How to See New York City in a Weekend

One of the most enticing things about visiting New York City is that it's the perfect getaway if you just need to escape for a weekend. With so many things to do, New York City offers you an action-packed assault on your senses, which will leave you positively charged come Monday morning. If you’d rather just get away and relax in the world's greatest park system, that's OK too. Just imagine the looks on your co-worker's faces at the water cooler when you tell them how you spent your weekend in New York City!

Planning Your Weekend Excursion to New York City

Although it's not difficult to find flights to New York, you will want to book your flight as far in advance as possible. You don't want to wait until the last minute and get stuck on a red eye. Buying your airfare in advance can have you arriving in New York City early enough in the evening to take in a Broadway hit on Friday night.

The best way to get your Broadway tickets at a price that's manageable is to shop for them online. There are many Web sites devoted to discounted Broadway tickets. Again, planning early provides the best benefits. Buy tickets to the show you want for Friday night and cross "See a Broadway Show" off your list of things to do in New York City.

Where to Sleep on a New York City Weekend Trip

Hotels are not in short supply in New York, but in order to get the best accommodations, you should reserve your room early. With plenty of five-Star luxury hotels to choose from, like the Four Seasons and the Waldorf Astoria Hotel, there's no problem deciding where to stay in New York City. In fact, it's easy to spend Friday and Saturday night sleeping in one of the most opulent beds in the city. Or, if you're simply looking for a comfortable room to return to after a night on the town, then more reasonable accommodations can be found at the Red Roof Inn on West 32nd Street or the Super 8 Hotel near Times Square.

Of course, if you come into the city with a backpack on your back and don't plan on spending too much time in a New York hotel room, then a cheap hostel can give you a place to lay your head at night, and they'll even send you on your way with a hearty breakfast in the morning. For any of the hotels, it's best to reserve in advance, but if you're taking the hostel route, simply walk in with a smile on your face.

Your Weekend Itinerary in New York City

Now that you have your airfare, accommodations and a Friday night Broadway show secured, what are you going to do on Saturday? Why not start the day with a jog through the world famous Central Park? No matter what time of year you visit, Central Park is a stunning sight.

Next, when planning a weekend trip to New York, you should have an idea of where you want to visit and try to keep the attractions localized. For instance, try keeping your sightseeing contained within one of New York City's regions, like the Upper East Side, where museums, historical architecture and art galleries can fill your day and your soul with joy.

After your morning jog in Central Park, you can easily spend the remainder of the day enjoying the park's plentitude of attractions including the Zoo, the Conservatory Garden or just spread out on the Great Lawn and take a break from life's worries. Grab a delicious diner at the Tavern on the Green for the epitome of New York restaurant style and taste.

If a shopping weekend is what you had in mind, then Soho has all of the trendiest shops waiting to meet your pleasure. If you need a break (or a distraction) from shopping, the New Museum of Contemporary Art is right nearby and it houses some of the most remarkable artistic renderings from across the globe.

Ultimately, if you plan your visit in advance, you can fit quite a lot into a New York City weekend. The goal is to stick to one localized region and experience the sights, sounds and tastes of that area. When you get home, mark that region from the map and start planning your visit to the next one. Just like enjoying a slice of NYC pizza, take it one bite at a time and savor it while you can. Hey, that's as good an excuse as any to travel to New York City, right?