Madison Square Garden Hotels: 12 Best Nearby Stays & Post-Event Transit Guide

Madison Square Garden Overview

Madison Square Garden (MSG) is located in Midtown Manhattan, New York, built directly above Penn Station at 4 Pennsylvania Plaza. The venue has a capacity of approximately 20,789 and hosts about 320 events per year. It is the home of the NBA’s New York Knicks and the NHL’s New York Rangers.

MSG is known as “The World’s Most Famous Arena.” Since 1879, it has gone through four generations of buildings, with the current fourth-generation venue opening in 1968. Pollstar magazine has named it “Arena of the Year” 23 times, and Billboard has consistently ranked it as the highest-grossing venue of its size globally. Billy Joel set a record with 150 performances here, and the legendary “Fight of the Century” between Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier also took place at MSG.

From superstar concerts to WrestleMania, from NCAA basketball to championship boxing, MSG’s event diversity is unmatched in America. Recent performers include Olivia Rodrigo, Nicki Minaj, Andrea Bocelli, and J. Cole — virtually every month brings a marquee event.

Getting there: MSG is the most transit-accessible sports venue in America, bar none. Subway lines A/C/E and 1/2/3 go directly to 34th St-Penn Station — step out and you’re at the venue. Lines B/D/F/M/N/Q/R/W stop at 34th St-Herald Square, just a 5-minute walk away. New Jersey residents can take NJ Transit, and Long Island residents can take LIRR — both go directly to Penn Station. Driving is not recommended; Midtown Manhattan traffic is notoriously heavy and parking is expensive.

Best Hotels Near Madison Square Garden

Below are 12 carefully selected New York accommodations, ordered by distance from MSG. Each includes booking links for both Agoda and Booking.com:

Hotel Highlights

1. Staypineapple, An Artful Hotel, Midtown

Just a 5-minute walk from MSG, this art-forward boutique hotel has won numerous awards. Pet-friendly, so you can bring your furry companion to the game. Stylish room design and attentive service — Agoda 8.8 / Booking 8.7, standout ratings for Manhattan. A favorite across travel platforms; book early.

2. Crowne Plaza HY36 Midtown Manhattan

An IHG 4.5-star hotel about 400 meters from MSG, a 5-minute walk. Close to Hudson Yards and Moynihan Train Hall, convenient for both trains and subways. Well-equipped facilities with modern, comfortable rooms. Agoda 8.6 / Booking 8.0, great for both business and leisure.

3. voco Times Square South New York

IHG’s boutique brand (formerly DoubleTree), about 400 meters from Penn Station, a 5-minute walk. Features an outdoor terrace and restaurant, within walking distance of Times Square and Macy’s. Renovated with significantly upgraded aesthetics. Agoda 8.3 / Booking 8.0 — incredibly convenient location.

4. Kimpton Hotel Eventi

An IHG boutique hotel in Chelsea, about a 6-minute walk from MSG. Three restaurants including the popular Skirt Steak steakhouse. Pet-friendly at no extra charge. The building’s LED art installation on the exterior is eye-catching. Agoda 8.6 / Booking 8.2 — design lovers will be very satisfied.

5. Holiday Inn Express NYC Chelsea NoMad

IHG’s budget-friendly hotel, just a 4-minute walk from MSG — ridiculously close. Recently fully renovated, with free breakfast as a bonus. A high-value option in the NoMad area. Agoda 8.3 / Booking 8.0 — one of the best choices for saving money while staying right next to the venue.

6. Pestana CR7 Times Square

A Cristiano Ronaldo-themed hotel, with football elements from the lobby to the rooms. About a 10-minute walk or subway ride from Penn Station. Fitness center and rooftop terrace, full of design flair. Agoda 8.8 / Booking 8.7. A must-stay for football fans visiting New York — just the photo ops are worth the price.

