We are planning a 3 day trip to NYC in the Spring. Would like to drive up from VA, park the car outside the city and take the train into Manhattan to stay for two nights.

I have done some researching of the NJ transit stations and have found that the Metropark station, which is about 5.5 hours from us, allows for overnight parking. In order to not have to get into so much DC traffic the morning of our trip, I am considering heading up the evening before in order to not be so frazzled to start our mini-vacation. Is there a decent hotel near that station which we could use if we decided to drive up the night before? Or is there a better plan that I haven't thought of? Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

Well I live in NJ (so I can say this). Even if it is allowed, I'm not so sure I would be okay with parking my car in a train lot for two nights. Maybe I'm paranoid and to be clear I'm not that familiar with the Metropark station nor it's security.

Not sure where you are coming from in VA, and I know you mention not wanting to get hung up in DC traffic, but other options which you'll find discussed in detail on this board are the Amtrak rail lines or the hourly shuttle which US Airways operates from Boston-NY-DC. Are these two an option? You might want to check out the costs to compare.

If you have decided on driving, you could drive up to Weehawken and stay at the Sheraton Suites on the Hudson. They have parking there and from there you have the option of taking the ferry into the city or taking the bus. The hotel is clean and nice - I'm putting my wedding party up there in May. Of course then you're staying in NJ and not NYC. All options.......

We are doing this on a shoestring budget, so driving would be the most cost-effective route I guess. I have looked into Amtrak, USAir and JetBlue. I was surprised to see that air travel was actually less than Amtrak. But, we are still probably going to drive. I did a search on the forum for the Metropark/Edison station, and it seems that some prior travelers did this same thing...couldn't find posts made afterward to see if they still had their car, though! Anyone else with thoughts? Thanks.

You will probably be OK - but there's no guarantee.

If you're only going to be in the city for 2 nights I would look for a less expensive garage. Or - if the days work out park on the street on the upper east or west side for free.

You don;t say where yoou're staying - but if the days work all this will cost you is a couple of subway fares. Just be sure that you get the correct side of the street (side streets only - not avenues) - since if you don;t and they tow the car it will be about $1000 to get it back.

It's been a while since I lived in NY (and I'm from NJ) but I would feel better leaving my car overnight at Metropark than on the street somewhere, even on the upper east or west sides. Besides, why spend time going back and forth to check on it? And if you do get towed, huge hassle, and there goes your shoestring budget. Metropark has long-term parking and attendants -- not that that is any guarantee, but it's not the same as leaving the car in an unattended open lot somewhere.

I do remember there being hotels near the station, but they seemed more designed for business travelers than for tourists (i.e. not budget). Have not stayed there, so can't make recommendations, but that would probably factor into my choice of driving vs. train.

Thanks for the help thus far. I don't think I can talk my husband into driving into the city on a weekday morning, so I think parking garages and streetside parking options are out. We may just have to take the chance with the car at the Metropark station. We are probably very naive, but how would it be different (if there is indeed an attendant)than if we were to leave it at the Amtrak station or airport....?

I don't see any difference between parking it at Metropark and parking it at your closest Amtrak station.

Check rates for your dates at the Travel Inn on 42nd. This is a motor inn, with free parking, meticulously maintained with pleasand rooms and decor. You can find reviews on TripAdvisor.