JFK or LAG if I'm going to see a BRWY Show?

[Cynt]

OK, all you New Yorkers I need your help. I'm going to New York for my B-Day in June to see a broadway show. I was going to go to Baltimore 1st to visit some friends but I ex'ed that idea.

Questions:
1. Which airport should I fly into JFK or LAG?
2. What's the best mode of transportation to a hotel near broadway? Taxi? Shuttle bus? Subway? If subway, which trains do I need to catch to where?
3. Name some hotels around Broadway.

FYI...I'm going to see The Color Purple at the Saturday matinee. I plan to fly into NYC on Friday late afternoon and return to DFW on Sunday late afternoon.

 

[safetymom]

The airport is LGA. I just returned from a weekend in NY. I used Dial 7 limo to get into the city and out. Very good and on time.

I stayed at the Renaissance in Times Sq. Very nice hotel.

 

[salmoneous]

LGA is your best choice - but if you can get a great flight to JFK it's not that much worse. Also consider Newark, which is about as good a commute at JFK.

For one person, you best bet is a bus. There are bus services to all three airports. Check out: http://www.nyairportservice.com/index.html to give you some idea.

If you are going with your family, or just want to splurge (it *is* your birthday) consider springing for a town car. It doesn't make the trip any easier, but it's always cool to arrive in Manhattan in style.

Cabs are a pain, as there is almost always a line, and a town car just isn't that much more expensive.

The subway runs all the way to JFK, and you can do a bus/subway thing to LGA, but it's a pain (this is coming from a huge subway fan) and just not worth the savings over a bus.

No matter what you do, traffic on a Friday afternoon is going to be heavy. Just relax and be ready for it and you should be fine.

 

[bellelinus]

LGA will be the closest airport, by a lot. If there are two or more of you, go ahead and go to the taxi stand (go to the stand, don't go with someone who approaches you). It will run about $25 with toll and tip. If there's only you, you might want to consider Super Shuttle, which will only run you about $10. They are in the transportation area, and they have a website as well.

Taking the subway into Manhattan is very difficult from LGA, and not that easy even from JFK.

I'm not sure about hotels (since I live here!) but check out online travel sites and they should have lots of choices for the theatre district.

Have fun!

 

[PatMcDuck]

Yes, LGA, but I think from Newark is another good option. There is a train, but it might go into Grand central?

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

LGA is definately closer to Manhattan.

Be prepared for sticker shock at hotel prices in Manhattan - the high occupancy rate makes deals hard to find.

 

[safetymom]

Super Shuttle is more than $10. It was probably closer to $20 when I used it.

They are ok but they keep riding around till they get a full van and then you stop at quite a few hotels before you get to yours.

 

[safetymom]

I just checked on the Super Shuttle price. It is $15 into the city. Then you need to add on a tip.

 

[ClarabelleCowFan]

Definitely LGA and a cab or town car into the city.

You CAN take the Air Train from JFK to the Jamaica station and take the subway from there but if you are lugging suitcases then it is a pain.

 

[Cynt]

So it sounds like I should fly into LGA and then catch a shuttle or town car to my hotel. That might be best for me so they can take me straight to my hotel. Since I don't know anything about New York City that might be best for me.

 

[ladysoleil]

I just checked on the Super Shuttle price. It is $15 into the city. Then you need to add on a tip.

It's $15 plus an additional fee for each passenger- you get a break on the second person but it's not a huge discount.

Also, don't ever take SuperShuttle if you're in a hurry, I find that often they don't drop people off in any kind of logical order and if the van is completely full, you're running the risk of being taken to multiple other hotels before you get to yours.

I prefer the bus to Port Authority (the NY Airport service link listed below). If you're staying at a Broadway hotel you may even be in walking distance from the station.

Sorry, not much help with the hotels, I work in the area so other than walking past them and going, oooh, shiny, I can't be much help.

 

[tabrizia]

Honestly from Baltimore to NYC, the best way to get there is Amtrak, it is a straight train ride and is actually faster then taking a plane when you add in security checks and what not. It is also fairly inexpensive. Whenever I go up to NYC from Baltimore area (I live here I do it at least once a year normally more) I always take the train from BWI.

That way you don't have to worry about a car and can take the subway since Amtrak stops at Penn station which has two subway lines coming from it. It is honestly the quickest and easiest way to get to the city I have found.

It is about 3 hours on the regional trains and 60$ give or take one way.

Hotel wise I suggest Mil ford (one word there) Plaza it is right off the subway and if you take the train and then get on the subway there it is one stop on the subway get off go to the 8th street (in the subway station, if I remember correctly ) exit come out cross the street and there is the hotel. It is located right next to Phantom of the Opera and Spamalot and the Producers are right down the street. It costs around $155 a night and is a fairly decent hotel, we stay there when we go because it is so easy. It is less then a block from Times Square and extremely convient to all the broadway shows.

 

[JoeCathyAngelina]

LGA, cab, midtown,
Take your pick:
• Westin
• Hilton
• Sheraton
• Marriott
• Intercontinental
Happy Birthday and good luck,
Joe