It certainly seems like a while ago that I was strolling the streets of The Big Apple hand in hand with Patrick. As soon as we got back from our big NYC & Ireland adventure, the holidays came rolling in like a freight train. I knew I wanted to do these post-trip travel guides justice so I postponed sharing them until the hustle & bustle was behind us.
Now I’m here to warm up your wanderlust on this chilly January day with a peek into 36 hours in NYC. This was Patrick’s first trip to the city that never sleeps. We only had two night and not even 3-full days to spend in New York and I wanted him to experience as much as possible. I spent a lot of time researching and asking New Yorker friends’ their opinions on how to create the perfect itinerary for our quick stay. Sharing everything below in the hopes to inspire your next visit to New York City.
36 Hours in NYC:
Day 1.
There are so many great neighborhoods in New York, but for a first-timer’s short visit it’s smart to stay in Midtown. This way you can walk to many of the “must-see” places while saving time to fill your day with as much sightseeing as possible.
Lunch at Shake Shack in Madison Square Park
There is nothing I like better when visiting the Big Apple than to sit on a New York City park bench and watch the people go by. Better yet if I can eat something tasty while doing so!
Shake Shack is an institution in New York and its location in Madison Square Park can’t be beat. Diners order food at the outdoor stall and can eat nearby at small iron tables underneath rows of string lights with the city’s skyscrapers looming above. After you’ve filled your belly with a big fat juicy burger, walk it off with a stroll through the park and past the famous Flat Iron Building.
Check in at The Redbury Hotel
This stylish and historic boutique hotel is located just steps away from Madison Square Park, the Empire State Building and a short subway ride to many of the most notable sights in NYC. We chose The Redbury based on its location and the glamorous romantic interiors of its rooms and common spaces. It made for the perfect retreat during our 36 hours in NYC!
Everyone always talks about how small the hotel rooms can be when visiting The Big Apple so we opted for a suite during our stay. After all, we were traveling with enough luggage for two weeks in Europe so we didn’t want to be super cramped in a smaller room. That being said, we were still completely blown away by how spacious the one-bedroom suite was at The Redbury! There was even a walk-in closet where we could tuck those massive suitcases away and out of sight.
Other than the view of rows and rows of skyscrapers from the top floor, my favorite amenity was the bluetooth gramophone speaker. Each night after a busy day spent exploring, we’d relax on our red couch with a glass of wine and some tunes playing on the speaker nearby.
… Um, Patrick, can we plan a trip back ASAP!? Because I miss this lifestyle!!
Enjoy Italian for Dinner
Italian food is an absolute must when visiting New York. Eataly, a marketplace with several Italian restaurants and food stalls, is just a few blocks away. The Redbury is also home to Marta, a Roman-inspired pizzeria with an open-kitchen enabling guests to watch the chef in action.
After Dinner Rooftop Drinks
There is nothing like seeing New York City from a top of one of it’s tallest buildings. We opted not to head to the top of the Rock or visit the Empire State Building’s Observatory during this quick trip. Instead, we put what we would have spent on ticket money towards drinks. And we still got a view! The Roof at The Viceroy offers a relaxing patio to lounge in with an incredible view of Central Park from above. Try to visit at sunset for a magical experience.
Grab Coffe and Pastries at Cafe Marchio
Another perk to our stay at The Redbury was that there was a quaint coffee shop just downstairs. Guests can grab a cup “on the house” before 10:30 too. I had a few work-related things to catch up on before we began our second day in The City and this cozy little spot made for the perfect place to work.
Make Your Way Up 5th Avenue
Just a few blocks from The Redbury, you’ll find the famous 5th Avenue. We decided to head straight from our hotel to Central Park, entirely on foot. At almost two miles, it’s not a super long walk, but make sure to add a lot of time to this venture as there is so much to see and do along the way. Be sure to stop for a visit to St. Patrick’s Cathedral and follow with a peek inside the New York Public Library. (I could have spent a day here as well!) As you get closer to the park, major department stores and fashion houses will soon fill every corner. Don’t miss setting foot in Bloomingdale’s and Sak’s Fifth Avenue!
A Visit to The Met
A bit further up 5th Avenue, you will find The Metropolitan Museum of Art. It is one of the world’s largest and finest art museums, housings works from a span of over 5,000 years. You could easily spend an entire day here (or more). If time is not on your side, spend just a few hours and make sure you can see the Egyptian tombs, Japanese armor and wander past as many of the Reinassance paintings as you can. Oh, and don’t forget to stop and see Van Gogh!
Soak up the Sun in Central Park
This urban oasis occupies over 800 acres of green space in the heart of New York City. If you’ve ever seen a movie set in NYC, chances are they filmed a scene or two here. I always love walking through the park and spotting corners where some of my favorite movies were filmed. (Like the Central Park fountain scene in Enchanted!) I could go on all day.
Give yourself a few hours to walk around the park, wandering to your heart’s content. Definitely try to see the boat pond, the Alice in Wonderland statue, Bethesda Fountain, and the famous Great Lawn. Patrick and I made sure to stop and grab a drink on the patio at the Loeb Boathouse. You can also have brunch, lunch, and dinner here too.
See Times Square and Catch a Show on Broadway
Times Square is one of the world’s largest tourists attractions. And it is never not crowded with people from all over the globe. No matter what, you have to see the spectacle at least once! As it was Patrick’s first time to the city, we made sure we fit a visit to Times Square into our trip.
If you plan to see a show on Broadway, time your visit to Times Square around that. We walked through this brightly lit hotspot just at sunset before our show started. It was such a treat to come out to Times Square’s twinkling lights, shining even brighter against the dark sky afterward!
Day 3
Brunch & Boutique Browsing in Greenwich Village
A visit to the tree-lined streets of Greenwich Village should be included on every New York City tourist’s itinerary. I absolutely adore this part of the city and if in another life if I ever would call myself a New Yorker, I would hope this area would be my home!
We grabbed brunch at Jack’s Wife Freda – a Mediterranean hotspot in the heart of the village. I ordered the rosewater pancakes and have truly never tasted anything like them – so delicious! After brunch, we explored many of the different eclectic boutiques and galleries scattered about before a walk through Washington Square Park.
See the City by Sea on a Boat Tour
This was something that my parents had our family do on our very first trip to NYC way back in my high school days. And I never forgot the experience! It was so wonderful that I knew we had to incorporate the tour during Patrick’s first visit too. Circle Line’s Sightseeing Cruises offer a wonderful opportunity to see many of the most famous landmarks in The Big Apple – including the Statue of Liberty, the High Line, the Brooklyn Bridge, One World Trade Center and more as you sail along both the Hudson and East Rivers.
At this point, those fun-filled 36-hours in NYC had come and gone. But oh my goodness, they were very well spent! I’m so glad we were able to squeeze so much into our quick trip to New York City. There were certainly many things we weren’t able to do or see with the time we had, like seeing the 9/11 Memorial, but I know we will be back again one day soon!
Have you visited New York City more than once?! If so, what are your favorite things to see and do in The Big Apple? I’m headed back for fashion week next month with a few blogger friends and can’t wait to experience the city in a whole new light!
—
A big thank you to The Redbury for hosting us during our stay in New York. We had such a wonderful time! As always, all opinions are my own. Thank you all so much for supporting the sponsors and brands that make Lone Star Looking Glass possible.
—
xo, alice
Loving this 36 hours in NYC travel guide? Take a look here for more of my travel favorites!
