<p>Due to S's involvement in a major school production (he's playing Judas in Jesus Christ Superstar) I need to drive to and from MSM from Fitchburg area (MA) each time. About 4 hours drive each way. S needs to be back at school each day asap for rehearsals.</p>
<p>Planning to arrive near MSM in the early hours. Driving back to school after auditions early afternoon.</p>
<p>Anyone here used a motel close enough to MSM where I can park car - and perhaps jump into taxi or onto subway early morning to get to MSM for 08:30?</p>
<p>Driving into NYC on the Interstate 95 right up to Hudson River before driving south a little to MSM.</p>
<p>I can’t help with the motel, but depending on what time you are coming down or going back, you may want to look at an alternate means besides I95. It’s one of the most congested, annoying stretches of highway particularly at commuting times. Keep I90 to I84 and I684 might prove better. Keep it in mind as an alternate “escape” route.</p>
<p>Street parking around MSM is generally doable and that is what I personally would try. There are also several parking garages around and in that area they are not as deathly expensive as midtown. If you are looking to actually rent a hotel room for the time he is in lessons, Fort Lee, NJ right over the GW bridge is probably you best bet cost wise. Some have shuttles into Manhattan.</p>
<p>Are you SURE he can’t miss one rehearsal? Or be late? Traffic might not cooperate at all. Often the supporting cast will need extra attention on something (unless this is dress rehearsal). I’d check if possible. You might not make it anyway, no matter how hard you try, so the directors will need a contingency plan. Yes, parking at MSM is often doable, and you can always drop son off while you hunt for a spot. Good luck!</p>
<p>We’ve had good luck with street parking around MSM. Specifically, we try parking around 100, 101, and 102 streets between Broadway and Central Park West. (When we visit family who live near City Hall, we frequently will park overnight around 100 & Central Park West and take the subway to our family’s apartment to avoid the prohibitively expensive parking garages in lower Manhatten).</p>
<p>However, if you want to avoid the uncertainty and hassle of finding a spot on the street, I’d call MSM directly and ask them for the names of nearby parking garages. </p>
<p>It’s actually shockingly easy to park on the street by MSM. We took the train in, but I was amazed by all the parking spaces. We visited/auditioned on different days, different times, and every time we went there were spaces. It is the drive in that is harrowing, to me…not the parking! Train to Grand Central or Penn and subway is very easy and definitely more predictable than NY traffic.</p>
<p>I agree that parkng around MSM is easy, both on street and nearby garages. </p>
<p>My High School D takes lessons there once a month and we drive from MA as well. I would also suggest an alternate driving route. Look up RT 15, the Merritt Parkway/Wilbur Cross South to the Cross County PArkway to the Henry Hudson Parkway. It sounds complicated but it is one straight run. It takes you over the Hundon Bridge and right into Manhattan. Get off at 125th and go straight down Broadway (Right turn). MSM is on Broadway at about 120th.</p>
<p>If you would like more detailed directions, let me know. Good Luck!</p>
<p>flute1298, I used this route last month driving from NYC to Boston and it was much, much, much better than the time before when I took I-95 and was stuck in traffic for hours. RichardHK, if you google-map or GPS the route, you’ll not find the quickest route, but veterans of this drive all told me to take the route suggested by flute1298, and I was grateful for the results. We have a similar problem-- my daughter’s MSM audition was rescheduled for 9 AM on a Sunday (ugh) and we have to be in Chester County, PA for a competition at 12:30.</p>
<p>As far as a place to stay, you might try International House, which is right across the street. They are a residential community for graduate students and interns, but they also have a few hotel type rooms that they rent out overnight or for short term stays. The rates are very reasonable by NYC standards. </p>
<p>Street parking around MSM is relatively easy, there isn’t the crazy mess you have in midtown. If there isn’t parking immediately in the surrounding blocks, there usually is parking over on riverside drive, which is a couple of blocks away. Plus Riverside church has a garage that if all else fails, is right close by (not sure how expensive it is), but I doubt you will need it. My wife takes our son to sit in on master classes at MSM a lot, and they usually have no problem finding parking in the middle of the day even.</p>
<p>As far as the route, I thoroughly recommend staying off of 95, it is a mess most of the way to Boston, and in the city, it is a nightmare no matter how you want to go, whether the bruckner to the east side, or the cross bronx <em>yuck</em> to the henry hudson and down.</p>
