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The Late Checkout Guide to NYC
Where to eat, drink, stay and explore during your next visit to the Big Apple.
New York is one of the most visited cities on Earth and, without a bit of planning, can be pretty intimidating to explore.
That's why we put together this guide to some our favorites spots in NYC – particularly in North Brooklyn and Queens. If you're new to the city or visiting for the first time, these are the hotels, restaurants and activities to check out ASAP. Looking for some tips on what to pack? We've got you covered there too.
Every hotel on Late Checkout is independently selected by us. If you book something through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission.
Where To Stay
The Hoxton
Chiller than the neighboring William Vale and Wythe hotels, The Hoxton in Williamsburg has great views, incredible Israeli restaurants in Laser Wolf and K’Far, and puts you in the middle of North Brooklyn for some fun nights out. Rates start at $544, book now.
Arlo Williamsburg
Half a block away from The Hoxton, Arlo Williamsburg might be the most party-forward hotel in the area. While your room will mostly just serve as a nice place to sleep each night, the rooftop here is really the highlight. It has a pool, rentable cabanas and the Water Tower, a cocktail bar built inside of an old, well, you get it. Rates start at $423, book now.
The Box House Hotel
Just over the bridge from Queens in Greenpoint, The Box House is only a short walk from the G and 7 trains, which will get you into the city or anywhere in central Brooklyn pretty fast. Even better, The Box House is still just a short stroll from some of the neighborhood’s most exciting bars and restaurants (more on those below). Rates start at $395, book now.
Tempo by Hilton
If you’d rather stay in Manhattan, we like Tempo by Hilton in Times Square (no, really). With over 600 rooms with stunning views, a fun restaurant and cocktail lounge that lets you look out over all the Elmos and Spider Men patrolling below, and nearby access to just about every train, it’s one of the better options in the city. Rates start at $379, book now.
Paramount Times Square
We get it – maybe you’re trying to save some money and cram more people into one room, which is totally understandable. The Paramount Times Square, which is owned by the same group as The Freehand, has double-bunk rooms for four and is still close to a number of subway options. Rates start at $334, book now.
Where To Eat & Drink
Radio Bakery
Regardless if you stay in Manhattan or Brooklyn, Radio is where you should start your morning at least once. Open daily at 7:30am, this place makes the best bread and pastries in the greater Greenpoint/Williamsburg area; think custard-and-rhubarb croissants or everything-spice focaccia and you get the idea. The line here can get serious though, so start your morning early and take over a little table out front while you plan your schedule for the day.
Ayada Thai
One of the best Thai restaurants in New York, we simply can’t recommend Ayada enough. Stop by this Elmhurst classic for lunch or dinner, but make sure to get the duck panang curry whenever you go. They also have a second location in Chelsea Market in Manhattan if you'd rather save a little time.
Paulie Gee’s Slice Shop
North Brooklyn is home to a lot of great slice shops, and while we also love Williamsburg’s L’Industrie and Mo’s General, Paulie Gee’s Slice Shop in Greenpoint is probably the best option if you’re staying at any of the hotels we previously recommended. Make sure to grab a square Freddy Prince slice when you go and prepare for a bit of a line on weekend nights.
Taqueria Ramirez
If the line at Paulie Gee’s Slice Shop is too much for you, walk a few blocks south to Taqueria Ramirez instead. They’ll probably also have a queue, but this place moves fast with some of the best tacos in the city coming fresh off the flattop in minutes. The short menu includes six taco options, all of which are good, but the pastor and campechano are what keep us coming back over and over again.
Nan Xiang Xiao Long Bao
NYC has three Chinatowns, but the largest is right next to Flushing Meadows Park in Flushing. When you’re craving dumplings and/or noodles, make sure to stop at this family-owned institution. Soup dumplings are what they're famous for, but there really aren't any misses on the extensive menu.
Where To Explore
What To Pack
Queens Museum
Located basically in Flushing Meadows Park, this museum always has interesting installations and seasonal exhibits, along with an extensive collection of Tiffany lamps and the massive panorama scale model of NYC’s five boroughs that was designed for the 1939 World’s Fair.
MoMA PS1
And if you like your art more modern and housed in a former public school, let us point your attention to MoMA PS1 in Long Island City. Open at noon on the weekends, this a great place to get a dose of culture before whatever else you plan on doing during your time in New York.
Franklin Street & Manhattan Ave
These two streets in Greenpoint are lined with bars, restaurants, and great shops. Make sure to check out Big Night for beautiful kitchen goods, grab a frozen piña colada at Broken Land and if you need a late-night dance spot, Good Room is the move.
McCarren Park
This is where North Brooklyn spends its time outdoors. McCarren Park is the epicenter of outdoor life–whether that means simply laying in the sun, working out for everyone to see or enjoying a $20 margarita at Park House. Grab a bagel at Frankel’s near the northwest corner of the park and start your weekend morning like a local.
The Lot Radio
In the mood for outdoor dancing? Well you’re in luck because The Lot Radio has DJs from all over the world playing all day throughout much of the year. Think of it as one part beer garden and one part street party, conveniently located right next to McCarren Park and just a few blocks from The Hoxton and Arlo.
