Everyone's first trip to New York involves some version of the same mistake: trying to see all five boroughs in two days. Don't. Pick a compact route through Manhattan and Brooklyn, and let the city fill in the gaps you didn't plan for — it always does.

Day one: downtown and the classic skyline

Start in the Financial District early, before the crowds build around the Charging Bull and Wall Street. Walk the Brooklyn Bridge toward DUMBO for the best skyline photo in the city, then grab lunch in Brooklyn before heading back across for the afternoon in SoHo. Save a rooftop bar for sunset — the light over the Hudson is worth the wait in line.

Day two: Central Park and the museum mile

Enter Central Park from the south and walk north — you'll pass Bethesda Terrace, the Mall, and eventually reach the Met if museums are your thing. Pick one museum, not three; New York rewards depth over checklist-tourism. End the day in the East Village for dinner somewhere that isn't on a top-10 list.

• Skip: Times Square after dark unless you specifically want the neon-and-crowds experience.
• Don't skip: A proper bagel, eaten standing up, from a shop with a line out the door.
• Book ahead: Any specific restaurant you actually care about — New York does not do walk-ins well on weekends.

The best New York moments are rarely the landmarks — they're the corner you turned down by accident and didn't want to leave.

Getting around

The subway is faster than a cab for almost everything during the day. Get a contactless card ready before your first ride, and don't be afraid to just walk — Manhattan is more walkable than it looks on a map.