Which neighborhood to stay in that's convenient to Broadway shows?
Apr 27th, 2015, 05:06 PM
#1
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Which neighborhood to stay in that's convenient to Broadway shows?
I was hoping someone could offer me some advice on a quick trip to NY I'm planning with my adult daughter this summer. Whenever I've visted NY, I've always stayed in Times Square as it's a convenient walk back to the hotel at night after a show. I would love to try staying in a different neighborhood, but worry that it would be difficult to catch a cab at night after a show. Is public transportation pretty safe at night? Would a bus be preferable to a subway? Can anyone recommend a neighborhood that wouldn't be too much of a hassle to get back to at night and that I have a chance to find a reasonably-priced room (by NY standards.)
Thanks,
Laurie
Thanks,
Laurie
Apr 27th, 2015, 06:08 PM
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Public transportation is safe now at all hours. Bus is not preferable as it usually takes longer, but it is an option depending on where you stay. The best way to find affordable hotels is o come at a time thats less expensive. In general the summer is, but you'll find early July and late August less expensive than the other times.
There are areas in midtown that would still be walkable from the theaters but arent right in Times Square. The new Residence Inn Central Park is due north of TS, has gobsmacking views, includes breakfast and you get a kitchenette. There's also a Courtyard (Central Park) in the same building and a Hilton Garden Inn Central Park nearby. If you really want a different area, the upper west side is another idea. Beaconhotel.com is very popular.
There are areas in midtown that would still be walkable from the theaters but arent right in Times Square. The new Residence Inn Central Park is due north of TS, has gobsmacking views, includes breakfast and you get a kitchenette. There's also a Courtyard (Central Park) in the same building and a Hilton Garden Inn Central Park nearby. If you really want a different area, the upper west side is another idea. Beaconhotel.com is very popular.
Apr 27th, 2015, 06:28 PM
#3
If you decide to stay in the area, consider the Holiday Inn Times Square North or the new Hilton Garden Inn Central Park South - Midtown West.
http://www.hgicentralparknyhotel.com/
http://www.hgicentralparknyhotel.com/
Apr 27th, 2015, 06:37 PM
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You could also stay near Grand Central and be a short hop on the subway or a 15-minute walk, both perfectly safe. There are several hotels near that area. Ditto the Upper West Side, which is a fast subway ride but too far to walk. The Beacon is in a good location. Further up U.S. The Newton and a Quality Inn.
It can be difficult to get a cab after a Broadway show, but there's absolutely no need to do that. The subway is often just as fast if you are just going a few stops.
It can be difficult to get a cab after a Broadway show, but there's absolutely no need to do that. The subway is often just as fast if you are just going a few stops.
Apr 27th, 2015, 07:05 PM
#6
I did! Thanks, mclaurie.
The Hampton Inn TSN is near where a friend first lived in NYC.
The HGI is next to where a friend currently lives.
I agree with the others that other neighborhoods are a subway ride away and the subway is safe. My preference for Broadway centered visits is to be close by via walking.
If you want a basic room on the UWS, consider the Hotel Newton, which is across the street from a subway station. It faces Broadway with lots of restaurant choices, but is in the middle of a very nice residential area. The flower garden at the end of "You've Got Mail" is just a few blocks away at Riverside Park and Central Park is on the opposite side (few blocks away). Not fancy but reasonable.
http://www.thehotelnewton.com/
The Hampton Inn TSN is near where a friend first lived in NYC.
The HGI is next to where a friend currently lives.
I agree with the others that other neighborhoods are a subway ride away and the subway is safe. My preference for Broadway centered visits is to be close by via walking.
If you want a basic room on the UWS, consider the Hotel Newton, which is across the street from a subway station. It faces Broadway with lots of restaurant choices, but is in the middle of a very nice residential area. The flower garden at the end of "You've Got Mail" is just a few blocks away at Riverside Park and Central Park is on the opposite side (few blocks away). Not fancy but reasonable.
http://www.thehotelnewton.com/
Apr 28th, 2015, 04:21 AM
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We live on the upper west side and often walk home after the theater. It only takes about 35 to 40 minutes - and we enjoy that after having sat for 3 hours, usually full of dinner. If you prefer you can hop a bus or subway and get there in 10 to 15 minutes. Beacon is a good choice but there are many hotels in the area.
