Transportation options -- New Jersey to NYC

Joe - call the SIHNYC - Seafarers International Hostel. Union Square and Broadway. 11th and Irving, I believe. Close to the Metro and buses. Seriously affordable. Close to, well, just everything.

It's an interesting place aside from its affordability.
I've stayed there on my last three trips to Manhattan. brendalee, the Empress and Walter stayed there during last year's trip as well.

http://www.sihnyc.org/newyork-guesthouse.php

It was about $129 for a big double with private bathroom last year (and earlier this year when the Empress went back with her adult daughter). The W, just around the block, charged about $500 for a comparably sized room.

It's clean, definitely unpretentious, and mmmmm affordable.

Single rooms were about $80 - with shared bathroom just around the corner (but sink inside the room).

Free coffee (nearly free: 50 c) as well: more than value the money.

The Eastern Corridor line of New Jersey Transit stops at Newark Airport and New York Penn Station. The ride is about 25 minutes. (I assume that by "the" city, you mean New York and not Newark, although that deeply offends me as a New Jerseyan.)


The parking directly at the airport is reputed to be short-term and expensive. I haven't verified that claim yet.

When I fly out from EWR, I usually use one of the parking lots around the airport. The way it works is that I park my car, they bring me to the terminal with their shuttle; and when I get back, I give them a call, and their shuttle takes you back to the parking lot. I'm pretty sure they'd bring you to the airport train station instead of the terminal, too.

But in my opinion, if you're staying at one of the hotels near the airport, your best option is to take the hotel shuttle and leave the car at the hotel. You'll be drunk when you return anyway.


You could sleep over at my place if you want, which is 45-55 minutes from Penn Station via New Jersey Transit's trains. I'll probably be in Boston on the 25th; but I could give you the key when you're coming in on the 24th. (Are you coming in on the 24th? It isn't clear to me from your post whether it's the 24th or the 25th.) The advantage is that my rates are very competitive. On the other hand, ehBeth's sailor's hotel is closer to the action. Whatever works best for you.

Joe, I made my Yankee Stadium trip just 2 weeks ago from Chicago. If you're driving I would suggest adding about 2-3 hours to the time listed on google maps. Getting around NYC was horrible; I hate Chicago too, but it is MUCH easier.

I'd be curious to get your impression of Yankee Stadium when you get back.

ehBeth: Thanks for that info. I'll make that "plan B."

Walter: If I end up making reservations there, I'll let you know how much it costs.

Thomas: Thanks for the offer. The way you described things, though, it sounds like staying in Manhattan is a better option. To be more precise about my plans, we'll be driving from Chicago on the 24th, but we'll probably stay that night somewhere in Pennsylvania (don't want to overdo it on the first day). We'll get into the NYC area on the morning of the 25th.

maporsche: I think we'll either stay in New Jersey and take the bus/train into the city, or else we'll drop off the car at a friend's place in NJ and stay in the city. No way we're driving into Manhattan.

I'll provide a full report of my trip when I return.

If you stay at the SIHNYC you can post an update from the little old computer in the lobby.

(if I buy a lottery ticket and win, I'm buying the SIHNYC a new puter)

Bethie

Useful information.

I've never been to the Americas - but something tells me I should!

Filing it away for later

I'm free all day on the 24th. (Beach plans are in the making but hey, a chance to meet another Joe, hey!)
Park in the hotel parking. There should be a hotel shuttle which can take you to the New Jersey Transit train from the airport that drops you off at Penn Station NY. http://www.njtransit.com/sf/sf_servlet.srv?hdnPageAction=TrainSchedulesFrom
From there you would take the subway to Shea.
From Penn Station: take the A or C line one stop to 42nd street.
Walk through the tunnel (follow the signs) to the 7 train.
Get off at Willets Station/ Shea stadium with all the other Metsidiots.

Same thing the next day except to get to Yankee Stadium from Penn Station you take the A or C to 59th Street and transfer (just wait on the same platform) for the D train.
The D train takes you right to Yankee Stadium.
Get off when you see the four hundred guys and gals in pin stripe shirts get off. (
Or 161st Street)
(For some reason there is no sign that says YANKEES at 161 st Street.
go figure.

I'd be happy to meet with you guys, help you find your way through the trains.
I can be at Penn when you get there. Figure out how to PM me and send me your number and you can have mine.

Joe(screw the Yankees, go Boston!)Nation

Thanks for the tips, Joe Nation. I will be on the road the 24th -- won't even get into NYC until the 25th, so meeting up on Sunday doesn't work for me. Any chance of having lunch on the 26th? Or maybe a late night drink after the ball game? And, of course, I'd be thrilled to meet any of the many other NYC area A2Kers as well.

Now, an update on my plans: I gave ehBeth's suggestion a shot and landed a room at the Seafarer's hostel. $131/night for a double with a private bath (ooh, swanky!). So I'll be staying in Manhattan rather than northern Jersey. The inn is right off of Union Square -- perfectly located for us. The nearby 14th St/Union Sq. subway station provides a direct link to both Yankee Stadium and Shea Stadium. And if the place turns out to be a rat-infested hellhole, I have ehBeth to blame. So it's win-win for me!

ha! I'll accept the blame. I'm a fan of those good Lutherans.

There is a nice little neighbourhood pub right beside the SIHNYC. Taste of Green is the name as I recall. Good for going in for a half and a sandwich if you need a quiet break. There is a Trader Joe's on 11th just south of the SIHNYC - handy if you need any supplies.

Walking along Irving Place toward Union Square you pass the Fillmore East and the Lee Strasberg theatre. Entertaining to see groupies and aspiring thespians.

A quick follow-up on my trip.

We stayed at the Seafarer's Inn: the room was small and the furnishings spartan, but it was clean, the staff was efficient and friendly, and the location was outstanding. Furthermore, it was about half as expensive as the least expensive hotel in NYC. All in all, I was very pleased with the accommodations, and I wouldn't hesitate to return. Thanks again to ehBeth for suggesting that option.

Sorry that I wasn't able to connect with the NYC A2K contingent. Because of my schedule, I really didn't have any free time in the evening, and only limited time during the day on Tuesday to do some sightseeing. The next time I'm in the area, I'll make sure to leave at least one evening free for a meet-up.

Joe...how'd you like your Yankee game experience?

The Yankees game was quite enjoyable -- final score Boston 7, New York 3. I thought there would be more animosity between the Yanks fans and the visiting Red Sox fans, but I didn't see very much of that. Most of the hostility, in fact, was directed by Yankees fans toward Alex Rodriguez, who was roundly booed for most of the game. Tough crowd.

Glad to hear you enjoyed yourself. I went on 8/1 and had a pretty horrible time at the game. I was in the outfield bleachers and really did not enjoy the entire experience.

I was at Fenway on 8/2 and had a great time though

a little bit of Lake Wobegon in the Big Apple

Location location location.

That place has location (and if you're a member of one of the mariner's unions it's only about $25/night - as I discovered when my friend the Marine Engineer picked a couple of us up for dinner there).

... or if you have a (German, since it's an official German seafarer's mission, too) Seaman's Record Book - what I discovered too late.