I have tickets to see 2 Broadway shows on New Years eve with wife and another couple. We are staying at the Residence Inn in Elizabeth,NJ on 12/30 and 12/31. If you are knowledgable about the area..please advise us on how we should get to/from NYC.We have a car...should we drive somewhat close and train/subway to the theater district? Train from Elizabeth? We already have the tx's etc. and know the hassles of NYC...so with all due respect...I'm not interested in your opinion..just some good transpotation advice.

Two words - MASS TRANSIT. Do not even think about driving to the Times Square area on New Year's Eve. Take a New Jersey Transit train from Elizabeth to Penn Station and you can walk to the theater from there. It's only about 10 or 15 blocks from Penn St. to most Broadway theaters and the subway will be chaotic. Have fun.


http://www.njtransit.com/index.jsp

There's no reason why you can't drive to a city location and then Subway it to the Theatre District.

I would suggest something counterintuitive: take the George Washington Bridge, then park far uptown. The "A" train is only about a 1/2 Hour Ride to Midtown from there. You will avoid a lot of the New Years car and subway traffic, etc. But, you will also not have to deal with holiday schedules for NJ Transit, etc.

There is a Garage/Parking Lot at Dyckman St and Sherman Ave (I don't know if it is reliable):

Republic Parking
141 Dyckman Street
(212) 569-6936

Dyckman St. is the equivalent of 200th Street and is an exit from the West Side Highway. Go UPTOWN from the GWB to get there. There is an "A" train stop at Dyckman and Broadway. Take the Downtown "A" to 42nd Street.

Alternatively, you could try a downtown garage (use the Holland Tunnel) and take the Uptown "A":

375 HUD Parking
375 Hudson Street
(212) 352-3062

I got all this info from Google Maps.

Be aware that Times Square is on High Security Alert on NYE and you ALL should carry government-issued picture I.D. and have your theatre tickets in an accessable place to show to the NYPD checkpoints as you approach Times Sq. You may be searched and have any bags inspected.

Have a fun time.

Take NJTransit from Elizabeth. It is so simple and drops you off right at Penn Station. You can take the subway or walk up to your theater.

Any other weekend (and remember NYE is on a weekend) I would suggest driving. Not this weekend.

Thanks for the replies. I can take NJ Transit...Elizabeth/Penn Station and it's only a half hour. The last train on the return is 1:32am. Thanks

Another vote for the train from Elizabeth.

In addition to security checks once on the street in Manhattan, if you do not take the subway north to 42nd Street (one-stop) and walk instead, I'd exit Penn Station on 8th Avenue. Reason for this is that the area between Broadway & 7th Ave. intersection at 42nd Street and for any number of streets north and south - party goers are restricted to "pens" to keep control. You don't want to get caught up in this.

Also, though you have a car, I would verify with your hotel whether non-residents (without a parking sticker) can use the Elizabeth station parking lot. If not, arrange for a hotel transfer to and from the station... though there will probably be taxis when you return from Manhattan.

Have fun!