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Going to New York (advice sought)

Posted: Fri Aug 20, 2010 7:56 am
by Huckleberryhound
Me and my wife are going to New york for a week, then heading up to New England for a weekend.

We will be living in New jersey (cheaper hotels than New York), and plan commuting into Manhatten via the port authority underground. I had a friend at work tell us to be wary of the underground rail in New york in the evenings and that we could get robbed if we use it at night. Obviously we don't want to be robbed, but we don't want to be robbed by the taxi drivers either.

Is the underground safe to travel on?

Also, does anyone know the best way to get from JFK to the Giant's stadium?

Any tips on cool things to do there would be a bonus and appreciated, i'm sure a local could give us better suggestions than "catch a show".


Thanks in advance.....Huck

Re: Going to New York (advice sought)

Posted: Fri Aug 20, 2010 9:43 am
by InkL0sed
Your friend doesn't know what he's talking about. New York is one of the safest big cities in the world. You won't get robbed in the subway at night, and you definitely won't get robbed in a taxi.

To get to Giant's stadium from JFK, you'll have to take the subway to Port Authority (I believe the A goes to JFK, so you wouldn't have to transfer). From there, there's a bus that goes to the stadium.

Re: Going to New York (advice sought)

Posted: Fri Aug 20, 2010 9:47 am
by notyou2
When he said robbed by a taxi, I think he meant ripped off by the driver taking the circuitous route, not the direct route.

Re: Going to New York (advice sought)

Posted: Fri Aug 20, 2010 10:47 am
by tzor
New York City Subways are generally safe.

There is basically one subway from JFK and that's the A train. (conversely you can take the Airtrain to Jamica and then take the LIRR to Penn Station) The A train also takes you to Penn Station. This is where you can get the connections to the stadium.

Once you get to Penn Station wrote:At Penn, proceed to New Jersey Transit’s (NJT) upper or lower level concourses to board a NJT train to Secaucus Junction (SEC), about a 12-minute ride. Check NJT monitors for track assignments for trains to “SEC” or listen to announcements. NJT tracks are numbered 1-12; some NJT trains may use LIRR Tracks 13-16 on weekends.

At Secaucus Junction, follow the signs to the lower level for the “Meadowlands Line.” Show your rail ticket at the special gate for MTA ticket holders, then board the shuttle for the short ride to the Stadium. Shuttle service will run frequently starting approximately 3 1/2 hours before each game and up to two hours after the game. During the game shuttles will run hourly.


Cool tips. What suits your fancy? Times Square has lights. Central Park has ... well trees mostly, and people walking, riding, and skateing around the many paths. There are many art museums, MoMA, the Guggenheim Museum, the regular Museum of Art, and even the Cloisters. Map Google "Art Museums Manhattan" and be surprised. Note a lot of them are near each other near the east side of Central Park.

Re: Going to New York (advice sought)

Posted: Fri Aug 20, 2010 11:22 am
by InkL0sed
notyou2 wrote:When he said robbed by a taxi, I think he meant ripped off by the driver taking the circuitous route, not the direct route.


I see - well, taxis are expensive no matter what route they take, and if you go from JFK to anywhere else... prepare to pay a lot.

Re: Going to New York (advice sought)

Posted: Fri Aug 20, 2010 11:40 am
by Huckleberryhound
InkL0sed wrote:
notyou2 wrote:When he said robbed by a taxi, I think he meant ripped off by the driver taking the circuitous route, not the direct route.


I see - well, taxis are expensive no matter what route they take, and if you go from JFK to anywhere else... prepare to pay a lot.




Thanks. Yeah, that is what i meant. We are not rich, so using the subway seems logical for us, i just wondered whether there was any truth what we were told. I'd love to go to Coney island to where the Warriors was filmed (is that crazy?)...I'd love to get the three bottles out and clink them together....there must ve a guy selling empty bottles there i bet :)

Re: Going to New York (advice sought)

Posted: Fri Aug 20, 2010 11:45 am
by InkL0sed
Don't worry about the subway. The worst experiences you'll have in there are smelly bums and/or a creepy moment late at night in an empty station. But you won't get robbed or anything.

