TenesseeGuy, we're from Oregon and went to New York and DC last summer. My husband will drive about anywhere (except when he went to China). The hard thing about driving the city streets of Manhattan was sheer volume of pedestrians and this was most noticeable in the West Midtown area (which includes Times Square). If you drive a semi for a living, you probably pay way more attention to your surroundings than the average Joe and will be fine. Also, the streets in Manhattan are generally a grid which works well.

The other hard part of New York area driving he discovered from another trip was freeway connections from JFK Airport getting to Pennsylvania.

As to the subway: Think of it as its own grid. Compare the map of the subway to the Google map of the city. Most subway routes go "uptown" or "downtown" the length of the island. Very few routes go crosstown. We actually used Google Maps and clicked the Pedestrian to get our routes, including times and stations and routes, rather than the app above.

Would you consider flying to Newark (EWR) instead of one of the New York airports? You can avoid driving into the city by taking an Amtrak Northeast Regional train from The EWR station to NYP (Penn station). You can get on the subway there or take a taxi to your hotel.

Some good advice was given above: Look at the Icon Parking site. You will be able to find coupons for parking in your desired area for prices that are far lower than those posted at the actual garage. We often use that feature when driving from our house to a destination in another neighborhood......you will have to print out the coupon and pay with a credit card, not cash.

Here is an example, in lower Manhattan (downtown):


http://www.iconparkingsystems.com/ne...trict-parking/

tom - your mania for Amtrak is ridiculous.

First of all EWR IS one of the NY area airports.

And second you would go from the airport to NYC via AirTrain and then NJ Transit. Taking Amtrak instead of NJ Transti for that part of the route is just a waste of money and you have to wait for a long distance train versus taking the cheaper local that runs more frequently.

Amtrak from EWR to NYP. How silly.

We parked our car in Weehawken NJ and took the ferry to Manhattan. I'd recommend it.

http://www.nywaterway.com/PortImperi...nTerminal.aspx

I want to thank everyone for their advice, just recently found this forum. How long will they leave a topic up? I would like to save all this info and links for future use.
I'd like to reply to a couple of comments. It is scary to drive a car among all these huge trucks. The cars are too small and the trucks too big! Many truck drivers are too aggressive, tailgate, speed, etc. Just know that we all aren't like that!
The cost of Broadway shows- I know this will be a once in a lifetime trip.
Driving in NY- it will be the parking, bikes and pedestrians.
The subway- appreciate the info about how to use it. It's more mental. I'm 58, started driving at 14. Rode the subway 1 time MANY years ago in DC. It scared the --- out of me. Rode a city bus 1 time in Honolulu a couple of years ago. It annoyed the --- out of me.
All the NYers are laughing by now. It's sort of a phobia; you guys live so exposed! In my vehicle- I'm in control, people can't get at me, to bother, annoy or harm. If someone wants to come at me- first- they've got to get me stopped, then they have to break in, by that time I'll have some kind of a weapon to fight back with.
We just got back from Atlanta, I would never even consider getting on the Marta. In NY, I'll have to!
I hope you "city folk " didn't mind a trip inside the mind of a "country boy". If you ever jump on the subway and see a really large man with curly gray hair, he's sweaty and nervous, and talks "funny". That will be me!

I think the suggestion to park in Weehawken is a great idea. Then coming across on the ferry you'll get a good look at the Manhattan skyline.
Think of the subway as a convenience not a challenge. Besides, if you're a big guy you won't have many challengers! Also, the best thing about NYC is that if you get a good map you can
walk, walk, walk.
When I first came to NYC over 50 years ago I couldn't believe the fast pace. Took me about
one week to adjust... now all those tourists seem so pokey -:) I hope you'll find a good neighborhood for your stay... that will have a lot to do with your impression of our wonderful
town.

Tennessee must be an awful place to make you so deathly afraid of people.

"vjpblovesitaly on Sep 2, 13 at 9:11pm"

"Tennessee must be an awful place to make you so deathly afraid of people."

Wow! You really made me think. This old world does have some "bad People" in it! I don't know if I'm paranoid or you're naive!

What I mostly was trying to portray was how people from rural areas (me at least) are used to having some personal space. Subways, buses people are packed in like sardines. Huge crowds of people - it's sort of suffocating.

Well, good old Fodor's Forums. Never too late to insult someone or their home state. T/ guy:remember that many, many NYers are from somewhere else.

I was from Podunk, PA.... -:) Relax.

"If you ever jump on the subway and see a really large man...talks 'funny'"

Because everyone on the train will talk the exact same way EXCEPT for you.

"I don't know if I'm paranoid or you're naive!"

I know which it is.

Everyone has their owpoint of view. My grandmother was born in Manhattan and lived her whole life in various parts of the city. she took buses and subway everywhere - not caring who was on them - even through area that were not very salubrious. And would always emerge having met and chatted away with someone else taking a similar trip (of any race, religion or nationality).

When my parents moved to the suburbs she was very tentative at first about safety - since there weren't very many people around. To her - more people equaled safety.

She never got to the point where we could drive with her on a road that didn't have streetlights or sidewalks. (Our area had both but there was a very upscale area nearby without sidewalks and she felt that was just too dangerous. Always felt some crazed mountain person with an ax would jump out and attack us.) She just found streets without people to be scary.

So - it's all in the perspective.

As for people "ta;king funny" in the subway, NYC has residents from more than 100 different countries - so there are a whole lot of people "talking funny".

I think some New Yorkers on this thread have never heard of self-effacing humor.

TennesseeGuy - don't worry, most New Yorkers are more friendly than some of the responses you've gotten. As for the subway... It is annoying (most public transit is). But it is also useful and can be the fastest way to get around, depending upon where you are going and when. I'm sure you will be fine. If you avoid commuting hours, it need not be quite so crowded, though you won't often be alone.

<i>How long will they leave a topic up?</i>

They don't archive posts here. It should be around for quite some time.

That was cute "grandmaw" who was afraid of the mountain man axe murder. I guess we all have different fears.
I love to pull the truck over , at night, in the middle of nowhere and look up. You can see thousands of stars! Even in a small town the lights prevent seeing so many. And being out in "big sky" country where you can see as far as the human eye can see!
I guess we are going to have to put NY off until next year. I can't see going for just a couple of days.

If you want free parking, you need to stay in NJ and take the ferries across the Hudson--not a bad option if you want to save money.