Getting a Cab on Broadway in the evening
 

Hi - Can anyone out there advise on travelling back from the Beacon Theatre, Saturday evening after a concert, at around 11:00pm? My queries are: is the subway safe late in the evening, or is a cab a better bet. Incidentally is there an "organised" cab stand outside the theatre, or is it a big rush. I would imagine that as the shows empty there are throngs of people in a similar position. I have not yet made reservations for Hotels, but am leaning towards Jersey City. I have heard that the views of Manhatten are impressive and that prices are good value?

You can expect no problems using the subway at 11:00 p.m.

When you say, "traveling back," where are you going? Jersey City? If so, you'll want to take the 2 train from 72nd and Broadway to 14th Street, then change to the PATH, which will take you to Journal Square in Jersey City.

There is no taxi stand and no need for one. It's on a block in an always busy residential neighborhood. No other theaters in the immediate area. Many people getting in cabs in midtown are let out in the neighborhood, so there should always be cabs cruising around. If it's raining--harder to get a cab. Depending on what concert you are seeing, they may be almost no competition for cabs since everyone will be heading towards the subway.

I routinely take the subway from this area at that time of the evening, but what is your destination?

It is hard, bordering on impossible, to get a cab between 4-5 PM during the week. It is rush hour and shift change.
Please note it is spelled Manhattan.

I agree with taking the subway, but I'd look for a hotel option in town (vs Jersey City).

11 pm isn;t late in NYC - there will still be a lot of people on the street and the subway. but you can;t take the subway to Jersey City - it;s in NYC only. You could look into the PATH train once you get to Penn - or downtown link - but I don;t know how often it runs that late.

Getting a cab to Jersey City is problematic. Cabs aren;t required to make trips outside the city - and many won;t. And if they do you have to pay double fare outside the city as well as the tunnel toll. I don't know taxi fare for that route - but I would imagine that it will be in excess of $50 - and the usual tip is 20%.

And there is no organized cab stand - it;s every man for himself. For going to jersey I would count on a long wait to find a willing driver.

NYC taxis are under no obligation to take a fare to New Jersey except for Newark Airport. You can make an agreement with the cabbie, however.

There are parts of NYC that do not get going until 11 PM.

aduchamp1,
Why mention cab issues between 4-5 PM when OP is asking about 11 PM? Also no need to make a big issue about the spelling of Manhateen!

Dear Deb

I am sorry I offer information on an information board. How rude and thoughtless of me. That tidbit may actually be helpful to someone.

About once a month a poster spells Manhattan wrong. Most adults are confident enough to be corrected. But if I see you that you have spinach on your teeth or egg on your face, I will not mention it to you.

Check the rates here -
http://www.hotelbelleclaire.com/

VERY close to your theatre.

Or here - and take the subway
http://www.thetravelinnhotel.com/

aduchamp1,
How rude of me to try to make sure a new poster is not offended. Sometimes people that have just started posting can misinterpret things. I have absolutely no problem with being corrected as I'm a spelling and grammar nut. However, many people are challenged in this area and I don't think they should be belittled.

Maybe it's just my problem with the interpretation of your post. If so, I apologize!

Deb-
I am sure you would not mind being called Dub or Dab or even Dib. And of course, you did notice that I wrote, "Please note." But I am happy to know there are defenders and clairvoyants of future visitors to New York who you are assuming need your help and clairvoyance.

As far offering additional information, I have giving and seeking advice on various travel boards for about 15 years.
And people:

1. Don't often frame the questions correctly;
2. Don't ask all the questions they want;
3. Don't know the right questions to ask and probably more importantly;
4. There are many people who do not post but use information that is provided.

And if you think that posting tangential material which is factual and non-judgemental, than the problems does not lie with me.

The subways are perfectly safe at night although some people feel more comfortable when on their own using buses or taxis.

