Day trip by train from New Haven Ct to NYC

Old Aug 27th, 2009, 04:58 PM
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Day trip by train from New Haven Ct to NYC

Planning a trip to see a friend in Newport RI, we are going to take the train from New Haven to NYC for the day. I have never been to NYC, any ideas as far as ways to get around, should we cab it, what are must see tourist attractions? We could possibly stay the night if we can get a good rate on a room. Any hotel suggestions near the heart of things.
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Old Aug 27th, 2009, 05:02 PM
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When are you traveling? Hotel rates vary dramatically by season.

Your must-see may not be mine. Tell us a little about your interests including some things you might already have in mind ("I have to visit Wall Street." or "I love art." or "We includes myself, my 85-year-old grandma, and my baby daughter.") so we can help you prioritize.
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Old Aug 27th, 2009, 05:14 PM
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"WE" are two young gals in our 50's, we are both pretty active, so walking is no problem. Art,dining on local specialties, historical landmarks are our interests. Sept 21-Oct 3 is the time frame, but we have other places to visit so only one day will be in NYC.
Weekend or weekday? We thought maybe a Tuesday.
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Old Aug 27th, 2009, 05:56 PM
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first of all, taking the train (metro-north) from New Haven to NYC is just fine. It takes around 1 1/2 hours and leaves you at Grand Central Station which is in the center of the city and is a destination in and of itself.
You are traveling during a very nice time in NY but i would definitely avoid the weekend- the crowds can be quite hairy on the weekends. on the other hand, hotels are more expensive mid-week because they charge for business travelers. however, if you stay in a real "neighborhood" like the Upper West Side, the prices may be more consistent. Plus, you'll get a more local experience.

As for highlights: spend time in Central Park, visit the Metropolitan Museum of art, see Times Square at night and meander around the downtown neighborhoods (Greenwich Village, Chinatown, Soho, Lower East Side). if you want to check out hipper neighborhoods (still downtown) check out the Meatpacking District and Tribeca. Oh yeah, also check out the new HighLine- and elevated promenade/park along the far West Side from around W. 14th to 23rd St.

This will keep you busy.
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Old Aug 27th, 2009, 06:14 PM
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If you want to go someplace "high" for a view over the city, most recommend Top of the Rock in Rockefeller Center rather than the Empire State Building.
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Old Aug 28th, 2009, 07:20 PM
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Thanks babsNYC and ellenum, I think we are most likely taking a train on a Tuesday, may not stay over night, looks too pricey. I will be visiting for 2 weeks in Newport and have to watch my pennies! Any good places you can suggest for lunch and a light bite for dinner?
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Old Aug 28th, 2009, 07:27 PM
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Another question, is Grand Central close enough to walk to Central Park? If so what is the best route to the park?
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Old Aug 28th, 2009, 08:42 PM
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Grand Central is at Park Avenue (think Fourth Ave) and 42nd St. Central Park begins at Fifth Avenue and 59th St. 20 blocks to a mile makes it about a mile away-totally walkable.

"Best" route depends on your interests, but most would say just walk across 4nd St to Fifth Avenue, take a glance at the main branch of the Public Library at that intersection, and then walk north on Fifth Avenue. Along the way you'll pass Rockefeller Center, Saks Fifth Avenue, and St Patrick's Cathedral, all between 48th and 51st Streets. North of 51st are many more famous buildings and shops . . . Cartier, Takashimaya, Henri Bendel, Tiffany, Bergdorf, Trump Tower . . . all the way to the park.
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Old Aug 29th, 2009, 01:17 AM
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Use maps.google.com to see distances and what's near what. Seems a shame to come all that way for a daytrip. You can find a decent hotel for under $200/night especially if you're willing to share a bed. You could even bid on Priceline and get a 4* hotel for $150 or less. I'd bid on midtown east which is where Grand Central is. One of the most likely wins is the Hyatt which is literally on top of Grand Central. But I think you're more likely to get a win on a weekend night. Your train ticket will also be cheaper (off peak). You might consider doing a Real NY Tour which uses walking and subway to get you around rather than the typical bus. http://www.realnewyorktours.com/ If you're interested in museums, many are open late on Fri./Sat. Sept. will likely to cheaper than Oct.

For meals, really depends on what day you come and what you decide to do. If you're into food, maybe do a fancy lunch and then a casual dinner. Asiate in the Mandarin Oriental hotel has a nice view and a very good value prix fixe lunch for $24 (but it's only during the week). You need a reservation. Opentable.com allows you to book a lot of restaurants. The Boat House in Central Park is a pretty place for lunch overlooking the lake.
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Old Aug 29th, 2009, 04:42 AM
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Go to the website http://www.mta.info/nyct/maps/manbus.pdf and study the Manhattan bus map --- walking is great but often you are too tired to enjoy when you get to your destination -- If you are not heading to lower manhattan - you wont need the subway == get a day pass from the machine -- 8.25 dollars each -- and when you are tired of walking or if the weather is lousy or if you just want to stare out a window and let NYC ride by -- you can get on a bus == the card is also good for subways if you want/need to get somewhere quickly

And I wouldn't just glance at the Public Library - I'd go in if it's open when you are there
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Old Aug 29th, 2009, 06:22 AM
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Thanks for all the great suggestions. I saw a hostel for women listed on one of the hotel sites, looking into that. Don't think we can share a bed, both have sleep issues.

