48 Hours in New York City: How to Make Every Minute Count

Two days in New York is not enough. Let's just get that out of the way first. You're not going to see everything, and if you go in with a checklist of 30 things, you'll end up spending most of your weekend on the subway and none of it actually being anywhere. Pick four or five things you really want to do and let the rest happen. That's it. That's the whole trick. Everything else below is just helping you avoid the stuff that'll waste your time or burn a hole in your wallet. Before I forget — the stuff that matters Wear comfortable shoes. You'll walk 8 to 12 miles a day whether you plan to or not. Leave the dress shoes and heels for a dinner. From the airport to the city... If you're flying in, take the AirTrain + subway from JFK, a taxi or Uber/Lyft from LaGuardia (or the LaGuardia Link bus + subway), or the train from Newark. Whatever you do, ignore anyone in the airport who offers you a "cheaper ride" outside the official taxi line. That's not a real thing. Book the big stuff before you get there. Statue of Liberty, Top of the Rock, Summit, Edge, Broadway shows, all of it sells out, especially on weekends. The day-of Broadway option at the TKTS booth in Times Square is legit and it can save you 30-50%. Anyone on the street selling you Broadway tickets is either not legit or will overcharge. Group things by neighborhood. If you're going to the Statue of Liberty, also do the 9/11 Memorial and walk across the Brooklyn Bridge, they're all down there. If you're hitting Central Park, do the Met or the Natural History Museum the same day. Don't spend a morning downtown and an afternoon uptown just because the map looks small. The city is huge, don’t underestimate it. Your new best friend: The Subway Take it. It runs 24/7 and it's the fastest way to get around. A few things worth knowing: Check the direction. Beside knowing what line you’re getting on you have pay attention to the direction as well. Getting on the right line but the wrong direction happens more than you think, I say this from experience. Get your contactless card or payment method ready before you walk up to the turnstile. Then just tap your phone or card, no need to buy a MetroCard. If you walk down to the platform and find one subway car completely empty while every other car is packed, there is a reason that car is empty. Walk to the next one. Trust me. Check the MTA app on weekends — there's often track work that reroutes trains in ways that will ruin your plans if you don't know about them. Generally the subway is safe to ride but as with any large city you should be aware of your surroundings and belongings. Trust your instincts and if the vibe is off, especially at night, just take an Uber or Lyft. What's actually worth doing The classics are classics for a reason, so don't feel cool trying to skip them all. Top of the Rock has better views of the skyline than the Empire State Building because it has the Empire State Building in the view. The Met will absorb a half-day if you let it. Central Park is the best free thing in the city, just walk in and wander. Some stuff people sleep on: The Staten Island Ferry is free. It gives you a great view of the Statue of Liberty without the Liberty Island trip. If you're tight on time, this is the move. Anyone selling you a "ticket" for it at the terminal is trying to scam you. The High Line into Chelsea Market, then wander west to the Hudson River. Easy afternoon. DUMBO in Brooklyn for the Manhattan Bridge photo you've seen a thousand times, plus Brooklyn Bridge Park, which is genuinely lovely at sunset. Walk the Brooklyn Bridge from the Brooklyn side toward Manhattan. You'll be walking toward the skyline instead of away from it, and the crowds are thinner going in that direction. Where to eat (and where not to) Do not eat in Times Square. I repeat, do not eat in Times Square. Walk ten blocks in any direction and the food gets infinitely better and cheaper. If you’re starving and find yourself in Times Square, hop over to Hell's Kitchen, its nearby and full of great restaurants. Pizza and bagels are the way to go. Yes the city has cuisines from all over the world that you have to try, but with only a weekend to explore you should save the sit down meals for dinner. Instead pop into a bodega or pizza shop for a quick slice, then keep exploring. Chinatown, Koreatown, Flushing in Queens, and basically any block of Brooklyn, this is where the city’s diversity shows (and where you should be eating). Even if your weekend is mostly Manhattan, try to get out to a different borough for at least one meal (my favorite is Queens). For a nicer dinner or if you plan on visiting a popular restaurant, reserve ahead of time. This sounds obvious, but people underestimate how busy these places can get, especially during the weekend. As a last resort try to walk-in, some places have reserved space exclusively for walk-ins, so if you’re lucky (and early) you may get a table. The scams, briefly… Here's what you'll run int