NYC roadtrip - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

radioguy · 07-05-2006, 04:01 PM

in a couple of weeks, my sister and i are driving up to boston to see my dad. on our way there, we want to stop in NYC and see central park, the empire state building, yadda yadda yadda....all the touristy crap. anyways, a friend of mine told me to not drive in the city but park outside and take a train or bus in. i've never been there before but don't like the idea of not having my car. is driving in the city not a good idea? if not, what do i do? also, is most of the stuff within walking distance? any help from anyone is appreciated greatly!!!

Redlemon · 07-06-2006, 05:58 AM

Parking in NYC is nearly impossible and very expensive. If it isn't in walking distance, it is within subway distance. Someone closer to the city can help you out further, I always rely on my wife.

How many hours are you planning to spend?

JustJess · 07-06-2006, 06:40 AM

How long will you be there? Frankly, since you've never been to the city, arranging parking and transport from outside the city will be confusing. Parking IN the city is expensive, yes, but so is taking the train in and out. As far as driving is concerned, just prep yourself ahead of time with specific directions and Do. Not. Drive. To. Times. Square.

None of the tourist spots are that close together, really, but we walk a lot and take a lot of subways. Check out http://mta.info/nyct/maps/submap.htm for more details.

If you give more info on how long you'll be in town and what y'all want to do and which bridge you intend to take, I'll be able to give you some more specific info.

radioguy · 07-06-2006, 06:47 AM

thanks ya'll. we are just going to spend a day there, probably a thursday. we want to see times square, central park, ground zero, the empire state building, and drive by the statue of liberty (no tour out there). as for what bridge i'm taking...i don't know.....i'll be taking I78 from harrisburg, pa to get to NYC....thanks

Cynthetiq · 07-06-2006, 07:04 AM

well there is only one bridge that comes from NJ... so if you are on a bridge it will be the George Washington Bridge.

There are two tunnels connecting NJ to NYC, the Lincoln and Holland Tunnels, both go under the Hudson River.

One of the garages, Icon Parking has a website that will show you just how expensive it is to park in a garage in the city.

I can tell you that it's not that expensive if you come and park before 10AM and leave by 6PM. In my building it costs $16 (maybe it's 12 I keep forgetting) and I'm right in Times Square. (I don't mind driving in Times Square. Traffic doesn't come to a screeching halt as one would tend to think but it is sometimes slow, especially on the Broadway side, the 7th Avenue side has less congestion. In my mind there are more congested blocks, like 34th & 8th and Radio City/Rockefeller Center area.)

There are some lots where it's $20 for the whole day just off of 8th Avenue in the Theater District, but rates change as it gets to the evening because the theater crowd pays more. Looking at that link I found some prices for several hours that ranged in the $35+ area.

Quote:

Signs
New York City Traffic Rules state that one sign per block is sufficient. Please check the entire block and read all signs carefully before you park.
If there is more than one sign posted for the same area, the more restrictive one is the one in effect. If a sign is missing on a block, the remaining posted regulations are the ones that are in effect.

Signs are VERY confusing in NYC. They used to be less confusing after a judge was posed with a photo and told, "If you can tell me which sign I violated, I'll pay the fine." at least that was what the legend was. Now the signage has gotten confusing again.

Thursday is a good choice because there are no matiness, when in effect, parking is more expensive, those days are Wednesday and Saturday.

Redlemon · 07-06-2006, 07:04 AM

(I'm reminded of my wife's Norwegian relatives planning a visit to the New York area. They were hoping to see the Statue of Liberty, and perhaps in the afternoon, stop by the Grand Canyon.)

radioguy · 07-06-2006, 07:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cynthetiq

well there is only one bridge that comes from NJ... so if you are on a bridge it will be the George Washington Bridge.

There are two tunnels connecting NJ to NYC, the Lincoln and Holland Tunnels, both go under the Hudson River.

One of the garages, Icon Parking has a website that will show you just how expensive it is to park in a garage in the city.

