Some questions about going to NYC
Nov 19, 2000 | 10:24 am
#1
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Join Date: May 2000
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Some questions about going to NYC
Basic plan: After my final exams, go to NYC on Friday with a friend and relax for 2 days. Then leave from JFK to go to the Manila on Sunday. (Haven't been to NYC in over 12 years.)
Main motivation: Leave from JFK instead of SYR -- save $350 on airline ticket.
1. LODGING: Staying in the Marriott Financial District for $125 / night. Is this is a good area to stay (as opposed to hotels in NJ)? (Midtown is SO expensive!) Is it relatively safe to take the subway to/from midtown?
2. TRANSPORTATION to NYC: I plan on taking a bus from Ithaca, NY to Port Authority. How should I go from Port Authority to the financial district (shuttle service vs. taxi vs. subway)? Since I'll be carrying a large suitcase and roller-bag handcarry, I'm more concerned about safety rather cost.
3. TRANSPORTATION to JFK: How long does it take to get to JFK from Manhattan on a Sunday morning (shuttle bus vs. sedan service)? From what I've been on the web, the difference is around $40. I'm more concerned about travel time and convenience.
4. TOURIST TRAPS: Any recommendations? Being a college student, I'm studying too much that I don't get any Christmas spirit. Any place/area to visit to get the Christmas spirit? Was also thinking of going to skating rink near Rockefeller center. Any other suggestions?
Thanks for your input.
- Pat
Main motivation: Leave from JFK instead of SYR -- save $350 on airline ticket.
1. LODGING: Staying in the Marriott Financial District for $125 / night. Is this is a good area to stay (as opposed to hotels in NJ)? (Midtown is SO expensive!) Is it relatively safe to take the subway to/from midtown?
2. TRANSPORTATION to NYC: I plan on taking a bus from Ithaca, NY to Port Authority. How should I go from Port Authority to the financial district (shuttle service vs. taxi vs. subway)? Since I'll be carrying a large suitcase and roller-bag handcarry, I'm more concerned about safety rather cost.
3. TRANSPORTATION to JFK: How long does it take to get to JFK from Manhattan on a Sunday morning (shuttle bus vs. sedan service)? From what I've been on the web, the difference is around $40. I'm more concerned about travel time and convenience.
4. TOURIST TRAPS: Any recommendations? Being a college student, I'm studying too much that I don't get any Christmas spirit. Any place/area to visit to get the Christmas spirit? Was also thinking of going to skating rink near Rockefeller center. Any other suggestions?
Thanks for your input.
- Pat
Nov 19, 2000 | 11:00 am
#2
Join Date: Feb 2000
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Posts: 641
Lodging: Best bet while in college is to shack up with friends. Short of that, you're talking about NYC hotels - take your pick.
To Financial District: The subway is safe (try the A/E blue-colored line), but for convenience you just might want to cab it.
To JFK: Take a cab and donate the $40 to charity. Or, plan for an hour and a half for the subway on $1.50. JFK/Aqueduct stop.
Christmas Spirit: The Rockefeller Center tree and rink are about as Christmas-y as you can get in the City. A good place to eat on the cheap-good-much triad (and pretty healthy) is Benny's Burritos. In fact, you as a college student would do well in that part of town (Greenwich Village). For a Chapter House-esque experience, try Chumley's at 86 Bedford Street (do look for the street number).
Also, while you're around Rockefeller Center, stop by the Cornell Club on 44th Street between Madison and Fifth.
Good luck on your prelims
To Financial District: The subway is safe (try the A/E blue-colored line), but for convenience you just might want to cab it.
To JFK: Take a cab and donate the $40 to charity. Or, plan for an hour and a half for the subway on $1.50. JFK/Aqueduct stop.
Christmas Spirit: The Rockefeller Center tree and rink are about as Christmas-y as you can get in the City. A good place to eat on the cheap-good-much triad (and pretty healthy) is Benny's Burritos. In fact, you as a college student would do well in that part of town (Greenwich Village). For a Chapter House-esque experience, try Chumley's at 86 Bedford Street (do look for the street number).
Also, while you're around Rockefeller Center, stop by the Cornell Club on 44th Street between Madison and Fifth.
Good luck on your prelims
Nov 19, 2000 | 3:33 pm
#3
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Wiirachy,
I was just in NYC this past week.
If you want to stay in Manhattan, I would recommend trying Hotel Edison. I stayed there. The room was $130/night. Just booked it on the internet.
Was actually a pretty nice hotel and it is on West 47th, right at Times Square.
William
I was just in NYC this past week.
If you want to stay in Manhattan, I would recommend trying Hotel Edison. I stayed there. The room was $130/night. Just booked it on the internet.
