Fabio

What kind of transportation is running after midnight fireworks to get out from Times Square ? We (family of 4) can fix a refundable but expensive hotel for 1 week within walking distance (15mins), or cheaper ones in other areas, including Brooklyn, but all depends on whether subway, taxis or buses will be available.

RoamsAround

Subways will be running, some taxis will be operating but it will be difficult to find an empty one. Sorry, not sure about buses but most likely there will be some. Don't count on finding a cab and expect standing room only (think packed in like sardines) if you take public transportation.

Personally, I wouldn't want to rely on buses & subways as the crowds using public transportation after mid-night will be horrendous and commute back to your hotel will be long and arduous - you are much better off staying within walking distance even though it will cost more - the convenience and peace of mind will be well worth the extra money.

Fabio

thanks !

In the past we were for NYE in Berlin, Sydney, Rio de Janeiro and it is more or less always the same story !

Aduchamp1

They usually close the subway stattions around Times Square for a few hours before midnight, but open them after midnight.

There are usually upwards of 1 million in Times Square. And remember once you enter one of the cordoned off areas, you cannot leave even to go to the bathroom. The police will not let re-enter.

nytraveler

In Times Square there is no public transit - due to the crowds. It stops around 4 in the afternoon and doesn;t start again until the crowd disperses. If you walk a couple of subway stops from Times Square all of the trains are running (they run 24/7/365) and you will be able to pick up a bus if you go a couple of avenues away in either direction. Just be aware that about a million people are doing the same thing - so it can take a long time before there is a train or bus that you can squash onto.

However there are many dozens of hotels within walking distance (NYC walking distance is a couple of miles) and I would stay in one of those - better than standing an hour waiting for a bus.

Fabio

thanks a lot

ok I got a hotel near times square for that night and another hotel for the remaining 6 nights. After standing until midnight that will be a nice stroll.

nyer

Fabio, you mentioned "fireworks" I just wanted to let you know there are no real fireworks in Times Square. The fireworks are in Central Park.

Of course the big crowd and famous celebration are in Times Square, I just wanted to make sure you aren't confusing 2 different events.

nytraveler

Ssorry -assumed you knew that in Times Square there is the drop of the crystal ball from the top of 1 Times Square.No fireworks. The fire works are in Central park.

Fabio

thanks a lot for clarifying. Yes, I was confusing the two events ! I wrongly assumed that both events were in the same place at Times Square !

doug_stallings

I do not recommend Times Square if your kids aren't older teens. You have to arrive early in the afternoon (around 3 or 4) to get a place to stand, and then you must stand (without access to a bathroom) for the next 8 or 9 hours. It is not my idea of fun, though I know it's on many people's bucket lists.

nytraveler

Agree - assume you were talking older teens. This is definitely not something you should subject younger children to - nor is staying up until 1 in the morning.

Fabio

thanks !

children are aged 16 and 10. We did other NYE trips to big towns like Sydney, Berlin and Rio. Every place is different. My major concern is probably the lack of bathroom for 9+ hours !

nytraveler

A 16 year old is tim e- but I really don;t think a 10 year old is goinng to enjoy this.

If it were me I would have dinner on the upper east or west side, watch the fireworks in central park and hed back to a hotel away from Times Square (so you don;thabv elong delays getting there). This doesn;t involve standing in one place for 8 or 9 hours and will be much more pleasant for everyone - esp if the weather is bad.

You must remember you may get 35, crisp and clear or 15, snow and strong winds. (I remember going out to a friend's for dinner one NYE and being absolutely frozen by the time we got t their apt - only 4 block away. It was clear but the temp was about 5 - and with the wind chill factor about 10 below zero (farenheit, not centigrade)

Fabio

great advice, thanks

the 10 years old girl was the one who was pressing more to be in Times Square because Lady Gaga will perform there but at the end and not easily I convinced her I will take her to another concert another time somewhere else !

Aduchamp1

The ten year old does not realize that the sound will not be very good, especially with a 1 million people screaming.

nytraveler

Unless you are right next to the stage (impossible - that will be VIPS) you will see and hear nothing. the performances are for the VIPS and the TV audience - not the million peasants freezing in the streets. Much better to go to Central Park where you can easily see the fireworks.

travelbuff

You also might think about doing other things in the City that night and then wander toward TS, later, from the upper 50's you can still see down Broadway but not be in the "crowd". Then walk up toward The Park to see the Fire Works.

There is also a wonderful concert that the kids would love uptown at St. John the Divine (110th and Broadway) starting at 7pm (free) and you are out by 9.

There are also several Ice Skating rinks in Manhattan, including Bryant Park (free admission, and skate rental available), which is close to TS.

From Bryant Park you should be able to see the Fireworks by standing on 6th Ave and looking north.

There's also skating in the park at Woolman Rink and then walk further in the park to see the fireworks.

Have a great time while you are here.

Fabio

wonderful ! can't wait to be there !!