{"id":16050,"date":"2015-11-09T12:51:25","date_gmt":"2015-11-09T16:51:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.nyhabitat.com\/blog\/?p=16050"},"modified":"2019-03-21T17:37:50","modified_gmt":"2019-03-21T21:37:50","slug":"how-best-spend-long-weekend-nyc","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.nyhabitat.com\/blog\/2015\/11\/09\/how-best-spend-long-weekend-nyc\/","title":{"rendered":"How To Best Spend a Long Weekend in NYC"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"attachment_19752\" style=\"width: 750px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-19752\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"wp-image-19752\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nyhabitat.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/how-best-spend-long-weekend-NYC-skyline-1.jpg\" alt=\"Image of NYC skyline\" width=\"750\" height=\"500\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nyhabitat.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/how-best-spend-long-weekend-NYC-skyline-1.jpg 1170w, https:\/\/www.nyhabitat.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/how-best-spend-long-weekend-NYC-skyline-1-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.nyhabitat.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/how-best-spend-long-weekend-NYC-skyline-1-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.nyhabitat.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/how-best-spend-long-weekend-NYC-skyline-1-1024x683.jpg 1024w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 750px) 100vw, 750px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-19752\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Make the most of your long weekend in NYC!<\/p><\/div>\n<p>Visiting <a title=\"New York neighborhood guide\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nyhabitat.com\/blog\/category\/new-york\/\">New York City<\/a>\u00a0and seeing its iconic attractions and locations up close and personal is an item on everyone\u2019s bucket list. But if you only have a long weekend to spare, how can you make the most of your short trip to New York City? Keep reading to find out!<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><strong>Visit the city\u2019s landmarks<\/strong><\/p>\n<div class=\"img aligncenter wp-image-16055\">\n\t<img src=\"https:\/\/www.nyhabitat.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/how-best-spend-long-weekend-NYC-statue-liberty.jpg\" alt=\"Image of an overview of the Statue of Liberty\" width=\"750\" height=\"500\" \/>\n\t<div>The Statue of Liberty has been an important monument for generations.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Begin your trip with the iconic buildings and locations around New York City. Enter the <a title=\"Visit the Empire State Building in New York City\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nyhabitat.com\/blog\/2012\/10\/23\/visit-empire-state-building-new-york\/\">Empire State Building<\/a> and ascend to the 86th floor observation deck for panoramic views of the glorious New York City skyline.<\/p>\n<p>Is it possible to be in <strong>New York City<\/strong> and not experience <a title=\"Discover New York City\u2019s Times Square!\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nyhabitat.com\/blog\/2013\/01\/14\/visit-times-square-new-york\/\">Times Square<\/a>? Here, you can marvel at all of the bright lights and advertisements that have made this landmark location shine!<\/p>\n<p>See why New Yorkers are so proud of their city by visiting the <a title=\"Visit the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island in New York City!\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nyhabitat.com\/blog\/2013\/06\/24\/statue-liberty-ellis-island-new-york\/\">Statue of Liberty<\/a>. Experience this icon of freedom by catching a ferry to the island where overseas immigrants were once welcomed.<\/p>\n<p>Ever wondered what it\u2019s like to commute like a New Yorker? Just visit <a title=\"Secrets of Grand Central Station\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nyhabitat.com\/blog\/2010\/09\/24\/secrets-grand-central-station-new-york-habitat\/\">Grand Central Station, one of the nation&#8217;s most historic landmarks<\/a> and one of the busiest train stations in the country, to watch the action while you browse the shops and eat some lunch (or maybe catch a train out of town!).<\/p>\n<div class=\"img aligncenter wp-image-16052\">\n\t<img src=\"https:\/\/www.nyhabitat.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/how-best-spend-long-weekend-NYC-one-world-trade-center.jpg\" alt=\"Image of Skyline with One World Trade Center\" width=\"750\" height=\"500\" \/>\n\t<div>Visit the tallest skyscraper in the Western Hemisphere at One World Trade Center and experience the memorialization of the original World Trade Center complex.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>If you have extra time in your weekend schedule, be sure to check out <strong>Ground Zero<\/strong> and <a title=\"Revival of Lower Manhattan: a tour of the new World Trade Center\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nyhabitat.com\/blog\/2012\/05\/14\/revival-lower-manhattan-tour-new-world-trade-center\/\">One World Trade Center<\/a>. These places are not only important to New Yorkers, but to the nation as a whole, and pays tribute to an important day in America\u2019s history. While you\u2019re downtown, visit the <strong>Brooklyn Bridge<\/strong>, one of the <a title=\"Top 5 bridges in New York\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nyhabitat.com\/blog\/2013\/08\/19\/top-5-bridges-new-york\/\">top bridges<\/a> in New York City! For an alternate but breathtaking view of the Manhattan skyline, check out the <strong>Top of the Rock in Rockefeller Center<\/strong>. Regardless of which and how many landmarks you\u2019re able to visit, you\u2019ll end up with a whole new view of New York!