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I posted a thread in the MidAtlantic forum on this topic but I figured I'd post here too because I think we get some New Yorkers browsing this forum. Plus maybe we've got some smaht New Englanders in here that may be able to help me.

So here's my deal: I'm taking a roadtrip this summer down to DC, Busch Gardens, Virginia Beach, and Atlantic City (in my Civic) with two friends. One of my friends is a 5'2" girl so she can definitely fit in my backseat without a problem. Anyways, I plan on stopping in midtown Manhattan on the way to check out what is supposedly one of the top 10 Irish pubs in America. The Black Rose and the Kinsale are on the list, for those that know the Boston Irish pubs. Another top 10 pub is in DC. I'll likely be going through Manhattan between noon and 2pm on a Friday. I have no idea what driving is like at that time in that part of the city. It seems like a harmless time to go as far as traffic goes. Can anyone help me out with this? And what's the scoop with parking? Hopefully I won't be having to pay an arm and a leg for garage parking.

 
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[QUOTE]Quote
[hr]Originally posted by: astr033
I posted a thread in the MidAtlantic forum on this topic but I figured I'd post here too because I think we get some New Yorkers browsing this forum. Plus maybe we've got some smaht New Englanders in here that may be able to help me.

So here's my deal: I'm taking a roadtrip this summer down to DC, Busch Gardens, Virginia Beach, and Atlantic City (in my Civic) with two friends. One of my friends is a 5'2" girl so she can definitely fit in my backseat without a problem. Anyways, I plan on stopping in midtown Manhattan on the way to check out what is supposedly one of the top 10 Irish pubs in America. The Black Rose and the Kinsale are on the list, for those that know the Boston Irish pubs. Another top 10 pub is in DC. I'll likely be going through Manhattan between noon and 2pm on a Friday. I have no idea what driving is like at that time in that part of the city. It seems like a harmless time to go as far as traffic goes. Can anyone help me out with this? And what's the scoop with parking? Hopefully I won't be having to pay an arm and a leg for garage parking.[/q

here are some tips, follow them and you will come home with a car [IMG]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/IMG]

1. Dont pump the stereo if you have one, you are a walking billboard
2. Park sorta near times square in a parking garage. Not just ANY garage, goto a big hotel, IE: Sharriton, Marriott, Hilton ect....something that has a under ground garage. When I mean underground, I mean no one has access to it from the street. When I went last to NYC I parked at the Marriott, The guys said it was 5 stories underground, and they were the only people who can get to it. Trust me its safe, and they cant steal crap from your car, even the employee's that valiet park the car underground, they are under strict rules and cameras.
3. Dont stop on the triagles painted in the road, if caugh its a real expensive ticket.
4. Avoid going to the getto, not cause of the crime, cause it isnt as bad as everyone thinks (except flatbush area), but the pot hols will kill the car.
5. number 4 applys for day time only, avoid all gettos at night [IMG]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/IMG]
6. Becareful on the NJ Turnpike, busy, a-hole drivers and potholes again.
7. Keep the wallet in the front pocket, some spare money in your sock if you get mugged, and dont look like a tourist.

Follow those rules and you are golden. BTW dont drive around NYC. Only drive when you are commming and going from the city. Take the subway. Also, the parking in those garages are 20 bucks a hour or around there. VERY expensive, but worth it in the end when you leave with your car, and your trip isnt ruined.

 
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#3 is really important. Don't go into an intersection unless you know for sure that you'll get out of it before the lights turn. The coppers love to make money that way off of tourists. [IMG]i/expressions/face-icon-small-nono.gif[/IMG]

 
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I've commuted back and forth from CT to NYC, Brooklyn to NYC, and Hoboken to NYC for the past three years. Driving in NYC is nothing to worry about.
-Avoid 5th Avenue
-You would most likely want to avoid Central Park South because Columbus circle could mess you up.
-Avoid Times Sq. (a pain in the *** any time of the day with construction around)
-Don't stop in between crosswalks in the intersection "Blocking the Box" it's 2 points on your license.
-If you need gas, you can find it along the Westside Highway.
-If you go before 9am you can get parking deals "Early Bird" and pay like $15-20 for 9 hours, otherwise it's like $20-30/hr. I get free parking midtown [IMG]i/expressions/face-icon-small-tongue.gif[/IMG] Stick with the big name garages (Kinney is a major one)
-You can find parking on Avenues sometimes, sidestreets:good luck
-If you don't want to pay for parking, you can easily find parking spaces on the East Side and just walk.
-Watch for alternate side of the street parking signs, it's like a $35-60 fine.
-Understand how the city grid works:
--Central Park starts at 59th street and ends at 110th street (Harlem) if you want to go up the East Side, go East before 59th, then go up. Vice Versa for the West Side. You can drive through Central Park to get to the other side at some parts.
--5th Avenue is what splits the city into East and West. On one side of 5th you'll see West XXth street, on the other East XXth Street.
--Most streets are one way, generally, W. 58th is one way going east, then W. 59th is going to be one way going west. They'll throw you a bone once and a while... W. 60th will be both ways (between 9th and 11th anyway)
--East to West the Avenues are:
1st
2nd
3rd
Lexington
Park
Madison
5th
6th
7th
8th
9th
10th
11th
-- Highways: (WEST) Westside Highway (EAST) The FDR
If you go downtown to the village, you will probably get confused, it's not a grid and the streets have regular names like Spring St., Bleeker, etc. etc.
-If you are going to go through NJ and want to get onto the NJ Turnpike you could go to the Lincoln Tunnel at 39th and 10th. Or you could take the Brooklyn Bridge (it's free ) to the BQE to 278 on the Varezzano Bridge through Staten Island to the Bayonne Bridge etc etc. Or you could go up the Westside Highway and eventually get on 95 (Cross-Bronx Expressway... expect heavy traffic)

That's all I can think of off of the top of my head right now. If all else fails, just ask a cop... they're all over.