<p>The inland routes are better (Mass pike-84-684-287-saw mill (which turns into the henry hudson) can work, or the merrit route (which is a nicer drive IMO). If you take the Henry Hudson, if traffic starts getting heavy (usually around the GWB) you can get off there and take Riverside drive down, that is a pretty quick run as well. And if you want to kill time, you can wander over and pay Ulysses S Grant and his wife your respects, Grant’s tomb is right in the neighborhood:)</p>
<p>Many thanks all for most valuable feedback. So glad I bothered with what I thought might be a silly question.</p>
<p>I remember the streets around MSM being easy to park on, at least for short periods it seemed, so will certainly head for spending some car-time there! Was there last Spring Break for visit and used the subway from town. So easy that way.</p>
<p>The train into Grand Central also struck me, as we used train last year for Purchase and it was a nice pleasant trip. Made me wonder if stopping at some motel up line somewhere made sense, as we do have at least one overnight stay (maybe two) to consider.</p>
<p>Yes, he can miss some production rehearsals (no choice) and will make the major dress one Ok. But still waiting on MSM for a hopefuly shift in timing for his interview. Can finalize arrangements then and book my flights.</p>
<p>As for route, I will certainly plan on alternatives to I-95 as suggested. I have been using Mapquest.com for starters, but will now get down and study the alternatives and plan on that. Like flute1298’s straight run idea, thanks all for help here too. Will print out thread and work something out. And let you know what happens for feedback.</p>
<p>If you opt to stay outside the city and take the train, MetroNorth Railroad has a package that includes overnight accommodations at the Marriott Residence Inn in White Plains (Westchester County). Info is on the MTA MetroNorth Getaways page. The hotel is a five minute walk from the train line that will take you to the city. Trains run pretty frequently. It would be better to disembark at 125th rather than Grand Central and take a bus or cab to MSM. </p>
<p>S is at Mannes and we’ve only driven down if we are schlepping something too big or bulky for the train. Mass transit is a lot easier. </p>
<p>If you do drive, I agree, 84 to 684 to SawMill to HH Parkway is the best way to go.</p>
<p>Thanks again RunningtheBasses! That Marriott package is ideal if our options need a two night stay. Having done the White Plains to Grand Central, I know the Harlem stop and a quick taxi run from there would certainly be best.</p>
<p>Waiting on timing confirmation of S’s second interview session and I can start booking stuff. Fingers crossed he gets an early Tuesday interview (Monday morning tests).</p>
<p>My daughter stayed at the Holiday Inn on W57th last Spring for a school trip. It was cheap (under $100) and she said it was fine, clean etc, but keep in mind this recommendation is coming from a 16 yr old.
It is convenient though because you can just hop the 1 train (subway) to MSM…just a thought.</p>
<p>Yes thanks. We stayed at the Days Inn on Broadway nearby last spring (forgotten exact street). Another good possibility as soon as MSM confirm timing. All depends on how quickly we need to get S back to his school. I am working on a four hour drive but maybe quicker in the early hours?</p>
<p>Early as in heading back to Mass, or early coming down to MSM? </p>
<p>All it takes is some bad weather or an accident, and the traffic gets snarled. Fridays heading northbound on I95 are worse than any other day, the rush hour seems to start at 2pm.</p>
<p>‘In the early hours’ means heading down to MSM starting out at 2200hrs from MA to arrive at some hotel/motel near MSM by 0200hrs! Maybe can do it legally in 3 hours at that time? Not sure of Route 15/other road speed limits.</p>
<p>Maybe best to get a larger hire-car so His Royal Highness S can rest better? An RV would be fun if we were on holiday, but that would take 10 hours and a wellful of gas. <joking></joking></p>
<p>Should be no problems at that hour other than some periodic night road work. Check the state’s DOT website for details. I know there is night work on I95 in CT near the I/95/91 interchange, not sure about I85 or route 15. Rte 15 is posted as 55 mph.</p>
<p>Thanks again all. Have got route sorted out in my head Ok, although a PM for more details might be needed after I have studied the online maps a little more. :)</p>
<p>Rather than open another thread, can anyone advise on following (hope this is Ok):</p>
<p>Q1: How long does the MSM second day interview normally take?
Q2: Does its involve a group interview with other candidates?</p>
<p>Reason for Qs is that S is being offered an alternative slot on the Tuesday that is reserved for DMA candidates only. A confusing email, but it appears his only chance to change time (from BM Wednesday) will mean he auditions along with DMAs? We are confused and getting into another weekend of waiting.</p>
<p>Q3: Are MSM telling us that his BM chances are affected by sitting in with DMA candidates?</p>
<p>If separate interviews this should not matter so much. (??)</p>
An RV would be fun if we were on holiday, but that would take 10 hours and a wellful of gas. <joking></joking></p>