trip report - Breaking the rules....

Myself, my wife and her parents drove from Ohio and stayed in Princeton this week. We saw a little of Philadelphia and Atlantic City and alot of New York City in 3 days. We broke most of the ';rules'; - we stayed in New Jersey, went to 3 cities in 3 days, and commuted into all the cities.

SATURDAY:Drove to Princeton NJ from Columbus OH. Gas prices steadily increase as we went east from 2.99 to 3.30-3.40. And aren%26#39;t we done paying for the Penn. Turnpike yet???

SUNDAY:Breakfast at free buffet at motel. Drove to Trenton and took Septa train into central Philadelphia. Met brother in law and took subway to South Philly, walked to his apartment near the Italian market. Went to Ralph%26#39;s for some great Italian dining. Reversed itinery back, got groceries, and ate light dinner in room.

MONDAY: Rode NJTransit from Princeton Junction to Penn Station. At 7AM, train was very crowded, we stood most of the way. Breakfast at Route 66 Diner on 7th around 9AM - very good food at decent prices and nearly empty. Walked to Times Square and meandered down Broadway, gawking like typical tourists at people, buildings and traffic. Got to Empire State Bldg. around 11AM, wait was only about 10 min going up, we had preprinted tickets in hand but the wait to buy tickets looked short also. Views were spectacular as the day was clear. Bought the cheesy picture they take of you as a souvenier. Wait to get back down was a bit longer than going up.

Went to a restaurant just outside ESB for light salad lunch around 1PM. Walked up Fifth Ave, wandered thru Rockefeller Center and went into St. Patricks cathedral for a respite from the noise and heat.

Walked into Central Park and wandered thru the south end. Around 4PM, decided to go to Johns Pizza on 65th and found that it either had closed or the guidebook was in error. With no backup plan, wandered around a few blocks looking for something else and found nothing appealing. Walked back towards Times Square and sorry to say, ducked into TGIFridays for a bite. Very expensive prices compared to Fridays anwhere else, do not go here. Walked back to Penn Station, took the 7:03 train back to Princeton, very tired but at least we had seats this time.

TUESDAY: Breakfast at free buffet at motel. Drove to Atlantic City, arrived around 10AM. Walked the boardwalk and left some money at Trump%26#39;s casino. At 1PM, a quick bite at McD%26#39;s and off to Staten Island. Caught the 4:00 ferry for magnificent views of the city and Statue of Liberty on a hot clear day. Walked to Ground Zero, very moving to really see it after so many shots on TV. Walked thru Chinatown and Little Italy, to Lombardi%26#39;s for pizza. We all agreed it was the best pizza we had ever had, and had to order another pie to share. Walked back and took the 9PM ferry back to Staten Island, the views are just as magnificent at night. Traffic leaving the island at that time was no problem and we got back to Princeton around 10:30.

WEDNESDAY:Drove home. Gas had decreased to 3.14 in New Jersey and on the turnpike, and to 2.70 at home.

My thoughts:

I had visited the city in 1982 and alot has changed, mostly for the better. The whole city is much cleaner, I saw alot less homeless this time. I felt very safe everywhere we went.

I had forgotton that finding a bathroom can be a real problem in the city. Being middle aged does not help either. A note:If you are at the top of the ESB use the facities there, when you get to the lobby there are none and they will not let you go up to the 2nd floor just to use the restroom.

The card readers at the subway turnstiles are exceptionally touchy to use, they are frustrating and need to be replaced. It wasn%26#39;t just us, I saw a number of people have problems with them. My wife and I rode the subways in Atlanta and Washington in the 90%26#39;s, we had no problems swiping the cards on those.

The sales pitch for the voice tour on the ESB was very annoying and also bogus, they tell you there is nothing to point out landmarks at the top. But there are large etched aluminum plates on all 4 sides of the observation deck which do just that. Can you really see Seinfeld%26#39;s diner from there as they claim???

