Hi I am so excited, just booked our first trip to NY and been reading up on all there is to do. Firstly, which is the best way to get from Newark Airport to our Hotel in Battery Park, which is the Embassy Suites by the way so any info would be great. Next, out of all the wonderful things to see and do, with only having 4 days which should be my priorities? Is it safe to use the sub-way?Thanks appreciate any feedback.
Trip just booked
LoveAllen,
I spent 4 days in NYC back in May and I unabashedly went for the Grayline double decker bus tour. It%26#39;s the best way to see the whole city and the guide has some good, candid information to share too. I think a 2-day, on/off ticket was about $50/person. There are a couple of different loops you can take (downtown, uptown, Brooklyn). There are sales people usually standing in front of the Empire State Building, you can%26#39;t miss them even if you tried : )
Check out www.airtrainnewark.com for airport transport info and www.mta.nyc.ny.us website for subway info. Subway is safe, but I wouldn%26#39;t take it after 10pm. Just be alert and don%26#39;t read your guide books or anything that gives it away that you%26#39;re a tourist.
In four days, I was able to hit the Met and MoMa, Central Park, a broadway play, and shopping. Discount shopping are Century 21 (across from Ground Zero and within walking distance of your hotel) and Filene%26#39;s Basement. Since you are staying by Battery Park, you will be able to walk to the Staten Island ferry landing. That is a free ride that passes close to the Statue of Liberty.
My restaurant recommendation is Blue Ribbon on Sullivan in SoHo (open til 4am) and any Au Bon Pain for quick food.
Have a great time!!
Trip just booked
Thankyou mimz3 seems like great advice to me. It is brilliant to hear what other people have experienced. I will check out those websites. Thanks once again.
The best way to get to Battery Park from Newark Airport is to take a cab thru the Holland Tunnel. The CHEAPEST way, is to take the bus or airtrain to Port Authority or Penn Station respectively and take the subway from there. (You can also take a taxi from Port Authority or Penn Station, you incur cross-state tolls coming from New Jersey, so though it%26#39;s a shorter ride, it%26#39;s more expensive than the ride from JFK Airport) Transportation in New York always depends on how much luggage you have and what your budget is. The subway is safe, there are plenty of New Yorkers that will help you find where you are going, but I wouldn%26#39;t recommend taking the subway by yourself after midnight.
Hope you enjoy your visit.
Karen (i%26#39;ve lived in NYC for 6 years now)
Thanks Karen, appreciate you taking the time to reply. I would like to chance taking the train but am afraid by the time we get there my husband will say%26#39;lets just take a taxi%26#39; (or a cab I should say). I suppose it%26#39;s like anything once you try things you can do it easier the next time. I travel to London regularly and can get round there no problem. Thanks once again.
Lovaine
You didn%26#39;t mention when you will be here, but if it%26#39;s before December, I recommend you do the Statue of Liberty/Ellis Island tour. If you get an early start, you can have that all done by 2:00 p.m., and have plenty of time to do other things.
If you find yourself on the subway late at night, just wear a disinterested and fed-up look on your face, and you%26#39;ll be okay. The system is much safer, cleaner, and traversed than it was twenty years ago. My husband and I take it late at night whenever we%26#39;re in the city and our destination isn%26#39;t near Grand Central Station.
Also, it%26#39;s not a good idea to have maps exposed and a confused look on your face while you%26#39;re here. Wearing a camera around your neck may also not be in your best interest. If you just blend in, you%26#39;ll have a great time.
There is a path train directly from airport to penn station and you can take cab from there
Sights - Ellis Island - go early
- Empire State Bldg - South Street Seaport- Central Park - Tenement Musuem in lower east side - walk around greenwich village - have dinner in little Italy -
There is a path train directly from airport to penn station and you can take cab from there
Sights - Ellis Island - go early
- Empire State Bldg - South Street Seaport- Central Park - Tenement Musuem in lower east side - walk around greenwich village - have dinner in little Italy - subway is safe during day and evening hours - faster and cheaper than cabs -
A cab from Newark to Batter City will be about 50 dollars or so with 20% tip. A bus or train plus subway for 2 people will be close to 30 dollars. So you%26#39;re only saving 20 dollars. If you%26#39;ve never been to NYC, then I would recommend the cab. I live near Battery Park City and a cab will only take you 25 minutes. Train/bus and subway will take well over an hour - especially if you arrive in the evening or night.
Subway is very safe now - especially where you are staying. No problems at all in Battery Park City.
try the supershuttle. 1-800-blue-van or supershuttle.com. The website doesn%26#39;t work well, it%26#39;s best to call to reserve a van in advance. It%26#39;s shared but no more than 3 stops. I believe it%26#39;s about $17 for 1st person, plus $8 for 2nd, they will go to/from Newark into Manhattan only (LGA/JFK to 5 boroughs).
Look into getting the CityPass NY (www.citypass.com) for the attractions, you get to skip the lines and if you hit all of them you save about 50%. The Circle Line boat tour around the island is great. Friday nights is usually free or discounted museum admissions. Empire State Bldg is open to midnight (unless terror alert), much less crowded after 10pm but just as impressive.
If you use the subway a lot, make sure you get the day-pass metrocard for unlimited rides (also good for bus).
Have fun!
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