Making the Most of a Midweek Business Stay in Times Square, New York

New York during the week is a different city. The pace is purposeful, the streets move with intent, and Midtown Manhattan hums with the rhythm of commerce rather than leisure. For business travelers, this is not a drawback, it is exactly what makes a weekday visit so productive and enjoyable! Lighter crowds, easier restaurant reservations, better access to Broadway, and a more efficient commute all combine to make midweek the smartest time for professionals to visit New York.

Why Times Square Works for Business Travelers

Times Square is often characterised as a tourist destination. In practice, it sits at the heart of one of the most well-connected locations in New York City. Midtown Manhattan is where a significant proportion of the city's business activity is concentrated, with law firms, media companies, financial institutions, and corporate headquarters all within walking distance.

Additionally, Penn Station is a ten-minute walk away, serving Amtrak and major commuter rail lines. Grand Central Terminal is a short subway ride east. Multiple subway lines also converge on Times Square itself, including the A, C, E, N, Q, R, W, 1, 2, and 3 trains, meaning virtually any part of the five boroughs is quickly accessible. For professionals moving between meetings across different neighborhoods, this connectivity can be invaluable.

Margaritaville Resort Times Square is ideally positioned to offer a comfortable base within this network, placing guests within easy reach of Midtown's business districts while providing a great place to unwind once the working day ends.

The Advantages of Visiting Times Square During the Week

Weekdays in Times Square are noticeably calmer than their weekend counterparts. Foot traffic is often directional and more intentional rather than meandering, subway platforms are less congested outside peak hours, and navigating between meetings can be faster and more predictable. 

Dining is another area where midweek travel pays off. Midtown's best restaurants are far easier to book from Monday to Thursday. Tables that require weeks of advance notice on a Friday evening are often available on short notice mid-week, which can make all the difference for client dinners arranged at short notice. Broadway tells a similar story: Tuesday and Wednesday performances typically have better availability and, in some cases, more competitive pricing than weekend shows. Meaning you don’t have to compromise on experiences.

Structuring a Productive Day in Midtown Manhattan

One of the practical advantages of staying in Times Square is how naturally a working day organises itself around this location. 

Morning: Start early and walk to nearby meetings; for anything further afield, the 42nd Street subway station connects you across the city in minutes.

Midday: Step out for a working lunch or a walk through Bryant Park, one of Midtown's most surprisingly calm green spaces and a good spot for calls or a reset between appointments.

Afternoon: Wind down the working day from your room or a nearby café before transitioning into the evening. Your after-work options are immediately outside the door.

Dining and Client Meetings in Midtown

Business travel revolves as much around where you eat as where you work. For those staying at Margaritaville Resort Times Square, there is plenty to choose from for both work and social occasions:

• Margaritaville Restaurant & Tiki Bar - relaxed and well-suited to informal team lunches or group dinners
• LandShark Bar & Grill - casual setting ideal for team drinks or low-key gatherings
• Parker & Quinn and La Pecora Bianca - polished Midtown dining suited to client entertaining
• The Ambassador Lounge at Hudson Theatre - a distinctive space for drinks, receptions, or networking
• The Parlour Room - an intimate venue well-suited to smaller private dining gatherings
• The Independent - a comfortable neighbourhood-style bar and restaurant ideal for informal business meals

 

For larger events, the AMA New York Executive Conference Center and the New York Times Center both provide professional meeting and event spaces within the immediate area. 

Unwinding After Work in Times Square

After a day of meetings, Times Square delivers one of the most energetic evening atmospheres in New York and weekday evenings are the best time to enjoy it. Broadway is on your doorstep, hosting productions including The Lion King, Hamilton, Wicked, and Chicago. Weekday performances are easier to book and considerably less congested than weekend shows, making a midweek night at the theatre an enjoyable way to end the working day rather than a logistical effort.

For drinks with a view, the area has some of the city's best rooftop options. Start at Margaritaville Resort's own 5 o'Clock Somewhere Bar, which directly overlooks Times Square. From there, Elsie Rooftop and Hudson VU Rooftop are reliable choices for after-work drinks, Dear Irving on Broadway provides a more intimate cocktail setting, The Rooftop at Green Room 42 blends live entertainment with a relaxed lounge atmosphere, and Leonessa offers Italian-inspired drinks with elevated Midtown views. For something more low-key, Artie's Backroom & Rooftop and Rosehill Rooftop both serve late-night bites alongside cocktails with skyline views.

When the evening winds down, Times Square's late-night dining scene has every base covered. Joe's Pizza on Broadway is the classic post-show stop, while Los Tacos No.1 offers some of the best quick-service tacos in the city. For something more substantial, Junior's Restaurant & Bakery is an iconic New York diner open late for after-theatre crowds, and Carnegie Diner & Café serves oversized comfort food well into the night. A short walk brings you to Koreatown on 32nd Street, where Korean BBQ restaurants run past midnight, or Empanada Mama for late-night Latin American comfort food.

Remote Work and Flexible Travel in New York

Business travel today is often a blend of formal meetings and independent remote work, what has come to be known as “bleisure” travel. A midweek stay in New York suits this approach well. Mornings and afternoons can be structured around meetings and calls, while evenings allow you to enjoy the very best of New York culture. For professionals who need reliable connectivity, comfortable working conditions, and easy access to meeting venues, Midtown hotels provide the right infrastructure without requiring you to compromise on either productivity or the quality of the experience.

Planning a Successful Midweek Business Trip to NYC

Here is what experienced weekday visitors to New York tend to get right:

• Stay in Midtown. Proximity to offices, conference venues, and transport hubs removes unnecessary transit time from an already full schedule.
• Schedule around peak commute hours. The subway is busiest between 8–9:30am and 5–6:30pm. Where possible, plan meetings outside these windows to avoid commuting crowds.
• Walk between nearby meetings. Midtown is highly walkable and on-foot navigation is often faster than taxis during working hours.
• Use the subway for longer journeys. Contactless payment works directly at turnstiles for subways. Making it a convenient choice for exploring more after work hours
• Take advantage of weekday cultural access. Broadway, rooftop bars, and restaurants are all significantly more accessible mid-week. Plan at least one evening rather than defaulting to room service! To avoid missing out, book client dinners in advance as even mid-week, some of Midtown’s best restaurants will book up.

Your Midtown Base for Business Travel

For professionals visiting New York during the week, Times Square is one of the most strategically well-positioned bases in the city. You are within walking distance of Midtown's corporate corridors, minutes from Penn Station and Grand Central, and at the center of a dining and entertainment district that comes into its own on weekday evenings.

Margaritaville Resort Times Square offers everything a business traveler needs; a central location, flexible dining, resort amenities, and an easy transition from working day to evening. Whether you are in New York for a conference, a series of client meetings, or a working week combining meetings with remote work, this is a base that makes the most of the city's weekday rhythm.

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