Calling all Jersey'ers...help with directions/hotels, please!!!

[Karel]

New Brunswick (Edison) on down - there are several big malls and shopping centers, strip malls, restaurants, corporations. I know this area really well - in fact, we had our wedding reception in a hotel on Rt. 1. Lots o' lights.

It probably is the best way to go but it will take time and patience. I get off of Rt. 1 on 295/195 so I don't know what it is like as you get closer to PA. How close does that put you to Trenton, does anyone know? You must be skirting the city limits at that point.

I was trying to find my state map - maybe the turnpike to rt 195? It been awhile since I've been that way and I know how to do it, but don't know all the Route numbers so that may have been discussed.

 

[jel0511]

The section or Route 1 from the Garden State Parkway to the border of PA has NO large corporations on it. I live here, and drive that portion of Route 1 almost daily. It's only really congested on the weekends, but at night and during the week, it's fine. There are a couple of office complexes in the Princeton Area, but by the time you get down here, everybody would have been long and gone by then. You'll be hitting the Tappanzee by 7:00 or so, which means you won't hit Route 1 until 8:00, and rush hour here usually calms down by 6:30, so you'll be fine. I also agree that with where you're going and now hearing about the construction on the NJ Turnpike you're best bet will be the Tappan Zee Bridge to the Garden State Parkway to Route 1. It's the easiest route, the most direct and probably will be the less crowded. Now, I'll summarize the directions for you, so there in one place and you won't have to print out the entire thread.

Take Route 95 south, through CT. At the First exit once in NY State, exit onto route 287/Tappan Zee Bridge. After crossing over the Bridge continue on Route 287 to exit 14A(as previous indicated) and exit onto the GArden STate Parkway South. Take the Parkway to Exit 130 Route 1 South, Trenton/Princeton. Continue on Route 1 South, and cross the Delaware River, toll is $.50. Route 1 is now an expressway. Continue on Route 1 until the first light, which is AFTER the entrance to the PA Turnpike. At this first light make a right and the Radisson will be on your left.


Have a SAFE trip and enjoy the ride!!!!

 

[Karel]

Originally posted by jel0511
The section or Route 1 from the Garden State Parkway to the border of PA has NO large corporations on it. I live here, and drive that portion of Route 1 almost daily. It's only really congested on the weekends, but at night and during the week, it's fine. There are a couple of office complexes in the Princeton Area, but by the time you get down here, everybody would have been long and gone by then.

What about Quakerbridge mall, Mercer Mall, Princeton Market Fair, the shops at Forrestal Village, the hotels, restuarants and other strip malls? Grant it a lot of work traffic will be gone by 8 from Johnson and Johnson, Sarnnoff Labs etc. but there will be plenty of people out on a Friday night.

 

[jel0511]

Yes, but they don't provide much additional traffic. I live here, and go to those shopping centers all the time, and there really isn't much traffic, except from 8-9 every morning, 4-6:30 at night. Any other time, there is clear sailing. I've lived here for 4 years and NEVER has there been a back-up because of those shopping centers during non-rush hours, with the exception of an accident. If you don't live around here,what you don't understand is there are shopping centers, but not a HUGE population base. Once you go approx 5 miles either way off Route 1, it's VERY rural out here. That's whats so great about the Princeton area, not a lot of traffic!!!!

 

[beattyfamily]

Wow, thanks so much everyone for all your help and advice. I've been soaking it all in and cutting and pasting everything important into one place; a Word document.

I knew if I needed help, I could get it here at the Dis with fellow Disney lovers!

Thanks, jel0511, for putting all your directions into one post cause I was getting a bit confused and that really helped me!

I think I'll post a follow up when I return and let you know how it goes!

Thanks again!

