Best place to stay for nyc marathon

The 2019 NYC Marathon is next weekend and if you don’t have a place to stay yet, there is no need to panic, we’ve got you covered. There are lots of hotel and lodging options in New York and some that are even affordable for those on a budget. Before LetsRun.com’s Wejo moved to New York, he was coming to the marathon for years and booking things last minute so we’ve got you covered below.

Easiest/ Most Convenient/ Best (?) Place to Stay – Midtown New York

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Some first time New York runners are a bit confused on where to stay as the race starts in Staten Island and ends in Manhattan. Should people stay near the start of the race or the finish? To us it’s a no brainer, stay somewhere near the finish. Staten Island is very limited in its hotel options, does not have the attractions most people want on their trip to New York, and is a long way to travel back to after an exhausting 26.2 mile run.

Thus, the easiest and most convenient place to stay for the marathon is in midtown New York, just south of Central Park. There are hundreds of hotels here,  you are within walking distance to the finish of the race, and there are lots of tourist attractions near by (Broadway plays, timesquare, etc).

Midtown Options from our partner Stay22, shows you available options for marathon weekend.

If you don’t want the crowds of midtown, but want to be in Manhattan, zoom out of the map above. You’ll still be likely 20 minutes on subway from Central Park.

Budget Option- Long Island City in Queens -15 minute subway to Central Park South

If you want to save a few dollars, you can search for bargains in the map above (or check out this link for Priceline in Manhattan. You can pick which neighborhood you want to save a ton in), but your best bet to save money is to get out of Manhattan. If you stay in Long Island City just over the river from Manhattan, you can be a a 15 minute subway ride away from all the action in Midtown and the Central Park South finish area.

Sheraton New York Times Square Hotel – You can’t find a better location than the Sheraton New York Times Square Hotel!  It is ideally located less than one mile from the marathon finish on 7th Avenue in midtown Manhattan.  Walk out the door to the excitement of Central Park, Broadway theaters, the finest restaurants and bars, world-class shopping, and so much more.  

You will find free in-room internet in the newly-redesigned Traditional Rooms that are tastefully decorated with rich and soothing shades of brown throughout.  The Hudson Market offers daily buffet breakfast and the Bistro is open daily from 5:00 AM – 10:00 PM serving the best burgers in town.  

The Sheraton also offers a fully equipped health club (open from 5:00 AM - 11:00 PM daily), business center, multilingual staff,100% non-smoking rooms and facilities, Lobby Theater Desk as well as a Concierge Desk.    

Traveling to New York and finding a great place to stay is easy with so many choices on different hotels or New York City vacation rentals, but if you’ve never been to the Big Apple before, it can be a bit overwhelming. “What’s a borough?”, “How do I ride the subway?”, “Where are the tourist attractions?” are all questions you may be asking yourself. Even if you’re visiting for something specific like the New York City Marathon, it can still be hard to narrow down the options. Not to worry though, we’re here to help! Whether you’re running in the big race, cheering on a friend, or just watching, here are the 10 most convenient places to stay for the New York City Marathon.

1. Staten Island

The race begins in Staten Island, so if you’re running the marathon, this is a great place to stay for convenient transport to the start. Spectators are not allowed at the start, so we recommend staying somewhere else if you’re just watching. Staten Island is also more residential, so if you’re traveling with a large group, you could rent a house over a tiny apartment.

2. Upper West Side

The race ends on the west side of Central Park and easily getting to your hotel or vacation rental after running 26.2 miles will be a relief. The official family reunion area is also here, along Central Park West from West 60th to 66th Street. Here, you’ll find the most picturesque New York City apartments which have been depicted in many of your favorite movies and TV shows like You’ve Got Mail, 30 Rock, Seinfeld, and Gossip Girl. To get here, take the 1, 2 or 3 trains to various stops along Broadway, or the A, B, C or D trains to various stops along Central Park West.

3. Midtown

Midtown is also close to the finish line. If you’ve never been to New York City, Midtown’s close proximity to Times Square, Broadway, and Rockefeller Center make it a great place to stay. Heck, even if you’ve been to the city multiple times, it’s probably the hustle and bustle of Midtown that keeps you coming back for more. More than just for sightseeing, there are also a number of top-notch restaurants and bars perfect for celebrating after the big race. Midtown also serves as the hub for pre-race activities.

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4. Brooklyn

Some hotels like Hotel Le Blue have a small balcony view of lower Manhattan where you can see the runners as they pass by on the street below. It’s located right along the marathon course at mile seven. Stay in the hip and trendy Williamsburg to be near miles 10 and 11. If you have enough energy after a such a long day, Williamsburg has some of New York’s trendiest restaurants and night clubs. You can also catch a life indie music performance or wander through an art gallery show.

5. Jersey City

Staying in New York is pricey all the time. Try staying in New York during a peak time like the New York Marathon and you can blow your entire vacation budget on accommodations alone. Staying in Jersey City will be much nicer on your wallet, and while it does add on some transportation time, the money you save could be more than worth it. Getting to Manhattan is only a bus, shuttle, train, or ferry ride away.

6. Financial District

Staying in the Financial District will give you easy access to the Staten Island Ferry. Just walk a few blocks and hop on for a scenic 30 minute ride past the Statue of Liberty. This area might seem like only sky-high office buildings, but there are many historical sites and museums to visit. There’s also convenient transportation, so you can get anywhere you need or want to go.

7. Chelsea

The Upper West Side and Central Park areas can be a nightmare after the race. It’s extremely crowded and nearly impossible to grab a cab. Staying a bit further downtown in Chelsea will get you away from the mobs and rooms won’t be as expensive. Chelsea is also Manhattan’s art district, so you can spend your down time wandering galleries or visiting The High Line, a park built on an abandoned elevated railroad track. Grab a bite to eat at Chelsea Market and then see some future Saturday Night Live stars perform at the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre.

8. Central Park South and Columbus Circle

If you want to watch the last mile of the race and cheer on your favorite runners, Central Park South or Columbus Circle are the places to be. Room prices can be steep, but here, you can rest your tired soles at a five-star hotel and dine at a multiple Michelin-starred restaurant. You probably spent most of the year training for this marathon so you deserve to pamper yourself!

9. Bronx

The marathon barely passes through the Bronx, but at mile 20, many runners believe that’s when the race truly begins as the finish line feels dangerously close. The stretch between the Willis Avenue and Madison Avenue Bridges are a great spot for fans to shout out their motivation while avoiding the packed crowds at Central Park. This is usually the least populated part of the course so it’s the perfect place to catch a glimpse of your favorite runner and help them from smashing into that dreaded “wall.” The Bronx is also home to the New York Yankees, Bronx Zoo, and the New York Botanical Garden.

10. Queens

Long Island City is about the halfway mark for marathon runners so they’ll need the extra bit of motivation. There are also several fun bars and restaurants in the area, and you’re only a quick subway ride away from Midtown.

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