***OFFICAL: I BOOKED MY TRIP THREAD***

[RutgersInMaine]

Ok just signed up here after a few years for the bowl info. Is anyone flying into Philly? From Kansas City about $270 roundtrip.

Is it easy to take a train from the Philly airport?

Philadelphia has very cheap buses that run to Manhattan. They leave out of Philadelphia's Chinatown and go to New York's Chinatown. Cost is $15-$20. You can take a cab ride to the bus terminal, or a SEPTA train.

Where are you staying? Renting a car might be a fun/reasonably cheap option too if you are not staying in Manhattan (the parking there would kill you).

 

[RutgersInMaine]

We are staying at the Double Tree by Hilton in Fort Lee, would anyone know of the best way to get to the stadium for the game and Times Square for some sightseeing?

Ft. Lee is not on the train lines, but it is well serviced by NJ Transit buses. Buses 154, 156, 158 and 159 go from Ft. Lee to Port Authority in the center of Manhattan (Times Square). From there you can take an easy subway ride to Yankee Stadium or get pretty much anywhere else in New York. I'd ask the hotel for specifics. I'm sure 99 percent of their business is catering to New York tourists/business travel.

In my experience people seem to prefer the trains for aesthetic reasons, but the buses are actually more reliable and faster. Ft. Lee is spitting distance from the George Washington Bridge which connects New Jersey with Upper Manhattan/Bronx.

 

[RutgersInMaine]

Here are some of the discount bus companies that connect NY and Philly. MUCH cheaper than Amtrak or SEPTA/NJ Transit trains. Some of the trains go to Pt. Authority, some to Chinatown, some to 33rd Street.

Welcome to megabus
www.boltbus.com
Apexbus - Daily Chinatown bus New York,Philadelphia,DC,Richmond,Atlanta,Norfolk


There are also the traditional greyhound buses that are more expensive.

 

[stateofmind]

So, I am using my Marriott rewards to book. All you NY experts, which of these four should I book?
102-05 Ditmars Boulevard
East Elmhurst, NY 11369

9010 Ditmars Blvd
East Elmhurst, NY 11369

28-66 College Point Boulevard
Flushing, NY 11354

45-20 Astoria Blvd
Astoria, NY 11103

I was planning to use the last one as they have complimentary shuttle to/from LGA and is closest to midtown.

 

[CyNye]

Ft. Lee is not on the train lines, but it is well serviced by NJ Transit buses. Buses 154, 156, 158 and 159 go from Ft. Lee to Port Authority in the center of Manhattan (Times Square). From there you can take an easy subway ride to Yankee Stadium or get pretty much anywhere else in New York. I'd ask the hotel for specifics. I'm sure 99 percent of their business is catering to New York tourists/business travel.

In my experience people seem to prefer the trains for aesthetic reasons, but the buses are actually more reliable and faster. Ft. Lee is spitting distance from the George Washington Bridge which connects New Jersey with Upper Manhattan/Bronx.

Thanks for the info!

 

[RutgersInMaine]

So, I am using my Marriott rewards to book. All you NY experts, which of these four should I book?
102-05 Ditmars Boulevard
East Elmhurst, NY 11369

9010 Ditmars Blvd
East Elmhurst, NY 11369

28-66 College Point Boulevard
Flushing, NY 11354

45-20 Astoria Blvd
Astoria, NY 11103

I was planning to use the last one as they have complimentary shuttle to/from LGA and is closest to midtown.

Without a doubt, ASTORIA. I really like Astoria. (My brother lives there). Incredible ethnic neighborhood, safe, and most importantly, a super fast subway ride into Manhattan. The N or the Q train will take you right from Astoria to Midtown Manhattan. You can transfer at 59th street to get to Yankee Stadium. Where the Fairfield Inn actually is is not so aesthetically pleasing (right near the highway), but, whatever, it's just for sleeping. Astoria has the best Greek food in all of the United States. It looks like the hotel is a bit of a walk to the subway, but The M60 Bus also goes right to Manhattan and leaves from right near your hotel and connects with the 4 train to Yankee Stadium.

Flushing is much further away, and a much worse neighborhood...CitiField is there, but that's the wrong stadium.

Elmhust is just too far, IMHO. Neither of those addresses are anywhere near the subway.

 

[Palmer]

Told everyone that Rutgers has cool peeps.

 

[stateofmind]

Without a doubt, ASTORIA. I really like Astoria. (My brother lives there). Incredible ethnic neighborhood, safe, and most importantly, a super fast subway ride into Manhattan. The N or the Q train will take you right from Astoria to Midtown Manhattan. You can transfer at 59th street to get to Yankee Stadium. Where the Fairfield Inn actually is is not so aesthetically pleasing (right near the highway), but, whatever, it's just for sleeping. Astoria has the best Greek food in all of the United States. It looks like the hotel is a bit of a walk to the subway, but The M60 Bus also goes right to Manhattan and leaves from right near your hotel and connects with the 4 train to Yankee Stadium.

