Planning A Trip To New York, The Ritz Carlton New York, Central Park

Planning Your Trip

NYC is unpredictable; your itinerary will be, too. When it comes to packing, imagine every possible scenario: business meetings, a romantic stroll in Central Park, a Michelin-starred meal, a day of sightseeing or a weekend getaway to the Hamptons.

The Ritz-Carlton New York, Central Park

What to Pack

It’s common to leave your hotel in the morning and not come back until evening. Bring a portable phone charger with you so you can stay connected all day.

Business Travel

When dressing for business in New York City, the classics are always a safe and stylish choice. But it’s also a fashion-forward city where individual flair is welcome.
A well-tailored navy blue or black suit will look sharp for business meetings yet fashionable for after-work social plans.
Heels add an extra dose of chic to any outfit but bring a packable pair of flats for walking to meetings.
Don’t forget to bring gym clothes. The Ritz-Carlton New York, Central Park offers a state-of-the-art Fitness Center and Movement Studio — as well as the opportunity to go for a run in Central Park, right across the street.

Exploring the City

From the Statue of Liberty to The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York City is packed with restaurants, shops, museums and sightseeing opportunities.
Comfortable shoes are a must. Manhattan is one of the most walkable cities in the world, and you can easily spend the entire day exploring it by foot.
A stylish backpack or tote bag is essential for carrying a day’s worth of belongings (and for holding purchases).
No matter the month, you’ll want a lightweight sweater or jacket handy as the weather can be unpredictable.

Evening Chic

Nighttime is the best time in New York City. With its practically limitless after-dark entertainment options, there is something to suit every taste.
All-black is the unofficial uniform of New York. Wear bold accessories to make your outfit stand out from the crowd.
Some venues impose restrictions on handbags, so women will want to trade in their carryall tote for a clutch.
Gentlemen should pack a jacket as some restaurants do require them. For shoes, opt for something smart but casual, like a Chelsea boot.

The Ritz-Carlton New York, Central Park

What To Reserve

You have a wish list for your weekend getaway in NYC, and it’s more than likely you’re not alone. Broadway shows, coveted dinner reservations, a table at the newest nightclub or priority admittance to your favorite museum are among the experiences to reserve prior your arrival.

Dining Reservations

New York City offers a diverse and unparalleled culinary scene. With practically limitless options, it’s hard to know where to start but these two restaurants are assured to delight: For an social gathering experience, grab a seat at Contour at The Ritz-Carlton New York, Central Park where brilliant cocktails and locally-sourced sharable plates at center stage. For an extraordinary experience, head to Le Bernardin, a three-star Michelin restaurant by the world-renowned Chef Eric Ripert. The concierge can help you reserve your dining reservations well in advance.

Spa Appointments

Anyone who has spent time in New York knows the city is always on the go. But in a city constantly on the move, it is a luxury — and a necessity — to slow down and relax. The Ritz-Carlton New York, Central Park makes it easy with the in-house La Prairie Spa. Located on the second floor, the spa focuses on relaxing, healing, energizing and beautifying. For a local touch, book the 50 Central Park Signature Ritual or 50 Central Park Signature Manicure, both inspired by the hotel’s custom scent.

Nightlife

Whether you love classic musicals or the drama of a good play, there’s no shortage of live entertainment to take in on or off Broadway. Popular shows can sell out months ahead so if there’s a particular performance you want to see, buy your tickets as soon as possible. Jazz lovers should not miss the chance to catch a show at one of New York’s iconic jazz clubs: the Blue Note, Village Vanguard and Birdland. Check their schedules ahead of time to see who is playing and to book a table.

Museum Tickets and Cultural Sights

New York is home to large, internationally known museums like The Museum of Modern Art, The Metropolitan Museum of Art and The Guggenheim. Before your visit, check to see if there are any special exhibitions so you can reserve your tickets early and skip the predictably long lines. Some of New York’s best views are from the water. Charter a private sailboat from Tribeca Sailing and glide past iconic landmarks like Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty. Book the sunset tour for a magical evening.

Flags billow in front of the soaring Art Deco building that is the Rockefeller Center

The Ritz-Carlton New York, Central Park

Itineraries

There is more than one way to experience the city, from a couple’s weekend filled with romantic dinners and spa treatments to a family getaway with Broadway shows and captivating museum exhibits. The experts at this NYC hotel have designed itineraries to help you make the most of your visit.

