Gatlinburg TN or New York City-where would you go?

[KCMiller]

If you do decide to do the NYC trip, and the Statue of Liberty is on your list of places to see, make sure to go to their website to purchase tickets in advance - they sell out quickly. The statue itself is undergoing a renovation which began in October of last year, and is scheduled to be done this fall sometime, so October of 2012 may be a great time to see it!

KC

 

[weeluvdisney]

KCMiller I wondered if you could help with a few more questions.

On the Trip Advisor site I read a review stating that valet parking is mandatory for the Hyatt in Jersey City. Do you know if that is true? Also do you know if there are parking fee's for the hotel seperate from the room rate?

One more thing...does that PATH Train take you to all the tourists sopts or only to the World Trade Center area?

Thank you in advance and also to anyone else that might know the answers.

 

[elf]

This past Nov. my 2 daughters 12 & 14 and I spent two days at the Travel Inn Hotel New York. I think I paid $150 and it included free parking. I was able to get my car in & out if I wanted (didn't want to). Walking distance to Times Square and many other places.

I got this from TripAvisor but it was dead on: "On the whole this hotel is good enough. The location is everything - on 42nd and 5 mins to Times Square. And the price can be good. If you get a good deal then its OK. The rooms are a little dated, but I think they have some decent rooms, and some not as good."
Not sure if worth over $180 but it felt safe and you can't beat the price (If you get a deal), local, and free parking. Right off the Lincoln tunnel. We actually got a good room it was nicer than I was expecting.
You won't have to spend all the money on the train between Jersey and NYC.

 

[cornflake]

KCMiller I wondered if you could help with a few more questions.

On the Trip Advisor site I read a review stating that valet parking is mandatory for the Hyatt in Jersey City. Do you know if that is true? Also do you know if there are parking fee's for the hotel seperate from the room rate?

One more thing...does that PATH Train take you to all the tourists sopts or only to the World Trade Center area?

Thank you in advance and also to anyone else that might know the answers.

The PATH is just a commuter train between Jersey and the City, it's not a tourist thing at ALL. It has a few stops, mostly downtown. There's also a stop in Penn Station, but I'm not sure where it connects. It's also very crowded at times, as it's a commuter train.

From there you have to switch to the NYC Subway or come aboveground and get a bus or cab or whatever.

People do it, but I absolutely wouldn't do staying in Jersey. You can stash a car off the highway for not *that* much per day and find a cheaper hotel in the City itself and not have to deal with the train in and out constantly.

 

[crazyme5kids]

I think KCMiller's idea would work well for you, but I also think you could stay in the city if you find a place within your budget. Just build the parking fee into the budget. See if it is included in the hotel price or if there is a discount for using a certain garage.

If it were me, and I decided to stay in the city, I would just drive in, find a garage near the hotel, park it and not think about it until it was time to leave. In fact, that is what I do when I travel, because I find it to be more convenient for the way I like. Once I'm ready to leave, I like to be able to throw my bags in the car and go.

 

[kydisneyfans]

The cost factor is interesting.
We spent 4 days in NYC over Thanksgiving in 2010 and spent almost $3000.
We spent 3 days in Gatlinburg over New Years and spent about $400. There is no way a cabin should cost $250-300 a night.

We prebought parking in NYC, it was $24 a day about a block from our hotel on Times Square. We used a link on Tripadvisor. We did not take our car in and out though, too much hassle when a subway is a block away.

Food is higher in NYC, in Gatlinburg you can cook in the condo, or eating out isn't bad.
The entire National park area of TN is free, there is tons to do. There is more to do in NYC, some of it isn't free.

For a cheap, relaxing getaway that's easy on the pocketbook, head to Gatlinburg. For a big city destination, head to NYC. We're going back to both later this year.

 

[claryche]

I have a soft spot for Gatlinburg, since that is where I got married. And we went back there for like the first 4 anniversaries and plan on going there this year for our 15th.

With that said, I would pick NYC. I have only been there once and would love to go back. Yes, it is more pricey. But so much fun. The two places are so different totally picking between the city and the country.

 

[shoney]

I think KCMiller's idea would work well for you, but I also think you could stay in the city if you find a place within your budget. Just build the parking fee into the budget. See if it is included in the hotel price or if there is a discount for using a certain garage.

If it were me, and I decided to stay in the city, I would just drive in, find a garage near the hotel, park it and not think about it until it was time to leave. In fact, that is what I do when I travel, because I find it to be more convenient for the way I like. Once I'm ready to leave, I like to be able to throw my bags in the car and go.

