Trip to NY (sort of)

[dlmom53]

Getting into the Manhattan Club seems to be an impossiblity, but my son would like to see NYC. We can get into the Marriott in the Atlantic City area. Is it feasible to take a day trip there--perhaps with an overnight stay?
Is there public transportation from Atlantic City to NYC? We'd prefer not to have a car in NYC--we did that once and never did find a place to park--just ended up driving around and around Central Park.
Help from the experts on the board would be appreciated, thanks

[Jan]

Yes, there is direct service from Atlantic City to NYC via bus. A few years back I think it was about $42 per person rd trip. We did stay overnight at that time at the Milford Plaza near the bus terminal. The hotel wasn't fancy but it had a good price and was fine with us. The bus service was easy to use and had many available times all day long.
Jan

[KenK]

This is the Greyhound from Atlantic City to NYC and back. They say one adult is $30 R/T a senoir is $28 R/T Kids are less by age.: Takes about 2 1/2 hours.

http://www.greyhound.com/

There is also www.NJTransit.com (New Jersey Transit) that will show bis and rail info...but the rail is to convoluted to use, and will take to long. Some of the NJT busses will stop along the way. It is approx 90 miles and nearly all travel is on the Garden State Parkway and the NJ Turnpike.

You will need to get into AC to get to the bus terminal. The rail station right by Seaview is express to Philly only....you would then have to change trains to get to NYC

[bigrick]

Not knowing when you are planning to go to NYC, I suggest looking at Travel Zoo for hotel rooms in NYC. Earlier this year, I looked for February and found $99 rooms at the Park Central which adjoins the Manhattan Club.

[rklein001]

It's a long way from AC to NYC.
If there's no suitable NYC hotel you'd be better off paying for a night or two's hotel near one of the commuter train lines north of the City and commuting daily. I'd suggest researching hotel costs in either White Plains NY or Stamford CT. They're about 45 mins, give or take, on Metro North to Grand Central Station.
Metro North Schedules

[ArtsieAng]

Yes, it is feasible, and well worth doing....IMHO

It is about 2/12 hours from AC to NY by bus. Many people, such as my mother, go back and forth in one day. However, I think your son needs to stay at least one night. There is so much to do and see in NY, that it would be a good idea to have a well thought out plan for what he wants to accomplish, once in NYC.

Is he flying into AC? If so, has he considered flying back home from one of the NY airports? This would give him a little more time in NY.

[ctreelmom]

I would have your son decide what he wants to do in NYC, then map it out and try to pick a hotel near the chosen attraction(s). If you want to post his choices here, we can probably help you pinpoint a hotel, or at least a neighborhood.

I used to commute to Manhattan every day, and even so, when I go in for pleasure now, I always find that I have more things to do on my list than I can possibly get to. Prioritizing is very important when planning for Manhattan. Yes, there are tons of things within a relatively small area, but it's still a lot of ground to cover.

[camachinist]

What's your daily budget for food/lodging per person? That would drive my decision. Secondarily, when are you going?

You said you could "get into the Marriott". Do you mean the timeshare at Seaview? Or, one of the hotels on points? IMO, the best way to stay in Manhattan is on points.

Pat

[dlmom53]

Thanks for the replies so far!

Yes, I did mean the Marriott Seaview (not actually Atlantic City)
He wants to see a Broadway play, NBC and the Empire State Bldg-- Possibly ground zero area. It just depends on how long we can arrange to be in the city ahead of time (or after.)

We've been to Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty, so that's not a 'must do.'

We're thinking of flying into Phillie--also thought of flying into NYC and doing the NY "thing" before we go to Atlantic city.

We'll be travelling with 4 people--My son and his girlfriend and my husband and I.

[camachinist]

We'll be travelling with 4 people--My son and his girlfriend and my husband and I

http://radiocityapartments.com/index.cfm

Not fancy, but clean and reasonably priced. Right on top of the subway at 49th and 7th. We walked everywhere in the theater district and even down into the 30's to MSG for the CMA's. A 2BR is usually 225-285/nt depending on events and they book up quickly. If we weren't staying at the new Marriott RI, we'd be staying there again this October.

Pat

[bigrick]

Someone I just met told me they always stay at the Pan American hotel when they visit NYC. One reason they like it is free and easy shuttles to all airports and easy access to the subways. They said the rate is $99 a night.

[hudson1126]

Agree heartily with rklein001. A well kept secret somehow, is that we have a superb rail service, Metro North, that brings 3 rail lines from Westchester County, NY ( think Rye, White Plains, Tarrytown) and parts of Fairfield County, CT ( Stamford) into NYC. Those towns come to mind for having Marriott Corp. properties.

Maximum ride would be approx 45 minutes with the express from Tarrytown being more like 30 minutes to Grand Central Terminal.

Cheap, easy, fast, convenient. Am not familiar with Marriott owner systems, but I would guess that these counties have lower Marriott rates and point requirements than those located in NYC.

[bigfrank]

Originally Posted by bigrick

Someone I just met told me they always stay at the Pan American hotel when they visit NYC. One reason they like it is free and easy shuttles to all airports and easy access to the subways. They said the rate is $99 a night.

If you use this hotel let me know, it is close to my home. We could meet up and I will take you to the best Pizza or Pastrami in queens.

[Laurie]

Originally Posted by hudson1126

Agree heartily with rklein001. A well kept secret somehow, is that we have a superb rail service, Metro North, that brings 3 rail lines from Westchester County, NY ( think Rye, White Plains, Tarrytown) and parts of Fairfield County, CT ( Stamford) into NYC. Those towns come to mind for having Marriott Corp. properties.

Maximum ride would be approx 45 minutes with the express from Tarrytown being more like 30 minutes to Grand Central Terminal.

Cheap, easy, fast, convenient. Am not familiar with Marriott owner systems, but I would guess that these counties have lower Marriott rates and point requirements than those located in NYC.

I've stayed at the Marriott in Tarrytown, it was very nice. And having lived in Westchester Co for 16 years, I agree this is quick and easy way into Grand Central for long day trips, trains run frequently, lots of people do this commute every day.

[PeterS]

The train service on NJTransit doesn't have to be confusing..

DON'T take the train from AC toward Philly as will require multiple changes that will drive you crazy and maybe even put you in some not so nice locations..

If you have a car take a nice morning drive up the coast from AC to Point Pleasant, NJ the train station there is a direct run into Penn Station in NYC.. Called the ShoreLine as it follows the coast... very nice run... parking is reasonable and safe and you don't have to bring the car into NYC.

Check it out on the NJTransit website...

One note, there is one stop lower than Point Pleasant but it is a very small stop with limited parking and kind of isolated... very very safe but it might feel strange to people unfamiliar with the area... Point Pleasant Station is right in town and very open and even a little busier...

Staying overnight is better if you want to do more things or spend more time in NYC but if not, the few items you want to do in NYC could be done in one day. Figure a about 90-120 minutes on each end (train & driving) but you won't need another hotel. If you are only looking at going to the Empire State Building for the view... drop it and combine the NBC Tour and "Top of the Rock" which is a trip to the observation deck at the top of Rockefeller Center which gives a great view of the city and a great view of the Empire State Building (you can't see it well, when you are standing on it..)

Enjoy,
Pete