Maybe this could be useful.
Posted on 05/12/2007 4:49:56 PM PDT by clb
Rather than drive all that distance to see almost nothing in the city, may I suggest that you visit the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, then continue to West Point. Make sure the museums will be open at both places. They have web sites. The hotels will be cheaper, the areas are beautiful, and you can avoid a long stretch in the car replete with, "Are we there yet?" and "He's touching me."
Either way, take Route 17 in New York and enjoy the ride. The stretch along the Delaware River is one of the little known treasures of the northeastern United States.
You are also closer to Niagara Falls than New York City, and that is another outstanding place to spend a day or two.
New York City is not something to try and do in a day or two. All you'll get is a feeling of how much you didn't see, and a bit of awe at how much stuff is actually there.
But if you really want to go there, take Route 17 (I-86 at that point in New York) to the New York Thruway southbound at Woodbridge. Then exit back onto Route 17 south in Mahwah, New Jersey. Go to I-80 east, the exit is in the left hand lane right by the Bada Bing from The Sopranos. It's really called Satin Dolls.
Take I-95 south (New Jersey Turnpike) to Newark Liberty Airport. You can drop off the rental there and take a cab into New York City. Don't try to take the Path Trains (subway) in. You will lose your luggage or your children or maybe both. Pay the extra money, it's worth it.
Unless you have an advanced degree in cartography, stay off the New York City subway. It does not follow any logical routes. If Columbus had taken the New York City subway, he would have ended up in India, not the new world.
If you stay at the old Penn hotel, you’re on track for one of the best NYC walks. What you do is walk East to Broadway and then up through Times Sqaure. When you hit Central Park, make a right (East) to Fifth Avenue and walk down back towards your hotel.
BTW — The Pennylvania Hotel still retains the telephone number Glenn Miller made famous in the song:“Pennsylvania 6-5000.”
Just checked the New Jersey Transit site for a tentative schedule on June 4, leaving Pt. Jarvis NY at 1:28pm, with a transfer in Secaucus, arriving at Penn Station at 3:54pm.
This allows time to drive from Watkins Glenn to Pt Jarvis and arrive in midtown Manhattan at an hour when you can usually check into your hotel.
http://atisweb.njtransit.com/cgi-bin/itin.pl
Fares for 2 adults at $16.50 and 3 kids at $8.00 = $57. Parking near the hotel is $50 for a 24 hour day (plus there are tolls to get into Manhattan ... not to mention the aggrevation). If you have never been to Manhattan, trust your fellow FReepers who warn against driving there.
By going in that way you can then get around the city by subway or Screamname.
Have fun! I LOVE NEW YORK !!!
I echo the sentiments - take public transportation to NYC and around in NYC. It’s pretty easy to figure out, but if you get confused, just ask someone - people are pretty friendly and willing to help out.
You can’t miss with a Broadway show. Kids would love Beauty and the Beast. Can get 50% off tickets with TKTS. Check out this website.
http://www.entertainment-link.com/tkts.asp
From Chicago, never been and have to ask. Why not? Is it the traffic? How the roads are? I had a scary time driving around Boston for the first time. Just curious, Thanks.
When you get to Grand Central, go to Jr's and get a slice of cheesecake.
Because Manhattan is a kind of sensory overload for small kids who have never seen it. So, imagine yourself stuck in traffic and hyped up kids yelling, “Let’s stop here, stop here, let’s see that! Stop! Let’s see that! Park! Park!”
Even small kids are more than capable of walking the five to ten miles a day required by tourists fueled by nothing but dirty water hotdogs and big salty pretzels.
I remember Tex Antoine. Truly a strange ranger. Can you tell the story?
I remember Tex Antoine. Truly a strange ranger. Can you tell the story?
Maybe this could be useful.
Roger Grimsby read a news story about an 11 year old who was raped and then they went to Tex for the weather, and Tex said (and I`m paraphrasing... I have to look up his exact quote) “Remember Confucious say, if one has sex, one should lay back and enjoy it.”....Grimsby said while he heard Tex say that, it was like watching a man commit suicide, and he was right. Tex died not soon after. As a side note, my father who was a cop in NYC at that time said Tex use to drink a little too much of the sauce. He said he use to hit this bar every so often and Tex would always be in there, but holy shiet can you imagine? What is the worst possible thing someone could say after the story of a child getting raped? The man was insane.
I have a vague recollection of this on air professional suicide. I remember Tex having a reputation as you say. Not sure why I needed to recall those characters, but I did, so thanks.
There are so many things to do in the city, it has more to do in a single block than most cities have in their entire area.
If you can get across the bridges at night to see the lit up skyline it will probably be the most incredible sight of your life. You may recognize many buildings, such as the UN or Empire state, but when you actually see the grandeur of it - words fail me.
Also Times Square after dark. It’s beyond belief. The city is pretty safe at night due to Guiliani, there are more people walking around at 3 am than during rush hour in a city like Tampa.
Your youngest may be a little young for the late night excursion but trust me, your older ones will never forget it.
If by any chance you want to take in a show be sure to use the tkts booth - it’s half price. But the Metro M of Art is great, the Statue may be too much for a 6 year old, due to the security you can have a VERY long line. I don’t know how the empire state is now. Last time I went we went to Madame Toussands, which was a trip.
Driving in Manhattan (and most of the other boroughs) is different from driving in most of the rest of the U.S. :) You’d probably have more fun talking a yellow cab, or public transportation, or just walking around.
If your hotel is next to Madison Sq Garden (i.e. the Pennsylvania or the New Yorker etc) then it’s also next to New York’s Penn Station (which is actually underneath Madison Sq Garden). I agree with the folks who said, park the car someplace else and take Amtrak or NJ transit to Penn Station.
You will be within an easy walking distance from Times Square (best visited after dark, when all the light are on) and the Empire State Building. If the weather is good, do take the kids up to the observation deck.
To get to ground zero - take the subway (E train) from Penn Station to World Trade Center (and then back), or take a cab. You’d also be within a walking distance to Wall St and the financial district.
Your kids may also like the Museum of Natural History (again, a short subway or cab ride from Penn Station); the art museums; or a boat ride around Manhattan (if the weather is good).
Enjoy the trip!
Fortunatly, most tourist just get to see the hole in the ground from above, and then buy a souvenier from a Bangladeshi vendor. Uncle Clemenza (who is probably younger than you) recommends that you run, don't walk to the WTC PATH station for an up close view of Ground Zero that will only cost you $3.00 round trip.
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You could stay in New Jersey ..Meadowlands area , Secaucus. WAYYY cheaper hotels and buses right through the Lincoln Tunnel every 10 minutes right into NY City. Time better spent at the Museum of Natural History. If it’s nice out WALK AROUND . go down to the The Village , China Town , Uptown around the museum ,,Every block has something to offer , get a feel for the City. Statue of liberty will talk ALL day to get to and back ..World Trade Center site is a hole with a fence around it. I still get pissed as hell every time I walk past it .
I thought Grand Central Station and the Empire State Building were cool, too.
I drive in NY City all the time but i have 30 years experience doing it . I wouldn’t tell an out of towner to try it . INSANITY
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