and up
PS – Don’t forget to check out these Top 10 Tips for buying Broadway tickets in New York. You can thank us later 😜
Rooftop Bar
A Weekend in New York should not go without a drink at a rooftop bar. Everyone’s favorite is the 230 Fifth Rooftop Bar with breathtaking views of Empire State building. The place is always busy but easy to get in. The drinks are great, and the atmosphere is even better.
Price range : $$
Hours : Mon-Fri 4 pm – 4 am, Sat-Sun 10 am – 4 am
Address :Â 230 5th Ave, Ste 1018, New York, NY
Day 2 in NYC
Breakfast at Chelsea Market
Chelsea Market is a modern, bustling market, with vibrant food and unique shops is a relatively new attraction in New York. Stop by for some souvenirs, a cup of coffee or a lobster meal, and is definitely one of New York’s hidden gems.
Price range : $$
Hours : Mon-Sat 7 am – 2 am, Sunday 8 am – 10 pm
Address : Corner of 9th Ave and W15th Street, New York, NY 10011
High Line Park
High Line Park is a park like no one ever saw before. Almost 2 miles long park and greenway is a former rail trail transformed into a gathering place.
Hours :Â Sunrise till sunset
Address :Â Start at the corner of 10thAve and 16thSt and head north
9/11 Tribute Memorial
One of the most tragic pages of USA history that shattered the whole world when 9/11 happened. One of the saddest days that left a permanent scar on our hearts.
Hours :Â Sunrise till sunset
Address : 180 Greenwich St, New York, NY 10007
Lunch
Another popular thing to do in New York is to try the famous New York-style pizza. Cheap and delicious, New York-style pizza is a large pizza with thin crust can be found at every corner. My suggestion is to look for a pizza shop, not stands. For example, Underground Pizza with very affordable prices and delicious pizza.
Price range : $
Hours : Mon-Fri 9 am – 9 pm, Sat 10:30 am-7 pm.
Address : 3 Hanover Sq, New York, NY 10004
Financial District
New York is often considered to the Financial Capital of the world. The reason can be the impact of the NYC Stock Exchange, and Wall Street both have on the world economy. Walk around Wall Street, Stock Exchange at 11 Wall Street and Federal Hall at 26 Wall Street. Then head to the bronze statue of Charging Bull at the corner of Broadway & Morris Streets.
The Battery Park
The southern part of Manhattan island is a beautiful park with the Statue of Liberty views. If you are limited in time the best suggestion is to witness the Statue of Liberty from a distance.
Address : Head to the south from Charging Bull Statue
Brooklyn Bridge Park
If you ask for a one stop in New York, just one place to see it all during your weekend in New York, probably the best place for this matter will be Brooklyn Bridge Park. Not only it is a nice place for a walk but also a park with great views of New York downtown and Brooklyn Bridge. An iconic skyline of New York in one spot.
Also, there are tons of amazing things to do in Brooklyn Bridge Park, that will keep you busy for a couple of hours at least. While you are at it, just chill, take a stroll around, take tons of pictures and enjoy every moment at the Brooklyn Bridge Park.
Hours : Sunrise till 1 am
Address : Old Dock St, Brooklyn, NY 11201
Dinner in SoHo
Head to the SoHo, one the busiest and active areas in New York. Here, in the heart of the old district you can find a unique furniture shop with a very lovely restaurant. Sounds either confusing or intriguing. Yet, the La Mercerie – Cafe at the Guild is a very exceptional place with romantic interior and delicious food.
Price range : $$
Hours : Mn-Sun 9 am – 10 pm
Address :Â 53 Howard St, New York, NY 10013
Arrived in New York with a Jet Lag? In that case, this guide about Things To Do With Jet Lag in New York, is what you need to check out ! You can thank us later 😜
New York is always a great idea when it comes to a weekend getaway or discovering a new destination. However, if you have more that a Weekend at your hand, then this 5 Day New York Itinerary, has all the information that, you as a first time traveller would be looking for. Familiar scenes from movies, business buzz and cultural life make New York the capital of the world and a place everyone keeps on coming back to discover more.
If you enjoyed reading this, you might also enjoy reading these Weekend Guides
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