I think you need to figure out what your goal is. If it’s to minimize the hassle, take the train from Boston. You’ll end up at Penn Station and you’ll pay more.
If you want to drive into NYC - honestly, I don’t recommend this at that time of year in particular, it’ll cost less. But ugh, a lot to negotiate traffic wise and some time variables to deal with.
Your Stamford plan is a great one for splitting the difference and will bring you into Grand Central – a bit nicer “entry” imho. Just be sure you have parking arranged at Stamford. (I might pick a station a bit further north on that line to minimize the drive for you.)
The Mahwah plan sounds like it will be lots of hassle and stress. With tickets to a great show, you just want to show up and be happy!
Isn’t Stamford the northmost point of the New Haven line for Metro North. I don’t know the parking situation in Stamford, we’ve just picked up our kid there on occasion when he missed the last train from Stamford, but I would imagine that on a Saturday there would be places to park, unlike on weekdays.
IIRC, there is a large parking garage in New Haven at the train station. You would need to check.
See what the parking garage situation is for the day you want to go…in NYC. If you don’t mind the drive, and there is space available, you could consider that.
The MetroNorth line goes all the way to New Haven. Many of the trains that come from the stretch between Stamford and New Haven become express in Stamford. There are others - some of which originate in Stamford- that will make local stops all the way to NYC (right through Westchester). Decades ago, I commuted on this line and the “magic” of Stamford was the # of trains and the opportunityto get express service. Pretty much EVERY train stops there. For what you are doing, the benefit is that there will be much more frequent service than at some other station, like Milford (one that was one of our faves for meeting up with drivers. But hopping on at say, Milford, will save you a lot of driving.
Also, just a thought – that will be the last Saturday before Christmas so the traffic may be heavy because of Stamford mall. (I feel like this area is often pretty congested on 95.) Perhaps someone here who is local has a thought on that. But for me, that would argue for finding a station further out.
For the driving on your own part - especially driving back in the evening, might winter weather play a factor? I’d want a plan B in case of inclement weather.
What about staying in Jersey city near path train? That basically functions as a subway into nyc. We’ve done that as cheaper option than staying in the city and has parking.
We have stayed in nj and walked to path which brings to 33rd st.
The hotels in downtown Wall Street area also are cheaper than other areas esp on weekends and you can park at multiple garage options overnight.
Both these options would make an easier commute Sat morning. Just 15 min or so.
Sure but they’d have to take a train for an hour back to Stamford. Path train back to hotel in 15-20 min?
I’m just not a fan of that much traveling around for an overnight trip. Personally I’d just stay in nyc and drive the 3.5 hours (I’m guessing depending on where in ma)
Yes but Stamford is on the way home. Otherwise the have to take the path, grab their care, STILL deal with bridge traffic, and drive right past Stanford.
My vote is still either take the train all the way from home or drive to the city and park strategically.
The beauty of Stamford, or any other stop on the New Haven line, is that it’s not only on the way, it allows them to miss the most congested and stressful parts of the drive. These are also the ones most likely to add time.
I feel like OP is on the right track here, just optimizing.
NYC is looking beautiful this holiday, so enjoy! I personally think the train is the way to do it but if you do decide to drive and come in via the Lincoln Tunnel I recommend putting your car in the Port Authority parking garage which is right as you exit the tunnel in nyc. It’s not the cheapest but it’s very easy in and out. There will be street closures during the holidays so I would avoid driving through/across the city if possible.
Bryant Park Christmas Market is a great idea and the library is right there as well. Ice skating, vendors, fancy hot chocolates…
If you want a nice sit down lunch or dinner my favorite theater district place is Becco - they have the “Sinfonia di Pasta” which is 3 fresh pastas every day, waiters walk around with family style platters and you can try all of them. Nice, warm atmosphere.
I think OP’s plan to drive down on Friday, stay in a hotel, and then take the train on Saturday AM is a good one. I agree with those who suggest staying, parking and leaving from a station on the New Haven Line before Stamford is a good idea. The holiday traffic will be worse the further south you get. I don’t know the parking in either New Haven or Bridgeport but once you find a hotel in either of those cities, I’m sure the people at the hotel can guide you.
Do not take the car into the City on the Saturday before Christmas. It will be a zoo. Seriously. I’ve done it and it’s horrible.
If you want to go to Becco the Saturday before Christmas, my guess is you needed to make reservations…yesterday. But it is fun if you can get in.
Check the train schedules and costs from where you are in MA. We don’t know whether you are near Boston or nearer to the western border…and that can add time.
Taking the train round trip from Boston area would prevent having to worry (too much) about something like…snow…and driving in it. Make a reservation if you can on Amtrak. Yes, it will be more expensive than drive and park…but you are leaving the driving to someone else.
I would not recommend New Jersey for a trip as short as yours during the holiday season.
We live outside of NYC and drive into the city all the time. The traffic is not so bad in the city and saturday early morning will be easy, as others had said the issue is getting home. If you are comfortable with city driving and comfortable with the long ride home in the afternoon, I would just finish the drive. Look at spothero and ind a lot on the west side in the high 40s. You can find somewhere to have brunch before the show and then head back after. If you are not a fan of city driving then I would take Amtrak from home and not bother with the timing issues with the train.
We had a nice 3 course prix fix lunch for under $50 apiece at this restaurant, a short walk from your theater. You need to make reservations to be sure you will get a seat. I had french onion soup, beef bourginoin and dessert. They had many other options. Another table ordered duck l’orange which was flameed (it has an upcharge).
We’ve have done the NYC at Christmas time several times. Yes, make sure you have parking at the train station. The trains will be packed on that day. You should get your tickets ahead of time online. Yes, you need meal reservations. We have done Toloache (Mexican near Times Square) and Del Frisco’s grille near Rock Center for 11am lunch before a show. There was a BBQ place called Virgils on Time Square that also take reservations and was very good. We have also done the pizza slice for lunch and then had dinner reservations but don’t even think about dinner without reservations on that day. If you have a big group for dinner maybe Tony Dinapoli’s or Carmine’s or the other options named including Becco.
If you get there really early you can see the Christmas Market in Bryant Park before the show or afterwards (it would be lit up in the evening not sure if booths open but probably). Make sure that your tardy relatives have access to their own show tickets. Don’t let them spoil your fun!
You’re going to have a ball! Great show and great day to be in the city.