First off, taking the subway is the way to go. You can buy a pass and save some money. You can download the system map. The platform could be confusing so amke sure you are on the right train going the right direction.

You wouldn't want to stay too far off from Manhatten as it really adds travel time. You can find okay (2 to 3 stars hotels) at the price rnage you are looking for. They are clean but dated in decor and tiring in their furnishings.

You should look into investing in a guide bookas well.

Thanks Eschew. You know since we have a GPS and an iPad, I forgot about AAA. Thanks for reminding me that I can pick up a book on NYC from them.

Most folks from DC who want to drive and take transit park their auto at Metropark, NJ and take a NJ transit train:

http://www.njtransit.com/rg/rg_servlet.srv?hdnPageAction=StationParkRideTo

Go to "select a rail station" and select "Metropark"

Thanks bardo1! I will look into that!!

are there some posts missing? eschew talks about "You can find okay (2 to 3 stars hotels) at the price rnage you are looking for" but the original poster CD never talks about a price
Also I95 and I78 are different locations, so where do you really want to be?

The Ground Zero Memorial will be difficult for you to see in detail since tickets were depleted very quickly--unlss you're coming months from now

Better suggestions will come with more information--when is the trip? weekdays or weekend (Train and buses from the suburbs are much more limited on the weekend)Who is traveling--adults, seniors, kids?? What's the budget? How much time will you be in NYC? If you're coming for a long time, it may make sense to find a more distant but cheaper hotel. For a day or two, the time wasted going back and forth might seriously cut into your sightseeing time.
Are you trying to just park your car like Bardo1 suggested, but stay in NYC? Or are you looking to stay outside the city? It's not clear at all

Agree you need to give us much more info -

who you are, how long you will want to stay, when you are coming, what else you will want to do, what your budget is etc. The routes you're taking out are major highways and don't have motels/hotels - and frankly commuting from the suburbs is not a great idea - a big waste of time and money.

My post is probably unclear because we are not familiar with NYC. Coming from Washington DC middle of October during the week, two adults. We will be on 95 and as I look at the map 75 to the right goes from 95 into NYC. Am I reading it wrong? I thought we might be able to find a hotel/motel for a couple of nights in that area close to public transportation that would take us to Ground Zero and also to Central Park (not on the same day)NO?
I think I hear you saying we should not count on that but to stay in Manhatten and take the subway. Is that correct?
Sorry, I don't mean to be unclear, just so unfamiliar and a little scared with territory we don't know, just reading maps.
Thanks to all

I would leave the car at home. Take the Amtrak train to Penn Station (34Th Street). Get a hotel in the area where you can walk to just about anyplace that you want to see.

Buy a Metro card in the subway and ride the MTA Bus. This way you can enjoy the city.

Amtrak tickets from DC to New York on their Northeast Regional trains (not Acela) cost $49 one-way with two-week advance purchase. Driving up I-95 from DC, then into NYC, can be a nightmare. You won't need a car in the City; in fact, you're much better off without one, just as in DC. Take the train, and once you're here, take public transportation.

NYC is the perfect city for tourists to explore, so don't be scared of the unknown. It's safe, user friendly (New Yorkers are happy to help), and easy to navigate while walking or using public transportation. You'll find having a car in the city to be a bit of a burden.

I95 and I78 puts you at Newark Airport. Why would you want to stay there? I'll second awygn. Take the train up from D.C. and stay in the city.

Depending on if you want to 1) stop and see things on the way and 2) howl ong you will be here - Amtrak may indeed make more sense than driving.

You do NOT want to stay near EWR - it will take you at least 2 hours a day to commute in and out of the city - and they you're staying near Newark airport- with no services - not in the middle of Manhattan.

Get a hotel in the city and be close enough that you can walk to (or easily take the subway to) all of the places you want to visit.

Thank you all. We are visiting DC on our way to Vermont and that is why we will have a car. If not, Amtrack sounds great but unfortunately not a choice for us. So, it is best for us to stay in the city and take the subway. Where in the city is best and would we still take 95 to get there? Hopefully, it will not be too much of a nightmare...
Thanks again, all responses welcomed!

cd,

My Metropark advice was for parking the car a few days, staying in NYC, and returning to DC.

Now I understand better. Just stay in the city. There is no "best" area in NYC to stay. I would just find a hotel somewhat close to WTC (within 5 subway stops?) and suits your needs.
Here's a start: http://www.eurocheapo.com/newyork/ Look at neighborhoods 1 through 8. Don't be mislead by the website - "cheap" is a relative term for NYC. For a small basic double room with private bath, somewhat close to subway it's about $250/night after taxes, feeds, and parking.


Otherwise, you might want to stay here, right off I-95 They have a shuttle to take you to Secaucus Junction station. From there it's one stop on a NJ Transit train to NYC Penn Station. Not nearly as convenient but an option nonetheless.

http://www.ichotelsgroup.com/h/d/cw/1/en/hotel/nycnj

OR just stay in the city.

Bardo, thanks for the eurocheapo link, I'm checking them now. I think I have zeroed in on Times Square by Central Park. Midtown.

