The Manhattan skyline is one of the most recognizable in the world. Whether view from an airplane as you are flying in, from Central Park, the top of the Empire State Building, or from a downtown ferry, the New York architecture is some of the most photographed around.

This photo was taken while on a ferry ride out to see the Statue of Liberty.

Photo credit: personal collection

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Post from: The New York City Traveler

Between Manhattan and Queens lies a sliver of land, Roosevelt Island.  The island is primarily residential, but taking the Roosevelt Island Tram on a round-trip is a fun way to see the city in a whole new angle. 

Photo credit: flickr

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Post from: The New York City Traveler

Bus:  Least Expensive, Most Options

There is a plethora of bus companies operating between Boston and New York.  For awhile, the “Chinatown” buses were the cheapest and easiest way.  Fung Wah and Lucky Star have built their business on $15 one-way tickets and direct service from Chinatown-New York to Boston’s South Station.  Newcomers MegaBus and Boltbus, operating from Midtown to South Station, have recently initiated service on the I-95 corridor promising cheap tickets (in some cases as cheap as $1) and free Wi-Fi. 

Limo Liner:  Moderately Expensive

Taking the Limo Liner is like being on your very own private jet… except that the trip still takes 4 hours.  Two-by-two seating, a dedicated onboard attendant, outlets at every seat, Wi-Fi, satellite t.v. and radio round out the amenities of the Limo Liner.  A handful of daily departures run between Hilton New York to Hilton Back Bay with one stop on the way for $89 one-way.  

Train:  Moderately Expensive

Amtrak provides Northeast Regional and Acela service between the two cities.  The regional tickets cost around $84 one-way and the trip takes 4 hours.  Amtrak’s premium Acela service only saves you a little time, making the trip in 3 hours 40 minutes while costing from $105 one-way.  Advance tickets may be purchased for $59-$108 one-way.   

Plane: Most Expensive 

The Delta Shuttle and US Airways Shuttle make hourly trips between the LaGuardia Airport (LGA) and Boston-Logan Airport (BOS).  Delta Shuttle departures begin at 6am and continues at least every hour on the half-hour until 8:30pm and US Airways Shuttle leaves hourly on the hour.  The flight is short, just an hour, but you may spend more time waiting on the LaGuardia taxiway waiting to takeoff.  Walk-up fares for both airlines are around $329 one-way and fares as low as $64 one-way (excluding taxes) can be found if you purchase weeks in advance. 

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Post from: The New York City Traveler

Explore the history of the subway with vintage subway cars (complete with ads from the era), old subway maps, wooden turnstiles, and retro mosaics that were once in the station.  Interactive exhibits are fun for the whole family and even allow you to sit in the conductors compartment of a decommissioned subway car.   

The New York Transit Museum also has a Manhattan annex.  The New York Transit Museum Gallery Annex & Store at Grand Central Terminal is open Monday–Friday 8am-8pm, Saturday-Sunday 10am-6pm and admission is free.

Location:  New York Transit Museum, Boerum Place and Schermerhorn Street, Brooklyn Heights (map) 718-694-1600

Subway:  2,3,4,5 to Borough Hall; M, R to Court Street; A, C, G to to Hoyt-Schermerhorn Street; A, C, F to Jay Street-Borough Hall

Days and Hours:  Tuesday–Friday 10am-4pm.  Saturday and Sunday Noon-5pm.  Closed Mondays and major holidays. 

Cost:  $5 Adults, $3 children (3–17 years), $3 senior citizens (62+)

Check out last week’s Museum Monday post on the Museum at Fashion Institute of America.  Museum Monday continues next week with a post on the the New Museum of Contemporary Art. 

Photo credit: Nealy-J via flickr, Kilgub via flickr 

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Post from: The New York City Traveler

MegaBus, a subsidiary of Coach USA Inc, began service out of New York on May 30, 2008, in direct competition to the Chinatown buses and Greyhound’s new BoltBus.  Traveling the East Coast from New York to Boston, DC, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Buffalo, Atlantic City, or Toronto can be done on MegaBus for as low as $1.     

MegaBus will have all buses equipped with free Wi-Fi but will not have outlets at each seat and, similar to BoltBus and NeON, they will offer at least one seat for $1 per bus.  Prices for the remaining seats will increase as the departure date gets closer and the bus fills to capacity.

MegaBus has already charmed the United Kingdom, the U.S. Midwest, and parts of California and Nevada with its low fares.  However it appears that Los Angeles-San Diego commuters couldn’t be talked into taking low-cost public transportation and the company recently suspended service on that route.

