NYC/New York area...... Randalls Island

[crazyme5kids]

Can anyone tell me the best way to get to Randalls Island using mass transit from NYC?

 

[LoraJ]

I went there last year and took the ferry. It was such a pain and mass confusion.

If you can, pre-order tickets for a specific time. But there will still be a lot of confusion. Even better, get on the stop uptown (not sure what the exact location is but everyone there seemed to be happier).

I don't think I ever want to go back to this place. It was extremely dirty. I fell right after I got off of the ferry because the pavement was so uneven. I really banged myself up. Ended up leaving early because I was in so much pain. So I can't comment on how the ferry's were coming back to NYC.

 

[salmoneous]

Normally, you would take either the subway (or Metrorail) to 125th and Lex, and then transer to the M35 bus. There are also some express busses that only run when major events are going on.

 

[crazyme5kids]

Thanks salmoeous that's the info I was looking for. My husband told me I'd have to go up to Harlem then take a bus but didn't know the exact info.

How safe is it?

 

[salmoneous]

That's always a tough question to answer. On the one hand, it's an extremely safe area. It's very busy; there are a million people around -most just trying to get back and forth to work. You almost certainly are not going to get mugged or stabbed or anything.

But on the other hand, if you are a squeaky-clean white person from suburbia, you are going to stick out a bit. Nobody will care, but if you aren't used to spending time in the city, *you* might feel a bit uncomfortable, especially if you are there at night, or first thing in the morning when less people are around.

 

[crazyme5kids]

Riding the subway doesn't bother me. I had my subway lines mixed up though when you mentioned 125th st. I thought it might be th1-3 line that I take to Van Cortlant Park, but I pulled out my handy dandy map and see it's on the other side of the city. I'm very directionally challenged !

If it was just me or myself and a friend I wouldn't hesitate to take the subway/bus. If I go to the show there tomorrow it will be me taking my son and two of his friends, all early teens. Looks like I'll drive. He might not even want to go though.