How to Spend a Long Weekend in New York 2022
Thinking of booking a long weekend in New York? I don’t need to convince you why that’s a good idea. It’s one of the most incredible cities in the world. I don’t know one person’s bucket list that New York isn’t on. I’d always wanted to visit, but despite booking a trip twice, I’d never actually made it over until last year. The first time, I lost my job a few months before I was due to go, and decided it wouldn’t be wise to visit one of the most expensive cities in the world with not a lot of money in my bank account. The second time, we were in the middle of a global pandemic and America closed its borders.
I’d put my dreams of seeing New York to the back of my mind until my cousin invited us to his wedding in America last November. I couldn’t miss out on another opportunity to see the city – so we booked flights to North Carolina, with the added bonus of a long weekend in New York before the wedding.
There is SO much to see in New York it can be overwhelming. I spent hours figuring out where I wanted to stay, what I wanted to do, but most importantly, what I was going to eat. Food was the number one priority for me (it always is) – dollar slice pizzas, Levain bakery cookies, New York bagels, fried chicken, a Katz Deli sandwich, the list was endless. If you’re planning a trip to the city that never sleeps, you’ll want it to be special. So to hopefully save you some time and hassle, read on for my guide on how to spend your long weekend in New York wisely.
Travel tips for a long weekend in New York
Where is New York? New York City is on the East coast of America, and forms part of New York State. You can fly direct from London to JFK Airport in 7 and a half hours.
When’s the best time to visit? The magic of New York is that no matter when you visit, you’ll have a good time. I visited in November and it was the perfect temperature – t-shirt weather most days but still comfortable enough to walk around the city and not be dripping in sweat. I’d love to experience New York in the sunshine, when people are enjoying the parks, or popping for al-fresco after-work drinks, but I’d probably only visit in the shoulder season (May or September).
In the height of summer, New York can reach over 30°C, and that is way too hot for me to not be horizontal, mojito in hand, next to a swimming pool. At the opposite end, December is a great month to visit New York. The shops are getting ready for Christmas and they don’t scrimp on the decorations. January & February are freezing (I’m talking minus temperatures) and you don’t benefit from the magic of Christmas. I hate being cold so it wouldn’t be my idea of fun, but you’re more likely to get a good deal at this time of year.
Do I need to hire a car? No! In fact, I wouldn’t recommend it at all, driving in New York is chaotic! The city’s so well connected by taxis, ferries, and the subway. You’d only need a car if you’re planning on venturing outside of New York City and exploring more of the East coast. But if you’re just visiting for a long weekend, I’d stick to the city itself, there’s already A LOT to see there.
How long do you need to spend in New York?
If it’s your first-time in New York, I’d recommend a long weekend, around 4 or 5 days. You’ll always leave feeling like you could have seen more, but this is a good amount of time to cover the main sights. Hopefully you’ll even have enough time for at least one lie in! Although jet lag had me up at 5am each morning, but it was a perfect way to see the city without many people around.
Where to stay on a long weekend in New York
Choosing a hotel is equally as important to me as choosing a destination. I can’t get on board with the logic that “it’s just a hotel room, you won’t spend much time there”. Good service, good design and good food are top of my list when it comes to finding somewhere to stay, and these are my favourite places in New York.
Brooklyn
I know the temptation is to stay in Manhattan and be closer to all of the main sights, but basing yourself the other side of the river means you really get to experience “proper” life in the city. It’s a lot less hectic, the restaurant choice is incredible, and you can easily get the subway, a taxi, or even a boat across to Manhattan. We choose to stay in Brooklyn and I’m so glad we did.
The Hoxton
The Hoxton is my number 1 choice for a long weekend in New York. It’s located in Williamsburg – a brilliant neighbourhood full of buzzy restaurants, bars and shops. And with rooms from around £200 a night, it’s an affordable choice (for New York). Their Williamsburg location is a beauty, boasting 2 restaurants (one on the roof), 175 rooms and an outdoor terrace. If you can, opt for a Manhattan-view bedroom for incredible views over the city.
Travel tip: Book directly with The Hoxton to get one of my favourite perks of any hotel I’ve stayed in. Flexy Time allows guests to choose their check-in and check-out times within a 24 hour period. So let’s say you booked to stay on a Saturday night – if you really wanted to, you could check in at 12:01am Saturday morning and check out at 11:59pm Sunday night (I know, because I asked). It’s a great perk if your flight leaves late on the last day and you want to leave your things in the room and come back to shower later.
1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge
A budget choice this is not, but if it’s a special occasion, 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge is the perfect choice for a long weekend in New York. Boasting a rooftop plunge pool, wellness spa, rooftop bar and bedrooms with sweeping views of the skyline, it’s a beauty!
