Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with nyc and travel

Getting to Atlanta on the Chinatown bus

greta simone — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 07:11:08 -0800

Please tell me about your experience on the Chinatown bus from NYC to the southeast. Should I put my friend on it so she can get home? I have had a friend visiting me in NYC this weekend whose flight to Atlanta today got canceled. All the flights that the airline can reschedule her for will make her miss her Christmas plans.

So I looked up buses at gotobus.com and found a bus that leaves Chinatown run by Horse Run Tour. I am assuming this is the Chinatown bus, as it's the only bus leaving from Chinatown that I could find.

I have read previous threads about the Chinatown bus but they either seemed like they were from people who hadn't necessarily taken one or by people taking a different route (i.e. possibly run by a different carrier).

For what it's worth, we have already looks at tons of other options, and they are either too expensive or won't put her in Atlanta on the day she needs. Also, this trip says 14 hours to Greyhound's 23, so we figured it would be better.

Could you tell me if this bus is reasonably safe and reliable or any other experiences you have had?

Please hope me Amtrak rite!

Anonymous — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 20:19:54 -0800

Travel trips? I have read the Amtrak archives for some great advice but I have some different detailed questions! I'm taking my two teen age daughters to NYC for Christmas where we will be met with relatives at the train station. I have never taken Amtrak and have some questions about what to expect:

I understand there are no seat assignments. Should I be worried about being seperated from my daughters boarding an 8am train in Wilmington, DE on Christmas Eve morning? Similarly, on our return - we are leaving out of Penn Station on Sunday 12/27/09 afternoon for Wilmington. I'm assuming it will be very crowded but really have no idea and would like to be armed with more information.

Has anyone taken Amtrak from Wilmington to Penn Station (or similar route) that can tell me a little of what to expect?

Bonus help: I'm prone to mild claustrophobia (although I often fly on airplanes) and would like any travel tips for a happy Amtrak Adventure!

Please help me make Christmas memories for my boys

FunkyHelix — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 20:04:55 -0800

Children and Christmas in NYC - where are all the good windows? Where should we eat dinner? And what else should we check out? Next Friday I'll be taking my 6 and 11 year old boys into NYC via train for some Christmas site-seeing. It's something my mom did and it was always a bright holiday memory. So I really want to pass it along to my two.

We're going to swing by the big tree in the morning and possibly try the ice skating. From there we want to check out the fancy Christmas windows. Which ones would you suggest visiting as being awesome/interesting/etc?

We're going to street cart it for lunch and then look for somewhere interesting for dinner. We need somewhere moderately priced, not overly kitschy, touristy, or crowded and with a patient waitstaff (6 yo is ADHD and autistic.) Not looking for something like MacDonalds. It's a sin to be in a place as awesome as NYC and then eat at a franchise fast food place. Any suggestions?

We're going to try walking past the tree light up for night time on the way back to the train station. Anywhere to get hot chocolate and decent coffee that isn't a Starbucks that you'd suggest?

Finally? Besides the tree and the windows, I'd love any other suggestion for things to check out that are kid-friendly.

Thanks ahead of time!

NYC on a Weekday

LolaGeek — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 12:35:33 -0800

NYC Filter: What's fun to do in New York City on a weekday? Three friends and I (two men, two women, all late-20s) will be in New York City as tourists on a weekday. This will be in the near future, so the weather will probably be chilly.

We are spending the previous night in a hotel just outside the city (a 30 minute bus ride away), so the first problem is getting into town during the morning rush hour. Should we take our time checking out of the hotel and leave in the late morning when traffic will presumably be lighter?

Once we get there, what's cool to do? We've all been to NYC before, but probably not on a weekday - is there something we should take advantage of doing while most people are at work? Free or inexpensive would be great, though we wouldn't be opposed to a museum or something with a reasonable admission price. But I'm sure there's tons of cool places to just go visit.

We'll be leaving the city probably just ahead of the evening rush hour, so suggestions for lunch are also welcome.

