Business travel guide to New York City

Evan Friedman, Corporate Travel Management’s (CTM’s) Executive Vice President of Strategic Sales, explains why he loves doing business in one of the world’s truly great cities.

New York City. The city that never sleeps. It’s Frank Sinatra. Ellis Island. The melting pot. Yankee Stadium and Madison Square Garden. Subways and food vendors. Streets that make you feel brand new. It’s the financial capital of the world, bustling every day with business travel.

 

What makes New York City a great place to visit for business?

I believe the intersection of the world is in New York City. Many global firms are officed within New York, especially with the return to travel and the return to the office. New York is very vibrant right now and there’s a tremendous amount of pent-up demand to get in front of people. Many are enjoying business travel to New York, as well as the “work from anywhere” solution that several have come to appreciate, along with “bleisure” that can be found easily in New York.

In your opinion, which is the best area of New York City to stay in when traveling for business, and why?

In my opinion the best area to work and stay in New York is Midtown because it has an incredible amount of offerings for the business traveler. You can get anywhere in the city from Midtown. Some of the properties that are hot right now are The Benjamin, The Archer Hotel, and the Loews Regency on Park Avenue. These seem to be the three that people are gravitating towards.

If recommending a place to hold an unforgettable business meeting in the city, where would it be and why?

As COVID-19 has changed the city a bit, in addition to hotel properties there are many shared office and conference spaces around the city right now. One in particular, which is very popular right now, is PENN 1. This property has great meeting space along with wonderful collaboration areas and telephone rooms. You can have a meeting there, or work independently at the office, and be extremely efficient in that space. As a bonus, it’s also more cost-efficient than having a meeting within a hotel environment.

What is the best way to get to and from the airport to the city? What about getting around the city?

If you don’t have a lot of baggage, I highly recommend public transportation (Plane to Train) to and from JFK International airport and Newark Liberty International Airport. LaGuardia is a bit more difficult, however, and you’ll need to utilize ground transportation, taxis, or work with an app service. In terms of getting around the city, I recommend walking the majority of the time, if you’re able (getting in your daily steps and avoiding construction and traffic). One other option I recommend is to utilize the subway during the business day, or the app services that have become popular in New York.

Best places to take a client to dinner in the city?

With more than 20,000 restaurants in New York City you have almost endless choices, but I have a few top favorites:

• The charming French brasserie, Balthazar, in SoHo
• On the East side, Rossini’s is a wonderful Italian option
• STK in Midtown for a steakhouse fine dining experience
• Benjamin’s at Grand Central Station is another great steakhouse option.

It is crucial to note the majority of restaurants in New York demand a reservation, weeks or, at times, a month in advance. This is not just folklore. If you get off the beaten path you will discover cozy wine bars and unique cultural finds.

What hidden gem would you recommend for out-of-towners?

New York City is home to so many attractions, you’re bound to uncover a hidden gem in any neighborhood. Good examples include:

• The High Line is a unique park and architectural greenway that runs for a mile-and-a-half atop the old New York Central Railroad
• Marvel at the scale of Central Park, while finding film flashbacks, visiting popular fountains, or ice skating in the winter.
• There are also the must-see and must-dos of the Empire State Building and Rockefeller Center
• Bryant Park for fantastic shopping options
• Union Square for farmers’ markets
• West Chelsea Neighborhood art gallery district

For a very cost-effective option and to see almost all of New York City, you can catch a bus at Lexington Ave and see the city all the way to the Staten Island Ferry.

What's the best and worst time of year to travel to New York City, and why?

My favorite times in New York are between November and December when the city is decked out in holiday spirit, as well as during the Spring when everything is in full bloom and the city comes alive with fun activities and outdoor dining. The least appealing time to travel to New York City would be in August or February—in the deepest of hot summer, or the peak of below-freezing temperatures in winter.

What should every business traveler experience while in New York City, and why?

Walking along Central Park or the Hudson River (or even just a short jaunt to your next business meeting) can provide a relaxing break from the hustle and bustle of the city’s fast-paced atmosphere. Explore the neighborhoods, find a bodega to have a snack, or enjoy a bit of shopping. Take advantage of the evening hours if you’re able; even the Empire State Building is open until 1 am in the summer months!

Don’t miss a trip to Yankee Stadium or Madison Square Garden, if you’re a sports enthusiast. Or catch an iconic classic on the stage – you can visit the half-price ticket window in Times Square between 2 pm-3 pm for Broadway shows. And be sure to make your way to Harlem for the neighborhood’s great history and culture.

Is it safe to travel throughout New York?

In my opinion, it’s very safe to travel throughout New York. But you have to still be conscious of your surroundings, which is true of any larger city. Choose Central Park on a summer evening, instead of late on a winter night, etc. When riding the subways, the safest time is obviously during the daytime in the business week. It’s also safest to be around other passengers instead of riding the subway alone.

Overall, I have always felt rather comfortable, safety-wise, throughout New York, from the Bronx to the Lower East Side.

What would you recall as your favorite memorable moment in New York?

One of my favorite memorable moments in New York is when I attended the Emmy Awards at Radio City for many years. The red carpet runs from across the street and you can catch a glimpse of the actors and actresses. It’s only in a lively city like New York that you can rub elbows with the likes of Barbara Walters and Susan Lucci!

All opinions and recommendations are the interviewee’s own. CTM recommends all travelers conduct their own thorough, independent research into their travel destination(s) before making any travel decisions, and take out adequate travel insurance before travel.