Despite the cold weather and occasional snow storm, New York is a great destination to visit in the winter.  Even after the holiday season, there’s still so much to keep busy with.   Having lived here my whole.. entire.. life.. (say that nice and slow), I would hope I know a thing or two about this remarkable city.  By no means is this a comprehensive guide (heck, you can’t even break the surface in a mere 48 hours), but it should help plan your short stay in the big apple and keep your cold weather blues away! 🙂  A quick tip- if you’re planning on sticking to this itinerary (and trust me, it’s a good one), a hotel near Times Square would be best.

DAY ONE

If you’re up for some outdoor adventure, head to Bryant Park for some ice-skating. Admission to the rink is free, you just need to pay to rent skates. Have a hot drink at Celsius (restaurant) overlooking the rink.

Ice skating not your thing? Choose to meander around Central Park for a while instead. The park is 2.5 miles long, so be sure not to get lost! There are large maps around the park, or print out a copy of your own beforehand. If you do in fact get lost, don’t be ashamed- ask someone nearby- NYers are always giving out directions!

Warm up by exploring Grand Central Station, a 10 minute walk from Bryant park or a 15 minute subway ride from Central Park (take the 6 downtown). Admire the buildings’ architecture, be sure to take it all in from the grand steps, and/or peruse the shops.

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New York City is beautiful this time of year, just make sure to bundle up!

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1:30 P.M.Next stop- Chelsea Market. Walk around and have a late lunch here. You’ll be amazed at all the options available! Be sure to get a brownie from Fat Witch Bakery – they are to die for! You can choose to experience the nearby High Line if it’s not too freezing, which is a modern green space revamped from old train tracks. Hang out around the Meatpacking District if you please (NY’s most fashionable neighborhood) and head to Washington Square Park for a quick look.

4:00 P.M.
Take the F (or walk a mile) and discover all the Italian goodness you could want at Eataly on 5th avenue. Have a cannoli, and then walk around Madison Square Park or window shop on the famous 5th Ave.

7:00 P.M.
Have dinner where the locals do– in the East Village, around 7pm (not many people eat earlier than that). Plenty of options to pick from, my favorites being Supper (homemade Italian), S’MAC (artisan Mac ‘n’ cheese), and Ippudo (authentic ramen noodles). Head to the Big Gay Ice Cream Shop or Momofuku Milk Bar for a scrumptious dessert afterwards! If you’re feeling fancy, Max Brenners is the way to go for an evening treat.

DAY TWO

9:30 A.M.
Grab some breakfast nearby in order to get to Rockefeller Center early. Admire the views from the Top of the Rock, and be sure to look out for the fascinating Central Park in the distance.

11:30 A.M.
Walk around Times Square until you get hungry, then head to a nearby restaurant for some lunch. Opt for some NY style pizza or grab some Shake Shack- both lunches that scream NYC.

2:00 P.M.
You can’t leave NYC without seeing something on Broadway! Order tickets before you arrive, and leave some time in your schedule open for a fantastic performance! My favorites include Hairspray, Rent, and Avenue Q, and I’ve heard that the Book of Mormon is phenomenal, as is The Lion King and Wicked.

10:00 P.M.
Now’s a good time to head back to the hotel room and finally rest your head on your pillow. It’s been a long (and probably chilly/snowy) two days.

It sure is chilly in New York in the winter time, but you can still squeeze in a lot in 48 hours.  Just make sure to grab a lot of hot chocolate and stay indoors when it’s snowing!