NYC people - Intrepid?

[Lucy the Valiant]

Park on NJ side? Where? (Friend said it was worth the time and $ to take the ferry. We'll be coming from Port Jervis area - should we just wait until 9 to miss the worst part of rush hour?

 

Anything to read up on before we go? Kids 12, 10, 6 - have only 1 day (a weekday). 10yo is a World War II buff.

 

Give me the inside scoop!

[Jan in SC]

My 15 year old ds thought the best part was the tour of the concord. They let them go in and sit during a talk. They loved the Intrepid.

 

Can't help with parking, as they stayed in NYC.

[gingersmom]

My son loves loves the Intrepid!

 

No idea about parking.

[Alessandra]

Personally, I would park on NY side. Look at the bestparking.com website and print coupons for several p,aces in case you first one is filled. There are a number of relatively affordable garages in that part of town. Many garages give you a cheaper rate if you are in by 10 am too. But I always try to,plan a few garage options before I start off.

 

When are you going? Check the news, as a NJ Transit train strike is threatened for next week. If it takes place, traffic will be messy.

 

A good radio station to listen to for traffic is CBS local 1010 WINS. Traffic is on the hour and then every 20 minutes.

Edited March 12, 2016 by Alessandra

[Lucy the Valiant]

Alessandra, thank you!!!

 

That was my Plan A, until friend told me the ferry was "not to be missed." But we often drive up the Palisades Parkway and get out and look at the overlooks, so I'm thinking if the weather is good, that will be our scenery option.

 

Yikes, I'll watch for the strike.

[Tanaqui]

We took the ferry to New Jersey to go to Liberty Science Center once. I had assumed it was like the SI Ferry, which barely moves except when docking, but it turned out to be super bouncy, and older kiddo got super seasick. If one of yours suffers from motion sickness, you may be better off taking the train in or driving in. (Can't speak from experience here, as I can't drive.)

[Alessandra]

Good news, the train strike is not happening.

 

Port Jervis! I know the area a bit, kids have scout camps nearby. If you take 17 and then go down Palisades Parkway, you will be headed straight to George Washington Bridge, which takes you on west side highway, which Intrepid is on. If you tried for a ferry, you would go through the unholy maze of clogged highways around Hoboken.

 

It might be a good idea to avoid main rush hour, though it can be crowded any time. You can get to Central Park from Intrepid, but it is a longish and rather dull walk and you would have to get back to your car. Right next to the Intrepid pier is Pier 84. It's a wonderful park with things to do for kids. And right along the Hudson is a beautiful bike, walk, jog path with greenery, very popular. I was going to suggest renting Citibikes, but you have to be 16 or 18 to ride them.

 

If you walked over to 8th avenue, you could take a subway down to the new (opened a week ago) WTC transportation hub designed by world famous architect, Santiago Calatrava. Looks utterly spectacular in pix.

 

Then you would be at World Trade Center. Personally, I would avoid the museum, because I think it is close to criminal for the high salaried directors to charge an outrageous admission fee for what should be free. There is a move to make it a national park. YMMV.

 

But there is an observation tower at the new World Trade Center that is worth seeing. The elevator is one of the fastest in the world. On the way up, the walls show a changing photo panorama of NYC through time. A friend of mine just went and loved it. Best of all, you can purchase timed admission tickets. I have not been (yet), but it sounds as though there is minimal waiting.

 

On the WTC site is the World Financial Center, convenient mall type food, views of Hudson River. Just nort is a fun children's playground, Rockefeller park.

 

If you want to stay in midtown, you could see Empire State Building -- good if you really like standing in line, lol. It's on 34th street, or see Times Square on 42nd street my kids love how bright it is at night. On 46th street, same as Intrepid is Restaurant Row, a block with a zillion restaurants. If you go after curtain time, lots of great deals and less crowded. Oh and around 51st street is Rockefeller Center, but you would have to get over to 5th avenue.

 

One more bit of advice. Set up an Uber account, if you don't have one, for just in case you all get tired.

Edited March 13, 2016 by Alessandra

[Lucy the Valiant]

Alessandra, THANK YOU! I *so. very. much.* appreciate you typing all that out - very helpful!

[Alessandra]

Alessandra, THANK YOU! I *so. very. much.* appreciate you typing all that out - very helpful!

Hope you enjoy your trip.

 

With any luck, someone here can comment on the places I suggested, but have t been to yet.

[Jan in SC]

My dc have been to the observation floor at one World Trade Center. They think it is fabulous! They've been in the daytime and at night, but prefer daytime. Have a wonderful trip!

[Alessandra]

My dc have been to the observation floor at one World Trade Center. They think it is fabulous! They've been in the daytime and at night, but prefer daytime. Have a wonderful trip!

I think I will have to take my dc.

[Lucy the Valiant]

Thanks again, Alessandra - we went today, and it was a breeze. Kids quite impressed with Intrepid, and we found a good deli for food, and have a sweet memory in our treasury of shared days together.