New York City Marathon 2027: spectator guide and weekend itinerary

5 to 7 November 2027 · ConfirmedNew York City, United StatesOne of the Abbott World Marathon Majors. The largest marathon in the world.

New York City Marathon takes runners a few hours and spectators all day. This guide gives supporters cheer points they can reach by public transport, plans the expo day and race eve around tired legs, and fills the recovery day in New York City.

Tours in New York City Hotels for these dates

Know before you go

Runners take the Staten Island Ferry or buses very early; the race starts in waves from about 9 am.
Clocks go back an hour on the Sunday of the race in most years: double-check your alarm.

Airport to Finish: Central Park, Tavern on the Green

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.

The course starts on Staten Island and runs through all five boroughs to Central Park.

Public transport directions to Finish: Central Park, Tavern on the Green

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 4 November to 8 November. 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 marathon weekend schedule for 5 to 7 November 2027. Session times change: check the official timetable and move the blocks around.

Arrival and expo

Wednesday 3 November

Runners collect bibs at the expo. Companions can split off for a half-day.

Half-dayStatue of Liberty and Ellis Island Half day · Family
Ferry from Battery Park; book pedestal or crown early.
EatChelsea Market Food hall

Day before the race

Thursday 4 November

Runners rest their legs: pick seated or slow outings, then an early pasta dinner.

Easy outingBroadway show Evening · Nightlife · Indoor · Family
Matinees on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays.
EatXi'an Famous Foods Hand-pulled noodles

Race day

Friday 5 November

Spectators: pick two cheer points you can reach by public transport, then meet at the finish.

Cheer pointFourth Avenue in Brooklyn (miles 4 to 8): long, loud and easy by the R train.
Cheer pointFirst Avenue on the Upper East Side (miles 16 to 19): huge crowds after the Queensboro Bridge, 4/5/6 and Q trains.
EatLos Tacos No. 1 Tacos

Recovery day

Monday 8 November

Sore legs: boats, buses and long lunches beat walking tours today.

Easy outingCentral Park bike or pedicab tour Half day · Low walking · Family
Bethesda Terrace and Strawberry Fields.
Rain or heat backup9/11 Memorial and Museum Half day · Indoor
Allow two hours.

Family-friendly picks

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

Half day · Low walking · Family

Central Park bike or pedicab tour

Bethesda Terrace and Strawberry Fields.

See times and prices

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

Evening and day-trip tours

Evening · Nightlife · Indoor · Family

Broadway show

Matinees on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays.

See times and prices

Evening · Low walking · Nightlife

Harbor sunset cruise

Manhattan skyline from the water.

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 New York City Marathon

Tour	Length	Good for
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
9/11 Memorial and Museum	Half day	Bad weather
Brooklyn Bridge and DUMBO walking tour	Half day	Families
Helicopter tour	Half day	Everyone
Broadway show	Evening	Night owls, Bad weather, Families
Harbor sunset cruise	Evening	Tired legs, Night owls

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

Evening · Nightlife · Indoor · Family

Broadway show

Matinees on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays.

See times and prices

Half day · Indoor

9/11 Memorial and Museum

Allow two hours.

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 New York City Marathon.

Plan a group trip

Questions people ask

When is New York City Marathon 2027?

The next edition is 5 to 7 November 2027.

How do I get from the airport to Finish: Central Park, Tavern on the Green?

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. The course starts on Staten Island and runs through all five boroughs to Central Park.

Where should I stay for New York City Marathon?

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 New York City Marathon?

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 New York City Marathon?

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 Finish: Central Park, Tavern on the Green from New York City centre?

About 7 km in a straight line. The course starts on Staten Island and runs through all five boroughs to Central Park.

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