getting from Grand Hyatt to west 55th on NYE
Dec 18th, 2006, 06:46 AM
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getting from Grand Hyatt to west 55th on NYE
I have to get to a performance at the New York City Center, West 55th between 6th and 7th on New Year's Eve at 7pm. It seemed like an easy walk from Grand Hyatt (Grand Central)(20-30 minutes???) until I started reading about the traffic/pedestrian jams up to 59th St because of Times Square. How long do you estimate it will take me to walk amongst the crowds?
Dec 18th, 2006, 07:54 AM
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I think you could easily avoid the crowds by walking north first, then west. From the Grand Hyatt, walk north up Park or Madison or 5th Ave to 55th street, then turn left and walk west to 6th Ave. This won't take long at all.
Dec 18th, 2006, 07:55 AM
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I don't think you'll have a problem at that hour. Allow yourself an hour (leave the Hyatt at 6 pm) and you should have plenty of time. The Blakely hotel is directly across from City Center and I think they have a bar where you can have a drink if you're early.
http://abboccato.com/
http://abboccato.com/
Dec 18th, 2006, 07:57 AM
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Agree with lisettemac on the walk-go north first and then west on 55th. I should have said I KNOW the rest. inside the Blakely has a bar. You'll also pass plenty of other places on the way if you see you're early.
Dec 18th, 2006, 08:04 AM
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I'd agree that the walk should not take very long, except if it is very cold, the walk will seem VERY long.
You can't walk up Park Ave at 42nd St, so my suggestion would be to walk over to 5th Ave and up 5th to 55th that way you will see all the holiday decorations, the Tree at Rock Center, the snowflake at 57th and if you get too cold there are places to stop along the way for hot chocolate.
Dress warmly and you should have a lovely evening.
You can't walk up Park Ave at 42nd St, so my suggestion would be to walk over to 5th Ave and up 5th to 55th that way you will see all the holiday decorations, the Tree at Rock Center, the snowflake at 57th and if you get too cold there are places to stop along the way for hot chocolate.
Dress warmly and you should have a lovely evening.
Dec 19th, 2006, 04:52 AM
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Rhea58 has given the best directions, especially if the weather is cold! As a more scenic alternate, of course, you could cross over to 5th Avenue and walk north on that street.
Whatever you decide, do NOT take a cab! That will take forever!
Whatever you decide, do NOT take a cab! That will take forever!
Dec 19th, 2006, 06:15 AM
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NEVER EVER and I mean NEVER EVER, walk on 5th Avenue or 6th Avenue during Christmas season if your intent is to get someplace and not browse.
If you walk up Madison, Park or Lexington Avenue then cut across at 55th, you'll avoid the masses around Rock Center and Radio City.
Alternatively, if you take the #6 train to 51st, you can walk one level down to the E train. Take the downtown E to 7th Avenue which will leave you 7th and 53rd.
Walking, I'd suggest will be at least 25 minutes unless you walk fast. For some reason the lights are timed to prevent all but the fastest walkers from making more than one corner at a time.
If you walk up Madison, Park or Lexington Avenue then cut across at 55th, you'll avoid the masses around Rock Center and Radio City.
Alternatively, if you take the #6 train to 51st, you can walk one level down to the E train. Take the downtown E to 7th Avenue which will leave you 7th and 53rd.
Walking, I'd suggest will be at least 25 minutes unless you walk fast. For some reason the lights are timed to prevent all but the fastest walkers from making more than one corner at a time.
Dec 19th, 2006, 10:30 AM
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The lights aren;t set for walkers - they're set for cars and the speed limit is 30mph in Manhattan. When the streets are empty if you go eaxtly 30 all the lines will turn green as you get to them (going up or downtown).
And I have always found that the up/downtown lights turn at exactly the right time when walking north/south - but perhaps it;s because I'm a native and naturally walk what you call "fast".
And I have always found that the up/downtown lights turn at exactly the right time when walking north/south - but perhaps it;s because I'm a native and naturally walk what you call "fast".
Dec 19th, 2006, 11:22 AM
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Howard, please. I work between 5th and Madison on 53rd. I've worked at Park and 47th and 6th and 43rd. Do you work in this area and walk those streets everyday at Christmas?
The only time during the holidays when I haven't seen a crowd on either 5th or 6th is during the Millenium New Years Eve when the NYPD created a frozen zone on 6th.
To send someone up 5th Avenue at the Holidays when they are stating they need to be at a location on the West Side by 7, is almost as irresponsible as saying all of New Jersey is Newark.
The only time during the holidays when I haven't seen a crowd on either 5th or 6th is during the Millenium New Years Eve when the NYPD created a frozen zone on 6th.
To send someone up 5th Avenue at the Holidays when they are stating they need to be at a location on the West Side by 7, is almost as irresponsible as saying all of New Jersey is Newark.
Dec 19th, 2006, 12:06 PM
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Ryan, read my comment again. I am talking about NEW YEAR'S EVE only! And, I'm telling you from experience, Fifth Avenue may be busy on New Year's Eve, but it certainly does not have street-jamming, street-blocking crowds.