MegaBus departs New York from Penn Station or Port Authority, depending on the destination.  Tickets may be purchased online. 

Photo credit: flickr

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Post from: The New York City Traveler

The New York Water Taxi traverses the Hudson River from New York’s Battery Park to New Jersey.

Photo credit: personal collection

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Post from: The New York City Traveler

Governors Island

As a former military post, Governors Island had roles in the Revolutionary War, and virtually every other major U.S. military engagement including the War of 1812, Civil War, World War I, World War II, and the Gulf War.  Sixty-four of the island’s 225 buildings have been designated as historic. 

Since the sale back to the people of New York, visiting the 172-acre Governors Island has never been easier. Free ferries cross the harbor between Manhattan and Governors Island at least hourly.  Once on the island visitors may partake in the scheduled events, biking, or tours.  In a bid to become a summertime destination for New Yorkers, Governors Island is hosting weekend events ranging from art exhibits to music.  For a full list of scheduled activities, click here. 

Though just a few years ago the future of Governors Island seemed uncertain, this year will mark the groundbreaking of a newly redesigned 40-acre park which will feature a 2.2 mile waterfront promenade, and restoration of 33 acres of historic landscape, ultimately creating over 100-acres of public green space.

Getting There:  Ferries depart from Manhattan at the Battery Maritime Building located on the corner of South Street and Whitehall Street (map).  Click here for a ferry schedule. 

Days and Hours: Friday 10am-5pm; Saturday and Sunday 10am-7pm.  Open seasonally May 31st until October 5th.

Cost:  Ferry and park are both Free

Photo credit (top to bottom): flickr, flickr;

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Post from: The New York City Traveler

Airport Transport:

• Kennedy International (JFK)-to-Manhattan
• LaGuardia (LGA)-to-Manhattan
• Newark (EWR)-to-Manhattan
• JFK-to-LaGuardia
• Westchester Airport (HPN)-to-Manhattan
• Long Island MacArthur (ISP)-to-Manhattan
• Philadelphia International Airport (PHL)-to-Manhattan 

Getting Into and Out Of Manhattan:

• New York City-to-The Hamptons
• New York City-to-Boston on the BoltBus
• New York City-to-Boston on the Fung Wah (Chinatown) Bus
• New York City-to-Washington DC on the BoltBus
• New York City-to-Toronto, Ontario, Canada on NeON

Getting Around Manhattan:

• Taxi Basics
• Subway Basics

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Post from: The New York City Traveler

Etiquette  Manners are always important.  Though you may not see everybody follow these guidelines, they should!

• Don’t take up more than one seat.  Only lay down on the bench if you’re dead.
• Don’t ever stand in front of the doors.  When standing on the platform waiting to board the train, stand to the side of the doors.  When on the train, move to the middle of the car to stand.   
• Don’t be a pole hugger.  The pole is meant for more than one person to use.  You hold the pole, not wrap yourself around the pole.  One hand on the pole is sufficient.
• Don’t bring large luggage or strollers on the train.  If you have large items or excessive luggage, take a taxi.
• Do give the guy in the “map seat” a break.  Get a pocket subway map to plan your trip.  
• Do hold your backpack in front of you so you don’t hit people with it.
• Don’t be obnoxious on your cell phone.  Save your conversation for when you’re out of the station.
• Don’t listen to your iPod on maximum volume.  We don’t all share the same musical taste. 
• Don’t read large newspapers, like the New York Times on the train, its too big.  The New York Post, and the NY Daily News are of appropriate size to read on the subway.   
• Do buy your own New York Post so you don’t have to read over the shoulder of another passenger.
• Don’t bring your pet on the subway.  The other day I saw a 50 lb. dog with its own seat on a packed subway car.  Everybody was scowling before the clueless owner moved the 50 lb. dog onto her lap.
• Do give your seat to somebody in need, like the elderly or pregnant.  It’s just the right thing to do.
• Don’t hold the doors open.   It delays everybody and everybody hates that.  

Safety  For some, riding the the New York City subway is a frightening thought.  The subway can be a perfectly safe experience if you follow common sense rules.    