I can tell you that it's not that expensive if you come and park before 10AM and leave by 6PM. In my building it costs $16 (maybe it's 12 I keep forgetting) and I'm right in Times Square. (I don't mind driving in Times Square. Traffic doesn't come to a screeching halt as one would tend to think but it is sometimes slow, especially on the Broadway side, the 7th Avenue side has less congestion. In my mind there are more congested blocks, like 34th & 8th and Radio City/Rockefeller Center area.)

There are some lots where it's $20 for the whole day just off of 8th Avenue in the Theater District, but rates change as it gets to the evening because the theater crowd pays more. Looking at that link I found some prices for several hours that ranged in the $35+ area.

Signs are VERY confusing in NYC. They used to be less confusing after a judge was posed with a photo and told, "If you can tell me which sign I violated, I'll pay the fine." at least that was what the legend was. Now the signage has gotten confusing again.

Thursday is a good choice because there are no matiness, when in effect, parking is more expensive, those days are Wednesday and Saturday.

i doubt i would be gone by 6, but who knows. dallas is the biggest city i've ever been in, therefore, nyc is going to be a new experience. i looked at the parking website and didn't understand where i was...too many numbered streets! i haven't looked up where things are that i want to go, but in ya'lls honest opinion, where should i park?

JustJess · 07-06-2006, 07:31 AM

Park near Times Square as there are more spots and it's centrally located in terms of trains. That's 8th Ave to 6th Ave and streets 40th to 49th, pretty much. Avenues are N/S and Streets are E/W. 5th Ave is the spine which defines what's on the east side and what's on the west.

Yep, then drive in. Fork over the dough to park in a lot, because street parking will be difficult and may actually cause insanity.

You can manage to walk to the Park, Empire State Bldg, and Times Square, but you'll be tired. Take the train to Ground Zero, and you can walk to Battery Park City and see the Statue of Liberty out in the bay. No need to drive, they're pretty near each other.

radioguy · 07-06-2006, 07:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JustJess

Yep, then drive in. Fork over the dough to park in a lot, because street parking will be difficult and may actually cause insanity.

You can manage to walk to the Park, Empire State Bldg, and Times Square, but you'll be tired. Take the train to Ground Zero, and you can walk to Battery Park City and see the Statue of Liberty out in the bay. No need to drive, they're pretty near each other.

AWESOME AWESOME AWESOME!!!! thanks, this is just the kind of info i need!!! now, do you know a general area to park in? i've been lazy and haven't gone to look for the location of those places...

maleficent · 07-06-2006, 07:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JustJess

You can manage to walk to the Park, Empire State Bldg, and Times Square, but you'll be tired. Take the train to Ground Zero, and you can walk to Battery Park City and see the Statue of Liberty out in the bay. No need to drive, they're pretty near each other.

If it's a nice day - take the 1/9 train (they're the red trains) to South Ferry and take a ride on the staten island ferry (I think it costs about a dollar) and it will take youright past The Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, Roosevelt Island and you get a great view of lower manhattan...

JustJess · 07-06-2006, 07:43 AM

^^ See my edit. If you're just going to park there, Times Square is the easiest because it's where every single subway line stops. Parking will cost $35-50 for the day, sorry, not kidding. Oh, and the GW bridge and both tunnels cost something like $6 one way. *Try* not to drive through during rush hour.

When you go down the stairs for the subway, go to the booth and ask for a subway map (they're free). Black dots are local stops and white dots are express stops, by the by. Uptown is always towards queens and downtown is always towards Brooklyn in terms of trains.

Buy a one day unlimited subway pass from the machines on the wall. You can't use the same one for all of you - the swipe knows the card's just been used. Or buy a dollar amount, those you can use over and over again immediately. $2 per ride - transfers are free. They take cash/credit/debit.

Cynthetiq · 07-06-2006, 07:55 AM

most of the touristy things are in Midtown, park near one of the things you want to visit, such as Rockefeller Center, Empire State Building, Times Square.