Hotels on the east side in the 40s and lower 50's are also a good idea. Perhaps a 10 or 15 minute walk - or you can just hop a crosstown bus if you want.
And yes, bus and subway are safe then. We don;t take late at night - after 1 am - since they don;t run very frequently and it's easy to get a cab then - but after the theater is fine.
And sorry - almost all short term apartment sublets in NYC are illegal so this is something you should NOT do. It is legal to stay in someone's spare room while they are in the apartment - but I don't get why someone except an impecunious student would want to do this and give up their privacy.
Hotels on the east side in the 40s and lower 50's are also a good idea. Perhaps a 10 or 15 minute walk - or you can just hop a crosstown bus if you want.
And yes, bus and subway are safe then. We don;t take late at night - after 1 am - since they don;t run very frequently and it's easy to get a cab then - but after the theater is fine.
And sorry - almost all short term apartment sublets in NYC are illegal so this is something you should NOT do. It is legal to stay in someone's spare room while they are in the apartment - but I don't get why someone except an impecunious student would want to do this and give up their privacy.
Apr 28th, 2015, 04:53 AM
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JospehSantiago
You are the first person I know who claims to have lived in NY all his life and use the term metro. It is either called the train or the subway.
Besides you are trying to sell something which makes it more suspicious.
You are the first person I know who claims to have lived in NY all his life and use the term metro. It is either called the train or the subway.
Besides you are trying to sell something which makes it more suspicious.
Apr 28th, 2015, 06:40 AM
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Last week we stayed at the Hyatt Place on 36th between 5th and 6th. In that block on both 35th and 36 are Courtyard, Best Western, Hampton Inn, Hilton Garden Inn, Holiday Inn Express, Radisson, and I'm not sure what all else. Several more are going up in that same immediate area -- becoming quite a little hotel center. The view from our 19th floor room was of the Empire State Building completely unobstructed and only two blocks away -- towering above us. It's a great location, with lots of subway lines coming together at the very nearby Herald Square (and Macy's). And it's right by Penn Station for airport or other train access. As far as Broadway, it's about a 10 to 15 minute easy stroll right down Broadway from the theatres, and that's a lively, safe area at night. I wouldn't even think about transportation back and forth from the theatres, but there are several lines that with one stop will bring you close to your hotel. This area is still bustling, but out of the "din" that is Times Square (not that I personally mind that either).
Apr 28th, 2015, 07:23 AM
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Yes, Patrick, I should have mentioned that area as well. It's equally convenient for lodging near Broadway shows if you don't want to be in the heart of Times Square.
How was the Hyatt Place? I love that chain and wonder if the rooms are as nice as they are at the more suburban versions.
How was the Hyatt Place? I love that chain and wonder if the rooms are as nice as they are at the more suburban versions.
Apr 28th, 2015, 07:33 AM
#11
I've stayed at the LaQuinta in that area a lot. On 32nd between Broadway and 5th. Their little rooftop bar has a great view of the Empire State Building above. I met up with my young family member living nearby and she was living literally behind the hotel on 33rd. Subway on the corner and very convenient up to TS for shows.
The only problem when I stayed there last was not a lot of restaurant options nearby. Well, lots of options in Koreatown but it was hard finding other options. After the first night trying to find something, the stress of eating and getting to the show on time was too much for me. After that I took the subway (or taxi, because I like seeing the city as we drive by) up to TS and ate at my favorite pre-theater place, the West Bank Café. It's a good area though and HGTV was filming Design Star in the little park nearby.
The only problem when I stayed there last was not a lot of restaurant options nearby. Well, lots of options in Koreatown but it was hard finding other options. After the first night trying to find something, the stress of eating and getting to the show on time was too much for me. After that I took the subway (or taxi, because I like seeing the city as we drive by) up to TS and ate at my favorite pre-theater place, the West Bank Café. It's a good area though and HGTV was filming Design Star in the little park nearby.
Apr 28th, 2015, 08:20 AM
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I really dislike staying in the Times Sq area -- or most of midtown for that matter -- as to me it just has a lot less character than almost any neighborhood.
