With world-class museums, parks, shows, and restaurants, seeing all the attractions in just two days is impossible. We created this New York City itinerary to help you make the most of your time if you have just two days in New York City.
Staying in an RV is perfect because you will get a great night’s rest. You can also prepare meals and have plenty of room to spread out when not busy seeing the attractions.
Search RV rentals in the New York City area.
Preparing for Your New York City RV Trip
From small Class B campervans to larger models that are the size of a bus, there are many options for renting RVs. Some are drivable, while others are towable. Toy haulers give you space to bring ATVs, jet skis, and other toys, while bigger motorhomes accommodate up to 10 people. Regardless of your desires, you can find a fantastic RV rental in New York City on RVshare.
Pick up some tips for renting and camping in an RV by reading these blogs:
• How to Choose the Best RV Size for Your Trip
• RV Parking Tips: Finding the Perfect Parking Spot for Your RV
• 10 Mistakes to Avoid When Renting an RV and Helpful Hacks
New York City has a wide variety of campgrounds, so spend some time choosing the perfect campground for you and your traveling companions. Top-rated choices in the area include Ecology Village, Pouch Camporee Field, and Skyline RV Camp.
Find other campground options in our comprehensive list of top-rated campgrounds in New York City.
Day 1: Explore Manhattan
Morning: Visit Central Park
Spanning 843 acres, Central Park contains many attractions, including the Central Park Zoo, Sheep Meadow, Strawberry Fields Memorial, the Ramble, and Belvedere Castle. The staff at the Central Park Conservancy offer a variety of park tours.
Lunch: Eat at Tavern on the Green
Tavern on the Green is an elegant place to get American fare for lunch. This tavern initially opened in 1934, and the current owners have redesigned the space to make it look very similar to what it did then. In addition to sandwiches, they offer a delicious raw seafood bar and a cauliflower steak option for vegetarians.
Afternoon: 9/11 Memorial
The focal point of the 9/11 Memorial is the two Memorial Pools surrounded by bronze parapets containing the names of the 2,983 people who died in the attacks in 2001 and 1993. More than 400 swamp white oak trees surround the pools because they were common to all four crash sites. The memorial is also home to a Callery pear tree, which was severely injured during the Ground Zero attack but nursed back to health by New York City Parks and Recreation staff.
Setting Up Camp
Late afternoon is an ideal time to check into a New York City Campground. It should only take a few minutes to level your trailer and hook up the hoses. Another convenient option is to search for owners who will deliver your rented RV and hook it up for you. Filter for this requirement when searching on RVshare.
Dinner: Eat Your Vegetables at Dirt Candy
Dirt Candy is a vegetarian restaurant where you can get a five-course tasting meal featuring creations like stuffed eggplant, corn orecchiette, and fresh salads. They even offer an onion ice cream sandwich for dessert on their summer menu.
Day 2: Take in the Shows
Morning: Explore Radio City Music Hall
Take a tour of Radio City Music Hall. Special events occur at this venue regularly, so check an updated schedule. While in the area, you can take time to see sculptures by Isamu Noguchi, Michio Ihara, and Paul Manship, as well as paintings by Jose Maria Sert and Sir Frank Brangwyn. Stroll past the iconic skating rink and see stunning city views from the Top of the Rock observation deck.
Lunch: Listen to the Waitstaff Sing at Ellen’s Stardust Diner
Prepare to have your meal served by singing waitstaff at the retro-1950s cafe called Ellen’s Stardust Diner. Several of the waitstaff have gone on to perform on Broadway. This iconic New York diner is featured in the movie “New Year’s Eve.”
Afternoon: Go on The Ride
See the most famous sites in New York City by going on The Ride. After climbing on the bus, two comedic hosts will greet you. Journey with them past the city’s most famous landmarks, including Grand Central Terminal, the New York Public Library, Central Park, and Times Square. Along the way, they will tell jokes and give details about the landmarks.
Dinner: Dine at Toby’s Dinner Theater
If you want to see a family-friendly show while in New York City, then head to Toby’s Dinner Theater where you can enjoy a terrific buffet, often featuring ham and turkey, before each show. While you will need to check their schedule, expect to see performances like “The Sound of Music,” “9 to 5 The Musical,” and “The Addams Family” performed on their theater-in-the-round stage.
Day 3 and Beyond in New York City
It is impossible to experience all New York City offers in two days. If you can spend a bit longer in the area, locals recommend these options:
• Visiting the Metropolitain Museum of Art: This museum contains over 1.5 million pieces of art, with some dating back over 5,000 years.
• Exploring the New York Botanical Garden: This facility has almost 12,000 plants, with many of them in the conservatory since it was constructed in 1902.
• Touring the Empire State Building: Visit the galleries, see the view from the observation deck, and see the Art Deco architecture of this building that opened to the public in 1931.
Winter Activities
Watch the world-renowned Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade as it moves through Manhattan. Then, experience the Rockerfeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting. Close out the holiday season by watching the ball drop in Times Square.
Indoor Activities
Visitors could spend two days in New York at the American Museum of Natural History and never leave except to sleep in their RV. At this venue, you can mingle with butterflies, see dinosaur fossils, learn about various animals, and dine at the food court. The museum often hosts lectures and special exhibitions. You could also spend a day at Madame Tussauds New York wax museum. Pose with celebrities, historical figures, and popular culture icons from Captain America to Zac Efron.
The Big Apple has many places to explore for people of all interests and ages. Go RVing in New York City and explore the best the city has to offer while enjoying many of the comforts of home in your RV.
