LI,

Thanks for the hotel info given to sunrise. I hadn't thought of going in the night before but who knows....

As far as getting to the City, I'm looking at this from different ways - drive into the City? If so, where park ??? Drive to the Port Authority? How get info on rates? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
D.

WGTT:

By my estimate, it takes approx 2.5 hours to drive from Ben Franklin Bridge to NYC. On Saturday mornings (and during the holiday season) you may have to allow a bit more for traffic delays. So say about 3 hours. There's parking a block from Carmine's and if you validate the parking receipt at the restaurant you get a break in the parking rates. I believe the parking is on 44th Street between 8th and 9th Avenue (i.e., a block and a half to the West of the restaurant). My question to you: Are you familiar with driving in NYC? Do you need directions? <img border="0" title="" alt="[Confused]" src="images/icons/confused.gif" />

An alternative might be to take Amtrak from Philadelphia to Penn Station. The restaurant is a short cab ride from Penn Station. Within NYC, public transport is readily available so a car is really not necessary, unless you are planning to do some driving in the 'burbs. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="images/icons/wink.gif" />

An alternative to the train, might be to take a bus from Philadelphia to NYC. The bus will drop you off at the Port Authority Bus Terminal (which is on 8th Avenue at 42nd Street). It's a short walk to the restaurant from there.

WGTT: Please feel free to E-mail me at: specialperson10528@yahoo.com if you need to discuss more or if you need any additional information.

All the best in your planning. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="images/icons/smile.gif" /> <img border="0" title="" alt="[Frown]" src="images/icons/frown.gif" /> <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="images/icons/smile.gif" />

WGTT.. My D also wants to go to school in NYC although first year will probably be spent at state college in next town.

We went to NYC quite a few years ago and it was $75 round trip back then from phila to NYC although parking in midtown can be 25$ per hour

If we go up that day, cheapest would probably to leave car at mall in NJ and take the bus into the city

So busy at work I dont know when I will even have time to research this out.

And JO H told me other day I should get off my lazy a$$ and get a second job!!!!!!!! As it is I am working 45 hours week at job#1 and coming home, taking care of kids and what needs to be done at home and making bows and wreaths at night to sell from both my home and at a shop that requested my work AGHHHHHH. He on the other hand works a state job at a prison where basically the prisoners do his work after he shows them what to do and then he goes and sits in his office and plays solitaire and e-mails dirty stuff to his little crotch cricket who works in same place. Then goes to a PT nite job, same thing and his mom does all his laundry while he plays all weekend with same above mentioned crotch cricket.

<img border="0" title="" alt="[Roll Eyes]" src="images/icons/rolleyes.gif" /> <img border="0" title="" alt="[Roll Eyes]" src="images/icons/rolleyes.gif" /> Sorry for the vent...Got a little off track there <img border="0" title="" alt="[Roll Eyes]" src="images/icons/rolleyes.gif" />

LI, what do you know about a hotel called Habitat...57th and lexington????

sunrise,

I saw Habitat & the price listed is for a shared bathroom. It was $30 more for one in your room. From that perspective, the Ramamda Madison Sq seemed like a better deal (unless the shared bathrooms don't bother you) which is $119 per night.

My D wants to go to NYC & spend some time there. I'm trying to look at it from various ways. I'm not sure if it is worth trying to stay outside the city. I'm not sure I am going to stay but there is a possibility.

D.

Sunrise1:

Sooo sorry to hear of your woes with respect to work. You should feel free to vent here as much and as often as you wish.

To your question. I do not know the Habitat. But the location (Lexington and 57th Street) is a good one. it is a short walk to most of the attractions during the holiday perod. I also looked up the price: It's $121 for a shared bath and $180 for bath inclusive. WGTT may be right, the Ramada at Madison Square Garden might be a better deal.

Hotel prices drop substantially if one stays at a place outside of Manhattan. On the NJ side of Lincoln Tunnel there are a number of hotels where the price per room may be half that in NYC. Same is true for Newark, NJ. But one needs to be savvy to commute from there to NYC. If you are up to it and I suggest that you should go for it. Otherwise I suggest that you stay in Manhattan.

If I stay, Ill stay in the middle of everything because my D would be so thrilled. NJ just wouldnt cut it. D is in love with the big apple so I thought if I could swing it, it would be a great Christmas present

I'm a maybe on this one. If H has the girls, then I can make it.
I drove in yesterday, and was amazed at how easy it was. No traffic in or out at the Lincoln tunnel. Drove right to the theatre district and parked next to the theatre. $27 all day. Sure beats Amtrak. Tons of people at Rockefeller Center. The divorcing ladies saw PROOF, it was fabulous.
I'd never seen Ann Heche in anything, but was astounded by this play. See it if you get a chance.
PS I Can't skate.

