Visit to NYC

To respond to a couple of your questions:


On Sun, 08 Aug 2004 20:57:59 +0000, Steve Tustin
wrote:


A reminder re a post I started:

We are both late 40's, prefer an apartment (or even B & B!) to hotels, like eating out at good local restuarants as opposed to posh places, like art/ theatre/architecture etc. but not drinking, like chatting and people watching, but not gossiping, we're not sporty types - if we ever feel like exercise we lie down until the feeling goes away! Our kids are grown up so we are family types with grandkids now!

Thanks to lots of good advice here, Carol and I are now booked for New York! Flying into JFK on the 11th September at lunchtime (and we will certainly have people in our thoughts - we were driving from Miami to Sarrasota on that fateful morning and were deeply saddened) and staying for 5 days or maybe more.

I bid on Priceline for 3* plus in Jersey City and ended up with a suite at the DoubleTree instead of the Hyatt, but no matter as it is also on the river, has two rooms and cost £233 ($400) for 5 nights including tax!

A few more questions if I may:

* Best way to get from JFK to Jersey City. Is a cab the only practical way?
* I seem to remember reading about New Yorkers who enjoyed introducing first timers to the Big Apple. Kinda 'greeters' Did I imagine it? Maybe we will meet a couple like us would like to do the honours. We have always found that to be a good way to discover a place.
We are looking at the nycvisit.com - is there stuff we should also look out for during our visit?
* If we go the see the opera or something, is it safe to get back to New Jersey at night? Pardon my ignorance (fuelled mainly by TV!) but shouyld we avoid the trains/subway etc. after a certain time?
* Good genuine diners/local restaurants/someone mentioned a Cuban Cafe that was worth trying?
* And any other hints/tips

Thanks all - I shall drop some money in tne next child-ralated charity box I see to say thanks

New York - Here we Come!

Try going to www.bigapplegreeter.org and fill out the application
ASAP. Chance are good you'll have a friendly, knowledgeable New
Yorker to take you around for 1/2 a day.

Not sure why you're staying in Jersey City other than price. It's
going to be expensive and a hassle getting to it from JFK. You'll be
crossing state lines which translates into cab fares that'll eat up
the savings on the hotel room. Not sure how safe Jersey City is at
night. It's been rehabbed somewhat in recent years, but not really a
desirable area. It'll depend on how close to your hotel the PATH
train stop is. Truthfully, I think you'd do better staying in NYC.
The hotel room may cost a little more (there are a lot of reasonable
hotels available) but it's more than worth it in the convenience!

Whatever you do, enjoy your visit!

Cheers,
Ann

To email: replace 'REMOVE' with 'b' in email address.

Steve Tustin wrote:

A few more questions if I may:

* Best way to get from JFK to Jersey City. Is a cab the only practical
way?

If you have hand luggage only, and don't mind a few transfers, you can
reasonably travel to Jersey City on public transport. A taxi would offer
greater convenience, though at a much steeper toll.

One way to do the trip is to use the AirTrain system at JFK from any
passenger terminal to Jamaica station. It will take about 15 minutes and
cost you $5.00 each. Then board a Long Island Rail Road train at Jamaica
station to Penn Station New York. It will take about 20 minutes and cost
you $2.50 each (this is a special weekend-only "CityTicket" fare). Upon
arrival at Penn Station, exit at Seventh Avenue & 33rd Street, and walk one
block east to the 33rd Street (at Sixth Avenue) PATH station. Board a PATH
train to Pavonia-Newport station. It will take about 15 minutes and cost
you $1.50 each. From Pavonia-Newport station, it is a 2-block walk north to
your hotel. Total time is about 1 hour, plus connections and waiting time;
total cost is $9.00 each.

