A vacation in New York City with your family is a dream for many. After all, NYC ranks high among the globe trotters who are always finding a reason to come back here.
This is a city that never sleeps, and even if you have been here several times, there is so much to do, see and explore. Even if you have two days in NYC with your family, you can still make the most of it, provided you have a well-planned itinerary.
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Furthermore, It is a city that attracts many tourists yearly with its multitude of attractions and adventurous activities. New York City is also considered one of the most diverse and exciting cities for foreigners to visit. There are umpteen places in New York City with numerous cultural activities, amazing dining options, and breathtaking views.
Stay in a Central Location While in NYC
We recommend booking a room or rental in a central location and trying to visit Central Park at least once a day. Once you arrive in the city and want to store your luggage safely, you can easily use luggage storage services in the city provided by reputed companies.
What to Do With Just 2 Days in NYC
If you are wondering what to do with 2 days in New York City, we have some ideas. Here is how to spend 2 days in New York City with the kids and cover the major highlights.
New York City Itinerary Day 1:
The 9/11 Memorial & Museum
This is one of the best places to visit in NYC and is a must on your 2-day itinerary. The museum tells the story of what happened on the horrific September 11, 2001. It can be an overwhelming feeling to witness a place that is now forever frozen in history.
The visit to the memorial will allow you to experience what it means to have lost loved ones and friends. You can also walk through the museum with an interactive display showing images of the attack, emergency services, and how they acted quickly once it all kicked off.
We suggest you visit the memorial earlier in the day (opens at 10 am) and walk around as much time as you can. You get one chance to do so before it closes down at 6 pm.
Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island
Start the day with a trip to the southern end of Manhattan Island and see the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. Use an NYC CityPASS*, New York Pass*, or book a ferry to reach the island. You will see the torch-carrying statue and Ellis Island immigration museum telling the stories behind immigration to the United States and Liberty island with its beautiful architecture and famous viewpoint.
Note: The NYC CityPASS and New York Pass will give you access to a bunch of other attractions in the city as well. CityPASS provides admission to 3 or 5 top attractions over a 9-day period for one low price. The New York Pass is a 1 to 10-day pass that covers the cost of over 100 New York attractions and it is more expensive than the CityPASS.
The Oculus
This is the new World Trade Center transportation hub designed by Santiago Calatrava. The Oculus is a beautiful building with a white shell that resembles a dove in flight or a whale’s skeleton. There are over 100 high-end stores here, including Apple, John Varvatos, and Brookstone.
Wall Street
Your trip to New York City is incomplete if you have not walked on the oldest streets in the city and clicked a selfie with the Charging Bull. It is made up of narrow, beautifully restored buildings nestling an endless parade of shops, luxury, and food fit for royalty!
Experience the history and culture of this vibrant city while you tick off the most important tourist sites with your family. On Wall Street, you will also discover unique art, interesting people, and the New York Stock Exchange.
Brooklyn Bridge
The Brooklyn Bridge is a landmark that has become revered around the world, and the fact that it was the first suspension bridge to connect two “islands” in the US, honors its status as a true architectural marvel. It is located in Downtown Manhattan and offers views of most of the city, including Central Park Lake and Manhattan Skyline.
Cross the Brooklyn Bridge, and it is a joy to walk on the historical Bridge that offers admiring views of the city. Take lots of pictures of the Bridge as it is one of the most Instagram- worthy spots.
Empire State Building
It is a must for every family to see the iconic building. Enjoy a 360-degree view from the 86th Floor of the building. The building’s observation deck also provides a wonderful panoramic view of the city and is a great landmark for tourists looking for something fun to do during their vacation. It is included on both the CityPASS and NYC Pass. If you don’t have either you should buy the VIP Express Pass in advance to avoid long queues.
If you have some shopping bags or extra packets, let Luggage storage New York take care of them as you sightsee.
Top of the Rock Observation Deck
Get a bird’s eye view of the city from the Top of the Rock Observation Deck at Rockefeller Center. You will have an unobstructed 360-degree view of Manhattan. The sunsets here are beautiful, so we recommend visiting in the evening.
It is included on both the CityPASS and NYC Pass. If you don’t have a pass, you should buy tickets in advance to avoid long queues.
Times Square
End your first day with a trip to the dazzling Times Square, and those huge, animated neon signboards truly make the space come alive. It is impossible to miss the place, and once you are there, you will understand why it is called the “Crossroads of the World.”
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NYC Itinerary Day 2 With Kids:
Start your day off early with a delicious breakfast at one of the many cafes in or near your hotel. Then, make your way over to one of the most popular tourist destinations in all of New York City (Central Park) and then explore the nearby museums.
Central Park
As the first urban landscaped park in the United States, Central Park is a massive green space in the middle of Manhattan that offers many activities for visitors of all ages. In the morning hours, take a leisurely stroll through the park and take in the sights and sounds of nature.
If you have time and are interested, visit the Central Park Zoo, rent a row boat to enjot the water, or take a horse-drawn carriage ride around the park. Central Park is also a great place to people-watch or relax on a park bench with a good book.
If your teenager has the balance and adventurousness for skateboarding, consider skipping the bikes for an electric skateboard rental—a unique way to traverse the island. You can book electric skateboards with large wheels to explore here. For an added thrill, sign up for skateboard lessons to ensure a safe and enjoyable ride. You and your teens (or just your teens, if your joints aren’t ready for this) can explore the parks and listen to music.
The Metropolitan Museum of Art
The Metropolitan Museum of Art, popularly known as The Met, is the most visited museum in the city. A trip here will let you experience 5,000 years of art from around the world. The museum is sure going to be a source of inspiration for your children who can learn and discover some fantastic information.
The American Museum of Natural History
This is a family-friendly museum that is a major research and education on the natural sciences. Established in 1869, the museum exhibits natural habitats, plant and animal life, and millions of research specimens and fossils collections. It also has a working planetarium and a butterfly conservatory.
How long does it take to walk through the American Museum of Natural History?
The museum recommends that you plan at least 2.5 hours walking through this museum. But, the amount of time you spend here depends on your interests. On our first visit, we spend over 4 hours. This is the largest natural history museum in the world and spans 4 city blocks. So plan to spend some time here.
The Guggenheim Museum
The Guggenheim Museum is one of the must-visits when in New York City. It is a 10-story building with a unique spiral design by Frank Lloyd Wright that houses some of the world’s most important art collections. The museum is home to a constantly rotating selection of exhibitions, so there is always something new to see.
Grand Central Terminal
Visit Grand Central Terminal, which is the historic train station in NYC with several million visitors each year. Its history is spectacular, full of stories of survival and rebirth. The terminal building has been used as a train station for more than 100 years, but it also contains valuable artworks and other historical artifacts that have been amassed over the years through many different means.
It is a world-famous landmark today and brimming with rich history and carries a story of survival and rebirth.
With only 2 days in NYC, you’ll want to make the most of your time by seeing some of the city’s most iconic landmarks and attractions. If you have more time in the city, we highly recommend adding a few more activities to your itinerary, such as:
- Seeing a Broadway show (can I recommend the Lion King)
- Radio City Music Hall for a tour or show
- Take a food tour (like this Dessert Tour of Hell’s Kitchen)
- Take your picture of yourself with the lion statues in front of the New York Public Library
- Strolling through Chinatown or Little Italy
When in the city, travel like the locals and walk around to get the real feel of the city and its character. Every time you turn a corner, you get a different perspective of the city and discover and rediscover some interesting locations and spots.
Don’t be afraid to ride the subway, as it is an efficient and affordable way to get around. And most importantly, have fun and enjoy your 2 days in NYC!
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