Instead of skipping town the next summer holiday weekend, stick around, and discover why so many tourists flock to the city that never sleeps.
According to data from NYC Tourism + Convention, in 2024, nearly 65 million visitors came to New York City — the second-highest figure in city history and a 3.5 percent increase from the previous year.
This year, the city is on pace to surpass pre-pandemic levels. So whether you’re a jaded local or a bright-eyed visitor, here are some calendar highlights and hotel stays where you can enjoy a midsummer staycation or a getaway in midtown Manhattan.
Catch free events and Broadway shows in and around Times Square
Throughout the summer, there’s a free concert series on Fridays at 6 p.m.
The neon lights are always bright on Broadway and there’s a lot of Black excellence shining on “the great white way,” including Audra McDonald, the most Tony Award-winning performer of all time. McDonald dazzles as Mama Rose in director George C. Wolfe’s Broadway revival of Gypsy, however, Montego Glover will take over the role Monday, June 30 through Sunday, July 6, 2025 while she’s on vacation. Other stellar shows to catch are the rousing Alicia Keys musical Hell’s Kitchen; Boop! The Musical starring Tony-nominee Jasmine Amy Rogers; and the acclaimed Phylicia Rashad-directed family drama, Purpose (until Aug. 31), featuring Tony-winner Kara Young.
Where to stay: Conveniently located on the edge of the theater district and Times Square, Kimpton Theta New York – Times Square (790 8th Avenue, the corner of 49th Street) is set in an iconic building and reimagined as a modern hotel with thoughtfully designed public spaces that inspire mixing and mingling. Curated touches include Kimpton’s gratis evening wine social hour, complimentary morning coffee and tea in the lobby, loaner Kimpton PUBLIC bikes, and no-fee pet services.
Bar Sprezzatura, the hotel rooftop bar and restaurant, offers a chill and cheerful vibe. The 16th-floor enclave was inspired by the relaxed elegance of the Italian Riviera, and it brings the pizzazz of Positano to midtown with a welcoming atmosphere and a hopping happy hour (5 p.m. to 7 p.m. daily), featuring $4 Italian beers, $8 glasses of wine, and $10 spritzes, negronis, and martinis — paired with small plates like caprese crostini, deviled eggs and spicy tuna cannoli starting at just $3.
Watch movies and performances in Bryant Park
Pack some sweet and savory snacks and snag a spot on the lawn for Bryant Park Picnic Performances presented by Bank of America, featuring an eclectic lineup of free live performances in collaboration with New York City cultural institutions. Upcoming highlights include the New York Guitar Festival, with Louis Cato, leader of The Late Show Band (July 4, 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.); Carnegie Hall presents three-time Grammy winning jazz vocalist Cécile McLorin Salvant (July 25, 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.); and a fully staged performance of beloved Bizet classic Carmen by New York City Opera (September 4, 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.). The park also hosts free Paramount+ Movie Nights on Mondays (lawn opens at 5 p.m. and movies start at 8 p.m.), with fan favorites like Ghost (July 21), Pulp Fiction (July 28) and The Godfather (Aug. 11). Visit bryantpark.org for more info.
Where to stay: Located across from Bryant Park, the boutique Park Terrace Hotel (18 W. 40th Street between 5th and 6th Avenues) is close to several New York cultural touchstones like Luxe Fifth Avenue shopping, the New York Public Library and Grand Central Terminal. Dining options include the private members club Branch and La Pecora Bianca for house-made pastas and other classic Italian fare.
Shop ‘til you drop in Herald Square and see and be seen in Hudson Yards
Indulge some retail therapy at Macy’s in Herald Square, a city landmark and one of the largest department stores in the world. Explore the hotspot West Side neighborhood, Hudson Yards, which boasts 14 acres of public plazas, gardens and groves and 100 diverse shops and eateries. Summer event highlights include free fitness events and outdoor screenings of major sporting events, like Wimbledon and the US Open.
The centerpiece of Hudson Yards is the iconic Vessel and New Yorkers can climb inside the honeycomb-like structure with breathtaking views free of charge, every Thursday, with proof of ID at entry. General admission is $10 (go to vesselnyc.com for more info). While in the area, take a stroll on the 1.45 mile-long High Line, a public park built on a historic freight rail line elevated above the streets on Manhattan’s West Side – enter at 30th Street and 11th Avenue, 30th Street at Hudson Yards or 34th Street and 12th Avenue and walk towards Gansevoort and Washington Streets.
Once you’re downtown, make a beeline to the Whitney Museum of American Art, at the southern entrance of the High Line, to see Amy Sherald’s first New York museum survey, American Sublime (on view until Aug. 10). Complimentary visits are available on Friday nights from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. and on free second Sundays each month — reserve tickets at https://whitney.org/visit/free-days-and-nights.
Where to stay: Nestled between the bustling Herald Square and the ever-trendy NoMad neighborhood, Martinique New York on Broadway, Curio Collection by Hilton (49 W 32nd Street) is just steps from Broadway’s hottest shows, Madison Square Garden and the Empire State Building. With its distinctive Art Deco charm and a storied 125-year history that oozes cool, the hotel boasts 504 gorgeously styled guest rooms and suites, a state-of-the-art fitness center and several dining options.
The hotel’s culinary outlets include Nōksu, a Michelin-starred 15-seat tasting counter inside the Herald Square subway station, and the dessert shop, Sweet Graffiti.