Anyone think Friday would be a better day to visit? I have not checked yet on hours for Museums and such. Top of the Rock looks awesome.
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Old Aug 29th, 2009, 07:26 AM
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"just walk across 42nd St to Fifth Avenue, take a glance at the main branch of the Public Library" (I left out the "2")

My "glance" in my mind always includes a glance inside, but it really depends on the interests of these visitors.

I'm concerned about how much time these visitors will have. If they are traveling from Newport, RI, it is at least a 2.5-hour drive to New Haven and then 1 hour 40 minutes by train from there to Grand Central. To arrive by noon at Grand Central, they must catch a 10:10am train from New Haven, which means leaving Newport no later than 7:00am, probably earlier. They will be driving through rush hour along Route 95. This will be about 5 hours each way for a day trip.
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Old Aug 29th, 2009, 08:31 AM
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By the way, just saw this movie again yesterday and noticed that in this opening scene (2:00 minute mark in this link), the fellows are on the upper level of Top of the Rock.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6v7QfCxuvLo
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Old Aug 29th, 2009, 09:24 AM
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There are some women's residences but they generally have a minimum stay requirement. A hostel usually requires sharing a bathroom. If that doesn't bother you (and there are some where it shouldn't) you can probably find something good but inexpensive. I just wouldn't rule out the idea of bidding on Priceline for a 1 night stay. As I said earlier, a weekend night (including Fri.) will give you late hrs. at many of the museums and I think a better chance of an inexpensive hotel room. I agree a day trip from Newport by car and train is a LOT of traveling.
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Old Aug 29th, 2009, 09:52 AM
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Coming into Grand Central on a Tues day in late Sept I would do a quick tour of the Station (it's gorgeous), pop into the Main Brand of the Library (esp the reading room for a few minutes) walk up fifth Ave to see Rock Center, St Pat's and go up Top of the Rock. then grab a cab to the Met - the greatest cultural institution in the western hemisphere. (Go to the website to see what departments interest you most - it would take a couple of days to se the whole thing.) I would grab a quick lunch there and do a decent dinner before getting on the train home. (I wouldn;t waste valuable touring hours on a long. luxurious lunch).

If you give us a budget and tell us what cuisines you like/dislike people can make recos for a place to have dinner..
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Old Aug 29th, 2009, 10:16 AM
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Wow, I had no idea it was that far from Newport to New Haven.
Might have to rethink the trip, I guess Friday would work, just thought the city would be more crowded for dining on weekends.
As far as food goes, I don't eat meat, just fish and I will get enough of that in New England, although I would love some good sushi while in town. Chinese, Italian are other cuisines we like. We have to try Pizza, where is the best slice?
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Old Aug 29th, 2009, 01:30 PM
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With 5/hrs travel each way, doesn't really leave much time in the City. Get the train schedule (as I recall, these are only once-an-hour departures) so you know which one you have to get on in the morning and for sure the "last train out" in the evening. And, you want the Express, not the Local.

Get a Manhattan street map and pinpoint the areas/places you want to visit and stick with it. With the short time, best between 42nd to 80th Streets, Park and 6th Avenues.

While areas look close, even if walking straight on without stopping... negotiating the foot traffic can be challenging. Also get a bus (most buses traverse either uptown or downtown, not both; or east or west (crosstown) and a subway map. A daily Metrocard will give you access to both bus & subway rides if the feet give out.

Unless it's very very early or very very late, there is always foot and vehicle traffic, regardless what day of the week.

You'll sleep well when you get back to Newport!
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Old Aug 30th, 2009, 06:02 AM
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Okay folks, bid on Priceline, got a room at the Marriott Courtyard, 866 3rd ave, $187.59 that includes tax. Is this a good area for site seeing, I will have to get a city map and see what it is near, still want to do Top of the Rock, MET Museum, Pizza, Central Park, maybe cruise by the statue of Liberty. Is there a free ferry to Staten Island, and is it worth it?
Hope I did not get screwed on this room.
Now we will be there on Friday Sept 25 overnight, but we are bringing along my friends DH,so shopping may be hard.
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Old Aug 30th, 2009, 06:47 AM
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Since you are arriving by train that's a pretty good hotel location. It's about 10min walk from Grand Central so you can drop off your luggage when you arrive and visit NYC unencumbered, and also store it there the next day until you depart on the train. I've found with priceline that once I've made the purchase I don't 2nd guess myself on price or hotel. It's a done deal.

With 2 days I would not take the time try to do Statue of Liberty. I'm not a fan of the Staten Island ferry - it's simply a commuter ferry to the suburban borough. You'll get a view of the SoL & a nice view of lower Manhattan from the water, but you'll also burn a lot of time.

If you really want to visit the SoL then you should take the ferry to Liberty Island & Ellis Island - but this will burn more than 1/2 a day if you fully explore both, factoring wait times, security check, etc.
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Old Aug 30th, 2009, 09:19 AM
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That hotel is midtown east and a perfectly good location. And any price under $200 is a good deal in NYC except for Jan or Feb.

You can walk to midtown sights and take the Mad ave bus up to see the Met and the subway down to south Ferry to get the free Staten Island ferry. It runs 24/7, about every 15 minutes during the day and gives you a reasonable view (not super close) of SoL as well as a great view of the downtown skyline on the way back.

With your limited time I wouldn't even consider trying to do the SoL - will take 6 hours at least with all the lines/waiting involved.
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