Staying anywhere outside Manhattan is going to be cheaper than staying in Manhattan but the compromise is convenience. Taxis are not obligated to go outside city limits (and anywhere in New Jersey is considered outside city limits) and if they do can charge twice the meter for the part of the trip outside city lines. Bottom line, don't even consider staying in New Jersey if you plan on using anything other than public transport (bus or train).

While there are some nice hotels in Jersey City & Hoboken (Hyatt, Westin, W) along with some good views, not all the hotels in those places are near public transport (the ones I listed are) and the transport in New Jersey is not part of the same system so costs extra. Whether it's worth it to you to save the money depends on
>the length of your stay,
>the time you're visiting NYC since hotel prices fluctuate and some times are pricier in Manhattan than others..
>how important nightlife is to you since it may mean making 2 round trips per day from the hotel
>how important being able to pop back to the hotel during the day for dropping packages or taking a rest

Dear all,
Many, many thanks for these really helpful comments.
I had verified the routing via subway and PATH, but was not aware of the cab situation leaving Manhattan (I will not forget that spelling again!)- this may influence my hotel choice. Reassuring regarding the subway. I also may be being a bit premature as I have not yet secured tickets for the concert(Steely Dan - 13,14,16,17 Sept). Once again thank you all.

The Beacon is at 74th and Broadway.

A number of posters have been pleased with a few hotels in that area. Maybe they will jump in and make a few recommendations.

Adu-
I think a truce is in order...no sense wasting time as OP could probably care less at this point.

I haven't been on these boards for 15 years like you, but I do try to help when I can. When I first joined this forum I noticed that some fodorites were rather impolite when it was unnecessary.

So like I said before, Peace Man!

No problem.

Mid Sept. is indeed a very pricey time in Manhattan for hotels. I think you may shock if you look at prices. This coincides usually with the start of the UN General Assembly and the city is filled to capacity. I'd urge you to book something sooner rather than later (and secure the tickets). Kayak.com quikbook.com hotels.com oyster.com are some good search engines for hotels.

I support the spelling correction as if a poster searches for info on "manhatten" she/he will not find anything except her own post.

Alright already! I'm waving a white flag!

Well the Beacon Hotel is the obvious choice. Also good in the area are the Lucerne, Excelsior and On the Ave. For something less pricey but still an easy walk away - have a look at the Newton on Broadway near 94th St.

I am hopeful that the following will be a clear statement about a convoluted subject.

Although the Beacon Theater is on Broadway it is not considered a Broadway theater. A Broadway show is considered a house with more than 500 seats that is the Theater District or Lincoln Center.

Off-Broadway theaters are usually not in the Theatre District, although they can be, and have less than 500 seats but more than 100.

Off-off Broadway are theaters that have less than 100 seats.

These rules were established so that plays and musicals can qualify for Tonys, Obies, and a slew of other awards.

And equally important these desigantions are the basis for union pay and other contractual obligations.

The Beacon rarely has a long running play or msuical. They tried last year to have some Cirque du Soleil thing that evicted the Allman Bros after playing there every year for 20 years every March. This not only made Duane Allman riff in his grave, but the followers of the Bros had to go to another theater so they could drink and throw up.

Given the Jersey City hotel idea, I'm guessing that price is a big factor here. I'm reposting my suggestion from last night -

starrs on Mar 31, 11 at 10:10pm Check the rates here -
http://www.hotelbelleclaire.com/

VERY close to your theatre.

bt33, I just want to say that I think you should stay in Manhattan, not Jersey City. Especially after seeing Steely Dan (I saw them late 70s'). I think you will be "up" from the concert and a drink afterwards in the city will be icing on the cake. Try the upper West Side as some have suggested.

I think a long ride to Jersey will be a downer. Visualize the whole evening...

