NYC Regional--Transportation question for residents there

[Chi Meson]

Transportation and lodging questions, actually, for all New York/New Jersey locals: We're coming from Connecticut to the Javits Center in March; currently, we're booked at the Sheraton in Weehawken across the Lincoln Tunnel.

At first I though the proximity and cheaper rates made the river crossing worthwhile; I'm wondering now if that's true. There are a few options for getting across, including a "free shuttle." (the price is right, but dependable?)

Any input from you guys who know the place? Any teams stayed at this Sheraton before?

Follow-up question: who knows exactly how to get a bus from Lincoln Harbor to Javits Center (or close enough). I've looked online for public transportation, but I can't find anything with a map yet; lots of vague instructions

Kickoff in 6...

[Ninja_Bait]

The New Jersey Transit and MTA websites are the two sources to get directions, and they're fairly straightforward for address-to-address directions.

You can probably find a NJT bus to take you to the Port Authority Bus terminal. I don't know the NJT system well, so I can't tell you where the nearest stops are or what the fares are or anything like that.

However, the Port Authority is only about twenty minutes away from the Javits Center by walking (walk south from 42nd street to 35th street and then west from 8th avenue to 11th avenue). You can also take the NY subway from the Port Authority to 34th and 8th (A/C/E lines southbound from 42nd street station to 34th street station). If you take the subway, you'll need to buy metrocards, which is a pain for a large group. You should call the MTA, because I think there is a way to put large groups through public transportation easily and legally.

[Hallry]

Team 1676 looks forward to seeing you in NYC!

Currently, we're booked at the Sheraton in Weehawken across the Lincoln Tunnel.

Are there any hotels still available in the city within walking distance for a decent price? You might want to consider that.

There are a few options for getting across, including a "free shuttle." (the price is right, but dependable?)

Could you call the hotel asking about the 'free shuttle,' and what times it runs?

Any input from you guys who know the place? Any teams stayed at this Sheraton before?

From what I could find online, it looks nice, and Tripadvisor showed very positive reviews. There also seems to be a Houlihans right next to the Hotel, which could be a good dinner option.

Follow-up question: who knows exactly how to get a bus from Lincoln Harbor to Javits Center (or close enough). I've looked online for public transportation, but I can't find anything with a map yet; lots of vague instructions

I just did a quick search on Google Maps, which says that you could walk the short distance to either Willow Ave and 19th Street or to the Lincoln Harbor to get buses from there. However, those all bring you to the Port Authority Bus Terminal, which would require walking another 3/4ths of a mile to the Javits Center.

I hope this helps!

[Ninja_Bait]

Originally Posted by Hallry

Are there any hotels still available in the city within walking distance for a decent price? You might want to consider that.

That will be a challenge beyond challenging, specifically the decent price part. The Javits Center is in a touristy area of NYC, next to Times Square, Madison Square Garden, Herald Square, etc, and NYC hotels are already super pricy when they're not near tourist attractions.

[rudun]

You could get a PATH train from Weehawken to Penn Station. Then is only a quick walk to the west on 34th street. It is a shorter walk then from the PA Bus Terminal.

[Hallry]

I just asked my parents, they know about the Sheraton and said that it is a very nice hotel. Also, they highly suggested taking the DOT Ferry. It's a 5 minute trip that goes right from the Lincoln Harbor to Pier 79 in NYC, which is literally right next to the Javits Center. A few other team members and I went to watch the NYC Regional last year, and that's what we took to get over; it couldn't have been easier. You should call them for a group rate. Here is their website: http://www.nyc.gov/html/dot/html/fer....shtml#lincoln. I hope this helps!

[rudun]

Not advocating the train or anything. But at the time of the regional, we do get awful weather and ferries are among the first to suspend service. If your gonna by a group rate in advance that could be an issue. Of course trains have issues too, but they do provide busing in delays. I'm not positive on the ferry's since they are independently operated.

[DonRotolo]

What Ryan said ^^]

A hotel in NYC will be brutally expensive, even for the flea-bags. Anything nice will be way expensive. Weehawkin is an excellent choice.

