Henry, played by Steve Martin, and his wife Nancy, portrayed by Goldie Hawn, reside in a quaint town in Ohio. After 27 years of marriage, they're facing a significant change as their youngest child, Alan, has recently left for independence, leading Nancy to grapple with the emotional challenges of an empty nest. Unbeknownst to her, Henry has faced his own struggles with job loss after a corporate downsizing. To mask his unemployment, he concocts a story about receiving a promotion that necessitates relocating to New York, encouraging Nancy to stay behind.
In a surprising twist, just before their flight, Nancy, feeling adventurous, opts to join Henry on his trip. This decision sparks a series of unfortunate events filled with humor and mishaps. As they leave their familiar hometown of Twin Oaks behind, the couple is met with a multitude of obstacles. Their flight encounters heavy fog, leaving them circling Kennedy International Airport before they are diverted to Boston’s Logan Airport. To make matters worse, their luggage—containing not only Henry's essential ulcer medication but also Nancy's spare cash—was left behind.
Their struggles continue when they miss the train at South Station and are compelled to rent a car for their journey to New York City. Unfortunately, the car’s heater malfunctions, causing them to suffer in sweltering heat, and as if that's not enough, they quickly lose their way in the bustling streets of Manhattan. Their navigation system leads them astray when switched to French, leaving them utterly confused and lost.
In a twist of fate, after Nancy takes over the driving, they inadvertently crash into a seafood facility, incurring a costly $2200 damage fee. Desperate for a place to stay, they make their way to the Grand Mark Hotel, where, unfortunately, Henry discovers his credit card has reached its limit—thanks to their daughter Susan, who had used it to fund her acting dreams after abandoning medical school, causing Henry great frustration over the wasted tuition.
Lacking funds, the hotel has no choice but to eject them out. They attempt to visit Susan, but her absence from home leads to a series of comedic altercations with NYC locals. They find temporary refuge in a church serving food, only to realize they’ve stumbled into a rather unconventional self-help group, where the couple inadvertently divulges their personal struggles, revealing that it's been over two months since their last intimate encounter.
Finally, remembering her travelers checks, they return to the hotel, but their luggage is still missing. While consuming bar snacks, Nancy attracts the attention of a man named Greg, played by Mark McKinney. In a humorous turn of events, Nancy flirts with him to snag his hotel key, leading the couple to indulge in an extravagant meal in their hotel room. However, calamity ensues when Greg unexpectedly returns to retrieve his phone, leading to a frantic chase across the hotel as Henry disguises himself and narrowly escapes the encounter.
Amidst the chaos, Henry and Nancy's relationship faces its own tribulations, culminating in a heated argument about their seemingly diverging interests and the looming threat of divorce. However, in a tender moment, they reminisce about their youth and rekindle their passion in Central Park, only to be interrupted by a sudden illumination around them due to a city event, leading to a humorous chase by security for their public display of affection.
The following morning, Henry’s freedom is compromised when he’s arrested for a minor mishap. With no bail money, Nancy resorts to cunning threats to secure his release. After an unfortunate mix-up involving aspirin turns into a comedic disaster, Henry manages to get back on track just in time for his interview. However, upon arrival, he discovers he’s late due to miscommunication.
Yet, with Nancy’s unyielding support, Henry channels their tumultuous experiences into a compelling pitch, suggesting the tagline "Only in New York" for the city's latest campaign, ultimately landing the job. In a heartwarming conclusion, he brings Nancy on board his creative team, embracing the vibrant chaos of their trip while deciding to stay in New York to watch Susan shine on stage.
