Planning a trip with your furry companion? Explore New York and New Jersey’s top dog-friendly destinations, from Central Park’s scenic trails to Asbury Park’s pet-welcoming beaches. This comprehensive guide includes everything you need for a pawfect getaway.
Dog Friendly Travel Guide: New York & New Jersey Hotspots 2026
Traveling with dogs in the United States has evolved beyond simple accommodation—it’s now about creating memorable experiences. New York and New Jersey stand out as premier destinations where urban infrastructure, natural beauty, and dog-friendly culture converge seamlessly. This guide covers the top dog-friendly hotspots you can visit and book as of January 2026, complete with addresses, hours, fees, and official websites.
New York City Dog Parks and Urban Spaces
Central Park
Located in Manhattan’s heart, Central Park remains the most reliable space for dog walking in the city. With designated dog runs and expansive pathways, your pup gets plenty of exercise while you enjoy iconic city views.
Details:
Leash required (6 feet or less, except in designated dog runs)
This waterfront park stretches along the Hudson River, offering long walking routes perfect for dogs and their owners who want to experience Manhattan’s riverside scenery.
A well-maintained nature preserve featuring forest trails perfect for long walks with your dog. The reservation offers both on-leash trails and dedicated dog park areas.
Details:
Leash recommended (dog park available, trails require leash)
One of New York’s premier dog-friendly spaces, combining a cafe, pet market, and play area. They offer coffee, snacks, dog treats, and host regular pet events.
Details:
Hours: Daily 7:00 AM – 8:00 PM (subject to change)
Essential Tips for Booking Dog-Friendly Accommodations
Verify Specific Pet Policies
Don’t rely solely on “Pets Allowed” labels. Confirm weight limits, number of pets allowed, and in-room mobility restrictions before booking.
Understand Fee Structures
Clarify whether pet fees are one-time cleaning charges or nightly rates, as this significantly impacts your total cost.
Check Common Area Access
Confirm whether dogs are allowed in lobbies, elevators, and outdoor terraces—these details greatly affect your trip satisfaction.
Scout Nearby Walking Routes
Research parks or safe walking paths near your hotel before arrival to ensure convenient exercise options for your pup.
Confirm Reservations via Email
Send a direct email to the hotel before check-in to reconfirm your dog’s stay and avoid potential disputes.
Final Thoughts
New York and New Jersey have transformed dog-friendly travel from a special occasion into an everyday possibility. With interconnected parks, beaches, cafes, and accommodations, you can plan anything from weekend getaways to extended stays with your canine companion. Traveling with your dog is no longer extraordinary—it’s a well-planned, accessible reality.
Planning a winter getaway to New York City? NYC Hotel Week returns January 2 through February 12, 2025, offering 25% discounts at over 140 participating hotels across all five boroughs. From luxury midtown landmarks to trendy Brooklyn boutiques, this comprehensive guide helps you choose the perfect hotel for your winter staycation.
NYC Hotel Week 2025: Your Complete Guide to 25% Off New York City Hotels
Winter in New York City transforms the metropolis into an invitation to explore its finest indoor spaces. NYC Hotel Week, running from January 2 through February 12, 2025, offers travelers a unique opportunity to experience the city’s hospitality scene at 25% off standard rates.
Organized by NYC Tourism + Conventions, this annual promotion features more than 140 participating hotels across Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, and beyond. Whether you’re seeking classic luxury, local Brooklyn charm, or vibrant downtown energy, this guide will help you navigate your options.
How NYC Hotel Week Works
The discount applies to standard rates booked directly through participating hotel websites. Third-party booking platforms like Hotels.com are excluded from the promotion. Keep in mind that taxes and additional fees apply separately, room availability is limited, and each hotel may have specific terms and conditions.
You can browse and book participating hotels at the official Hotel Week website, with filter options by borough and neighborhood to help narrow your search.
Top Participating Hotels
Notable properties joining this year’s promotion include:
W New York – Union Square
Lotte New York Palace
New York Marriott Marquis
New York Hilton Midtown
The Plaza Hotel
The Pierre
Ace Hotel Brooklyn
Wythe Hotel
Understanding the NYC Winter Staycation
A New York winter staycation differs significantly from typical resort getaways. Rather than poolside lounging and breakfast buffets, the NYC approach centers on minimizing outdoor exposure while maximizing the use of sophisticated indoor spaces. Your hotel becomes a cultural basecamp, anchoring your daily rhythm in the heart of the city.
