melissa19

I'm taking my teenage daughter to NYC next month to see the Tim Burton exhibit at the Modern. We're taking the Bolt bus from Philly; it stops at Penn Station. I can read a map, and know to take the E subway if necessary. However, if we stay above ground, I'm looking for ideas as to the best/most scenic ways to walk there and back.

One thing I'd like to consider... she is a theatre nut, and I see "Theatre District" marked on my Streetwise map. Is there a street full of marquees that might be fun to walk? Like in the movies?

Thanks!

nyer

I suggest you get to the museum as early as possible. When I went last Monday around 11 am, the earliest tickets available for Tim Burton were for 3 pm (so I skipped it). You should leave the scenic walking around for AFTER the museum, if you have time.

melissa19

We're getting timed tickets online beforehand, so hopefully won't have that problem. I guess we should get to the museum ASAP regardless.

SueNYC

There's so much to see there beyond Tim Burton but it isn't a long walk. There is no one street of Marquees if you walk up 7th you will go by Parson's School of design and from 42nd Street and north as you look left you will see lots of theatres.

If she's really into theatre you might want to stop at the Drama Book Store on the way back to Penn for some reading material on the bus.

http://www.dramabookshop.com/NASApp/store/IndexJsp

Don't forget to check MOMA's movies of the day. Your admission ticket will get you into the movies free. You just have to go to the movie desk and ask and I love the cafe on the 2nd floor for food AND the gift shop is wonderful.

mp

Sue - I'm not sure if you mean Parsons on 7th Avenue - Parsons is at 5th Avenue and 12th St - not near Penn Station.

If the Poster and her daughter are at the 8th Avenue entrance of Penn Station, they can walk right up 8th Avenue, uptown to 42nd Street, then they can walk east(that is make another right toward 7th Avenue) along 42nd Street, between 8th and 7th Avenues, to see the theatres there. Or they can continue up and walk across 44th or 45th Street, which each have a few theatres. Then they can continue through Time Square, up 7th Avenue to 53rd St.

But most likely it will be cold and not so pleasant and you'll be pressed for time - the E train is the best way to go. You can alwas walk back to the bus stop , down 7th Avenue.

melissa19

Great ideas - thanks all! I'm wishing for a warm(ish) day in February!

J62

Important note about the timed tickets to Tim Burton. They limit number of non-members at a time, but MOMA members don't need a pass - they can simply walk in at any time. I was there over the holidays and TB exhibit was wall to wall people - too crowded to enjoy.

I'm confident February won't be so busy, but definitely heed the advice above to get there early. Warm February weather (oxymoron?) will bring out lots of locals, especially if it's when kids are out of school around Presidents' day.

nytraveler

They call it the theater district but they are spread out over the avenues and side streets from 42 up to 51st and from Broadway over to 8th. Agree to go to MoMA first - then decide how you want to walk back (it will be just as fast as the subway). Fifth has lots of stores and the library, Sixth is all office buildings and the back of Bryant Park - further west from there is mixed, some blocks not bad others too tacky for words.

SueNYC

NOPE - there's a branch of Parsons where they film Project Runway and it IS on 7th! Go by it on the buses at least 2x a week.

mp

Oh yes Sue, that's right - that's the Schwartz building, it's just the fashion branch of Parsons, the major part of the school is downtown, on 5th Avenue . . . must be busy there again, since the show came back to NYC!

melissa19

Ok, I think we will jump off the bus and head right to the E train in order to get to the museum first thing. Which leads me to another question. If we take the subway to the museum and walk back, or at most, ride the subway once more back to Penn Station... what are my options for subway fare? I guess tokens are done, and it's now all fare cards? Is there a value-added card where I can just put on the fare for one or two trips?

It is the President's Day weekend, I'm afraid, but I hoped that not all kids have off on that Friday (??). I've heard about the crowds, unfortunately.

Thank you all so much...

vjpblovesitaly

It's Washington's Birthday, not Presidents' Day. Both federally and in New York State.

J62

Call it what you will.

According to the school calendar for my kids' NY State schools, they will be out of school on Monday 2/15 for either Presidents' day or President's day. (2 schools)

I'll give you their phone number vjpb if you want to correct them on what they call the day off.

vaca247

I would walk rather than take a train.For you and your teen the brisk walk over to fifth ave and then up to the Museum pass Rockefeller center would be easier and more fun.
I would walk back heading south and then west along 42st to come to the center of times square,Theater Central in all its glory.
Easy walk from there back down to Penn.

ellenem

Yes, from the MetroCard machines or clerk in the booth, you should be able to buy a card with the exact number of fares you need. You can even buy your fares by the same two methods one ride at time if you are unsure how many fares you will need.

SueNYC

DO NOT buy 1 ride at a time -- put money on one metrocard for both of you...Single rides do not allow transfers and they are only good for 2 hours!

Get an 8 dollar pass = it'll give you 4 full rides - if you don't use 2 of them, come back some other time

ellenem

Sorry I wasn't clear--one ride at a time, with the two of you sharing one card.

melissa19

They don't frown on card sharing?

Thanks everyone!

doug_stallings

The MTA doesn't frown on card-sharing, but SueNYC has led you astray, I'm afraid. You can't share the $8 fun pass. Unlimited cards work for only one person and then can't be used again for about 10 minutes.

But if you buy a regular metro card (other than a one-ride card, which I agree should NOT be your choice) and put any amount on it, then you can share the card, passing it between you as you get on the subway or bus.

SueNYC

NO I didn't - the FUN pass is now 8>50 -- The 4 ride pass (given the 15 percent discount is $8 dollars!!

I do NOT lead people astray -- yes Doub is Right -- the ALL DAY fun pass cannot be shared!