Itineraries

The Perfect Weekend

The fashion capital is overflowing with shops that cater to traditional and hip tastes alike. From prehistoric artifacts to bigger-than-life abstract paintings, every type of art is represented in the city’s many major museums. Many call it the greatest city in the world — a big claim but one that can be backed up by its wealth of creativity. The fashion capital is overflowing with shops that cater to traditional and hip tastes alike. From prehistoric artifacts to bigger-than-life abstract paintings, every type of art is represented in the city’s many major museums. Big-screen Hollywood stars still jump at the opportunity to perform on Broadway. And it’s home to the restaurants of numerous iconic chefs. Plan a weekend right, and you can soak in all of it.

Day 1

Morning

Take the High Road.
Once a historical freight rail that ran about Chelsea, the High Line is now a 1.5-mile promenade full of green space and park benches that offer stunning views of the Hudson River and Manhattan’s skyline. It’s simply not to be missed.

Midday

Shortcut to Spain.
Imagine a space the size of shopping mall but it’s only filled with Spanish delicacies: rare olive oils, delicious sauces, every shape of pasta you could imagine. That’s Mercado Little Spain, in short. In addition to retail, there are bars and restaurants to enjoy lunch.

Afternoon

Immerse Yourself at the Met.
At the largest art museum in the United States, explore exciting art installations. Plus, during the summer months, The Met roof garden opens to offer a breathtaking view over Central Park.

Matinee of Hadestown.
"Hadestown,” the Tony-winning musical about two intertwining mythic tales, is one of the hottest tickets in town. Go to the Walter Kerr Theatre early to enter the ticket lottery or have the hotel concierge nab seats in advance.

Evening

Savor a Multicourse Sushi Tasting.
Sushi Yasuda has prized fish shipped in daily from Japan. Order the yellowtail portfolio, which includes five subtly different types of yellowtail, then skip straight to whatever is highlighted in red, which will be Chef Naomichi Yasuda’s picks of the day.

Day 2

Morning

Travel Back in Time.
With a grand white exterior not unlike the White House, The Frick Collection is a monument to tradition. Admire Baroque masterpieces, antiques that belonged to French royalty, and the museum’s opulent Old World European design.

Midday

Plan a Picnic.
Located inside Grand Central, Murray’s Cheese is staffed with experts who can help you navigate the wide selection of aged goudas, gorgonzolas and sharp cheddars. Assemble your provisions and then enjoy them in the iconic Central Park.

Pick Up Some Addictive Sweets.
The pastry chefs at Momofuku Milk Bar concoct mad-scientist creations like sweet potato ice cream and birthday cake truffles that New Yorkers can’t get enough of. Pace yourself as everything is delicious and rich.

Afternoon

Shopping on Madison Avenue.
There isn’t a more glamorous strip of stores in New York than Madison Avenue, where you’ll find Barneys, Hermès and Chanel and many other boutiques from the world’s most in-demand, high-fashion designers.

Enjoy Shared Plates (and Drinks).
Take a rest back at The Ritz-Carlton New York, Central Park at the stylish Contour. Enjoy one conversing with friends familiar and new alongside inspired bites for the table (or ‘For Me’) with brilliant craft cocktails.

Evening

Rediscover Pastis.
Keith McNally’s legendary French restaurant made its long waited comeback this past spring. Enjoy thoughtfully sourced ingredients and natural wine (and perhaps a celebrity sighting) in a cool, modern space.

Day 3

Morning

A Bagel and Schmear.
Russ & Daughters Cafe offers an authentic deli selection in a light-filled, modern space. Order a spread of smoked salmon with capers, caviar, cream cheese, fresh bagels and crispy potato latkes.

Midday

Explore Soho.
Begin by grabbing an exceptional espresso drink from La Colombe and then wander the streets around Broadway with stops at Steven Alan for classically American men’s and women’s clothes and MiN for a large selection of unusual fragrances.

Afternoon

See the Most Beautiful Movie Theater Ever.
A favorite among local cinephiles, the Metrograph screens a mix of new and classic films. Everything from the candy displays to the seats looks as picture-perfect as a film set.

Tour the New Whitney.
After a brief closure, the Whitney relocated in 2015 to its gorgeous new home, a slick, eight-floor steel building that houses a rotating selection of around 600 works from artists such as Edward Hopper and Mark Rothko.

Evening

Sample Rare Wines.
Wine bar Terroir is run by an eccentric sommelier legend whose life’s mission is introducing guests to exciting and unique grapes from around the world, including funky champagnes, bone-dry rieslings and reds from tiny vineyards in the Loire.