I agree. Driving in NYC is not as bad as people think. There is traffic so you're not going that fast. There are also "no rules" LOL so you can make a left from the right lane! Just kidding in a way!

Remember no right on red, look for one way signs and don't block the box at a red light....other than that you're good to go!

You can find more affordable parking than the hotel. Leave your car there for the entire stay. Only use cabs if there is little traffic....otherwise the fare will be a fortune. Get familar with the subway. People are always willing to help!!!!!

 

[weeluvdisney]

Wow, there are some great threads going right now with NYC info, several people vacationing there this year from the budget board.

I was more leaning towards the Gatlinburg vacationt his year but we decided NYC this year and Gatlinburg next year. I am seeing now that the NYC is going to be alot more money and a very different experience.

It's so hard to decide where to stay. Staying in Jersey City out of the noise and bustle seems like a great idea but the whole train thing and how to get back and forth might be a bit intimidating. Then again, driving into the thick of things and staying right in the city seems a bit more intimidating.

Cornflake...if we do stay in the city we would definitely park our car and leave it but from what I've read on reviews the parking garages are 50.00 a day and the hotels I've looked at on trip advisor are 350-450 a day. I guess I have to do a bit more research before we decide.

You all have been a big help! Any advice is still much appreciated.

 

[bpesch]

I've been to both and hands down would pick TN. Unless you're a big city girl and have some help, NY can be overwhelming. I would love to go again with someone who knew where to go and what to see because doing it on my own was just too complicated.

Gatlinburg on the other hand is easy to navigate, has plenty to do and see and is a great place to go.

 

[cornflake]

Wow, there are some great threads going right now with NYC info, several people vacationing there this year from the budget board.

I was more leaning towards the Gatlinburg vacationt his year but we decided NYC this year and Gatlinburg next year. I am seeing now that the NYC is going to be alot more money and a very different experience.

It's so hard to decide where to stay. Staying in Jersey City out of the noise and bustle seems like a great idea but the whole train thing and how to get back and forth might be a bit intimidating. Then again, driving into the thick of things and staying right in the city seems a bit more intimidating.

Cornflake...if we do stay in the city we would definitely park our car and leave it but from what I've read on reviews the parking garages are 50.00 a day and the hotels I've looked at on trip advisor are 350-450 a day. I guess I have to do a bit more research before we decide.

You all have been a big help! Any advice is still much appreciated.

Oh you can find hotels for muuuch less than that. You can usually find a decent hotel for like $200/day if you're not a five-star kinda person.

If you stick the car in one of the out-of-the-way lots, like by the river, it's cheaper, probably like... I'd guess $35 a day maybe? I'm not sure, I'll look around at signs.

 

[crazyme5kids]

You can find garages cheaper than $50.00. The one my husband uses down near Lafayette St. Is $25.00. When he worked on 42nd St. He paid $30.00. Just do some research for garages in the area you are staying at.

I am editing this to add: When I stayed at the Brooklyn Marriott, parking was free, you just had to get the ticket validated by the hotel. That was about two years ago though, so not sure if they still do it.

 

[KCMiller]

Just an FYI - staying in Jersey City at the Hyatt, you'd be paying for parking (they have valet parking - frankly, I always find street parking in JC on the weekends, but it's hit or miss), but there are other great hotels in Jersey City where I think parking would be free (like the Doubletree), and taking a bus or PATH train or ferry into the city is REALLY easy. Staying in Weehawken would be even easier - you're right on the Hudson, parking is free (double check, but the last time we stayed there, it was), and the bus to NYC is literally at your doorstep and gets you into the city in minutes. The ferry is also literally right next to the hotel.

The PATH train runs between Jersey City (and Hoboken) and NYC. There are two destinations - one takes you downtown to the WTC site, and one takes you to 33rd Street with stops in Greenwich Village and Chelsea.

Think easy - if you are driving, and plan on staying in the city, you'll have to drive into Manhattan, and pay a LOT for parking at your hotel. Some folks have suggested parking in a lot away from the hotel, but that's a complication, especially if you've never been in the city before. Also, hotel rooms in NYC tend to be much smaller than hotels outside of the city. On Priceline, they make a point to tell you that you should only plan on two people per room, and that's the truth. So if you are traveling with more than a couple, you'll want to make sure you check with the hotel if you stay in NYC, as you might get stuck.

KC

 

[MomiTo2SwtGuys]

We do trips to Gatlinburg every six months as we live 90 minutes away. It is a nice getaway. But, we have been to the city before and I don't think that the prices will even come close.

