Greetings!

I will be in NYC for 2 nights - really one full day with my family.

I am staying at the Waldorf (thank you Hilton points).

I have to be at Ellis Island at 9:30 am to check in for our tour/cruise.

What is the fastest/cheapest way to get from the Waldorf to Battery Park?

I will be brave and take the subway if need be. (see: suburban chicken here).

The fastest cheapest way is indeed the subway. Go to hopstop.com and get exact directions. Your destination is Bowling Green. You should probably be at the ferry terminal in Manhattan by 8:15.

The closest train to your hotel is the Lex Ave line (#6) take that to City Hall and transfer to the 4 or 5 and get off at Battery Park and walk the block, or if you want to see a bit more, get off at City Hall and walk down Broadway, Battery Park will be about a 20 minute or so walk (Passing- St. Paul's Chapel, WTC site, Wall ST, Trinity Church, The bull, Customs House)

thank you thank you thank you!

Now, tell me it is safe right?

(stop LOL at me)

The Financial District is one of the most dangerous neighborhoods in the country.

But, if you were serious -- yes, you'll be totally safe.

Every tourist area of Manhattan - including the subway - is perfectly safe - esp at that time of the morning.

Do note what time you need to be at the terminal (way before your ticket time, since there is airline type security to get on the ferry) and realize that you will be riding the subway in early rush hour (fairly crowded, move briskly, don't block doors and certainly don't expect a seat). And hold on to the strap or bar tightly - some of the turns are at relatively high speed.

You'll get on the 6 train at 51st/Lexington ave, which is about a block from your hotel (exit on the Lexington ave. side and turn left ... staying on the same side of the street as your hotel). Once you change to the 4 train from the 6 (do that at either Grand Central or Union Square) you are going to be getting off at the Bowling Green Station. If you want straight into the park, which is across the street and look for Castle Clinton you can't really miss the ferry to the statue.

The subway in NYC is very safe, and you're going to one of the safest areas in all of NYC. Besides, at 9:30 you're still going to be on the train at the end of rush your. Allow about 30 minutes for this trip.

I agree with Doug. Take the 6 train downtown to the 4 train at Grand Central (best since you will skip more stops) or Union Square. The 4 train will stop just across the platform. (The 5 train shares the track with the 4, so watch for a 4.) Grand Central is only one stop from where you will get on at 51st St.

If you stay on until Brooklyn Bridge/City Hall you'll waste some time (probably about 10 minutes) stopping and starting at extra stations, but you won't have to worry about missing the change of trains since Brooklyn Bridge is the last stop on the 6.

Is it okay to gush how much I love and adore you NYC posters??? THANK YOU.

I have actually been to NYC a lot - but have never ventured into the subway. It will help prepare me for the tube in London.

Why can't she take a 5 train also? Both 4 and 5 express trains stop at Bowling Green unless I missed some service news??

It depends on the date. The 5 trains have been diverted on weekends recently, though they have also been replaced by the 2 train. It's a safe bet that the poster can take any train running on the express tracks since all those trains must stop at Bowling Green.

Friday, August 1.

We were recently in NYC--rode the subway everywhere-Yankee Stadium to Battery Park and in between. Never once was I the least bit worried for our safety. It is fast & cheap but the stations are HOT in the summer. Be prepared to stand in line for 60-90 minutes at the ferry terminal for Ellis Island and SOL. Also, getting back on, there is yet another line but it is worth it.

thanks liv - I do have tickets/reservations - will that matter?

Part of the issue at the ferry to SOL/Ellis Island is going through the heavy duty security line, similar to that at an airport. It takes time.

thank you - as always Ellen - you are an excellent source of imformation.

I'm a country bumpkin and we just did the same trip over the July 4 weekend, staying across-ish the street from the WA.

It was all very easy. Excellent directions already given to you, and there are signs right out of the Bowling Green station directing you to the EI/SoL ferry.

Just one "tip" if you already have a ticket, don't queue with those at the Castle Clinton - that's for people getting tix. If you already have tix, head straight for the water and queue there (there's a building, staffing and roped off line-up area - you can't miss it). This will save you a lot of time as you head right thru the airport-like security.

I agree with you about the wonderful Fodorites who answer endless questions about NYC - especially those lucky enough to live there and must see similar questions all the time. They were great in helping me work out the details of our trip. I headed to the west coast for a wedding after NYC so am a bit late in posting my TR but will do so soon (hopefully!).

Enjoy-la!

klam_chowder - thanks for the feedback about the tickets - yes, we have them.

The NYC posters have been so valuable to me - and many others I am sure.

We only only one full day IN the city before heading out to Lake George - I want to make the most of it with our dd's. DH and Stepson are going to look at Manhattanville <sp> college.

You're welcome. I enjoy helping visitors enjoy NYC.

here I sit at the Waldorf - and I had to do a shout out thank you to the posters here for the amazing directions today.

I took the subway from the hotel to Battery Park - the directions were PERFECT. I confess to be a little afraid and almost hailing a cab but at the last minute decided not to - the girls and I (11 and 14) got on the subway, changed in grand centeral and off we were. We even managed to take it back from China Town and got to Time square.

To you all - no big deal - to me? A major accomplishment!

Had a great day in the city - and am looking forward to heading out to Lake George tomorrow.

I really like the area by the Waldorf - we have stayed in the Financial District (marriott on business) and time square - I am not a personal fan of Time Square but have enjoyed this area very much. Still very "alive" but not the crazy crazy of T.S. (which was fun to take the girls to and spend the afternoon and enjoyed a fun family style dinner at Carmines).

Anyway - Had to say thank you!!