* I seem to remember reading about New Yorkers who enjoyed
introducing first timers to the Big Apple. Kinda 'greeters' Did I imagine
it? Maybe we will meet a couple like us would like to do the honours. We
have always found that to be a good way to discover a place. We are
looking at the nycvisit.com - is there stuff we should also look out for
during our visit? * If we go the see the opera or something, is it safe to
get back to New Jersey at night? Pardon my ignorance (fuelled mainly by
TV!) but shouyld we avoid the trains/subway etc. after a certain time? *

In the neighborhoods where you will be staying, and probably those areas
where you'll be going in NYC, there ought to be no problem at all using the
trains, buses, and ferries. While there are some rough neighborhoods in the
region, you likely will not find them unless you purposefully go looking
for them.

Good genuine diners/local restaurants/someone mentioned a Cuban Cafe that
was worth trying?

The neighborhood where you hotel is located is all new, having been
redeveloped on the abandoned Erie railroad yards. There's a few
restaurants, but none all that appealing. You would probably do better by
getting the light rail train at the hotel up to Hoboken (a 5-minute trip)
for lots of restaurant choices, most of which are along Washington Street
(though there's also a branch of Patsy Grimaldi's on Clinton Street--a few
blocks west of Washington Street--if you're in the mood for very good
thin-crust pizza).

* And any other hints/tips

Thanks all - I shall drop some money in tne next child-ralated charity box
I see to say thanks

New York - Here we Come!

On Sun, 08 Aug 2004 20:57:59 +0000, Steve Tustin
wrote:

[snip]
We are both late 40's, prefer an apartment (or even B & B!) to hotels, like eating out at good local restuarants as opposed to posh places, like art/ theatre/architecture etc. but not drinking, like chatting and people watching, but not gossiping, we're not sporty types - if we ever feel like exercise we lie down until the feeling goes away!

Got it. But is there a question in that?

[snip]
* If we go the see the opera or something, is it safe to get back to New Jersey at night?

I can't speak for how safe it is in Jersey City at night (I have at
least the vague impression that parts of it are kind of rough, but I
don't really know much about Jersey City), but the New York end
figures to be OK.

Pardon my ignorance (fuelled mainly by TV!) but shouyld we avoid the trains/subway etc. after a certain time?

No.

* Good genuine diners/local restaurants/someone mentioned a Cuban Cafe that was worth trying?

There are literally thousands of restaurants in New York. How would
you answer such a question in regard to London?

I suggest you do some searches on www.egullet.com and various other
food websites.

* And any other hints/tips

Walk around a lot, even though you're "not sporty." Get a PATH
schedule. I agree that it's too bad you're not staying in New York. I
believe the PATH trains don't run as often as the subways late at
night - and you'll often have to wait for both. Unless you take a bus
from Port Authority. Again, those don't run as often late at night.
Cabs from Manhattan to New Jersey are likely to be prohibitive,
because I believe you have to pay double fare plus tolls.

Finally, have a wonderful time!

Michael

If you would like to send a private email to me, please take out the TRASH, so to speak. Please do not email me something which you also posted.

On Sun, 08 Aug 2004 20:57:59 +0000, Steve Tustin
wrote:

[snip]
We are both late 40's, prefer an apartment (or even B & B!) to hotels, like eating out at good local restuarants as opposed to posh places, like art/ theatre/architecture etc. but not drinking, like chatting and people watching, but not gossiping, we're not sporty types - if we ever feel like exercise we lie down until the feeling goes away!

Got it. But is there a question in that?

[snip]
* If we go the see the opera or something, is it safe to get back to New Jersey at night?

I can't speak for how safe it is in Jersey City at night (I have at
least the vague impression that parts of it are kind of rough, but I
don't really know much about Jersey City), but the New York end
figures to be OK.

Pardon my ignorance (fuelled mainly by TV!) but shouyld we avoid the trains/subway etc. after a certain time?

No.

* Good genuine diners/local restaurants/someone mentioned a Cuban Cafe that was worth trying?

There are literally thousands of restaurants in New York. How would
you answer such a question in regard to London?

I suggest you do some searches on www.egullet.com and various other
food websites.

