Travel from Pennsylvania into Downtown New York City...?

Question

This is a very broad question....so I apologize.

My family would like to travel to New York City for a day trip around Christmastime.

I have been informed that it would be smart to drive close to the city, but not to actually drive INTO the city, and just to take the train in. I would really like to do this, as we don't mind a ton of walking. We just want to go see some general things....times square...central park...ground zero....etc.

As I said...I know this is very broad, but does anyone have any suggestions of where to park outside the city, or what train/subway to take into the city?

Any info about ANYTHING related to this subject would be appreciated. Any advice. Any tips. Any websites that have any info on them....

Anyone wanna take a stab at this one? :-)

Answer 1

I agree Use the Staten Island Ferry -dress warm. Using either the Goethals bridge[ Elizabeth] or Outer-bridge[ Perth Amboy] crossing follow signs for the Verrazano Bridge Take the last exit- bay st. north to the ferry terminal. Municipal parking is $5.50 and requires exact change - bring a roll of quarters.
Use subways to get you into the area you want to explore and then walk . the MTA runs the buses and trains-google it for subway info, maps and multi-trip passes .
Above 14th st. Manhattan is on a grid w/ 20 blocks to a mile N/S and 5 blocks to a mile E/W Fifth Ave divides the E/W addresses and there are no N/S addresses
For great pizza try Johns on Bleeker & 7th ave in Greenich village or Lombardis on Spring and Mott in SOHO [ South of Houston- pronounced Howes -ton]
Have fun
I disagree with the person below me, according to the website the weehawken ferry is $6.00 per adult one way and $3.00 perchild age 6-12
The one way toll on Outerbridge is $6.00
it is a 30 mile rouind trip from exit 10 NJTPK [ outerbridge} to the staten island ferry dock at 1 bay street staten island ny 10301
It is a 60 mile round trip from exit 10 to the lincoln tunnel/ weehawken [ where Burr killed Hamilton]
there is also the issue of additional tolls on the NJTP
So weehaken really makes little sense - sorry

Answer 2

I have a fun suggestion, come into New York through Staten Island. Park at the Ferry terminal in Staten Island (I think it is still $6. Take the ferry for free to downtown manhattan, There are a lot of subways to take you to midtown, like around Rockafeller Ctr.

Answer 3

It depends on where in PA you are traveling from. If you are near Philadelphia, you can take the Septa train to Trenton and transfer to a New Jersey transit train all the way to Penn Station in Manhattan. I think b/c Septa has issues with late night, you may also consider just driving to Trenton and taking the NJtransit.
Other than that, you can take a look at the nj transit map (link below) and figure out which station is closest to you and park and ride.

Answer 4

The Staten Island Ferry idea needs re-thinking.

Take Weehawken NJ Ferry. Easier to get to. Plenty of Parking. No toll getting onto Staten Island.

Answer 5

drive to jersey city or union city and take the bus into town. Its like $2-2.30 a person. The bus brings you to Times Square and from there you can ask the tourist police for specific directions on where you want to go and how to get there.

Answer 6

Another option would be to take a bus. Depending on where you are coming from, there are lots of busses running from Philadelphia (Greyhound) or the Poconos (Trailways). Lots of people commute from PA to NYC everyday, so you shouldn't be too constrained by the bus schedule.

The cost might be prohibitive if you and your family are going (cost of driving = gas, bus from NE PA = $40 roundtrip each)

Answer 7

Hello, the flight cost below is for your reference, that would be one of the biggest expenses during the whole trip: Bradford (BFD) to New York (LGA) - Tue, Sep 25 Bradford (BFD) to Cleveland (CLE) - Tue, Sep 25 United 4078 Dep: 5:25PM Arr: 6:30PM 1h 5m Beech 1900 Economy (G) OPERATED BY SILVER AIRWAYS DBA UNITED EXPRESS Layover in CLE 1h 4m Cleveland (CLE) to New York (LGA) - Tue, Sep 25 United 4723 Dep: 7:34PM Arr: 9:08PM 1h 34m Embraer ERJ-135/145 Economy (G) OPERATED BY CHAUTAUQUA AIRLINES DBA UNITED EXPRESS New York (LGA) to Bradford (BFD) - Tue, Oct 2 New York (LGA) to Cleveland (CLE) - Tue, Oct 2 United 4745 Dep: 6:29AM Arr: 8:07AM 1h 38m Embraer ERJ-135/145 Economy (G) OPERATED BY CHAUTAUQUA AIRLINES DBA UNITED EXPRESS Layover in CLE 0h 43m Cleveland (CLE) to Jamestown (JHW) - Tue, Oct 2 United 4076 Dep: 8:50AM Arr: 9:50AM 1h 0m Beech 1900 Economy (G) OPERATED BY SILVER AIRWAYS DBA UNITED EXPRESS Stop in JHW 0h 10m Jamestown (JHW) to Bradford (BFD) - Tue, Oct 2 United 4076 Dep: 10:00AM Arr: 10:35AM 0h 35m Beech 1900 Economy (G) OPERATED BY SILVER AIRWAYS DBA UNITED EXPRESS The total cost per passenger (including taxes & fees) is $325.40. And you can book other activities when you are in new york, it's quite easy and no worries.