Week before last I stayed at the Holiday Inn-Lower East Side and it was extremely convenient to catch the subway to the Theatre District, Plus, it had great access to a couple of my favorite places to eat, Katz's Deli and Shopsin's in the Essex Market, and it's also just a block or two from the terrific Tenement Museum. I've also stayed at a Holiday Inn Express in Chinatown, and that too was a great location, with easy subway access to the theaters.
When you look at the subway map, keep in mind that both the Times Square station and the Port Authority Bus terminal station are both close to most theaters.
And yes, it can be a problem catching a cab after a show, especially if you're unfamiliar with which direction to walk to find the empty cabs.
Week before last I stayed at the Holiday Inn-Lower East Side and it was extremely convenient to catch the subway to the Theatre District, Plus, it had great access to a couple of my favorite places to eat, Katz's Deli and Shopsin's in the Essex Market, and it's also just a block or two from the terrific Tenement Museum. I've also stayed at a Holiday Inn Express in Chinatown, and that too was a great location, with easy subway access to the theaters.
When you look at the subway map, keep in mind that both the Times Square station and the Port Authority Bus terminal station are both close to most theaters.
And yes, it can be a problem catching a cab after a show, especially if you're unfamiliar with which direction to walk to find the empty cabs.
Apr 28th, 2015, 08:33 AM
#17
"... especially if you're unfamiliar with which direction to walk to find the empty cabs."
It's difficult even when you do know. One night it was impossible to find one on 8th or 10th. Only town cars stopped. In the rain? Virtually impossible. The subway is a much better option.
It's difficult even when you do know. One night it was impossible to find one on 8th or 10th. Only town cars stopped. In the rain? Virtually impossible. The subway is a much better option.
Apr 28th, 2015, 08:46 AM
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Doug, it was actually the second time we've stayed at that Hyatt Place. It was perfect for us this time with Peter commuting by Path daily to Hoboken for a training week.
The rooms are of course pretty small, but nicely furnished. Both times our king room has had a full sized sofa (but don't think it's a sofa bed, as there isn't enough room to open it up. As with most Hyatt Places, wifi (which REALLY worked well, by the way) is free, and breakfast is as well -- with Starbucks coffee and each day a couple of warm selections like "egg macmuffins" or healthy open faced frittatas, or scrambled eggs, sausages, pancakes, or waffles, and good fresh fruit and pastries. Rooms have a mini refrigerator, nice walk-in showers rather than tubs (or at least ours both did).
Perhaps the most negative was the two elevators for the 25 floors (but only 8 rooms per floor) get really backed up around breakfast time. Otherwise, no issues at all. What's more (but we are Platinum Hyatt members) they gave us a room on our arrival at about 11 AM on a Sunday, and let us have a 2 PM checkout.
Prices are all over the map there. Peter's company paid for the four week nights -- corporate rate (comparable to Sr. or AAA) of $279, but the Sunday night that I added and paid for was only $134. Not sure what was happening, but last week seemed to be very high overall and lots of places were sold out weeks ahead.
The rooms are of course pretty small, but nicely furnished. Both times our king room has had a full sized sofa (but don't think it's a sofa bed, as there isn't enough room to open it up. As with most Hyatt Places, wifi (which REALLY worked well, by the way) is free, and breakfast is as well -- with Starbucks coffee and each day a couple of warm selections like "egg macmuffins" or healthy open faced frittatas, or scrambled eggs, sausages, pancakes, or waffles, and good fresh fruit and pastries. Rooms have a mini refrigerator, nice walk-in showers rather than tubs (or at least ours both did).
Perhaps the most negative was the two elevators for the 25 floors (but only 8 rooms per floor) get really backed up around breakfast time. Otherwise, no issues at all. What's more (but we are Platinum Hyatt members) they gave us a room on our arrival at about 11 AM on a Sunday, and let us have a 2 PM checkout.
Prices are all over the map there. Peter's company paid for the four week nights -- corporate rate (comparable to Sr. or AAA) of $279, but the Sunday night that I added and paid for was only $134. Not sure what was happening, but last week seemed to be very high overall and lots of places were sold out weeks ahead.
