NYC in Two Days: Big Dreams, Bold Bites and Bright Lights

Morning

Our favorite two-day vacation to NYC starts in the West Village, best known for its bohemian history, street life and Washington Park. Grab a bite at Buvette for a taste of Paris, Jack's Wife Freda for Mediterranean dishes, or Magnolia Bakery for cupcakes. Next, heading west to the High Line on Gansevoort Street, you will find an elevated park built on a former railway. Enjoy the architecture, public art and greenery, with a great view of the Statue of Liberty on 17th Street. Stop inside Chelsea Marketing at 15th Street to choose from the vibrant food hall. Here, you will find everything from baked goods at Sarabeth's to tacos at Los Tacos.

Evening

Head north along the High Line to Hudson Yards, where you will find two striking structures, the Vessel and The Edge. The highest outdoor sky deck in the Western Hemisphere - 100 floors up! For lunch, don't miss the new Russ & Daughters location. The famous Jewish deli offers bagels, lox, smoked fish, and, of course, matzo ball soup.

For dinner, head to Harlem, known for its soul food and rich African American culture or for something fancy, try Red Rooster. After dinner, enjoy live jazz music at the Apollo Theater or intimate clubs like Minton's Playhouse, celebrating the neighborhood's vibrant musical heritage.

Morning

There are plenty of great options to start your day: try Tal Bagels, Ess-a-Bagel, Zuckers and Black Seed Bagels. Enjoy your breakfast as you head to Times Square in the early morning when it's quiet. This "Crossroads of the World" gets busier throughout the day. Stop by the TKTS Booth, which sells discounted same-day Broadway tickets.

When Times Square gets too busy, escape to Central Park. Rent a bike or stroll along the paths, visiting sights like The Ramble, a wooded area with winding paths — Sheep Meadow, a large grassy area perfect for a picnic or The Lake, where you can rent row boats. If time allows, stop by the American Museum of Natural History just west of the park. It's one of the largest museums in the world and features exhibits for all ages, from dinosaur fossils to outer space mysteries.

Evening

Start at Central Park West, where you can take the C train downtown for a fast 30-minute ride to Lower Manhattan. Visit the 9/11 Memorial & Museum to reflect on a pivotal historical moment. Then stroll through Wall Street, passing the New York Stock Exchange and the Charging Bull statue.

Next, hop on the J train to the Lower East Side and stop at Katz's Deli, famous from "When Harry Met Sally." The bustling restaurant has a fast-moving line. Order a pastrami sandwich, pickled tomatoes and an egg cream — a delightful mix of seltzer, milk and chocolate syrup (no eggs). With its immigrant-owned restaurants, including Ankara#3, Le French Diner and Saigon Social, dinner will be an easy choice. Sit, relax and relive the last two days — it's always worth it.