How to Spend a Weekend in New York City

This post is for anyone wondering how to spend a weekend in New York City with insider tips by a current New York resident. I’ll cover getting to NYC from Washington, DC, where to stay in Midtown NYC, and where to eat in New York City near Midtown.

The Big Apple

The City That Never Sleeps

The Five Boroughs

All of these nicknames refer to one of the greatest cities on this planet.

New York City!

It is the epitome of the whole world. A melting pot of immigrants who have come from near and far to achieve the American Dream.

 How to Spend a Weekend in New York City

New York City was ranked number six on Forbes “Most Visited Cities in The World 2014.” And it happens to be in my back yard. Just a stones throw away from Washington D.C., New York City’s accessibility is just one of the many benefits of living in the Mid-Atlantic.

Here’s everything you needed to know about

How to get to New York City from Washington, DC

Whether you take the Amtrak train or one of the many bus options, you can make the trek from D.C. to NYC in less than five hours for next to nothing. The Amtrak train charges $49 each way if purchased in advance and bus tickets can be found for as low as $25 for a one way trip.

Customary to my usual spontaneity, I decided to visit New York City last weekend on a whim. And I wasn’t disappointed.

My journey began Friday night at Union Station in D.C. where I caught the 9:30 Megabus to Penn Station NYC.

Where to Stay in New York City

Given that my normal budget boutique hotel was booked for the weekend, I decided to try somewhere new. I stayed at the Life Hotel on 31^st between Broadway and 5^th Ave – click here to check the latest rates. The hotel was great for the price and set in a perfect location for sightseeing. Whether you want to visit the Empire State Building or Times Square, this hotel will have you within walking distance.

Hotel Name	Star Rating	Walking Distance to Times Square	Check Availability
The Knickerbocker	*****	2 minutes	Check the latest rates for The Knickerbocker
The Michelangelo	****	4 minutes	Check the latest rates for The Michelangelo Theatre District
WestHouse Hotel	*****	8 minutes	Check the latest rates for WestHouse Hotel
Stewart Hotel	****	13 minutes	Check the latest rates at Stewart Hotel
Arlo NoMad		18 minutes	Check the rates at the Arlo NoMad

Click here to find even more New York City hotels  | Find the best discounts on Groupon

Things to do in New York City

Now lets focus on my favorite part of travel.

The Food!

If you ever find yourself on the Upper East Side, and you are craving a bagel in the morning or a deli for lunch, I have the a few great recommendations.

H&H Midtown Bagels East on 2^nd Ave – There will most likely be a line to the door, but the bagel will make up for the wait. I have been to many bagel shops in NYC and this one is at the top of my list with Ess-a-Bagel off 3^rd Ave. I ordered the whole wheat everything bagel with light veggie cream cheese and was greatly satisfied.

Pastrami Queen on Lexington Ave – If you are craving an over stuffed pastrami sandwich, then this is the place for you! The sandwich at Pastrami Queen was one of the simplest yet delightful sandwiches that I have encountered. Mouthwatering pastrami piled high on rye bread with mustard and a half done pickle on the side. You really can’t go wrong with this one. Just keep in mind that this is a fully kosher restaurant; so don’t make the same mistake as I did while ordering. No cheese allowed.

Many people visit New York City to see a show on Broadway and need a place to eat beforehand. Here is a great recommendation right within walking distance to most theaters.

Empanada Mama on 9^th Ave – Located just west of Times Square, this is a good quick place to grab a bite before a show. The sangria was cheap by city standards as well as strong and delicious. They have some entrees you can choose from, but I recommend going the empanada route (given their name). I myself started with an avocado salad followed by a few empanadas – don’t forget you can also get 20% off your order. My favorite was hands down the Viagra empanada (insert giggle here}. It was filled with a seafood stew of shrimp, scallops and crabmeat. It sounds interesting for an empanada… but it was tasty!

Showtime on Broadway!

If it is your first time in New York City please do yourself a favor and go see a show on Broadway! If you don’t want to buy a ticket beforehand, because they can get expensive, then I recommend going to the TKTS booth in Times Square. It is located under the red steps in the heart of Times Square with billboards on each side listing the discounted shows for the day. The discounts range from 20-50%. Read my post if you’re interested in more tips for visiting NYC on a budget.

Here is a little tip that I learned this past weekend.

The TKTS booth has a separate line for “play only” performances on the opposite side from the normal line. This line tends to be a lot shorter (I was there 45 minutes before the booth opened and was the first person in this line). So if the show you want to see is a play then you are in luck. If waiting in line isn’t your thing, don’t forget to check for discount Broadway tickets online.

I myself really wanted to see “An Act of God” featuring Jim Parsons, but unfortunately it was sold out. Instead I chose to see “The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time.” The play focuses on a highly intelligent autistic teenager who is blamed for the death of his neighbor’s dog. The show is narrated in the first-person and gives an interesting view into the teenager’s mind. It was by far some of the best visuals that I have experienced on Broadway and the acting was definitely on par as well. It is a must see!

These are just a few recommendations from my getaway in New York City. I take two to three trips there a year; so if anyone needs more recommendations don’t hesitate to ask!

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Recommended Reading for Planning Your Trip to New York City

• Planning a budget trip to NYC? Read my post with 10 tips for exploring NYC on a budget.
• Do you love coffee? I do! And documented some of the best coffee shops in NYC . If you’re visiting NYC in October, don’t forget to check out the annual New York Coffee Festival – you get to sample coffee, tea, and more from some of NYC’s best coffee shops, what’s not to love?!
• There are so many restaurants to choose from, why not take a look at some of my favorite places to eat in NYC.
• Washington,  DC is a quick train/bus trip away – it’s where I used to live and I go back every year. Check out all my articles on DC in particular 45 Unique Things to do in Washington, DC
• Don’t wait till the last minute to book your NYC hotel – click here to get the latest rates via HotelsCombined