OT: New York City

[Longsx3]

I am not sure where to post this and I know there are some New Yorkers here so I hope someone can help.

DD (8) and I are coming to the states, from Germany, for her Spring Break in April. We fly into JFK and plan on staying in Edison NJ before driving to DC the next Day. We get in at 2pm is there any easy/ cheap way to get into to NYC from there or is that not practical? We will then be in DC for 3days before driving to Manchester for 2days then Back to NYC for 2 days before leaving. We will be staying at the Marriott La Guardia...I would love to stay in NYC but am hesitant to get stuck in the city before departure. Does anyone have any suggestions for things for us to do? I know we are going to the American Girl Store, I am over whelmed by all the choices and the short time to do it in.

TIA


Kelly

 

[disnutt]

The World of Disney store is near American Girl. You definitely must go there!

 

[Longsx3]

The World of Disney store is near American Girl. You definitely must go there!

We will thanks! I am considering taking her to the Little Women play but the good seat are quiet pricey and I am not sure I want to commit the time. On the other hand she has spent soo much time reading the book it may be worth it!

 

[DKx3]

We are going to American Girl store in June. If you'd like to eat at the cafe, or go to the show, you'll need to book now. We booked the other day, and the first weekend seating at the cafe was in June.

 

[crazyme5kids]

Are you getting a car rental at the airport and driving into NYC? Is there a reason you are staying in Edison (visiting friends etc...)? Would you be driving into NYC from the Marriott? When you say Manchester is that the one in Mass.? Are you staying 8 nights or 7? Sorry for all the questions, just trying to get a better idea of your plans before I can make my best suggestions.

 

[buzzlady]

If your asking if there is any easy way from Edison to NYC (I'm not sure if your asking JFK to NYC or Edison to NYC), the train would be very easy. It will take time for you to get through the airport and then drive to NJ. Not sure if you'd want to start your trip into the city that late in the day. The train from NJ to NYC would take about 1hr. If you need more information, let me know.

A question that I have is, is there a reason that you are staying in Edison, NJ? NJ to DC is not a short drive. Are you able to get a flight into a closer airport? I'm guessing that you picked Edison to be close to the NJ Turnpike to start your drive to DC the next morning.

 

[PatMcDuck]

Also nearby to American Girl, and World of Disney store, is FAO Swartz and the Central Park zoo.

 

[Longsx3]

Hi Everyone. Let me see if I can answer some questions: The reason we are flying into JFK is that I didn't want to have to make the 8hr trip from DC to Manchester, NH (outside Boston) twice and this way we have an opportunity to see NYC. Plus flying into JFK offerred us a non-stop flight from Frankfurt and the others did not. As for why Edison because it came up when I searched from JFk to DC with a Marriott, well a Courtyard, it said it was only 38 miles from JFK. So I figured we could get a little ways out of the city for our Drive down to DC the next day. I realize the drive down to DC could easily be done on the 6th I just didn't want to trap us in a car for 3 hours after a 8hr flight.

Here is what our trip looks like so far:

April 6th Arrive JFK at 2:25 pm Pick up rental car which should be quick since it is National Emerald Club....should be out of the Airport by 3:30

Spend the night at the Courtyard Edison 120 a night gov't rate. I would like to go into the city to sight-see a little but I am thinking we might just find a Mall to browse.

April 7th Depart NJ for DC, I hope to leave around 630. Staying at the Marriott Suites Dulles...got a great rate of 89 a night plus am able to use some bonus bucks. Out of pocket should be about $125 plus I will earn a $100 bonus buck. We will be spending time with friends in the area and may spend an afternoon in DC.


April 10 Depart for Manchester, NH. Approx. 8h drive.

Staying at the Nashua Marriott, Gov't rate of 92 a night but will be using at Marriott British Pound Bonus Buck and will only spend about $30 out of pocket. We wll spend sometime the 10th and the 11th with my SIL.

April 12 Depart for NYC, hopefull we will leave about 7am.

Because I will have a rental car we are staying at the Marriott La Guardia, I really don't want to drive into the city so we will use the subway. I will be using points for the room and will have a bonus buck for the extras. No cash out of pocket. It appears to me (any opinions?) that this is our best choice because it is near the subway 7 line.

So we will have part of the afternoon the 12th, all day the 13th and part of the day the 14th in NYC. Our plane departs at 7:55 pm the 14th.

Any ideas for the best itnerary while in NYC, we have to do lunch at the American Girl Store, is it feasible to do this the 14th?


Thanks for all of your help!

