48 Hours in… New York – what to do, what to see and where to go
New York is one of the most exciting cities on Earth, a vibrant melting pot of the cultures of immigrants who arrived under the Statue of Liberty at Ellis Island in search of the American dream.
It's glitzy, brimming with celeb showbiz and full of the very best culture, high fashion and low down dirty urban style. You can shop 'til you drop or escape into Central Park, one of the greatest city parks on Earth, with world-class food from all the great cuisines never far away. Here’s The Sun Travel's 48-hour guide to get you started in this thriving metropolis.
Day 1
8am – 9am: Hop off the subway at Houston, or walk through some of the Big Apple’s best-known streets to Russ and Daughters on Orchard Street. Their Jewish deli classics (it’s got to be cream cheese and salmon bagel for an authentic New York start to the day) have patrons queuing down the street. Get there early on Saturdays and Sundays to avoid the crowds (enjoy a lie-in during the week as they open at 10am).
9am – 10am: While you’re in Orchard Street, the heart of the Lower East Side, take in some of the local shopping. You can still snag a suit for a ridiculous price, but the designer boutiques are moving into this always-exciting neighbourhood. If you have time, stop in at the Lower East Side Tenement Museum at number 97 to see how these now fashionable buildings once housed huge numbers of new New Yorkers in very tough conditions.
10am – 1pm: Central Park is 843 acres of magic, somehow surviving amid the building booms that sent the world’s first skyscrapers pushing upwards to find space. There’s a lot to see and on two wheels is the best way to travel. A bike from Central Park Bike Tours will set you back around $20, or you can book a guided two-hour tour. If you want to celebrate a Brit who made New York his home pedal to Strawberry Fields, the John Lennon memorial. Conservatory Water, Belvedere Castle, and the Bow Bridge should also be on your camera’s screen.
1pm - 2pm: It’s sandwich time, but you won’t find any limp lettuce or exhausted egg at Katz’s Deli, the ultimate New York diner. The pastrami sandwiches here are virtually a tourist attraction in their own right, and they’ve been making them since 1888 or thereabouts. We can’t guarantee your partner will have the same reaction as Meg Ryan did in When Harry Met Sally, but you can have what she was having and maybe sit where she sat.
2pm - 3pm: The Empire State Building still lives large in the imagination, though it’s more than 80 years since King Kong was buzzed by airplanes at its famous summit. There can be major queues to take the trip to the top, so a neck-craning gape at the building is enough for some before heading off down Fifth Avenue to the Top of the Rock, the observation deck at the Rockefeller Centre with city views that are just as good.
3pm – 4pm: You won't be too far from your hotel if you choose to stay in the Doubletree by Hilton NYC Chelsea, so pop in and grab a reviving coffee or a bite to eat in one of the 26-storey hotel’s restaurants. Good value for its Manhattan location, the Doubletree by Hilton has a number of great family packages.
New York is packed with hotels, and there are plenty to cover all budgets.
6pm – 8pm: The lights of New York create one of the greatest city night scapes in the world and you’ll want to get out and explore. For a genuine Italian-American experience that’s been listed in the 2016 Michelin Guide but which won’t break the bank, head to Lugo Cucina Italiana and add a cocktail to your dinner order.
8pm – 11pm: Just outside Lugo is the world-famous Madison Square Garden, one of New York’s most renowned concert and sporting venues, home of the New York Knicks. The variety of entertainment in this city is dazzling, so take your pick from Broadway’s finest.
Day 2
9am – 10am: Start the day in fashionable Soho, with eggs or pastries at Balthazar, a classically styled French bistro that serves a full English if you’re feeling homesick.
10am – 12pm: To the south lies one of New York’s most poignant spots, Ground Zero, site of the Twin Towers that were downed in the September 11th, 2001 terrorist attacks. There’s a large memorial, but it’s the small Ground Zero Museum Workshop with its personal stories that many find extremely moving. The towering new World Trade Centre reminds us that this city won’t be kept down for long.
12pm – 2pm: This area of New York is so exclusive, Jay-Z and his missus live around here. It’s not cheap, but the Tribeca Grill serves a fantastic modern international menu. For something cheaper, healthier, but just as trendy, try the Whole Foods store in nearby Greenwich Street.
2pm – 3pm: Battery Park at the southern tip of Manhattan is your next destination to enjoy some city greenery and jump on a Statue Cruises tour around the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, with stunning views back to the city that never sleeps. You can take a similar no-frills free trip by boarding the neighbouring Staten Island Ferry.
3pm – 4pm: After all that fresh air, perhaps it’s time to breathe in some of New York’s rarefied culture. The Museum of Modern Art is something that New York is rightly proud of, one of the best collections of painting, sculpture, and design – including legendary impressionist works by Van Gogh and Monet – anywhere in the world.
4pm – 5pm: Now you’ve fed your mind perhaps it’s time to stretch your credit card. Bloomingdale’s on Third Avenue is smarter than Macy’s and it’s a legendary part of upscale New York life. There’s a 10% discount for foreign shoppers.
5pm – 7pm: As the commuters start their headlong rush home, find some peace and quiet in Highline New York. This former elevated railway line has been turned into a linear park with outstanding design work from some of the city’s best architects supporting the planting. If you want to freshen up before heading out for your last night The Courtyard by Marriot is just a short step from the Highline and fantastic value for a hotel on the doorstep of New York’s boho HQ, Greenwich Village.
7pm – 9pm: There’s nothing American chefs do better than steak, and for an authentic New York experience head to West 70th Street, to the west of Central Park, for Lincoln Square Steak. Enjoy this authentic New York dining experience among the brass and dark wood booths.
9pm – 11pm: You’re in the Upper West Side now, and it’s time for a cocktail or two. The neighbourhood is packed with excellent bars, but a Bonfire of the Calamities at the Manhattan Cricket Club will continue the leather and luxury ambience into the night.
Final Day
9am - 10am: Wherever you stay in NYC, the most famous street in the world, Broadway, isn’t too far away. The cross streets between Broadway and The Avenue of the Americas are packed with fashionable shops if you want to grab some last-minute bargains before you leave.
A short break to New York is never quite enough; you’ll only just have whet your appetite by time it’s time to leave. You really could spend a lifetime exploring.