Quickie Trip - What to Do?

We have some friends staying with us (in VA) from out of the country. They%26#39;re on a tight schedule but have a day we could get them to NYC.

We have to drive and will have a carload full of luggage. We%26#39;re on a tight budget as well, so we were thinking of a hotel in NJ? Maybe north of the city or CT would work as we%26#39;re headed towards Massachusetts. Any suggestions? Where would it be easiest to find transportation to the city.

In the day we have, we were thinking of visiting Central Park (briefly!), the ESB (is Top of the Rock better?), a cruise on the Staten Island Ferry (they want to see the Statue of Liberty) and a walk down 5th Avenue along with Times Square.

Are we insane? Any suggestions on things we%26#39;re missing out on? Oh, and this needs to come together in 2 days. :)

Quickie Trip - What to Do?

You are not insane, but you may have too much planned. For one day in the Manhattan I would consider lunch at Cafe Fiorello on the Upper West Side, a walk through the lower central portion of Central Park. A mosey down to Rockefeller Center and a trip up to Top of the Rock. A little bit of checking out midtown and Times Square. Maybe dinner at Isabella%26#39;s on the Upper West Side then scoot out of time.

I never drive in Manhattan, so I cannot help with parking. Hopefully others will. Have a wonderful time.

Quickie Trip - What to Do?

You need to be as specific and detailed as possible to get the best advice. What exactly is your hotel budget for the 4 of you? 1 room or 2? Will your luggage be concealed in the car so you could park in a garage without it being seen?

The Travel Inn is the only hotel in NYC with free parking. Given your short time frame, I%26#39;d urge you to stay IN Manhattan to make the trip worthwhile. If the Travel Inn isn%26#39;t available or affordable, you could try bidding on Priceline for 2 rooms each could cost as little as $120 (x2) plus tax for the night.

You%26#39;re not insane, but you need to plan this well. Why did you wait til the last minute?

I%26#39;ve been thinking about your dilemma. Since you haven%26#39;t posted back with answers I%26#39;ll offer a few options.

Jersey City has some hotels that are right near a PATH train (like subway) into Manhattan. The Hyatt Regency Jersey City is the nicest and people win this hotel on Priceline by bidding 3* hotels in Jersey City. The other possible hotel to win with this bid is the Doubletree Club, also ok and also near the train. The price/night is $75-90 with a Priceline bid. Here%26#39;s a link to a the page on biddingfortravel.com a website that helps with bidding and shows what others have paid.

鈥zboard.com/New-York-Airports-JFKLGAEWR-inc鈥?/a>

Jersey City is found in the NYC area airport section on Priceline. Don%26#39;t bid on any other area.

I think both those hotels have free parking (doublecheck). I think you should be able to see the Statue of Liberty from there.

I think it would be too complicated and a time waster to stay north of the city as you%26#39;d have to go there, drop luggage and doubleback. But another idea that might work if you%26#39;re willing to drive into Manhattan is the Holiday Inn in Ft. Lee New Jersey. This hotel is right near the George Washington Bridge, evidently, clean, inexpensive and free parking. You could drive there, drop luggage and then drive over the bridge, park your car somewhere on the uppper west side (iconparking.com is a good place to look for garages)--spend the day sightseeing and then drive back to Ft. Lee ready to start your trip to Ma.

I still think staying at the Travel Inn or some other hotel in NYC would give you the best NYC experience if it%26#39;s affordable.

I think your itinerary is feasible for a one-day blitz if you start early, but I%26#39;d reco the Top of the Rock over ESB. Dont forget to work in time to eat! :o)