Skip the Airport This Summer and Do This Downtown Staycation Instead

June 2, 2026

There’s a lot happening this summer in Lower Manhattan. We’ve got celebrations for America250, World Cup parties, a great lineup of concerts at Pier 17 and so much more. That’s why we recommend you skip the expensive plane ticket and middling resort and splash out on a summer staycation downtown. After all, you already live in a vacation destination. Why not request your PTO and start planning your itinerary?

Here are our recommendations for where to stay, what to do and where to eat and drink.

A wide-angle interior shot of a grand Art Deco lobby. The space is defined by polished marble walls in shades of amber and rose, a patterned stone floor, and a dramatic staircase with a geometric metal railing. The ceiling features ornate, stepped coffers with glowing, starburst-style light fixtures. — Mint House at 70 Pine St.

Where to Stay:

Collective Retreats Governors Island

You don’t have to hop on a plane for an island getaway this summer. Collective Retreats Governors Island (825 Gresham Rd.) is just a 10-minute ferry ride away. This glamping resort — which is the only hotel on the island — has sweeping views of Lower Manhattan and the Statue of Liberty, as well as elevated onsite dining options. You’ll stay in either a cabin or a tent, but this is far from rustic: think king-sized mattresses and spa-like bathrooms. Spend the day walking or biking around Governors Island before heading back here for a sunset cocktail and a platter of roasted oysters. End your night around the fire pit, roasting s’mores before retiring to your tent. When you wake up the next morning, you can start your day with a wave to Lady Liberty.

Mint House 70 Pine

To truly live like a local, book a room at Mint House at 70 Pine (located eponymously at 70 Pine St.). Many of the spacious rooms here have kitchens or kitchenettes, so if you’re in need of a midnight snack, you can whip something up yourself rather than ordering delivery. Rooms come equipped with record players and a curated vinyl selection, TVs and crisp, clean linens. The hotel itself also offers a fitness center, a coworking space and even self-service laundry. Hungry? Under the same roof, you can check out two Michelin-starred restaurants: Crown Shy and SAGA. More on that in a bit.

Cloud One Hotel — New York Downtown

If you want to be in the middle of the action, book a room at Cloud One New York Downtown (133 Greenwich St.), which offers gorgeous Hudson River views. The stylish hotel is designed to feel like a “cozy urban jungle,” with plenty of lush plants, wood and natural stone elements and earthy colors. From here, you’re mere steps from attractions like the 9/11 Memorial and Museum, Mercer Labs and the New York Stock Exchange. You’re also close to plenty of subway stations, so the world is truly your oyster. After a day of adventuring, we recommend stopping by the lounge for a pastrami grilled cheese and a cocktail. The Hibiscus Heat, made with jalapeño-infused tequila and hibiscus purée, is perfect for summer.

A scenic daytime view looking toward Manhattan from Governors Island. In the foreground, a manicured green grass lawn is bordered by tall reeds, yellow wildflowers, and a rustic wooden picket fence. Several red rope hammocks are strung between tall wooden logs. In the distance, thick green treetops give way to the modern skyscrapers of the Lower Manhattan skyline, dominated by the tall spire of One World Trade Center against a light blue, hazy sky. — Governors Island

What to Do:

Watch a World Cup match at Stout

Couldn’t score World Cup tickets? Head to Stout NYC (90 John St.) to catch a match. Not only is no NJ Transit ticket required, but MetLife Stadium’s offerings probably don’t include the Angry Burger, made with buffalo hot sauce and crispy onions, nor the Lucky Cat, a summery sipper with vodka, lychee syrup, pineapple juice and lemon juice. This place is sure to be packed with soccer fans during the Cup, so come early if you want to snag a table for the whole crew. We’ve been told that Stout will also be hosting special events for the tournament, so keep an eye out for more details.

Spend a day on Governors Island

When the hustle and bustle of New York gets to be too much, there’s always Governors Island, which offers 172 car-free acres of walking and biking paths, gardens, playgrounds, open fields, art installations and so much more. Treat yourself to a spa day at QC NY Spa, grab a bite at the newly opened Six Coasts — a coastal-inspired bar and restaurant, helmed by Jamaican-American chef Scotley Innis — or simply head to the hammock grove to soak up the sun. Ferries depart about every 30 minutes and are free for all visitors on Saturdays and Sundays before 11 a.m. You can check the ferry schedule (and see more Governors Island activity options) here.

