Noo Yawkers! Please help me with this subway trip.

We want to go from the Hilton @ 53rd/6th to Lincoln Center. The routing program says to go to 59th/8th and walk, but I'd rather get the 1 line to 66th. Is one of these the preferred (least walking) route? Or is there a better way?

a) V to Herald Sq, Q to Times Square

b) V to Rockefeller Center, B to Columbus Circle

c) E to 50th/8th, C to Columbus Circle

It will take a little longer, but you can take the 5 bus. Stops across the street from the Hilton and will let you out in front of Lincoln Center.

To go from the Hilton to Lincoln Center you walk out the front door, turn left and start walking north. at Central Park you turn left again and at Columbus Circle you turn right onto Broadway. You will be at Lincoln Center in about 15 minutes - faster than the subway if you count waiting for the train.

If you don't want to walk for some reason grab a cab.

Taking the subway is just silly.

Agree with NYtraveler, subway is silly for this trip. Another option is the bus. Walk out of the hotel and take the #7 bus that goes uptown on 6th ave. At Central Park it turns left and then heads up Broadway and will stop across from Lincoln Center.
http://www.mta.info/nyct/maps/manbus.pdf

The 5 bus works too.

Okay, got it. Thanks to all. I didn't see any bus stops, so I thought the subway might be easier. I assume from what you're saying that they stop at any block on request?

It's a little too far for one of us to walk (we're actually going to 140 West End Ave), so the #5, 6, or 7 to the #57 bus looks like just the thing.

The bus stops are generally around 2 blocks apart.
Why not take a cab? The cost won't be that much of a difference.

No. The 7 goes only as far as Central Park south, makes a left and comes back down (heading south) on 7th ave. so that doesn't work and the crosstown bus you'd want is the one at 66 st. not 57 st. I agree with Howard, for this trip take a cab if you can find one. It won't be that much more than the $4 you'll pay for 2 on the bus.

mclaurie, the map you linked above shows a 7 next to a blue line on Broadway between 66th and 72nd. Isn't that the same 7 that goes up 6th and down 7th? Looks like the #57 goes across 57th and turns north at West End.

We'll have MTA passes, so the trip will be "free" if we don't use a cab. I'd rather use the $10 (r/t) for something else.

Nicht war?

The idea of a cab is a good one. We've always avoided them in NYC thinking they were expensive, but on our last trip when it was just too cold to walk, we discovered that we could take a taxi for about the same price as two bus or subway tickets when the distance was short. And it is so much easier.
I'm making a guess that a taxi for the two of you from door to door won't be over $5 -- can someone confirm that?

Bus stop(#5 or #7)should be just about across the street from the Hilton.
Both go up 6th avenue, turn west at Central Park South (equivalent to 59th st)and then go up Broadway, so both will take you to the same stop right across a wide street from the main Lincoln Center entrance.
(At 72nd street they diverge, The 7 goes up Amsterdam, the 5 goes across 72nd to Riverside,then up Riverside)
Bus stops are every 2-3 blocks--3 is more and more common

As far as a cab--certainly a logical option for a couple of people but there are very few "door to door less than $5" rides anymore!
Between the $2.50 start, .50-$1.00 surcharge(between 4pm and 6am?), .40 per 1/4 mile (5 blocks or 2 avenues), slow time (also .40), don't be surprised if a 10 minute ride is $7.
Not terrible, just don't underestimate.

Thanks, janie.

We're actually going to West End Ave. I asked about Lincoln Center because my first crack at the problem was the #1 subway line.

The 5, 6, or 7 bus to the 57 should do just fine. We're using public transport because we'll have day passes.

If you're Ok with walking a few blocks, just go straight to the 57 bus at 57th st and 6th avenue. It will take longer to wait for the 5 or 7 bus, get on and get off than walk the 4 short blocks

Depening on traffic with tip the cab will be no more than $7.

Robes, you're right, I'm wrong. I didn't realize the crosstown bus on 57th turns uptown on West End. Best idea is nyer's to walk the 3 short blocks to 57th & 6th, get the #57 there.