 

[crazyme5kids]

I have a couple of suggestions and questions. If you get out of JFK around 3:30 you will hit rush hour traffic here on LI, around NYC and in Jersey. You might make it off LI without too much traffic, but you never know how it will be on any given day. The following day you will need to take rush hour into account from Edison. I am not sure when rush hour is around the DC area.

Is there anyway possible for your SIL to meet and stay with you in NYC? It just seems like you will be spending so much of your trip in the car.

If it were me here is what I would do. I would skip getting a rental car. I would spend the 1st night in NYC. I would take a train to DC. Spend a few days in DC then I would take the train back to NYC. I would spend the rest of my time staying and seeing NYC.

I'm not sure where the subway from around LaGuardia is, or how convienient it is, maybe someone else can give you info on that one. One of the things about driving in the NY Metro area is that while something might say it is close (mile wise) it can still take longer than expected because of traffic, lights Etc...

Just some food for thought.

 

[Longsx3]

I have a couple of suggestions and questions. If you get out of JFK around 3:30 you will hit rush hour traffic here on LI, around NYC and in Jersey. You might make it off LI without too much traffic, but you never know how it will be on any given day. The following day you will need to take rush hour into account from Edison. I am not sure when rush hour is around the DC area.

Is there anyway possible for your SIL to meet and stay with you in NYC? It just seems like you will be spending so much of your trip in the car.

If it were me here is what I would do. I would skip getting a rental car. I would spend the 1st night in NYC. I would take a train to DC. Spend a few days in DC then I would take the train back to NYC. I would spend the rest of my time staying and seeing NYC.

I'm not sure where the subway from around LaGuardia is, or how convienient it is, maybe someone else can give you info on that one. One of the things about driving in the NY Metro area is that while something might say it is close (mile wise) it can still take longer than expected because of traffic, lights Etc...

Just some food for thought.

Thanks for the ideas; I am going to propose the idea of my SIL joining us in NYC this afternoon, while I am not to hopeful it never hurts to ask. As a Military spouse I have found whenever we travel home we are expected to "see everyone" but anyone rarely makes it easy! To SIL's credit she does have a 3 and 6yr old that may make it diificult to travel.

Intially I had looked into the train from NYC but it was costly compared to the rental car and really I need a car in DC anyways. Unfortunately our friends ar spread out across the DC metro. BTW the way as I remmeber rush hour in DC is from 7-10 am 3-7pm.

What I am thinking is if SIL agrees to come to NYC is that I will return the rental car on the 10th and use public transportation for the rest of the trip. Possibly switching hotels to stay in the City.

Thanks again for your help!

Kelly

 

[crazyme5kids]

I'm not a military spouse, but I know what you mean about people not making it easy to see them. I have a 3 and 6 year old and they love going into the city, so much to do and see. You might want to post on the community board about this too. You might get some suggestions that are helpful from people over there.

Have a great trip!

 

[Taja]

A suggestion from one who visits various "homes" periodically and is expected to see everyone during a limited holiday.

Suggest a central meeting point. We've done everything from moderate restaurants to picnics in the park, depending on the individuals involved, budget, weather and availability. Everyone pays their own way (separate checks in a restaurant, bring your own food picnic, etc.), so it can be a inexpensive or elaborate as one chooses.

While people will be disappointed that you won't be going to their homes, I've discovered I dislike spending one or two days in a car and visiting for only an hour or two at a time! It's my holiday and I want to relax!

 

[Imzadi]

I have a couple of suggestions and questions. If you get out of JFK around 3:30 you will hit rush hour traffic here on LI, around NYC and in Jersey. You might make it off LI without too much traffic, but you never know how it will be on any given day. The following day you will need to take rush hour into account from Edison. I am not sure when rush hour is around the DC area.

Is there anyway possible for your SIL to meet and stay with you in NYC? It just seems like you will be spending so much of your trip in the car.

If it were me here is what I would do. I would skip getting a rental car. I would spend the 1st night in NYC. I would take a train to DC. Spend a few days in DC then I would take the train back to NYC. I would spend the rest of my time staying and seeing NYC.

I'm not sure where the subway from around LaGuardia is, or how convienient it is, maybe someone else can give you info on that one. One of the things about driving in the NY Metro area is that while something might say it is close (mile wise) it can still take longer than expected because of traffic, lights Etc...

Just some food for thought.

I totally agree with crazyme5kids.
At a good hour, JFK is still an hour from NYC. With rush hour traffic it may be an hour more.

While Edison, NH may be 38 miles per a map, DRIVING there will certainly take a lot longer. Plus you are forgetting tolls in & out of NYC, plus parking fees in the city. What ever you thought you'd "save" may be eaten up in those extra little expenses.

