Travel from Portland to New York City for Electric Zoo

09 August 2019

Photo: iStock

With top DJs and live acts from around the world, Electric Zoo returns to New York City's Randall's Island Park this Labor Day weekend.

The acclaimed electronic music festival marks its 11th anniversary this year, with a lineup including Destructo, Afrojack, Alison Wonderland and Boombox Cartel. The beats drop Aug. 30-Sept. 1.

With its centrally located venue between Manhattan, Queens and the Bronx, the festival is easy to get to and from no matter where you're staying. When the music stops, New York City's attractions are just a bus, subway, ferry or rideshare away.

Thankfully, there are plenty of relatively inexpensive flights between Portland and New York City. We pulled from travel site Skyscanner to provide you with a short list of flights and hotels handpicked for the occasion. (Prices and availability are current as of publication and subject to change.)

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Flight deals to New York City

The cheapest flights between Portland and New York City are if you leave on Aug. 30 and return from New York on Sept. 1. JetBlue currently has roundtrip tickets for $137.

If you fly out of Portland on Aug. 30 and return from New York City on Sept. 2, jetBlue can get you there and back for $137 roundtrip.

Top New York City hotels

Regarding where to stay, here are some of New York City’s top-rated hotels, that we selected from Skyscanner's listings based on price and customer satisfaction.

The Standard, High Line (848 Washington St.)

Photo: Trip by Skyscanner

If you're looking to splurge on top quality, consider The Standard, High Line. The hotel has a 4.4-star rating on Skyscanner, and rooms are currently available for $275.

The 18th-story tower overlooks the historic high line, the former elevated railroad that has been developed into a public park. All 338 rooms have ground-to-ceiling windows with views of the Hudson River or the city skyline. 

The Dream Downtown (355 W. 16th St.)

Photo: Trip by Skyscanner

There's also the 4.5-star rated The Dream Downtown. Rooms are currently set at $204/night.

Situated between the thriving Meatpacking District and Chelsea, this luxury property features 315 loft-inspired rooms/suites. The hotel has an outdoor pool and a rooftop lounge, which can be accessed from the deluxe rooms.

Ace Hotel New York (20 W. 29th St.)

Photo: Trip by Skyscanner

A third option is Ace Hotel New York. The 4.3-star hotel has rooms for $197/night. 

The 12-story boutique hotel is located in the Theater District and near popular destinations, such as Times Square and the Empire State Building.

"A steal for NYC in that it's super affordable, clean, hip, loads of character and charm to compensate for small space (it's NYC)," wrote visitor Jelena.

Featured New York City food and drink

Don't miss New York City's food scene, with plenty of popular spots to get your fill of local cuisine. Here are a few of the top-rated eateries from Skyscanner's listings.

Gramercy Tavern (42 E. 20th St.)

Photo: Trip by Skyscanner

For a popular option, check out Gramercy Tavern, which has an average of 4.8 stars out of 51 reviews on Skyscanner. Opened in 1994, Gramercy Tavern is a renewal of the classic tavern offering contemporary American cuisine and drinks in a historic landmark building.

"The menu keeps changing according to what's in season, the food is creative and so delicious," wrote visitor Hila.

Roberta's (261 Moore St.)

Photo: Trip by Skyscanner

If you're in the mood for Italian fare and wood-fired pizzas, stop by Roberta's, which has 4.6 stars from 47 reviews.

Located in a former garage in the Bushwick neighborhood of Brooklyn, Roberta's has a cult following and an outdoor bar area. 

"I had one of the best pizzas of my entire life here," wrote reviewer Justin. "It's a must to get the honey-infused pizza pie aka The Bee Sting (add an egg). This is all you need in your life."

Per Se (10 Columbus Circle)

Finally, there's Per Se. Thomas Keller's eagerly anticipated New York restaurant opened in 2004 to great acclaim, and has continued to hold itself to a high standard. 

"Per Se was an amazing culinary experience," wrote Delphine. "With a seven-course tasting menu, each bite was refined, delicate and the combination of flavors was delicious."

Featured local attractions

Not sure what to do in New York City, besides eat and drink? Here are a few recommendations, provided by Skyscanner.

The High Line Park 

First up is The High Line Park.

This re-purposing of the old railroad line running through the Meatpacking District of Manhattan has become an outdoor favorite for locals and tourists alike. With wood-planked floors and landscaping, the High Line is a great place to escape the craziness of the city and enjoy a few quiet moments.

"The most fun place I have found to walk in the city yet," wrote visitor Lars. "Starting in spring they offered great tours. Every time I go there are even more things blooming. The views are amazing and ever-changing. There is a lot of great art along the high line to enjoy and photo ops are endless."

The Statue of Liberty

Photo: Trip by Skyscanner

The Statue of Liberty is another popular destination.

A symbol of the country's possibilities, the Statue of Liberty National Monument includes nearby Ellis Island, where many European immigrants started on their journey of becoming Americans. Although entry into the statue was restricted after the September 11th attacks, visitors now have more access. If you plan far, far in advance (at least three months and up to a year for high season), you can snag an opportunity to climb the crown.

The National September 11 Memorial & Museum (180 Greenwich St.)

Photo: Trip by Skyscanner

Lastly, spend some time at The National September 11 Memorial & Museum, which is located at the site of the former World Trade Center complex.

The Memorial occupies 16 acres, including two large waterfalls and reflection pools. Advance passes are required for visiting the site.

"This was one of the most emotional experiences I’ve had while traveling," wrote visitor Lauryn. "I loved this museum and I think everyone should experience it at some point. ... They laid out the museum really well and while I cried quite a bit, I really enjoyed our time there. I would suggest getting the audio tour."


This story was created automatically using flight, hotel, and local attractions data, then reviewed by an editor. Click here for more about what we're doing. Got thoughts? Go here to share your feedback.