We ride at midnight, Manhattan in the distance...
April 4, 2017 11:01 AM Subscribe
We are doing a crazy stupid travel thing tomorrow just to see a show on Broadway. I would like your opinions on the best of a number of insane travel options:
Trip: Portland, ME to NYC
We are leaving Portland early in the morning, driving south, seeing a 2 pm show on Broadway, and coming back all in one day.
We are driving at least part of the trip. My travel companion and I are both experienced long-distance drivers and the many, many hours of driving during the day doesn't phase us. (Flying was too expensive, train was too expensive and the schedule was a mess, the bus was affordable but the schedule didn't work.) However:
Our plan is to drive to ... a point ... park, get the train to Grand Central (aiming to arrive in NY about noon), see our show (2 pm - 5 pm), so some other quick stuff, and then reverse for the trip home.
One option (our normal option for a trip to NY) is to drive from Portland to White Plains, NY and take the train from White Plains. However, there is also an option to only drive as far as New Haven, and then take the longer train trip from there (which is less driving and more train). A third option is to drive all the way into NYC (ugh) and pay to park in the city.
I'm wondering what the hive mind thinks the best option might be, or if there are other "drive to here" locations we had not considered.
PS: we realize this is insane. however, we're doing it.
Trip: Portland, ME to NYC
We are leaving Portland early in the morning, driving south, seeing a 2 pm show on Broadway, and coming back all in one day.
We are driving at least part of the trip. My travel companion and I are both experienced long-distance drivers and the many, many hours of driving during the day doesn't phase us. (Flying was too expensive, train was too expensive and the schedule was a mess, the bus was affordable but the schedule didn't work.) However:
Our plan is to drive to ... a point ... park, get the train to Grand Central (aiming to arrive in NY about noon), see our show (2 pm - 5 pm), so some other quick stuff, and then reverse for the trip home.
One option (our normal option for a trip to NY) is to drive from Portland to White Plains, NY and take the train from White Plains. However, there is also an option to only drive as far as New Haven, and then take the longer train trip from there (which is less driving and more train). A third option is to drive all the way into NYC (ugh) and pay to park in the city.
I'm wondering what the hive mind thinks the best option might be, or if there are other "drive to here" locations we had not considered.
PS: we realize this is insane. however, we're doing it.
Best answer: It seems like Fordham is the closest station that serves the New Haven and Harlem Metro North lines, but it has no parking. Woodlawn only serves the Harlem line but it has parking, and it would be about 45 minutes from there to, say, the Winter Garden, including walking from the station. That doesn't sound bad to me but I have no knowledge of NYC traffic beyond a few trips late at night.
This has to be a weekend, right? They don't have matinees on weekdays as far as I know.
posted by wnissen at 11:20 AM on April 4, 2017
This has to be a weekend, right? They don't have matinees on weekdays as far as I know.
posted by wnissen at 11:20 AM on April 4, 2017
The question seems to indicate this is happening tomorrow for a Wednesday matinee, which is a thing.
posted by sockermom at 11:21 AM on April 4, 2017 [4 favorites]
posted by sockermom at 11:21 AM on April 4, 2017 [4 favorites]
I would drive down to New Haven and train from there; it will be significantly saner dealing with grand central rush hour rather than starting a 6-7hr drive home at 5pm.
I will note that the ride in will be local, (so 2hrs) vs the return which will go more express and be about 1.5hrs. This is about the same as driving the distance, but cuts out having to park/deal with city traffic. To me it would be worth it; since you could also nap before getting back on the road home. (Also then it's ~ 4hr ride home instead of 6 hrs!)
Check the fares vs. parking costs though; as that may make this a bit less economical if there are more than 2 of you.
posted by larthegreat at 11:24 AM on April 4, 2017 [6 favorites]
I will note that the ride in will be local, (so 2hrs) vs the return which will go more express and be about 1.5hrs. This is about the same as driving the distance, but cuts out having to park/deal with city traffic. To me it would be worth it; since you could also nap before getting back on the road home. (Also then it's ~ 4hr ride home instead of 6 hrs!)