* And any other hints/tips

Walk around a lot, even though you're "not sporty." Get a PATH
schedule. I agree that it's too bad you're not staying in New York. I
believe the PATH trains don't run as often as the subways late at
night - and you'll often have to wait for both. Unless you take a bus
from Port Authority. Again, those don't run as often late at night.
Cabs from Manhattan to New Jersey are likely to be prohibitive,
because I believe you have to pay double fare plus tolls.

Finally, have a wonderful time!

Michael

If you would like to send a private email to me, please take out the TRASH, so to speak. Please do not email me something which you also posted.

Up until about midnight the PATH/Tube schedules are fine. In the early
morning hours on the weekends they tend to run only every 15 minutes
and there's a reversing move at Hoboken that adds several minutes to
the trip.

During the day they run very frequently, more frequently than some
subway lines. Your location gives you spectacular views of Manhattan,
more space in the room for the same price as in Manhattan and you're
just as close in time to most tourist sites in Manhattan as if you
were in a hotel on Manhattan's Upper West Side, for example.

Some PATH Tubes info at
http://www.hudsoncity.net/tubes/gatewaytubepage.html and at
http://www.panynj.gov/path/pattmain.htm
-----------------------------------
Pan wrote in message . ..
On Sun, 08 Aug 2004 20:57:59 +0000, Steve Tustin
wrote:

[snip]
We are both late 40's, prefer an apartment (or even B & B!) to hotels, like eating out at good local restuarants as opposed to posh places, like art/ theatre/architecture etc. but not drinking, like chatting and people watching, but not gossiping, we're not sporty types - if we ever feel like exercise we lie down until the feeling goes away!

Got it. But is there a question in that?

[snip]
* If we go the see the opera or something, is it safe to get back to New Jersey at night?

I can't speak for how safe it is in Jersey City at night (I have at
least the vague impression that parts of it are kind of rough, but I
don't really know much about Jersey City), but the New York end
figures to be OK.

Pardon my ignorance (fuelled mainly by TV!) but shouyld we avoid the trains/subway etc. after a certain time?

No.

* Good genuine diners/local restaurants/someone mentioned a Cuban Cafe that was worth trying?

There are literally thousands of restaurants in New York. How would
you answer such a question in regard to London?

I suggest you do some searches on www.egullet.com and various other
food websites.

* And any other hints/tips

Walk around a lot, even though you're "not sporty." Get a PATH
schedule. I agree that it's too bad you're not staying in New York. I
believe the PATH trains don't run as often as the subways late at
night - and you'll often have to wait for both. Unless you take a bus
from Port Authority. Again, those don't run as often late at night.
Cabs from Manhattan to New Jersey are likely to be prohibitive,
because I believe you have to pay double fare plus tolls.

Finally, have a wonderful time!

Michael

If you would like to send a private email to me, please take out the TRASH, so to speak. Please do not email me something which you also posted.

Up until about midnight the PATH/Tube schedules are fine. In the early
morning hours on the weekends they tend to run only every 15 minutes
and there's a reversing move at Hoboken that adds several minutes to
the trip.

During the day they run very frequently, more frequently than some
subway lines. Your location gives you spectacular views of Manhattan,
more space in the room for the same price as in Manhattan and you're
just as close in time to most tourist sites in Manhattan as if you
were in a hotel on Manhattan's Upper West Side, for example.

Some PATH Tubes info at
http://www.hudsoncity.net/tubes/gatewaytubepage.html and at
http://www.panynj.gov/path/pattmain.htm
-----------------------------------
Pan wrote in message . ..
On Sun, 08 Aug 2004 20:57:59 +0000, Steve Tustin
wrote:

[snip]
We are both late 40's, prefer an apartment (or even B & B!) to hotels, like eating out at good local restuarants as opposed to posh places, like art/ theatre/architecture etc. but not drinking, like chatting and people watching, but not gossiping, we're not sporty types - if we ever feel like exercise we lie down until the feeling goes away!

