Nyc

[luvmygdaughters]

My sister and brother in law want to take a trip to NYC to see a Broadway play, some sights, have dinner and maybe go to the "Today" show. They want to go up on the train and spend one night. Have any of the forumites done this before? If so, can you make some suggestions as to package deals, prices, hotels, etc? They are planning to go in January. TIA

 

[Hannibal]

I've never done an overnight train trip. I've done the train thing and have done a work thing where I coincidentally took the train and stayed in Times Square. Maybe the Astoria?

Anyhow, family and I would grab the train at the New Carrolton station and ride it to Penn Station (under Madison Square Garden). I want to say it's about 3-4 hours. Easy running. Café car. Nice space to stretch out.

Puts you right there where you can hop out onto the road and grab a cab to wherever you want to go. We've done Time Square and all the Christmas stuff (5th Avenue, Rockettes, and FAO Schwartz, etc.). Great times. Actually got engaged on one of these day trips.

Food wise. Too many options to choose from. On the business trip I did, the hotel joint was a Shulas. Nice steaks. We also cabbed it to Little Italy and had an amazing dinner. You really can't go wrong. Even the basic delis and pizza joints are great.

 

[Chasey_Lane]

I visit NYC frequently though I always drive, never by train. Hotel costs are pricey if you stay in Manhattan ($300 average per night), but I usually use hotel points. The double decker tour bus is a fun way to see the city if you don't want to walk everywhere, and much cheaper than cab rides.

 

[BadGirl]

I visit NYC frequently though I always drive, never by train. Hotel costs are pricey if you stay in Manhattan ($300 average per night), but I usually use hotel points. The double decker tour bus is a fun way to see the city if you don't want to walk everywhere, and much cheaper than cab rides.

You should take me the next time you go. :hinthint:

 

[acommondisaster]

My sister and I have taken the train up a couple of times for the Westminster Dog Show in February. Love taking the train - it's so relaxing. We leave from New Carrollton, MD - much easier parking and way less traffic than going to Union Station. By the time you pay gas, tolls, parking and deal with all the crap of driving, it's definitely worth it to relax and take the train. I forget which hotel we stay at, but it's walking distance from Penn Station (maybe 5 blocks in the direction of Broadway). I have a friend in the hospitality industry, so we get a fantastic room rate, so I can't help you out with telling you where to find good deals.

If you want to save money, you can catch one of the $7 buses instead of taking the train. (I think it's called the Bolt Bus, but a google search can probably find you several) My son and his wife have used it, with no complaints.
Have fun!

 

[vraiblonde]

Bann and I are going in April for a few days. I usually like to stay in Chelsea but we got a room at the LaQuinta in Midtown for $200/night.

Im_Me and I went a year or so ago and took the bus, which wasn't as nice as Amtrak but still very doable and extremely affordable. The show tickets are so ridiculous expensive that any money you can save on the other stuff is a good idea.

 

[vraiblonde]

FYI, I just checked and rates for that La Quinta are under $100 per night for a single queen room.

 

[Gilligan]

Im_Me and I went a year or so ago and took the bus, which wasn't as nice as Amtrak but still very doable and extremely affordable. .

My daughter regularly travels to NYC to visit friends who live there and she always uses Greyhound, from/to Union Station in DC. She shops for specials and gets some ridiculously cheap tickets most of the time.

 

[Bann]

My daughter regularly travels to NYC to visit friends who live there and she always uses Greyhound, from/to Union Station in DC. She shops for specials and gets some ridiculously cheap tickets most of the time.

I don't think I'd like riding the bus for that long. I am really looking forward to the train ride, anyway!