<p>I know this really isn't MT persay but since y'all have so much NYC experience in this forum I wondered what cities/ areas to stay in New Jersey. I know a lot of you have kids that do this so you might know the ins and outs. I want to surprise the family over thanksgiving and NYC time square area is too expense to stay that weekend and I wondered how easily and safely it is to travel back and forth day and night from NJ to NYC without a car. Which cities would be best. How late do trains run? Which neighborhoods. Are decent in NJ Thanks </p>
<p>I’m assuming you are planning to fly? If so, which airport will you be using? That could make a difference in what I am about to suggest.</p>
<p>Long Island City is usually very convenient, fairly inexpensive, and safe. It is closest to Laguardia or maybe even JFK, but not Newark. If you aren’t a member of AAA or AARP (if you are over 50), you should consider joining to get significant discounts at many hotels. We stayed at The Verve in Long Island City in mid-August for an AARP rate of $127/nt. Regular rates were close to $200/nt, and membership was less than $20. The Verve was 2 short blocks from the subway, which was a direct line to 42nd St.</p>
<p>There are several hotels in that area, but I would research to make sure they are close to a subway stop. Not all LIC hotels are close. That being said, unless money is extremely tight, we will not be staying that far away again. We always stay right in Times Square and found it very inconvenient for our schedule to have to make the commute. When we are in NYC my kid is taking dance lessons, acting lessons, voice lessons, and attending shows. We need easy access to our room for quick showers, change of clothes, and to pick of music and dance shoes. We found that a lot of time was wasted. For just touring and vacationing, commuting might work. But for us it doesn’t.</p>
<p>If you haven’t already checked, you should look at TripAdvisor forums. There is a wealth of info there, and a person by the name of “NYWhiz” is the expert on NYC area accommodations. She is very helpful and kind. She can answer most any question you have. Others will answer too, but I trust her more than most. She seems to really know NY, and she answers everyone.</p>
<p>Hi Broadway95! Not sure if the prices will be low enough, but look at hotels on the Upper West Side from about 75th to 115th. Easy subway ride to midtown. Columbia University is on the upper end of the neighborhood and Lincoln Center is at about 68th. There are plenty of restaurants and stores. Most of the hotels are small and no frills, but perfectly fine. Obviously check reviews, but if they are affordable, it is much easier to be in Manhattan. Feel free to email me if you have other questions.</p>
<p>Agree with Shaun. Anything on the Red line (1,2, or 3) is very convenient to Times Square, and also walkable if the weather is nice.</p>
<p>Thanks! That gives me a great start. We have always stayed right in Time Square and at the time I am looking at the prices double for most the places I have been checking. </p>
<p>Our d did a program with Michael Rafter for several summers called Destination Broadway. Participants stayed in a hotel in the Seacaucus Meadowlands areas do went into Ripley Grier Studios every morning. A bus stopped right outside the hotel and took us atraight in to the Port Authority in Times Square. From there you can connect anywhere you want to go easily. The Bus from NJ to The Port Authority took about 15-20 minutes depending on traffic. Very clean, nice, easy - There are all sorts of choices of hotels there - embassy Suites, courtyard by Marriot, la Quinta etc… – a bunch of them. It’s just outside the Lincoln Tunnel so very close and convenient. </p>
<p>Boston identifies subway lines by color. Not so in NYC. Subways are called by their numbers or the following identifiers:</p>
<p>1,2,3 = The 7th Avenue line
4,5,6 = The Lexington Avenue line
A,C,E = The 8th Avenue line
B,D,F,M = The 6th Avenue line
N,Q,R = The Broadway line
S = The shuttle
7 = The 7 train
L = The L train</p>
<p>Be glad people no longer say IRT, BMT, IND. Those were truly inscrutable to anyone who didn’t grow up here. The current names refer (generally) to the avenues beneath which the trains run. A couple of other tips about getting around: A cab is always slower and way more expensive unless there are four or more passengers. Unlimited metro cards can save you money if you take three rides a day but each passenger needs his own. What ever you do, do not say “Avenue of the Americas”. Nobody says that. </p>