Your choice in particular is way above excellent: Right at the hotel is the NY Waterways ferry. This is a super easy way to get to Javits, the ferry drops you off right there. It is a passenger-only ferry, no vehicles. You'll get on at Lincoln Harbor and off at 39th street / midtown, and the adult fare is $9 one way.

If the hotel offers a free shuttle to Javits, and it meets your needs, definitely use it, since the ferry is not free and there is a little bit of walking involved.

A bus would probably not exist, simply because the ferry is right there.

As for places top eat, don't even consider Houlihan's - Kinda like going to McDonald's in Paris..... Not that it's bad, but OMG you are at the culinary capital of the USA, go to Chinatown, Little Italy, midtown, wherever (the subway is great for that) and get a REAL meal that you'll remember for a long time.

It doesn't have to cost a lot either - the best pizza on the planet is Ray's Famous, or get a Pastrami on Rye at Katz's deli, and Hong Fat in Chinatown is pretty cheap... You get the idea.

[Andrew Bates]

We are interested in any information that can be provided about transportation across the river. We are somewhat concerned with getting across the river via the tunnel. It's our understanding that the tunnel is frequently congested and considering that we will likely be traveling during rush hour this would be a problem. Can anyone who has previously attended this regional comment on this issue?

[DonRotolo]

Originally Posted by corpralchee

It's our understanding that the tunnel is frequently congested and considering that we will likely be traveling during rush hour this would be a problem.

Yes, the Lincoln Tunnel is almost always congested, but it still moves several tens of thousands of vehicles a day. Typical delays during the worst of the morning rush hour are 30 minutes - that means, taking the tunnel adds about 30 minutes to a normal trip (which might take 10-15 minutes). I've seen delays of an hour, but that is really rare. So, budget 45 minutes to get to and through the tunnel and you'll be fine.

Or take the ferry.

[Mark McLeod]

The Lincoln tunnel congestion should only be an issue on the Friday, typical workday rush hour.
Saturday and Sunday it should be pretty clear, especially since you'll be coming in early for weekend traffic.

[Rich Wong]

1. Ryan's ferry recommandation is the best for quickness.

2. NJ Bus to Port Authority at 42 st. is a good option. The buses have their own lane thru the tunnel during rush hour.

3. PATH train to 34th St. is also good. It is crowded but reliable.

4. Ask your hotel about their shuttle and if they can arrange for a group dropoff in the morning and late pickup at night when the team is enjoying
Times Square or other touristy spots. (Use the shuttle to bring your tools)

**Plan early, get into NYC early, don't worry too much about traffic.

See you at the 2012 NYC Regional!

[Jeanne Boyarsky]

Staying anywhere near Javitz is going to be expensive.

I agree the hotel shuttle ferry is the easiest logistically assuming it is running. Beyond that I see two options:
1) bus to Port Authority (42nd & 8th) and walk or take the M42 bus to Javitz. (If you do this, you need to buy metrocards and watch the sign on the bus. The M42 has two stopping points.) Personally, I'd walk.
2) bus from Weehawken to Hoboken and PATH to Penn Station (33rd & 6th.) The walk is probably about the same. Two long avenues (6th to 8th) vs 8 short blocks. It's a more fun walk though as you get to walk past Macys and through a touristy area. From 42nd and 8th, you get to wak through a bus depot area. You can also take the M34 bus from 6th to Javitz but it is a pokey bus so again, I'd walk. PATH is $1.75 and you can buy cards for it as well.

If I was going, I'd take the ferry or go with option 2. Mainly because option 2 is the most fun. If you're visiting NYC, you should see more than just Javitz .

Have a good trip to New York City!

[Chi Meson]

This has been fantastic input. Some of the stuff I already knew/found out, but I won't tell you which!

The ferry was looking expensive at first, but it is now looking like an asset. The extra cost of that boat trip is offset by the cheaper "everything else."

I think we'll stay in Weehawken, eat in Chinatown, use the shuttle when we can, and the ferry when we need to.