The William Vale Hotel
Another hotel with incredible views over the city, The William Vale boasts a huge rooftop swimming pool, contemporary design and an award-winning chef behind the hotel restaurant.
Ace Hotel
Stunning design is at the centre of Ace Hotel’s newest opening in Brooklyn. There’s 287 rooms, a restaurant, fitness centre, a bar and garden. It’s not in the most bustling part of Brooklyn, but it’s well-connected to the rest of New York.
Pod Brooklyn
If you’re on a budget, Pod Hotels is a great choice for a long weekend in New York. The rooms aren’t the prettiest, but they’re functional with plenty of natural light. Plus, the hotel offers guided walking tours and complimentary bikes for exploring the city.
Wythe Hotel
Based in a 100-year-old converted factory, Wythe Hotel is the perfect boutique hotel for a long weekend in New York. Onsite restaurant Le Crocodile serves up French cuisine and is one of the best places to eat in the city.
Williamsburg Hotel
Manhattan
If you do want to stay central, the hotel choice can be overwhelming. Here’s some of my favourites for a long weekend in New York:
The Standard
Contrary to their name, The Standard hotels are anything but standard. Expect good food, stunning design and a great atmosphere. There’s 2 in New York – one in East Village and one in the Meatpacking District. The High Line outpost has 6 bars and restaurants to choose from, 338 rooms and views over Manhattan. Over in East Village, you’ll find NO BAR, a gay bar perfect for late-night parties.
Book your stay at The High Line
Book your stay at East Village
Moxy, Chelsea
Moxy Chelsea is 35-stories high, meaning you get to wake up to incredible city views. On the top floor, you’ll find Fleur, a rooftop with more epic views over the city.
The Ludlow
I’d book The Ludlow solely for the bathrooms. They’re absolutely stunning. It’s a design-led boutique hotel in one of New York’s best neighbourhoods, Lower East Side. You’re only a short stroll from some of the best restaurants and bars in the city.
Arlo Nomad
Beautiful design and incredible views are at the heart of Arlo. Just a short walk from the Empire State Building, it’s perfectly located for a long weekend in New York. On the 31st floor is A.R.T – their rooftop bar serving custom mixed drinks.
Where to eat on a long weekend in New York
Oxomoco
For Michelin-star Mexican food that won’t break the bank, Oxomoco was our favourite meal in New York. Plus, the toilets have a disco ball in them for a post-wee dance. What more could you want?
Opening hours:
- Monday and Tuesday: 5:30pm-10pm
- Wednesday: 12-3pm, 5:30-10pm
- Thursday: 12-3:30pm, 5:30-10pm
- Friday: 12-3pm, 5:30-10pm
- Saturday-Sunday: 11am-3pm, 5:30-10pm
Di and Di
Perfect for contemporary Vietnamese cuisine, you’ll find Di and Di in Greenpoint.
Opening hours:
- Monday and Tuesday: Closed
- Tuesday-Sunday: 12-3pm, 6-10pm
Lilia
Serving up stunning Italian cuisine, head to Lilia for homemade pasta, classic cocktails and wood-fired seafood.
Opening hours:
- Monday-Sunday: 4pm-10pm
Katz Deli
Katz is a New-York institution! As seen in the movie When Harry Met Sally, it’s a Jewish Deli serving up epic sandwiches. Pop in for lunch but be prepared to queue.
Opening hours:
- Monday-Friday: 8am-10:45pm
- Saturday-Sunday: 8am-11pm
Levain Bakery
You can’t visit New York and not get a cookie from Levain. They’re hands-down the BEST cookies I’ve ever eaten. And I heartbreakingly had to throw 2 of them in the airport security bin because I forgot they were in my bag. Completely my fault for not eating them all in one go. I’ll never forgive myself.
Cookie tip: Always buy extra! You can freeze Levain cookies so make sure you take some home. And don’t leave them in a bin in JFK airport..
Locations and opening hours:
- 74th Street: Daily: 8am-8pm
- Upper East Side: Daily: 7am-9pm
- Amsterdam Avenue: Daily: 7am-9pm
- NoHo: Daily: 7:30am-10pm
- Harlem: Daily: 8am-8pm
- Williamsburg: Daily: 8am-10pm
Buvette
Buvette is a great place for brunch, but be prepared to queue. Go for the avocado toast with spiced yogurt or the waffle sandwich with sunny-side egg, bacon and Gruyère cheese.
Opening hours:
- Monday-Thursday: 8am-11pm
- Friday-Saturday: 8am-12am
Sami and Susu
Neighbourhood restaurant Sami and Susu was another favourite of ours when we visited New York. It serves up Meditterean food and is a perfect lunch spot. Order the chicken pita – with harissa, chopped salad, tahini and half-sour pickle – it’s delicious!
