Curator’s statement
Did you just score tickets to see your favorite band or catch a popular residency at MSG? This guide has everything you need to make the most of your time in New York and enjoy the event. I'm a huge music fan and have seen concerts at dozens of venues around the country, but Madison Square Garden remains one of my favorites—the energy and vibe are incomparable. Where to stay, what to do during the day, and where to eat: it's all here, along with a few insider tips.
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Things to do in New York City
View of Lower Manhattan from QC Spa Governors Island
Scott's Pizza Tours
A food tour is always a great way to explore a city, and no food feels more quintessentially New York than pizza. The guides are true pizza aficionados, and the tour literally walks you through the history of pizza in the city. You'll make three or four stops, sample a slice at each, and compare notes with your companions. I love the West Village and Brooklyn routes; either offers a fun change of scenery from Midtown.
The Frick Collection
Calling all Gilded Age fans! Henry Clay Frick's Beaux-Arts mansion on Fifth Avenue has fine art (including three Vermeers, a Rembrandt self-portrait, and Bellini's “St. Francis in the Desert"), period furniture, and home furnishings displayed in the rooms where the family lived. Don't miss the gift shop—the jewelry reproductions are incredible (though the price tags make them feel like museum pieces).
Top of the Rock
If you're looking to get elevated (literally), this is my top pick. The observation deck at Rockefeller Center has better skyline views than the Empire State Building. You can see the Empire State Building itself from there, plus 360-degree views of Central Park to the north and the harbor to the south.
Rough Trade NYC
Located at Rockefeller Center, this famous record store is a perfect stop on a trip with music at its core. It's an easy add-on if you're already headed to Top of the Rock and a fun place to browse, even if you don't have enough room in your suitcase to take anything home.
The High Line
This elevated park and walkway, built on a former rail line, runs north-south from Chelsea to the Meatpacking District with views of the Hudson River. Walking it is a great way to get some outdoor time and see the city from a different perspective.
Pro tip: Walk south from Chelsea to the end at Gansevoort Street, where the Whitney Museum sits right at the base of the stairs. Go in to see the collection of American art or just grab coffee in the ground-floor café.
Central Park
The iconic park is another great option for spending time outdoors. Walk, run, or bike (rentals are available at the park's edges) and enjoy some greenery that will make you forget you're in the city. Don't miss Strawberry Fields (the John Lennon memorial) and the Alice in Wonderland statue near the Conservatory Water—both are easy detours on a walk through the park.
SoHo shopping
Have a late breakfast or early lunch in the neighborhood, then spend the afternoon wandering the cobblestone streets, where you'll find everything from flagship designer stores to small independent boutiques. Stop by Lip Lab for a custom lipstick, McNally Jackson Books for a staff pick to read on the trip home, or check out the designer goods at The RealReal.
QC NY Spa
There's no better antidote to hours of standing and dancing than a visit to a spa, and this one is worth the trip. Take the subway to Lower Manhattan, then a five-minute ferry to Governors Island for this Italian spa, set in restored 1934 naval officers' quarters. Indoors, you'll find a circuit of wellness experiences. Outdoors are heated pools (open year-round) with views straight across to the Manhattan skyline and the Statue of Liberty.
Places to eat & drink in New York City
Chelsea Market
My favorite food hall in the city is located inside a former Nabisco factory, just steps from the High Line and a short walk from Madison Square Garden. It's a manageable size and easy to navigate—a great option when your group can't agree on what to eat!
Eataly
The Italian marketplace near Madison Square Park is open 7 a.m. to 11 p.m.—make a stop anytime from late morning to early evening to buy a selection of excellent prepared foods for a picnic or browse the many offerings en route to one of the sit-down restaurants. Bring a shopping bag and take some treats back to your hotel room for a late-night snack. I highly recommend the Italian candies.
Nick + Stef's Steakhouse
If you're looking for something elevated, this classic steakhouse right next to MSG could be the perfect spot! Good food, great cocktails (their dirty martini is a personal fave) and a festive pre-concert bar scene. I love to grab a spot at the bar or a high-top table, order drinks and a few appetizers to share. Look for the private MSG entrance in the bar—when it's open, it will take you right to a security checkpoint, and you'll be inside the venue in minutes.
