New York City had been sitting on my bucket list for ages, and in May my three best friends and I finally took the plunge! The Victoria Day long weekend was just around the corner, and with no plans in sight, my husband’s business partner suggested a meeting in NYC. Without a second thought, we packed our bags and headed to NYC. I know, New York is a massive city with endless attractions, and two days seem like nothing, especially for a Bollywood buff who wanted to hit every spot where Kal Ho Naa Ho was filmed!
Yes, two days were short, but we made the most of our trip. For those of you who are working professionals and mostly get long weekends to vacation, here’s our NYC itinerary to help you make the most out of your 2 days in the city. We were four friends crazy about New York, and we didn’t want to waste a single minute not soaking in the city's charm.
ROAD TRIP FROM TORONTO TO NEW YORK
We kicked off our journey on a sunny Friday evening, May 18th. Our plan was to leave work around 2 PM, but we ended up leaving closer to 5:30 PM after grabbing some samosas and our beloved Timmies. Our initial plan was to drive straight through the night and catch a glimpse of the Brooklyn Bridge at sunrise. However, due to our late start, we decided to rest and stayed at a motel on the way.
Finding a place to crash last minute was a challenge because every motel and hotel on the way was fully booked. Why, you ask? It was Graduation Week! One hotel we stopped at gave us a list of nearby hotels, and after calling several, we found one with available rooms. We reached around 2 AM, changed into our jammies, sang a few songs, and finally crashed.
Where to stay in New York
Main City: Millenium Hilton
Day 1
Our day started with heavy rain, as we drove into the city, the New York skyline was shrouded in clouds. Seeing the Brooklyn Bridge for the first time was surreal; we screamed with excitement. It felt like such an achievement. Driving through Times Square, the yellow cabs and red brick buildings looked magical. We checked into The Millennium Hilton (New York Downtown) around 2 PM. Our hotel, booked through Expedia, was a steal, right in the middle of WTC, making it easy to cover many spots in just 3 days. While the boys got busy in finding a parking nearby, Me and my friend hit a gift shop and instantly fell in love with so many souvenirs. After we checked in to our hotel we started getting ready to explore the evening. All of us got our METRO CARDS and hopped onto NYC Subway to begin our DAY 1!
Attractions Covered on DAY 1 (in this order only)
Times Square
Chinatown
Empire State Building
Fifth Avenue
New York Public Library
Grand Central Terminal
The heart of New York City, Times Square, was our first stop. Even the rain couldn't dampen our spirits. Neon lights, giant billboards, and the buzz of people from all around the world – Times Square was just as we had imagined. We posed at multiple places, watched street performers, and took in the electric atmosphere. It felt like we were at the center of the universe!
Our next stop was Chinatown. The vibrant streets filled with colorful lanterns, the aroma of street food, and the hustle and bustle of the markets transported us to another world. We browsed through shops, tasted some delicious dumplings, and even bought a few quirky souvenirs. We then headed to the Empire State Building. Usually crowded, it was surprisingly empty due to the cloudy weather. We took the elevator up to the 86th-floor observatory. Despite the clouds, the view of the city was breathtaking. We could see the sprawling metropolis beneath us, and it felt like we were on top of the world.
Next, we strolled down Fifth Avenue. From high-end stores like Tiffany & Co. to more affordable shops like Sephora and Gap, Fifth Avenue was a shopper's paradise. We window-shopped, admired the stunning displays, and even treated ourselves to a little retail therapy. Our literary hearts couldn't resist a visit to the New York Public Library. The grand Beaux-Arts building with its iconic lion statues at the entrance was awe-inspiring. Inside, the Rose Main Reading Room took our breath away with its ornate ceiling and rows of reading desks. We felt like we were in a scene from a movie!
Our last stop for the day was Grand Central Terminal. The iconic clock, the celestial ceiling, and the hustle and bustle of commuters made us feel like we were in the heart of the city. Grand Central Terminal only reminded me Serena Vander Woodsen coming back to the city in the first episode of Gossip Girl. Everything in new york felt nostalgic as I had seen all these places multiple times in movies and shows.
