Spending a Weekend in NYC

New York City is a top travel destination, drawing visitors from all corners of the globe with its vibrant lifestyle, cutting-edge fashion, iconic landmarks, and cosmopolitan atmosphere. The city is home to numerous world-class events and festivals, including the renowned New York Fashion Week.

As one of the “Big Four” fashion weeks globally, New York Fashion Week is a major highlight, garnering immense attention and excitement as it often sets the tone for global fashion trends in the upcoming seasons. Taking place every September, it’s a significant event in the city’s calendar, and Bookmundi has created this guide to help you explore the best sights and attractions during your visit to the Big Apple.

Each year, The New York Times Travel section publishes a “36 Hours” column, designed to help travelers make the most of their time in a city by offering weekend itineraries. These suggestions typically span from Friday to Sunday and provide tailored recommendations for attractions, restaurants, and hotels that offer the best of the city. The columns are well-known for their precision, consistently offering great advice for visitors.

The following weekend itinerary gives you a glimpse of what to expect in New York, guiding you to the city’s top bars, hotels, restaurants, and must-see attractions.

Friday Afternoon – American Museum of Natural History (above image)

Made famous by the movie Night at the Museum starring Ben Stiller, the American Museum of Natural History is consistently ranked among the best museums in the world. With its extensive and detailed exhibits, the museum requires a good amount of time to explore fully. Don’t rush your visit—it’s a fantastic opportunity to learn about the natural world and human history while discovering a wealth of fascinating information. Whether you’re young or old, there’s something for everyone, making it an ideal stop for visitors of all tastes and interests.

Friday Night – Pizzas and Night Views from the Empire State Building

Make the most of a Friday night by sampling a few slices of the New York pizza and checking out beautiful night views of the city from the Empire State Building. Pizza can be found in just about every corner and they are really worth your while. And remember, no one in their right mind uses a fork and knife to eat pizzas while in NYC. It’s just not done. There are two things that you need to understand about New Yorkers:

• 1) Never question their sense of direction and NEVER depend on a GPS when a local offers directions.
• 2) Never eat a pizza with a fork and knife.

Follow these basic rules and it should be easy to interact with a few locals while in NYC.

Friday Night Alternative – The Frying Pan

Another exciting alternative is to head over to The Frying Pan. After a long and depressing flight (most flights have become quite depressing nowadays unless you spend big bucks and travel business class), the ideal way to unwind is to visit this beautiful bar on a barge on the Hudson River. It lets you enjoy a drink with the after-work crowd and watch some of the most beautiful sunset views in the city.

Insider tip – Try and get here early because it tends to get very crowded by 6 PM.

Saturday Morning – Central Park

There is no better way to spend your Saturday mornings in NYC other than visiting Central Park. Considered to be one of the largest and most popular open spaces in the US, Central Park is more or less a city in itself. It is full of all kinds of attractions and is home to some of the best NYC destinations such as the Conservatory Garden, the Central Park Zoo, Belvedere Castle, Victoria Gardens and the Delacorte Theater. After some breakfast, visit Greenwich Village and soak up some authentic NYC atmosphere in the lower east side.

Saturday Afternoon – Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island

Any first timer visiting NYC simply cannot leave the city without paying tribute to the Lady in Green. And considering that the Statue of Liberty is one of the most iconic attractions in the US, you wouldn’t want to miss it either.

A Saturday afternoon is the best time to make your way to Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty. We recommend getting there by taking a ferry tour from Battery Park. Enroute you are likely to want to pinch yourself to come to terms with the fact that you’re not dreaming it up. It really is that beautiful. And finally, complete the perfect afternoon by visiting Times Square and lapping up NYC chaos at its best. Have lunch at one of those overpriced restaurants, and don’t mind the extra bucks you end up paying. It’s all a part of your NYC experience. You could also pick up cheap Broadway tickets from one of the ticket stands in the center of Times Square.

Saturday Night – Broadway

A trip to NYC is never complete without a trip to Broadway. The place is buzzing at night and the shows are among some of the very best that you’ll ever see, as long as you choose one that suits your preferences.

Sunday Morning – Grand Central Station

It is impossible to enjoy the Grand Central Station on a weekday for it is extremely chaotic. It may not empty on a Sunday either, but things are “slow”, well, as slow as it would get in a city that never sleeps. The Grand Central Station is a historic train station that was saved by Jacqueline Kennedy. Famous as one of the most iconic and historic landmarks in the country, the station is a living reminder of the city’s glorious past. A few highlights include visiting the legendary Oyster Bar, exploring the Whispering Gallery or enjoying spectacular views of the concourse, from the secret elevated passageways.

Sunday Afternoon – Rockefeller Center and Museum of Modern Art

Rockefeller Center and Museum of Modern Art are must-dos in New York. Rockefeller Center is an Art Deco landmark that boasts of 19 buildings and covers an area of 22 acres. It is home to a number of popular events, including the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree which is broadcasted on TV each year. The landmark has been shown in dozens of TV shows and movies and is home to the legendary Saturday Night Live and NBC Studios as well. Tourists can also enjoy a chance to go behind the scenes of some of the most popular shows on television.

Museum of Modern Art is a haven for art enthusiasts. It often leaves you feeling awestruck by its breathtaking collection that includes heavyweights such as Van Gogh’s Starry Night and Picasso’s Les Demoiselles d’Avignon. Other highlights include the 110-ft atrium entrance, the museum’s architecture, and the Sculpture Garden.

Sunday Evening – Shopping

It is a sin to come to New York and not check out all that glorified shopping. You could spend an entire week shopping and still not have enough. Macys and Bloomingdales are icons worth visiting, but the best NYC shopping experience can be found in those unique fashion stores and hidden boutiques. Check out our NYC Shopping Guide for more ideas.

Sunday Evening – Explore the Craft Beer Scene

If you were smart enough to plan a Monday morning departure, now is the ideal time to enjoy the expanding craft-beer scene that has recently taken New York by the storm. Visit the Brooklyn Brewery, an NYC staple. Try one of the beers on tap or enjoy a brewery tour. We recommend one of the seasonal brews or the smooth brown ale.

This itinerary should have you covered for a few days. If you’re in New York just for the New York Fashion Week, you can simply take in tidbits from the above itinerary and make your own. The city has all kinds of things to keep you occupied, and there truly is no end to things you can do while in New York.