Is there an app for that?

reformedjerk — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 09:25:09 -0800

I'm looking for a good New York City iPhone app for tourists. I'm heading to New York this weekend and I'd like to use my iPhone to get around, but there's a couple of caveats. I'm from Toronto, and even with my US Data Roaming add-on, I'll be paying a buck for every Mb. Consequently, I'd like to keep Google Maps usage as low as possible. Is there an app that has a nice zoomable map of Manhattan and a GPS location function? Ideally, I could get subway maps too, but I'm not adverse to getting a separate app for that.

If others have ways of caching Google Maps, that would be great too. I've not jailbroken the phone, and don't really intend too, but if there's something earth shatteringly good, I'd be willing to consider it.

La Guardia to 8th Ave&20th St.

Danf — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 11:13:03 -0800

Flying into LaGuardia Tuesday afternoon. Best way to Chelsea? The Q33 to the subway, the M60 to Columbia then the train, the NY Airport Express bus, or taxi?

Wise and savvy New Yorkers, how would YOU do this? (2 carry-ons per person, no checked luggage.)

Bonus Question: Can MetroCards be purchased at LGA?

What are the least interesting landmarks in NYC?

whir — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 10:54:04 -0800

More or less as a joke, I'm looking for some landmarks in NYC that are well-known to New Yorkers and yet incredibly dull and prosaic. My significant other is a one-time New Yorker who quite frequently talks about how much better the bagels are, the art scene, the sense of "energy," and all the other things that New Yorkers can't seem to shut up about once they go West of the Hudson. I harbor no ill-will towards New York or its inhabitants, in fact I like it there very much, but we're heading out there for a week or so in October and I've made a little game of requesting that the least interesting places possible be put on the itinerary.

The problem is, not being a New Yorker myself, my list of unlikely places to visit is extremely limited. I have suggested the Bronx, the Port Authority, and Roosevelt Island* but now the well is running a little dry. What are some other places in NYC that natives would all know about but that there would be no reason whatsoever to visit?

I suspect I can eke some mileage out of this previous question about NYC's worst bars, but she hasn't lived in the city for 4 years or so and I'm not certain how current that list is.

* Actually, I confess to be pretty interested in Roosevelt Island and its tram, but she claims there is no reason to go there.

Help me get to New York Law School on time.

fake — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 07:42:45 -0800

I'll be speaking at a conference in New York City, and I'd like to figure out how best to get there. The basic problem is that the conference begins at 12:30 on Thursday. All flights from Fargo, ND arrive at Newark Intl. at 12:00 or later. This does not seem like enough time.

The simple answer would be to go on Wednesday and get a hotel for the evening. However, money is a real problem for me. In fact, I am currently living out of my workshop.

That said, I have a credit card and can get cash. If you can simply tell me the best way to get to NYLS from Newark Intl, that would be very helpful.

I may try to stay until Sunday and live out of hostels, any recommendations there would also be welcome. I have experience with hostel life in Chicago, but this will be my first time in NYC.

Are there any affordable one-way tickets to Europe?

msbrauer — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 11:23:25 -0800

Are there inexpensive one-way tickets from the US to Europe? I'll be in NYC and want to get from there to Europe inexpensively around Sept. 1. My final destination is Paris, but anywhere in Europe served by the cheap airlines (RyanAir, et al) will work in a pinch. I only need a one-way ticket, and any return ticket will be useless to me. There are plenty of deals to Europe at the moment, but as always, they seem to be for roundtrip flights. Is there anything to be done?

So what's going on in NYC this weekend?

paxton — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 10:11:58 -0800

I know this is a semi-silly question with near infinite possibilities for answers, but what should I be doing to feel a little less like a tourist while I'm in Manhattan this weekend? There's obviously no shortage of things to do any day at any hour, but for those of you who call NYC home or are simply more familiar with its underbelly than I, what are you doing this weekend?
Suggestions for museums, food, gallery openings, off the beaten path shopping or even great people watching spots will all be entertained.

Last-minute July 4th plans for NYC wanderer

jckll — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 09:36:59 -0800

Last-minute July 4th plans for NYC wanderer? My plans for July 4th fell through over the weekend so I'm left with nothing to do. I beseech you, AMeFi armchair travel agents: Help me find something fun for the long weekend!