Itineraries

Family Vacation Fun

No trip can instill as much culture in a child as a family vacation to New York City. No matter their interests, there’s a museum with work that will inspire and excite them. Open their minds and palates with delicious food from around the globe — as nearly every corner of the planet is represented among the city’s 24,000 eateries. Fill them with wonder walking among the bright lights and enjoying a show on Broadway. Best of all, this city’s youth-friendly activities are just as much fun for adults.

Two girls feed carrots to a carriage horse while a staff member oversees the fun

Day 1

Morning

Classic Breakfast Bites.
New Yorkers line up at the famous Zabar’s to get a fix of smoked salmon and bagels. Grab a few orders of both, along with some other baked goods like babka and rugelach, for a breakfast in the park.

Afternoon

A Castle in Manhattan.
Straight out of a Victorian fantasy, the Belvedere Castle can be found in the center of Central Park. Walk up to two different observatories to look out on Turtle Pond, the Great Lawn and park-goers in repose.
New York's Jurassic Park.
Even if your kids don’t adore history, they’ll be astounded by the Natural History Museum’s gargantuan wooly mammoth fossils, the immersive planetarium shows, and slices of 1,400-year-old sequoia trees in the Hall of North American Forests.

Evening

Dinner Everyone Can Agree On.
See our concierge for the dining experience you are looking for. Our knowledgeable concierge can make a reservation for any occasion and taste – from the closest and best pizza place to the most elegant and upscale dining experience such as Per Se or Le Bernardin.
A Night of Elegance.
The Lincoln Center is home to The Metropolitan Opera, The New York City Ballet, and The New York Philharmonic Orchestra. Go at night, if only to see the 16-acre columned complex, which looks like a modern version of ancient Greece, lit up.

Day 2

Morning

Travel Back in Time.
With a grand white exterior not unlike the White House, The Frick Collection is a monument to tradition. Admire Baroque masterpieces, antiques that belonged to French royalty, and the museum’s opulent Old World European design.

Midday

Plan a Picnic.
Located inside Grand Central, Murray’s Cheese is staffed with experts who can help you navigate the wide selection of aged goudas, gorgonzolas and sharp cheddars. Assemble your provisions and then enjoy them in the iconic Central Park.
Pick Up Some Addictive Sweets.
The pastry chefs at Momofuku Milk Bar concoct mad-scientist creations like sweet potato ice cream and birthday cake truffles that New Yorkers can’t get enough of. Pace yourself as everything is delicious and rich.

Afternoon

Shopping on Madison Avenue.
There isn’t a more glamorous strip of stores in New York than Madison Avenue, where you’ll find Barneys, Hermès and Chanel and many other boutiques from the world’s most in-demand, high-fashion designers.
Enjoy Shared Plates (and Drinks).
Take a rest back at The Ritz-Carlton New York, Central Park at the stylish Contour. Enjoy one conversing with friends familiar and new alongside inspired bites for the table (or ‘For Me’) with brilliant craft cocktails.

Evening

Rediscover Pastis.
Keith McNally’s legendary French restaurant made its long waited comeback this past spring. Enjoy thoughtfully sourced ingredients and natural wine (and perhaps a celebrity sighting) in a cool, modern space.

Day 3

Morning

A Bagel and Schmear.
Russ & Daughters Cafe offers an authentic deli selection in a light-filled, modern space. Order a spread of smoked salmon with capers, caviar, cream cheese, fresh bagels and crispy potato latkes.

Midday

Explore Soho.
Begin by grabbing an exceptional espresso drink from La Colombe and then wander the streets around Broadway with stops at Steven Alan for classically American men’s and women’s clothes and MiN for a large selection of unusual fragrances.

Afternoon

See the Most Beautiful Movie Theater Ever.
A favorite among local cinephiles, the Metrograph screens a mix of new and classic films. Everything from the candy displays to the seats looks as picture-perfect as a film set.
Tour the New Whitney.
After a brief closure, the Whitney relocated in 2015 to its gorgeous new home, a slick, eight-floor steel building that houses a rotating selection of around 600 works from artists such as Edward Hopper and Mark Rothko.

Evening

Sample Rare Wines.
Wine bar Terroir is run by an eccentric sommelier legend whose life’s mission is introducing guests to exciting and unique grapes from around the world, including funky champagnes, bone-dry rieslings and reds from tiny vineyards in the Loire.

Back to Experiences