I think Midtown is a great location for a first-time visit. Many here will tell you Times Square is undesirable, but what they mean is that it's crowded with tourists. It's a central location, you can walk to Central Park, and take public transpo downtown, and everyone should see Times Square once in their lives! Enjoy your trip, and again, don't be nervous, NYC is a very, very tourist-friendly destination.

Thanks NewbE, I'm just scared of driving in the traffic

Most people would be! The things is, IME, traffic in Manhattan is very slow. The highways and bridges around the city can be a bit intimidating, but staying outside the city means you still have to navigate those. And once you get into the city, you will be moving slowly enough that you should be able to navigate without too much difficulty. You can do it! And it will be well worth the effort.

Hi cd,

I've driven OUT of the city. I know you can drive in (and then out). Just get in, park your car and you're set.

I'm not familiar with this hotel but travelbuff (who I respect a lot) has recommended it often. It provides FREE parking - evidently the only hotel in the city to do so.
http://www.thetravelinnhotel.com/

Otherwise, just come in, park your car and use the subway/taxis to get around. Parking will be expensive but you'll do fine coming in and driving out of the city.

You'll love NY!

You'll definitely get more out of a 2 night stay if you get a hotel in Manhattan, and driving in NYC is not difficult, since all you have to do is turn off of I-95 at the exit for either the Holland or the Lincoln tunnel, and follow them into town. Soon as you go through either tunnel, you are in Manhattan, and it's basically like driving around any other downtown area, only bigger. As long as you aren't trying to pinch pennies, just drive straight to your hotel and let them park the car. Then you can walk, take a taxi, or take the subway wherever you want to go. If you are looking to cut costs, there are ways to do it and still be in Manhattan, such as the suggestion by starrs above.

Oh Starrs, The Traveler is great! I cannot believe I got it for 175.00 with free parking!!!!Thank you, thank you, thank you..Only problem is they could only give me 2 nights and I wanted 3 but what a deal!!

Great price and nice area. Tons of good, affordable restaurants on both 10th & 9th Aves between 42nd and 52nd. Congrats!

Thanks to everyone for the encouragement regarding driving I-95 into Manhattan! And bardo1, it's good to know there are tons of restaurants close. Any favorite's?

I have favorites!

You are within a block of two of my favorites.

I probably should ask the standard questions - what's your favorite cuisine, what's your price point, etc. - but two of my very favorites are within a block of your hotel.

For lunch, dinner or after a show -
http://www.westbankcafe.com/menu.html

I'd order from their prix fixe menu
http://www.westbankcafe.com/menu.html


Another favorite has a location in Hell's Kitchen (near your hotel)
http://www.piopio.com/

And our favorite is the Matador Combo -
http://www.piopio.com/pdfs/Pio8Menu.pdf

It's $34 but enough for 2 to 4 people to share
If you look at the pictures shown with the "about" page of the website, it's the spread of food shown on the table with Pio Pio NY in the center.

We don't have Peruvian food at home and it will be among the first places I'll go back to. Well, actually we order it as take out to share at home. But baked chicken, rice and beans, (strange as it sounds) french fries with sliced hot dogs), plantains and avocado salad. Pio Pio is not fancy at all, but (IMO) good food at a good price.

Other Fodorite favorites nearby include
Chez Josephine
Five Napkin Burger
Becco


A few blocks away is the rooftop bar at Ink48 (a Kimpton hotel). I've not been there (yet) but it would be a great place to go at the end of the evening for a drink - and to enjoy the view from Press.

http://www.ink48.com/new-york-dining/index.html

Yummmmmmmmmm We have never had Peruvian food before. I think we'll be there more than once!

cd, my other "must" in NYC is Thai food. I don't have a particular one to recommend near your hotel but this list may be helpful to you -

http://newyork.timeout.com/search/apachesolr_search?source_form=restaurants&filters=tid%3A31692%20tid%3A31869%20type%3Avenue%20im_vid_96%3A933&package=1590753

You'll find a lot of inexpensive places to eat along 8th and 9th. A lot of the time we eat in the room so we can get a bit of a rest in after a full day of sightseeing and before a Broadway show. That's always an option and most of these places deliver. It's a way to avoid the pre-theatre rush in the restaurants and get a bit of down time before heading out again.

If you plan to see a show, check the discounts at broadwaybox.com.

I've eaten at the Pio Pio location on the Upper East Side and loved it. I was with a big group, we had an enormous amount of food and it could not have been more than $15 pp. Don't miss the chicken!

We recently had a very nice dinner at a fairly new place, much pricier than Pio Pio, though, called La Silhouette, on W. 53rd. It's a small place, divided into small cozy rooms. Service was lovely and the food was very very good. It's pricey, though, about $160 for two without dessert or coffee (we had to run), but with a cocktail. It's not where I'd go for an "everyday meal", but I'd go back for a special occasion.

cd - this is great for figuring out routes between different locations/sites in NYC. You can choose walking, driving (cabs), and public transportation including subway -

http://www.hopstop.com/?city=newyork