Check the fares vs. parking costs though; as that may make this a bit less economical if there are more than 2 of you.
posted by larthegreat at 11:24 AM on April 4, 2017 [6 favorites]
Sorry, I missed the word TOMORROW. I think parking in New Haven and taking the train makes the most sense- saves you from as much rush hour traffic as possible (the traffic going into NYC is basically rush hour all day long), and you can rest/sleep on the train so you'll be rested to see the show!
posted by ThePinkSuperhero at 11:29 AM on April 4, 2017 [2 favorites]
posted by ThePinkSuperhero at 11:29 AM on April 4, 2017 [2 favorites]
Is it Hamilton?!
Agree with larthegreat - just make sure you try to build in extra time to shuffle around Grand Central and the like to get to where you need to be, pee, be in time, etc. -- especially if you're not familiar with midtown Manhattan.
posted by knownassociate at 11:35 AM on April 4, 2017 [2 favorites]
Agree with larthegreat - just make sure you try to build in extra time to shuffle around Grand Central and the like to get to where you need to be, pee, be in time, etc. -- especially if you're not familiar with midtown Manhattan.
posted by knownassociate at 11:35 AM on April 4, 2017 [2 favorites]
Unless you're very averse to driving in the city, I would recommend driving. The train will eat up a bunch of time with arriving early, parking, getting to the theater from GC, etc.
The key is to pre-buy parking. I often use spothero.com or parkwhiz.com. If you're not driving a crossover or SUV (there are often $10-$20 upcharges for SUVs), you can park within a 5 minute walk to Times Square for $20 which is much less than two round trip tickets on the Metro North. And test the time parameters on the website before you buy. It is often the same price to park for 2 hours as it is for 12. If you are driving an SUV, don't declare it on the parking site. Sometimes they let it go.
Oh, and if you're up for a bit of a walk, parking closer to the FDR or West Side Highway (depending on where you're headed afterwards) will help you avoid the middle of the city traffic problems. If you're indifferent to where you park, I vote to park on the west side. In my experience, the FDR is often a mess, but that's only my experience. Have fun!
posted by defreckled at 11:40 AM on April 4, 2017 [5 favorites]
The key is to pre-buy parking. I often use spothero.com or parkwhiz.com. If you're not driving a crossover or SUV (there are often $10-$20 upcharges for SUVs), you can park within a 5 minute walk to Times Square for $20 which is much less than two round trip tickets on the Metro North. And test the time parameters on the website before you buy. It is often the same price to park for 2 hours as it is for 12. If you are driving an SUV, don't declare it on the parking site. Sometimes they let it go.
Oh, and if you're up for a bit of a walk, parking closer to the FDR or West Side Highway (depending on where you're headed afterwards) will help you avoid the middle of the city traffic problems. If you're indifferent to where you park, I vote to park on the west side. In my experience, the FDR is often a mess, but that's only my experience. Have fun!
posted by defreckled at 11:40 AM on April 4, 2017 [5 favorites]
Hooray for crazystupidtravelthings!
I agree with everyone who says park at New Haven and take Metro North in, but I also find the experience of driving in Manhattan - especially at rush hour! - supremely aggravating; you say "ugh" so I suspect you feel similarly :] However, do keep in mind that if you're getting on Metro North right at rush hour, you may be standing for awhile; don't count on being able to find a seat and catch a nap for the full 90-120 minutes. Might be worth delaying your return to after dinner if you need that nap before finishing the drive home.
posted by Pandora Kouti at 11:57 AM on April 4, 2017 [1 favorite]
I agree with everyone who says park at New Haven and take Metro North in, but I also find the experience of driving in Manhattan - especially at rush hour! - supremely aggravating; you say "ugh" so I suspect you feel similarly :] However, do keep in mind that if you're getting on Metro North right at rush hour, you may be standing for awhile; don't count on being able to find a seat and catch a nap for the full 90-120 minutes. Might be worth delaying your return to after dinner if you need that nap before finishing the drive home.
posted by Pandora Kouti at 11:57 AM on April 4, 2017 [1 favorite]
Best answer: I would strongly consider still going to White Plains. You'll add less than an hour in driving time (assuming light traffic, and taking the Merritt / Hutch instead of 95) and save more than an hour in train time. There are also three trains per hour from White Plains versus two at New Haven, and one of them is an express that gets to Grand Central in just 40 minutes.
