The NYC of fall 2020 may look a bit different than at the beginning of the year. Things are quieter, restaurants are outdoors, faces are masked. But this is a testament to New York’s ability to swiftly adapt while not losing its magic. In fact, New Yorkers are still all-in on NYC, and travelers should be too.
From iconic restaurants to cultural experiences to authentic hospitality – everything you love about a weekend well-spent can be found in New York. To celebrate the five boroughs, our friends at NYCgo have teamed up with Mastercard to launch NYCgo: Neighborhood Getaways. With a fantastic list of activities, sights, and places to stay and eat, find everything you need to plan the perfect NYC getaway – whether you live in or out of the city.
And as an added bonus, those with a Mastercard can get up to $100 back* when you use your card on select offers at NYC hotels, restaurants, tours and more.
Wondering where to start? We’ve put together a weekend itinerary for anyone who wants to discover – or rediscover – what makes this city one of the best in the world.
Friday night
Change out of your day sweats and hit the town. Start with some culture – enjoy ‘pay what you wish” admission at both the American Museum of Natural History and Whitney Museum of Art. Then, make your dollars do some good: dine at Tarallucci e Vino locations (like their Union Square one) and 5% of your bill will be donated to help frontline workers. End your night at a hotel that packs in the perks: Bristol Plaza is offering complimentary room upgrades, Walker Hotel in Greenwich Village is giving guests a bottle of wine to “Wine Down,” while others like AC Hotels are offering late checkouts.
Saturday
Make today your day to see the city from new angles. After grabbing a classic NYC coffee-and-a-bagel, start your day with an oh so touristy but actually amazing Big Bus Tour of the city. Lean into the tour director’s cheesy jokes and enjoy the views. Then, take a bird’s eye view from the Top of the Rock Observation Deck (offering 20% off admission) or – for the adventurous – by boarding a helicopter with HeliNY (offering $40 off their tours). By midday, you might be ready for a break. Instead of trekking back to your hotel, opt for a nap in one of the pristine pods of The Rest Room (offering 50% off cabin and pod rentals).
After your snooze, swap land for sea with a discounted ride on Adirondack Sailing Excursions for a sunset sail. Finish the night with a glass of (free) bubbly and meal from Crosby Bar and Terrace.
Sunday
Enjoy a lazy Sunday strolling through some of NYC’s pristine gardens. The Queens Botanical Garden is offering a buy one, get one deal on admission, while the New York Botanical Garden is giving 20% off its Garden Pass tickets. Before you call it a day, head to City Vineyard at Pier 26 to enjoy their $35 prix fixe menu, and a glass of something to warm you up.
Whether a hotel stay, night out or weekend acting like a tourist is in the cards, let NYCgo’s Neighborhood Getaways get you reacquainted with the city that has your heart.
*Terms apply, see rules here.