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial">Originally posted by sunrise1:
<strong>If I stay, Ill stay in the middle of everything because my D would be so thrilled. </strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial">Sunrise1:

Good idea. Hope you are able to swing the Christmas present for your D. Good Luck. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Razz]" src="images/icons/tongue.gif" />

Newly:

Glad you're thinking of making it to the MB get-together. The group is getting bigger....and this is soooo good. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="images/icons/smile.gif" /> <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="images/icons/smile.gif" />

I was watching your thread about staying overnight, and although there are no rooms available the 27th, if you would like to stay overnight on the 28th, I would strongly suggest The Portland Square Hotel. I've stayed there myself and it's very clean and nice. It has a breakfast / luncheonette place directly across the street, and two very nice places with bar and dinner next door and across the street. The rates are quite reasonable and it's in the Theater District. It's one of the 'safe' places in New York to stay in. The rates for 2 adults in a bedroom for one night ranges from $89.00 to $125.00. They also have rooms where you share a bath, but I had one that had it's own bathroom. Mind you, the view is nothing but another building 50 feet from your own, but I've stayed in the very expensive NYC hotels also, and had the same view for twice the price!
http://newyork.hotelguide.net/hl1mi.htm

I hope this helps, and I'll see you the 28th!

Shepette,

Thanks for the hotel information. Are you saying that there are NO hotel rooms on the 27th? Wow, that is amazing to me! I tried the 28th at the link you gave, but it is booked too.

This will be a great get together. It is funny what friends say when I tell them that I am getting together with people that I met on the internet. It seems more and more know at least someone who met that way.

D.

WGTT,
I didn't mean there are NO hotels in New York City on the 27th!! I only checked the hotels I am familiar with, the one's I have stayed at that had reasonable rates.

It is high tourist time in NYC that week, getting a hotel room may be difficult, especially with the kids off school that week also.

Keep trying, and good luck!

Daughter and I will be staying at the Wellington. 871 seventh ave

I hope this is an OK place... Never did this before in my life!!!!!!

Ready to start a new adventure!!!!

Now, how to get there????? Got a car, but I dont think there is parking????

<small>[ December 12, 2002, 06:49 AM: Message edited by: sunrise1 ]</small>

Sunrise, I'm proud of you! It will be a great adventure! Thanks for your post on my "vent" too.

WGTT, I've asked for the 28th off, haven't received confirmation on it yet. I hope I can make things work. I can drive out on the 27th in the evening, although it may be late. This might not work for you, as you may go into the city that evening in which case I'll catch up on Saturday, but I'll let you know as things unfold and my schedule "gels". Thanks for your post to my vent too! So we all own goldens...do we have great taste or what??!!?? <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="images/icons/wink.gif" />

Sunrise,

The Wellington is a very nice hotel!! You did well! It's also in a nice part of town, you should really enjoy it there. There are tons of parking garages around, and usually the hotel has an agreement with one that may get you a discounted parking fare when you're a guest of the hotel. Inquire before you go so you will know what garage to park in. Off-street parking is almost impossible in mid-manhattan and you run the risk of not seeing car the next morning!

I'm very excited about this! Wish I could stay overnight too...alas 4 legged friends and of course...the fish!

Broken,

I won't be going in Fri after looking at the prices of hotels <img border="0" title="" alt="[Eek!]" src="images/icons/shocked.gif" /> <img border="0" title="" alt="[Eek!]" src="images/icons/shocked.gif" /> <img border="0" title="" alt="[Eek!]" src="images/icons/shocked.gif" /> so I am flexible. Just let me know what your plans are.

My 16 YO D wants to go to NYC ( not nec. MB lunch). She loves the city & stayed with her cousin who goes to Columbia. D wants to go to NYU <img border="0" title="" alt="[Eek!]" src="images/icons/shocked.gif" /> Hopefully she gets scholarships or she'll be at the community college!

Sunrise - What an exciting trip !!! Let me know about the Cape May tour after you've gone!

D.

WGTT and Broken..Will you be bringing your daughters with you???

Broken, I forget. where wre you coming from, central Pennsylvania??

sunrise,

my 16 yo d will come along (maybe not to lunch) She just loves the city. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Razz]" src="images/icons/tongue.gif" /> <img border="0" title="" alt="[Razz]" src="images/icons/tongue.gif" /> <img border="0" title="" alt="[Razz]" src="images/icons/tongue.gif" />

When my os (21) hears we are going to nyc, he will probably want to come for the ride & go see friends that he met when he volunteered just after 9-11. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Razz]" src="images/icons/tongue.gif" /> <img border="0" title="" alt="[Razz]" src="images/icons/tongue.gif" /> <img border="0" title="" alt="[Razz]" src="images/icons/tongue.gif" />

D.

I'll be coming from central PA, near Williamsport. Hope to drive out late on the 27th and meet up with WGTT very early on the 28th so we can travel to the city together. My daughter won't be coming, she is going on a ski trip with her dad (aka "father of the decade" he loves his girls so much, just can't handle being married to their mom anymore)and two of her friends. Sorry, I just had to get that zinger in there. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="images/icons/wink.gif" />

Broken,

Will you come across 80 & then 280 or 24?

LI - If she does that & I come up 95 is there a good place to meet so we can go into the city together?

<img border="0" title="" alt="[Eek!]" src="images/icons/shocked.gif" /> My kids are driving me crazy right now, each has a friend over & they are torturing each other. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Eek!]" src="images/icons/shocked.gif" /> <img border="0" title="" alt="[Eek!]" src="images/icons/shocked.gif" /> I just came back from a nice relaxing Christmas concert tochaos!!!! <img border="0" title="" alt="[Eek!]" src="images/icons/shocked.gif" /> <img border="0" title="" alt="[Eek!]" src="images/icons/shocked.gif" />
The 2 groups were just separated to keep my sanity!!

D.

<small>[ December 13, 2002, 10:17 PM: Message edited by: WillGetThruThis ]</small>