Read update
- Our Previous New York Itinerary (14 Days Long) Is Now A New York Itinerary 16 Days In Length!
Summary
- Spend just over two weeks in NYC to fully acclimate to the city, visit top attractions, and explore famous landmarks.
- Start the New York City itinerary by visiting the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, exploring Wall Street, and shop in Madison Square and Union Square.
- Don't miss out on experiencing the Brooklyn Bridge, famous NYC museums, Coney Island and Luna Park, the Empire State Building, Times Square, Central Park, Staten Island, Long Island, Woodstock, ice skating in Central Park, and the Edge Observation Deck. Consider a hop-on hop-off bus tour to explore iconic attractions at your own pace. Finish off by ticking anything else off your ultimate NYC bucket list!
Wondering what to do in 2 weeks in New York City? The answer is "a lot", and, fortunately for tourists, 16 days (so just a little over two weeks) is the perfect time to acclimate to the city and its people. It also allows visitors to take their time while visiting central and greater New York attractions, including Lady Liberty, the Empire State Building, Brooklyn, and Coney Island.
Whether deciding on activities for the winter in NYC or what to buy if visiting New York City for the first time (like tickets to the Edge and Empire State Building!), this list is a great starting point for tourists wondering how to spend 16 days in the Big Apple. See the highlights of the concrete jungle with this 16-day New York City itinerary, which showcases most of its top attractions, iconic NYC landmarks, and other stops while visiting what is easily the most famous city in America for tourism!
UPDATE: 2023/11/29 01:57 EST BY SUNIL PURUSHE
Our Previous New York Itinerary (14 Days Long) Is Now A New York Itinerary 16 Days In Length!
Originally starting out as 10 days in New York City, this list has been expanded even further to become a New York 2-week itinerary (just a little over, in fact, at 16 days!). Discover even more activities that have now been added to an already awesome list of great ways to spend two weeks in New York City.
16 Visit Ellis Island And The Statue Of Liberty
To visit both islands in a day, the National Park Service recommends an early ferry departure
To start the New York two-week itinerary, after the morning bagel and coffee, visitors should catch the subway to Battery Park, where they will hop on the ferry to Liberty and Ellis Island, which are two of the most famous places in NYC. Also, if tourists are on a budget, they don't need to worry; the Staten Island ferry is a free service!
Make sure to capture the New York skyline from the water, as well as the obligatory selfie with Lady Liberty. Explore Ellis Island, walk about, and take it all in before heading back to Battery Park.
- Tour: Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island Tour - $44 per adult
- Best time to Visit: Mornings on Weekdays
15 Walk On Wall Street
Fans of 'The Wolf of Wall Street' will feel like they've stepped right into the movie
Wall Street is a must-visit spot in NYC, even for travelers with a limited interest in finance. Wall Street is the trading hub of the economic world and spans eight blocks in the Financial District of Lower Manhattan.
Walk among the buildings where the biggest stock exchange in America takes place and witness the many people in suits strolling the streets with purpose.
- Tour: How Money Was Made Wall Street Walking Tour - $42 per adult
- Best Time to Visit: Lunchtime
14 Explore Madison Square & Union Square
Spend a day shopping in the heart of New York City
Head down to Madison Square, where visitors can easily spend the whole day. Madison Square is one of the best places for shopping in NYC; it's a public outdoor area at the intersection of Fifth Avenue and Broadway at 23rd Street in Manhattan. Shop ‘till you drop in the morning and then head down to the world-renowned ‘Shake Shack’ for some lunch.
Basketball fans can go and check out the home of the New York Knicks, Madison Square Garden. Then, they can explore Union Square for even more shopping… it just never stops in the Big Apple!
- Tour: Madison Square Garden All Access Tour, Union Square: Crossroads of New York Walking Tour
- Best Time to Visit: Spring, Fall or Summer
13 Visit The Brooklyn Bridge And Botanic Garden
From the beauty of the Garden to the grandeur of the Bridge, explore the icons of Brooklyn
It is near impossible to discover Brooklyn in one day, and once visitors are there, they'll agree. First off, head to the Brooklyn Botanic Garden and enter an experience of tranquility within the busy city that surrounds this nature retreat.
If tourists have kids, then their next stop could be the Brooklyn Children’s Museum, perhaps one of the most interactive children’s museums in NYC, and for adults, the Brooklyn Museum (a different museum) offers a more in-depth look at the history of New York and the United States.
No trip to Brooklyn is complete without walking across or riding a bike across the incredible Brooklyn Bridge, a suspension bridge over the East River that connects Brooklyn to Manhattan.