Unlesss the weather is bad you should just walk unless its a really long way, don%26#39;t use the subway for short hops of a station or two. Even though it was hot and we are out of shape we walked almost everywhere.

Its too bad there are not some nice motels on Staten Island in walking distance to the ferry, it would be a perfect location.

Commuting into the city to visit is not very convienent and its definately not for everyone, but it can be done and it was the best option for us on this trip. The suite in Princeton had 2 bedrooms, 2 full bathrooms, a living room and a complete kitchen with utinsels, plates, cups, etc, for 160/night. It also saved a big chunk of money, alot more that the total of train, gas and toll costs of commuting, since 2 rooms at a decent hotel with parking in New York would be at least 400/night. But I wouldn%26#39;t want to do it for any longer of a stay than we did, and if you like nightlife it really would not work at all.

trip report - Breaking the rules....

There are more and more posters now enquiring about staying outside of NYC and your post will be a great help to them..you did it, but have also noted the negative sides as well. Glad you enjoyed your trip.

trip report - Breaking the rules....

Well, there really are no ';rules'; to break, everyone needs to do what works for them, and if this worked for you, as it seems to have, then more power to ya. Glad it all worked out and that you enjoyed your stay.

Yes, the bathroom issue. One just has to know where to go, not pun intended. and go whenever you can, even if you think you don%26#39;t need to.

Actually, I think there was a post about this somewhere on this forum.

I think for people who want to stay in NJ, Princeton isn%26#39;t the best location. It really is too far away to ';commute'; for more than 1 or 2 days at most. On weekends, the train ride is 90 minutes one-way. There are other options much closer.

Of course, if they want to visit both Philadelphia and NYC, then Princeton is a nice middle ground.

www.broadwayfocus.com/nj_nyc/

That John%26#39;s Pizzeria near Lincoln Center closed a while ago. Too bad you didn%26#39;t just stroll up Columbus, there are plenty of nice places within a few blocks. Make a note for the next trip.

Looks like you had a nice but quick trip.

About where to ';go'; . . . I thought that is why there is a Starbucks on every corner . . .

I%26#39;m 61 and have to %26#39;go%26#39; a lot. I usually head for the nearest fast-food joint, McD%26#39;s or Burger King - they usually have publically accessible restrooms.

And yes, Starbucks on almost every corner.

You asked: ';Can you really see Seinfeld%26#39;s diner from there as they claim???';

I haven%26#39;t been to ESB in years, but the Seinfeld diner is near where I live. It%26#39;s on Broadway and 112th Street, in a one-story building, so it%26#39;s unlikely that you could see it. You might be able to see the Cathedral of St. John the Divine, which is a block away and is HUGE.

Just found this on Ask A New Yorker:

“Have you ever had to relieve yourself in New York City and searched in vain for a public restroom until your back teeth were floating?....A 40 Point Guide to Peeing in New York by Ray Tempus tells you in hilarious words and uncensored pictures how you-man or woman, old or young, can take care of bodily business, get away with it, and actually have some fun doing it…..Ray Tempus is a painter/sculptor and former stockbroker who knows the streetwise ways of the city…A 40 Point Guide to Peeing in New York reveals sophisticated New Yorkers’ secrets to using automobiles and mailboxes as shields, taking advantage of construction scaffolds and raincoats, and employing conversations with imaginary friends as cover. The instructions are clear as a bell. Each of the book’s forty points is illustrated with one of Tempus’s nonpareil drawings…As essential as a street map, as convenient as a Metrocard.”

Apparently, the book can be purchased by calling 1-888-641-2435 or by mail from One Temptation Press, 545 8th Ave #401, New York, NY 10018-4307, and the cost is $10.

And when public urination loses its thrill, how about checking out actual indoor plumbing - here, at the Bathroom Diaries:

http://www.thebathroomdiaries.com/usa/new+york/index.html

Thanks, QB - I think I much prefer your suggestion!