nelsonian

Nytraveller when was the last time you visited Long Island City. Yes the hotels are close to the industrial area, but there are plenty of eateries there. We stayed there for two weeks and there was an abundance of places to have a meal, especially along Broadway.

Have you been down to Hunters Point recently, it is being redeveloped and a nice place to visit. Plenty of cafes/restaurants along Vernon Boulevard. Stroll around the Gantry Plaza State Park, a great view of the city skyline, nice place to have a picnic and people watch. We enjoyed it in November it will be lovely in the summer.

holteli

Thanks for all this information. I suppose I am used to (and know well) a city like London UK but New York is clearly a different place in many many ways and I hardly know it. All in all I see that the best thing is to use Amtrak once we leave Providence and to stay in Manhattan and then go to Boston by Amtrak. Very kind of everyone to pitch in with their thoughts.

EmilyPost

Yes, Nelsonian has it exactly right.

But holteli: why Amtrak? Seriously, consider metro North instead. Your idea to stay in Manhattan is a good one; check quikbook.com for discounted rates as it gets closer to your arrival dates. Don't be afraid of booking their secret sale hotels; they're truly a great value and all are at least 3* (Marriots, Hilton Garden Inns, etc.) Cheers!

ellenem

MetroNorth does not go to Providence or Boston. If holteli plans to travel by train between Providence and New York City and then return to Boston by train, it will have to be on Amtrak.

sharona

If you can make advance reservations on Amtrak the price isn't too bad. They are a killer, however, if you wait until the last minute. (Metro North does not go to Providence. New Haven is the start/end of the line.)

sharona

I got interrupted in composing my message and ellenem had already supplied the corrected information about Metro North. Besides, Amtrak is more comfortable anyway.

EmilyPost

Yes, I see.

tomfuller

The lowest price one way from New Haven into New York Penn station is $27 ($54 for 2) if you buy in advance. If you buy on the day of travel it will be about twice as much ($110/2)
If Metro North is less by all means use it if it fits your schedule.
On the left side of the Amtrak website, you can check the options for hotels near the train stations and also car rental options.

EmilyPost

Round trip is about $27.00 from Union Station to GCT on metro North.

nytraveler

The trouble with MetroNorth is that it is for commuters and trains usually make many more stops than Amtrak - so the trip takes much longer. Yes, cheaper - but a big waste of time.

EmilyPost

Metro north does NOT take longer at all. That's ridiculous. Check the schedules.

Take an express metro north train if the extra 5-15 minutes is a deal breaker for you.

nytraveler

Sorry - Amtrak takes 46 minutes.

Metro North can take about the same time - or as much as 75 minutes - depending on which train you take and how many stops it makes. Also, based on my MetroNorth experience the trains always seem to be 5 to 10 minutes late.

Either way a very long trek to and fro NYC every day for a tourist.

EmilyPost

Horse feathers. I have never had a late train in 30 years of commuting. The metro North schedule is flexible and reliable. There is no need to purchase a ticket in advance; tickets are easily acquired at the train station the day (or the half hour before) of departure.

nytraveler

Well you must have been riding a different MetroNorth.

I rode it every weekday for almost 4 months - before I realized the futility and bought a car - and it was late (not a couple of minutes - but 10 or more, making me miss my bus connection at the station) at least 3 or 4 times a week. A couple of times it was around 30 minutes late getting into Grand Central - mostly sitting in the tunnels in Manhattan.

Frankly, it was just an extremely frustrating experience - not one I would suggest to anyone. Also, after rush hours trains are infrequent - so catching one back to the burbs after a show can be along wait.

EmilyPost

Frankly, that's just nonsense. In fact, Amtrak, out of Hartford is consistently late, the train station is in a terrible (unsafe) location and the condition of the station is just sub-par.

I think you are confused, nytraveler.

The trains run every hour out of GCT to the burbs!!! What nonsense you're spouting. Very bad source of information.

sharona

This thread has taken a turn as they sometimes do.

holteli, for the most simple solution return the rental car in Providence and take Amtrak from Providence to New York. Stay in the city (Manhattan). Take Amtrak to Boston, where no car is needed. You'll save car rental fees, parking $, and hassle.

nyer

Yes, Sharona, that is what holteli has said they will do!
"holteli on Apr 17, 13 at 5:14am All in all I see that the best thing is to use Amtrak once we leave Providence and to stay in Manhattan and then go to Boston by Amtrak. Very kind of everyone to pitch in with their thoughts. "

I was wondering why the backtracking to MetroNorth vs Amtrak debate when the OP is starting in Providence , going to NYC and then returning to Boston.

sharona

Yes, nyer, I know that's what holteli had said. I just didn't want her to be confused about the posts that followed. I know *I* was getting confused and wondering why there was a debate about MetroNorth!

EmilyPost

holteli's question was answered. The only reason not to take MetroNorth is that it doesn't address holteli's needs. The other discussion was indeed a tangent; it addressed the merits of Amtrak vs. MetroNorth. Cheers.

Tabernash2

In any case, I hope the OP decides to stay in Manhattan, not try to commute in each day. It would be a whole different experience that way.

Better to stay right in the city to enjoy it at all hours. This question comes up frequently, and it reminds me of the travelers to Venice, Italy, who ask about staying outside of Venice-- NOOOOOO. Why travel all the way there, then stop short? NYC itself usually has plenty of affordable lodging and transportation.