2 perfect days in New York City

It doesn’t get any bigger or more exciting than New York City. In just 48 hours, you can only scratch the surface of all there is to do here, but that’s plenty of time to sample the good stuff and you’ll no doubt be back to explore more.

Of course, how you do NYC depends on a few factors—the number of times you’ve been here, the season, and what kind of a traveler you are (family, college student, honeymooner, boomer—you get the drift). On this trip, we’re sticking to Manhattan, where we’ve come up with a selection of must-see attractions, local dining spots, and one-of-a-kind experiences that will be appealing to any age, at any time of the year, and whether this is your first time or your 50th visit.

We’ve also curated Tripadvisor recommendations and ratings to make sure your short stay is as awesome as the city itself. And while we’ve put together an ambitious itinerary, we’ve included a few relaxing moments that will allow you to soak in the city’s atmosphere—but not too many. After all, they don’t call this “the city that never sleeps” for nothing. You can sleep when you get home.

On this whirlwind two-day itinerary, you’re going to take in some big highlights (Times Square, Chinatown), but we suggest starting small—along the narrow, winding streets of the West Village, a quaint residential neighborhood. The Village is known for its bohemian history and vibrant street life. Wander through its tree-lined streets to Washington Square Park, a great spot for people-watching, free performances by local musicians, and photos under the giant arch (which frames a view of the Empire State Building). Grab a bite at one of our favorite breakfast spots: Buvette (for a taste of Paris in NYC), Jack’s Wife Freda (a Mediterranean bistro that’s worth the wait), La Bonbonniere (a greasy spoon with heavenly pancakes), or Magnolia Bakery (get a cupcake or a pint of banana pudding to go).

Then, make your way west toward the Hudson River to Gansevoort Street, where you’ll find one of the main entrances to the High Line, an elevated park built on an old rail line. Stroll along and enjoy the architecture, the public art installations, and the lush greenery. The best overlook is at 17th Street, which has a great view of the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. (Put those on your list for a longer visit.)

Continue north along the High Line until you reach Hudson Yards, a modern development with two iconic look-outs. There’s The Vessel, a striking honeycomb-like structure, but we’re partial to The Edge, the highest outdoor sky deck in the Western Hemisphere. It’s an experience not to be missed, with angled glass walls providing thrilling, unobstructed views from its vantage point 100-plus floors in the air.

For lunch, Hudson Yards has lots of options, but the new outpost of the Lower East Side’s iconic Russ & Daughters is a must-visit (and the line is much shorter here). This New York institution is the place for Jewish “appetizing” (as it’s called). Order the lox on a bagel with a schmear of cream cheese, the smoked fish, or the savory matzo ball soup.

For dinner, venture uptown to Harlem, an area known for its soul food and rich history of African American culture. Sylvia’s—known as the “Queen of Soul Food”—is a local standby for fried chicken, collard greens, and cornbread. Or go high end at Marcus Samuelsson’s Red Rooster, a sultry, speakeasy-style restaurant that feels like a throwback to another era. Legend has it that former President Barack Obama is a huge fan of the short ribs. If they’re on the menu, you must order them.

After dinner, end today’s adventure on a high note. This neighborhood has been a center of jazz since the Harlem Renaissance of the 1920s, and venues like the Apollo Theater or smaller clubs like Minton’s Playhouse present live music that captures the spirit of this creative, trailblazing area.

Begin your day with a classic—a New York bagel. You’ll probably want to choose your spot depending on where you’re staying, but some of our favorite bagelmakers with multiple locations include Tal Bagels (East Midtown, the Upper West Side, and more), Ess-a-Bagel (Midtown East, the Fashion District, and more), Zuckers (Lower Manhattan, Grand Central, and more), and Black Seed Bagels (Rockefeller Center, Chelsea Market, and more). And then there are the one-off spots: Murray’s in the West Village, David’s Bagel in Gramercy Park, Absolute Bagels in Upper Manhattan. You get the drift: There are a lot of bagels in this town. That said, it’s probably not worth going out of your way—you really can’t go wrong with most New York City bagels (supposedly, the water here makes them better).

Enjoy your quintessential NYC breakfast staple as you make your way to Times Square in the early hours, appreciating the calm before the storm of activity. Times Square is known as the “Crossroads of the World,” and as the day goes on, it gets busier and busier. Insiders know that the best time to come here is first thing in the morning when it’s quiet, with just a few New Yorkers passing through on their way to work. If you haven’t finished your bagel by now, you can enjoy it on the stairs next to the TKTS Booth, which sells discounted same-day Broadway tickets. If you want to scrap your plans and see a show, the booth opens at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday (for matinee performances) and at 3 p.m. the rest of the week (evening performances).

If you have the time, you can squeeze in a quick visit to the American Museum of Natural History, just west of the park. It’s one of the largest museums in the world and a great place for all ages, with exhibits ranging from dinosaur fossils to the mysteries of outer space.

Now, head to Central Park West, where you can pick up the subway at 81st Street (near the American Museum of Natural History), 72nd Street, or 59th Street. Hop on the C train downtown—in just 30 minutes you’ll be at the tip of Lower Manhattan. Visit the 9/11 Memorial & Museum to pay respects and learn about a pivotal moment in recent history. Then, walk around the Wall Street area, past the New York Stock Exchange (no time to go in on this trip) and the Charging Bull statue.

We told you we were going to be hitting a lot today, so stick with us as we hop on the J train a few stops north to a Lower East Side classic: Katz’s Deli. If you ever watched the movie, When Harry Met Sally, the hilarious scene that was filmed here (“I’ll have what she’s having!”) will be seared in your memory. The restaurant is jam packed (and confusing), but the line moves fast. Order a pastrami sandwich, pickled tomatoes, and an egg cream, an old-fashioned drink that’s a mix of seltzer, milk, and chocolate syrup (no eggs), and thank us later.

After lunch, stroll down to the Tenement Museum, where you’ll get a glimpse into the lives of New York’s early immigrant population. The museum offers guided tours of restored apartments that depict what life was like in the 19th and early 20th centuries.

Finally, cap off your NYC adventure in Chinatown, which has a mix of Asian cultures—from Cantonese to Fujianese to Vietnamese. This neighborhood put down its roots in the late 1880s—and a visit here feels like you’re strolling through the past. One tip: Dim sum is a breakfast food, but you can still get it in the evening at Nom Wah Tea Parlor (though some critics say it’s too popular for its own good) or the more traditional Golden Unicorn. You’ll find the best dumplings at Shu Jiao Fu Zhou Cuisine (plus amazing peanut noodles), pork chops over rice at Taiwan Pork Chop House, and crispy claypot rice at Noodle Village. For dessert, head to Mai Lai Wah Bakery and sample the sugar-crusted pineapple bun, which has no pineapple but looks like a pineapple. Just trust us on this one.