7 Ways To Experience a City in Just 2 Hours

Sometimes, you only have a couple of hours to get the most out of a city. Whether you have some time to kill on a layover or some free time between meetings, two hours can be just enough time to get a feel for a place—if you plan accordingly. 

This guide will help you maximize the small amount of time you have in a new city—whether it’s Singapore, Paris, or NYC—by focusing on the best sights, top neighborhoods, and easiest way to get around.

Plan your visit in advance

If you only have two hours to explore a city, you will want to make sure you have a plan to optimize your time and pack in as much as possible. This means researching what’s within easy reach from the airport, hotel, or convention center.

This might mean checking local transport options, or booking a Blacklane hourly service to explore quickly and comfortably. If you only have two hours, you want to spend as little time as possible traveling between sights and neighborhoods. Do a little research in advance to identify the most popular areas with the most easily accessible attractions.

Choose one museum or cultural stop 

Alternatively, if the weather has taken a turn for the worse or you simply don’t feel like running around, choose one museum, gallery, or cultural stop to enjoy. For example, if you only have two hours in Chicago, the Chicago Institute of Art is a great way to kill a couple of hours, as it’s home to incredible works by icons like Van Gogh, Edward Hopper, and Grant Wood. If you’re in Los Angeles, maybe you want to prioritize a visit to the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures. It’s your time, spend it the way you want.

Choose a “top three”

If you really want to hit the hotspots and get a feel for a city, pick three of the most popular or interesting landmarks to see. Make sure they are all within easy reach of each other to maximize your time at each attraction. 

For example, if you’re visiting London for the first time, check out Trafalgar Square, Buckingham Palace, and Hyde Park. In New York, you can easily see Times Square, the Empire State Building, and Central Park all in a couple of hours. 

However, if that’s not feasible due to crowds, distance, or you’re in a time crunch, you can also focus your attention on one neighborhood, such as Shibuya in Tokyo or Île de la Cité in Paris. This way you can walk around at your own pace, and take the time to really enjoy a slice of the city. 

Use food as your guide

One of the best ways to explore a new place is through its menu, so use the city’s foodie culture to guide your exploration of the city. Choose one local snack, one main dish, and one sweet treat to try, and research the best places to find them. Here are some ideas:

Rome

• Snack: Supplì (fried rice ball with mozzarella)

• Main meal: Cacio e Pepe (pasta with pecorino cheese and black pepper)

• Sweet treat: Maritozzo (sweet bun filled with whipped cream)

Cape Town

• Snack: Biltong (air-dried, spiced meat)

• Main meal: Bobotie (spiced minced meat baked with an egg-based topping)

• Sweet treat: Koeksister (braided, syrup-soaked fried dough)

Rio de Janeiro

• Snack: Pão de queijo (cheese bread)

• Main meal: Feijoada (black bean and meat stew, Brazil’s national dish)

• Sweet treat: Brigadeiro (chocolate fudge ball)

Take a guided or self-guided walking tour

If you want to pack in as much as possible in 60-90 minutes, consider booking a walking tour, or find a self-guided tour online. Walking tours are a great way to learn about the city from a local expert, and an opportunity to delve into its history and culture while admiring the best sights. Most walking tours only last an hour or so, so you will even have some time to spare once it’s over — and have a better idea of how to get around.

Admire the skyline

If you only have two hours to explore a city, there’s no way you can see the whole city… or can you? Most major metropolitan cities have skyscrapers, hills, and viewing spots that capture the city at its best. Think NYC’s One World Observatory, Victoria Peak in Hong Kong, LA’s Griffith Observatory, or the Burj Khalifa in Dubai—the world’s tallest building.

Another tip would be to catch a ferry tour or taxi on some of the world’s most famous waterways to experience the skyline from the water. It’s the perfect way to take in the highlights of the city all in one go.

Ask a local expert

Researching a new destination online is all well and good, but if you really want the inside scoop, the best ideas will always come from those who call it home. Ask your Blacklane chauffeur what they would recommend, or find blog posts and guides written by locals. 

Get off-the-beaten-track in Bangkok by visiting Sri Nakhon Khuean Khan Park and exploring the weekend markets, or cross the Bospheros from Istanbul’s European side to Kuzguncuk — a small, colorful village often missed by tourists. 

While two hours might not feel like much time, exploring a new city certainly beats hanging around in an airport lounge. From world famous museums to iconic architecture, no matter where you land, your Blacklane chauffeur can greet you at the airport and escort you across the city in comfort, so you can make the most of your free time and experience some of the world’s most incredible destinations in just a couple of hours.

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