| Author |
Message |
Joebus (Joebus)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, August 30, 2005 - 7:06 am: | |
We are planning to be in the New York area this coming weekend, and would like to take a trip into Manhattan. Coach (MC8 with toad) is a little too large. Any suggestions or recommendations as to a campground in the area, that would be close enough to public transit (possibly a train to Penn Station)
Thanks |
Doug Wotring
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, August 30, 2005 - 8:09 am: | |
Liberty State Park in Nj and take the train or Fferry into the City |
John MC9
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, August 30, 2005 - 8:19 am: | |
It doesn't sound like you've ever been to NYC?
You can drive your conversion anyplace the local buses can
go, but you can't use the tunnels if you have propane aboard.
You'll have to use the upper lanes of the GW bridge from NJ,
or the 59th street bridge from Queens (or through Staten Island).
The Battle Row Campground in Bethpage, LI, was about the
nicest and safest we've found, that's close to city limits. It's
only a quick hop to the Long Island expressway, and into NYC.
There are other campgrounds on Long Island, but they are a bit
further from NY. You do not want to travel to or from NYC
during 7-9am or 4-6pm. Trust me.
Using the rail system in NYC is great for a dare. I would sooner
ride the buses or suffer the expense of a cab ride. Learn to speak
a Middle Eastern language, if you go that route. The rail system is
confusing at best; somewhat dismaying and depressing, and
did I say confusing? Climbing out of the subway to find you've
gotten off at the wrong station, can leave you in a world of
crap if you do not know your way around NY.
Using your car is probably best, but do not leave anything
inside the car that you are dependent upon, or have any
sentimental attachment to. If you have garbage to get rid of,
just put it in a clean shopping bag or box and leave it on your seat.
The parking garages are best for parking. If you park anyplace
else, you run the risk of being towed. Our son asked the city
if he could buy an auto impound pass, since he has to bail it
out once a week (yeah, he lives in NYC). Driving your car in,
parking it at the closest garage to wherever you want to be
for the day, and taking a cab to go from place to place, is the
easiest and safest way to go. |
Sojourner (Jjimage)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, August 30, 2005 - 11:45 am: | |
I never have been in NYC but around it. As suggested from John MC9 about Battle Row Campground.
Ask the campground for their suggestion to Manhattan.
Bethpage’s station LIRR is on intersection of Stewart & Jackson Ave. About 3 mi from campground.
Long Island MTA http://www.mta.info/lirr/
LIRR map http://www.mta.info/lirr/html/lirrmap.htm click on Bethpage (dot) (purple line near intersect with blue line) to get station’s info.
It’s about 30 mi (50 minutes) to Penn’s station.
Weekend fares are cheaper.
I believe driving to Manhattan will take more time & cost (fuel & parking fee). In Chicago, rapid rail transit is the way to go to down town shopping & dining. Been there several times.
Just a few words of touring advice to any one that might appeal to;
Whenever in Mexico or any large city always keep credit cards & large cash in pouch under shirt’s front (traveling dept stores). Keep your hand on camera in front at all time to let them (thief) know not to bother. Keep nothing valuable in back pocket unless chained.
And try not looking like your lost or stranger while on lone street. Have everything planned w/maps before getting to your journeys and working cell phone w/911 listed.
If driving auto, always have windows roll up so thief cannot get in to unlock door to steal whatever. Common known cases are when thief a come to wash your windshield & then while window down to tip them you are in for a surprise. Or another auto in front & behind you to trap in an exit ramp so a gang robs you.
Try to take a guided tour bus trip (w/shopping?) for safe trip & enjoy your journey of unknown.
http://www.coachusa.com/newyorksightseeing/
FWIW
Sojourn for Christ, Jerry |
Dick Bell (Richardkan)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, August 30, 2005 - 12:21 pm: | |
With the responses listed so far, why would you want to go? |
charlesseaton
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, August 30, 2005 - 3:07 pm: | |
I have a bus and I store it in Connecticut |
Richard Bowyer (Drivingmisslazy)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, August 30, 2005 - 3:22 pm: | |
In my opinion, NYC is not a friendly city for out of town drivers, and I have driven in nost major cities in the US as well as many foreign cities.
Anytime I visited NYC, I stayed at a hotel, but always used a taxi to get anywhere. In the long run I felt it was more convenient and overall less expensive than driving my own car or a rental car.
Richard |
Sammy
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, August 30, 2005 - 4:02 pm: | |
Joe, I live on Long Island for almost 40 years. Bethpage and Old Bethpage are very nice areas.I strongly recommend to jump on a train from Bethpage, or Hicksville that will take you to Penn Station in NYC.You can then walk around the city, hop on a bus, etc.