We capped off the evening with an Indian dinner – because no trip is complete without some desi food! Savoring spicy curries and buttery naan in the middle of NYC was the perfect end to our first day.
DAY 2
We woke up bright and early, ready to take on another exciting day in New York City. Our itinerary was packed, and we couldn't wait to explore more iconic spots.
Attractions Covered on DAY 2 (in this order only)
World Trade Center (WTC)
Bryant Park
Wall Street
Battery Park
Statue of Liberty
The Village
Brooklyn Bridge
We started our day at the WTC. The One World Observatory offered stunning panoramic views of the city. As we ascended to the top, we could see the entire skyline unfold before us. The experience was both humbling and exhilarating, reminding us of the city's resilience and strength.
Next, we visited Bryant Park, a green oasis in the middle of the city. The park was bustling with people enjoying the sunshine, playing chess, and sipping coffee at the outdoor cafes. We took a leisurely stroll, enjoyed the vibrant atmosphere, and even tried our hand at the carousel. Our next stop was Wall Street. The towering skyscrapers, the iconic New York Stock Exchange building, and the Charging Bull statue were all must-sees. We rubbed the bull’s balls for luck – a quirky tradition – and soaked in the financial district's energy.
We then headed to Battery Park, the gateway to the Statue of Liberty. The park offered stunning views of the harbor and Lady Liberty herself. We took a moment to relax, enjoy the scenic views, and watch the ferries go by. Visiting the Statue of Liberty was a highlight of our trip. We took the ferry from Battery Park to Liberty Island. The statue, a symbol of freedom and democracy, was even more impressive up close. We climbed up to the pedestal and took in the breathtaking views of the city skyline.
After our ferry ride, we explored The Village, known for its bohemian vibes, cozy cafes, and quirky shops. We wandered through the charming streets, enjoyed live music at a local bar, and even spotted a few famous landmarks from our favorite TV shows. Our last stop for the day was the Brooklyn Bridge, the most exciting and memorable visit!!! Walking across this iconic suspension bridge, with its stunning views of Manhattan and Brooklyn, was an unforgettable experience. We took countless photos, mimicking our favorite Bollywood poses from Kal ho naa ho, and marveled at the architectural beauty of the bridge.
DAY 3
Our final day in NYC arrived, and we were determined to make the most of it. We had a few more must-see spots on our list and couldn't wait to explore them.
Attractions Covered on DAY 3 (in this order only)
9/11 Memorial & Museum
F.R.I.E.N.D.S Apartment
Central Park
We began our day early at the 9/11 Memorial & Museum. The twin reflecting pools, located in the footprints of the Twin Towers, were both beautiful and somber. The museum's exhibits, which included multimedia displays, real-time recordings, and artifacts from the day, were deeply moving. It was a poignant reminder of the resilience of the city and its people.
Being huge fans of the show, we couldn't miss visiting the F.R.I.E.N.D.S apartment building in Greenwich Village. The iconic building, with its distinctive exterior, brought back so many memories of our favorite episodes. We snapped photos, quoted lines from the show, and felt a little closer to our beloved characters.
Our final stop on the list was Central Park. Central Park is a must-see for anyone visiting New York and that is the only place we couldn't see as we just could not find a parking for our car. The only regret we had on this trip was catching stunning city views at the Central Park.
We had to leave in time to reach Toronto as it's a 9 hour drive and rest for work tomorrow.
Since it was long weekend, the entire area around was packed with cars.
You won't believe we couldn't find a single place to park our car to visit Central Park. It felt really sad to miss the most iconic spot that we had saved for the last. Guess it's not always safe to save the best for the last! :/
TIPS FOR YOUR NYC TRIP:
Stay Central: Choose accommodation within a 10-minute walk of the subway. It saves you time and energy!
Book Early: NYC hotels fill up quickly, especially during graduation and holiday weekends.
Early Start: For popular spots like the Statue of Liberty, go early to avoid long lines.
New York City is a whirlwind of experiences, and we squeezed every bit of it into our long weekend. From iconic landmarks to hidden gems, our trip was unforgettable. So, pack your bags, grab your MetroCard as soon as you get there, and get ready to explore the city that never sleeps! Happy traveling, fellow explorers!
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