Flushing is much further away, and a much worse neighborhood...CitiField is there, but that's the wrong stadium.

Elmhust is just too far, IMHO. Neither of those addresses are anywhere near the subway.

Awesome info!!! Here is what they put in the Astoria description: Located 2 miles from LaGuardia Airport, offering Complimentary Shuttle Service to LaGuardia Airport and the nearest train station to NYC. Enjoy our Complimentary Breakfast and Free Wireless Internet Service. Easy access to Citifield, US Open Tennis & NYC!

Wish I would've booked it earlier, they only have King rooms left apparently for reward points. So hopefully it has a sofa bed or roll-away.

 

[isudizzle13]

I'm going with 2 others! Hotel booked, tickets bought, and driving...

Any ideas on what to do with a car if we're staying in town? I'll pay the $35 per day at the hotel, but if there's another way, I'm open to it.

 

[Cycsk]

Without a doubt, ASTORIA. I really like Astoria. (My brother lives there). Incredible ethnic neighborhood, safe, and most importantly, a super fast subway ride into Manhattan. The N or the Q train will take you right from Astoria to Midtown Manhattan. You can transfer at 59th street to get to Yankee Stadium. Where the Fairfield Inn actually is is not so aesthetically pleasing (right near the highway), but, whatever, it's just for sleeping. Astoria has the best Greek food in all of the United States. It looks like the hotel is a bit of a walk to the subway, but The M60 Bus also goes right to Manhattan and leaves from right near your hotel and connects with the 4 train to Yankee Stadium.

Flushing is much further away, and a much worse neighborhood...CitiField is there, but that's the wrong stadium.

Elmhust is just too far, IMHO. Neither of those addresses are anywhere near the subway.

Agreed. I stayed on Ditmers and had to beg (big tip) the shuttle driver to take me and pick me up at the Astoria train stop so I could go to TerraBlues in Manhattan. If they have a shuttle to LGA, then should have no problem taking you to the train stop.

 

[RutgersInMaine]

Awesome info!!! Here is what they put in the Astoria description: Located 2 miles from LaGuardia Airport, offering Complimentary Shuttle Service to LaGuardia Airport and the nearest train station to NYC. Enjoy our Complimentary Breakfast and Free Wireless Internet Service. Easy access to Citifield, US Open Tennis & NYC!

Wish I would've booked it earlier, they only have King rooms left apparently for reward points. So hopefully it has a sofa bed or roll-away.

That's great that they offer the shuttle to the train (I'm guessing they mean the N/Q subway station at Astoria Blvd.) It's about a half mile walk. Not terrible, but not too fun in the cold.

The funny thing is that even though Citifield is in Queens and so is your hotel, it's actually a bit easier to get to Yankee Stadium from where you are. Again, my brother lives about half a mile from this hotel, and I can attest to its convenience. He goes to about 20 Yankee games a year (he loves the cheap $5 stubhub tickets for the midweek games against the Royals and Orioles).

 

[RutgersInMaine]

As for me, I'll be staying with my sister and brother in law for the holidays in Millburn, NJ and taking the train in. Hope to run into some friendly Cyclones fans!

One word of general advice to all: do everything you can to avoid driving in Manhattan. Just not worth it.

 

[RUNYYFan]

Are there good mass transit apps for NY/NJ?

I'm an Apple guy so you'll be getting iPhone apps from me. If you want Android apps, someone else will need to post.

Apps that I find helpful in the City are

ExitStrategy - gives you an understanding of which cars to be in on a subway line to get out quickly as well as detailed maps of neighborhoods throughout the Five Boroughs.

NYCWAY - A significant collection of all things NYC from Subway maps to events, banks, groceries, museums, hotels, the weather, even restrooms locations near your current location.

Hope this helps.

 

[thisISnextyear]

Without a doubt, ASTORIA. I really like Astoria. (My brother lives there). Incredible ethnic neighborhood, safe, and most importantly, a super fast subway ride into Manhattan. The N or the Q train will take you right from Astoria to Midtown Manhattan. You can transfer at 59th street to get to Yankee Stadium. Where the Fairfield Inn actually is is not so aesthetically pleasing (right near the highway), but, whatever, it's just for sleeping. Astoria has the best Greek food in all of the United States. It looks like the hotel is a bit of a walk to the subway, but The M60 Bus also goes right to Manhattan and leaves from right near your hotel and connects with the 4 train to Yankee Stadium.

Flushing is much further away, and a much worse neighborhood...CitiField is there, but that's the wrong stadium.

