Thought I'd update - perhaps the info will help someone else who's trying to plan a visit.

I'm a pretty experienced P'line veteran and I tried just about every which way (including 2.5* for that Club Quarters downtown, Go Travel), and all I could come up with was the Hudson Hotel - at $210 (which after taxes and fees becomes just over $500 for two nights.)

I'm thrifty at heart and just not willing to go over $200/night, even to visit New York. And decided that schlepping back and forth to the HI Express in Bklyn didn't sound all that great either. (Have mentioned in previous posts that spouse can't really race around at the pace we once kept....)

So ultimately, we decided to get a car and get out of Dodge. Have ended up with a Trenton Marriott for the next two nights (at a far more reasonable $60) and will explore the Lambertville/New Hope area and nearby environs. Poking about at our own pace has always been a favorite way of travel. Since we fly out at 11 on Sunday - and it's the night before the marathon - I'm hoping I can get something halfway reasonable via P'line for a LaG hotel for our last nite.

Meanwhile, we will have Tuesday afternoon, all day Weds and a good part of Thursday to do our Manhattan thing. And I've been jotting down ideas like mad from the many helpful NYC suggestions here.

New Hope/Lambertville is an absolutely beautiful area. You will have a wonderful time. There is a a narrow canal behind the "main drag" in New Hope and they run a mule barge down it. If it's still going then, make sure you take it. Get some hot cider and a pretzel for the ride. Sometimes there's a guitar player singing old folk songs. Really a great place.