Rest Stop: The Traveler’s Guide to Bathrooms & Phone Charging in New York City

This might seem like the silliest, most mundane idea for a travel blog post, but in the name of practicality, I realized that it might, in fact, be a great topic to discuss.

When it comes to travel blogs, we’re all looking for places to see and where to stay, but the truth is that when we’re actually out in the world traveling, we’re also trying to stay hydrated and connected. To put it bluntly: we will inevitably need to pee and/or charge our phones.

Right?! RIGHT?! We’ve all been there. You’re in some city you don’t know enjoying the day and instead of heading back to your hotel, you end up looking for somewhere you can use the bathroom or charge your phone for a bit without having to spend a bunch of money.

New York City is one of the busiest travel destinations in the world. As a writer who frequently works in coffee shops, which is usually a go-to option for travelers in need of a bathroom or an outlet,  I’ve discovered some useful information along the way.

I’ve been residing in the Hell’s Kitchen area of Manhattan, so these locations will be near Midtown and Hell’s Kitchen, which is right near Times Square as well. Hey, there’s like a thousand coffee shops in Manhattan alone. I can’t reach them all!

Here’s my breakdown of places where there’s a (free) bathroom or outlet for you to charge your phone.

First up: Starbucks

This international coffee chain is not only a symbol of over-priced coffee (no joke, prices jumped again), it’s also a beacon for bathrooms and outlets. What’s important to remember is that not all Starbucks are alike when it comes to outlets, bathrooms, and seating.
 
Starbucks at 8th Ave & 52nd St. (Times Square/Hell’s Kitchen/Midtown)
                What they offer: outlets, good seating, and bathrooms
 
Starbucks at 57th & 10th (Hell’s Kitchen)
                What they offer: lots of seating, outlets, and a bathroom
 
Starbucks on 57th St.  between 9th & and 8th Ave. (Hell’s Kitchen/Midtown)
                What they offer: outlets and bathroom, but very minimal seating
 
Starbucks at 53rd and 6th (Midtown)
                What they offer: No outlets, bathrooms, or seating. Basically, it’s just a pit stop to get coffee.
 
Starbucks on 53rd near Madison Ave. (Midtown)
What they offer: bathroom and good seating, but no outlets
 
Another place for free bathroom access near Times Square is the Macy’s store at 34th St. between 7th & 6th.
 
That’s it for now! If you find yourself in NYC, use this small but handy guide, because to quote the great Jeff Goldblum in Jurassic Park, “When you gotta go, you gotta go.”