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Yellow taxis driving through the busy intersection of 5th Avenue and 23rd Street in New York City, USA

Itineraries for Your Trip to New York City

New York City locals share their perfect days.
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2 Days in New York City for First Timers

Curated by Mandy Hegartywho previously lived in New York.

Day 1: Morning

Board an early ferry from Battery Park and sail out to Liberty Island for a close-up view of the iconic torch-holding Statue of Liberty. The trip includes a boat ride to Ellis Island to learn stories of the 12 million immigrants who passed through between 1892 and 1924.

Day 1: Afternoon

NYC may seem familiar—even to first-timers—thanks to its role as backdrop for countless movies and TV series. Filming location tours pass by many noteworthy attractions, making the tours an excellent way to see New York. To sightsee independently, book a hop-on hop-off bus tour and travel around landmarks with ease.

Day 1: Night

Head uptown to one of New York’s most famous neighborhoods: Harlem. A Harlem walking tour takes you to live jazz performances; legendary music landmarks, such as the Apollo Theater; and to some of the finest Southern-style food and barbecue spots in NYC.

Day 2: Morning

Head out of Manhattan for the morning and snack your way through Brooklyn, NYC’s trendiest borough. Focus your efforts with a walking tour of one or two neighborhoods such as Greenpoint and Williamsburg, or opt for a food-focused coach tour to try Brooklyn’s best bites.

Day 2: Afternoon

Change your point of view by heading for the observation decks at the Empire State Building, Top of the Rock, or One World Observatory. For the ultimate sky-high view, take a helicopter tour over NYC, soaring above the Brooklyn Bridge, Central Park, Chrysler Building, and more.

Day 2: Night

It wouldn’t be a trip to NYC without catching a show on Broadway, so you’ll want to book your coveted Broadway tickets in advance. In the city that never sleeps, you don’t have to hit the hay after the theater, either. Instead, continue on a nightclub tour offering skip-the-line access so you can avoid the wait.

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