Calling all NYC'ers

[Eeyore1928]

My family and I will be driving up to NYC from Baltimore the day after X-mas (crazy I know). I am needing some advice as to where to park the car and start taking the subway. We want to see Times Square, Rockefeller Center, and the Disney Store (go figure). We also just want to catch a glimpse of the statue. We will be continuing on to Boston after seeing all of this.

We are not wanting to sit in too much traffic...so are needing a good place that is not too far off the beaten path to park the car and go see the sights listed above.

I know it is not a lot of time....but we are just passing through.


Thanks so much for your help..

Kristie

 

[momrek06]

HOBOKEN.

I am serious. They have a ton of public parking lots and you can take the bus or the path over to the city and avoid driving and huge parking fees in NYC!
Heck, you can take the ferry over as well!

 

[Eeyore1928]

Thank you..

What will the best mode of transportation be to get around? Safest with a 4 year old?

Oh yeah we also want to go to ground zero.

Thanks

 

[momrek06]

Thank you..

What will the best mode of transportation be to get around? Safest with a 4 year old?

Oh yeah we also want to go to ground zero.

Thanks

Depending on where you decide in Hoboken to park (if you decide that route)(and you have time, research it now)...they have NJ Transit buses (they run all the time) they have Academy buses (they run all the time) and then the PATH subway (runs all the time) and then the Ferry, some limitations...but another good option.

The Ferry from Hoboken can take you right to NYC and then you can transfer to the Ferry to actually SEE the STATUE OF LIBERTY (to me the most awesome sight of all, LADY LIBERTY) and then when you are done seeing the Statue, head over to Ground Zero.

I am heading out now, but I will get you more info if you want. My DH lived in Hoboken for 4 years in a high-rise while working for the Port Authority. I Hoboken and its closeness to the city. DH looked out at the EMPIRE STATE BUILDING from his living room every night. (I was back in MA getting our DS' through high school)...we thought the "contract" engineering job was for 6 months...who knew it would be 4 years. WE LOVE NYC...so DH kept renewing his contract.... !!!!

Good Luck, this is do-able for your family.

Mode of transportation once in the city is either the cross town bus (which there are MILLIONS) or cabs!!!

 

[crazyme5kids]

For Times Square, Rockefeller Center and the Disney Store I would walk. As far as a glimps of the Statue (Liberty I'm assuming) and Ground Zero I would take the subway. Cabs and buses that time of year will take too long.

 

[MareQ]

I would park in Weehawken(NJ) and take the Port Imperial Midtown Ferry over. From there you can start walking or catch a cab to Times Square - you'd definitely need a cab for Ground Zero though once you're ready to head over there. Once downtown you can head back via Pier 11 or the WFC Pier which are both downtown. Check at the terminal - they'll be able to give you the best route etc.

 

[momrek06]

I would park in Weehawken(NJ) and take the Port Imperial Midtown Ferry over. From there you can start walking or catch a cab to Times Square - you'd definitely need a cab for Ground Zero though once you're ready to head over there. Once downtown you can head back via Pier 11 or the WFC Pier which are both downtown. Check at the terminal - they'll be able to give you the best route etc.

http://www.nywaterway.com/ferry/terminals/port-imperial.asp

This is a fabulous place to park. Just do "driving directions" from your location in Baltimore to the PORT. Plan to leave your car there for the day. Parking can get as steep as $50.00 a day (or in some places up to 4 hours) in NYC. Leaving your car in NJ is such an economical way to see the City.

You can even take the Ferry to the WFC and switch at Battery Park out to the SOL!!!!

 

[LoraJ]

Hoboken parking is too expensive.
If you get in after 9am, park at the Newport Mall in Jersey City. How many hours do you plan on spending there? I can find out the rates for you if you like.

You can walk across the street and take the PATH train. $1.50pp each way.

The Ferry in Weehawken is a great way to go into the city, but it is about $10pp round trip and $6 parking. (may be more since I last went).

The mall is right off exit 14C of the NJ turnpike. So, you'll be right back on the turnpike in no time when you are done.

You can take the PATH to either 33rd and 6th, or the World Trade Center. You can buy a metro card at the PATH station so that you can use it on the PATH and the Subway.

http://www.simon.com/mall/mall_info.aspx?ID=114

 

[Eeyore1928]

Wow! Thanks for all of the help. We should be arriving around 10 am and will stay for 4-5 hours I imagine. So if that helps with advice please keep it coming. The more the better. We know NOTHING about getting to and around NYC.