Midtown Manhattan: Classic Luxury Basecamp
Why Choose Midtown
Midtown’s concentration of large hotels with multiple restaurants, bars, and lounges within a single building makes it ideal for winter stays. Many of New York’s most iconic properties cluster in this area, offering classic staycation appeal.
Recommended Hotels
Lotte New York Palace (Madison Avenue & 50th Street)
Lotte New York Palace
Located across from St. Patrick’s Cathedral, this hotel features marble bathrooms and cathedral views from select rooms. The property incorporates the historic Villard Mansion, built in 1884, with tours available to guests. A 7,000-square-foot fitness center and spa serve wellness needs, while Rockefeller Center sits within walking distance and Central Park lies less than one kilometer away.
Hotel amenities include the Villard restaurant for brunch, the Gold Room bar, and Pomme Palais. The property’s lounges and bars welcome both guests and visitors.
New York Marriott Marquis (Times Square)
Source: New York Marriott Marquis (Times Square)
Positioned in the heart of Times Square, this hotel provides immediate access to the theater district.
New York Hilton Midtown (6th Avenue)
New York Hilton Midtown (6th Avenue)
Features an expansive lobby lounge and multiple restaurant options.
The Plaza Hotel (Fifth Avenue & Central Park South)
The Plaza Hotel
An iconic landmark overlooking Central Park.
Suggested Itinerary
Check in (or store luggage)
Coffee and reading in the hotel lounge
Afternoon workshop or nearby museum visit (MoMA, Rockefeller Center)
Evening cocktails at the hotel bar
Relax in your room or attend a Broadway show
Best For
Couples seeking quiet conversation, families traveling with parents, first-time visitors to New York.
Brooklyn & Queens: Boutique Charm and Local Vibes
Why Choose Brooklyn or Queens
These boroughs offer a more relaxed atmosphere than Manhattan while providing distinctive neighborhood character. Properties here appeal to solo travelers and those seeking authentic local experiences.
Recommended Hotels
Ace Hotel Brooklyn (Boerum Hill)
This design-forward boutique property operates its own local cafe and restaurant. Manhattan sits just 15-20 minutes away by subway.
Wythe Hotel (Williamsburg, Brooklyn)
Offering East River views of the Manhattan skyline, the hotel provides walking access to Williamsburg’s galleries, cafes, and vintage shops.
The Rockaway Hotel (Rockaway Beach, Queens)
This unique location allows for winter beach walks and surf culture immersion, complete with beachfront bar and restaurant.
Renaissance New York Flushing at Tangram (Flushing, Queens)
Situated in Queens’ Asian cultural hub near Koreatown, with access to large shopping centers and diverse Asian restaurants.
Suggested Itinerary
Check in
Brunch at a nearby cafe
Gallery and design store browsing
Evening drinks at the hotel bar or rooftop
Return to your room or explore neighborhood live music venues
Best For
Solo travelers, those seeking local culture, design enthusiasts.
Uptown: Classic Elegance and Urban Reflection
Why Choose Uptown
Hotels along the Upper East Side and Upper West Side feature high ceilings and traditional interiors that accommodate longer, slower stays. These properties suit families and travelers seeking quiet conversation.
Recommended Hotels
The Pierre (Upper East Side, Fifth Avenue & 61st Street)
Opening in 1930, this Five Star, Five Diamond property offers afternoon tea (2pm-6pm) and live jazz (Thursday-Saturday, 6:30pm-9:30pm) at Two E Bar & Lounge. The hotel sits near Fifth Avenue designer boutiques, Museum Mile, and Central Park. Its famous Rotunda ceiling murals and classic interiors define the space.
The Renwick Hotel (Upper East Side)
A boutique-style property with refined uptown sensibility.
Suggested Itinerary
Check in
Afternoon at nearby museums (Metropolitan Museum of Art, Guggenheim) or Lincoln Center performance
Return for wine or coffee at the lounge bar
Central Park walk (weather permitting)
Dinner at the hotel restaurant
This routing considers proximity to transit, museums, and cultural venues while minimizing weather exposure.
Accessible Spaces (Non-Guests Welcome)
The Pierre’s Two E Bar & Lounge offers Central Park views, afternoon tea, and live jazz performances.
Best For
Families traveling with parents, couples seeking quiet ambiance, those preferring traditional atmospheres.
Downtown, East Village & Hell’s Kitchen: Neighborhood Character
Why Choose These Areas
Union Square, East Village, and Hell’s Kitchen each maintain distinct neighborhood cultures. These areas suit travelers who prefer neighborhood rhythm over formal hotel elegance, particularly younger travelers seeking contemporary experiences.