 

[Karel]

well, jel, we'll have to agree to disagree. I do know the area, I grow up there, my parents still live there. I watched the area grow from farm fields into a shopping mecca. I know the backroads and the front roads as well. I remember when the Mall did not even exist and watched it being built. I disagree about the population base - they keep sticking more and more houses in there - that development they build over by the canal and more and more stores. I've never worked on Rt. 1 but have done my share of shopping.I've driven that route several times in the last years to New Brunswick - at 9 am, at 3 in the afternoon and always say 'I'm never doing that again'. In fact, I was suppose to drive up there tomorrow morning but other things have come up to cancel the trip.

 

[jel0511]

I guess you're right. I grew up on the NJ Coast, but we moved here from Northern NJ, Route 17/Route 4 territory. And down here is a cake walk to anything in Bergen County. I guess, it's all relative to what you're used to. I'd give one of the small back-up on Route 1 any day to anything in Bergen County!!!!

 

[beattyfamily]

Lori,

I lived in Bergen County as well when I was a teenager!

I lived in Garfield and Lodi. Moved away when I was 16 (1982)

My grandparents lived in Palasades Park till they died.

My other grandparents lived in Ridgefield Park till they died.

My parents grew up and were married in Jersey City!

I have vivid memories of crossing the GWB to visit our grandparents at Easter and Christmas when we lived in Conn and I was around 5! I even remember driving by the actual Palasades Park before it closed.

Thanks again for everything everyone! Got to pack some more...

 

[beattyfamily]

UPDATE:

Well, we went the way that was most suggested and it took us 5 1/2 hours both ways.

We took the Mass Pike to 91 to 95 and then 287 to Tappan Zee Bridge to the Garden State Parkway and then got off at exit 130 onto Route 1 South.

My husband wasn't crazy about the lights along Route 1 but traffic wasn't bad and it really was the most direct way to my sister's house!

We tried going a different way from Morrisville and we got a little lost and wasted time. There was no way to head home other than Route 1 North without having to head South first.

Thanks so much for all your help!

 

[jel0511]

I'm so glad it worked out for you!!!! I thought about you yesterday when I went out to lunch on Route 1. I kicked myself for not telling you to stop at the Cheesecake Factory on Rt. 1!! It's right after you get off the parkway!! Sorry about that! I hope you had a GREAT trip!!

 

[beattyfamily]

Help again! I'm using this same old thread rather than start a new one.

We're going to PA (from MA) to visit my sister again!

This year we're leaving early Saturday morning and coming home Sunday. March 13-14.

We're going to do Route 95 to the Tappen Zee bridge again I think.

My question this time for all of you NJ people in the Princeton area is can you recommend a good hotel along Route 1 between Princeton and Morrisville, PA where my sis lives?

I'm thinking of staying at the Courtyard Marriott in Princeton because it has an indoor pool for my 2 DDs but I know nothing of the area. It's about 13 miles from her.

Also, will traffic be really bad on Route 1 on Saturday morning and Sunday morning? Should I reconsider and take Route 95 and the GWB instead? Then I'd have to look into other hotels down 95.

Thanks so much!!!!

 

[Razor Roman]

Originally posted by beattyfamily

Also, will traffic be really bad on Route 1 on Saturday morning and Sunday morning? Should I reconsider and take Route 95 and the GWB instead? Then I'd have to look into other hotels down 95.
[/B]

Traffic shouldn't be too bad on a Saturday or Sunday morning on Route 1. There are lights and shopping traffic, but i can usually make it from new brunswick to trenton in well under a half hour on a Saturday or Sunday morning. The bad traffic is on weekday rush hours....

 

[danacara]

Lots of good hotel choices around this area. I live in Cranbury (one of those lovely rural areas 5 mi. off Rt. 1 that Karel cites on the last page) and I love it here. My thoughts on hotels:

Upscale: The Doral Forrestal Hotel on College Road, right off Rt. 1 in Princeton.
It has a beautiful indoor pool, hot tub and spa, as well as a very tasty brunch on the weekend, and a lot of space to lounge around and let the kids run off some steam after that long drive.

