A New York City weekend trip can be one of the most fun and exciting trips you can do in just a few days. However, because the city has so much to offer, it can be incredibly overwhelming to plan. Undoubtedly, there are many places to eat and things to do in New York that are not included in this guide, but hopefully, these recommendations will make your planning a little easier. In this guide, I’ll be sharing my recommendations for:
- Where to Stay for a New York City Weekend Trip
- Getting Around New York City
- What to Eat And Drink In New York City
- What to See And Do In New York City
New York City is not a city that can be explored in one weekend or that can be done only one way. I recommend picking a focus for your trip, like sightseeing, museum-hopping, exploring a few neighborhoods, having a foodie trip, or experiencing the nightlife. Then, pick where you’ll stay, eat, and what you’ll do according to that theme!
Where To Stay For a New York City Weekend Trip
NOMO SOHO
Soho
This is the hotel where we stayed and we loved it! Located right off of Canal St., in SoHo but within walking distance to Chinatown and Little Italy, this is a beautiful place to stay if you want a more luxurious weekend trip.
The restaurant downstairs is delicious and the rooms were beautiful and very clean. We stayed on the 22nd floor and had a spectacular view. While not the cheapest option on the list, if you’re hoping to splurge on a 4-star hotel for your New York City weekend trip, this is an excellent option.
This was our view from the 21st floor:
Yotel
Times Square
Yotel is an international chain of sleek, modern hotels and their New York location is right by Times Square. If you’ve never seen Times Square before and are looking for a more central location for your New York City weekend trip, this is a great option.
The Evelyn Hotel
NoMad
For a more historic and art-deco-inspired New York City weekend trip, stay at the Evelyn, located in NoMad, the city’s old Jazz Age music epicenter. Their lobby features art-deco style stained glass and their rooms have subtle nods to the Art Nouveau style while maintaining more modern finishes.
The Evelyn Hotel is within walking distance of Midtown and Chelsea. It’s also conveniently located to get to most other areas of Manhattan. They’re also pet-friendly!
Arthouse Hotel
Upper West Side
Arthouse Hotel is a vintage boutique hotel on the Upper West Side. While the rooms offer a more modern, luxury stay, their lobby is beautifully decorated in vintage style. With tufted leather couches, low lighting, a striking red grand piano, and a beautiful bar, their lobby is a wonderful place to pass some time.
If you’re looking to explore the Upper West and East sides and Central Park during your New York City weekend trip, this is a conveniently-located and gorgeous option for your stay.
Moxy
Chelsea
Located in the heart of Chelsea, Moxy is a vibrant and modern hotel that’s great for a trip with friends. While they offer standard rooms with queen beds, they also have a 4-person room with bunk beds. This is a great, convenient option for people traveling with friends.
Guests also get priority access to the rooftop lounge on top of already being in an excellent location!
Getting Around New York City For a Weekend
While you can definitely hail a taxi or Uber around the city, you’ll spend a heft chunk of change that way! Using the subway and walking is a much more affordable (and realistic New York) experience. I highly recommend getting a 7-day unlimited card for $33. Even if you won’t be there for seven days, if you ride the metro at least 12 times during your visit, you’ll spend the same amount or actually save money. You can buy a 7-day card at any of the kiosks located in the metro stations.
What To Eat and Drink
While there is no shortage of amazing places to eat, if you’re looking to save some money while eating out, I highly recommend using the Seated app. This app is one of my favorite secrets for saving money and there are tons of NYC restaurants on the app!
Breakfast and Brunch
Bubby’s
Tribeca
Bubby’s is an incredibly popular breakfast and brunch spot in Tribeca. You can definitely expect a long wait on weekends since they don’t take reservations. However, if you’re willing to wait, there’s excellent food here and you can take a walk by the water at Pier 26 afterward!
Chobani
Soho
For a light (and affordable!) breakfast or snack, Chobani (yes, the yogurt brand) is perfect. You can get a variety of delicious bowls for under $10, which is a steal compared to many other breakfast places in Manhattan.
NOMO Kitchen
Soho
If you’re staying at the NOMO SOHO, heading downstairs for a delicious breakfast is an easy option. Try their ricotta pancakes! Even if you’re not staying at the hotel, you can reserve a table for brunch and stop by.
Jack’s Wife Freda
This American-Mediterannean spot does more than just breakfast but is a delicious choice for brunch. With multiple locations, you could visit them in SoHo, Chelsea, or the West Village.
Veselka
East Village
If you’re a Gossip Girl fan, this spot is a must. This was Dan’s favorite spot for Pierogis! They serve traditional Ukrainian food not only for breakfast and brunch but for all meals! If you want something different than your usual eggs, bacon, pancakes breakfast, try out Veselka in the East Village.
Clinton St. Baking Company
Lower East Side
Clinton St. Baking Company is a delicious option for traditional brunch food featuring all your favorites like pancakes, biscuits, french toast, and more. Unlike many brunch places, you can make reservations here for up to five diners, but only on the Resy app.
Russ & Daughters
Lower East Side
If you’re dying for a delicious bagel with lox, Russ & Daughters is a superb choice. Their main location is not Kosher but does feature other Jewish dishes like Matzo Ball soup and Latkes if you go later in the day!