- Tours: Brooklyn Botanic Garden Tours, Brooklyn Bridge
- Best Time to Visit: Late March through early May for the botanical gardens
12 Tour Famous New York City Museums
New York museums inform and inspire with world-class exhibits full of rare and exclusive artifacts
For travelers who enjoy finding out the history behind places they visit, the American Museum of Natural History is ideal. The museum is so good, in fact, that they will not regret dragging the kids along.
Get immersed and let one's aviation geek come to life in the Air and Space Museum. Here, visitors will learn the history behind US aviation programs, both military and commercial. Even if visitors aren’t fans of aviation, the history behind the ships and aircraft the US used during the World Wars is something to behold.
Next, it's time for a tour of the famous Lincoln Center and to see where some of the world’s top performances are held.
- Tours: American Museum of Natural History, Intrepid Museum, Lincoln Center for Performing Arts
- Best Time to Visit: To avoid crowds, visit during weekdays and as early in the day as possible
11 Visit Coney Island And Luna Park
Home of the Cyclone and Thunderbolt roller coasters, attractions, dining, shops, and more
Take the subway to Coney Island, on New York City’s Southern Coast, and hang out at Luna Park. Let the kids run free, take a timeout for a few hours, and enjoy a ride on the iconic Cyclone roller coaster. As the second-steepest wooden roller coaster in the world, the Cyclone features an adrenaline-charged plunge measuring 85 feet at an uncompromising descent angle of almost 60 degrees.
Afterward, jump on a Circle Line Ferry, which takes passengers past all the attractions to see around Coney Island as well as down the Hudson River.
- Tour: Choose a NYC tour from Circle Line Ferry, Cyclone at Luna Park
- Best Time to Visit: Late May to early September
10 Enjoy The Views From The Empire State Building
Experience the #1 attraction in the United States for the second consecutive year
No trip to New York City is complete without a visit to the Empire State Building. Jump in the elevator and hop off on the 86th floor. This floor is the observation deck, and what a view it offers.
Words cannot describe the experience of witnessing what is perhaps the best view of the NYC skyline; travelers simply have to see for themselves. Surprisingly, while the experience is already incredible during the day, it's even more impressive after nightfall when the city is lit up.
- Tour: Visit the Empire State Building
- Best Time to Visit: Early in the morning or late in the evening on weekdays for fewer crowds (but this is one of the best attractions in NYC, so always expect some crowds)
Add an Express Pass to the ticket at checkout and skip the lines to spend more time enjoying the view.
9 Explore Times Square
See Times Square's iconic attractions, then tour Greenwich Village
Times Square is perhaps the most famous spot to visit in New York City, filled with neon lights, billboards, and endless entertainment. Travelers will want to head to Madame Tussauds Wax Museum in Times Square, where the artwork is so impressive it can be challenging to remember the figures aren't real.
The exploring doesn’t stop here, though. Discover one of New York’s most interesting boroughs, with a Greenwich Village walking tour.
- Tour: Madam Tussauds Wax Museum, Greenwich Village Walking and Food Tasting Tour
- Best Time to Visit: Mid-March through December to avoid the severe New York winter, especially while walking
Visitors should be prepared for huge crowds and very little room to walk, no matter what time they visit Times Square, seeing as it's among the most famous places to visit in NYC.
8 Tuck Into A Picnic In Central Park
Unwind in New York City's green lungs, arguably known as the best city park in the world
Central Park is a beautiful destination year-round and is free to visit, so no matter what season travelers are visiting New York City, they should prioritize spending time in this expansive green space.
Located in the heart of the city, Central Park provides an escape from the busy streets of Manhattan. In the spring, the cherry blossoms are breathtaking, while in the fall, yellow and red leaves add to the coziness of the atmosphere. Pack a picnic of some local bagels or sandwiches and indulge in a great view of NYC's best nature.
- Tour: Central Park Walking Tour - $25 per adult
- Best Time to Visit: Fall and Spring
7 Visit Staten Island
Famous for some of the oldest architecture in the US, dating back to the Dutch period
There is much more to NYC than just the five boroughs. The forgotten borough of NYC is Staten Island, and people need to take the Staten Island ferry to get there.
Staten Island offers something of a small-town feel in the otherwise bustling NYC. See some of the oldest colonial buildings in America on Staten Island that are still standing in Historic Richmond Town. Staten Island is also famous for its excellent Italian cuisine and pizzas.
- Tour: Historic Tour of North Shore Staten Island - $180 per adult, Visit Our Lady of Mount Carmel Grotto
- Best Time to Visit: During summer, any weekday between 9:30 AM - 11:30 AM or after 7 PM.
6 Take A Tour Of Long Island
Enjoy nationally acclaimed white-sand beaches, world-class wineries, and epic shopping
Long Island has so much to offer visitors who have the time to explore this loved NYC destination. When visiting, people can discover the early history of Long Island - including the Native American, Dutch, and colonial English periods.
