New York City Holidays

It might be easier to count the things you can’t do on New York short breaks than the things you can. Sail to the Statue of Liberty. Climb the Empire State Building. Cycle through Central Park. See a matinee on Broadway. Watch a concert at Carnegie Hall. Taste a Times Square hot dog. Stroll along the High Line. Browse the exhibits at MoMA, the Met, the Guggenheim, and the American Museum of Natural History.

Take a yellow taxi to a new neighbourhood or cross a bridge to a new borough. Then there’s shopping, endless restaurants, bars and clubs. The things to do in New York don’t end in the urban jungle. Find a little calm at Queens County Farm, which has been operating continuously since the 1600s. Go surfing at Rockaway Beach. Or try birdwatching at Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge. Once you’re recharged, the city nightlife is waiting for your return.

Wherever you wish to be, whatever your budget, whichever movie scene you’d like to recreate, New York City has a hotel for you. Stay Home Alone at The Plaza, remember The Great Gatsby at the Waldorf-Astoria, or join the illustrious list of guests who have spent a night at the Chelsea. Prefer modern comfort to historical significance? If you’re in town for the theatre, consider the Arlo Midtown. To have Times Square on your doorstep, The Westin or the Crowne Plaza could be for you.

Looking for luxury, try The Langham, where Michelin-star meals are served every day. Enjoy a view of Central Park from the Ritz-Carlton, the Park Lane, or the Park Hyatt. Stay overlooking the water at Hotel Hugo, the Graduate Roosevelt Island, or the Mandarin Oriental. Choose your location, tell us your style, and our Travel Specialists will know the right New York hotels to recommend for you.

Whether recreating your favourite movie scenes or filling your Instagram with selfies at world-famous landmarks, few destinations have a sightseeing checklist to beat NYC. From the designer names of Fifth Avenue and the boutiques of Madison to boho in Soho and retro finds in Williamsburg, there’s shopping for every style. All cuisines are here, and New York has its own delicacies, too. Head to the Lower East Side for pastrami at Katz’s Deli or a bagel with lox and schmear at Russ & Daughters. Munch bibimbap while you sing karaoke in Koreatown. Try extra-hot Thai at Ugly Baby in Brooklyn. And, of course, there’s ‘pizza pie’ everywhere. After dinner, the entertainment is endless. See big shows on Broadway and offbeat ones at its fringes. Find jazz and soul in Harlem and Bollywood dancing in Queens. In New York, from the basements to the rooftops, there’s a bar or club for every taste.

New York is a haven for theatre lovers, as the world’s best musicals run every night on Broadway. You’ll also find exceptional off-Broadway shows and underground performances across the city at places like the Cherry Lane Theatre, Ars Nova and Barrow Street Theatre.

The best jazz and soul music can be found in Harlem, the epicentre of New York’s African-American culture. Squeeze into Apollo if you can, or check out Village Vanguard in West Village. There are plenty of cool bars and speakeasies to dip into across the city, from the internationally flavoured cocktails of Mace to live music institution Sunny’s.

New York’s drag culture is legendary, and spots like Lucky Cheng’s, historic Stonewall Inn and Broadway-inspired Don’t Tell Mama are some of the finest. If bars aren’t your thing, Queen’s Night Market is held regularly, and you can pick from more than 80 stalls as Bollywood dancers and live DJs perform.

The best time to go to New York is any time. If you’re looking to make the most of a New York long weekend by visiting attractions when queues are shortest, January and February are the quietest times, while the warming spring weather from March to May creates one of the most comfortable climates of a New York year.

Summer is hot, sometimes up to 30°C, and this is a great time to combine nights in the city with days exploring the Hamptons, taking road trips along the coast, or heading into the country. As the landscape changes colour and the parades burst into life, Autumn is one of the most popular and beautiful times to visit. Finally, Christmas in New York is enchanting and festive lights along Fifth Avenue, plus the famous Rockefeller Center Christmas tree, make New York Christmas breaks a magical experience for couples and families.

While the Macy’s Day Parade trumpets the arrival of Thanksgiving, spring in NYC is announced by the Macy’s Flower Show. Specific dates change each year, but in 2024, the iconic Macy’s Herald Square department store is scheduled to burst into bloom from the last week in March until the 7th of April. Expect hundreds of flowers and trees spread across gardens representing each continent alongside fashion shows, workshops, and many more themed events. Keep an eye on announcements building up to your spring stay, or call into the store as you pass for a floral day out in Manhattan.

Japan may be the home of the cherry blossoms, but NYC also grows plenty of this delicate spring bloom. While seasons vary each year, April is usually the best month to enjoy these spectacular pink flowers on trees across the city. Central Park, Sakura Park, and Riverside Park are among the best places to view this phenomenon in Manhattan, while Little Island in the Hudson River or Brooklyn Botanic Garden and the nearby Green-Wood Cemetery are also amazing places to see this enchanting natural display.

Automobile lovers will find plenty to turn their heads between the 29th of March and the 7th of April at Jacob Javits Convention Center on Manhattan’s 11th Avenue. From classic models to the cars of the future, the New York International Auto Show celebrates road-going vehicles from all over the world. Tickets are available online, starting at just over $20 per adult, or your hotel concierge can help make arrangements. Travelling to the show from all over NYC is easy, but Arlo Midtown, Kixby Hotel, The New Yorker, or any Times Square hotel will put you within an easy walk of the action.