<p>While I’m sounding off, the Queensboro bridge will never be the Ed Koch and the Triboro ain’t the RFK, no way, no how.</p>
<p>While they aren’t referred to by color in NYC, it is faster and easier for visitors to visualize when looking at the color coded subway map. That’s why I used both. </p>
<p>It’s hard to wink online if you are emoticon-averse. We must avoid the degradation of NYC culture with the infiltration of Bostonian ways. And much as we all respect the memory of Jackie Robinson, it’s the Grand Central Parkway. But seriously, it’s helpful to know the local language when navigating. Merely sharing </p>
<p>Actually, I think the Jackie Robinson used to be the Interborough, but I could be wrong…still a newcomer at 23 years here!</p>
<p>I forgot to mention that one little perk in the Seacaucus Meadowlands area - there is a mall in walking distance. Very basic stores but there was a Marshall’s that had amazing deals on Kate Spade, Vineyard Vines, Lily Pulitzer, Michael Kors etc… Of course you never know what Marshall’s will have, but we got some great bargains on brands discount stores in our area rarely carry.<br>
And just to clarify, the bus i mentioned is public transportation but you feel like you’re on a charter bus. Very nice, clean and takes you directly to the Port Authority. 15-20 minutes and you’re in the heart of Times Square. I was a little leery about the bus before our first visit, but it was great. in fact, I know DB families who won’t stay anywhere else now because its so cost effective and convenient. And probably closer/less travel time than parts of Manhattan.</p>
<p>While you are doing the math and comparing staying in NJ to staying in NYC, factor in the NJ transit costs as well because they will add up if you are going back and forth daily. You may be better off as others have suggested staying somewhere within the city including Brooklyn, Queens etc. because you can get there by subway. Have you looked at AirBnB? We never stay in hotels any more if we are in NYC for more than 2 days. There might be somebody who is leaving town for Thanksgiving who is renting their flat while they are gone. </p>
<p>Have you tried Priceline? A few years ago, I lucked out and we got the Intercontinental on Park Ave just north of the Met Life building for a little over $100 a night. Granted it had no view, but the location was great.</p>
<p>Thanks for all the ideas!</p>
<p>Last post about Seacaucus Meadowlands - but it is only 3 miles from NYC. When I say it’s close, it is really close. The bus is New Jersey transit.</p>
<p>Secaucus is a great option, so is East Rutherford. Many moons ago I worked at the hotel across from Met Life Stadium. (Giant/Jets) Guests used the NJ Transit buses right outside the hotel for a quick ride into NYC and the hotel provided a free shuttle to the Secaucus outlets and the Weehawken Ferry. The Ferry is more expensive then the bus, but crossing the Hudson is always a treat. I would check with the local hotels to see what transportation services they provide. There are hotels near the ferry as well in Weehawken, but I’m assuming they are expensive. Another option is Ft. Lee, right across the George Washington Bridge, a 5 min bus ride into Manhattan. I’m sure your family will be happy wherever you end up, it’s a great idea! Good luck and enjoy! </p>
<p>@GCmom Yeah, I knew that about the Interborough. Of course I did. <backs away="" slowly,="" muttering="" to="" self=""></backs></p>
<p>Do a good search on the travel websites and even on some of the hotel websites and see what the true comparison is. It’s just so much easier to stay somewhere in Manhattan and you can almost always find SOMEthing that is within most budgets and within walking distance of the things you want to do. I’d also look into the Air BnB suggestion made by halflokum.</p>
<p>“safely” is a relative term. The safest thing is to make sure you are traveling with a few people, and take a bus or train as they are generally safer than a subway.</p>
<p>If you are not familiar with the city or NJ, I would not suggest Air BnB. </p>
<p>Example of NJ accommodation:
<a href=“https://stayinthemeadowlands.com/Hotels/Candlewood_Suites_Secaucus”>https://stayinthemeadowlands.com/Hotels/Candlewood_Suites_Secaucus</a></p>
<p>which is near the train station.</p>
<p>TripAdvisor is great to use, not just for the recommendations but there is a good travel forum where you can see stories from people in your situation.</p>