Unofficial fan guide · New York City Marathon 2027

Where to stay for the 2027 New York City Marathon

By · Last checked: 27 Oct 2026

In short

The 2027 TCS New York City Marathon is on Sunday 7 November 2027, point to point from the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge on Staten Island through all five boroughs to West Drive in Central Park. Runners should sleep close to their ride to the start: Midtown by Bryant Park for the race buses at the New York Public Library (the 2026 bus point), or the Financial District for the Staten Island Ferry, while the Upper West Side and Columbus Circle are a short walk from the finish and Family Reunion. Supporters do well on the Upper East Side, between First Avenue and Fifth Avenue. New York bans renting a whole apartment for under 30 days, so plan on a hotel, and book one you can cancel before the 2027 drawing (in 2026 it was on 4 March).

Course sheet In race order, not to scale

  1. Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge, Staten IslandStart by Fort Wadsworth, straight up the bridge to Brooklyn
  2. Fourth Avenue, Brooklynmile 8 (km 13) · cheer spotMiles 3 to 8, from Bay Ridge to the turn at Flatbush Avenue
  3. Bedford Avenue, Williamsburgmile 11 (km 18)Streets lined with shops and restaurants on the way to Greenpoint
  4. Pulaski Bridgemile 13.1 (km 21)Halfway, crossing from Brooklyn into Queens
  5. Queensboro Bridgemile 15.5 (km 25)A long, quiet climb over the East River into Manhattan
  6. First Avenue, Manhattanmile 18 (km 29) · cheer spotBig crowds from mile 16, with more room in the upper 90s
  7. The Bronxmile 20 (km 32)About a mile between the Willis Avenue and Madison Avenue Bridges, on a slightly changed route from 2026
  8. Fifth Avenuemile 23 (km 37) · cheer spotA long, gentle climb past Museum Mile to Central Park at East 90th Street
  9. West Drive, Central ParkFinish at West 67th Street, by Tavern on the Green

Race morning

In 2026 runners picked one way to the start in late summer (25 August to 8 September) and NYRR then assigned a departure time by pace: the free Staten Island Ferry from Whitehall Terminal with free buses on to Fort Wadsworth, the buses from the New York Public Library in Midtown, or the buses from MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. NYRR puts the trip at about 90 minutes from Manhattan, recommends the ferry if you expect to finish in 4 hours or more, and expects you to take the option you chose. Only the clear start village bag from the expo is allowed into Fort Wadsworth and there is no bag check at the start; the 2026 waves are set to start from 09:10 to 11:30. Clocks go back one hour at 02:00 on race morning in 2027, so check any alarm you set by hand.

Where to stay

Pick an area to see hotels and rentals there at live prices.

ABC Midtown, by Bryant Park1 Financial District and Battery Park2 Upper West Side3 Columbus Circle and Central Park South4 Upper East Side and Yorkville5 Long Island City, Queens6

Start Finish Acheer spot Course

Live map · Midtown, by Bryant ParkHotels and rentals at live prices, Fri 5 Nov to Mon 8 Nov

Open the live map for Midtown, by Bryant Park ↗

Prices and availability come from booking sites through Stay22. Change the dates on the map if you are staying longer.

Plan ahead Book a hotel with free cancellation now, before the 2027 drawing results (4 March in 2026) bring a rush of new entrants.

Watch the race

Start on Fourth Avenue in Brooklyn, ride the Q to First Avenue in the upper 90s, walk west to Fifth Avenue, then take the subway round Central Park to Family Reunion.

  1. mile 8 (km 13)

    Fourth Avenue, Brooklyn

    Big crowds line Fourth Avenue up to the turn at Flatbush Avenue at mile 8, with the R train along it and many lines at Atlantic Av-Barclays Ctr. Stand a few blocks south of the turn on the side you will leave from, then take the Q from Atlantic Av-Barclays Ctr to 96 St. If your runner is aiming for under about 3:30, skip this stop: they may reach First Avenue before you.

    Stays near Fourth Avenue, Brooklyn ↗
  2. mile 18 (km 29)

    First Avenue

    Runners come off the quiet Queensboro Bridge at mile 16 into big crowds; the upper 90s, a block from the Q at 96 St, have more room. Stand on the west sidewalk at an agreed corner. When your runner passes, walk about 15 minutes west to Fifth Avenue while they run five miles through East Harlem and the Bronx, with no need to cross the course.

