Note; small children ride free on the theory that they won't use a seat (or sit on the parents' lap). If you get n the subway - or bus - with a bunch of free kids they can't sit while a bunch of paying passengers are standing. (If they too big for your lap they're old enough to stand with everyone else.)

"I always thought King Kong throw the trains from the 6th Avenue El. That's Hollywood."

It was definitely the 3rd Avenue El. It was from there that the big guy picked up Fay Wray and walked over to and up the Empire State Building.

They're now discussing using "tap" cards rather than the "slide/insert" Metro cards... MTA will likely be replacing turnstiles at some stations to test this. Should be interesting!

What does tick me off and has since the Metrocard was introduced (many years after so many other civilized countries had), is that instead of the very tiny arrows indicating which direction to slide/insert the card... should instead have a BIG arrow on the front. After all these years, people (locales) still don't know and fumble - insert one way/turn card around/insert another way... ugh!

The Empire State Building is on Fifth, so I thought the walk over from Sixth is shorter. He must have been from out of town and did not know the best route for destroying El Trains.

thanks for the help on the height guess i'll have to get my dd measured :) she's 4, at a guess i'd say she's under 44in but have no idea lol. I'll have a stroller though so there'd be no need for her to be using a seat or hopefully my lap, but hoping to use the subway as little as possible :)

Your child should not be in a stroller while on the subway. People do it, but it is not correct to do so. The stroller should be folded; the child in your lap, on a seat, or standing.

oh ok, thanks for the tip :) i haven't been in NYC with my dd in over 4 years and i didnt have any problem with keeping her in the stroller then, but she was a baby then!

Nice people in the subway give up their seat to older, disabled, pregnant or other people who seem to need it. Interesting to see who does this act and who just ignores people in need.

"i haven't been in NYC with my dd in over 4 years and i didn't have any problem with keeping her in the stroller then"
As I said, people do it, but it is not the correct thing to do. The rules haven't changed. Leave her in the stroller if you like and be prepared to deal with people tangling with the stroller on crowded trains. Let your previous experience demonstrates be your guide.

If you keep her in the stroller on the subway or bus (many drivers will force you to fold it before boarding) you have no recourse if someone falls or steps on her. (They do - could probably sue you for being an obstruction.)

I VERY strongly suggest you do NOT try this during rush hour - it really is dangerous.

(I was on the York Ave bus once when an older woman trying to walk down the aisle tripped over an obstruction, fell and broke her arm. The bus stoped, ambulance came, we were all waiting for other buses (took forvever) and the poor woman was in pain until the EMTs got there - luckily only a couple of minutes on York Ave. What she fell over was a briefcse. Some big chowderhed guy in an expensive suit (it's always them) put the briefcase on the floor between his feet (he was standing) - where no one could see it - and that's what the woman fell over. She later sued him for a ton of money (I was one of her potential witnesses - since I had bumped it on my way down the aisle and the chowderhed told me to be careful!) Why is it that a woman will stand there juggling her purse, her day bag (umbie, extra shoes etc) and even a shopping bag or two - while the giant expensively-suited chowderhed guys have to put their briefcases on the FLOOR so they can open their copy of the WST in someone's face?

When she was 6 months (the last time i was in NYC with her) we somehow only managed to get on the subway when it was relatively quiet :)
But i'm hoping to walk most of the time for this trip, the only time we should be using the subway is getting from JFK to Manhattan and for visiting The Woodlawn Cemetary in the Bronx

The last time I rode the subway with any regularity they used tokens. I still miss them.

My husband offered his seat to a lady standing on the subway, and she looked at him like he was nuts. Guess that doesn't happen very often! She asked him, "What's wrong with it? You don't want it?!"

What drives me crazy about the NY subway is that there are no maps on the platforms. After I consult the map before my trip, and follow the signs to the platform, I like to double check the route map to make sure I'm in the right place. I have never been able to find a map while waiting at the platform.

It is more expensive to buy a ticket from the person at the booth v. using the machines.

The person who works the booth at Times Square uses the F-word when talking to customers. (I thought of this while reading the thread bemoaning the poor service they received when retail clerks complain to them. I guess it's better to be complained to than cursed out!)

"It is more expensive to buy a ticket from the person at the booth v. using the machines"
Actually it is not.
All applicable discounts for purchases apply at the booth or the nearby machines,( though a $2.50 single ride ticket is only from the machines). Booth attendants (if you can even find one these days) take cash only and will not give a large amount of change (like from a $100 bill)

"The person who works the booth at Times Square..."
In case this was going to scare someone off, realize that there are several "Times Square" stations, many entrances to those stations, several booths, and several different employees over the course of a 24 hours a day/7 day a week system, so you can reasonably expect to get another agent.

"What drives me crazy about the NY subway is that there are no maps on the platforms."

There are maps on most platforms. On the side platforms you may find them as part of an advertisement for a Broadway show or Met Life Insurance. On the island platforms they are housed in large metal display cases located on the platform (usually one or two of these per platform).

Instead of worry about finding a map on the platform, why not get ask for a free map at one of the attended booths (there is at least 1 at every station).


I will echo what nyer said: the MetroCards are the same cost whether you buy them at the machine or from a booth. The main difference is that only the machine sells the $2.50 single ride ticket and the minimum new puirchase at a booth (cash only) us $4.50. The you can refill a pay-per-ride Metrocard for any amount at the machone or at the booth.

Although this doesn't affect very many tourists, when riding the 7train, you need to be aware of whether there is a circle or a diamond around the number 7 on the train. The circle indicates it is a local, while the diamond makes it an express.
It really is a shame that tourists by and large don't venture out to Flushing or Jackson Heights on the 7 to get a different view of NYC.

<< the MetroCards are the same cost whether you buy them at the machine or from a booth. The main difference is that only the machine sells the $2.50 single ride ticket and the minimum new puirchase at a booth (cash only) us $4.50.

Thank you for clarifying - that is what I meant to say, but I did not convey that properly.

<<There are maps on most platforms.

I must have been in the ones in Manhattan without them, b/c I have walked up and down the platform, walked around the columns and searched for one, with no success.

<<In case this was going to scare someone off, realize that there are several "Times Square" stations

I related this more as a "slice of life" story, not to say: Avoid the mean lady who works in Times Square b/c she will tell you to F-off. It amused me to watch her interact. (I live near a city not known for having gracious or friendly city employees, but I've yet to witness any of them tell someone to F-off). I was next in her line, and asked for a single ticket and she explained the minimum purchase to me and directed me the machines. Three times. She kept yelling: "Press single ticket and it's $2.50" even as I was walking away. It must be challenging dealing with clueless people.

About 2 years ago, I rode the subway, purchased my ticket from the booth and it wouldn't work. I got back in line, greeted the clerk with a smile and asked him if he remembered me. He said yes, and then sighed. I'm sure he was thinking: why do I have to deal with these stupid women who don't know how to ride a #*@*# subway.

It's a great system but I'd add two cavaets: smile and don't stare. Be prepared for unending heat downstairs in the summer and bitter cold in the winter...most stations were built before air-con. If lost, just ask someone not in a rush...most NY'ers WILL help!

Do you normally stare at people?