I would prefer to travel outside the city, and would do so by plane, train or bus. Don't own a car. I will spend a reasonable amount of money, but cheaper is, of course, better. Would also consider city-based activities or maybe a daytrip or two to a nearby locale. I am a Manhattan-centric NYCer, so recommendations of things going on in the outer boroughs would be very welcome. Help me show myself how cool Brooklyn and Queens are!

Things I like: hiking, interesting food and restaurants, camping (but all my camping gear is elsewhere! boo), biking (bike=with the camping gear), reading, water (to play and to drink), music/concerts, sports, documentaries and movie screenings, outdoor festivals, etc etc etc

I am open to almost anything. Even if I didn't list it above, and you know of something cool going on, tell me!

NYC Filter: Help me get a good picture of NYC's most famous lady...

Ashman — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 07:45:46 -0800

NYC Filter: Help me get a good picture of NYC's most famous lady... Where are some good places to get pictures of the Statue of Liberty?

My brother and I are going to be in NYC for the first time next week and we were thinking about taking the Staten Island Ferry to get picutres of the Statue of Liberty because it looks to be free.

But after reading on another thread here how long it takes, I'm not sure that is the best option and it looks like there are other ferrys that get closer but for a price.

I've done the search here and read through tons of NYC+ and NewYork+ threads but I haven't seen anyone talk much about where to get good pictures of the various landmarks so I thought I'd ask.

As a corolary, if anyone knows a good company for a tour, we're only going to be in town for 3 days, so I'm thinking that a guided tour of Manhattan might be worth the $. I haven't seen that question answered yet either, but I may have just missed it. For example, are these Grayline tours any good and is the New York Pass worth it?

Thanks in advance for any help, and I'll apologize in advance if I'm asking a redundant question.

Where to take a 30th birthday long weekend near NYC?

toomuchkatherine — Sun, 14 Jun 2009 20:47:39 -0800

I'm turning 30 in two weeks. Help me find a great ~4-day trip not too far from New York to celebrate it. My 30th birthday is June 26. I'm hoping to get out of town (NYC) for it; I don't have *too* much angst about turning 30, but I hope not to be sung "Happy Birthday" to in a local dive. And I've been meaning to explore the great Northeast more anyway.

I prefer the mountains to the beach, and am looking for someplace fun to go within a reasonable (6 hour?) train or car ride from New York City. I'd like to stay in a fun funky town, small city, or rural area. Hudson Valley? Vermont? Adirondacks? Lake Placid? Maine (too far?)? I don't have a tent of my own, so no utter backpacking, but I do like to hike etc.

I've been all over Western Massachusetts, because I have family there; it's nice, but I want to try something new. I will probably be on my own for one or two nights, and joined by the bf for the next part.

Would love any suggestions for towns or specific accommodations. I'm not super flush but am willing to spend a bit to make this a nice getaway.

Travelplan2.0

mr.marx — Sat, 13 Jun 2009 10:59:41 -0800

Looking for a website that helps me plan a 5-day vacation in detail. A lot of travel websites out there, but all of them seem focused on either a) booking and price hunting, or b) diaries.

I'd like to think there's a site that let's me add all the restaurants, sights, shops and events I find researching an upcoming trip (NYC if it matters) so I can make a day-by-day plan, complete with maps and notes.

Is there such a website? Or do you have any other suggestions on how I could plan our trip in an easy way?

Extra points for suggestions that let's me keep a mobile version of the schedule online.

Where should we go now, where should we go..

By The Grace of God — Sun, 07 Jun 2009 04:36:46 -0800

In the middle of a great obligatory family tour, we have 3-4 days where we can go off and do something fun somewhere in America. Somewhere not too far away from Philadelphia would be good. We were thinking NYC, but is there anyway to do this on a SERIOUS budget? And if not, where else should we go? Criteria within. The days in question are Tuesday 13 of June to Friday 16 June. We don't want to spend a lot of money at all - so a hotel costing 150 bucks a nite would be good.

We want cool experiences, outre shit, amazing people watching, architecture, free events, but want to save money in all other ways. We don't drive so reliable public transport a must.

