Nobody knows a city like the local concierge team. With the inside track on all the best places to dine, shows to see, and things to do, they’re a wealth of knowledge for all travelers. We talk with a top local hotel concierge in New York City to get the inside scoop on all their expert tips.

George Gaffney, Chef Concierge at The Beekman, A Thompson Hotel

Why do you refer your guests to The Welcome Guide®, and what makes it an important resource for you?
I love to get updates from The Welcome Guide®. As a concierge in a city like this one, I need to stay updated on the happenings that my guests care about. The Welcome Guide® makes it easy to get a snapshot of what’s important to know.

What are your best tips for exploring NYC like a local?
Gaffney: Manhattan is divided into dozens of neighborhoods, each with its own distinctive character. Identify the ones that speak to you and explore. The most local-ish activity is riding the subway. Don’t let it intimidate you… Most navigational apps on your phone will guide your way. And bring your most comfortable shoes. This is a walking city.

What should be on every visitor’s “bucket list” when visiting?
Gaffney: At this time of year, Midtown is the place to be. Rockefeller Center’s giant Christmas tree shouldn’t be missed. I also love Bryant Park Winter Village for shopping and ice skating. You’ve got to see the Christmas Spectacular at Radio City Music Hall at least once.

What’s an excellent spot to capture a great selfie?
Gaffney: LUNA LUNA, the new spectacle at The Shed art space in Hudson Yards, is loaded with selfie opportunities!  It’s like an art carnival merged with an amusement park, featuring work from famous artists like Basquiat, Salvador Dali, and Keith Haring.  Total selfie-overload! 

What is the best suggestion you can give a first-time visitor?
Gaffney: There’s no excuse for skipping Times Square. Locals often avoid it, but if it’s your first time in New York, you have to see it. I’ve lived in New York City for over 30 years, and I still often marvel at the sheer magnitude of the place. The massive billboards, the theater marquees, and even the crowds. How can you say you’ve been to New York without that experience?

If someone only had 24 hours in NYC, where would you send them?
Gaffney: I would have them start at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in the morning so they can experience that amazing space along with Central Park at the same time. Then they can travel south down Fifth Ave to see The Plaza and all the wonderful stores like Bergdorf-Goodman, Tiffany’s and Saks Fifth Avenue. Lunch in Midtown, then explore Radio City Music Hall and Rockefeller Center. Head over to Grand Central Station and take the subway all the way south to FIDI, where you can see the NY Stock Exchange and Brooklyn Bridge. A walk through SOHO’s boutique shopping district is great if they’re in the mood. Time for dinner in Greenwich Village—L’Artusi is a favorite. Then you can either head to the Comedy Cellar for amazing standup or to Times Square for a Broadway show. If you still have a pulse after all that, wind things down at a lower Manhattan Speakeasy like Please Don’t Tell or a jazz Club like Smalls. Congratulations, you’ve made the most of your day.

Where’s the best place to take kids of all ages?
Gaffney: Kids love the Holiday Train Show at the New York Botanical Garden. Mercer Labs in FIDI is also an easy choice for all ages. My kids are always begging to go, and I don’t mind because I love it too. It’s a multi-sensory art space with many rooms and interactive activities. I suggest it all the time. 

For a guest looking for a night on the town, what would you recommend?
Gaffney: My favorite experience in New York is Company XIV in Bushwick, Brooklyn. This is an adults-only performance company with two theaters—a mainstage and the newer Cocktail Magique. Their holiday show, Nutcracker Rouge, is a combination of burlesque, opera, ballet and circus acts. Grab a drink at The Bar Room here at The Beekman Hotel, and cab it to one of their shows. If you still feel up to it, end your night at a club like Laissez Faire or The Stranger. You’ll remember a night like that!

Any suggestions for the best under-the-radar sites or uncommon things to do?
Gaffney: Pier 17 at the South Street Seaport has Jingle Jangle, a rooftop holiday pop-up from one of my favorite bars The Dead Rabbit.  Also, I rarely hear people talk about the Snug Harbor Cultural Center in Staten Island. I go there a few times every year via the Staten Island Ferry. The Chinese Scholar’s Garden there is peaceful and beautiful. 

What is your expert tip?
Gaffney: Plan ahead. Many of your favorite restaurants start booking 30 days in advance, so same-day reservation attempts may not cut it. But don’t despair. If you’re not on their books, you may be able to walk in if you go at the very start of their dinner service or at the end of the night.