<p>+1 to Hunt’s recommendations. Rental car companies don’t raise rates for BDD, but the hotels sure do :)</p>
<p>DS found it good to spend BDD with a kid who had attended his HS and was a freshman. I’m sure that they set you up with perfectly fine hosts for your child, but having common reference points was useful for DS (full disclosure: he had already accepted before BDD).</p>
<p>For any other West Coast parents worrying about sending kids on their own, my S went to BDD on his own. He had to take the redeye to arrive in time for the activities. Not being a seasoned traveler, we flew him into BDL (smaller airport) and arranged for GO Shuttle to pick him up. He wore the Yale shirt that was sent to him and found several other students traveling on his flight and a few more at the airport (also wearing their Yale shirts). Several students were on his shuttle, so by the time he arrived at Yale he already had a few friends (and they still remain friendly). </p>
<p>He was the only accepted student from his school, but if there are several from the same school, perhaps arrangements could be made for them to travel together?</p>
<p>Less than a year later,t is amazing to see how at ease he is with traveling. I still book his flights, but he makes his shuttle/ground transportation arrangements. He has become quite comfortable with public transportation, and has been to New York and Boston on several occassions with his a Capella group, other Yale related activities or because he has gone to visit friends in their homes.</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>Now if @NewHavenCTmom is telling you not to have him walk, I concur. My D only walks if, and only if, there are other students walking with her. Otherwise, she takes a cab or most often the Yale Shuttle. For Bulldog Days, the shuttle will be running often because they know that students will be coming into the train station. But even when my D came home for Christmas, she caught the shuttle.</p>
<p>My son has taken the M60 a couple times now, and reports that it is crowded. And he has both walked, and taken the shuttle to Union Station. We’re new to this, and are getting the ‘lay of the land’
We fly Southwest when possible, and my wife and I have taken a shuttle from the airport to Grand Central Terminal for about $16/pp It’s fast and easy.
We are looking to find the best way to travel to middle America. LaGuardia is not our dream airport. I think next time we’ll try Newark (Train to Penn Station).
My goal is to find a route that will not be awful, or expensive, or risk getting soaked in a downpour.</p>
<p>Last time I was in New Haven, I walked (from the Omni) to Union Station. It was broad daylight, and it wasn’t really scary. But it’s pretty far, especially if it’s cold or raining. I would have taken a cab if one had been handy.</p>
<p>Yeah, the walk is not pleasant if the weather is bad - which is most of the winter in New Haven.</p>
<p>Thanks for all these great tips, everyone! I’m going to paste them into a Word document for future reference. (I already have a few others from the Yale Parents’ thread–very helpful!)</p>
<p>Welcome to the fold @Planner. Looking forward to more conversations with you. And, while we may be an opinionated bunch, the Yale parents on this forum are a great, close bunch.</p>
<p>Thanks all. It’s good to know that BDL is another airport option. </p>
<p>Another separate question.
Since now is the shopping season, I just wonder what kind of snow boots are needed in New Haven area and I can buy a pair for my son while the sale is on. Do they need those half-calf length of snow boots? or ankle height is enough? or no snow boots at all?</p>
<p>Thanks, @Tperry1982! Happy Holidays, everyone!</p>
<p>@buttercreamlilac </p>
<p>The weather has been quite warm here!!! Just a hint of snow. We are usually inundated with far more by this point. It’s the end of December & I think we’ve had 2inches? If that much? Trust me, I’m not complaining in the least! </p>
<p>We have had lots of rain with temps in the 40s. Had it been colder, we would have had lots of snow to contend with. My guess is that temps will drop next month or maybe February. We will probably be slammed with lots of snow then. As far as boots, they will probably go on sale Friday! Retailers will be looking to rid their shelves of winter stock and replace it with new spring items. Try a Lands End, L.L. Bean, Helly Hansen, Ugg, 6pm(dot com) etc…</p>
<p>And yes! Snow boots are very nice to have. But NHV weather is so darn weird. We haven’t had to pull them out yet. But we will!</p>
<p>Wow. You guys actually get your sons to wear appropriate footwear! I can’t seem to get him to wear anything but sneakers. He has nice Merrells, but those seem to be reserved for at least a foot of snow. Maybe this year :)</p>
<p>@IxnayBob </p>
<p>How about they sit & collect dust? LOLOL we had 40 inches of snow a year and a half ago. Everything was shut down for 2 weeks! Horrible. My gut tells me we are due for one of those storms come February! :(</p>