Hi, I'm a little confused with all the info out there and with my situation. We are going to the Springsteen concerts at the Meadowlands on 7/18 and 7/21 (Fri and Mon.). Over the weekend, however, we want to enjoy the Manhattan nightlife and go to a couple of Yankee games. From what I can tell on this site, I can probably get the Meadowlands area for about $40. But, I'm not sure if it would be better to stay in Manhattan for the convenience to the nightlife and Yankee Stadium. My budget is definitely an issue, otherwise I know I'd stay in Manhattan. Any suggestions as to where I should stay that won't bust my budget, but yet will be convenient for 2 concerts, 2 games, and the nightlife?

Big question: will you be traveling by private car or public transportion?

Well, I've even muddied the water on that. We were planning on driving (from Buffalo), figuring it's cheaper, but I was reminded of the cost of parking in Manhattan ($50 a day?), so if we were to stay in Manhattan it might be better to fly and do public transportation (probably same cost to fly vs. park).

There are two ways to get the best of both world's. The first is to stay at your original hotel choice in the Meadowlands, as the rate is attractive. With your car, it is about a 15 minute ride (with a big assumption of limited traffic heading into the Lincoln Tunnel) to the NY Waterway Ferry in Weehawken or Hoboken. There is parking at both facilities. With that option, you can easily get into and out of NY/ However, the ferries do stop around 12:30 a.m.

If you park in Hoboken, the PATH train runs late as does the NY Transit bus from the Port Authority.

In terms of the Yankee game, you can even take one of their boats "The Yankee Clipper" directly to and from the stadium. The website for NY Waterway is www.nywaterway.com.

Alternatively, there are several hotels in Jersey City or the Sheraton in Weehawken. Again, they have easy access to the city and to the concert. Not sure about rates, but it will be more than $50, but less than the city.

Here's what I would do. I'd fly (it's only $240 for both of you into Newark). I'd stay in New Jersey on Fri & Monday nites and get a NYC hotel for Sat/Sun nights from Priceline or elsewhere.

BTW, if you decide to drive you can find parking for $15/day in NYC at www.iconparking.com
The only problem may be at that rate you may not be able to use the car to go in and out but not sure.

Enjoy!

PS You don't need to stay in MIDTWON while you're in the city. In fact, the upper west side may be a better location for getting the subway to Yankee Stadium but I don't know-maybe someone else can help.

I live a few minutes away from the Meadowlands but I recommend staying in Manhattan especially if it's your first time. It would be the best total experience while commuting into the city from NJ everyday would be a pain if not tiring.

I assume that you'll be travelling by bus to the Meadowlands? It will be a little inconvenient and confusing in Port Authority but really, it's only two times out of a long weekend and you'll be with alot of others doing the same thing.

Junglecat, I would normally agree with you, but if they fly in and out of Newark and will be going to the Meadowlands on Fri & Mon nite anyway, it makes more sense to save the $ & stay at the Meadowlands for those 2 nites and spend the weekend in the city.

Getting around from the Meadowlands is not that difficult. And for a Yankees game, I'm not sure Manhattan is any better a location. I'd stay outside the city for sure. From that close commuting is not the hour long rides you get from suburbs. It's no more of a hassle than uptown to downtown can be.

McLaurie's idea is perfect actually. Spend the bookend days in the Meadowlands and the days in between in Midtown.

However, I do disagree with sneezey. Jumping on the #4 train from Manhattan is the easiest and most hassle free way of getting there. Driving and parking in that area can be an incredible waste of time and effort.

Thanks to all of you for your input!!! If anybody else has any opinions, I'll be glad to hear them, too - thanks in advance for them!

This one seems easy....

Stay at the Meadowlands on Fri and Mon, stay in NYC Sat and Sun.

Drive in, leave your car at the Meadowlands area hotel for the entire stay (most likely no charge), take mass transit into NYC for your Sat and Sun stay. Pack an empty "weekend" bag to take clothes into NYC, leave the rest in the trunk of your car.

When I stayed at the Sheraton Meadowlands, they ran a shuttle several times a day into the Sheraton in Manhatten. I think that it cost $10 round trip. The last one back to the Meadowlands was about 11:30 PM. Perhaps this will give you another idea!

Hey, I'm going to some Springsteen shows at Giants Stadium too. I'd probably stay in Midtown if I was coming in from out of town, since there's nothing to do out by the Meadowlands during the daytime. You can get to the show easily from midtown via public transport, there are buses that run from the Port Authority straight to Giants Stadium whenever there is a show going on, they start running them two hours before the show and the buses are lined up outside afterwards. The bus line can be a bit long after the show gets out, so just be prepared for a bit of line waiting going home. Just go to the NJ Transit windows at the Port Authority and buy a ticket, they will point you to the door where the bus is, the cost is $9 r/t I think. I've taken this bus to/from several shows at Giants and Continental, it's been fine, and this is how I will go to the Bruce shows in July.

Thanks for your replies, everybody! Mel - I hope you have as good a good at the concerts as I know I will!