New York City event weekends: what to do between sessions

Five boroughs of museums, Broadway, parks and food, the finish of the world's biggest marathon and home of the US Open.

Events we cover in New York City

Arriving

JFK has the AirTrain to the subway and LIRR (45 to 60 minutes to Midtown). LaGuardia has the Q70 bus to the subway. Newark (EWR) has AirTrain to NJ Transit trains to Penn Station in 30 minutes.

Where to stay

Three hotels we would book

• Budget: Pod Times Square
• Mid-range: Arlo NoMad
• Splurge: The Plaza

Event weekends sell out early and prices rise as the date gets closer: book a cancellable room as soon as you know you are going.

Tours

Where to eat

• Katz's Delicatessen Pastrami
• Joe's Pizza Classic slice
• Russ and Daughters Bagels and lox
• Chelsea Market Food hall
• Xi'an Famous Foods Hand-pulled noodles
• Los Tacos No. 1 Tacos
• Peter Luger Steakhouse in Williamsburg
• Levain Bakery Giant cookies

With kids

• American Museum of Natural History.
• Bronx Zoo.
• Intrepid Museum.

Rainy-day backups

• The Met.
• MoMA.
• Grand Central Market and the New York Public Library.

Free things to do

• Staten Island Ferry for Statue of Liberty views.
• The High Line.
• Central Park.
• Pay-what-you-wish hours at some museums.

Getting around

• Subway runs 24 hours; OMNY contactless with a weekly cap.
• Arthur Ashe Stadium: 7 train or LIRR to Mets-Willets Point.
• Uber and taxis are slow in Midtown traffic.