Once travel plans and accommodations are nailed down, you can focus on celebrations to follow Class Day and/or Commencement. Ask your graduate about their favorite restaurants in Manhattan, and consider making reservations through online resources such as OpenTable or Resy, which allow you to search by time, neighborhood, party size, and more.

Keep in mind that any establishment off of the 1-2-3 trains in Manhattan or Brooklyn should be fairly easy to get to, and your brand-new graduate can guide you to many others.

If you are still at a loss for dining options, New York Magazine provides a handy restaurant search tool for filtering by neighborhood and cuisine.

When making reservations, consider when the ceremony will end and how long it will take you to find your graduate, take photos, and travel to your destination

Arts & Entertainment

If you would like to engage in some of the arts and entertainment riches of New York City while in town, the Arts Initiative at Columbia University offers discounted tickets to shows, museums, cultural events, and more. Visit the Arts Access website.