Input Needed: My First Trip to New York City

• martyirish

  

  Go to the Travel Inn (as soon as you come out of the Lincoln Tunnel) They have a parking garage and it's free if you stay there. Park it there and forget about it until you leave, oh yea, there is a guard there too.
• Scarlet_Buckeye

  

  thePITman;652377 wrote:My girlfriend and I are going on a 5-day vacation at the end of April, part of which includes New York City. I would appreciate input on the following:
  
  1) Where should I say in NYC? What area(s) in/around New York have the cheapest hotels and/or the best access to the city?
  2) What are the main attractions, in order, that we must see? i.e. Ground Zero, Central Park, etc.
  3) What is the easiest way to commute to/from/in New York City once at our hotel? Metro? Cab? My own car? Cost of Metro/Cab?
  4) What would you do differently if you went back to NYC?
  5) What parts of NYC should we absolutely avoid?
  6) If I drive my car into the city, where is a good place to park to leave my car during our day on the town?
  
  Here is our tentative itinerary:
  Wed, 4/27 - Leave early for Washington, DC. Spend the day & night in DC.
  Thu, 4/28 - Leave DC around noon-ish for New York City, arrive at NYC, get hotel, etc.
  Fri-Sun, 4/29-5/1 - Explore NYC and leave for home sometime around noon-ish Sunday. (We both work Monday)
  
  Thank you for any comments & suggestions.

  From an outsider who spent an entire summer living in NYC:
  
  (1) Upper East side. It ain't cheap, but there's nothing like the Upper East side.
  
  (2) Don't waste your time going to see Ground Zero. There is honestly nothing you can see. Hold off on this until the memorial is erected. THEN go see it.
  
  i) Central Park
  ia) Magnolia Bakery -- THE most delicious cupcake you will ever have
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  ii)Time Square
  iii) Don't pay for a tourist boat trip to the Statue of Liberty. Simply take the Staten Island Ferry (it's free... and half the wait) and it gets you just about as close as the tourist boats do.
  iv) China Town - there's nothing like it
  v) the Apple iPod store is unreal
  vi) Wall Street and the "bull"
  vii) Empire State building (rooftop) -- but don't get suckered in by one of those "we'll expedite you to the top" type deals
  viii) Metropolitan Museum of Art (in the Upper East Side, then cut through Central Park while there) --- if you pay more than a $1 you're a fool. The prices say SUGGESTED.... aka you don't have to pay the listed price. One of NYC's biggest traps.
  
  
  3) Cabs are the easiest. Metro is the cheapest (and best way especially if you are going long distance; only take the Cab if you are going a few blocks).
  
  4) Go see a Broadway Show
  
  5) Anything above 100
  
  6) Nowhere. DO NOT DRIVE YOUR CAR INTO THE CITY. You will VASTLY regret it.
• thePITman

  

  Hotel Update: It looks like we are leaning towards the Country Inn & Suites in Long Island City, NY right next to the Queensboro Plaza subway station. It is $109 per night w/ free continental breakfast & free wireless internet. We are hearing from multiple sources it's about a 10 minute subway ride into/out of the city, which isn't too bad compared to all the other choices we've looked into (New Jersey, Bronx, etc.). Parking is limited there, so we are still researching the feasibility of taking Amtrak from DC to New York (skipping DC altogether and making it 5 days in New York was also brought up).
  
  Other than that, one main thing we're still looking to create somewhat of an itinerary for the attractions I listed earlier. One thing that we are trying to do is to group attractions in 3's or 4's as to what we could see in the same stretch, back-to-back, on the same day, and so on. That is next on our list of things to do in addition to deciding how we are transporting ourselves to and from New York.
• Manhattan Buckeye

  Queensboro plaza is at most a 10 minute ride in, plus you can connect at 59th or Times Square to get anywhere else, it really isn't that difficult once you get into Manhattan. I don't know about the immediate area, but access to midtown should be very simple. It won't be a problem getting in or out any time of the day.
• bigkahuna

  thePITman;655487 wrote:Hotel Update: It looks like we are leaning towards the Country Inn & Suites in Long Island City, NY right next to the Queensboro Plaza subway station. It is $109 per night w/ free continental breakfast & free wireless internet. We are hearing from multiple sources it's about a 10 minute subway ride into/out of the city, which isn't too bad compared to all the other choices we've looked into (New Jersey, Bronx, etc.). Parking is limited there, so we are still researching the feasibility of taking Amtrak from DC to New York (skipping DC altogether and making it 5 days in New York was also brought up).
  
  Other than that, one main thing we're still looking to create somewhat of an itinerary for the attractions I listed earlier. One thing that we are trying to do is to group attractions in 3's or 4's as to what we could see in the same stretch, back-to-back, on the same day, and so on. That is next on our list of things to do in addition to deciding how we are transporting ourselves to and from New York.

