With so many options for dining, shopping, sightseeing, and more packed into a few compact blocks, NoMad offers the possibility of a 100% walkable weekend… no cabs, cars, or trains necessary. Check out our suggested itinerary for 48 hours in one of Manhattan’s truly all-inclusive neighborhoods.
Friday Night
4pm: Check in at Arlo NoMad (11 E 31st St), your home base for the weekend. Your thoughtfully designed room is the perfect place to unpack and unwind before getting ready to head out for your first adventure. Stop by Vino Fine Wine & Spirits (121 E 27th St) and pick up a bottle of bubbly to stash in your mini-fridge for later.
6pm: Feeling a little peckish? Fuel up for an evening out at Vini e Fritti (30 E 30th St). Italian-inspired small plates take the edge off your hunger without triggering a food coma. Menu standouts include fried baby artichokes and stracciatella cheese with preserved tomatoes, while classic negronis are a must-try cocktail.
8pm: Catch a hot ticket at the Hammerstein Ballroom at the Manhattan Center (311 W 34th St). This 12,000-square-foot venue hosts big names in an intimate, gorgeously restored setting: recent standouts have included Santigold, Hozier, and RuPaul’s Drag Race Werq the World.
12pm: Keep the party going post-show at The Seville (22 E 9th St). DJ sets start nightly at 9pm and go until late, providing a perfect soundtrack for this upscale cocktail lounge offering curated cocktails and bottle service. Reservations are encouraged, especially for groups of 4 or more; pick your time at thesevillenyc.com.
Saturday
10am: Fuel yourself for the day ahead (and soak up any lingering effects of last night) with brunch at BLACKBARN (19 E 26th St). This farm-to-table standout serves up American classics with a twist (sweet potato pancakes, cornflake-crusted French toast, shrimp & grits spiked with ‘nduja) in a rustic, farmhouse-inspired setting.
Noon: NoMad these days is an urbane, bustling part of the city… but it hasn’t always been so respectable. Get a titillating peek at the area once known as “Satan’s Circus” with a professionally guided walking tour. You’ll depart from the Museum of Sex (233 Fifth Avenue), a fascinating stop in its own right, for a two-hour exploration of the saloons, dance halls, and houses of ill repute that once filled the neighborhood.
3pm: No stay in NoMad is complete without a trip to Eataly NYC (200 Fifth Avenue), the bustling, cavernous space that’s a temple to all things Italian and delicious. Nibble your way through the shops and cafes, sample seasonal produce and wines, or meet a guest chef or cookbook author.
7pm: Buzzy Ilili (236 Fifth Avenue) serves contemporary takes on Lebanese and other Middle Eastern classics in a gorgeous, wood-paneled interior that’s both spacious and intimate. Start with a selection of hot and cold mezze, then split one of the built-for-two mains: the hearth-baked loup de mer is a savory standout.
9:30pm: One of the most sought-after shows in Manhattan is just a few blocks from your hotel… and it’s a magic show?! Reviewers from Town & Country to Jimmy Fallon rave about The Magician at the NoMad Upstairs (1170 Broadway). This “intimate evening of magic, mystery, and deception” is a fully immersive theater experience that admits just a handful of guests per showing. Tickets go on sale ten days before each date; book at nomadupstairs.com.
12pm: Catch a post-show drink at Elephant Bar (10 W 28th St), the NoMad’s hotel bar that’s been named one of the 50 best bars in the world. Its decor is a nod to the clubby elegance of yesteryear, while its cocktail program features both beloved classics and fresh new takes — plus a wide range of unleaded drinks that boast plenty of flavor and zip without the booze.
Sunday
10am: Your last morning in NoMad! Start it out right with a brisk walk through the park that gives the area its name. Madison Square Park (11 Madison Ave) is an urban oasis in the heart of the city, with inviting lawns, gardens in full bloom, and a public sculpture program that hosts challenging and inspiring works by rising stars in the contemporary art world.
11:30am: Swing by our sister hotel – Arlo NoMad – and eat at our popular Israeli restaurant, Lamalo. This latest restaurant by famed restaurateur of Breads Bakery and Nur is famous for its fresh-baked laffa and Middle Eastern dips and spreads. Bring your friends as this spread is both delicious, plentiful and Instagrammable.
1pm: Prepare for a graceful transition back to the workday world with a wellness treatment at Modrn Sanctuary (12 W 27th St). Options range from an anxiety-banishing sojourn in the Himalayan Salt Room to a non-invasive Cryoskin body contouring session that freezes fat, reduces cellulite, and boosts natural collagen production. Looking for a higher-energy option? Try a restorative Salt Yoga class to get your blood flowing and your chakras realigned.
3pm: Don’t head home without a special souvenir of your trip. Flying Tiger Copenhagen (920 Broadway), the Flatiron outpost of the beloved Danish variety store, offers household and personal items of every stripe. From hedgehog-shaped tape dispensers to two-person rain ponchos (don’t ask), the ever-changing inventory is always sure to offer a whimsical surprise. If your aesthetic is more minimalist, check out the options at Japanese megastore Muji (475 5th Ave). Kitchen necessities, cute-but-functional stationery, and clothing with a decidedly dystopian-future vibe are all on offer here.