You might want to think about only renting a local car for the time you are in the DC area and taking the train for everything else. Another thing to think about is flying into Newark Airport (EWR). It is soooo much closer to midtown Manhattan via the Lincoln Tunnel driving, (40 minutes,) or the Olympia Trailways shuttle bus service, $12/person. Also, it is a closer drive to DC or Edison than driving from JFK. You'd be already in NJ, as you didn't list doing anything in NYC, other than driving, on the 6th.

 

[roadtripper]

GO SEE LITTLE WOMEN!!
I just went yesterday, and it's marvelous-- worth the money. On the other hand, you could risk trying to get tickets the day of the show at the TKTS stand in Times Square (google Theatre Development Fund) for more info-- they might be half price, but they may be sold out...

 

[Longsx3]

GO SEE LITTLE WOMEN!!
I just went yesterday, and it's marvelous-- worth the money. On the other hand, you could risk trying to get tickets the day of the show at the TKTS stand in Times Square (google Theatre Development Fund) for more info-- they might be half price, but they may be sold out...

I am seriously considering it! DS has spent a lot of time reading the book and I think she would enjoy it. Only 6 chapters to go Right now I am thinking that getting tickets at the TKTS stand is our best option because it leaves room for flexibility.


For those who have suggested the train, I looked into it again and it would be $228 RT to DC but I am so concerned with possible airline delays. I really don't want to be locked into anything I can't change. Besides that would only work if SIL would meet us in NYC which doesn't look possible, but I will keep ya'll updated! Thanks again for all of the advice.

 

[crazyme5kids]

Longsx3, if you don't mind my asking, what are you paying for the rental car? It really might be about the same price as a train when all is said and done. The DC Metro is so easy to use for getting around.

I like the idea of everyone meeting at one spot for a visit. Why fly all this way with your daughter only to spend your time driving around to see people? Ask yourself if these same people were to fly over to where you live would you expect or even want them to spend precious time like that. It just seems like such a waste. You are spending a lot of money to get here. Your daughter will be disappointed and I think in the long run so will you if you don't get to sight see and have fun. Tell people you'd love to see them and would they please meet you to go sight seeing. NYC and DC have so many wonderful things to see and do. How often will you get this opportunity? If people really want to see you but don't want to sight see with you (the DC folks) why not stay at someones house? Have breakfast together or spend the evening together but go sight seeing during the day. Make it clear that your staying with them doesn't mean they need to sit with you 24/7.

I also think you are over worrying about your flight. Relax you won't miss your plane home if you stay in the city. I understand not wanting to be locked into things, but it sounds to me that the way you are doing things now is leaving you even less flexability. Too much driving. Too many hours in the car where you could be stuck in traffic at any point for hours. Too little time for fun.

 

[csmommy]

While they have not listed any codes for Little Women for April, this site has always helped me with Broadway Discounts: http://www.broadwaybox.com/default.asp?s=33

and if all else fails there is always: http://www.nytix.com/Broadway/HalfPriceTicketStand/halfpriceticketstand.html

Good luck & have a great time, nothing (even Disney) beats NYC!

 

[Longsx3]

I am still waiting to here back from SIL which usually means no, which I understand ...I'm not sure I would be quick to take a 3 and a 6yr old to NYC.


The reason I am renting a car is because while the DC metro is a good system, our friends are spread out...one is as far as Leesburg, Va. While I would love to say this is where I will be, come see me....I just can't one friend recently opened a new Lilly Shop and the others both have young children at home and I want to be able to accomodate them. Make sense?
Besides neither myself or DD really mind the Driving, it gives us time to talk with out distraction and she usually reads to me while I drive. Plus it is something that we use to do in the states all of the time and we don't do here in Germany because of gas prices.


Thanks for the links, the one had a picture of the ticket booth and it helps to know what I am looking for. In London there is a similar ticket booth but there are a bunch of fakes also and if you don't know what you are looking for you can get ripped off. I found another linked that showed the TKTS had Little Women in Feb. so I am hoping for Mid week in April we should be okay...but if not there are so many other shows I think we will find something.

Can someone tell me how dressed for a show we need to be? If we are sight seeing all day I don't really want to have to go back to the hotel to get dressed up!

While I know this won't compare to Disney, we were just there in Dec therefore I can't really justify going back 4 months later. We also expect to live in Tampa 6/2006! Besides I felt like to go back to the states I needed to do somenthing new otherwise I should just travel Europe.

Thanks again for all the advice, please keep it coming!


Kelly

 

[Longsx3]

Bumping...because I have no Idea how to dress for the theater!

 

[crazyme5kids]

You can get real dressed up or you can go casual. I usually wear jeans unless I'm going somewhere very fancy for dinner.