New York City

[chelsea&austinsmom]

I need help taking DD to New York for 16th birthday going to see Mary Poppins and need other ideas what to do while we are there? Also we live in South Jersey shoud we take the bus or a train to New York.

 

[ChrisAlli]

Not sure where in SJ you live, but we take the train NJ Transit from Hamilton all the time. Very easy and not to badly priced at $20 round trip. There is tons to see, you don't mention if it's just a day trip?? Just a day with a show, takes up a lot of time, but you can see, Macy's Times Square, Rockefeller Center. If you make it a weekend, much more to see....

 

[wdwmom2]

The Top of the Rock is wonderful!!!!! We went there toward dark and to see the city with all the lights was amazing!!!!!

 

[Disney Doll]

Take the train it's relatively convenient.

If ti's a day trip, the show and some dinner are probably all you have time for...maybe a little walk around the midtown Manhattan area to see the sights, pop into a couple of stores. If it's an overnigh and you have another day, I'd do a bus tour...I think it's the best way to see the city in a limited amount of time.

 

[chelsea&austinsmom]

It's a day trip the show is at 2pm. Do I need to make reservation for the train? Where would I get off the train? Thanks for all your help.

 

[ChrisAlli]

No just print out a schedule from NJ transit. Park in the garage, $6, buy ticket at station for R/t--cheaper that way.

The train goes right into Penn Station in NYC, right below Madison square garden, Macy's is right across the street, Empire State building down a few blocks, you can walk everywhere if it's a nice day.

But for 2pm, I'd take and early train,get there around 10 see some things have a nice lunch, and then walk around a little after the show, but it may be too late in the day, I assume the show is over 2 hours?? If you tell us the theater, I'm sure someone can suggest a nice place to eat nearby

 

[kellydizfan]

We just did this January 9th. We took Metro North from Poughkeepsie to Grand Central. Walked to Times Square. Went to the M & M's Store, Hershey Store, BillaBong and one other store also. We left Saugerties at 7:30 a.m. and arrived in NYC at 10:30. Back home about 10:30 p.m. It was a long day. We ate in McDonalds for Lunch. We went and saw Phantom of the Opera for my DD's 16th B-day which was Christmas Eve. She brought a friend with her and my friend came along so it was us four girls - we had a blast. We walked back after the show to catch the train to Poughkeepsie and ate Dinner at Olive Garden in Poughkeepsie. She absolutely loved it - so did her friend. My Daughter wants to be a music major in College and has been in 2 operas so far - One was Carmen locally and the other was at Bard College - Professionally done - King Roger with a troupe from Polland. What an experience that was! We ate back at home to save money. Tickets were just under $90 a piece. It was $15 to each lunch for the 3 of us and $70.00 for dinner including tip. It was certainly cheaper than a party for all of her friends and enjoyable for her - something she wanted to do. Have Fun!

 

[ChrisAlli]

We just did this January 9th. We took Metro North from Poughkeepsie to Grand Central. Walked to Times Square. Went to the M & M's Store, Hershey Store, BillaBong and one other store also. We left Saugerties at 7:30 a.m. and arrived in NYC at 10:30. Back home about 10:30 p.m. It was a long day. We ate in McDonalds for Lunch. We went and saw Phantom of the Opera for my DD's 16th B-day which was Christmas Eve. She brought a friend with her and my friend came along so it was us four girls - we had a blast. We walked back after the show to catch the train to Poughkeepsie and ate Dinner at Olive Garden in Poughkeepsie. She absolutely loved it - so did her friend. My Daughter wants to be a music major in College and has been in 2 operas so far - One was Carmen locally and the other was at Bard College - Professionally done - King Roger with a troupe from Polland. What an experience that was! We ate back at home to save money. Tickets were just under $90 a piece. It was $15 to each lunch for the 3 of us and $70.00 for dinner including tip. It was certainly cheaper than a party for all of her friends and enjoyable for her - something she wanted to do. Have Fun!

Just had to say, my brother went to Marist College in Poughkeepsie, I loved it up there

 

[kellydizfan]

Hi ChrisAlli, it is very nice - we are about 45 minutes to an hour north of Poughkeepie. Sad to say I don't get down there that often. I have a friend who is a Chef at Marist. He coaches my DD16 softball team. We will be looking at Marist for my DD as they have a music program. My husband wants her to stay local but she needs to go out and explore. The campus is small - just like Bard College.

 

[njprincess601]

In Nov, my mom and I went to see Mary Poppins ... GREAT SHOW!! You're going to have a great time. After the show, we went to Planet Hollywood in Times Square for dinner then went to a few stores. Also, don't buy candy and/or snacks at the theater.. go to Duane Reade and get them there. Much cheaper. As for the train, we have about a 15/20 minute ride from Elizabeth to Penn Station, so not as far as you, and then walk from Penn State to the theater. Not a far walk at all. Maybe 20 minutes and my mom walks slow haha! Enjoy!

 

[marcyinPA]

My DS14 and I saw Mary Poppins last March on his 8th grade music/drama trip. It was a GREAT show!!!

My DH and I went into the city in August (we saw Avenue Q) and we ate dinner at Ellen's Stardust Diner. I highly recommend eating here. The servers are all aspiring Broadway actors, and they take turns singing while you eat. It's really fun...dinner and a show!

When we take the kids in, we usually see the normal sights : Rockefeller Center, St. Patrick's Cathedral (this is beautiful to see...the architecture is amazingly stunning!), ABC studios where they do GMA, Toys R Us...and we enjoy people watching too!

Have fun!

 

[aprilgail2]

Are you staying overnight or just going in for the day? If its just for the day there is not a lot of time to do things other than the show, grab dinner and maybe top of the rock. If you are staying its great to go to Central Park, some museums, grab some half price show tickets at the
TKTS booth and see a second show etc.... When we went in for a 2pm show to see Shrek we passed by the TKTS boot hand bought half price show tickets for that evenings Wintuk and saw both shows in one day-very fun!