Radio City MH Parking
April 10, 2012 7:28 AM Subscribe
Driving into NYC to see a show at Radio City MH tonight from two hours upstate. What's the best way to park?
Presumably driving into and parking around Rockefeller Center would be a nightmare; some combination of parking garage fairly nearby and public transit?
Presumably driving into and parking around Rockefeller Center would be a nightmare; some combination of parking garage fairly nearby and public transit?
I'm a fan of parking far away and taking MetroNorth in. Maybe that would work for you? If not, you'll probably want a parking garage far on the east side (to hopefully avoid midtown prices). Good luck!
posted by cestmoi15 at 7:30 AM on April 10, 2012 [1 favorite]
posted by cestmoi15 at 7:30 AM on April 10, 2012 [1 favorite]
You can sometimes get good deals by booking in advance, online. Someplace like this.
posted by Grither at 7:31 AM on April 10, 2012
posted by Grither at 7:31 AM on April 10, 2012
Its not really a nightmare - its just expensive. Most of those garages aren't full at night. It is probably easier to park on the far west-side and walk. Or east-side depending on where you are coming from. More garages on the west-side tho.
posted by JPD at 7:31 AM on April 10, 2012
posted by JPD at 7:31 AM on April 10, 2012
I would park as far outside of the city as you can. We're expecting some nasty weather this afternoon, and you don't want to be driving around the city.
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 7:31 AM on April 10, 2012
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 7:31 AM on April 10, 2012
Best answer: Is there any reason why you don't want to drive to some Metro-North hub a bit upstate and take the train the rest of the way? That'd probably be your easiest bet - you can park in the parking lot at the station, there probably wouldn't be any parking charges, and the lot would be secure.
Glenwood is close enough to the city that it'd only be a half-hour train in, but far enough away that there'd be a lot at the station.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 7:32 AM on April 10, 2012 [1 favorite]
Glenwood is close enough to the city that it'd only be a half-hour train in, but far enough away that there'd be a lot at the station.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 7:32 AM on April 10, 2012 [1 favorite]
Also, a round-trip off-peak ticket from Glenwood to Grand Central & Back is only $14 per person, which would be much cheaper than parking in a garage in the city.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 7:33 AM on April 10, 2012
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 7:33 AM on April 10, 2012
The guy asked about parking. Stop telling him to take MNRR. Its actually a pretty big hassle if you don't live in the burbs already. Also assuming its two of them $28 is probably a bit more than it would cost them to park right by RC.
posted by JPD at 7:42 AM on April 10, 2012 [1 favorite]
posted by JPD at 7:42 AM on April 10, 2012 [1 favorite]
Also assuming its two of them $28 is probably a bit more than it would cost them to park right by RC.
Erm, I work across the street from RC, and 68% of my job involves filing expense reports for executives who park by RC now and then for client events. It usually costs them $48-60.
And parking in a garage is the only option right nearby because there ain't NO parking on the streets.
There's a REASON we're all suggesting parking outside the city and taking a commuter train.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 7:46 AM on April 10, 2012 [4 favorites]
Erm, I work across the street from RC, and 68% of my job involves filing expense reports for executives who park by RC now and then for client events. It usually costs them $48-60.
And parking in a garage is the only option right nearby because there ain't NO parking on the streets.
There's a REASON we're all suggesting parking outside the city and taking a commuter train.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 7:46 AM on April 10, 2012 [4 favorites]
Nthing Metro North. Convenience plus ability to consume alcohol.
posted by melissasaurus at 7:52 AM on April 10, 2012
posted by melissasaurus at 7:52 AM on April 10, 2012
EmpressCallipygos: "It usually costs them $48-60"
From my link, parking on 55th St between 5th and 6th ave (which is a measly 5 blocks north of RCMH, so a five minute walk) is priced as follows:
6hrs: $ 16
12hrs: $ 26
24hrs: $ 31
posted by Grither at 7:54 AM on April 10, 2012
From my link, parking on 55th St between 5th and 6th ave (which is a measly 5 blocks north of RCMH, so a five minute walk) is priced as follows:
6hrs: $ 16
12hrs: $ 26
24hrs: $ 31
posted by Grither at 7:54 AM on April 10, 2012
Grither, I don't know what to tell you - I just filed one of those reports not five minutes ago, and the parking charges were $45. Company protocol prevents me from reproducing the receipt.
And anyway, the OP also asked whether "some combination of parking garage and public transit" could also work, so it seems he's amenable to the idea anyway.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 7:56 AM on April 10, 2012
And anyway, the OP also asked whether "some combination of parking garage and public transit" could also work, so it seems he's amenable to the idea anyway.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 7:56 AM on April 10, 2012
Also, don't forget to add in cost of gas and tolls when comparing MNR to driving in and parking.
posted by melissasaurus at 7:58 AM on April 10, 2012
posted by melissasaurus at 7:58 AM on April 10, 2012
Empress: Right, and I'm just pointing out alternatives. Companies tend to overpay for a lot of things. I'm not the guy who said MNRR was a bad choice, just pointing out that it is possible to find decent parking rates in the city.
Of course, it's not just parking, but gas, tolls, chances of getting in an accident, etc. when you drive. Weighed against the inconvenience of having to stick to a train schedule, getting to/from train station to RCMH. All things that need to be considered.
I think all the above answers are good, and will give the OP all the info he needs to make an informed decision! Of course, living here I'd much rather he take MNRR or similar, because there are way too many cars in the city already. :-)
posted by Grither at 8:04 AM on April 10, 2012 [1 favorite]
Of course, it's not just parking, but gas, tolls, chances of getting in an accident, etc. when you drive. Weighed against the inconvenience of having to stick to a train schedule, getting to/from train station to RCMH. All things that need to be considered.
I think all the above answers are good, and will give the OP all the info he needs to make an informed decision! Of course, living here I'd much rather he take MNRR or similar, because there are way too many cars in the city already. :-)
posted by Grither at 8:04 AM on April 10, 2012 [1 favorite]
Mod note: A few comments removed. Cool it or take a walk, shouting at each other is not okay and is not helping the asker out.
posted by cortex (staff) at 8:16 AM on April 10, 2012
posted by cortex (staff) at 8:16 AM on April 10, 2012
Response by poster: Thank you so much, everyone! I can see the advantage of MetroNorth, but for convenience's sake at 1AM I'll end up paying for a garage (PrimoSpot was helpful).
posted by alexandermatheson at 10:58 AM on April 10, 2012
posted by alexandermatheson at 10:58 AM on April 10, 2012
What Grither said (http://nyc.centralparking.com/) but print out their coupon, you have to use a credit or debit card. We do this when we see matinee shows; cost $16.
posted by jara1953 at 2:57 PM on April 10, 2012
posted by jara1953 at 2:57 PM on April 10, 2012
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by ldthomps at 7:29 AM on April 10, 2012 [1 favorite]