You could live in New York City your whole life and never get bored. The city is constantly changing, inviting new entertainment, businesses, and traditions. Anyone visiting New York City (especially if it’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity) will want to know exactly how long it takes to see all the sights. At the Concorde Hotel New York, we get this question a lot. We’ve discovered the key is to answer a more personal question first: What brings you to New York? The length of time for which you’ll want to reserve your room or suite depends entirely upon your goals. Are you looking for good food, famous monuments, shopping on Fifth Avenue, or a tour of our renowned museums? Maybe you’re looking for a combination—to walk around the city with a cup of coffee in your hand and see where the wind takes you. No matter your goal, we’ve come up with a few ideas to help you decide how long to stay when visiting New York City. The general consensus? You’ll need at least a full three days and two nights to get a taste of everything our city has to offer. Three of the most popular NYC attractions are the Statue of Liberty, The Empire State Building, and Central Park. For The Statue of Liberty, you’ll want to allow at least 3 hours and up to 6 hours for a tour of the monument and Ellis Island. You may be able to include a one-hour tour of The Empire State Building on the same day, but it would make sense to purchase the City Pass, which provides access to both historic structures plus four other attractions. That’s at least two days of fun in NYC.
As for Central Park, there are always events, performers, and works of art to enjoy in addition to the natural beauty. You may want to set aside an entire day for this 840-acre park.
- Dining and Shopping
You can always squeeze in fine food and dining around your New York City adventure. After all, everyone has to eat. Whether you’re hoping to snag a cupcake from Magnolia Bakery, get a slice at Lombardi’s, or reserve a table at Le Bernardin, your food and beverage experience is sure to be memorable.
For some, however, dining is a visceral experience that helps them connect with the place they’re visiting. If this describes you, then you may want to dedicate more time to sampling cuisine from our world-renowned bakers, chefs, and mixologists.
While you digest, take a walk down Park Avenue or Fifth Avenue and enjoy a high-end shopping experience at our famous department stores and eclectic boutiques. If you love shopping and fashion, you can easily spend your entire stay shopping in NYC.
- Art and History
NYC is home to several famous art museums, including the Museum of Modern Art, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and The Guggenheim.
Dedicate a day to art and spend the next immersed in history. The 9/11 Memorial and Museum, the American Museum of National History, and the Intrepid Museum are always popular choices for those who enjoy their trips with a side of education.
- Entertainment
People from around the world flock to Broadway in New York City to witness up-and-coming entertainment successes as well as the classics. You can usually fit in two Broadway shows in one day.
Don’t forget, however, that there is more to the live theater scene in NYC than Broadway. You’ll find plenty of off-Broadway shows as well as opportunities to experience dinner and a show. There are also concerts in Madison Square Garden, sporting events (Yankee Stadium, anyone?), street performers, and yacht cruises.
If your goal is to experience entertainment while visiting New York City, you might need to extend your weekend getaway.
- At Your Pace
If you want to experience New York City from a native’s perspective, the best way is to give yourself an entire weekend, Friday-Sunday. Wake up in our high-rise hotel with a great view, enjoy breakfast in the hotel café, and take a walk or subway ride. Window shop, get last-minute tickets for a play, and people watch in Central Park. Playing your trip by ear is a great way to make unforgettable memories.
If you live close to NYC, you can experience much of what NYC offers by just making a day trip. If your home is a plane ride away, we recommend staying for at least a weekend. And if this is your only chance to experience The Big Apple, you may want to take advantage of our extended-stay discount with promo code STAYNSAVE.
It’s a great deal for those traveling for business, too.
And, of course, if you can’t bear to leave after your weekend as a New Yorker, you can always book another night at The Concorde Hotel New York.