Walking is going to be the best transportation you've got, wear good walking shoes. It takes about 1 minute to walk the streets, so from 34th Street to 42nd Street should take about 15 minutes to walk if you aren't distracted by the crowds, window displays, shops.

You could use HOPSTOP which is a mapquest type web application to help you go from place to place via Subways and walking. It would be smartest if you started from one place and kept going in one direction, example starting in Central Park and then work your way towards WTC.

The best time I've ever had in touring someone via the tourist zones is about 48 hours, I have been able to give an abbreviated tour in about 24.

EDIT: If you can tell me what you want to see, I can draw something up as a tour for you and include places to eat (please let me know aversions to cuisines and allergies) according to where you are when it is time to have a meal.

radioguy · 07-06-2006, 09:04 AM

so so so so so confusing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ok, so $50 for parking. i would probably park around central park south and just work my way down. that should hit most everything. we're only going to be there a day and then head on to boston to see the family.

cynthetiq: food doesn't matter, we eat everything....WE'RE TEXANS!!!! thanks a ton ya'll.

maleficent · 07-06-2006, 09:11 AM

Just a parking suggestion for ya...

The Port Authority (8th avenue and 41st street) has a parking garage, i think it's 25 dollars for the day (other places will be cheaper) but it's in a handy area transportation wise.. subways are there - and everyone knows where the Port authority is if you get misplaced... plus there's a cool statue of Jackie Gleason out front...

and it's a stones throw to the Lincoln Tunnel for getting out of the city.

you could then walk across 42st street- past bryant park... to patience and fortitude - the lions that guard the nyc public library (that's on 5th)

then down to the empire state building

radioguy · 07-06-2006, 09:18 AM

ya'll are awesome...i just need to print out this thread!!!! of course, that doesn't mean stop telling me stuff

Cynthetiq · 07-06-2006, 09:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by radioguy

ya'll are awesome...i just need to print out this thread!!!! of course, that doesn't mean stop telling me stuff

Well, tell me what you are looking to see, or at least "must sees", because I can fill a tour with some crazy things that may or may not interest you.

the other thing to consider is that a full day of sightseeing in NYC and then driving up to Boston will be very tiring.

Boston is about a 3+ hour drive.

ubertuber · 07-06-2006, 10:03 AM

Do you like ribs?

JustJess · 07-06-2006, 10:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ubertuber

Do you like ribs?

Oh fer crissakes. Spud, hush, you ribs-obsessed man. They're from TEXAS, they can get good ribs at HOME!!!

Cynthetiq · 07-06-2006, 10:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JustJess

Oh fer crissakes. Spud, hush, you ribs-obsessed man. They're from TEXAS, they can get good ribs at HOME!!!

ummm when i was in Texas... I didn't like their ribs... them things were BOILED or something or other.

radioguy · 07-06-2006, 01:38 PM

ribs are hit and miss here, just like everywhere else. i could give you an awesome place or a crappy place!

must sees: central park, empire state building, times square
would like to see: wtc, statue of liberty

other than those, what else is cool?

after talking to my sister, we will probably get a hotel somewhere in the NYC area, so we can tour around all day and not worry about the drive to boston. thanks again...

radioguy · 07-08-2006, 04:13 PM

so i talked with my sister and i think that we are going to drive into the city and take this tour: www.newyorkpartyshuttle.com ....that way we don't have to worry about driving around and looking as much and all that stuff. the tour ends at the empire state building, so we'll be able to go up to the observation deck and take in the view. did ya know it costs $18? i didn't, no biggie, i've got to do it! the tour takes us to everything that we wanted to see and then some. i really do appreciate all of ya'lls help...YA'LL ARE COOL!

