Should I spend 1, 2, or 3 days in New York City?
Should you spend 1, 2, or 3 days in New York City?
Many visitors spend at least 3 or as many as 7 days in New York City during their trip. If you're not sure how much time you might need here, we have the answers because your journey calls for making the most of every moment. The city offers the chance to spend time at the museums, discover the big city activities, take in a show, and dine out at amazing restaurants.
New York City is one of the most iconic cities in the United States. It is filled with its own energy and personality, and visitors will enjoy exploring the unique neighborhoods and seeing world-renowned landmarks. The city is divided into 5 boroughs, with most visitors spending the majority of their time in Manhattan. Manhattan has high skyscrapers, world class shopping, and countless entertainment options such that there's never a dull moment.
Do you have one or two days to visit New York City? Here's our comprehensive breakdown of how much time you might need for your trip along with some suggestions for things to do.
Is one day enough time in New York City?
As a popular and famous city, New York City offers a large number of activities and attractions for visitors. One day is probably not enough time here. You might feel rushed to see the main attractions of New York City such as the famous sights and museums, the big city activities, the theatre, and the food. To thoroughly enjoy all that the city has to offer, you'll probably want more time. Most travelers schedule at least 3 or as many as 7 days to fully experience the one-of-a-kind city. Nevertheless, if time is of the essence, we have some nice suggestions for your visit.
How to spend a day in New York City
When visiting New York City, you can't miss the Statue of Liberty as it's one of the most famous places in the world. Make sure you give yourself enough time to enjoy it.
Don't miss an evening at the theater while in town. Whether it's a musical, opera, ballet, or a famous Broadway-style production, New York City is known for its wide range of shows. Visiting Broadway is a quintessential NYC experience. Whether you enjoy the theater or simply want to experience something new, seeing a Broadway show is a true bucket list activity.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Hamilton Musical Themed Guided Walking Tour ($69)
- Broadway Musical Theater Walking Tour ($50)
- Alexander Hamilton Musical Walking Tour ($50)
New York City is a very walkable city. With only a day in the city, you'll have no trouble exploring the local sights. The majority of the neighborhoods in Manhattan are very walkable and easy to explore on foot. Most people prefer not to drive here as it can be overwhelming and chaotic.
Is a weekend (two to three days) enough time in New York City?
A weekend trip is usually not enough time to experience the one-of-a-kind city of New York City, so you may find yourself somewhat rushed. Or, perhaps you'll want to return another time to take it all in. You don't want to miss the chance to spend time at the museums, discover the big city activities, take in a show, and dine out at amazing restaurants. Many tourists set aside at least 3 or as many as 7 days for their visit. However, if your schedule only gives you a couple of days, we have a handful of recommendations to make the most of your weekend adventure in New York City below.
New York City's Subway
How to spend 2 days in New York City
If you have more than a weekend (two to three days) in New York City, you'll appreciate the added time for everything the city has to offer.
New York City is famous for it's world-class attractions, museums, and landmarks. You'll want to spend at least a day exploring one or more that you're interested in the most. The sights and museums around the city are too numerous to list, but some of the most famous include the Statue of Liberty, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Museum of Modern Art, Central Park, and the Empire State Building. This is a city that is filled with iconic landmarks and you could spend weeks here and still not see it all.
Make sure to set aside around 3 hours for Metropolitan Museum of Art, which is $30. It's great for families and is known for its vast and diverse collection of art spanning thousands of years and cultures.
You'll want to have around 2 hours for Museum of Modern Art (MoMA). It's a nice activity for families and couples and is known for its extensive and world-renowned collection of modern and contemporary art including works by iconic artists. It's $25 for adults, $18 for seniors, $14 for students, and children 16 and under are free with an adult..
Make sure to set aside around 3 hours for Statue of Liberty, which is $24. It's great for families and is known for being a symbol of freedom and democracy and offering spectacular views of New York City and its harbor.
It's worth around 2 hours for Empire State Building. Entry is approximately $44 for adults, $38 for children aged 6-12, and $42 for seniors, with higher prices for access to the 102nd-floor observatory.. It's known for its stunning views of New York City's skyline and iconic Art Deco design.
One World Trade Center is worth visiting for around 2 hours, which is great for families and couples. Known for its status as the tallest building in the Western Hemisphere and its observatory with stunning views of New York City, entry is $43.
Make sure to set aside around 2 hours for Rockefeller Center, which is $40. It's great for families and couples and is known for its observation deck with panoramic city views, the ice-skating rink, and the annual Christmas tree lighting event.
It's worth around 1 hour for Grand Central Terminal. Entry is free. It's known for its iconic architecture, bustling commuter rail services, and historic status as a transportation hub.
You'll want to have around 1 hour for Chrysler Building. It's a nice activity for backpackers and is known for its stunning Art Deco architecture and status as an iconic New York City skyscraper. It's free.
It's worth around 2 hours for St. Patrick’s Cathedral. Entry is free. It's known for its stunning Neo-Gothic architecture, beautiful stained glass windows, and being a major religious and cultural landmark in New York City.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Private 9/11 Memorial and Ground Zero Tour with Museum Tickets ($128)
- Art Deco and Architecture Midtown Landmarks Tour ($40)
- "The Met" Metropolitan Museum of Art Tour Semi-Private 8ppl Max ($133)
The delicious food of New York City is one of the main highlights of a trip to the region. Dining out is one of the highlights of a trip. Make sure you take the time to taste as much of it as possible during breakfast, lunch, and dinner at some of this city's best restaurants. And consider a food tour or cooking class. You can easily fit one into your schedule since many are just a few hours or half a day. The city has a diverse variety of restaurants, with everything from local dives to Michelin star options. There are many neighborhoods that are notable for their ethnic cuisine, particularly Little Italy and Chinatown. Quintessential NYC dishes include NYC pizza, NYC hot dogs, bagels, and Chinese dim sum.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Private Food Tour in the Upper West Side | Tasty Tours NYC ($200)
- Nolita's Tasty Global Bites with Ahoy NY Food Tours est 2009 ($130)
- Best of New York Food Tour: 5 dishes plus famous sightseeing! ($99)
Public transit in New York City is easy and efficient. In just a few days, you should be able to get around the city quite easily. The city has one of the largest subway systems in the world. There's also an elaborate bus system, ferry system, and yellow taxis all around town.
More Info
If you're looking for more information about New York City, we have even more advice to help you plan your journey.
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