Wish I was going but I've an art show opening to be at. It will be me along with a few other boardies...and you won't want to miss this one. Art + toys...lets just say it has 3 guys from SF, 1 from SD, 1 from CT, and 1 from NY.
If you're serious-gimme a call or text beforehand. We are only a short drive away from New York. Undecided, as its in October-(the month reserved for Halloween only activities!) but I'd come for friends.
I bought my bus tickets from Philly in advance on the megabus- $2 round trip. My sister has a condo in Soho... So my only expense will be toys. Thank god. Hotels in Jersey can be cheaper and the public transit into the city isn't too bad.
Hmmm...schedules for megabus for me aren't available yet, but that's how we plan on getting there as well! Good times on the top floor of the bus!
For folks thinking about housing, I need to add some perspective here. The Jacob K. Javits Convention Center is soooo deep on the west side of Manhattan, that you really get no benefit being physically in Manhattan to go to the place. It's not like any hotel is in close walking enough distance where you will say "Wow! That was quick..." So if you are going to take a train, cab or bus might as well get a place that is close to the subway so you can just get off at Penn. Station/34th Street and walk over anyway. I live in Boerum Hill/Downtown Brooklyn and I can jump on a train a block away from me and I'm 4-5 stops away from midtown. Also, this city is not filled with miscreants anymore. The subway isn't perfect, but it's fast, reliable, and cheap.
I'm going. Anyone have any hotel advice? Before you start here are my standards: - Cheap and NOT a hostel - I'm cool with Queens, Long Island, Brooklyn, whatever, I am not rich enough to stay in MANhattan - I will have a toddler, I don't want to stay in the "hood" but I'm also from a big city and so my view of "dangerous area" is probably more relaxed than people not from a big city. AKA Broken glass on the street and a few thugs are nothing. Nightly multiple homicides and drug dealings on the street = a bit much. Drug dealings elsewhere, not as bad. - Needs to be kinda close to a train, we're NOT just going for NYCC, my wife has other plans too - We're cool with traveling via train/bus and even if it takes an hour, not a big stink - A hotel to us is mainly just a place to keep our stuff and sleep, quality isn't a big thing, we don't mind traveling via bus/train (train only would be way better) Thanks! I'll post some area's we found some cheap-o hotels later and you guys can tell me if I'll turn into a C.H.U.D. there or not.
Another option. Stay in Jersey City for $100 a night and take the path train into the city. It's quick and cheap. The price of a regular subway ride I think. If you're driving in. I'm sure it's going to be much easier dealing with traffic and lack/price of NY parking. If you're flying in, I'd probably check with the hotel and see how close they are to the PATH, but there are tons of hotels there.
I've done that, it was sweet, but now the reviews we're reading of the hotel we stayed in said it's got a nasty bed bug problem. Yeah, I know, that's probably everywhere now but if the review points that out then I'd rather steer clear. We're not crazy enough to drive in NYC. Bus/trains maaayyybee cabs if we're feeling rich.
I have seen some articles on a bed bug epidemic happening in NY right now, Jesus... one more thing to work around. One thing to keep in mind, you could probably find a lot of cheap hotels throughout CT, NY, NJ close to a train station and spend an hour or less to train into the city. But when you calculate the cost of a train ticket, it might be almost $20, if you've got 3 people, you may have to spend $50 a day on train tickets.
I just bought our Megabus tickets from boston. Two people, $20.50 R/T (total, not each). the schedules just came out today so the cheapie fares are still up! crazy! bed bugs eh? i would think these might be isolated incidents? i've never had any issues staying in nyc before.
Hey theres a Holiday in Express on Union Street in the Gowanus Area of Brooklyn right near the R train http://www.hiexpress.com/hotels/us/en/b ... oteldetail Theres also a Super 8 motel thats opening up soon around the corner from the HIXpress http://www.super8.com/Super8/control/Bo ... __rate=SRB DUnno the rates but its prob better than manhattan...
I'll post some cheap-o hotels I'm finding, I'm just not sure on the area's. A lot in the airport area's, lots in Long Island and Queens, some in Brooklyn. Some have mixed reviews of the area's. Like some say "bad area" but the reviewer's saying that are mostly/all from CA? Everyone else says they're OK. Friggin spoiled baby West Coasters It's actually a nation wide concern now. I have a friend in the biz of killing bugs and he said, especially in large cities, it's hitting HARD. OK Here's a few places I was checking that are cheap and don't SEEM like it'd be awful to get to a train and not the worst areas: Days Inn Brooklyn 437 39th Street Brooklyn, NY, 11232 Ramada in Queens 16440 Hillside Ave Jamaica, NY, 11432 Days Inn Long Island 31 36 Queens Blvd Long Island City, NY, 11101
Not that great actually... and I'm not sure if this was posted in here, but train/bus directions can be had here... http://hopstop.com/
That Days In in Brooklyn is right by the D train which is an express train to Manhattan. The area is not too bad. Long Island City might be closer to the con tho.
Like Abe says, location isn't that bad, but personally there's not much to do. Maybe take a Greenwood Cemetery tour? And this is one of those "insta-hotels" that opened up during the housing boom, so it's relatively new. But bad thing is the trains are not so hot there at off-peak hours. And if you're here on the weekend, you might be at the mercy of service changes due to budget cuts with the MTA. Once you get on a D train you are from there you are 6 stops to 34th Street, but still iffy... And if you get the local... Oy... What dates is NYCC happening? Look up MTA info to make sure. I don't know what your budget is, but I would recommend looking into some of the local bed and breakfasts in Brooklyn. Especially if you are coming with a wife and kid. I have heard some good things about the Lefferts Manor Bed and Breakfast and their rates seem reasonable compared to a chain hotel. Easy access to the Q & B trains which are very reliable. Also, you're right near Prospect Park and the Brooklyn Botanic Garden. Go on Google maps and look up "Bed and Breakfast Brooklyn" or "Bed and Breakfast Queens" and check that out. Also, the Hotel Pennsylvania is right next to Madison Square Garden and really one of the last big (and old school) hotels in midtown. Hope that helps. Oh and bedbugs? Avoid hipsters in Bushwick.
I don't need things "to do" in the area, again, hotels are just where I sleep and drop off my crap. Otherwise I will rarely be there. I'm not a spoiled tourist, hoofing it is what I'm used to. I just prefer trains to buses. The Bed and Breakfast seems OK but it's a 5 night minimum, way longer than I need and too pricey then. I HATE them as well. I'm all weird and anti social and always get anxious in them. As long as I can walk to the train w/my family and not worry too much I'm ok. I'm used to somewhat unreliable train service, I live in Chicago, happens all the time. So it seems like it's between the Brooklyn Days Inn and the Long Island City one. So far thanks for the info dudes.
my two cents,,, i would choose LIC in queens out of those three locations.. LIC is the most convenient distance/travel-wise for getting into midtown...and it is not too bad of a neighbourhood these days to boot... as others have said,,39th street in brooklyn would be ok,,but you are pretty far out & kinda screwed if the trains are messed up (although i imagine you would get the best pizza in this area if that means anything ) as for jamaica,,,forgeddaabout it!!! only if you want to be in a crack hood by jfk airport
Hotel Pennsylvania? Yikes dude...have you read reviews of that place? http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Re...sylvania_New_York-New_York_City_New_York.html there are some decent options in the city, as it gets closer there might be deals that come out.