7. Henn na Hotel New York

Japanese brand Henn na’s New York outpost, best known for its dinosaur robot reception. Rooms feature Japanese smart toilets, and there’s a sushi restaurant on the ground floor. About an 8-minute walk from Penn Station. Booking 8.6. Travelers who love tech and Japanese culture will find it refreshing, and the value is solid.

8. Kimpton Hotel Theta New York – Times Square

An IHG 5-star boutique hotel with stylish design that stands out in Times Square. Near Rockefeller Center, about a 10-minute subway ride to Penn Station. Pet-friendly with attentive service. Agoda 8.3 / Booking 8.1, ideal for travelers seeking quality accommodation in New York.

9. Club Quarters Hotel Times Square – Midtown

A recently fully renovated business hotel on 45th Street. Near Rockefeller Center and Grand Central, about a 10-15 minute subway ride to Penn Station. Club Quarters takes a streamlined, efficient approach. Agoda 8.6 / Booking 8.5 — a top pick for business travelers, with reasonable Manhattan rates.

10. INNSiDE by Melia New York Nomad

Melia’s design hotel on 27th Street in Chelsea. Free bike rentals are a highlight — cycling around New York is a delight. Features The Wilson restaurant and rooftop terrace, plus sustainability certification. 650 meters from the Empire State Building. Agoda 8.6 / Booking 8.8, about a 10-minute subway ride to Penn Station.

11. Hotel Stanford

A historic landmark hotel (formerly Alcazar Hotel) in the heart of Koreatown, just 160 meters from the Empire State Building. About an 8-minute walk to Penn Station, with free breakfast as a bonus. Agoda 8.3 / Booking 8.1 — prices are reasonable for Manhattan, and the location is unbeatable. Outstanding value.

12. The Evelyn Hotel

An Art Deco boutique hotel in NoMad, right next to Madison Square Park. The ground-floor Tusk Bar is a well-known New York cocktail bar. About a 15-minute subway ride to Penn Station. Agoda 8.6 / Booking 8.4. For travelers who love vintage elegance, this place has serious character.

Post-Event Transit Guide

Subway: Right below MSG is 34th St-Penn Station, with A/C/E and 1/2/3 lines direct, and B/D/F/M/N/Q/R/W stopping one block away at Herald Square. After events, platforms fill up instantly — wait 10-15 minutes for the first wave to clear, or walk east a block to Herald Square, which is usually smoother than the Penn Station entrance. Single ride is $2.90, payable with OMNY tap.

Commuter Rail: From Penn Station, you can take NJ Transit back to New Jersey or LIRR back to Long Island. Trains run more frequently after events, but lines are long — allow 30 minutes for queuing.

Rideshare Tips: Uber/Lyft surge pricing after MSG events is steep. Wait about 15 minutes for rates to drop before calling. Pickup is best along 7th Ave or 8th Ave between 31st and 33rd Sts, avoiding the chaos at the venue’s main entrance. Lyft is MSG’s official rideshare partner.

Walking & Nearby: Right next to MSG is Koreatown, with restaurants along 32nd St open late into the night. Grabbing a late-night bite while waiting for crowds to thin is a classic New York strategy. The Empire State Building is about a 5-minute walk, and Times Square is about 10 minutes.

Travel Tools for Your Visit

Planning to catch a game or concert at Madison Square Garden? Beyond booking your hotel, get these travel tools ready:

eSIM Data Plans

Internet access is essential when traveling abroad for events. Get your eSIM before departure: Klook US eSIM

Flight Booking

Compare and find cheap flights: Trip.com flights to New York

Car Rental

Need a car? DiscoverCars US car rental | Booking.com car rental

Madison Square Garden is a must-visit venue for every sports and music fan, and staying within walking distance saves you Manhattan’s biggest headache — traffic. From the 4-minute-walk Holiday Inn Express to stylish boutique hotels, these 12 properties cover every budget and style. Key tip: book at least 1-2 months ahead for popular events, even earlier for Knicks playoff games or superstar concerts. Choose the right hotel, and your MSG experience is half won.