Midscale: Summerfield Suites (Rt. 1, Princeton), Amerisuites (Rt. 1, Princeton, it's a walk to Marketfair mall from there, people enjoy the convenience), lots of other choices.

Economy: Howard Johnson's (Rt. 1, Lawrenceville).

I wonder if you might be interested in hotel recommendations in Bucks County, closer to Morrisville (where I assume your sister lives)? There's a great lady on this board named Kallison, among many other Bucks County-philes, who can surely help with that.

I'm also attaching Princeton University's hotel recommendation list - this is what they give out during reunions etc.

Enjoy.

http://alumni.princeton.edu/Events/ReunionsLodging.html

 

[jel0511]

Originally posted by beattyfamily
Help again! I'm using this same old thread rather than start a new one.

We're going to PA (from MA) to visit my sister again!

This year we're leaving early Saturday morning and coming home Sunday. March 13-14.

We're going to do Route 95 to the Tappen Zee bridge again I think.

My question this time for all of you NJ people in the Princeton area is can you recommend a good hotel along Route 1 between Princeton and Morrisville, PA where my sis lives?

I'm thinking of staying at the Courtyard Marriott in Princeton because it has an indoor pool for my 2 DDs but I know nothing of the area. It's about 13 miles from her.

Also, will traffic be really bad on Route 1 on Saturday morning and Sunday morning? Should I reconsider and take Route 95 and the GWB instead? Then I'd have to look into other hotels down 95.

Thanks so much!!!!

Hey there, making the drive again.... Anyway, I live a MINUTE (literaly around the corner) from the Courtyard Marriott. It's one of the newer hotels in the area, probably about 2 years old. It is across the parking lot from a Ruby Tuesdays, so if you'll be getting in around dinner that would be convient. The Doral is definately more upscale (I've been to their spa a couple of times) and the Westin has those Heavenly Beds. The Amerisuites is about 5 minutes down the road from the Courtyard, and it is in the same parking lot as the Marketfair Mall. It's a small mall with upscale shops, no department stores. There is a TGI Fridays and Big Fish inside the mall, and a On The Border (Mexican) and Macaroni Grill are infront of the Amerisuites. I've of course never stayed in one, so I can't recommend which one has better rooms, but I don't think you can go wrong with the Marriott. My SIL lives in Buck's County, mot far from Morrissville, and it will probably take you 30 - 35 minutes to get there from the Courtyard.

Traffic on Route 1 north of the hotel (from the parkway to the hotel) will begin to build around noon or so but it thins out in about a mile or so. From the hotel to Morrisville, unless there is an accident, there will be no traffic to speak of. Same thing for Sunday, traffic usually builds North of me around 1PM or so. Any other questions, please ask!!!

 

[beattyfamily]

Originally posted by jel0511
Hey there, making the drive again.... Anyway, I live a MINUTE (literaly around the corner) from the Courtyard Marriott. It's one of the newer hotels in the area, probably about 2 years old. My SIL lives in Buck's County, mot far from Morrissville, and it will probably take you 30 - 35 minutes to get there from the Courtyard.

Any other questions, please ask!!!

I knew you'd be the one with all the answers!

I thought you lived in Princeton or nearby...

Is the Courtyard Marriott easy to get to via Route 1? Sounds like it is. Of the hotels you mentioned, which do you think is the best location-wise. I want it to be convenient to Route 1 and my sister's house in Morrisville. I'm trying for something that's on the way home from her house so that after the party we'll be that much closer to home. My sister wants me to get a hotel down by Sesame Place but that's South of her house. Just doesn't make sense to me.

This year, we'll be driving straight from MA to my sisters Saturday morning to arrive in time for my niece's B-day party and then we'll head to the hotel in the evening after her house Saturday night (so we may have dinner near the hotel then) and then we'll head back to MA Sunday late morning after we enjoy the indoor pool (if we stay at the Courtyard Marriott)!

Any further thoughts for me?

Do you think I should stick with the Tappan Zee Bridge and Route 1 again? I think so.

