New York holiday advice

[Shamster]

I'm already on tripadvisor doing research but wanted to tap the brains of some of you folks as to the following:

New York
We're probably staying in a suites hotel around the Meadowlands area so the choice is between public transport and car.
Would it be relatively easy to get from that area to the main attractions by car? (first choice).
Parking in New York - typical daily costs and generally how bad will the traffic be in August?

Taxi fares for getting about generally - party of 5 (3 kids 2 adults) - would we need to get 2 taxis everytime?
Are the bus services reliable and clean - and how busy do they get during weekdays? Have thought about the subway but at least with the bus you get to see more of the City.

Any recommendations on what to do and what not to do are also welcome


Edited to cover just new York as I think we may be ok with other stuff.

[Oldpaint]

Nantucket is nice but its hard to get ferry reservations for a car in August and the roundtrip price is
up there. this is the website for that ferry. http://web3.steamshipauthority.com/ssa/ They also serve Martha's Vineyard. Probably easier to leave the car on the cape. This is the website for an alternative passenger ferry: http://www.hy-linecruises.com/ They serve both Islands and run a boat between them.

[Shamster]

Quote: Originally Posted by Oldpaint (original)

Nantucket is nice but its hard to get ferry reservations for a car in August and the roundtrip price is
up there. this is the website for that ferry. The Steamship Authority, Serving the Islands of Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket They also serve Martha's Vineyard. Probably easier to leave the car on the cape. This is the website for an alternative passenger ferry: Hy-Line Cruises They serve both Islands and run a boat between them.

Thanks for this info - I never realised that the ferry costs would be so high but we'd park in Hyannis and take the passenger ferry to MV I think.

I've abbreviated the post to cover the NYC region as that's what I would really like to find out more about.

[yellowmininy]

Sham, there are trains into NYC from New Jersey, if you're staying near the Meadowlands, called PATH trains.
The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey - PATH

I have taken the subway more than I have taken buses in NYC, but even the subway is cleaner than it used to be. Some of the bigger (Checker style) cabs should hold 5 people. I'm not sure if this is still true, but I think cabs are exempt from the seat belt laws (though common sense might tell you otherwise), but you might be able to get an adult & 3 kids in the backseat and an adult up front with the driver.

For short distances, NYC is a great place to walk, and I probably walk farther in NYC than other places, just because there's so much to see.

I think you could find parking if you decide to drive- here's one site with info
Parking Facilities in New York City - New York City Department of City Planning

[yellowmininy]

Here's the bus/subway website, MTA
MTA New York City Transit

[rfinprc]

The buses are clean and reliable. To make it all more manageable you'd want to purchase fare cads, which you can do at subway stations and at newsstands. The cards make bus transfers (crosstown bus to up/downtown bus, for instance) very easy, and you only get charges once.

With a party of five short trips will be cheaper by cab than by bus, although I'm not sure about getting five in a cab, except possible the minivan ones. When I was a cabbie in NYC a zillion years ago only the Checkers with jump-seats could take 5, and there are no more Checkers.

Taking the PATH in will be a better deal than driving and parking (don't forget the cost of tolls and Valium).

And walking is often the most enjoyable option.

[yellowmininy]

Another great way to see NYC is on the Circle Line tours, if you haven't done that before. They also have ferries out to the Statue of Liberty.
Circle Line Downtown

[jwardell]

Quote: Originally Posted by rfinprc (original)

When I was a cabbie in NYC

...that explains some things!

[Banana Panceyette]

Oooh, ooh.. I'm there now Sham

My biggest advice to you would be to not drive, they're completely insane - there doesn't seem to be much order on the roads, they tend to make their own lanes from what I can tell!!!

We're in a group of 5 and standard taxis won't take you but we haven't had much hassle getting one of the biggest vehicles, the longest we've probably waited is abt 10mins.

IMO, the Subway has been the best method of transport. However, we have the Circleline passes that YM mentioned and not only do they give you some great tours but we've used them purely as a method of transport to some of the attractions!

We've done most of the touristy stuff but if there is one thing I thoroughly recommend that you may not otherwise consider, it's the Radio City Music Hall. It's a really concise tour and the venue is full of history, I found it a really interesting experience.

Everyone has mentioned the Beast, Speedboat ride and today we're booked onto it. Slightly worried about it but I'll tell you if it lives up to the hype, !!

Oh, and a restuarant that everyone has told us about is Tavern on the Green, it's in the middle of Central Park. We're booked in there on Friday so again, I'll tell you if it's a good as we're being told!!

[lightyr]

If you're actually staying in the Meadowlands, PATH is probably not that convenient for you as the station in in Hoboken. However, there is a NJ Transit station in Secaucus which is the heart of the Meadowlands. Check your hotel's website and see if they offer a shuttle van that can take you from the hotel to the train station. That train will take you to Penn Station which is at 31st Street and 7-8 Avenues (right below Madison Square Garden) and a stone's throw from Macy's (the world's largest department store). You may also walk two crosstown blocks and be at the Empire State Building. Penn Station is a good rallying point as the NYC subway (our Metro) has major stations in that area in which you can get onto any of the many subway lines that can take you anywhere in the city.

[Shamster]

Thanks for all the tips everyone. Unfortunately for me while I was busy researching, the cost of the flights went up by £1400 which brought it into line with costs for the West Coast so it looks like we are going to head there instead for the moment. The East Coast will be happening again but not this year now .

[yellowmininy]

Sorry to hear that, Sham, but I'm sure you'll find some friendly folks on the west coast too.

[Shaun]

Quote: Originally Posted by Shamster (original)

Thanks for all the tips everyone. Unfortunately for me while I was busy researching, the cost of the flights went up by £1400 which brought it into line with costs for the West Coast so it looks like we are going to head there instead for the moment. The East Coast will be happening again but not this year now .

Shame I was just about to tell you about watching Liverpool play at meadow lands and taxis and buses but shall have to wait.

[Shamster]

It may mean seeing Jim twice in a year but I think I should be ok as I've been to the West Coast many times before (ex Laguna Beach junkie).

Gotta love the In 'n' Out burgers .