Since it's travel time coming up, here's my question... Heading up to Lancaster, PA to visit my son on the 16th. We're heading to NYC Saturday morning to hang out, catch a Rangers game then spend the night...coming back Sunday evening. I have no problem dropping the car off and taking the train into the city Saturday morning, but where is the best place?
You can take NJ Transit into the city, looks like there are trains running out of Philly: https://www.njtransit.com/pdf/rail/Rail_System_Map.pdf
If you're simply talking about driving as far as you can without having to drive into the city, then perhaps drive up to Jersey City and take the Path in. The trip from Jersey City to WTC only takes a few minutes. You could start downtown and work your way up to MSG. You might even be able to save a few $ for the hotel by staying in Jersey City. The 33rd St Path Station is a short walk from MSG.
Can't you get a Amtrak to Philly then change trains and take one to Penn station in downtown NYC. I used to take Amtrak from Exton to NYC in the same method
You have plenty of options for parking, you can park downtown Newark right across the street from penn station. Take Nj transit to the city it lets you off at a Madison Square garden that’s upstairs. In terms of spending the night just try to book a hotel that’s close to 34th and Broadway. Have a good time and be safe
Look for any of the Express routes running into Penn Station. You can find a town anywhere from Philly to Hoboken to park at. I would recommend either New Brunswick or Red Bank NJ to jump on the train from. Red Bank is still kinda cool. The train ride is about an hour from either of them into Penn Station. And once at Penn S just walk up the stairs to Madison Square garden.
I use the Park Whiz app and usually find decent pricing to park in the city. I honestly have not found weekend traffic in NYC to be that bad. I’d rather be in NYC than on the 405 in LA. So don’t be afraid to drive in the city would be my advice. Go park at or near the hotel you’re at and it’s much more convenient.
So we got a hotel room right across from MSG and tickets to the game. My wife found a site called bestparking.com and found a parking garage at 111 w 31st street that's $35 a day and takes reservations. Are we idiots to drive into the city this Saturday morning or am I making a big deal about nothing?
The wife scored 4 tickets in 108/row6 with access to the Delta Sky Club from a vendor. We will be there! (got my Messier jersey packed)
Yes, you are making a big deal about nothing. It's a major American city in 2018 - you don't need to be Snake Pliskin to get around the island at this point.
You'll also have a $10-$15 toll at the tunnels/bridges. I imagine your son has ezpass. Use it to skip the cash lanes. Trust Waze for the best way in. Since it's a Saturday, you might get lucky and find a free parking spot on the street. Hard to say how traffic will be leaving the city on Sunday. You might get lucky and it will go quick or you might be sitting in traffic for an hour. If it were me, I'd take a train.
I drive there all time time. Its not a big deal- especially on a weekend. Just pay for the parking and be done with it.