07-05-2006, 04:01 PM	#1 (permalink)
radioguy Registered User Location: Texas	NYC roadtrip in a couple of weeks, my sister and i are driving up to boston to see my dad. on our way there, we want to stop in NYC and see central park, the empire state building, yadda yadda yadda....all the touristy crap. anyways, a friend of mine told me to not drive in the city but park outside and take a train or bus in. i've never been there before but don't like the idea of not having my car. is driving in the city not a good idea? if not, what do i do? also, is most of the stuff within walking distance? any help from anyone is appreciated greatly!!!

07-06-2006, 05:58 AM	#2 (permalink)
Redlemon Devoted Donor Location: New England	Parking in NYC is nearly impossible and very expensive. If it isn't in walking distance, it is within subway distance. Someone closer to the city can help you out further, I always rely on my wife. How many hours are you planning to spend? __________________ I can't read your signature. Sorry.

07-06-2006, 06:40 AM	#3 (permalink)
JustJess Unencapsulated Location: Kittyville	How long will you be there? Frankly, since you've never been to the city, arranging parking and transport from outside the city will be confusing. Parking IN the city is expensive, yes, but so is taking the train in and out. As far as driving is concerned, just prep yourself ahead of time with specific directions and Do. Not. Drive. To. Times. Square. None of the tourist spots are that close together, really, but we walk a lot and take a lot of subways. Check out http://mta.info/nyct/maps/submap.htm for more details. If you give more info on how long you'll be in town and what y'all want to do and which bridge you intend to take, I'll be able to give you some more specific info. __________________ My heart knows me better than I know myself, so I'm gonna let it do all the talkin'.

07-06-2006, 07:04 AM	#6 (permalink)
Redlemon Devoted Donor Location: New England	(I'm reminded of my wife's Norwegian relatives planning a visit to the New York area. They were hoping to see the Statue of Liberty, and perhaps in the afternoon, stop by the Grand Canyon.) __________________ I can't read your signature. Sorry.

07-06-2006, 07:31 AM	#8 (permalink)
JustJess Unencapsulated Location: Kittyville	Park near Times Square as there are more spots and it's centrally located in terms of trains. That's 8th Ave to 6th Ave and streets 40th to 49th, pretty much. Avenues are N/S and Streets are E/W. 5th Ave is the spine which defines what's on the east side and what's on the west. Yep, then drive in. Fork over the dough to park in a lot, because street parking will be difficult and may actually cause insanity. You can manage to walk to the Park, Empire State Bldg, and Times Square, but you'll be tired. Take the train to Ground Zero, and you can walk to Battery Park City and see the Statue of Liberty out in the bay. No need to drive, they're pretty near each other. __________________ My heart knows me better than I know myself, so I'm gonna let it do all the talkin'. Last edited by JustJess; 07-06-2006 at 07:33 AM..

07-06-2006, 06:47 AM	#4 (permalink)
radioguy Registered User Location: Texas	thanks ya'll. we are just going to spend a day there, probably a thursday. we want to see times square, central park, ground zero, the empire state building, and drive by the statue of liberty (no tour out there). as for what bridge i'm taking...i don't know.....i'll be taking I78 from harrisburg, pa to get to NYC....thanks

07-06-2006, 07:43 AM	#11 (permalink)
JustJess Unencapsulated Location: Kittyville	^^ See my edit. If you're just going to park there, Times Square is the easiest because it's where every single subway line stops. Parking will cost $35-50 for the day, sorry, not kidding. Oh, and the GW bridge and both tunnels cost something like $6 one way. Try not to drive through during rush hour. When you go down the stairs for the subway, go to the booth and ask for a subway map (they're free). Black dots are local stops and white dots are express stops, by the by. Uptown is always towards queens and downtown is always towards Brooklyn in terms of trains. Buy a one day unlimited subway pass from the machines on the wall. You can't use the same one for all of you - the swipe knows the card's just been used. Or buy a dollar amount, those you can use over and over again immediately. $2 per ride - transfers are free. They take cash/credit/debit. __________________ My heart knows me better than I know myself, so I'm gonna let it do all the talkin'.

