2-Days New York City Itinerary: essential tips

Choosing New York as your destination is already a great move. And it doesn't matter if you're only staying for a couple of days, I guarantee that the experience will be unforgettable. You'll have enough time to take photos at the most iconic spots in Manhattan, and even a selfie next to the Statue of Liberty! Here's a travel guide to make everything easier for you.

If you don't have much time in New York, the key is to choose areas of the city where the attractions are close to each other. That way you can make the most of your time and see several things at once. You may not be able to go inside everything, but you can see it from the outside and take some great photos as you go.

Walk through Times Square

If you start your day in Times Square, you have a big advantage: many of Manhattan's other popular destinations are very close by. The walk takes no more than 15 minutes towards Broadway. It's also one of the stops if you book the New York tourist bus, which is a great option to consider if you're spending a short time in New York, as it allows you to travel comfortably between the main attractions.

Times Square is usually full of tourists, so if you go first thing in the morning, you'll feel less overwhelmed and be able to take your photos in peace. In addition, many tourist buses depart from this meeting point withtours of different areas of the city. Take advantage of them and kill more than two birds with one stone.

Take a stroll through the south of Central Park

The famous Central Park, in the heart of Manhattan, covers around 341 hectares. You may not have time to see everything, but you can see the main attractions. From Times Square, you can take the C subway line to Strawberry Fields, the iconic monument to John Lennon. Or, if you prefer, you can walk the same route in 30 minutes. That way, you'll see some things along the way, such as the famous Tavern on the Green and Greyhound Arch.

Then return by the other route, heading a little further east first. There, take some photos next to The Lake. Then cross Bow Bridge and take The Mall path, which you're sure to recognise from more than one film or television series.

If you feel like it, you can also rent a bike in Central Park especially for this tour and cover more places in less time (plus it's quite an adventure!). If you prefer to visit another of the city's parks because you already know this one, you can check out the best parks in New York here.

Visit the MET, the most comprehensive museum in New York

You can't visit the Big Apple and not spend at least a couple of hours at the Met or Metropolitan Museum of Art. More than two million works of art from around the world will leave you speechless. This is undoubtedly one of the best museums in New York.

The MET opens its doors at 10 a.m. Book your guided tour of the MET as soon as possible or buy your tickets in advance so you don't miss out. Another option to avoid the queue is to book the best tourist card in New York. This way, you can go straight in to see the most iconic works in its permanent collection.

Stop off at Rockefeller Centre

Whether it's Christmas and you want to see the giant illuminated tree and the ice rink, or you simply want to go up to the Top of the Rock, you can't miss New York's largest shopping complex.

Leave Central Park and head to Fifth Avenue. Walk for 13 minutes until you see the façade of St. Patrick's Cathedral. Take some photos as a souvenir. Then go inside for a few minutes and admire the interior. Admission to the cathedral is free and you can enter until 6 p.m.

When you leave the cathedral, continue straight ahead to Rockefeller Centre. In addition to going to the top, I recommend stopping here for lunch. Find the best places to eat near Rockefeller Centre here or book a food tour.

Book a contrasts tour

Another option if you are only staying for a couple of days is to book the contrasts tour, as it is a convenient and easy way to get to know the popular neighbourhoods of Harlem, the Bronx, Queens and Manhattan and discover their cultural diversity.

All this with a local guide who will show you each of the places in detail on this five-hour tour.

Return to Broadway and enjoy a show

End the day by returning to Times Square and be impressed by the spectacle of the neon lights. And while you're there, why not see a musical? The soundtrack, the characterisation, the staging... the best of the best.

There are manymusicals to choose from. Most performances start around 7:30 p.m. Be sure to buy your ticket in advance to get a good seat.

Get ready, because Manhattan isn't all New York has to offer. On the second day, I recommend you venture a little beyond the island and visit two essential places that no tourist in New York should miss: the Statue of Liberty and the famous Brooklyn district.

Head to the Statue of Liberty

With yourtickets to the Statue of Liberty already purchased, you can avoid the queues. First, book a ferry cruise to the Statue of Liberty and watch the skyline take shape as you leave Manhattan behind. Take a photo with Manhattan in the background and a selfie with the Statue of Liberty.

Once you arrive at Liberty Island, you can go inside the monument and learn about its history in the museum. You also have access to the observation deck, from which you can enjoy views of Manhattan in the distance.

On your return, I recommend stopping off at Ellis Island and taking a few minutes to visit the Immigration Museum. You'll learn all about the great waves of migration that made New York the multicultural city it is today.

Visit the 9/11 Museum and Memorial

Since you're returning to the south side of Manhattan, it's worth taking the opportunity to visit the World Trade Centre and the 9/11 Museum next to it. There you will witness the impact of this tragedy and how the events of 9/11 had consequences not only for the American people, but for the rest of the world.

As I recommended earlier, buy your tickets to the 9/11 Memorial in advance and skip the queues.

Head to Brooklyn

To the southeast of Manhattan Island stands the bridge that connects it to the famous borough of Brooklyn, home to renowned artists and a large part of New York's population. Crossing it on foot takes approximately 45 minutes, and you can take the A line from the 9/11 Memorial . I recommend the former for a more authentic experience.

Once you are in Brooklyn, you will notice a strong architectural identity in contrast to Manhattan. For this, I recommend the DUMBO neighbourhood in particular. It is about a 15-minute walk once you have crossed the bridge. Take a stroll to explore Brooklyn and be amazed by the industrial warehouses that have now been converted into apartments that we all dream of owning one day. Also, be sure to visit the Broadway Museum.

Once there, you can also visit Williamsburg and New York's Jewish neighbourhood.

Discover the Guggenheim Museum

To round off the afternoon, book your skip-the-line tickets to the Guggenheim Museum and catch up on modern and contemporary art with an impressive collection that will dazzle you with works by Pollock, Kandinsky, Picasso and Renoir.

Also, pay close attention to the building, designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, which is an architectural masterpiece that will impress you.

Say goodbye to Manhattan from the top of the Empire State Building

As you can see, there is a lot to see and do in New York. The time has come to say goodbye to Manhattan and celebrate that, despite your short visit, you managed to see more than you would have thought.

Take advantage and do it in style by going up the Empire State Building. If you have one, we recommend using your tourist card to avoid the queues. And if you haven't purchased one, don't hesitate to book your ticket for the Empire State Building. And take photos, lots and lots of photos. The night-time landscape of Manhattan deserves to be remembered and immortalised.

You have time to go up until 1:15 a.m., as access remains open until 2 a.m.