Places like the Shinnecock National Cultural Center & Museum delve into more of the prehistory of the island, but Long Island has plenty of "touristy" things to see and do, such as festivals, beaches, lively neighborhoods, and so much more. An ultimate guide for Long Island requires much more than just one day, though, given there's so much going on here pretty much year-round.
- Tour: New York City to the Hamptons Private Day Trip - $1,199 per group of 6
- Best Time to Visit: Spring, Summer and Fall
5 Take A Day Trip To Woodstock
Known for its unique mix of culture, art, religion, music, and the adventure-rich Appalachian Trail
People who have plenty of time to visit NYC should consider taking a few day trips out of the Big Apple. Of course, exploring Long Island and the other boroughs of NYC, as well as New York City's most unique neighborhoods, is a must. However, there are other day trips from NYC to consider for those with enough time to spare (and Woodstock is certainly one of them!).
Visit the original site of Woodstock and learn about the Counter Culture of the 1960s. Woodstock and Bethel are only around 110 miles out of NYC and are perfectly doable as a day trip.
- Tour: Woodstock Music Festival Museum
- Best Time to Visit: Fall
4 Go Ice Skating At The Wollman Rink In Central Park
Enjoy a magical winter wonderland during the day or night (end of October to mid-March only!)
When visiting New York City in the winter, don't miss this beautiful setting nestled within the iconic Central Park, with a breathtaking backdrop of towering trees, shimmering powder, and the stunning NYC skyline. Whether one is a seasoned skater or a first-timer, the Wollman Rink caters to all skill levels. Overall, this is one of the must-do activities in New York City during the off-season.
From October 28, 2023, through March 15, 2024, Wollman Rink NYC welcomes everyone for ice skating in Central Park. There is also the Wollman Café onsite that offers a wide selection of delicious food and drink, including warm fresh food, grab-n-go items, vegan options, a coffee bar, and favorites for kids. Check out the hours of operation before visiting.
- Tour: Wollman Rink In Central Park - $15 - $37 per adult (skates are available for rent at $11)
- Best Time to Visit: October 28, 2023, through March 15, 2024 (arrive up to 30 minutes prior to your scheduled entry time)
There is no re-entry once you leave the facility. Tickets are non-refundable.
3 Witness The New York City Skyline From The Edge Observation Deck
Enjoy the world's most famous skyline from the tallest outdoor observation platform in the Western Hemisphere
Can someone set aside a whole day just to visit the Edge Observation Deck? Yes; the views and the experience are worth it, especially, since there# is no limit to the amount of time visitors can spend here. There is so much to explore and enjoy, from the journey up to Edge, the elevator ride, the indoor and outdoor sky decks, the thrilling glass floor, and much more.
Visitors can also enjoy a drink at the Edge bar. Reserve an admission ticket to guarantee an entrance time slot.
- Tour: Edge Observation Deck - $36 - $99
- Best Time to Visit: One hour before sunset
2 Take A Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour Of NYC
Set your own pace when exploring the iconic attractions of New York City
It would be a wise decision to purchase hop-on hop-off bus tickets for the first or last day (or last couple of days) in New York City. However, it is recommended on one of the last days so that travelers can see the city for one final time and perhaps learn a thing or two from the audio commentary on board, but most importantly, visit some famous NYC attractions they may have missed.
Tourists can hop off the bus when something catches their eye, and hop back on when they are ready to head to their next point of interest. Even if passengers have seen everything they want to see throughout their two weeks in NYC, they can simply sit back and take in the hustle and bustle of the Big Apple from this excellent tour bus.
- Tour: Hop-On Hop-Off Open Top Bus Tour - $54 per adult
- Best Time to Visit: Spring, summer, or fall (the winter period is really cold!)
1 Tick Anything Else Off The New York City Bucket List
There are endless more bucket list things to do in NYC, from Broadway Shows to ghost tours
While 16 days is a long time to spend in The Big Apple, it is still not enough to see everything the city has to offer; the list of things to do in NYC is seemingly endless.
Still, visitors should spend their last day checking out anything they haven't done already - like watching some Broadway Shows, going on an NYC ghost tour, going on an NYC pub crawl, or visiting Harry Potter New York - the world's largest authentic Harry Potter store, which opened a couple of years ago. Travelers are also recommended to visit the National 9/11 Memorial and Museum, which enables people to pay their respects and remember those who lost their lives.
- Tour: National 9/11 Memorial & Museum - $33 per adult, Broadway Theaters and Times Square with a Theater Professional - $39 per adult
- Best Time to Visit: The best time to visit NYC overall is spring, summer, and fall (again, winter can be far too cold for many people)