So, you’ve convinced the powers-that-be to approve that New York City student tour, but you only have two days? A destination this exciting can overwhelm you with its sheer possibility. You can probably think of several days worth of NYC attractions just from movies you’ve seen, blogs you’ve read, or the friend of a cousin of a friend who’s been there and says you absolutely MUST see such-and-such. So what do you do with only a TWO days?

For starters, stay somewhere nice, within easy distance either to the attractions you want to see most or to the transportation. It’s just one night, so consider how well you want to be able to sleep considering the energy you’ll need for all that sightseeing.

Next – here are some attractions we put in our shorter itineraries for New York City student tours. Some of these give you a great overall glimpse of this amazing city. Others put you right in the midst of its fascinating energy. 

The Beast – The Beast is an exciting (and gigantic!) speedboat that zips you around the NYC harbor so you can take in the sights from the water. You’ll get close to the Statue of Liberty with a great opportunity for photos.

Top of the Rock – What better way to see most of the city at once than from standing way above it? Top of the Rock is a modern alternative to the traditional Empire State Building. The lines are easier to take (with time-stamped tickets), the climb more interactive, and the view every bit as breathtaking. Plus, it’s part of the amazing Rockefeller Center, a favorite New York tradition.

NY SkyRide – Don’t think we’re dissing the good ol’ ESB though. The Empire State Building has an attraction quickly becoming a New York favorite, and it might make a great addition to a quick tour. It’s a virtually simulated flight over New York City. It may be slightly less authentic than a rooftop view, but you’ll get a much closer look.

Times Square – This famous intersection is something most NYC visitors want to see at least once. Broadway shows, a television studio, Hershey store, wax museum, and Ripley’s Believe it or Not are just some of the attractions on it. And that’s not even to mention the huge billboards known around the world, which make this a fun attraction after dark.

Central Park – Who can resist those open spaces where you can stroll or picnic with skyscrapers towering just beyond the pretty trees? Central Park is rich with attractions too, and there are some really fun tours available for it – like the one showcasing previous movie locations from films we know you’ll recognize. Central Park is a New York City icon, and a great stop for even the shortest tour.

If you have any time left in the day, you might want to hit one of NYC’s museums – like Ripley’s or Madame Tussaud’s (mentioned above) or the more traditional Met or Museum of Natural History. In the evening, there’s nothing like catching a show. If you can squeeze in a Broadway performance, we guarantee you won’t regret it.

Check out our pages for more NYC ideas, but hopefully this gives you just a taste of what to do with only a little time.

Photo Credit: jillclardy on Flickr

New York City is such a popular city for students, and it has so many choices for beautiful fountains, that we had to choose at least one of its attractions this week. The Bethseda Fountain is beautiful and just part of one of the best reasons for New York City student tours: Central Park.

These varied and beautiful acres in the midst of this giant metropolis are a favorite part of New York City for residents as much as for tourists. Bethseda Fountain is one of its most prominent landmarks, and some even call it the centerpiece for Central Park.

The Bethseda Fountain is a popular place to find cool refreshment on a hot, summer day. And it has a rich history of providing refreshment. The same aqueduct that fed the fountain finally provided a clean water supply to a city previously plagued by disease. The famous sculpture on top is titled Angel of the Waters and was designed to celebrate that accomplishment. 

Besides being a beautiful, refreshing stop on your tour, students might actually recognize Bethseda. Thanks to its pretty setting, it has been featured in more movies than almost any other landmark in Central Park. And that’s saying a lot – there are entire tours devoted to the movies set on location in Central Park and the landmarks that have been featured.

We don’t expect many student groups to take a tour of various US fountains, but when in the city of your choice, be sure to look up popular sites like Bethseda. People gather around them for a reason, and they are a great way to begin to get to know the city.

Photo Credit: hobbs_luton on Flickr