  
  Have you been finding anything on 1 day passes for the subway? The only thing I'm finding is 7 days passes.
• Manhattan Buckeye

  bigkahuna;655695 wrote:Have you been finding anything on 1 day passes for the subway? The only thing I'm finding is 7 days passes.

  
  There is no fun pass anymore - part of the budget crackdown.
  
  Ugh, back in the day a one-way fare was $1.25 and you could get 5 for five dollars.
• bigkahuna

  I saw something about a Metro Card. As I understand it, you just put $x on there and ride until you run out of funds and have to add more?
• Automatik

  

  bigkahuna;655923 wrote:I saw something about a Metro Card. As I understand it, you just put $x on there and ride until you run out of funds and have to add more?

  
  Yeah there are automated machines at every stop. I could be mistaken, but I think for every $10 you put on a card you get a free ride or half a free ride....something like that.
• bigkahuna

  Before I forget, Automatik, Big Apple, and Manhattan, all 3 of you have been really cool and helpful with all of the questions PitMan and I have been asking. I know it has to get annoying coming on here and answering 1,000 questions, but trust me it is greatly appreciated!!
  
  Thank You All.
• thePITman

  

  bigkahuna;656086 wrote:Before I forget, Automatik, Big Apple, and Manhattan, all 3 of you have been really cool and helpful with all of the questions PitMan and I have been asking. I know it has to get annoying coming on here and answering 1,000 questions, but trust me it is greatly appreciated!!
  
  Thank You All.

  
  I 2nd this. Thank you very much to everyone for everything! I'm sure we'll have even more the closer we get to "go time", but those will most likely be specific, one-off questions that would be quick, easy answers. I'm glad to be getting the tough decisions out of the way now.
• BigAppleBuckeye

  

  bigkahuna;656086 wrote:Before I forget, Automatik, Big Apple, and Manhattan, all 3 of you have been really cool and helpful with all of the questions PitMan and I have been asking. I know it has to get annoying coming on here and answering 1,000 questions, but trust me it is greatly appreciated!!
  
  Thank You All.

  thePITman;656175 wrote:I 2nd this. Thank you very much to everyone for everything! I'm sure we'll have even more the closer we get to "go time", but those will most likely be specific, one-off questions that would be quick, easy answers. I'm glad to be getting the tough decisions out of the way now.

  
  My pleasure gentlemen! On a side note, I have been used to paying $89 per month for my unlimited subway metrocard ... then today the hammer dropped, as my monthly metrocard finally went up to $104 per month. Ahhh, thanks MTA!!! ughhh
  
  PS, the subway really is easy to figure out ... however, on the weekends make sure to check out MTA.info, as many times train schedules change due to the never-ending construction that this city endures.
• bigkahuna

  Haha. I was doing some research on the subway. I almost started crying when I saw a map of the entire subway system... utter BS LOL. I then talked to a buddy who went there and said the same as you about the easiness of it. I'm still a little weary of it though.
• Manhattan Buckeye

  In Manhattan the subway is pretty easy to figure out, just know where the transfer stations are and which trains are local or express. During the week just ask anyone wearing a business suit (they will be more helpful than the station agent) which train is local and which is express.
• thePITman

  

  So basically if we plan our trip and subway stops on the assumption that we will use the white dots on the subway map, it'd be a safer assumption than to try to use the black ones? If I understood you correctly earlier, all lines stop at the white dots and only some stop at the black dots some of the time?
• Manhattan Buckeye

  That is correct, all trains stop on the white stations on the route.
  
  For example the green line (the 4, 5, 6) in Manhattan is 6 making all stops, and the 4 and 5 just the white ones. Thus if you go to the 96th street station you have to to take the 6. If you go to the 86th street station you have your choice of the 4, 5 or 6. But if you choose the 4 or 5 you won't stop again until the 59th street station. If you want to hit a black station you need to stay on the local 6.
• Websurfinbird

  

  If you want good cheap eats, NYC has awesome food trucks all over the city, including many right in Midtown. Some favorites include Korilla BBQ (Korean BBQ), Papa Perrone and Rafiqi's. They are great for grabbing a quick snack while you explore.
• bigkahuna

  I seriously wish they made a MTA for dummies. I've been trying to figure it out, and it's just not clicking. I tried to do some research then I started reading something about the A and B Division then express lines and non express lines. Are the Express Lines the ones that DON'T stop at every station whereas non-express DO stop?
• Automatik

  

  Its express and local. For example the 4/5/6 line (green).....4/5 is express, 6 is local. I rarely have to use the local lines.
• bigkahuna

  Ah got ya.
• thePITman

  

  So, we are having talks now of skipping Washington, DC altogether and making our trip solely to New York from Wednesday through Sunday (4 nights, 5 days). Since we'd be there for more than the 3 days initially planned, we're considering the New York Pass because of our ability to hit enough attractions to make it worth it. It costs $130 for a 3-day adult pass or $165 for a 7-day adult pass. I added up the cost of the first 20 items on our list of things/places to see, and it summed $106.29 (all of which that cost money were covered by the pass plus much more, but 9 of top 20 were free). If we have 5 days in New York, would this pass be worth it, or is it more of a convenience charge to know you have "tickets" going into each attraction? We need to make our decision by Feb. 1 since the prices get jacked back up to $155 and $200 respectively when this discounted offer expires.
  