    Stays near First Avenue, Manhattan ↗
  3. mile 23 (km 37)

    Fifth Avenue

    Around mile 23 Fifth Avenue climbs gently towards Central Park, a tough stretch late in the race. Coming from First Avenue you reach the east sidewalk without crossing the course, or come straight here on the 6 to 96 St or 103 St. Afterwards, do not try to cross the park: under normal service take the Q to Times Sq-42 St, then the 1, 2 or 3 up to 72 St.

    Stays near Fifth Avenue ↗

  4. Meet your runner

    In 2026 Family Reunion is on West 69th to West 71st Streets, with screening on Columbus Avenue, open 11:00 to 18:00, and signs by last name: West 71st for A to F, West 70th for G to N, West 69th for O to Z. Runners leave the park at West 77th Street and walk south, so NYRR suggests arriving 20 to 30 minutes after their expected finish. Leave big bags and strollers at home, and agree on a backup corner, as phones may not work near the park.

The official hotels, explained

On Location, NYRR's exclusive travel partner, sells discounted hotel rooms (no race entry), including at the host hotels, and says guests save more than $100 a night on average; its 2027 block was not open on 27 October 2026, and minimum stays and cancellation terms are not shown before you start a booking. Runners who live outside the US can also buy guaranteed entry as a package from an Official International Tour Operator, to be named in early 2027.

Official hotel offerOur maps
Who runs itOn LocationEvery hotel and rental near each area
PricesListed on the official siteLive prices from several booking sites
Minimum stay and cancellationNot published. Ask before you pay.Filter for free cancellation
Need to buy a package?NoNo

See the official hotel offer ↗ · We link to the official option and explain its terms, so you can compare before you book.

When to book

  1. NowBook a room with free cancellation near the start.
  2. Your cancellation dateKeep or cancel before it passes.
  3. Sun, 7 Nov 2027Race day.

Free guide

The Unofficial 2027 New York City Marathon Where to Stay Guide

Every area, the race morning plan and the booking dates in one place, updated every year.

Questions

Where should I stay for the New York City Marathon?

Stay in Midtown near Bryant Park if you take the race buses from the New York Public Library, or in the Financial District if you take the Staten Island Ferry. The Upper West Side and Columbus Circle are best for the finish and Family Reunion, and the Upper East Side, between First Avenue and Fifth Avenue, is best for supporters.

Is it better to stay near the start or the finish?

You cannot really stay by the start: it is inside Fort Wadsworth on Staten Island, and NYRR strongly encourages everyone to use the official ferry or buses. Stay near your ride to the start if race morning worries you, or on the Upper West Side if you would rather walk back after 26.2 miles.

How do I get to the start of the NYC Marathon?

On the free Staten Island Ferry from Whitehall Terminal plus free buses, on official buses from the New York Public Library in Midtown, or on buses from MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. In 2026 runners chose one in late summer (25 August to 8 September) and NYRR gave each a departure time; NYRR puts the trip at about 90 minutes from Manhattan.

Where is the best place to watch the NYC Marathon?

NYRR's viewing spots include Fourth Avenue in Brooklyn, Williamsburg and Greenpoint (miles 10 to 13), the Queens side of the Pulaski Bridge, First Avenue (miles 16 to 18), East Harlem and Fifth Avenue (miles 23 to 24). To see your runner twice without rushing, watch from the west side of First Avenue in the upper 90s, then walk west to Fifth Avenue. There is no viewing at the start or on any bridge.

Can I rent an apartment or Airbnb for the NYC Marathon?

Not a whole one for a short stay. New York City law bars renting an entire apartment or home for fewer than 30 days; a legal short-term rental is a room in a registered host's home, with the host there and no more than two guests. For most runners and families that means a hotel.

When should I book a hotel for the 2027 NYC Marathon?

Now, with free cancellation. The race is on Sunday 7 November 2027, and the 2027 drawing dates are not out yet (in 2026 applications ran 4 to 25 February and the drawing was on 4 March). The official On Location block for 2027 had not opened by late October 2026.

Official race site ↗ · Sources: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22