NYC-Drive or Train Christmas week

[mom23boys]

We want to take the boys to NYC to see the Christmas decorations, We thought about going to Rockeffler Center, see Macys/Lord and Taylor windows and just walk around.

We want to go on Friday Dec 30. DH wants to take the train from Philly but I want to drive. I thought it would be better so the little one (3) can sleep on the way home.

So NYers what do you think train or drive? Do you know how much parking is? And do any of your have any other suggestions for places to go or where to eat while we are there. My boys are 11, 6 and 3.

Thanks
Sharon

 

[Nickunited]

Thats a rough call - I mean - worst case you can always drive to Hoboken and take the path train in from there - Philly is a long train ride?

Oh - Also - keep your eye out - they are talking transit strike in the City - starting the 15th - if that happens - the city will be a little tough to get around in!

 

[Olaf]

We drove up the East Coast and into the city on Dec 27-29 last year. Never again. Traffic was horrible. Do yourself a favor and take the train. It was also freezing, so bundle up.

 

[Missy1961]

Train! Traffic will be horrible in the city. If the kids want to sleep on the way home, they can sleep on the train.

 

[SDFgirl]

I'd take the train. Who wants to worry about driving and parking in that situation? The train would be much less stressful, and the kids would probably think it was cool.

 

[RickinNYC]

TAKE THE TRAIN!

My folks come to the city once per year during the holidays and they always drive in, park the car in a garage, pay a mint for it, and never touch it again until they leave. Crazy.

 

[poohtown]

i've always drove, but after last year I don't think I ever will again. We arrived in NY and couldn't find the hotel (one we'd never been at). After driving around for 20 minutes, we saw a police officer. My husband (at my request) pulled over to ask him directions and instead received a $160. ticket for turning right on red during peak hours. What a wonderful start to a vacation. Then on our last day, we drove down to see the Statue of Liberty. The street signs are so confusing. ....no parking on the left between the hours of 8-10 unless otherwise noted or no parking during garbage removal hours (how would we know when the garbage comes?),etc..... anyways, we found a parking spot with a confusing sign. Everyone was parked their. We asked someone walking and he said it was ok...I know stupid. But we did, and another expensive ticket. It totally stunk!!!

 

[luvwinnie]

I never drive in NYC! I vote for train.

 

[mom23boys]

Thanks everyone, I guess we will take the train. It does seem like less of a hassle. I was looking at NJ Transit and Amtraks websites. We will probably just take NJ transit. Amtrak is very expensive, I was suprised. We can drive to Trenton and take the train from there.

So any suggestions on where to eat or what else to see while we are there.

Thanks so much.

 

[Kim&Chris]

We take the train from Trenton. Very easy and not very expensive.

 

[ziggystardust]

I live a 1/2 hr from manhattan and I would take the train. Cost of parking is soo expensive and as another poster said, so are the parking tickets.

You might want to hit up the world of disney store. Its amazing. It will give you a little disney fix and you can actually buy things that you would see in the parks.

There are plenty of places to eat in the city, every thing you can imagine. If you choose to go for the touristy places like fridays and planet hollywood, know that these places will be more expensive than you're used to. Just walking around, you'll find amazing little places that have great food. Its one of the great things about NYC

 

[Oh Kay!]

Well, I'll try to confuse you more and say driving-in is doable. We take our kids to the city a lot, and we always drive. Parking is expensive, but so are train tickets and bus/subway/cabs for 5. Not to mention, with kids it is just more convinient to have a car, especially if you don't want to be tied down to train departure times.

If you choose to drive though you have to realize you will not be able to drive from one spot to another. You will have to park in a garage, and go from one place to another on foot or by cab. I would also avoid driving between 3rd and 9th Avenue. Try www.iconparking.com. I know there are other parking chains in Manhattan, but Icon is the only one I could find on web.

If you are looking for a kid-friendly, touristy place to eat, Ruby Foo(good asian fusion food, but their sushi's are sub-par), Bubba Gump's shrimp company(inspired by Forrest Gump; cute place, okay food), Virgil's BBQ(great brisket) are all in Times Square area's and have children's menu. I believe they all have web-sites, so you can look up their menus. I can not in good conscience recommend Planet Hollywood; I find their food almost inedible. These places are very popular with tourists, so if you want to eat there, I suggest you get there early.

Oh, if you are planning to be in Times Square, you can stop by at Toys' R Us. You can ride a giant in-door ferris wheel. All the cars are in the shapes of popular toys and they take your pictures. They give out a sort-of fastpass; you have to pay in advance, but the tickets have your ride time printed on them, although you will end up waiting in line for a while.

Don't forget to dress warmly, and have fun.

 

[FergieTCat]

If you book Amtrak three days in advance, try these codes: H535 or H539.

I'm not sure of the blackout dates (because I can't find my piece of paper!), but you can save 25% on each fare.

 

[imsorry]

You might also like Madame Tussaud's Wax Museum on 42nd Street. There is a restaurant on 51st and Broadway - Mars 2112. The kids might enjoy it - you enter thru a "simulator" - they serves burgers, etc. They have people walking around in alien suits. We went a few years ago and it was fun. FAO Schwartz at 57th & 5th is fun. The Toys R Us in Times Square has an indoor ferris wheel. There is a big Disney store on 5th Avenue around 56th Street - you can walk over to Central park for a carriage ride from there.

HAVE FUN!!

ETA: you can also go to the top of the Empire State building, and now you can also visit the top of Rockefeller Center. Have you considered going to the TKTS booth in Times Square and seeing a Broadway play? The Disney plays are great for kids, as well as Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.