• Don’t ride in a subway car alone.  Besides, it’s just a little spooky.
• Do ride in a conductor’s car when there aren’t many people on the train.  You know these cars from the others because the conductors poke their head out the window at stops.
• Do take your time and don’t run.  According to the new posters in the stations, most people who are injured in subway-related accidents are victims of a fall when hurrying to get to a train. 
• Do keep your valuables close to you at all times.  Men: wallets in front pocket.  Women: a zippered purse. 
• Do be aware of your surroundings when you are riding the subway at night, especially when exiting the station.
• Do ride inside the subway cars.  This means don’t ride on cars, between cars, or ride holding onto the outside of the doors. 
• Don’t lean on the doors.  They’ve been known to unexpectedly open when the train was in motion. 
• Do follow the instructions of the conductor in an emergency.
• Don’t attempt to hold the doors open.  You really shouldn’t put that much trust into the 100+ year-old subway.  

Photo credit: sleeping/drunk/dead guy on subway Varmazis via Flickr; “Map Seat” Jakob via Flickr; dog on subway Micahel Brandon via Flickr; empty subway car Chung via Flickr. 

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Post from: The New York City Traveler

LIRR-to-Hamptons:  Least Expensive

The Long Island Railroad (LIRR) offers five daily trips to the Hamptons.  Most trains require a transfer at Jamaica Station to the Montauk Branch train which goes east to the Hamptons.  Be sure you purchase your tickets from an automated vending machine or a ticket window before you board the train.  If you fail to do so, an additional fee will be assessed for any tickets bought onboard.  Expect the trip to take just under 3 hours.  Off-peak $15.25, peak $21.00      

LIRR’s Cannonball-to-Hamptons:  Least Expensive, Fridays Only

The Cannonball is LIRR’s premium express train to the Hamptons and by far the easiest and fastest way to get to eastern Long Island.  The Cannonball operates on Friday’s 3:58pm Hamptons/Montauk-bound departure from Penn Station.  You will need to make a transfer at Jamaica Station.  Expect the trip to take 2 hours.  Off-peak $15.25         

LIRR-to-Hamptons with Hamptons Reserve:  More Expensive

Hamptons Reserve is an add-on service that you can purchase on the Hamptons/Montauk-bound Cannonball trains.  The service allows for a guaranteed seat in an air-conditioned, bi-level, two seat-by-two seat car.  Each car has an attendant to deliver beverages and snacks to your seat.  Hamptons Reserve is only available on Friday’s 3:58pm Cannonball train departure from Penn Station.  Hamptons Reserve will be the last two cars of the train.  Reservations must be made at least 24 hours in advance online.  Hamptons Reserve add-on $17.75 + LIRR peak ticket $15.25 = $33.00 total  

Bus-to-Hamptons:  More Expensive 

• Hampton Luxury Liner is a bus service that serves Manhattan and the Hamptons.  Buses are equipped with leather seats, movies, snacks and water, as well as other amenities.  There are at least 12 daily departures from five pick-up locations in Manhattan.  Hamptons drop locations are at Southampton, Water Mill, Bridgehampton, Wainscott, East Hampton, and Amagansett.  There are two types of buses which offer two classes of service: First Class and Comfort Class.  Expect the trip to take from 2-3 hours depending on traffic.  Comfort Class $33 one-way, First Class $44 one-way
• Hamptons Jitney offers the same basic service as the Hampton Luxury Liner but has more daily Manhattan departures.  $29 one-way

Car-to-Hamptons:  Expensive

• There are several car services that serve the Hamptons and Manhattan, Long Island Moon Star Airport & Car Service is one such company.  Prices vary, you can look for a Manhattan to Southampton car to cost about $185.00. 
• Rent a car and practice your driving skills!  But be aware that it will be a costly, time consuming endeavor.  Average cost of an economy car rental at LaGuardia Airport is $60 per day and gas is averaging $4/gallon in Manhattan.  Here is a price breakdown for weekend drive (leaving Friday, returning Sunday) to the Hamptons:  Car $108 + Gas $30 = $138 total        

Helicopter-to-Hamptons:  Most Expensive

New York Helicopter offers the Hamptons-Share-A-Ride service where clients can share the cost of a helicopter charter to the Hamptons.  The first individual to make a reservation for a ride-share is considered the lead passenger and dictates the time and place of departure from the city. A minimum of 3 passengers is required for the trip to be conducted, if that number is not met, the flight is canceled.  Helicopters depart from the Downtown Manhattan Heliport and arrive at either Westhampton, Southampton, or East Hampton heliports.  It may be pricey, but you’ll travel from Downtown Manhattan to the Hamptons in 45 minutes.  $550-$715 per person one-way

My recommendation:  The LIRR– and the Canonball if you are departing on Friday.  The train sails past any freeway traffic, allowing you to relax and know that you’ll arrive in the Hamptons before happy hour ends. 

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Post from: The New York City Traveler