The Perfect Weekend in New York City

While New York City can feel overwhelming and large, the truth of the matter is that it's actually incredibly easy to see, do and eat a ton of different things all in one weekend.  With yellow cabs able to take you anywhere you need to go in 15 minutes tops and a subway that touts the largest number of stations in the world, the cross crossing avenues and streets get shrunk into a nice little package.

The hardest part about planning that perfect weekend in NYC is finding a place to stay that will be the perfect launch pad for your adventures.  The other thing that most visitors don't look into are the abundance of local excursions that allow you to see the city from a totally different perspective.

The Pod Hotel 39

Right in the heart of midtown and 6 minutes walk from Grand Central Station, Pod 39 is mere steps away from all the must-see's in  New York.  In all directions you can have access to attractions of the likes of Times Square, Central Park, Museum of Modern Art, Rockefeller Center, and Madison Square Gardens.

Visitors love this hotel because not only is it modern, smart and stylish but the price is also affordable for those on a budget.  While the rooms are compact, there are a number of open spaces like the lobby, playroom, bar, and rooftop lounge, all equipped with free WiFi.

Brooklyn Street Art and Culture

Brooklyn has long been relegated as a second rate place to visit in New York but that is not the case anymore.  With a booming art, music and food scene, there is much to see right across that famous bridge from Manhattan.

One of the best ways to see Brooklyn is on two wheels.  With a number of bicycle tours in the city to choose from, spend an active afternoon seeing how once gritty industrial frontiers have turned into massive developments and a haven for upstart artists and creative entrepreneurs.  Along the way, you'll also be able to learn about the city's history and check out Brooklyn's hottest music venues, performance spaces, artisan cafes, bars, and restaurants.

Helicopter Tour

If there's one city in the world to do a helicopter tour, it's gotta be New York City.  With skyscrapers climbing high and distinct landmarks that you can easily point to and say “I know what that is!”, this is one of those once in a lifetime experiences.

Stepping aboard a Bell 407 helicopter, you'll be flying with a FAA certified pilot so you'll be in good hands.  The birds eye view will give you a incredible vantage points that others rarely ever get to see of the Statue of Liberty, Central Park, Brooklyn Bridge, Ellis Island, Empire State Building, and more.

Making The Most Of One Day

Choosing a city bus tour may not be for everyone but it is definitely a stress-free way to make sure you can see all the best that Manhattan has to offer in as little as 5.5 hours.  This way, you don't have to worry about taking the subway, walking, and trying to absorb all the information at the same time.  These types of tours can get you all the way from Wall Street up to the Guggenheim and everything in between.

With accommodations covered, two activities, and a bus tour in New York lined up, you'll have a lot of bragging to do back home so make sure you take a lot of photos along the way.

At the end of the day though, put together a weekend itinerary in the Big Apple that isn't rammed packed and is tailored to your interests.  If you're a foodie, look for interesting restaurants and markets to try.  If you love shopping, Century 21 or Woodbury would be better for you.  If you love sights, the activities mentioned above will get you to all the main hot spots.

Alternative Accomodations in New York City

Finding a reasonably affordable and nice place to stay in New York is probably the hardest thing to plan when figuring out your weekend itinerary in the city.  Here are two recommendations that I think are worth checking out even though they aren't necessarily the conventional hotel.  Prices do fluctuate throughout the year so it may not be as cheap as you'd hope.