Located in the historic heart of rock and roll, avant-garde art, Beat poetry, and LGBTQ+ activism, this property operates four food and beverage venues: Cathédrale (French-Mediterranean restaurant), Alphabet Bar, The Ready Cantina (rooftop bar), and Little Sister (basement lounge).
Rockwell Group designed the 286 rooms. The hotel sits three blocks from Union Square and features coworking spaces, cultural programming, and regular live music and comedy shows.
Near the Union Square Farmers Market (Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday), independent bookstore Strand Books, and specialty coffee shops. The W brand’s contemporary, sophisticated design defines the property. Gramercy Park lies within walking distance.
Positioned in the Broadway theater and restaurant district, within walking distance of Times Square and diverse international dining options.
Suggested Itinerary
Check in
Nearby cafe or brunch (Cafe d’Avignon in East Village, Union Square Cafe)
Afternoon exploring neighborhood galleries, vintage shops, record stores
Hotel lobby bar or coworking space for reading or work
Evening at hotel rooftop or nearby live music venue
Broadway show (Hell’s Kitchen) or East Village bar hopping
Accessible Spaces
Moxy East Village: Cathédrale (happy hour), The Ready Cantina (rooftop bar), Alphabet Bar (lobby bar), Little Sister (basement lounge, independently operated by Tao Group)
W New York – Union Square: Lobby bar
Best For
Young solo travelers, those interested in local culture and music, couples enjoying nightlife, travelers seeking LGBTQ+ friendly spaces.
Situation-Specific Recommendations
Best Hotel Bars for Quiet Conversation
The Pierre – Two E Bar & Lounge: Central Park views, peaceful atmosphere, live jazz
Lotte New York Palace – Gold Room: Historic Villard Mansion setting
Lotte New York Palace – Rarities: Upscale wine lounge (reservations required)
Most Comfortable Lounges for Solo Travelers
Moxy East Village – Alphabet Bar: Lobby bar with coworking space
Moxy East Village – The Ready Cantina: Rooftop bar with Manhattan skyline views
Ace Hotel Brooklyn: Lobby lounge and cafe
Wythe Hotel: Rooftop bar and restaurant
W New York – Union Square: Lobby bar
Best for Young Travelers and Nightlife
Moxy East Village: Cathédrale (happy hour), Little Sister (basement lounge), live music and comedy shows
Wythe Hotel: Williamsburg’s gallery and live music scene
W New York – Union Square: Access to Union Square bars and clubs
Traveling with Parents: Key Considerations
Spacious Accommodations: Lotte New York Palace (luxury hotel), The Plaza, The Pierre
Quiet Environment: Uptown classic hotels offer more tranquility than Midtown
Park Proximity: The Pierre and The Plaza provide walking access to Central Park
Family Amenities: Lotte New York Palace offers content like Villard Mansion tours
Practical Booking Information
How to Book
Visit the official website at nyctourism.com/hotelweek to browse participating properties. You can filter by borough and neighborhood, then book directly through individual hotel websites.
Important Notes
Discounts apply to each hotel’s standard rates only (excludes third-party booking sites)
Taxes and additional fees are separate
Room availability is limited with hotel-specific terms
Popular hotels sell out quickly
Cancellation policies vary by property—review terms and conditions when booking
Making the Most of Winter in New York
New York’s winter season invites the entire city indoors, creating opportunities to experience the metropolis through its interior spaces. NYC Hotel Week transcends a simple discount promotion, offering a designed approach to urban rest that allows you to absorb the city’s diverse character and seasonal rhythms.
When you approach a winter staycation as a practice of “dwelling” rather than just lodging, you can fully appreciate the meaning of urban space that the city provides, whether you’re staying overnight or simply enjoying the public areas these hotels offer.
Since its launch in 2022, NYC Hotel Week has embodied what NYC Tourism + Conventions CEO Julie Coker describes as the ideal way to experience New York: January and February offer excellent opportunities to enjoy more of the city while spending less.
Plan Your NYC Hotel Week Stay
With over 140 hotels participating across five boroughs, NYC Hotel Week 2025 presents diverse options for every type of traveler. Whether you’re drawn to Midtown’s classic luxury, Brooklyn’s creative energy, Uptown’s traditional elegance, or Downtown’s vibrant neighborhoods, the 25% discount makes this an ideal time to experience New York’s winter hospitality.
Book early to secure your preferred property, and prepare to discover why New Yorkers know that winter is one of the best times to truly experience their city.