<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><strong>Go for a walk in one of the city\u2019s iconic parks<\/strong><\/p>\n<div class=\"img aligncenter wp-image-16057\">\n\t<img src=\"https:\/\/www.nyhabitat.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/how-best-spend-long-weekend-NYC-belvedere-castle.jpg\" alt=\"Image of Belvedere Castle in Central Park\" width=\"750\" height=\"500\" \/>\n\t<div>Walk around Central Park and make sure to stop by Belvedere Castle.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>New York City has an abundance of parks for a casual stroll or a picnic. <a title=\"Explore Central Park throughout the seasons\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nyhabitat.com\/blog\/2013\/03\/18\/explore-central-park-manhattan-new-york\/\">Central Park<\/a> is just one of many famed New York parks, is the most-visited urban park in the United States, and is one of the most frequently filmed locations in the world. The park offers multiple attractions, including the Central Park Zoo, <strong>the Great Lawn<\/strong>, <strong>Belvedere Castle<\/strong>, and (seasonal) ice skating. There\u2019s always something happening in Central Park!<\/p>\n<p>Another fascinating Manhattan park is <a title=\"Bryant Park goes Broadway\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nyhabitat.com\/blog\/2010\/08\/05\/bryant-park-broadway\/\">Bryant Park<\/a>. The options are endless here; sit at a table and watch some street performers, enjoy a game at the putting green, catch a movie on the lawn, or have a meal at the <strong>Bryant Park Grill<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p>Don\u2019t forget about the <strong>High Line<\/strong>, which is a 1.5 mile\/2.3 km-long park built over Chelsea, Manhattan on an abandoned, elevated railroad track. Go for a walk and enjoy the abundance of greenery like the <a title=\"Live like a local in Chelsea, Manhattan\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nyhabitat.com\/blog\/2013\/07\/15\/live-like-local-chelsea-manhattan\/\">locals do<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>When you are done exploring all the best Manhattan parks, don&#8217;t forget about <strong>Brooklyn!<\/strong> Make your way to <strong>Prospect Park<\/strong>,\u00a0where you can play a pickup game of football, baseball, volleyball, tennis, and more. You can also try horseback riding, boating, or simply enjoying the views.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><strong>Go shopping<\/strong><\/p>\n<div class=\"img aligncenter wp-image-16053\">\n\t<img src=\"https:\/\/www.nyhabitat.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/how-best-spend-long-weekend-NYC-shopping-fifth-avenue.jpg\" alt=\"Image of 5th Avenue\" width=\"750\" height=\"500\" \/>\n\t<div>There\u2019s plenty of shopping to do on 5th Avenue, from large department stores to small souvenir shops.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>New York is known for its incredible shopping destinations. If you think of yourself as a fashion-forward individual, stroll down <strong>5th Avenue<\/strong> for some one-of-a-kind shopping. Between 39th and 60th Street in Manhattan, you\u2019ll find everything from housewares and NYC souvenirs to the latest fashions from large department stores.<\/p>\n<p>If that isn\u2019t enough to satisfy your fashion craze, don\u2019t worry: there are plenty of other shopping locations in Midtown Manhattan! Walk across <strong>34th Street<\/strong> on <strong>7th<\/strong>, <strong>8th<\/strong>, and <strong>9th Avenues<\/strong> and you\u2019ll find all the shops that your heart and wallet desire. Shopping in NYC is a great way to experience the city on your own time!<\/p>\n<p>At Times Square, you can cross off two destinations in one. This iconic attraction is also known for its large retail stores. See why <strong>Times Square<\/strong> is referred to as &#8216;The Crossroads of the World&#8217; by doing some shopping! If Times Square doesn\u2019t satisfy you, try the <strong>Manhattan Mall<\/strong> or <strong>Rockefeller Center<\/strong>, or take a subway ride to Brooklyn and check out the King&#8217;s Plaza Mall or Atlantic Center Mall. Be sure to also <a title=\"Top 5 shopping spots in New York\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nyhabitat.com\/blog\/2013\/09\/16\/top-5-shopping-spots-new-york\/\">check out our top 5 shopping spots in New York<\/a>!<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><strong>Stay in a New York vacation rental and live like a local<\/strong><\/p>\n<div class=\"img aligncenter wp-image-16056\">\n\t<img src=\"https:\/\/www.nyhabitat.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/how-best-spend-long-weekend-NYC-12330.jpg\" alt=\"Image of the living room in a Manhattan vacation rental\" width=\"750\" height=\"500\" \/>\n\t<div>You can live like a local in NYC by staying in a vacation rental<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>If you&#8217;re visiting NYC for a short time, it\u2019s important that you get the most out of your visit. By staying in a <strong>vacation rental,<\/strong> you\u2019ll be surrounded by locals who eat, breathe, and sleep in New York City! You\u2019ll save some money by staying in a vacation rental, as vacation rentals are usually cheaper than hotel stays. In addition, most vacation rentals come with fully-equipped kitchens, laundry facilities, and some form of an entertainment system. If you\u2019re completely new to the city, stay informed with our <a title=\"New York basic tips and etiquette\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nyhabitat.com\/blog\/2014\/05\/19\/new-york-basic-tips-etiquette-visitors\/\">guide to basic tips and etiquette for visitors<\/a>. By staying in a vacation rental in one of New York\u2019s neighborhoods, you\u2019ll know how it feels to live like a local. Take a look at our <a title=\"New York vacation rentals\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nyhabitat.com\/new-york-apartment\/vacation\">New York vacation rentals<\/a>\u00a0and see what living like a local in NYC is all about!