Tips for Traveling to NYC on Business (& Pleasure)

In 2017, New York City’s tourism numbers hit a record high with 62.8 million visitors. This marked the eighth consecutive year that tourism numbers were on the rise. And many of those visitors are business travelers. If you’re traveling to New York City for business, there are a few things you should know.

Of course, there are tips you should follow to ensure the business aspect of your trip is successful. However, business trips don’t have to be all about business. You can also throw in a few leisure activities, too, to give yourself a solid work-life balance. And with Leisure Martini being a lifestyle blog for 20 somethings, we are more than happy to give a few tips for traveling to NYC on business and pleasure:

Stay at a Business Hotel

There are hundreds of hotels in New York City, and choosing the right one can be a tedious process. As a business traveler, it’s ideal for you to stay in a hotel that that caters to business travelers. For example, the boutique Concorde Hotel operates with the business traveler in mind by offering corporate services like a business lounge, mail services, printing services, and more. This allows you to stay in a centrally located area, making it easy to hop over to different meetings or conferences around the city without going too far out of your way.

Use a Coworking Space

Even if your hotel has a business center, it’s nice to have a change of scenery. Coworking spaces are fully equipped to handle a range of business needs, and allow you to potentially meet other travelers, which can present new networking opportunities.

You can use apps like Croissant to get hourly access to dozens of coworking spaces around the city, rather than committing to a workspace or hunting for the perfect daily pass.

There are also apps like Spacious that allow you to work from unused restaurant space, where it’s likely much quieter.

Don’t Ignore the Subway

Experience NYC like a local. When you’re in the city, the subway is often the best way to get from Point A to Point B. Not only will you pay a fraction of the price, but you’ll avoid traffic and immense parking fees (if you have your own car).

New York City has the biggest mass transportation system in the world, and it’s highly efficient, too. You can get to most places you’ll need to be within thirty minutes. If you’re unfamiliar with the subway system, download apps like CityMapper to help you navigate. The app will even tell you which subway car you should get on to leave you at your nearest exit. If you must take a car, avoid driving during high-traffic times or order a vehicle in advance.

Make Reservations

When it comes to this city, it’s important to make reservations in advance, especially if you’re having a business dinner. There are plenty of restaurants with private spaces if you want something a little more exclusive. However, whether you want a private space or a table for two, reservations are necessary.

In many cases, you can take advantage of and leverage some of the resources you already have. For example, if you own an American Express credit card, you have access to their dining concierge, which can make reservations for you. These concierges are often very familiar with the hosts at some of the best restaurants, and can get you into exclusive places that you may not have gotten into otherwise. Additionally, many hotels—especially business hotels—have concierges that are happy to make reservations on your behalf.

Catch a Broadway Show

When it comes to NYC pleasure, one of the greatest indulgences you can partake in is catching a broadway show. On any given day, there are dozens of Broadway and Off Broadway shows happening. Free newspapers, like the Village Voice, can help you choose a show if you aren’t familiar with what’s playing right now. Check out a list of some of the best shows playing on Broadway before you go on your business trip, and shortlist a few that stand out to you.

Laugh at Comedy

There’s a reason why New York City is often considered the birthplace of standup comedy. Anywhere you go in the city—especially Times Square—you’ll find evidence of this. For great low cost shows, you can check out some great up and coming amateur comedians at venues like the Upright Citizens Brigade or the Comedy Cellar.

More established acts often visit places like the Gotham Comedy Club or Caroline’s. At these places, you’ll see the walls lined with images of legendary acts that have graced their stages. Additionally, keep in mind that many late night television shows take place here, and you can participate in the audience viewing at shows like Saturday Night Live, the Daily Show with Trevor Noah, or the Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon.