Columbia graduation weekend 2027: things to do in New York City

Wednesday, 19 May 2027 · ExpectedNew York City, United States

Columbia University Commencement brings parents, grandparents and siblings to New York City for a weekend. The ceremony takes a morning: this guide covers where to stay, the celebration dinner and what to do with the rest of the time.

Tours in New York City Hotels for these dates

Know before you go

Confirm the date and ticket rules on the school's commencement page: guest tickets are often limited.
Book the celebration dinner when you book the hotel. Every restaurant in town is full that weekend.

Airport to Morningside Heights campus

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.

1 train to 116 St-Columbia University.

Public transport directions to Morningside Heights campus

Where to stay by budget

Budget	Where	Why
Budget	Long Island City and Downtown Brooklyn	One subway stop from Manhattan, cheaper rooms.
Mid-range	Midtown West and Chelsea	Walk to Times Square, Broadway and the High Line.
Splurge	Central Park South and the Upper East Side	Classic luxury hotels.

Three hotels we would book

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

Links search the nights from 18 May to 20 May. 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.

Day plans for the free hours

Built around the usual graduation weekend schedule for Wednesday, 19 May 2027. Session times change: check the official timetable and move the blocks around.

Arrival day

Tuesday 18 May

Check in, walk the campus with your graduate and book a celebration dinner.

FreePay-what-you-wish hours at some museums.
EatJoe's Pizza Classic slice

Ceremony day

Wednesday 19 May

Ceremonies take the morning. The afternoon is for photos and a long lunch.

EatRuss and Daughters Bagels and lox
Easy outingHarbor sunset cruise Evening · Low walking · Nightlife
Manhattan skyline from the water.

The day after

Thursday 20 May

A free day before everyone leaves. A good time for a trip out of town.

Half-day9/11 Memorial and Museum Half day · Indoor
Allow two hours.
EatChelsea Market Food hall

Grandparents and siblings

Low walking and kid friendly.

Family pickBrooklyn Bridge and DUMBO walking tour Half day · Family
Cross the bridge and see the views.
Rain or heat backupBroadway show Evening · Nightlife · Indoor · Family
Matinees on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays.

Family-friendly picks

Half day · Family

Brooklyn Bridge and DUMBO walking tour

Cross the bridge and see the views.

See times and prices

Half day · Family

Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island

Ferry from Battery Park; book pedestal or crown early.

See times and prices

Evening · Nightlife · Indoor · Family

Broadway show

Matinees on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays.

See times and prices

Half day · Family

Top of the Rock or Summit One Vanderbilt

Skyline views.

See times and prices

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

Evening and day-trip tours

Evening · Low walking · Nightlife

Harbor sunset cruise

Manhattan skyline from the water.

See times and prices

Evening · Nightlife · Indoor · Family

Broadway show

Matinees on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays.

See times and prices

Full day

Hudson Valley day trip

Mansions and autumn colours.

See times and prices

After dark

Rooftop bars in Midtown, jazz in the Village.

Ten tours worth booking for Columbia

Tour	Length	Good for
9/11 Memorial and Museum	Half day	Bad weather
Brooklyn Bridge and DUMBO walking tour	Half day	Families
Helicopter tour	Half day	Everyone
Hudson Valley day trip	Full day	Everyone
Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island	Half day	Families
Top of the Rock or Summit One Vanderbilt	Half day	Families
Central Park bike or pedicab tour	Half day	Tired legs, Families
Food tour of Greenwich Village or Chinatown	Half day	Food lovers
Harbor sunset cruise	Evening	Tired legs, Night owls
Broadway show	Evening	Night owls, Bad weather, Families

Event weeks sell out. Book tours with free cancellation as soon as the session times are published.

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

Reserve dinner for the nights around the event: restaurants near the venue fill up days ahead.

Rainy-day backups

Half day · Indoor

9/11 Memorial and Museum

Allow two hours.

See times and prices

Evening · Nightlife · Indoor · Family

Broadway show

Matinees on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays.

See times and prices

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

Getting around on event days

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.

Day trips from New York City

Hudson Valley: 1.5 hours
Philadelphia: 1.5 hours by Amtrak

Bringing a group?

Corporate hospitality, fan clubs, teams and families travelling together: tell us the dates and group size and we will put together tours, transfers and a group dinner for Columbia.

Plan a group trip

Questions people ask

When is Columbia University Commencement 2027?

The next edition is Wednesday, 19 May 2027, following the usual pattern. The organiser has not confirmed it yet.

How do I get from the airport to Morningside Heights campus?

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. 1 train to 116 St-Columbia University.

Where should I stay for Columbia University Commencement?

For most visitors the best base is Midtown West and Chelsea: Walk to Times Square, Broadway and the High Line.

What else can we do around Columbia University Commencement?

Good short outings in New York City include Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, Top of the Rock or Summit One Vanderbilt, Central Park bike or pedicab tour. See the day plans on this page for a full schedule.

What is there for kids and families near Columbia University Commencement?

Family-friendly picks: Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, Broadway show, Top of the Rock or Summit One Vanderbilt. American Museum of Natural History.

How far is Morningside Heights campus from New York City centre?

About 11 km in a straight line. 1 train to 116 St-Columbia University.

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