  http://www.newyorkpass.com/attractions/
  
  Also, we are strongly considering the Best Western Convention Center Hotel on W 38th St. I read earlier on this thread that this hotel is not too bad and in a decent area of the neighborhood. I read in some reviews it's a 10-minute walk to a subway. This isn't that bad. I know some people said it was a 10-minute subway ride from Long Island City to Manhattan (our preferred hotel was a 3-4 minute walk to a subway). Is it worth the extra $40 per night to be downtown but still have a 10-minute walk to the subway? Thanks for the input?
  
  Also, if we skip Washington, DC, we're either driving from the Akron, OH area to New York or flying. (Amtrak takes way too long!) Flying is roughly $190 each way per person ($760 total for the both of us). If we drove, it'd be roughly $110 for gas + $35 per night to park ($250 total). So for $400 less, I think it'd be worth it to try to drive to my hotel even though everyone says NOT to drive into the city.
• Manhattan Buckeye

  thePITman;658008 wrote:So, we are having talks now of skipping Washington, DC altogether and making our trip solely to New York from Wednesday through Sunday (4 nights, 5 days). Since we'd be there for more than the 3 days initially planned, we're considering the New York Pass because of our ability to hit enough attractions to make it worth it. It costs $130 for a 3-day adult pass or $165 for a 7-day adult pass. I added up the cost of the first 20 items on our list of things/places to see, and it summed $106.29 (all of which that cost money were covered by the pass plus much more, but 9 of top 20 were free). If we have 5 days in New York, would this pass be worth it, or is it more of a convenience charge to know you have "tickets" going into each attraction? We need to make our decision by Feb. 1 since the prices get jacked back up to $155 and $200 respectively when this discounted offer expires.
  
  http://www.newyorkpass.com/attractions/
  
  Also, we are strongly considering the Best Western Convention Center Hotel on W 38th St. I read earlier on this thread that this hotel is not too bad and in a decent area of the neighborhood. I read in some reviews it's a 10-minute walk to a subway. This isn't that bad. I know some people said it was a 10-minute subway ride from Long Island City to Manhattan (our preferred hotel was a 3-4 minute walk to a subway). Is it worth the extra $40 per night to be downtown but still have a 10-minute walk to the subway? Thanks for the input?
  
  Also, if we skip Washington, DC, we're either driving from the Akron, OH area to New York or flying. (Amtrak takes way too long!) Flying is roughly $190 each way per person ($760 total for the both of us). If we drove, it'd be roughly $110 for gas + $35 per night to park ($250 total). So for $400 less, I think it'd be worth it to try to drive to my hotel even though everyone says NOT to drive into the city.

  
  Every NY'er knows where the Best Western Convention is - it is right by the Lincoln Tunnel.
  
  I'm not sure I'd call it a neighborhood, with the Tunnel and Javits there it is more of place where there are a bunch of buses, cars and conventioneers. From a safety perspective it is perfectly fine, it probably is about a 10 minute walk to the Penn Station/Port Authority subway stations - but those are good subway stations to be near, a lot of lines plus both are a local/express stop.
  
  Don't know much about the hotel other than I see it every time we drove out of Manhattan through the tunnel. It probably is a bit loud, but again perfectly safe. Driving in isn't that difficult unless it is rush hour or there is a problem in the tunnel (rare), just remember that in Manhattan you can't turn right on a red, you have to wait for the light and pedestrians always have the right of way. If you come in at a non-busy time it shouldn't be difficult - also from a cost perspective if you fly in factor the cost of a taxi (about $30 each way) or a bus (with two people and luggage, don't take the bus, take a cab).
• thePITman

  

  We just booked our hotel and couldn't be more pumped! We did not go in Midtown, but I think we got a great deal for our budget and expectations:
  - $110.50/night, $521.19 total for 4 nights
  - Free wireless internet
  - Free continental breakfast
  - Free parking (somewhat limited on-site, free street parking (not metered), or $10/day parking lot next door)
  - Room w/ city view (via the special we got)
  - 3 minute walk to express subway station (Queensboro Plaza)
• bigkahuna

  Awesome!
  
  So you're staying in Queens?
  
  I'll be making my reservations in the next week or so. I know where we are staying, I just need to get the last bit of funding to book it.
• thePITman

  

  Yes, we're staying just across the river next to Queensboro Plaza (I was not going to let us be any further away than that). Haha! Good luck with your booking.
• Wooball

  

  martyirish;655288 wrote:Go to the Travel Inn (as soon as you come out of the Lincoln Tunnel) They have a parking garage and it's free if you stay there. Park it there and forget about it until you leave, oh yea, there is a guard there too.

  
  I stayed here a couple of years ago. The free parking with the guarded garage was a big plus.