07-06-2006, 07:55 AM	#12 (permalink)
Cynthetiq Tilted Cat Head Administrator Location: Manhattan, NY	most of the touristy things are in Midtown, park near one of the things you want to visit, such as Rockefeller Center, Empire State Building, Times Square. Walking is going to be the best transportation you've got, wear good walking shoes. It takes about 1 minute to walk the streets, so from 34th Street to 42nd Street should take about 15 minutes to walk if you aren't distracted by the crowds, window displays, shops. You could use HOPSTOP which is a mapquest type web application to help you go from place to place via Subways and walking. It would be smartest if you started from one place and kept going in one direction, example starting in Central Park and then work your way towards WTC. The best time I've ever had in touring someone via the tourist zones is about 48 hours, I have been able to give an abbreviated tour in about 24. EDIT: If you can tell me what you want to see, I can draw something up as a tour for you and include places to eat (please let me know aversions to cuisines and allergies) according to where you are when it is time to have a meal. __________________ I don't care if you are black, white, purple, green, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, hippie, cop, bum, admin, user, English, Irish, French, Catholic, Protestant, Jewish, Buddhist, Muslim, indian, cowboy, tall, short, fat, skinny, emo, punk, mod, rocker, straight, gay, lesbian, jock, nerd, geek, Democrat, Republican, Libertarian, Independent, driver, pedestrian, or bicyclist, either you're an asshole or you're not. What's the best nation in the world? DO-NATION! Last edited by Cynthetiq; 07-06-2006 at 08:16 AM..

07-06-2006, 09:04 AM	#13 (permalink)
radioguy Registered User Location: Texas	so so so so so confusing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ok, so $50 for parking. i would probably park around central park south and just work my way down. that should hit most everything. we're only going to be there a day and then head on to boston to see the family. cynthetiq: food doesn't matter, we eat everything....WE'RE TEXANS!!!! thanks a ton ya'll.

07-06-2006, 09:11 AM	#14 (permalink)
maleficent Junkie Moderator Emeritus Location: Chicago	Just a parking suggestion for ya... The Port Authority (8th avenue and 41st street) has a parking garage, i think it's 25 dollars for the day (other places will be cheaper) but it's in a handy area transportation wise.. subways are there - and everyone knows where the Port authority is if you get misplaced... plus there's a cool statue of Jackie Gleason out front... and it's a stones throw to the Lincoln Tunnel for getting out of the city. you could then walk across 42st street- past bryant park... to patience and fortitude - the lions that guard the nyc public library (that's on 5th) then down to the empire state building __________________ Free your heart from hatred. Free your mind from worries. Live simply. Give more. Expect less.

07-06-2006, 09:18 AM	#15 (permalink)
radioguy Registered User Location: Texas	ya'll are awesome...i just need to print out this thread!!!! of course, that doesn't mean stop telling me stuff

07-06-2006, 10:03 AM	#17 (permalink)
ubertuber spudly Location: Ellay	Do you like ribs? __________________ Cogito ergo spud -- I think, therefore I yam

07-06-2006, 01:38 PM	#20 (permalink)
radioguy Registered User Location: Texas	ribs are hit and miss here, just like everywhere else. i could give you an awesome place or a crappy place! must sees: central park, empire state building, times square would like to see: wtc, statue of liberty other than those, what else is cool? after talking to my sister, we will probably get a hotel somewhere in the NYC area, so we can tour around all day and not worry about the drive to boston. thanks again...

07-08-2006, 04:13 PM	#21 (permalink)
radioguy Registered User Location: Texas	so i talked with my sister and i think that we are going to drive into the city and take this tour: www.newyorkpartyshuttle.com ....that way we don't have to worry about driving around and looking as much and all that stuff. the tour ends at the empire state building, so we'll be able to go up to the observation deck and take in the view. did ya know it costs $18? i didn't, no biggie, i've got to do it! the tour takes us to everything that we wanted to see and then some. i really do appreciate all of ya'lls help...YA'LL ARE COOL!