Thanks again!

 

[Kallison]

Welcome to Bucks County (when you get there)!!

 

[jel0511]

Originally posted by beattyfamily
I knew you'd be the one with all the answers!

I thought you lived in Princeton or nearby...

Is the Courtyard Marriott easy to get to via Route 1? Sounds like it is. Of the hotels you mentioned, which do you think is the best location-wise. I want it to be convenient to Route 1 and my sister's house in Morrisville. I'm trying for something that's on the way home from her house so that after the party we'll be that much closer to home. My sister wants me to get a hotel down by Sesame Place but that's South of her house. Just doesn't make sense to me.

This year, we'll be driving straight from MA to my sisters Saturday morning to arrive in time for my niece's B-day party and then we'll head to the hotel in the evening after her house Saturday night (so we may have dinner near the hotel then) and then we'll head back to MA Sunday late morning after we enjoy the indoor pool (if we stay at the Courtyard Marriott)!

Any further thoughts for me?

Do you think I should stick with the Tappan Zee Bridge and Route 1 again? I think so.

Thanks again!

Coming back from PA on Route 1, most of the hotels are on the South side of the road, you'll be heading North. It will mean you have to take a UTurn to get to the other side and the same thing to get back on Route 1 North, but nothing that is huge!! The Courtyard is located directly on Route 1 and is easily accessible and easily seen from the road. The Amerisuites is sort of hidden (behind the restaurants) but still not hard to get to. The Doral is off Route 1 a couple of minutes, but traveling with kids, I think the Courtyard would be a good bet. I think tatking the same route that you took before will be completely fine, you might hit some congestion when you get off the Parkway onto Route 1, but nothing that will last longer than a mile or so. You're past all the major shopping area in that area, it's more from the merge of the Parkway. I do think the Courtyard would be your best bet, since again, it's RIGHT there on Route 1 and it can be easily seen. When you are driving back on Route 1, here are the directions.

After you go ver the bridge into NJ, just keep heading North, you're familiar with this. You'll pass the Quakerbridge Mall on your right, then the new Lowes shopping center, than the Hyatt Hotel. You'll come to the STRANGEST intersection in NJ (IMO) where there are three lights in quick succession. Keep heading straight. The next light after that weird interestion is Harrission Street (Sarnoff Corp (HUGE BIG LAWN IN FRONT, and Sunoco is on the corner) continue straight through that light. After going through that light, you'll see the Ruby Tuesday's and Courtyard up ahead on the left side of the road. Go past it, and you'll see the signs for Scudder's Mill Road Exit. Go past the first exit and the second one will say U-Turn. Take this one and proceed over the overpass (over Route 1) and you'll then end up on Route 1 South practically in front of the hotel. You'll again pass the hotel and make your first right onto Mapleton Road, and the entrance is directly on your right. When you leave, you have to go down Route 1 past Harrisson Street to the next light, there will be a jughandle for you to get onto Route 1 North. There shouldn't be significant traffic on Route 1, and this way will have SIGNIFICANTLY less traffic than taking the GW Bridge. I'd avoid that area like the plague!! Have a GREAT TRIP!!!

 

[beattyfamily]

Thank you so much! You've been so helpful. The Courtyard Marriott it is then.

I really appreciate all your help! Your an angle!

I'll let you know (again) how it went when we go next month!

 

[jel0511]

Originally posted by beattyfamily
Thank you so much! You've been so helpful. The Courtyard Marriott it is then.

I really appreciate all your help! Your an angle!

I'll let you know (again) how it went when we go next month!

Not a problem!!! If you have any further questions, before you leave let me know!!! E-mail probably would be better since e-mail notification is down.

 

[beattyfamily]

Originally posted by jel0511
Not a problem!!! If you have any further questions, before you leave let me know!!! E-mail probably would be better since e-mail notification is down.

I certainly will ask you if I do have any more questions. The email notification being down is driving me crazy!