<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><strong>Visit one of the city\u2019s best museums<\/strong><\/p>\n<div class=\"img aligncenter wp-image-16059\">\n\t<img src=\"https:\/\/www.nyhabitat.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/how-best-spend-long-weekend-NYC-guggenheim-museum.jpg\" alt=\"Image of outside of Guggenheim Museum\" width=\"750\" height=\"500\" \/>\n\t<div>The Guggenheim Museum, with its cylindrical shape and numerous art exhibits, is a must-visit!<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>New York City\u2019s world-famous museums entertain a variety of interests in history, art, and culture, so be sure to explore <a title=\"Explore New York\u2019s Museum Mile\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nyhabitat.com\/blog\/2014\/07\/14\/explore-new-york-museum-mile\/\">New York&#8217;s Museum Mile<\/a>! Check out the <strong>Guggenheim Museum<\/strong> on the Upper East Side, featuring impressionist, post-impressionist, modern, and contemporary art, as well as special exhibits throughout the year. The museum is known for its eye-catching cylindrical shape.<\/p>\n<p>No trip to NYC is complete without a visit to the <strong>Metropolitan Museum of Art<\/strong>, known simply as &#8216;The Met!&#8217; The Met is the largest art museum in the United Sates and one of the most-visited art museums in the world. The museum\u2019s permanent exhibits run a range from Ancient Egyptian art pieces to American and modern art.<\/p>\n<p><strong>The American Museum of Natural History\u00a0<\/strong>has been seen in movies like <em>Night at the Museum<\/em> and is one of the largest museums in the world, consisting of 27 interconnected buildings housing 45 permanent exhibitions. With so many artifacts, only so much can be displayed at one time, so every trip is a new experience!<\/p>\n<p>Lastly, don\u2019t forget about the <strong>Museum of Modern Art (MoMA)\u00a0<\/strong>in Midtown, which is known for its modern and contemporary art pieces ranging from architecture to electronic media.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><strong>Musicals<\/strong><\/p>\n<div class=\"img aligncenter wp-image-16058\">\n\t<img src=\"https:\/\/www.nyhabitat.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/how-best-spend-long-weekend-NYC-broadway.jpg\" alt=\"Image of Broadway at Times Square\" width=\"750\" height=\"500\" \/>\n\t<div>With so many Broadway and Off-Broadway shows, you\u2019re bound to find one to suit your tastes!<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>After actively exploring the city, you\u2019re probably ready to do something a little less taxing. What better way to unwind in New York than by seeing a musical or play? Whether you see a <strong>Broadway<\/strong> or an <strong>Off-Broadway<\/strong> show, you\u2019ll take part in a major tradition in <a title=\"Midtown East neighborhood guide\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nyhabitat.com\/blog\/category\/new-york\/new-york-travel-guide\/new-york-neighborhoods\/midtown-east\/\">Midtown Manhattan<\/a>. In case you were curious, Broadway shows are typically considered the most successful level of commercial theatre and have larger seating capacities, while Off-Broadway shows are located in smaller theaters and are usually a little cheaper. Some popular Broadway shows include <em>The Lion King<\/em>, <em>The Phantom of the Opera<\/em>, <em>Les Miserables<\/em>, and <em>Chicago<\/em>. If you\u2019re interested in an Off-Broadway show, consider one of the following: <em>Avenue Q<\/em>, Stomp, or the Blue Man Group. With so many shows to choose from, you\u2019re bound to find one you\u2019ll enjoy! If a particular Broadway show catches your eye, try going to the theater\u2019s box office and asking about their rush ticket policies. Many theaters discount their tickets to as little as $20 on the day of the performance. Remember to explore nearby Hell\u2019s Kitchen and see what it\u2019s like to live like a local.<\/p>\n<p>Regardless of how you plan your itinerary for your long weekend, these activities will help you experience some of the best of New York City. If you have some extra time in your schedule, check out our <a title=\"Top 10 must-see sights in New York City\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nyhabitat.com\/blog\/2015\/07\/13\/top-10-must-see-sites-new-york-city\/\">top 10 must-see sights in NYC<\/a>. Be sure to let us know what you did during your trip in the comments!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Visiting New York City\u00a0and seeing its iconic attractions and locations up close and personal is an item on everyone\u2019s bucket list. But if you only&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[16],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nyhabitat.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/16050"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nyhabitat.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nyhabitat.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nyhabitat.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nyhabitat.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=16050"}],"version-history":[{"count":14,"href":"https:\/\/www.nyhabitat.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/16050\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":19754,"href":"https:\/\/www.nyhabitat.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/16050\/revisions\/19754"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nyhabitat.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=16050"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nyhabitat.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=16050"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nyhabitat.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=16050"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}