New York City is a must stop for some of the world’s most popular conventions. We’ve included here some of the biggest names in convention sites, how to get there, and great nearby places to grab a bite.
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THE VENUE: The Javits Center, 655 West 34th Street, javitscenter.com
NEIGHBORHOOD: Hell's Kitchen/Midtown West
TRANSPORTATION: Javits Center is three blocks from Penn Station, on 7th Avenue and 34th Street. Trains you can get there include Amtrak, NJ Transit, LIRR, 8th Ave. (A, C, E), 7th Ave. (1,2, 3) ; one more block over on 34th Street, 6th Ave, you can get the (B, D, F, N, Q, R, W). For more direction info, click here.
SIZE: Opened in 1986, Javits is considered the busiest convention center in the United States. The Center's 760,000 square feet of exhibition space can be divided into nine self-contained halls. It’s home to several of the largest conventions on the East Coast such as the New York Times Travel Show in January; the biannual New York Now (Aug. 15-19); New York International Auto Show (April 3-12); Book Expo (May 28-31); Special Edition NYC (June 6-7) (new-will focus on comics/art/culture), New York Comic Con (NYCC) (Oct. 8-11) and others.
NEARBY RESTAURANTS: Staghorn Steakhouse; Capizzi Pizzeria & Wine Bar; The Marshal; Hallo Berlin, URBO; and Hakkasan.
ADDITIONAL: For those coming into town for NYCC (as well as local comic book lovers!), Midtown Comics is also a must stop for all your comic book/artwork/gaming needs. They have in fact three locations, the closest to Javits being their Midtown location. Make sure to check out their table at Javits during NYCC, too. midtowncomics.com
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THE VENUE: Marriott Marquis Times Square, 1535 Broadway, marriott.com
NEIGHBORHOOD: Midtown
TRANSPORTATION: The Marriott Marquis Times Square is extremely close to Port Authority, and less than a mile from Grand Central and Penn Station. Valet parking is available. For more details on transportation click here.
SIZE: Recently winning a TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence in 2014, The Marriott Marquis in Times Square has 55 meeting rooms, with 101,450 sq ft of total meeting space.
NEARBY RESTAURANTS: Guy’s American Kitchen & Bar, HB Burger, URBO, Capizzi, Morton’s, Del Frisco’s, Da Rosina, Hakkasan, David Burke fabrick, Oceana.
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Pier 92/94 hosts numerous conventions/events, including the Armory Show (pictured)
VENUE: Piers 92/94, 11 12th Avenue, pier9294.com
NEIGHBORHOOD: Midtown West
TRANSPORTATION: Piers 92 & 94 can be reached by public transportation via the Eighth Avenue subway, E or C trains to 50th Street, then via M50 bus line. The M50 bus runs west on 49th Street (to the pier) and east on 50th Street (from the pier) connecting at Eighth Avenue (E or C subway) and at Seventh Avenue (1 or 9 subway). Also, bus lines M16 and M42 provide service to 42nd Street and Twelfth Avenue. For more transportation info, click here.
SIZE: Piers 92/94 offers more than 208,000 square feet of exhibit area.
NEARBY RESTAURANTS: Patsy’s, Cancun, Molyvos, NYY Steak, and Havana Social.
ADDITIONAL: Annually hosts The Armory Show (March 5-8), Architectural Digest Home Design Show (March 19-22), The Pier Antiques Show (March 28-29, again Nov. 2015) and leading fashion shows during New York Fashion Week.
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VENUE: Metropolitan West, 639 West 46th Street, metropolitanevents.com
NEIGHBORHOOD: Midtown West
TRANSPORTATION: By subway:
1 train, get off at the 18th St. stop. Proceed east to 125 W. 18th St.,
2 or 3 train, get off at the 14th St. stop. Walk uptown (north) to 18th St. and 7th Avenue; turn right onto 18th St., and proceed east to 125 W. 18th St.
A, C, or E train, get off at the 14th St. stop. Walk uptown (north) on 8th Avenue to 18th St.; turn right onto 18th St.. Crossing over 7th Avenue, proceed to 125 W. 18th St.
4, 5, 6, Q, R, N, or W train, get off at the 14th St. stop (Union Square). Walk uptown (north) and west to 18th St. and 6th Avenue. On 18th St. proceed west to 125 W. 18th St.
M, F or L train, get off at the 14th St. stop. Walk uptown (north) on 6 th Avenue to 18th St.. Turn left onto 18th St., and proceed to 125 W. 18th St.
SIZE: The completely renovated facility offers two separate and adaptable event floors that can also be used in combination (24,000 square feet total), for dinners, meetings, trade shows, product launches, fashion events, sales, exhibitions, and more. For additional direction info, click here.
NEARBY RESTAURANTS: Ben and Jack’s Steakhouse and Morton’s Grille.
ADDITIONAL: Additional amenities include nearby parking, catering prep rooms, separate lobbies, WiFi, and a state-of-the-art lighting, A/V, and sound installation. There is also an additional location, Metropolitan Pavilion, in Chelsea. (They will be hosting Choice Eats on March 13.)
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VENUE: Hilton Midtown, 1335 Ave. of the Americas, hilton3.com
NEIGHBORHOOD: Midtown
TRANSPORTATION: On Avenue of the Americas (6th Ave.) between West 53rd and West 54th Streets. 53rd street is west bound and 54th street is east bound. LaGuardia is 8 miles, JFK is 17 miles, Newark is 15 miles, Grand Central station is 15 minutes across town, Penn Station is 15 minutes downtown and Port Authority is 10 minutes downtown. For additional info, click here.
SIZE: More than 151,000 sq ft of flexible meeting space.
NEARBY RESTAURANTS: NYY Steak, Del Frisco’s Double Eagle Steak House, and Patsy’s.
ADDITIONAL: The hotel has a sky-lit fitness center, and a business center.
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Getting Around: Airport to Convention Service
Go Airlink Shuttle
Just in town for business, on the run, bags full of stuff from a convention and don’t want to go searching for a cab? Go Airlink NYC offer direct, door-to-door transportation between Manhattan and JFK, LaGuardia and Newark airports in modern, comfortable, vans operated by professional, trained and courteous drivers. goairlinkshuttle.com
My Sedan
Established in 2010 as a sister company to CitySights NY and Gray Line NY, My Sedan provides private, affordable ground transportation solutions for clients who want to travel in style and comfort. Its fleet of limousines, party buses, corporate sedans, SUV Limos, and motorcoach buses offer a wide range of services. mysedan.com