Aduchamp1 made a telling earlier observation - regarding posing the right questions. In my case my main preference for Jersey City was based on not wanting to drive into Manhattan (am I being a whimp?). I have driven in many US cities, but NYC seems a little daunting I will be at the tail end of a three week East Coast road trip - Washington, the Outer Banks and back to New York to see the show, visit the City (for a 3 day weekend) and then take a 4 night drive around Long Island before flying home (UK). A top priority for me is getting a good quality room with a "guaranteed" spectacular view - as big and as expansive a view possible - and for my $350 per night budget - and my NYC driving issues - my research is leaning me towards the Hyatt in Jersey City and experiencing the late evening subway / PATH. You have all been very generous and informative with your suggestions - thanks!

I don;t think any hotel is going to give you a guaranteed spectacular view unless you are paying extra for a room with a view. (And agree you won;t get this in Manhattan for anywehre near $350.)

But IMHO there are so many places to get great views (Top of the Rock, Staten Island ferry etc) that I wouldn;t give up all the benefits of actually staying in Manhattan for the possibility of a view out of a hotel window (which you will be in mostly at night). Just drive your car into the city via the GWB and down the west side highway and pick a hotel near the Beacon. You can get off the highway at 79th St and will b eon city streets for only a few blocks.

Thanks nytraveler. I will pay extra for a view from my room. - it's so important to me. My last stay in NYC was at the Millennium UN Plaza, in 2003 for 8 nights. And that was an incredible experience. I need a repeat of that.

mclaurie, so many thanks for your advice and pointers, So much appreciated.

I hate to break this to you bt33, but unless you plan on making a big "schlepp" out of your way on the Verrazano bridge, there's no way to avoid driving through Manhattan to get to Long Island from New Joisy. ;)

I've been to the Hyatt Jersey City to eat and while the view is nice, it's not drop dead gorgeous imo AND I can't imagine staying in New Jersey just because of a car. Sooooo, since you're going to have to drive through Manhattan anyway, does that change your thinking?

Unfortunately I think the Mill UN Plaza is not a possibility for you at that time and finding a drop dead view in Manhattan at a decent price is going to be a challenge. The Sheraton Lincoln Harbor in Weehawken, NJ is not as nice a hotel as the Hyatt, but at least it's directly across from midtown where I think the views are better and you'd be closer. But I really think you should stay in Manhattan. I'd phone the Beacon hotel about rooms (they don't show as available online at beaconhotel.com) and if they can't give you one (there are some nice views on higher floors) book the Excelsior hotel asap (excelsiorhotelny.com) which is a short walk from the Beacon theater.

Thanks mclauarie, I was planning on the Verazzano. On a previous trip I took the 95, over the GW and took the Bridgeport – Port Jefferson Ferry, all in all a great experience. One of the pleasures of a vacation is in the planning, but this leg of the trip is not proving to be the easiest. But I am going to keep my options open, and following advice, maybe bite the bullet and drive straight on in! For now I will concentrate on my other hotel choices for the rest of my itinerary until I secure my concert tickets.

Honestly I think you're making a big mistake. Going over the Verrazano (from Jersey City) will easily take you an hour more for no good reason. Driving in Manhattan is easier than most people anticipate partly because the traffic moves so slowly. If you really don't want to drive in Manhattan, why not stay in Brooklyn? The Brooklyn Bridge Marriott should have some rooms with a good view, you avoid driving miles out of your way and you're at least on the NYC subway line to get in and out of Manhattan. (I would still book a room at the Excelsior until you make a final decision.)

mclaurie, Marriott looks good. I like this chain. This was one that I had considered and it has view rooms in my budget plus parking. I use Google Earth to approximate the views and had considered that the Hyatt would have the edge. I take you point on the Verrazano. I will weigh up these options.

The views at the BB Marriott won't be as sweeping as those from New Jersey b/c of the angle and certainly not as good as the Mill. UN PLaza (imo). But you have the added advantage of being a short walk from the Brooklyn Promenade and the Rivercafe.com from which you have some of the most stunning views of Manhattan there are any place. There's also a lot to see in Brooklyn Heights and DUMBO near that hotel vs. not much of anything in Jersey City (sorry to say).