And yeah, definitely go to Coney Island. I think they still have the theme park open for now; it's supposed to be closing eventually, I think. Go there before it does. And the beach itself isn't so bad.

Re: Going to New York (advice sought)

Posted: Fri Aug 20, 2010 11:46 am
by InkL0sed
Oh, another thing - if you're going to be taking the subway a lot, you might save money by getting one-day fun passes, or if you're there long enough, unlimited metro-cards (I think the shortest duration for those is a week).

Re: Going to New York (advice sought)

Posted: Fri Aug 20, 2010 12:21 pm
by heavycola
times square is worth a walkthrough and little else.

Seriously? Go to Katz's Deli and order a Reuben. It will be the finest sandwich you have ever eaten.

Re: Going to New York (advice sought)

Posted: Fri Aug 20, 2010 12:22 pm
by InkL0sed
heavycola wrote:times square is worth a walkthrough and little else.

Seriously? Go to Katz's Deli and order a Reuben. It will be the finest sandwich you have ever eaten.


NO

CARNEGIE DELI

Re: Going to New York (advice sought)

Posted: Fri Aug 20, 2010 1:29 pm
by jimboston
My advice is to skip the cesspit that is NYC, and drive straight through to New England.

This opinion is not biased in any way shape or form.

Re: Going to New York (advice sought)

Posted: Fri Aug 20, 2010 1:45 pm
by thegreekdog
jimboston wrote:My advice is to skip the cesspit that is NYC, don't even go near New England, and spend the week in Philadelphia.

This opinion is not biased in any way shape or form.


Fixed.

Re: Going to New York (advice sought)

Posted: Fri Aug 20, 2010 1:54 pm
by tzor
Huckleberryhound wrote:Thanks. Yeah, that is what i meant. We are not rich, so using the subway seems logical for us, i just wondered whether there was any truth what we were told. I'd love to go to Coney island to where the Warriors was filmed (is that crazy?)...I'd love to get the three bottles out and clink them together....there must ve a guy selling empty bottles there i bet :)


It's very easy to get to by Subway.

Re: Going to New York (advice sought)

Posted: Fri Aug 20, 2010 2:14 pm
by Huckleberryhound
InkL0sed wrote:Oh, another thing - if you're going to be taking the subway a lot, you might save money by getting one-day fun passes, or if you're there long enough, unlimited metro-cards (I think the shortest duration for those is a week).



We're going for 10 days all in, with two nights in New england before coming back for the last night.

We don't have an itenerary together, so i think it'll be pretty much off the cuff.

Re: Going to New York (advice sought)

Posted: Fri Aug 20, 2010 2:19 pm
by jimboston
thegreekdog wrote:
jimboston wrote:My advice is to skip the cesspit that is NYC, don't even go near New England, and spend the week in Philadelphia.

This opinion is not biased in any way shape or form.


Fixed.


... and go home with cheese-whiz shitz that'll last for a week.

Fixed.

Re: Going to New York (advice sought)

Posted: Fri Aug 20, 2010 2:21 pm
by thegreekdog
Huckleberryhound wrote:
InkL0sed wrote:Oh, another thing - if you're going to be taking the subway a lot, you might save money by getting one-day fun passes, or if you're there long enough, unlimited metro-cards (I think the shortest duration for those is a week).



We're going for 10 days all in, with two nights in New england before coming back for the last night.

We don't have an itenerary together, so i think it'll be pretty much off the cuff.


I'm not a local, so perhaps this is not what you're looking for, but despite your comments, I do think you should see a show. Obviously, there are tons of great restaurants. Hit up the art museums. That's all I got. Statue of Liberty, Empire State Building, yes, but not necessary.

Re: Going to New York (advice sought)

Posted: Fri Aug 20, 2010 2:32 pm
by tzor
jimboston wrote:My advice is to skip the cesspit that is NYC, and drive straight through to New England.