Lunch and Dinner
Vanessa’s Dumpling House
While there is no shortage of amazing places to eat in Chinatown, this is one of our favorites. It’s a quick stop-by place for dumplings that never disappoint! During pre-Covid times, very casual dine-in was available, but they are now only offering take-out.
Joe’s Pizza
If you’ve never heard of or been to Joe’s, you need to get out more. Joe’s is hardly a secret but is still an unbeatable place to get a good slice of pizza and fast. They have locations all over the city now and you will have to stand to eat, but trust me, it’s worth it!
Meskerem
For delicious Ethiopian food, try Meskerem, conveniently located right by Washington Square Park. Spend an afternoon just hanging out and observing the goings-on in Washington Square Park and then head over to Meskerem for an amazing meal.
Alice
Not only is the ambiance stunning, but the dinner was also phenomenal. The octopus starter and the cacio e pepe ravioli were absolutely to die for. If you want to treat yourself to a nice dinner, this is the place to go!
Drinks and Coffee
It would be quite literally impossible for me to list all of the bars and coffee shops that populate the island of Manhattan. This list is just a small sampling of places that I would recommend but is far from a conclusive list of bars worth visiting.
The Roxy Hotel Lounge
You can grab a coffee and get some work done in the Roxy hotel lobby during the day and then come back for live jazz music at the Roxy Bar in the evening. Even if you can’t afford to stay here, you can still enjoy the luxuries!
Tanner Smith’s
Tanner Smith’s has been named one of the best speakeasy bars in Midtown Manhattan. If you’re looking for a high-quality cocktail in a cozy, 1920’s-inspired environment, this is the place for you.
JIMMY
This rooftop lounge and bar in SoHo is an excellent place to get a nice cocktail and enjoy the view from the 18th floor.
Mace
Having won One of the World’s 50 Best Bars for three years in a row after opening in 2015, Mace is a reliably good bar in the West Village.
What To See and Do During a New York City Weekend Trip
The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Cost: $25, $12 for students
For visitors with more time on their hands and a love for history and classic art.
MoMa
Cost: $25, $14 for students, free for under 16
If you want to explore modern art, including Pollock and Lichtenstein, visit the Museum of Modern Art, MoMa.
The Museum of The City of New York
Cost: $20, $14 for students
To learn more about the history of New York and explore some of the modern themes and issues in the city, this museum is a must-visit. Additionally, while there is a suggested ticket price, the museum is technically pay what you want.
The Rubin Museum
Cost: $19, $14 for students
If you’ve already seen The Met and MoMa, try the Rubin Museum for exhibits from and about Tibet, Bhutan, and other Asian locations.
Cooper Hewitt Design Museum
Cost: $18, $9 for students, free for under 18
This is one of my favorite museums in the city. The exhibits are design-focused, interactive, and very different from any of the other museums you can visit.
See A Broadway Show
Cost: varies
This is a must-do activity in New York, at least once in your lifetime. However, tickets can get pricey depending on the show you want to see. The best way to get affordable tickets is to be flexible, enter ticket lotteries, and get rush tickets from the TKTS booths. Download the TKTS app to see what shows are on sale at the TKTS booths. Tix is also another good app to monitor show prices.
Drunk Shakespeare
Cost: $55+
For those of you that definitely can’t afford to buy Broadway tickets but still want to be a show, this comedic and drunken version of Shakespeare is the perfect solution. We went on our last trip to New York and it was 100% worth it.
Comedy Cellar
Cost: $14+
Comedy Cellar is one of the best comedy clubs in the city and is the club where many famous comedians go to practice their new sets. If you get really lucky, you might get to see a surprise set from Eddie Murphy, Dave Chapelle, or other famous comedians. Even on a less star-studded night, you’re guaranteed some good comedy. Just keep in mind that there is a 2 item minimum per person once you sit at a table, in addition to the cover!
Walk the High Line
Cost: Free!
The High Line is a 1.45-mile elevated linear park/greenway that’s a great way to enjoy good weather on your New York City weekend trip. While you’re in the area, you can also visit The Whitney Museum of American Art and Chelsea Market
Chelsea Market
Cost: Free!
This is just a cute place to check out and has good, affordable food and drinks served in food hall style. You can also check out different shops in the market, including an in-person Etsy store.
Beacon’s Closet
Cost: Free!
If you’re in the mood for some thrifting, this is one of the classic places to go. Located near Union Square, stop by after exploring Greenwich Village and the surrounding areas.
The Brooklyn Bridge
Cost: Free!
You haven’t been to New York if you haven’t done this ultimate tourist thing that is still completely worth it. On a day with good weather, walking across the bridge to explore Brooklyn can’t be beaten.
Artechouse
Cost: $25
This immersive exhibit uses interactive technology to explore art and science with rotating exhibits. This is one of the coolest art experiences and is worth the price!
Edge
Cost: $40
If you want amazing 360-views of the city, check out Edge in Hudson Yards. It’s more pricey than other experiences on this list, but you can’t get this view anywhere else. For $185, you can do their adventure package and scale the outside of the building.
New York City Weekend Trip: Final Thoughts
New York City can be incredibly overwhelming, especially if it’s your first visit. Don’t try to fit in everything! If you’re unsure of where to start, pick a few adjacent neighborhoods and focus on exploring those. You can see the rest on your next visit to Manhattan!