 

[LoraJ]

I know the mall is $2 for the first 3 hours. So I think for 5 hours it might be $5. I will double check.

HEre is a link for the PATH:
http://www.panynj.gov/CommutingTravel/path/html/map.html

The station you would get on would be Newport/Pavonia

 

[Eeyore1928]

Is the station right there at the mall? Or do we need a cab to it?

 

[Mary Anne]

4 or 5 hours is not going to get you much time.

I know you want to see it all but I'd just do the midtown stuff (Times Square, Rockefeller Center, and The Disney Store. That will more then fill the time and let you see it all.

I admit, I always smile when I see those of you wanting to see Rockefeller Center. I work right in one of the Rock buildings and never ever leave it unless I have too. Too many tourists, esp this time of the year LOL That said, the tree is beautiful this year and you should make the time to see it.

 

[MUFFYCAT]

4 or 5 hours is not going to get you much time.

I know you want to see it all but I'd just do the midtown stuff (Times Square, Rockefeller Center, and The Disney Store. That will more then fill the time and let you see it all.

I admit, I always smile when I see those of you wanting to see Rockefeller Center. I work right in one of the Rock buildings and never ever leave it unless I have too. Too many tourists, esp this time of the year LOL That said, the tree is beautiful this year and you should make the time to see it.

Hi neighbor, I work at 30 Rock
Most of us at work feel the same way you do.

 

[LoraJ]

Is the station right there at the mall? Or do we need a cab to it?

It's pretty much across the street from the mall. Depending on where you park, you either walk through the mall and across the street, or just across the street.

Here's a more detailed map:
http://www.panynj.gov/CommutingTravel/path/html/pavonia.html

The rates they have listed are outdated.

When you get off 14C, you will follow the signs to the Holland Tunnel. Don't get off at Combus, but once you pass that exit, get in the right lane. Then at the light you make a right, and then get to the left and the Newport entrance is there.

I would park in lot 2. To get there, turn right on the road right after you pass Sears. It's the lot between Macy's & JC Penney.

 

[LoraJ]

Hi neighbor, I work at 30 Rock
Most of us at work feel the same way you do.

I have to go to 30 Rock for meetings sometmes in the SNL studio.

 

[MUFFYCAT]

I have to go to 30 Rock for meetings sometmes in the SNL studio.

at the SNL Studio, that's cool.

 

[Mary Anne]

Hi neighbor, I work at 30 Rock
Most of us at work feel the same way you do.

and Lora J

LOL it is a small world, I too am at 30 Rock. We'll have to have a DIS meet in the lobby. I'm going to start wearing a LGMH to work

 

[Eeyore1928]

About how long will it take to get to the WTC from the Jersey station? We are going to spend most of our time in the Times Square/Rockefeller Center area. So how would you get back and forth to there and the WTC? Cab? Subway?

What about the ferries? So confused at this point.

 

[Mary Anne]

It would take about 20 mintues or so to get from the Jersey station to the WTC. Assuming you stay about 15 mintues or so looking at the pit it will then take you about 20 minutes to get uptown. I'd take the subway "E" train to 42nd Street and 8th Avenue; That should take about another 20 to 30 minutes depending how long it takes you to get your subway fare (Metro Card - $4.00 round trip). At 42nd street you can walk up to 5th Avenue and then walk down to the Rockefeller Center area, again about 30 minutes or so at a slow pace. Or it could take up to an hour depending on how long you stop and window shop. Once you get to the Rockefeller Center area; you could spend anywhere from 10 minutes to an hour there looking around the shops; ice skating rink; tree; then it's about 8 block to the World of Disney, which you could easily spend a long time in.

I think you mentioned you had a 3 year old with you; I really hope you'll have a stroller; there is no way she could do the type of walking needed.

Under no circumstances would I suggest you take a CAB from WTC to midtown, traffic will be terrible and it's a $30 - $40 ride by the time you get finished. Definately do the subway; cheap; SAFE and the best way to travel.

 

[Eeyore1928]

Thank you so much. So the E train to 42nd st. will put us in the Times Square area? Or closer to Rockefeller Center?