Legends
A three-level sports bar, a five- to eight-minute walk from MSG. This is my concert crew's go-to spot. With good bar food, solid cocktails and an extensive beer list, it's a great pre-show option. They get in on the fun before a big concert by playing the band's music on their sound system and offering themed drink specials.
Note: Legends opens early and shows Premier League games, so if you're a soccer fan and like to get up early, it can be a nice Sunday morning option too.
Mustang Harry's
This gastropub is on Seventh Avenue, just a few blocks south of MSG. The menu is slightly more upscale than Legends and is a better fit if food is the priority. You'll find special menu items themed around a big concert here too. The kitchen stays open until 3 a.m., which makes it one of the better post-show options in the neighborhood if you're hungry after the concert.
Koreatown
The neighborhood—centered on West 32nd Street between Fifth Avenue and Broadway—is a short walk from MSG. Take a walk around to find a Korean BBQ spot (there are too many to list)—always fun for a group, and it won't weigh you down during the show.
Dollar pizza (multiple locations)
I have to mention the multiple tiny pizza parlors around MSG—no tables, barely a menu, just a line along the counter (and maybe out the door). Prices have increased over time, but there's nothing better after a long concert than a fresh, hot slice on your walk back to your hotel. Lowbrow but a New York tradition worth experiencing.
Balthazar
French brasserie in SoHo owned by legendary restaurateur Keith McNally. The classic menu never disappoints and the vibe is always festive. Perfect before or after an afternoon of SoHo shopping. The burger is iconic, but the roasted chicken is my personal go-to. Reservations recommended.
La Pecora Bianca
This small chain offers simple, fresh Italian that feels more like eating in Italy than in New York. I love the house-made pastas, and the burrata appetizer is worth ordering every time. Hit the SoHo location before your shopping expedition. The outdoor patio is charming but popular when the weather is good, so I recommend making a reservation.
Note: The NoMad location is another good option if you're staying in that neighborhood.
Need to know
Plan to wear layers
During this trip, you'll be on the go between the hotel, sightseeing, shopping, and dining—on foot and by subway, taxi, or rideshare. You'll cover a lot of ground and move between indoors and outdoors through a range of temperatures. It could be hot, it could be cold, so dress in layers you can adjust on the fly.
Comfortable shoes are key
Between the thousands of steps you'll get in during the day and a show you'll probably stand and dance through (guilty), your feet will really feel it by the encore. Cute shoes and 15,000+ steps don't mix—wear your comfiest sneakers or flats (or, if you're like me, your go-to concert shoes) and save the high style for another adventure.
Skip the taxi to the venue door
Traffic around MSG is gridlocked on show nights. Hopefully, you're staying within walking distance, but if not, the subway is almost always faster than a taxi or rideshare. If you need a ride after the show, walk a few blocks in the right direction and hail a cab or order a rideshare from there.
Arrive early
MSG is a big venue. Unless you're a veteran, head in early so you have time to check out the merch, scope out the closest restroom and concession stand, and find your seat without rushing. There's plenty to see in the Garden concourses—I love the historic photos on the 100-level concourse, and Fuku (behind section 119) has a legendary chicken sandwich if you’re hungry. It will be showtime before you know it!
Travel light
MSG allows bags up to 22" x 14" x 9" that fit under your seat, and unlike a lot of venues, they don't need to be clear. There is no bag check or coat check, so if you bring something that doesn't pass security, it means a trip back to the hotel. If you can scale down to your ID, credit card, and hotel key and skip the bag altogether, do it. Invest in a Lululemon’s Belt Bag (or two)—they are perfect for concerts (and other large-scale events).
Tickets
Download your tickets to Apple Wallet (or Google Wallet on Android) before you leave. Cell service gets overloaded when 20,000 people arrive at once, and there's nothing worse than standing at the gate watching a spinning wheel. I’ve seen people scrambling to open their Ticketmaster app more than once—it does not look fun. Save your tickets ahead of time so you can walk right in.
One last note
While this guide is built around Madison Square Garden, most of it works for a show anywhere in Manhattan—Radio City, Lincoln Center, the Beacon Theatre, and even venues Downtown are within reach of the same hotels and restaurants.
Travel Advisor
FS Adventures
Lucy Montgomery
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