Opening hours:
- Monday-Sunday: 11am-10pm
Scarr’s Pizza
Scarr’s was recommended to me by a friend who lived in New York, and now I’m passing on the knowledge to you. It’s definitely the best place to go for a slice of pizza in the city.
Opening hours:
- Monday-Thursday: 12pm-11pm
- Friday-Saturday: 12pm-12am
What to do on a long weekend in New York
Walk The High Line
The High Line is a 1.5-mile-long former railway track that gives you a completely unique view of the city, and it’s one of the best things to do on a long weekend in New York. It only takes about 30 minutes to walk the whole thing, but make sure you take time to stop and see the city from the viewpoints.
Travel tip: There’s lots of different entry points to The High Line, but I’d recommend starting at 34th Street (the Northern end) and finishing at Chelsea Market to the South.
Located in the heart of the Meatpacking District – a neighbourhood that gets its name from the slaughterhouses that used to make up the area, Chelsea Market is a great place to grab a bite. Try Los Tacos No 1 – one of the best places in the city for Mexican. Afterward, head up to the rooftop bar at The Standard hotel for a drink.
Opening hours:
The High Line’s hours vary depending on the season:
- October 1st-November 20th: 7am-10pm
- December 1st-March 31st: 7am-7pm
- April 1st-May 31st: 7am-10pm
- June 1st-September 30th: 7am-11pm
Visits to The High Line are free, but if you’re going on a weekend between 1pm-6pm, you’ll need to reserve a timed-entry slot.
Go ice skating at Rockefeller Center
If you visit New York around Christmas, you can’t miss ice-skating at the iconic Rockefeller Center. Predictable? Yes. Incredible? Absolutely.
Travel tip: Make sure you book your tickets online as it gets busy. Try and be flexible on times as the price ranges from $20-$54 depending on the date and time of day. You’ll need to pay an extra $10 for skates, too.
See some art at the MoMA
The MoMA (Museum of Modern Art) is an art museum located in Midtown Manhattan. In 2019 it underwent an impressive $450 million renovation and it’s one of the best things to do on a long weekend in New York.
MoMA (Museum of Modern Art)
There are two ticket options for MoMA. Tickets include admission to all galleries and exhibitions:
- General Admission: Online tickets start from $25 for adults and $14 for students. Children (16 and under) go free.
- Members: You can buy an annual MoMA membership from $65.
Membership perks: Members get free priority admission, and Monday mornings from
10:30 a.m.–1:00 p.m are reserved exclusively for members and their guests.
Opening hours:
Sunday-Friday: 10:30am-5:30pm
Saturday: 10:30am-7pm
Spend an afternoon in Washington Square Park
You’ll find Washington Square Park in Greenwich Village and you have to visit it at least once during your long weekend in New York. I’d actually recommend going twice, once in the daytime and once at night to fully experience it. To me, it felt like the heart of New York – a buzz of activity, noise and energy.
Visit the New York Public Library
The New York Public Library is the second largest library in America. Even if you’re not a fan of books, it’s well worth a visit. The building is absolutely stunning – it was declared National Historic Landmark in 1965. Entry is free.
Eat all the food at the Time Out Market
Time Out Market is situated between the Brooklyn and Manhattan bridges in Brooklyn and is full of incredible eateries. It’s a casual affair – they don’t take bookings, just turn up and enjoy!
Opening hours:
- Daily 8am-10pm
Walk across the Brooklyn Bridge
You can’t visit New York and not walk along the Brooklyn Bridge. It was such a pinch-me moment, where I realised I was actually in New York. (We did it on the first morning, I hadn’t just been wandering around for 5 days not knowing where I was..)
Travel tip: If you’re staying in Brooklyn, start your day by walking over the bridge and into Manhattan. The crowds are less hectic on the Brooklyn side.
Stroll around Central Park
I don’t really need to tell you to do this, but just in case you somehow forget to add it to your to-do list, make sure you spend (at least) a morning exploring Central Park. Before I visited, I didn’t realise just how huge Central Park is, so plan to visit on a day when you don’t have anything else booked.
Take a picture at DUMBO
New York is an Instagram dream. You could take a photo of a lamppost and it’d look aesthetic. So you can’t really go wrong here. But there’s one iconic photo spot you’ve probably seen all over Instagram. DUMBO (Down Under The Manhattan Bridge Overpass) is an industrial neighbourhood in Brooklyn that’s now home to galleries, independent shops, and a street with one of the best views of the Manhattan Bridge. Head to Washington Street for a completely unique perspective of the bridge, but get there early if you want it all to yourself!
Visit Byrant Park
Known as Manhattan’s Town Square, Byrant Park is a great place to visit no matter the time of year. If you’re in New York in November or December, make sure you head here for the Christmas Markets. When we went they had a Fever Tree stand, and we spent the afternoon drinking gin and browsing the stalls.