I would like to have a metafilter meetup somewhere, we would like to do some walking in interesting surroundings, and we would like somewhere safe, quiet and clean to sleep at night where we can securely store passports and a laptop computer. We are okay with a hostel if it TRULY is these things, private room a must and Internet would be nice.

So, should we do New York? Or is there somewhere else that would be good for a few days?

Zipcar Update?

The Whelk — Thu, 28 May 2009 13:35:30 -0800

Daytrip Dreamin': I've read the previous question about Zipcars in NYC, but it's about a year old and I have some specific questions. I am considering joining, but have heard that the availability is not terrific. What's it like for a daytrips out of the city? Any big problems? Does it make sense if you're only planning to use it 2 or three times a year?

Maybe we should sleep in the car

NoRelationToLea — Tue, 26 May 2009 15:36:19 -0800

NY Metro area (really Long Island)/JFK filter: where to stay? Red eye into JFK on a Saturday morning, flying out on Sunday at 5pm. In between, we're driving straight to a wedding on Saturday afternoon around Wading River/Wildwood State Park. After the wedding, do we:

Option #1) Stay near the state park

Option #2) Stay somewhere on Long Island, in between JFK and the state park

Option #3) Stay in the city (I have a hunch this is a bad idea)

Option #4) Revisit the hourly paradise and mirrored ceilings of the JFK Inn (I KNOW this is a terrible idea, but past desperate times (in the form of a red eye from the West Coast followed by another red eye to Europe) called for desperate measures)

Added degrees of difficulty: due to the tight itinerary, we have to rent a car, and we're traveling w/a toddler and his car seat. Also, we'll probably spend some time Sunday visiting w/a friend coming over from Jersey, so while we're not dumb enough to stay in or drive to Jersey, making our friend drive halfway across Long Island doesn't sound like much fun, either.

10 years ago, I would have thought nothing of staying in and hanging around Manhattan, but now we've got a kid and the priority is to minimize hassle for both him and us.

Help me get the cheapest flights to New York from Australia

crossoverman — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 20:37:20 -0800

TravelFilter: Will the current cheap flights between Australia and New York remain into 2010? And what times of the year are considered off-peak travel to NYC? Flights to New York from Australia have become really cheap this year (AUD1000-1500) as opposed to normal (AUD2500). This is due to the market opening up: instead of only United and Qantas servicing direct routes, Virgin Australian and Delta are flying direct to the US as well.

I am tentatively planning a trip to NYC in May 2010. (Gives me a full 12 months to save.) It looks like prices will shoot back up to the AUD2500 next year (according to airline websites right now), though most airlines are only listing prices through March 2010 anyway.

Are these prices likely to stay as low as they are currently? With the economic crisis, I suspect this might help to keep prices down AND if I wait six months I'm likely not to be stung by premium rates being offered to people willing to book 12 months in advance. But I'm not really sure how long-haul overseas flight prices fluctuate, if at all.

And is May a good time of the year to visit NYC? I'm flexible to travel between April-June 2010 - don't want to go in the depths of winter or the heat of summer. Is May considered off-peak? (I'll be traveling to other parts of the US, but NYC is my main port of call - everything else can fall in line behind that.)

I don't need suggestions of what to see and do in the city - that list is already LONG - just advice on when is the best time to stay and when the best time is to book the holiday. Thanks.

Help suggest NYC attractions that don't require tons of walking?

btkuhn — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 19:04:21 -0800

Suggest some New York attractions for my walking-challenged parents? My parents have planned a trip to New York ths coming May. They will be arriving on a Friday early afternoon nd leaving Monday late morning. I've lived in New York for about a year and was all excited to plan their trip (I will be out of town), but my mom called last night and told me that my dad's hip is painful with excess walking, so I'm a bit stumped. I was planning on suggesting some of the things I love: walking the Brooklyn Bridge, seeing Chinatown, exploring Greenwich Village, Central Park, etc.

So I ask you, fellow mefites: please help me plan a fun trip for my parents without a ton of walking. They will be staying in Manhattan so please no suggestions in other bouroughs. My Mom would like to see Ground Zero, but other than that their agenda is completely open.