Everything in NYC is very pricey, from food to shopping. I love NYC and think it is a great trip.

If you can afford to go to NYC, I say that would be the way to go. Otherwise, Gatlinburg is a wonderful place to relax and enjoy some time with your family.

 

[elf]

My dd spent the summer on the upper west side. She's underage so my dh and I would alternate and stay in with her. We would park our cars for 24 hours for $21-$25 look at:
www.iconparkingsystems.com/ Make sure you go to COUPONS menu on top of page. I think Central Parking has some deals also.

It is a pain to drive in Manhatten especially when you don't know the area but I think it's worth it to drive in and stay in NYC.

That's why I did like the Travel Inn while not fancy that free parking right off the Lincoln Tunnel close to all for @ $150 is a good deal.

If you use sub/buses/trains/ remember A one way ride on bus/subway is $2.50pp. Unlimited 7 day card is about $30pp. Never took transit from Jersey but with that many people check the price.

 

[sammielynn]

Another Tennessean here, and I would do Gatlinburg in a heartbeat. I do perfer April to October because of the crowds. You can spend days in the parks and it the price is right. Most things are free or low cost. we went on a hay ride once for $8 each. Lovely day in the mountains!

 

[weeluvdisney]

Just an FYI - staying in Jersey City at the Hyatt, you'd be paying for parking (they have valet parking - frankly, I always find street parking in JC on the weekends, but it's hit or miss), but there are other great hotels in Jersey City where I think parking would be free (like the Doubletree), and taking a bus or PATH train or ferry into the city is REALLY easy. Staying in Weehawken would be even easier - you're right on the Hudson, parking is free (double check, but the last time we stayed there, it was), and the bus to NYC is literally at your doorstep and gets you into the city in minutes. The ferry is also literally right next to the hotel.

The PATH train runs between Jersey City (and Hoboken) and NYC. There are two destinations - one takes you downtown to the WTC site, and one takes you to 33rd Street with stops in Greenwich Village and Chelsea.

Think easy - if you are driving, and plan on staying in the city, you'll have to drive into Manhattan, and pay a LOT for parking at your hotel. Some folks have suggested parking in a lot away from the hotel, but that's a complication, especially if you've never been in the city before. Also, hotel rooms in NYC tend to be much smaller than hotels outside of the city. On Priceline, they make a point to tell you that you should only plan on two people per room, and that's the truth. So if you are traveling with more than a couple, you'll want to make sure you check with the hotel if you stay in NYC, as you might get stuck.

KC

Thank you! This helps alot. I was really on the fence about where to stay. I did alot of research and for our dates, the NYC hotels were considerabley more then Jersey City. The parking was also considerabley more. I also was not so sure about driving into NYC. We have never been there and I hate being the passenger in hectic traffic. I thought about parking away from the city but then there is lugging all of our luggage and 2 expensive cab rides (& needing 2 cabs) to the hotel and then back when we leave. My husband finally chimed in (he usually leaves all decisions and planning up to me) and said he likes the idea of staying a little off the beaten path over in New Jersey. I kind of figured even with the PATH fee's we will come out ahead because of the difference in hotel and parking prices and our hotel room will be almost double in size.

I appreciate everyones advice and input. How on earth did anyone ever plan a trip and know what they were doing without the internet and especially the dis boards???

 

[KCMiller]

Look at the Sheraton Lincoln Harbor Hotel, in Weehawken. This hotel has free parking, it's a beautiful location right on the Hudson, directly across the river from the Empire State Building, and the location can't be beat - just outside the Lincoln Tunnel into NYC. I grew up just up the hill from this hotel, and I promise you'll be happy with the location and ease of getting into the city!

Have a great time, and let us know how your trip was!

KC

 

[LuvLuvLuv]

It would depend on my $$ situation, as well as my stress level.

If I saved and had lots of $$, looking for a super fun, fast paced trip: NYC

If I was stressed and wanted to relax, or had minimal $: TN
(I love the drive down there... so pretty!!)

 

[californiadopeyfreak]

My family (DH DD(5), and I) actually stayed in Pigeon Forge and did Dollywood. We loved it!! We did take a day trip to Gatlinburg and thought it was really nice. Rode the skyway to the top and enjoyed the breath taking views. We went in October. It was busy, but not that bad. Prices are not that bad there and we would go back in heartbeat!! We want to go again when DD gets older..she was still a little short for many of the rides! I have been to New York, and it is an awesome place, but I think there would be alot more for the teens to do in Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg. IMO!! Let me know if you have any questions!!

Jill