You know that specific feeling when you step out of Penn Station and the city just hits you? That’s the vibe around the 31 street broadway hotel intersection. It's loud. It’s fast. Honestly, it’s exactly what people think of when they picture New York City, even if they’ve never been here. If you are looking for a quiet, leafy neighborhood with birds chirping, keep moving. But if you want to be five minutes from everything that matters, this is the spot.
Location is everything.
People often get confused about what to call this area. Is it NoMad? Is it Herald Square? Is it Koreatown? The truth is, it’s a weird, wonderful Venn diagram of all three. Staying at a 31 street broadway hotel means you are basically parked at the nexus of the city's subway system and its most iconic landmark, the Empire State Building. You've got the R and W trains right there at the 28th Street station, and the B, D, F, M, N, Q, and R lines just a few blocks up at 34th Street-Herald Square. It’s a commuter’s dream and a tourist’s golden ticket.
The Reality of Staying on 31st and Broadway
Let’s be real for a second. This isn’t the Upper East Side. It’s gritty in that classic NYC way, but in the last decade, it has transformed into a high-end hub. You have the Arlo NoMad right there on 31st, which basically pioneered the "micro-room" concept with those massive floor-to-ceiling windows. Then there’s the Hyatt Herald Square, which sits right on 31st between Broadway and 5th.
The rooms in this area? Generally small. That is just the trade-off. You are paying for the zip code and the proximity to the action. If you’re the type of traveler who spends all day in your room, you might feel a bit cramped. But if you’re here to actually see New York, you won't care. Most of these hotels have leaned into the "lifestyle" branding—think rooftop bars with $22 cocktails and lobby spaces that look like a West Elm catalog.
Why NoMad Changed the Game
About fifteen years ago, 31st and Broadway was mostly wholesale perfume shops and knock-off handbag stores. It was a bit of a "pass-through" zone. Then the Ace Hotel opened on 29th and Broadway, and everything shifted. Suddenly, the "NoMad" (North of Madison Square Park) identity took off.
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Developers realized that travelers wanted to be near the Empire State Building but didn't want the sterilized feel of Times Square. By staying at a 31 street broadway hotel, you get the best of both worlds. You can walk to the tourist traps if you want, but you can also find a Michelin-starred meal or a basement jazz club within two blocks.
Navigating the Food Scene Near 31st Street
If you stay here and eat at a McDonald's, you've failed.
Seriously.
You are a two-minute walk from Koreatown (K-Town), which is primarily centered on 32nd Street between 5th and Broadway. This is a 24-hour ecosystem. You can get world-class Korean BBQ at Gaonnuri while looking down at the city from the 39th floor, or grab a quick, steaming bowl of soft tofu soup at Cho Dang Gol.
Then there’s the Friedman’s in the Herald Square hotel—great for gluten-free folks and solid American brunch. For coffee, you have to hit Stumptown in the Ace Hotel lobby. It’s crowded, it’s pretentious, and the coffee is objectively some of the best in the neighborhood. You will see people on laptops who look like they’re writing the next great American novel, but they’re probably just answering emails.
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- Quick bite: Woorijip for affordable Korean deli-style food.
- Fancy night out: The NoMad (though the original hotel is currently undergoing transitions, the vibe of the neighborhood remains upscale).
- Late night: Any of the 24-hour spots in K-Town.
Logistics: Getting In and Out
Staying at a 31 street broadway hotel is a logistical cheat code. If you are coming in from Newark (EWR), you take the NJ Transit straight to Penn Station and walk ten minutes. Done. Coming from JFK? Take the LIRR to Grand Central or Penn. You don't need a $100 Uber.
The 34th Street-Herald Square station is one of the busiest in the world. It’s a maze. You will get lost the first three times you try to find the right exit. Just follow the signs for "Broadway" or "32nd Street." Once you pop out of the ground, the Empire State Building will be your North Star. If it’s on your right and you’re walking toward it, you’re headed North.
The Noise Factor
Manhattan never sleeps, and 31st Street is wide awake. Broadway is a major artery. You will hear sirens. You will hear delivery trucks at 4:00 AM. You will hear someone arguing about a parking spot.
Pro tip: When you check into your hotel, ask for a room on a high floor away from the elevator. Or, honestly, just bring earplugs. It’s part of the charm. If you wanted quiet, you should have booked a stay in the Catskills.
The Secret Spots Most Tourists Miss
Everyone goes to the top of the Empire State Building. It’s fine. It’s iconic. But if you want a better view—one that actually includes the Empire State Building—go to a rooftop bar in the 31st street vicinity. A.R.T. NoMad (Arlo Roof Top) has a glass floor that is terrifying but offers incredible views of the street below.
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There is also a small, somewhat hidden park called Madison Square Park just a few blocks south. It is home to the original Shake Shack, but more importantly, it offers a moment of sanity. You can sit on a bench, watch the squirrels, and look at the Flatiron Building. It’s much more manageable than Central Park if you only have thirty minutes to spare.
Shopping Without the Times Square Chaos
Yes, Macy’s is right there. It’s the largest department store in the world, and it’s a spectacle, especially during the holidays. But the area around Broadway and 31st has become a hub for smaller, curated retail. You’ve got Dover Street Market not too far away for high-fashion enthusiasts, and plenty of stationery and gift shops that aren't just selling "I Love NY" t-shirts.
One thing people get wrong: they think this area is just for business travelers. It used to be. Not anymore. Now, it's where the "cool" kids stay because it’s central to the L-train (to get to Brooklyn) and the West Village.
Planning Your Stay: Actionable Steps
Staying at a 31 street broadway hotel requires a bit of strategy to get the most out of it. Don't just wing it.
- Check the Event Calendar: If there is a massive concert or game at Madison Square Garden (which is at 31st and 7th), hotel prices in this specific 31st/Broadway corridor will skyrocket. Check the MSG schedule before you book.
- Download the "OMNY" App: You don't need a MetroCard anymore. Just tap your phone or credit card at the turnstile. It works perfectly at the 28th and 34th street stations.
- Walk South, Not Just North: Most people head North toward Times Square. Big mistake. Walk South toward 23rd Street and Union Square. The architecture gets better, the crowds thin out, and the food gets more "local."
- Book the "View" Room: In this neighborhood, the difference between a "Standard Room" and a "City View" is often the difference between looking at a brick wall and looking at the Empire State Building. It’s usually worth the extra $40.
- Utilize Hotel Luggage Storage: Since you are so close to Penn Station, leave your bags at the hotel after checkout. You can spend your last four hours in the city hitting one more museum or shop without dragging a suitcase through a crowded Broadway sidewalk.
This part of Manhattan is constantly reinventing itself. One year it's all about the tech startups moving into the old "Silicon Alley" buildings, the next it's a culinary destination. By choosing a 31 street broadway hotel, you aren't just picking a place to sleep; you're picking a front-row seat to the most energetic part of the city. Embrace the noise, eat the street food, and keep your eyes up. There's always something happening right on the corner.
Go for a walk around 10:00 PM when the neon lights are reflecting off the pavement after a rainstorm. That’s when you’ll realize why people pay so much to live and stay in this tiny slice of the world. It’s electric.