NYC Mother-Daughter Concert Weekend: Complete Travel Guide

Two days in New York City. One unforgettable concert. Zero stress

As a part of this year's taking back the spirit of Christmas by gifting experiences, in November, my teenage daughter and I spent a perfect weekend in NYC—her first concert at Madison Square Garden, shopping on 5th Avenue, dreaming at Tiffany's, stumbling upon the NYC Marathon in Central Park, and making memories we'll talk about for years.

If you're thinking about planning a mother-daughter (or parent-teen) concert weekend in New York City, here's exactly how we did it—flights, hotel, what we did, what we loved, and what made it unforgettable.

Milkshakes for breakfast at Serendipity II

Why This Trip Works

Short enough to fit into a busy schedule (just two days), exciting enough to feel like a real adventure, and perfectly designed for quality one-on-one time with your teen. Whether it's their first concert or you're just looking for an excuse to escape together, NYC delivers.

Getting There: Chattanooga to LaGuardia

We flew Delta direct from Chattanooga to LaGuardia—quick, easy, and no connections to worry about. Direct flights eliminated stress and maximized time in the city

LaGuardia to Times Square was a simple Uber ride (ordering from the airport was easy and convenient)

Where to Stay: Hotel Edison in Times Square

We stayed at Hotel Edison, a wonderfully convenient property.

What We Loved:

- Location: Literally seconds to Times Square, walkable to Madison Square Garden, Central Park, 5th Avenue, and Rockefeller Center

- The restaurant: Rum House attached to the hotel serves incredible food—the mac and cheese was unforgettable

- Value: Rates starting at $166/night for a king bed room

Exclusive Perks Through My Services:

As a Virtuoso and Fora Reserve property, when you book through me you receive:

- Waived Daily Destination Fee

- Access to Triumph Wine Hours and Historic walking tours at all properties

- Room upgrade based on availability

- 15% off Best Available Rates

- Complimentary WiFi

This is exactly the kind of value I bring as a travel advisor—amenities and perks you can't get booking direct.

Concert Tickets: Madison Square Garden

The whole trip started because Liv wanted to see Sabrina Carpenter at MSG—her first concert ever.

Getting the Best Seats:

I work with Two Kings Tickets, a concierge service that knows every venue intimately and helps procure the best tickets for all events. Whether it's a concert, Broadway show, or sporting event, they take the guesswork out of ticket buying.

Madison Square Garden Tips:

- The venue is incredibly walkable from Times Square hotels

- Arrive early to soak in the atmosphere and grab photos

- Plan for a late dinner or grab pizza on the way back (we did—perfect ending to the night)

Our Two-Day Itinerary

Day One: Arrival, Times Square & Concert Night

- Flew in and Ubered to Hotel Edison

- Walked Times Square, took lots of IG worthy photos!

- Had dinner at Rum House (seriously, get the mac and cheese)

- Got ready for the concert

- Madison Square Garden for Sabrina Carpenter

- Grabbed pizza on the way back to the hotel

- Fell asleep talking about the best moments

Day Two: Shopping, Central Park & the NYC Marathon

- Breakfast at Serendipity (and milkshakes too, of course)

- Window shopping along 5th Avenue

- Stumbled upon the NYC Marathon runners in Central Park—completely unplanned and so inspiring to watch

- impromptu photo shoot as the sun caught the skyscrapers just right

- Spent hours at the multi-floor TJ Maxx (a teenage girl's dream)

- Grabbed poke bowls and a latte

- Headed to the airport and flew home for an evening arrival

What Made It Perfect:

Two days was exactly right for one-on-one time with my teen daughter. Enough to feel like a real trip, not so long that anyone got tired or overwhelmed.

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Practical Tips for Your Trip

Getting Around:

- Walking is your best friend—everything is close in Midtown Manhattan

- Uber when you need it (easy to order, reliable)

- Skip the subway for a short weekend trip unless you're comfortable navigating it

What to Pack:

- Comfortable walking shoes (you'll walk miles without realizing it)

- Layers (November weather can be unpredictable)

- A crossbody bag or backpack for shopping and exploring

- Phone charger and portable battery (you'll be taking hundreds of photos)

Budget Breakdown:

- Approximately $1500 (flights, hotel, meals, activities, concert tickets)

- Eating at the hotel restaurant and grabbing casual meals keeps costs reasonable

Who This Trip Is For

This weekend works beautifully for:

- Teens (ages 13-19): Old enough to appreciate the city, young enough to still want to hang out with you

- One-on-one trips: Perfect bonding time without sibling distractions

- First-time NYC visitors: Manageable itinerary, iconic experiences

- Concert lovers: Any show at MSG makes a great anchor for the weekend

- Parents wanting quality time: Two days of distraction-free connection

Swap the shopping for different activities (sports museum, different neighborhoods) and you've got the same magic for your teen.

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Why Book Through a Travel Advisor

Here's what I brought to this trip that you can't get booking on your own:

- Exclusive hotel perks through Virtuoso and Fora (room upgrades, waived fees, complimentary amenities)

- Access to Two Kings Tickets for concert and event seating

- No research stress—I handle the details so you focus on enjoying time together

- Insider knowledge about locations, timing, and what actually works

Whether it's a concert at Madison Square Garden, a Broadway show, or just exploring the city together, I'll design a weekend that creates memories you'll both talk about for years.

Contact me to start planning your NYC experience. I'll handle the flights, hotel, tickets, and all the details—you just show up and enjoy time with your loved one.

Contact Me