The TCS New York City Marathon finishes in Central Park, and the hotels on this list are the closest bookable properties to that finish area. Each one is within 0.6 miles of the park, ranked by walking distance so you can get to the course, cheer, and get back without fighting subway crowds. The next edition runs November 1, 2026.
How we chose these hotels
Walking distance to the Central Park finish area determined the order. Every hotel on this list is within 0.6 miles of the park entrance nearest the finish, is a bookable hotel (no apartments, no hostels), and carries at least a 4-star rating or a guest score above 8.8. Where hotels fell within 0.1 miles of each other, the higher star rating moved up. The result is a short list of properties you can actually walk from to the course.
Hotels near the Central Park finish: at a glance
| Hotel | Distance to finish | Walk time | Star rating | Guest score | Nearest subway |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Mark New York | 0.51 mi | 10 min | 5★ | 9.4 | 77th St (6) |
| The Carlyle, A Rosewood Hotel | 0.56 mi | 11 min | 5★ | 9.2 | 77th St (6) |
| The Surrey A Corinthia Hotel | 0.58 mi | 12 min | 5★ | 9.4 | 77th St (6) |
| voco The Franklin New York by IHG | 0.61 mi | 12 min | 4★ | 9.0 | 86th St (4, 5, 6) |
| Hotel Lucerne | 0.68 mi | 14 min | 4★ | 8.8 | 79th St (1) |
Marathon weekend logistics worth knowing
- The finish line is on East Drive inside Central Park near 72nd Street. From the Upper East Side hotels on this list, you enter the park at 76th or 77th Street and walk south along the path.
- The race expo runs October 30 through November 1 at the Javits Center on the West Side. Budget 25 to 30 minutes by subway from the Upper East Side hotels, or take a cab across 79th Street.
- November 1 temperatures in Central Park typically run 39°F to 44°F at race start. Pack layers you can shed and carry.
- Fifth Avenue closes to traffic for much of the day. If you need a cab or rideshare after the race, plan for delays and consider walking back to your hotel rather than waiting.
Upper East Side vs. Upper West Side for marathon weekend
Four of the five hotels on this list are on the Upper East Side, between Madison Avenue and Fifth Avenue in the high 70s. That puts you one block from the park's eastern edge and a short walk south to the finish area. You avoid the worst of the post-race crowd flow, which tends to move west and south toward Columbus Circle.
The Hotel Lucerne is on the Upper West Side at 79th Street and Broadway. It takes a few extra minutes to reach the finish, but it gives you direct access to the 1 train and a quieter block on race morning. If you plan to watch from multiple points on the course, the West Side location makes it easier to catch runners on Central Park West before they enter the park.
The hotels
The Mark New York
25 East 77th Street
9.445 reviews
3 min walk to 77th Street (6)At 0.51 miles from the Central Park finish area, this is the closest hotel on the list. You walk one block west on 77th Street to Fifth Avenue, enter the park, and reach the finish zone in about 10 minutes.
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The Carlyle, A Rosewood Hotel
35 E 76th St
9.2154 reviews
2 min walk to 77th Street (6)The Carlyle is on Madison Avenue at 76th Street, 0.56 miles from the finish, and its position one block south of The Mark puts you slightly closer to the 72nd Street finish zone when you enter the park.
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The Surrey A Corinthia Hotel
20 East 76th Street
9.417 reviews
3 min walk to 77th Street (6)The Surrey is on the same block as The Carlyle but closer to Fifth Avenue, which trims a few steps off the walk to the park entrance and makes it the better pick if you want to be out the door and at the finish area with minimal navigation.
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voco The Franklin New York by IHG
164 E 87th St
9.0640 reviews
4 min walk to 86th Street (4/5/6)The Franklin is the only mid-range option within 0.61 miles of the finish, and its 4-star rating and IHG loyalty program make it the practical choice for runners or spectators who want proximity without the premium pricing of the Madison Avenue properties.
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Hotel Lucerne
201 W 79th St
8.82,920 reviews
1 min walk to 79th Street (1)Hotel Lucerne is the only Upper West Side property in this range, and its position at Broadway and 79th Street gives you a different vantage point: you can watch runners on Central Park West before they enter the park, then walk east to the finish area in about 14 minutes.
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Planning a longer stay? See all our New York hotel guides.
Frequently asked questions
How far is the Central Park finish line from these hotels?＋
The closest hotel on this list, The Mark New York on East 77th Street, is 0.51 miles from the finish area, a 10-minute walk. The furthest, Hotel Lucerne on the Upper West Side, is 0.68 miles away, about 14 minutes on foot.
Can you walk to the Central Park finish area from these hotels on race day?＋
Yes. All five hotels are within a 15-minute walk of the park. Fifth Avenue closes to vehicle traffic for much of the day, so walking is faster than waiting for a cab or rideshare near the course.
Where is the marathon expo, and how do you get there from these hotels?＋
The expo is at the Javits Center on the West Side, roughly at 11th Avenue and 38th Street. From the Upper East Side hotels, take the 6 train south to Grand Central, then transfer or take a cab west. Plan for 30 to 40 minutes each way during expo weekend.
What is the weather like in Central Park on marathon day?＋
Race day falls on the first Sunday of November. Temperatures in Central Park typically range from 39°F to 44°F in the morning and may reach the low 50s by afternoon. Wind off the park can make it feel colder, so bring a layer you can remove once you warm up.
Which hotel is best for runners who need early morning access to the start?＋
The marathon starts on Staten Island, not in Central Park, so all five hotels are equally far from the start. Runners take buses from the New York Public Library on Fifth Avenue or from other designated staging areas. The Upper East Side hotels are a short walk from the Fifth Avenue staging zone.
Are there mid-range hotels within walking distance of the Central Park finish?＋
The voco The Franklin New York by IHG on East 87th Street is the most accessible mid-range option at 0.61 miles from the finish. Hotel Lucerne on the Upper West Side at 0.68 miles is another solid choice at 4 stars with mid-range pricing.