Thanks!

NYC holiday - getting away from it

nofunnyname — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 05:53:05 -0800

I'm visiting New York for two weeks in June, but also want to get out of the city. Where to? (btw, public transport only) It will be my first visit to the U.S., and I'd like to see some non-city stuff for a few days. For an example, it seems that Block Island, RI would be a great place to get out to for a couple of days, with perhaps a day or so in Newport/Jamestown too (I'm quite happy with the Amtrak/flight/ferries I'd need to use). I think these places would satisify my appetite for:

- fresh air
- cycling/walking
- great views
- a little less bustle, though opportunity still for good eats/drinks

What other places perhaps closer to NYC that can offer simliar (not necessarily coastal)?

Brooklyn to Newark Int'l on Public Transit, In a Hurry!

Alterscape — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 09:46:41 -0800

I need to get to Newark Int'l Airport from Brooklyn for a 4:55pm flight out on Sunday night. I'm planning to take the subway to NY Penn Station, then NJTransit to the EWR AirTrain station. I've got the relevant schedules, but how much time do I need to allow for walking and buying various tickets along the way? Specifically:

(1) I'm transiting from the 34th and Penn subway stop to the NJTransit line in Penn Station. I'll have to buy a ticket. If I estimate 20 minutes, am I overestimating or underestimating?

(2) I need to get from the EWR rail station to the terminal via AirTrain. Again, if I estimate 20 minutes, am I overestimating or underestimating?

Eats in NYC?

Heliochrome85 — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 18:42:06 -0800

I'm taking a 3 day vacay to NYC. Help me make the best of it foodwise! I'll be in New York from thursday through sunday. I have been to new york many many times before, so I've done the traditional touristy things.

The eats I'd like to hit on this trip:
Bagels (Tal's has been a consistantly good choice)
Cheesecake (Carnegie's is always good)
Chinese takeout
Pizza
Seafood (Oyster bar?)
Cannolis
BBQ?

I've been living outside the US for quite some time, so this is a bit of a "hit all those hankerings" kind of trip. The only concern I have is that Ill be travelling by myself, so naturally, eating by myself. Oh, and Ill be staying in at 26th and 6th Ave. so easy to get to would be ideal. Please help me if you can. Previous threads have only addressed a small part of my quandary

Mobility impaired travel in NYC

Anonymous — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 14:40:09 -0800

I need advice on visiting Manhattan with a mobility-limited traveling companion. I'm going to be visiting New York City in late February. My traveling companion is recovering from a leg injury. She walks with a cane, has difficulty with stairs, and isn't in shape for the kinds of long walks I usually take when I'm in the city.

We're going to be flying into JFK on a Thursday morning and leaving on Saturday evening. We'll most likely be stayin in the Hotel Pennsylvania. We're going to see a couple of shows, dine out with friends, and visit the Met, the Museum of Natural History and St. John the Divine's. I plan on traveling mostly by cab, and our planned destinations all have ample locations to sit and rest. I could use Hivemind help on two points:

a) Is it possible to travel from JFK to Penn Station via the Long Island Railroad or the Subway and get to street level using only elevators and escalators?

b) Are there any non-obvious comfort-related considerations, potential snags or preparations that I should keep in mind?

I'm not a Yankee, please help

bach — Sat, 25 Oct 2008 20:36:54 -0800

Traveling to NYC during Thanksgiving... I am a chaperon for my students marching in the Macy's Great American Marching Band that performs for the Macy's Parade on Thanksgiving Day. While the majority of the week will be devoted to rehearsal and group sight-seeing, I do have some personal free time.

My question is what is the easiest and/or an inexpensive way to get to NYC from Hilton Woodcliff Lake-200 Tice Blvd, Woodcliff Lake, New Jersey 07675

Other questions include what is there to do nearby, things not to miss, etc...

Help me avoid 5pm nyc traffic!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Towelie — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 22:19:58 -0800

Traveling from Norwalk CT to philly. How can I best avoid the NYC traffic? I just hate sitting there and jockeying for position. Any suggestions on alternate routes?