My advice is to avoid Boston at all costs. Fortunately there are interstate highways that deliberately go around that snapepit port city of ill repute.

Re: Going to New York (advice sought)

Posted: Fri Aug 20, 2010 4:35 pm
by InkL0sed
thegreekdog wrote:
Huckleberryhound wrote:
InkL0sed wrote:Oh, another thing - if you're going to be taking the subway a lot, you might save money by getting one-day fun passes, or if you're there long enough, unlimited metro-cards (I think the shortest duration for those is a week).



We're going for 10 days all in, with two nights in New england before coming back for the last night.

We don't have an itenerary together, so i think it'll be pretty much off the cuff.


I'm not a local, so perhaps this is not what you're looking for, but despite your comments, I do think you should see a show. Obviously, there are tons of great restaurants. Hit up the art museums. That's all I got. Statue of Liberty, Empire State Building, yes, but not necessary.


Rockefeller Center is a good alternative to the Empire State Building, fyi.

Re: Going to New York (advice sought)

Posted: Fri Aug 20, 2010 5:19 pm
by The Bison King
My advice is to skip the cesspit that is NYC, and drive straight through to New England.


My advice is to skip that cesspit that is the East Coast and drive straight to Ohio!... OH WAIT... No it's Not!

Yeah New York is a good vacation spot. I went there when I was younger. I hate to say it but all the lame "touristy" stuff is what I remember most. Statue of liberty, Empire State Building. If I went there again I'd probably find some more "authentic" things to do, like get wasted.

Re: Going to New York (advice sought)

Posted: Fri Aug 20, 2010 5:22 pm
by Pedronicus
Graffiti Hall of Fame
Park Ave & E 106th St
New York, 10029, United States

Re: Going to New York (advice sought)

Posted: Fri Aug 20, 2010 5:38 pm
by Phatscotty
Do not make any decisions on where to eat based on how a place looks or sounds. Instead, look at the people who are eating there and base your decision on that.

Also, grow a pair of balls on the roads. On a few occasions I was cut off so badly that I was actually impressed when it was a chik who did it.

Always carry extra cash with you, in case you make a wrong turn and have to go through a few tolls. Lincoln Tunnel is like 15$.

Re: Going to New York (advice sought)

Posted: Fri Aug 20, 2010 5:43 pm
by InkL0sed
Phatscotty wrote:Do not make any decisions on where to eat based on how a place looks or sounds. Instead, look at the people who are eating there and base your decision on that.

Also, grow a pair of balls on the roads. On a few occasions I was cut off so badly that I was actually impressed when it was a chik who did it.

Always carry extra cash with you, in case you make a wrong turn and have to go through a few tolls. Lincoln Tunnel is like 15$.


Or just don't have a car, because it's unnecessary and horrid. It doesn't sound like he'll have one anyway.

PS. I knew you were in the city when I called you out for a duel, scaredy-cat!

Re: Going to New York (advice sought)

Posted: Fri Aug 20, 2010 6:44 pm
by Phatscotty
InkL0sed wrote:
Phatscotty wrote:Do not make any decisions on where to eat based on how a place looks or sounds. Instead, look at the people who are eating there and base your decision on that.

Also, grow a pair of balls on the roads. On a few occasions I was cut off so badly that I was actually impressed when it was a chik who did it.

Always carry extra cash with you, in case you make a wrong turn and have to go through a few tolls. Lincoln Tunnel is like 15$.


Or just don't have a car, because it's unnecessary and horrid. It doesn't sound like he'll have one anyway.

PS. I knew you were in the city when I called you out for a duel, scaredy-cat!


I saw you in the city...you did not see me.

Re: Going to New York (advice sought)

Posted: Fri Aug 20, 2010 6:45 pm
by InkL0sed
Exactly. If you weren't such a scaredy-cat, you'd have approached me. QED.

Re: Going to New York (advice sought)

Posted: Fri Aug 20, 2010 6:46 pm
by Phatscotty
oh shit, you are staying in Jersey? LOL tell Pimpdave I said whats up.

Get a temporary EZ pass