Go on a walking tour

Play tourist in your own neighborhood and join one of Lower Manhattan’s many fascinating walking tours. Inside Out Tours offers a NYC Slavery and Underground Railroad Walking Tour that explores the history of the slave trade and the Underground Railroad and highlights how African-Americans impacted the creation of the city. The company also offers a Wall Street Walking Tour, which opens a window into the financial and political roots of Wall Street, including the often-overlooked contributions made by women, African-Americans, and Native Americans. And if you’ve never actually been to Ellis Island despite living here for years, it’s time to change that with the Secrets of the Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island Guided Walking Tour. Tours are $42 to $75 and depart from either the Museum of the American Indian (1 Bowling Green) or the front gate of the Castle Clinton National Monument.

A daytime view of a bustling outdoor restaurant patio situated on a waterfront. Multiple long wooden tables are packed with patrons talking and dining. Overhead, an array of wide, black-and-white striped patio umbrellas provides shade. A server stands to the right holding a tray. In the background, large white passenger boats and ferries are docked along the water, with a distant bridge suspension tower visible under a clear blue sky with fluffy white clouds. — Industry Kitchen

Where to Eat:

SAGA

For a splurge-worthy dinner, make a reservation at SAGA. The two-Michelin-star restaurant is perched on the 63rd floor at 70 Pine St. The restaurant offers six- and 10-course tasting menus, as well as semi-private dining experiences in the restaurant’s solarium (we’d book this for a very special occasion or if you’re really trying to impress a date). The menus are seafood- and vegetable-forward, with bites like shima aji topped with shiso basil and marigold pasta served with daurenki caviar. The menu shifts with the seasons and with the chef’s inspiration, so come prepared for anything — trust us, it’ll be delicious. The six-course menu is $215 per guest; the 10-course menu is $315 per guest. The semi-private Kitchen Table reservations are $365 per guest. Reservations can be made here.

Industry Kitchen

Riverfront views? Check. Top-notch cocktails? Check. A menu of summer-y dishes like a grilled peach and burrata salad and a roasted tomato and ricotta wood-fired pizza? Check. Industry Kitchen (70 South St.) has plenty of fresh, seasonal dishes and won’t bust your budget. Don’t miss the killer happy hour from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday. Grab a $12 Aperol spritz (or two) to truly feel like you’re on vacation without leaving Manhattan. You can make a reservation through the website, though it’s also often easy to grab a table here without one.

A collage of two photos under warm, golden hour sunlight. On the left, a bartender in a vest and tie pours a cocktail from a metallic gold shaker into highball glasses filled with large ice cubes, with a coupe glass resting on a decorative gold tray in the foreground. On the right, well-dressed patrons chat and mingle on a narrow, glass-railed rooftop patio. The terrace runs alongside a historic brick building, offering a high-angle view of a city street below, a river, and a distant city skyline illuminated by a bright setting sun. — One40 (photo: Create & Align)

Where to Drink

One40

Nothing says summer vacation like a rooftop bar. One40 Rooftop (140 Washington St.) just opened an outdoor bar that’s appropriately called Golden Hour. You can sip on a lineup of handcrafted cocktails (we recommend the Solura, a drink made with mezcal, lavender, lemon and aquafaba) alongside bites like truffled grilled cheese skewers, fried oysters, and parmesan & rosemary fries. It all pairs perfectly with a post-8 p.m. sunset (another reason to love summer!) and the twinkling lights of the city.

Della’s

For an Italian experience closer to home, head to Della’s (66 W. Broadway). This Tribeca wine bar has a distinctly European feel, inspired by founder Liz Nicholson’s Italian roots. Alongside the menu of globally-sourced wines, you can enjoy plenty of cheeses, salads, desserts, snacks and cozy dishes. Bring a friend, order a bottle (or two), and plan to stay a while.

main photo: iStock