For someone who doesn't know NYC at all -- is this an easy place to get to? Is parking easily available? Can you recommend anywhere to eat in the area (almost any cuisine, but not super-expensive or dressy).

Thanks!

It's easy to get to--right on the Hudson River at the end of West 44th or 45th St. There are parking lots, but I'm not sure how expensive they are. Where are you coming from and what are your plans in the city and how long are you staying? Those answers will determine where you park, I would think. There are a couple diners in the area, but it's not the area for for having a decent choice of restaurants. You don't have to worry about getting dressed up.
P.S. That area can get very congested on weekends when cruiseships are arriving and departing.

Thanks for your reply.

We actually are only stopping there on Saturday on our way back from Connecticut to Virginia. I don't anticipate being in NYC for much longer than that.

DO you need directions? It's very simple coming from Connecticut.

Thanks for the reply.

We have the directions provided by the museum on their web site. They refer to parking in the area, but don't give any indication of what else is there. The directions seem pretty straightforward, so I don't think that will be a problem, I was only wondering if it was a real tricky area (weird one-way streets, detours in the area that the museum wouldn't report, other stuff that someone familiar with the area would warn someone about).

Melanie-We visitied the Intrepid last month and loved it-there's plenty to see/do for kids and adults. Sorry, can't help with parking suggestions, as we walked there from our hotel on W48th St. You might want to find out if other 'events' are occuring at/near the Intrepid, as this will add to the already congested area and parking lots may fill up quicker than normal. There is a cafe/restaurant at the Intrepid-can't comment on the food, as we didn't eat there. As always, Howard gives excellent advice !! ENJOY

Melanie, there isn't much else to do in that area. If you have time, and the weather is cooperative, you could walk down a couple blocks to the Circle Line dock and take a boat ride around Manhattan Island.
The driving is not that tricky in that area. Just remember that the odd numbered streets go west (i.e., towards the Hudson River) and the even numbered streets go east (i.e., away from the Hudson River)--except for 42nd Street and 57th Street which are two-way.
For lunch, you might choose to leave the car in the lot and walk east for a few blocks. 46th Street, between 8th and 9th Avenues (3 1/2 long blocks east) is called Restaurant Row and offers a wide choice of good restaurants.