 
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4. Avoid going to the getto, not cause of the crime, cause it isnt as bad as everyone thinks (except flatbush area), but the pot hols will kill the car.5. number 4 applys for day time only, avoid all gettos at night



what??!

but what if your from the ghetto????

lol

 
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If it's one thing about people in this forum, it's that you're thorough. Thanks for all the advice. I appreciate you taking the time to write it all out.

A few notes: My car is completely stock. I don't think I have anything in my car that would be of interest to thieves. Then again, I don't know the mentality of a thief. Is it still worth putting my car in a garage? I'm only going to be in NYC for a couple hours and I'm only going to be at that Neary's pub (on East 57th St near 1st Ave). Once we finish lunch we're out of NYC. I don't plan on spending any time elsewhere in the city. I just want to get in and out. Does that sound do-able?

Here's a map of where I'm talking about:
http://www.geocities.com/astr033/NYmap3.jpg

 
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That's pretty easy. Depends where you are coming from though. If you are coming from 95 (91 ends in CT and merges with 95) then all you gotta do is take 95 all the way down into NY. You have to drive all through Westchester county into the Bronx on 95 and stay to the right at the split in the highway to stay on 95 (going left takes you to Brooklyn and Queens) Right after you stay to the right get off the exit for the Triborough Bridge (278 W / Bruckner Expressway) Once you get over the bridge you will see signs for the FDR (you are in Harlem). Take it south and get off whatever exit is closest.

 
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Bravo on the directions smokie - that's exactly what I would've said (being an Islander most of my life ). The trouble with the city is it's cutthroat...make it a point to stay away from cabbies, and for the love of st peter watch out for courier cyclists - they often think that the road rules don't apply to them...

As for safety in the city, you just never know. I was out in flushing one time with my parent's VOLVO 960 of all things, and some guy double-parked while I was gone and ran down the block stealing everyone's turn signal housings [IMG]i/expressions/face-icon-small-mad.gif[/IMG] - I had to drive back to the island with two bulbs hanging out the front of the car...luckily, Civics can't remove the lamp without ye olde bumper, so you're safe in that respect. [IMG]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/IMG]

The key is to be aware of your surroundings. Make every turn you make very intentional to avoid someone trying to cut you off or something like that...confidence will help you when you have close-quarters driving, where you can reach out and adjust the other guy's side mirrors lol

If you're ever down in Chinatown, look for a place near Mott Street called Hop Kee - the sign is above, but the resturant is down below street level; they have the best food for cheap, and the tea is excellent! There's also a place down in the village called Jekyl and Hydes (over 21 only) and the walls talk to you and crap (there are people watching with cameras and speak through fixtures on the wall). I've heard it's a really good time, albeit a little creepy...

Stay out of Harlem or Bed Sty as much as possible - I don't care what anyone says, Civic's in the city just beg to be stolen...Central Park is shady after dark too, so don't plan any late night walks through there [IMG]i/expressions/face-icon-small-tongue.gif[/IMG] and if you want to go to Chinatown but not deal with traffic anymore, go to Flushing...basically China Town Lite Oh yeah, and Little Italy is right around Mott Street in Chinatown if you need a canoli or three!

Good luck man!

 
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Is NYC that different from Boston? I'm pretty fearless when it comes to driving in Boston and I'm fine with parking my car just about anywhere in the city. But the way you guys are talking about NYC I feel like I need a police entourage to keep me and my Civic safe. Can it really be that bad?

 
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lol well NYC is a totally different ballgame...if I were to compare Boston to NYC, I would have to say rush hour is like getting stuck on the pike between the last tolls before Boston and the city, only IN the city. It can be pretty open, depending on when you drive, but close quarters driving is completely different. I shy away from coming in, since the LIRR is so much more convenient. It's really all about being aware of the situation, not wigging out when it gets tight, and being clear of what your intentions are when making moves...

 
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No, NYC has a bad reputation, but I'd say it's pretty safe and relatively clean. Crime has significantly dropped. Harlem isn't even that bad. On Sept. 11th I had to walk through Harlem to get out of the city and the people were really nice. Some woman came out of her apartment and gave water to all of the people walking. If Bill Clinton can make it there, so can I.[IMG]i/expressions/laugh2.gif[/IMG] I'd say the only "bad" parts are parts of the south Bronx and parts of the north end of Brooklyn. It all depends though. There is a fine line between what is "good" and what is "bad". I wouldn't worry about it... Just have a good time!

 
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I cant believe no one said this WATCH OUT FOR TAXIS. Personally I like messing with em but if your not from NY you probably will get bashed around by taxis. Watch em though there crazy.

 
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Word on #1.
Pump the stereo loud as you want.
As for parking, I parked on Amber St. in Brooklyn at night, instaed of parking by a big area, and got my windows smashed, stolen headunit, amp, woofer.
Everything else is right, wallet in front.

 
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And where are you heading to Manhatten from?
You headin to East side?
WHen you come in from Lincoln Tunnel (my prefered), you hit 42nd and turn right until 56.
Go up until you hit 68, and drive until you hit an end.
Make a left and drive until 79th, then make a right. That will lead you to East side.
Note: i have sucky *** directions, so i'm deeply sorry if you get lost.

 
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Word Up!