Elmhust is just too far, IMHO. Neither of those addresses are anywhere near the subway.

RutgersinMaine - Do you have similar info for the Marriott Brooklyn Bridge??? TIA

 

[Cyclones_R_GR8]

Thanks for the info!

Word of caution in regards to the George Washington Bridge. If you cross it from New Jersey into New York there is a toll. Last time I was there about 1 1/2 years ago it was $12. Also you have to be on the upper level if you are paying cash and it can be very confusing as the traffic on that bridge can be pretty congested.

Cassie's in Englewood is a nice place for dinner. Just a short drive north of Fort Lee.

 

[clonerules]

Looking at the Hampton Inn in Linden, NJ. According to Mapquest it seems it is approximately a two hour train ride to Yankee Stadium. This seem correct? Thoughts/ suggestions from anyone?

We are also driving and would like to know about possibly tailgaiting, or if we should even consider driving to the game?

TIA to all those with suggestions/answers! Go State!!!

 

[RutgersInMaine]

RutgersinMaine - Do you have similar info for the Marriott Brooklyn Bridge??? TIA

I don't know anything in particular about that hotel, but I wouldn't have any worries if I were you. As far as pure proximity to Manhattan and, more importantly, to the subway, you're in great shape. As a bonus, the Brooklyn Bridge is truly incredible. If the weather allows, walk across it to the lower east side. It's easy to forget now, but it really is one of the architectural and engineering marvels of all time. And here's the best part...your hotel is right around the corner from the 4 train, so you can go direct to Yankee Stadium, no change required.

Since you're right across the bridge from the Lower East Side, I have to recommend a true New York experience...lunch or dinner at Katz's deli. Don't order anything except a Pastrami sandwich (and maybe some pickles). Trust me, you won't be disappointed.

Oh, that reminds me, my true area of expertise is food...so feel free to ask any questions! I notice that there's a Morton's in your hotel, but I'd advise skipping the chain if you want steak and going to either Peter Luger's in Brooklyn or walking across the Brooklyn Bridge to MarkJoseph Steakhouse on Water Street (it would be a spectacular walk across the bridge in early evening).

 

[thisISnextyear]

I don't know anything in particular about that hotel, but I wouldn't have any worries if I were you. As far as pure proximity to Manhattan and, more importantly, to the subway, you're in great shape. As a bonus, the Brooklyn Bridge is truly incredible. If the weather allows, walk across it to the lower east side. It's easy to forget now, but it really is one of the architectural and engineering marvels of all time. And here's the best part...your hotel is right around the corner from the 4 train, so you can go direct to Yankee Stadium, no change required.

Since you're right across the bridge from the Lower East Side, I have to recommend a true New York experience...lunch or dinner at Katz's deli. Don't order anything except a Pastrami sandwich (and maybe some pickles). Trust me, you won't be disappointed.

Oh, that reminds me, my true area of expertise is food...so feel free to ask any questions! I notice that there's a Morton's in your hotel, but I'd advise skipping the chain if you want steak and going to either Peter Luger's in Brooklyn or walking across the Brooklyn Bridge to MarkJoseph Steakhouse on Water Street (it would be a spectacular walk across the bridge in early evening).

Thanks!

 

[RutgersInMaine]

Looking at the Hampton Inn in Linden, NJ. According to Mapquest it seems it is approximately a two hour train ride to Yankee Stadium. This seem correct? Thoughts/ suggestions from anyone?

We are also driving and would like to know about possibly tailgaiting, or if we should even consider driving to the game?

TIA to all those with suggestions/answers! Go State!!!

I wonder how much it would cost you to get a little closer? Linden is awfully far, though, yes, it is on the Northeast Corridor train. It's actually closer to Rutgers than NYC!

If it's a budget saver for you, yes, you can make it work. I might consider driving to Yankee Stadium for the game (just give yourself plenty of extra time), but definitely not to Manhattan to do any sightseeing. Keep in mind that there is absolutely NOTHING to do in Linden and nothing at all worth seeing in that part of Jersey. Oh, I guess for fun you could take a little side trip to our campus and get a fat sandwich....yum!

 

[RutgersInMaine]

Looking at the Hampton Inn in Linden, NJ. According to Mapquest it seems it is approximately a two hour train ride to Yankee Stadium. This seem correct? Thoughts/ suggestions from anyone?

We are also driving and would like to know about possibly tailgaiting, or if we should even consider driving to the game?

TIA to all those with suggestions/answers! Go State!!!

Also, while it might be 2 hours door to door to Yankee Stadium (though I doubt it...probably closer to 90 minutes), the actual train ride from Linden to midtown manhattan (Penn Station) is pretty quick. I think about 35 minutes. So it's not too bad for NY sight seeing if it's saving you big $$.