The best rooftop bars in New York
Le Bain, The Standard
At the top of The Standard you’ll find Le Bain. It’s on the 18th floor so expect epic views,DJs and a cocktail bar.
Opening hours:
- Monday-Wednesday: Closed
- Thursday: 10pm-4am
- Friday: 4pm-4am
- Saturday: 2pm-4am
- Sunday: 2pm-12am
A.R.T
Tacos and cocktails are a winning combination for me – and that’s exactly what you get at A.R.T, Arlo Soho’s rooftop bar. There are indoor and outdoor areas and epic views of the Hudson River.
Opening times:
- Monday – Thursday: 4pm-12am
- Friday & Saturday: 4pm-1am
- Sunday: 4pm-11pm
Refinery Rooftop
In the heart of Midtown is Refinery Rooftop – with a retractable glass roof and outdoor terrace offering amazing views over the city. Being honest, we didn’t love it. But the reason I’m still including it on this list is that I’ve heard amazing things about it from other people, and the reason we didn’t enjoy it could easily be rectified. We only went for a few drinks and to admire the view, and we were seated inside, which was dark and dingy. If we were outside however, I know it would have been a totally different experience.
Opening times:
- Sunday-Weds 11:30am – 10pm
- Thursday-Sat: 11:30am-12am
Nearly Ninth
On the top of Arlo Midtown is Nearly Ninth – an all-day restaurant serving cocktails and pizza with skyline views. What more could you want?
Opening hours:
- Sunday-Thursday: 7:00am – 12am
- Friday-Saturday: 7:00am – 1am
Where to get the best view of the New York skyline
There are so many incredible places to see the skyline in the city, here’s some of my favourite places to visit on a long weekend in New york:
Summit One Vanderbilt
A new opening in 2021, SUMMIT was probably my favourite place we visited on our trip. It’s an observation deck 1,200 feet above the city, making it the highest observation point in Midtown Manhattan. It’s pretty much entirely made of glass, which means you get uninterrupted views of the city. I’d recommend paying the extra £10 and getting a ticket for sunset – that way you get to see New York by day and night. If you do this, make sure you arrive early as security takes a really long time, and it was nearly dark by the time we made it to the top.
Feeling brave? For an extra $20 you can ride in one of the highest glass elevators in the world.
There are three ticket options for Summit:
- SUMMIT Experience: This is the general admission ticket. Online tickets start from $39 for adults (13+) and $33 for children (6-12).
- SUMMIT Ascent: This is the general admission ticket plus a ride in the glass elevator. Online tickets start from $59 for adults and $53 for children.
- Ultimate SUMMIT: This is general admission ticket, plus the glass elevator, plus a signature cocktail. Online tickets start from $73 for adults and $67 for children.
Book your tickets online here.
Edge
Edge is the highest outdoor sky deck in the Western Hemisphere, suspended in mid-air to make you feel like you’re floating. Petrifying? Probably. But worth it for unbeatable views of the city. It’s definitely one of the best things to do on a long weekend in New York.
There are four ticket options for Edge:
- General Admission: This requires you to select the date and time you wish to visit and it can’t be changed. Online tickets start from $38 for adults (13+) and $33 for children (6-12).
- Flex Pass: This requires you to pick a date for your visit, but you can visit Edge any time during that day. Online tickets start from $58 for adults and $53 for children.
- Champagne Admission: This is a general admission ticket, plus a glass of champagne. It’s only available if you’re over 21 and online tickets start from $55.
- Premium Admission: This is a general admission ticket, plus a glass of champagne, plus a personalised photo book. Online tickets start from $73 for an adult.
- City Climb: The highest open-air building ascent in the world. Online tickets start from $185.
Book your tickets online here.
Top of the Rock
One of New York’s most iconic viewpoints, Top of the Rock is at the top of Rockefeller Center. There’s 360-degrees across 3 levels of indoor and outdoor viewing decks.
There are three ticket options for Top of The Rock:
- General Admission: Online tickets start from $40 for adults (13+) and $34 for children (6-12).
- Express Pass: Get faster entry and priority elevator access. Online tickets start from $75
- VIP Tour: Skip the line and get a guided tour, including Top of the Rock Observation Deck and Rainbow Room. Online tickets start from $125.
Book your tickets online here.
Empire State Building
Get unobstructed views of New York from the observatory on the 86th floor of the Empire State Building. On a clear day, you can see as far as New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Delaware!
There’s two main ticket options for the Empire State Building:
- Main Deck: This ticket gets you onto the 86th-floor observatory. Online tickets start from $44 for adults and $38 for children.
- Top Deck: This ticket gets you up to the 102nd floor. Online tickets start from $77 for adults and $71 for children.
Book your tickets online here.
There’s my guide on how to spend a long weekend in New York. Have you been? Let me know in the comments below.