As mentioned in previous posts, the traffic and the commute can get real bad.I'd leave your bus at the campground.Check the Long Island Railroad train schedule to help you plan your trip.Just a suggestion - try to get down to Jones Beach if you have a chance. Beach is beautiful, nice boardwalk to walk along, mini golf, etc. Send me an e-mail if you have any questions.
Sammy |
Jack Gregg (Jackinkc)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, August 30, 2005 - 5:26 pm: | |
The green Michelin guide is the best way to plan your tour. It includes maps and subway maps. Buy it well in advance of your trip so you can plan what you want to see. There is lots of great tourist stuff on Manhattan. Have fun, be careful.
Jack |
John MC9
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, August 30, 2005 - 7:50 pm: | |
Hey, don't get me wrong. I love NYC! It's a great place, and
the people that live there are no different than you or me.
Well, ok... you. YEAH..... YOU. %##@%$
I wuz born in Brooklyn and raised on Lun Gilan (both Nassau
and Suffolk) counties. The city isn't as bad as they say.
However.....
Being a little "street smart" is a little dangerous. You've got
to be a lot "street smart". You have to know enough not to look
anyone in the eye as you pass them on the street. You've got to
maintain a solid "touch me and you'll hurt" look, and stare
ahead coldly as you walk.
Actually, the weirder you act, the better you'll fit in. Screaming
obscenities without cause or reason, will actually win you the
acceptance of most of the million and half people that live there!
(Who luvs ya', baby?)
The subway system works, but you've got to pay attention
to where your stops are. As I said, if you miss a stop, or hop
the wrong train, you can end up in an undesirable place.
I personally prefer using my own car, parking in a garage ($$$)
and taking a cab (more $$$).
For a glimpse of the subway system, look here.
To get to Bethpage coming from the North, I used the
Throgs neck bridge. Continue it to the Long Island Expressway,
and drive east to Bethpage. From the NY Throughway,
you'd have plenty of options besides the GW bridge and the
simply wonderful Cross Bronx Expressway. You'd be better
off coming down 91 to 95 and over the Throgs Neck Bridge.
If your propane tanks are empty (or concealed well enough)
you can say you don't use propane and slip through the tunnels.
(I didn't say that, did I?)(no I didn't) If you get caught, the fines
are stiff, and may include a ride in a wonderful NYPD wagon
(You get to meet "big Billy" if that happens. Cell #3546 He's
hairy and his breath smells, but I hear he's very gentle).
I've gone through the tunnels with an RV prior to 9-11; I don't
know if I'd chance it now.. They used to ask, and never inspect...
Just keep an eye out for the "HAZMAT" signs and follow
the directions.
There's a lifetime of sights to see in NYC, and the sightseeing
tours are really the best way to go. They give the visitor a
chance to see enough of it, to be of value. Trying to see it all
yourself, if you don't know your way around, can be very
stressful at best.
Long Island is also full of treasures! A trip east on rt 25a to
Greenport, with stops in Northport, Cold Spring Harbour,
and the rest of the old whaling towns, is a real saver. From
Greenport to Riverhead, and out to Montauk Point, is great
scenery as well. Coming back through Montauk highway on
the south shore, takes you through all the ocean front towns.
Just watch the Railroad bridges, some are too low and need
to be detoured.
The Smiths Point campground is on the beach. You can see
and hear the Ocean from your RV. After Labor Day is better
than before the holiday, for that one.....
Stay sane. |
FAST FRED
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, August 31, 2005 - 6:01 am: | |
If you drive in , expect to pay about $25 a day for parking for your car..
The NJ Liberty Island Campground is relativly easy to commute in from 24/7 ,
and the Path Tubes (NJ version of the Electric Sewer) aren't bad at all.
Recovering New Yorker (da Bronx),
FAST FRED |
John MC9
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, August 31, 2005 - 9:06 am: | |
Here's some info:
Liberty Harbor RV Park, NJ
I've never been there, but it sounds like it may be a good choice,
especially if you don't want to drive out to LI. It's more than
$60 per night, tho.. But they claim to have a tour bus to NYC
for convenience.
(and here I thought FF liked trees, privacy, and inexpensive
camping without the frills. Huh. Who wouda' thot..) |
Joebus (Joebus)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, September 13, 2005 - 2:56 pm: | |
Thanks for the suggestions:
We stayed at Liberty Harbor RV Park, worked excellent for us. As my toad is a S10 and with 4 adults, we used the light rail (1/2 block away) to get to Holboken station and took the ferry across, used the PATH from ground zero to get back (come out about 5 blocks from the park)
This was my second trip to Manhattan. Last time I stayed in a Holiday Inn on 35 Street. I'm comfortable in the area but of course there are places on both sides of the river I'm not. Again thanks for the suggestions
Too much to see and not enough time. |
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