Bright lights in the big city! Whether it's your first time visiting New York City or your hundredth, there's plenty of spots to explore and have a good time.
Saturday Morning
Start your morning strolling through one of New York City's iconic museums. Are you an art lover? Get lost in the numerous art eras on display at the Met. Are you a budding anthropologist? Be sure to start your morning at the American Museum of Natural History. Both of these museums are massive and have something for every type of interest, so you'll be sure to find something that suits your fancy at either of these two iconic museums. Both also have rotating exhibits, so even if you've visited these museums hundreds of times before, there's always something new to see.
Saturday Afternoon
Spend your afternoon strolling through Central Park a massive green oasis in the middle of so much steel. Pack some snacks find an open field that suits you and spend your afternoon having a nice picnic in the park. Spend your time people watching as you watch New Yorkers and tourists alike stroll by on a journey between destinations. Or if the weather isn't ideal sit down for a bite at Loeb Boathouse or Tavern on the Green both two excellent restaurants located inside the park.
Saturday Evening
Start your evening off with a great dinner from a local eatery before seeing one of the many Broadway shows that New York has to offer. Traveling with kids? Head over to see the Lion King. Want something funny? Be sure to check out Book of Mormon. Many Saturday evening shows start at 8pm and doors generally will open between 7:15pm and 7:30pm, so you'll have plenty of time to have a nice meal beforehand.
While the actual area in the immediate vicinity of Times Square doesn't have too many restaurant choices, if you venture just slightly farther afield you are sure to find some great eats. Some of my favorite restaurants in the area include Quality Meats, Felice, Junior's and P.S. Kitchen. There's plenty of options for plenty of budgets whether you want to do a fancy evening or something more laid back, there is something for you.
Once your show is over, if you're not ready to call it a night, you can check out one of the many rooftop bars in the area from PhD Terrace to 230 Fifth. Not only do these venues offer great drinks, but they come with some nice views of the city as well.
A view of the Empire State Building from 230 Fifth
Sunday Morning
After a long Saturday evening it's time to sleep in. Start your morning off slowly and make your way to brunch. You haven't truly been to New York until you have participated in a weekend brunch. A true New York right of passage, there are so many brunch spots to choose from. Since you're going to spend your day in Brooklyn, you could start with brunch at Gage & Tollner.
Sunday Afternoon
Now it's time to work up an appetite! Start your afternoon over in Dumbo to get some stunning photos of the Brooklyn and Manhattan Bridges. Walk through the nearby Time Out market and take some time taking in the Manhattan skyline from Brooklyn. If you're feeling adventurous maybe even try your go around the merry-go-round. Jane's Carousel is definitely a must visit as the carousel is from the 1920s and lets you free your inner child.
A view of the Manhattan Bridge from Dumbo
Once you've given the carousel a go, it's time to begin your journey back into Manhattan. Take your time taking in all the sights and surroundings as you begin your stroll back to Manhattan across the Brooklyn Bridge. Be sure to have your camera ready as you definitely won't want to miss snapping some photos.
Sunday Evening
Unfortunately, Sunday evening means your time in NYC is coming to a close. Whether you're hopping on a flight, train, or driving back home, there's still one last stop you can make before saying goodbye to the city. No trip to New York City would be complete without stopping by the 9/11 Memorial Pools to pay your respect to those who lost their lives that day. Be aware the 9/11 Memorial Plaza is only open until 8pm so be sure the swing by before then.
With so much to see and do, this weekend itinerary will be sure to keep your next trip to NYC busy. Hopefully your short time in NYC is fun filled and leaves you with a taste of what this amazing city has to offer!
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