Thx a mint for the replies - much appreciated!

I'll take your advice and AirTrain/subway into the city, and then catch a cab to PABT for the bus ride back to EWR. I'm glad I asked before I bought my return bus tix on-line! The bus leaves from 41st Str btwn 8th & 9th Ave so it should be easy to find.

I hadn't read anywhere about the different buses serving GCS/Penn/PABT so that was helpful info, Doug_Stallings.

ggreen, the grocery and bakery are my kind of places - I've copied them into my trip notes - wonderful of you to pass them along.

Enjoy-la!

Normally, I hate the Airtrain and think it is a giant PIA.

However, Wednesday before Thanksgiving I think that will be your fastest route into the city.

Keep this in mind however, you will have to schlep your luggage around quite a bit so don't bring more than you can comfortably carry. I highly suggest no more than one wheeled and one over the shoulder bag each.

You'll collect your luggage and head to the Airtrain. This is up an escalator.

Get off at Newark Penn Station (down an escalator) and on the NJ Transit.

At New York Penn Station, off the train, up the escalator to the main floor.

From there again I agree with Doug about taking the subway to your hotel (more schlepping of the luggage) but if you want to take a cab, up the escalator and out of Penn Station and you'll see the cab line.

The biggest negative about taking the subway is you'll have to carry your luggage up the steps at the subway station at Columbus Circle.

Check Broadwaybox.com. I just got discounted center orchestra seats for Spamalot for the night before Thanksgiving. Either sign up for e-mail notification or check daily as they may keep adding discounts for that time. While there are a lot of tourists coming, there's a lot of residents going away for the holiday so you might also have good luck at the TKTS booth.

I have been going to the thanksgiving day parade for about 8 years now. this is the first year i willnot be attending. the hotel rate are ridicious in times square approx 400-500 for one night, not including parking. It is a wonderful experience, we have enjoyed it. we usually arrive the wednesday night before thanksgivng, do dinner, ice skate at rockfeller center, do some sort of attraction(ie..empire state building, wax museum, watch the floats inflated. etc) then wake up early to get a spot on the street to watch parade. as far as weather some years it has been extremely cold, others beautiful. for plays there is a discount ticketbooth offering seats on wednesday and saturdays only. hotels fill up quick in times square due to the parade, maybe not for that weekend.

GoTravel - those specific directions are really appreciated. I'd hate to be schlepping around luggage saying, "I think it's over there, no wait, that way...or maybe..." in the middle of transport hubs.

We usually travel light with 2 rollers total, one of them carry-on size. And I'm the kinda gal who thinks that travellers should be able to carry (and hoist into overhead bins) what they pack...LOL!

Dohlice, you're killing me! I've already paid full fare for our 3 shows as I heeded the advice of Fodorites that tix would be hard to come by. I did check the usual outlets for discounts before I bought tho. First show is on Nov 22 as I was concerned a possible flight delay would cause us to miss the show and I wanted to see the balloon blow-ups on the nite we arrive. Oh well, at least I know I have good seats and don't have to spend our precious time at the TKTS booth (which I've done before and enjoyed!).

allykat, I agree that prices are crzy for TGD w/end. It's probably the first and last time I will head to NYC for that w/end. I guess it's the price I have to pay for having "watch the TGD parade live" on my life's experience list...LOL!

Enjoy-la!