OT Best way to get from NJ to NYC to see Broadway show

[mommy22pumpkins]

Can anyone help me with this? I love Broadway shows. Haven't been to one is at least 5 years- since Phantom of the Opera. The last time we went we stayed at my sister's who lives in NY and took the train into the city to see the show and the train back as well.
We are going with our two children and the show starts at 7. I am sure they must offer parking but is it safe and will it be hard to get to the parking lot after the show?
Or do you think we'd be better off trying to take the train again?
I am really excited about the show but wish I had a clue how to get there and back. I have heard of people taking day trips from philly to NY to go shopping but not sure how they go about doing it.
I have been driven in a taxi in NY and would like to avoid that if at all possible

Thanks for any tips or advice you could give me

 

[LoraJ]

If I am going to be in the city for a show in the evening, I drive in. But it is very easy for me to do so since I live just a few blocks from the Holland Tunnel. I just like being able to get out of the show and get to my car and get out of the city instead of having to take a cab or subway to the train station and then wait for the train. But there can be a lot of traffic going into the city and you would probably want to get there early to eat somewhere before the show.

It's hard to give you an answer because I don't know how far you are from the city, how close you are to a train and how often they run.

I always feel very safe in the city, no matter what the time.

 

[Nicks2001]

I'm a conductor for New Jersey Transit and occaisionally make the jaunt down to Trenton. People do take the train from Philly to NYC all the time. Amtrak will take you directly into New York from Philadelphia 30th Street station, but they cost more than the commuter railroads do. SEPTA will get you as far as Trenton, where you will need to change to a New Jersey Transit train for the rest of the trip to New York. One big piece of advice that I can give you is: if there is a train that gets you to NY in time for the show, take the one that leaves before it. Anything can happen on the rails, and it does: delays, mechanical problems, cancelled trains. If you have any other questions, let me know!

 

[justwinnie]

With kids, I prefer to drive in.

You can look for parking coupons on these two sites-- maybe they'll have a garage close to the theater:

http://www.centralparking.com/
http://www.iconparkingsystems.com/Promotions_Specials.asp

I've had a lot of good luck with these coupons. You will have no trouble getting your car after the show-- all the area garages will be open!

Just give yourself plenty of time to drive through Manhattan. It's only 45 minutes from my house, but as soon as we exit the tunnel, it takes 45-60 minutes to get to wherever we're going! So I always give myself at least 2 hours.

 

[czycropper]

I live in Central NJ and I prefer to drive in when we go to Broadway - that way we have more control and are not depending on NJ Transit since we usually go to dinner after the show. If you decide to drive in just leave enough time in case there is back-up at the tunnel.

My DH also likes to take the train if we do dinner prior to the show. We take the Mid-town Direct from New Brunswick or Morristown and either catch a cab from NYC PennStation (or walk if it's a nice day) to the theatre. Or we have also driven to Newark Penn Station, parked there and taken the train in to NYC Penn Station.

What show are going to see?

 

[mjkacmom]

We either drive in, or drive 10 minutes to the North Bergen park n ride, and take a bus into Port Authority, and walk to the theater.

 

[WeLoveLilo05]

Don't know if this would be a possibility for you, but we live by the shore. We usually drive to weehawkin and take the ferry over. It takes all over 5 minutes, therefore a ferry comes every 5 minutes. Once you get NY bound they have buses that take you to different areas. It's a bit expensive, but I guess so is parking in NYC too.
We are going to the American Girl store in NYC next week, we will probably take the ferry.

 

[PatMcDuck]

M-F the Park n Ride at Vince Lombardi on the Turnpike is a inexpensive option. Bus ride is about 10 minutes from here to Port Authority, and the theatres are walking distance from there. Parking there would save you ALOT of $$. I like it because it saves us so much time and money vs. taking the bus in all the way from Monmouth county.

Good luck!

 

[clj1410]

We live in south Jersey and we always take the train in from Hamilton nj, parking is about $5 for the day, the train is about $22 RT (it was last time we went) kids are free on weekends. The train takes you right in to Madison sq garden. We drove in one time and it took us ages to get out of the city. Taking the train is fun for the kids, you don't have to worry about parking or traffic!

Have a great time!

 

[krcit]

I live on Long Island so I usually take the LIRR when I go to a show. However, last month we went to see Shrek and we drove. It was easy, breezy. There was traffic in the city itself b/c it was over the holidays and it was snowing but we parked at a garage 1 block from the theater. We saw a 7 pm show that ended at 9;30 and I was in my house before 10:30. So much earlier than if we had been at the mercy of a train schedule. Good luck! Enjoy the show! Which are you seeing, btw?

 

[librarygal]

Icon parking is only $10 after 6pm and on weekends. I don't think you can beat that price on the train. Where are you going after the show? Are you driving home? Broadway shows are looong. If the show is at seven you won't be out till about 9:40.

 

[NJGirl]

We live in south Jersey and we always take the train in from Hamilton nj, parking is about $5 for the day, the train is about $22 RT (it was last time we went) kids are free on weekends. The train takes you right in to Madison sq garden. We drove in one time and it took us ages to get out of the city. Taking the train is fun for the kids, you don't have to worry about parking or traffic!

Have a great time!

Agreed. I live in Hamilton and take the train all the time on the weekends for shows. So much less stressful than driving. I took my cousins (8 and 11) for the first time last Christmas for their 1st Broadway show and am taking them again in a few weeks...they LOVED the train. And honestly, we always walk from Penn Station up to the theater district. No need for subway or a cab unless its BRUTALLY cold or raining buckets. I do usually take a cab back to Penn to make sure I make the train and don't have to wait a half hour for the next one. It's worth the 5 or 7 dollars.

Kids are still free on weekends and holidays and its 20.50 per adult roundtrip from Hamilton. Parking in Hamilton will run about 7 or 9 dollars depending on how long you are in the city.

If you do drive, just know that their are many closed streets in the Theater District and Times Sq area now that they have made open public space.

 

[Noreen411]

Hi

I would just drive in.

There are lots all over to park your car.

That way you are on your own schedule. If you want to eat, wander, etc.

Just so you'll have some idea on my perspective - I live in Northern NJ (Bergen Country), work downtown NYC (Tribeca) and drive to work every day. I don't want to be dependent on public transportation.

Whatever you decide, enjoy the show

Noreen