Got it. But is there a question in that?

[snip]
* If we go the see the opera or something, is it safe to get back to New Jersey at night?

I can't speak for how safe it is in Jersey City at night (I have at
least the vague impression that parts of it are kind of rough, but I
don't really know much about Jersey City), but the New York end
figures to be OK.

Pardon my ignorance (fuelled mainly by TV!) but shouyld we avoid the trains/subway etc. after a certain time?

No.

* Good genuine diners/local restaurants/someone mentioned a Cuban Cafe that was worth trying?

There are literally thousands of restaurants in New York. How would
you answer such a question in regard to London?

I suggest you do some searches on www.egullet.com and various other
food websites.

* And any other hints/tips

Walk around a lot, even though you're "not sporty." Get a PATH
schedule. I agree that it's too bad you're not staying in New York. I
believe the PATH trains don't run as often as the subways late at
night - and you'll often have to wait for both. Unless you take a bus
from Port Authority. Again, those don't run as often late at night.
Cabs from Manhattan to New Jersey are likely to be prohibitive,
because I believe you have to pay double fare plus tolls.

Finally, have a wonderful time!

Michael

If you would like to send a private email to me, please take out the TRASH, so to speak. Please do not email me something which you also posted.

bob wrote:
Up until about midnight the PATH/Tube schedules are fine. In the
early
morning hours on the weekends they tend to run only every 15 minutes
and there's a reversing move at Hoboken that adds several minutes to
the trip.

During the day they run very frequently, more frequently than some
subway lines.

At the moment they don't. From 10 AM to 3 PM they are on a 15 minute
schedule due to track work.

Larry

bob wrote:
Up until about midnight the PATH/Tube schedules are fine. In the
early
morning hours on the weekends they tend to run only every 15 minutes
and there's a reversing move at Hoboken that adds several minutes to
the trip.

During the day they run very frequently, more frequently than some
subway lines.

At the moment they don't. From 10 AM to 3 PM they are on a 15 minute
schedule due to track work.

Larry

On Sun, 08 Aug 2004 22:57:15 GMT, Ann B.
wrote:

To respond to a couple of your questions:

Not sure why you're staying in Jersey City other than price. It's
going to be expensive and a hassle getting to it from JFK. You'll be
crossing state lines which translates into cab fares that'll eat up
the savings on the hotel room. Not sure how safe Jersey City is at
night. It's been rehabbed somewhat in recent years, but not really a
desirable area. It'll depend on how close to your hotel the PATH
train stop is. Truthfully, I think you'd do better staying in NYC.
The hotel room may cost a little more (there are a lot of reasonable
hotels available) but it's more than worth it in the convenience!
What are some of the reasonable hotels in NYC? What is a reasonable
price? Let me ask a dumb question. Where is the cloeset cmapgrounds
to NYC?

Whatever you do, enjoy your visit!

Cheers,
Ann

To email: replace 'REMOVE' with 'b' in email address.

On Sun, 08 Aug 2004 22:57:15 GMT, Ann B.
wrote:

To respond to a couple of your questions:

Not sure why you're staying in Jersey City other than price. It's
going to be expensive and a hassle getting to it from JFK. You'll be
crossing state lines which translates into cab fares that'll eat up
the savings on the hotel room. Not sure how safe Jersey City is at
night. It's been rehabbed somewhat in recent years, but not really a
desirable area. It'll depend on how close to your hotel the PATH
train stop is. Truthfully, I think you'd do better staying in NYC.
The hotel room may cost a little more (there are a lot of reasonable
hotels available) but it's more than worth it in the convenience!
What are some of the reasonable hotels in NYC? What is a reasonable
price? Let me ask a dumb question. Where is the cloeset cmapgrounds
to NYC?

Whatever you do, enjoy your visit!

Cheers,
Ann

To email: replace 'REMOVE' with 'b' in email address.