Alternatively, you could go to Stamford, which gets four trains an hour (two local at 1:10 to GCT, two express at 0:50), but the stretch of 95 between New Haven and Stamford could be risky for traffic.
posted by thecaddy at 1:05 PM on April 4, 2017 [1 favorite]
Alternatively, you could go to Stamford, which gets four trains an hour (two local at 1:10 to GCT, two express at 0:50), but the stretch of 95 between New Haven and Stamford could be risky for traffic.
posted by thecaddy at 1:05 PM on April 4, 2017 [1 favorite]
Best answer: I agree that White Plains or New Haven are indeed your best bets. Driving in does cost less because parking is always cheaper than two rush-hour tickets on Metro North, but leaving the city at 5 or 6 pm is going to add a lot of unpredictable and stressful traffic time that you'll skip by being on the train. If, however, you're going to be having dinner and hitting the road at 7 or later, then I'd drive all the way in, or to a closer express station like Stamford.
I like your White Plains option better than New Haven, ultimately, because there are more trains. For example, there are 8 trains leaving White Plains that arrive in NYC between 11 am and 1 pm, but only 4 from New Haven.
posted by xo at 1:10 PM on April 4, 2017 [1 favorite]
I like your White Plains option better than New Haven, ultimately, because there are more trains. For example, there are 8 trains leaving White Plains that arrive in NYC between 11 am and 1 pm, but only 4 from New Haven.
posted by xo at 1:10 PM on April 4, 2017 [1 favorite]
I feel like I'm reading a bunch of crazy people. Drive in and park on the far East or West sides and walk over. It's a city, not a land war in Asia.
posted by JPD at 3:17 PM on April 4, 2017 [2 favorites]
posted by JPD at 3:17 PM on April 4, 2017 [2 favorites]
JDP, usually I'd agree, but embarking on a 6hr+ ride that starts with NYC traffic is what drives my recommendation. (I have literally spent 1.5hrs leaving the island of Manhattan from midtown, yes usually it's not that bad, but it can be terrible)
posted by larthegreat at 4:46 PM on April 4, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by larthegreat at 4:46 PM on April 4, 2017 [1 favorite]
White Plains is a pretty decent option - they've got tons of parking and it's a fairly short train ride from there to GC. Enjoy the show!!! And safe travels.
posted by firei at 5:08 PM on April 4, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by firei at 5:08 PM on April 4, 2017 [1 favorite]
Please tell us how it goes!
posted by ThePinkSuperhero at 8:16 AM on April 5, 2017
posted by ThePinkSuperhero at 8:16 AM on April 5, 2017
Response by poster: Thank you to everyone for your thoughtful comments. We did end up getting the train at White Plains, simply because we were about ten minutes behind where we needed to be to get on the 10:23 am at New Haven, and the additional drive actually got us to Grand Central at exactly the same time.
Easy drive both ways. Five hours almost on the nose driving time on the way down, then slightly longer coming home.
We also got to go lunch from the myriad choices in the basement of Grand Central, and then ate on the plaza in front of the Public Library, which was the perfect choice for the day.
Yes, we saw Hamilton. :-)
posted by anastasiav at 8:23 AM on April 6, 2017 [3 favorites]
Easy drive both ways. Five hours almost on the nose driving time on the way down, then slightly longer coming home.
We also got to go lunch from the myriad choices in the basement of Grand Central, and then ate on the plaza in front of the Public Library, which was the perfect choice for the day.
Yes, we saw Hamilton. :-)
posted by anastasiav at 8:23 AM on April 6, 2017 [3 favorites]
Yay! I was also realizing Bridgeport might be a nice place to stop given that it's a cute downtown with several restaurants in walking distance from the station, plus it has a ginormous parking lot.
posted by wnissen at 9:52 AM on April 6, 2017
posted by wnissen at 9:52 AM on April 6, 2017
Also, for anyone reading this in the future, while Fordham does get service from both the Harlem and New Haven Lines, an old trackage rights agreement between the New York Central and the NY&NH Railroads--which Metro-North continues to honor due to its contract with CDOT --prevents passengers from boarding a New Haven Line train at Fordham to go into the city (likewise, you aren't supposed to ride a New Haven Line train from GCT to Fordham).
The degree to which this is enforced by conductors varies, but it's something to keep in mind.
posted by thecaddy at 11:26 AM on April 6, 2017
The degree to which this is enforced by conductors varies, but it's something to keep in mind.
posted by thecaddy at 11:26 AM on April 6, 2017
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posted by ThePinkSuperhero at 11:15 AM on April 4, 2017