Going to New York for a few days...

[VDusen04]

Re: Going to New York for a few days...

If I were you, I'd honestly look into parking at a train station outside of the city and taking the train in. I've been to Manhattan once, and I would never take a vehicle into the city. Doesn't seem to be worth the hassle.

I appreciate the response. That's what I was wondering about. Is that what folks tend to do when driving to NYC? Is driving into the city really terrible?

[wwharton]

Re: Going to New York for a few days...

If I were you, I'd honestly look into parking at a train station outside of the city and taking the train in. I've been to Manhattan once, and I would never take a vehicle into the city. Doesn't seem to be worth the hassle.

Hoboken would be the best bet for this, and I agree 100%. Also, depending on who you're traveling with, do some research on hotels. Manhattan in general is really expensive, as is every hotel you'll find there. Probably better off getting a spot in Brooklyn, Harlem, the Village, etc. and taking the train up there if that's where you want to be.

If you really are only doing a day, depending on which direction you're coming from/going to, it may be worth it to get a hotel completely outside of the city and drive in for the day. Parking, in general, isn't impossible but overnight parking costs way too much.

[cjonesfan921]

Re: Going to New York for a few days...

I appreciate the response. That's what I was wondering about. Is that what folks tend to do when driving to NYC? Is driving into the city really terrible?

I work in Manhattan...AVOID. You're better off parking in NJ. As for hotels, it really isn't necessary to stay in Midtown(more expensive) as everything is easily accessible by Subway...Central Park is fine.

EDIT: Also, to piggyback off wwharton...if it's only a day or two, look into the hotels on Route 3 in Clifton. The bus picks up right there and is nonstop into the city during express hours.

[VDusen04]

Re: Going to New York for a few days...

Crap, bad news. I just totally wilted in the clutch. I merely called a hotel in Manhattan to check on the parking situation (and that's it) and somehow I ended up booking for two nights near Times Square. It all happened so fast.

Here's the good news though - I'm taking my younger brothers with me so my family is covering a lot of the travel and boarding costs. $160 a night for three people in a hotel. Considering the split in cost between us, not really too rough, all considered. With just stopping in and whatnot, I'm not too concerned with hitting all the hotspots and whatnot, it's kinda just about getting out and being there.

That said, I'm such a novice, haha. I have no idea what the hell I'm doing. I felt like I just induced a collective New Yorker facepalm for the hotel transaction that just transpired.

[ImTellinTim]

Re: Going to New York for a few days...

They got you on the phone then were like:

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[JODYE]

Re: Going to New York for a few days...

I'm going the first week in May for 5 days. Luckily my girlfriend is living in Brooklyn for the time being so I won't have to worry about hotel costs.

I went to school in New Jersey for 3 years, and went to the city plenty, although that was almost 5 years ago and most of the places we would frequent and their location are escaping me at the moment.

This thread couldn't have been bumped at a more perfect time.

[Yeah...THAT Guy]

Re: Going to New York for a few days...

Even when I stay in the heart of NYC, I always leave my car at this industrial site on Walter Street in Pearl River, NY and just walk a couple minutes to the train station and then take the train into NYC. If the hotel is near one of the subway stations, taking the train in and then hopping on a subway to get to the hotel might still be a good choice.

[wwharton]

Re: Going to New York for a few days...

Crap, bad news. I just totally wilted in the clutch. I merely called a hotel in Manhattan to check on the parking situation (and that's it) and somehow I ended up booking for two nights near Times Square. It all happened so fast.

Here's the good news though - I'm taking my younger brothers with me so my family is covering a lot of the travel and boarding costs. $160 a night for three people in a hotel. Considering the split in cost between us, not really too rough, all considered. With just stopping in and whatnot, I'm not too concerned with hitting all the hotspots and whatnot, it's kinda just about getting out and being there.

That said, I'm such a novice, haha. I have no idea what the hell I'm doing. I felt like I just induced a collective New Yorker facepalm for the hotel transaction that just transpired.

lol, take this as a lesson before you get there... otherwise you'll be leaving without the shirt on your back. I remember my first time in NYC. Actually I don't really remember, everything was so fast. Hopefully the weather is nice.

Even when I stay in the heart of NYC, I always leave my car at this industrial site on Walter Street in Pearl River, NY and just walk a couple minutes to the train station and then take the train into NYC. If the hotel is near one of the subway stations, taking the train in and then hopping on a subway to get to the hotel might still be a good choice.

Yup I agree. And he's in Time Square... of course he's near a subway station, lol.

[VDusen04]

Re: Going to New York for a few days...

So, to the fair minded simpletons of the world (i.e. me), is the subway system complicated? Will this happen?

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[mattsb84]

Re: Going to New York for a few days...

If you have eyes and can read a map..shouldnt be that complicated.

[mb625]

Re: Going to New York for a few days...

So, to the fair minded simpletons of the world (i.e. me), is the subway system complicated? Will this happen?

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/MvRpPaLA4-Y" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

It's really not that complex, in my opinion. Now, mind you, I grew up in a tiny town, so it is a bit overwhelming, but it's nothing too complex. You get your ticket, get on, get off when you get to the stop you want. Pretty easy. I didn't get lost or anything like that. None of us really quite knew exactly what we were doing, so it sometimes did take a while for us to figure out which train we wanted to be on, but there were always people around who were willing to help in those cases.

[p_rushing]

Re: Going to New York for a few days...

So, to the fair minded simpletons of the world (i.e. me), is the subway system complicated? Will this happen?

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/MvRpPaLA4-Y" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Yes it is very complicated for someone not familiar with it. I would rely on google maps or one of the other subway apps to tell you what train and stops to use. Depending on the time and day, there are express trains that skip a bunch of stops and local trains that stop at all stops. The trains all have a number or letter though so once you figure out what train to take it is easy. It will just be a problem for you to try to figure that out on a map.

[wwharton]

Re: Going to New York for a few days...

LMAO... nah, you'll be fine. Don't be shy, if you need to ask somebody. People that have lived there for years still ask but it's pretty easy. I would recommend getting your own map to take around with you though so you can figure it all out in advance.

[aukevin]

Re: Going to New York for a few days...

I just figure my routes out for the subway on my phone. But don't wait until you get into the station, no service down there a lot of times.

[Yeah...THAT Guy]

Re: Going to New York for a few days...

Regarding the subway, I generally use one of the subway apps. I think it's called Embark NYC or something like that. It's not all that complicated though. I've never lived in an area where public transit is really a thing, and I was able to get the hang of it after my first voyage.