Was actually a pretty nice hotel and it is on West 47th, right at Times Square.
William
Nov 19, 2000 | 8:14 pm
#5
Join Date: Feb 2000
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I have done what you are doing a few times, so here's some advice...
To get from Port Authority to the Marriott Financial Center, subway is probably your best bet. The subway is located right in the bus terminal and the E train takes you straight to the World Trade Center, which is just a couple of blocks from the Marriott Financial Center... Unless you are doing this late at night, I don't see the value in taking a cab, because you will end up in traffic.
As far as getting to JFK, the A train (or more specifically, certain A trains) go to Howard Beach, where there is an airport shuttle to the terminal. The shuttle waits for the arriving subway. Count on up to 2 hours of total travel time, because the A train that goes to Howard Beach can run infrequently (say every 20 minutes), depending on time of day. A cab or SuperShuttle would be an option too, especially if your luggage is too much for stairs. But a cab isn't fast, at least when I took a cab (on a holiday) from JFK to the Marriott Financial Center, we were on surface streets in Brooklyn for almost an hour.
Marriott Financial Center is a decent hotel, during the day, downtown and Battery Park is bustling, but the area is dead at night. Still, the hotel is close to subways and the World Trade Center, so it really isn't too bad. Staying in New Jersey is not the best idea. I stayed at Newark Airport before, but the travel into NYC was expensive and wasted time.
If you want to stay in Midtown, try bidding on Priceline, although it is unlikely you can beat $125.
Good luck. I spent last summer in NYC and it was one crazy and expensive experience.
To get from Port Authority to the Marriott Financial Center, subway is probably your best bet. The subway is located right in the bus terminal and the E train takes you straight to the World Trade Center, which is just a couple of blocks from the Marriott Financial Center... Unless you are doing this late at night, I don't see the value in taking a cab, because you will end up in traffic.
As far as getting to JFK, the A train (or more specifically, certain A trains) go to Howard Beach, where there is an airport shuttle to the terminal. The shuttle waits for the arriving subway. Count on up to 2 hours of total travel time, because the A train that goes to Howard Beach can run infrequently (say every 20 minutes), depending on time of day. A cab or SuperShuttle would be an option too, especially if your luggage is too much for stairs. But a cab isn't fast, at least when I took a cab (on a holiday) from JFK to the Marriott Financial Center, we were on surface streets in Brooklyn for almost an hour.
Marriott Financial Center is a decent hotel, during the day, downtown and Battery Park is bustling, but the area is dead at night. Still, the hotel is close to subways and the World Trade Center, so it really isn't too bad. Staying in New Jersey is not the best idea. I stayed at Newark Airport before, but the travel into NYC was expensive and wasted time.
If you want to stay in Midtown, try bidding on Priceline, although it is unlikely you can beat $125.
Good luck. I spent last summer in NYC and it was one crazy and expensive experience.
Nov 19, 2000 | 10:16 pm
#6
Join Date: Mar 2000
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Why don't you come down to Delaware with Brian and leave from PHL or BWI. We'll entertain you (oh wait, there's nothing to do here!)
[This message has been edited by markbach (edited 11-19-2000).]
[This message has been edited by markbach (edited 11-19-2000).]
Nov 20, 2000 | 7:36 am
#7
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I take the subway 24-hours a day without incident (and I'm female). Just don't flash money around.
Financial District is kinda dead at night but the subways are fine.
I second the opinion on Wollman Rink vs. Rock Center - RC is way too expensive and they limit your time and lines are LONG!
Just walking through the Park in fall/winter is very pretty.
NYC is a lot safer than it used to be. Just keep your eyes open
Cabs from JFK to anywhere in Manhattan are flat fee of $30 + tip and tolls. From Manhattan to JFK there is no flat fee but it will be around the same price, maybe slightly more. To/From lower Manhattan it will take about 45 minutes.
Unless you like massive crowds of tourists, avoid Rockefeller Center. Also, at Rock Center, be aware of pickpockets - they come out during the holidays.
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I wish I were 1,000 miles away
Financial District is kinda dead at night but the subways are fine.
I second the opinion on Wollman Rink vs. Rock Center - RC is way too expensive and they limit your time and lines are LONG!
Just walking through the Park in fall/winter is very pretty.
NYC is a lot safer than it used to be. Just keep your eyes open
Cabs from JFK to anywhere in Manhattan are flat fee of $30 + tip and tolls. From Manhattan to JFK there is no flat fee but it will be around the same price, maybe slightly more. To/From lower Manhattan it will take about 45 minutes.
Unless you like massive crowds of tourists, avoid Rockefeller Center. Also, at Rock Center, be aware of pickpockets - they come out during the holidays.
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I wish I were 1,000 miles away