NYC on New Year's Eve

I'm looking for public transportation advice/info?.

1) Using public transportation, get from Secaucus to NYC (Blue Note jazz club@7:30pm).
or
Drive from Secaucus to JerseyCity and take public transportation to NYC (Blue Note jazz club)

2) Leaving the Blue Note around 9:30 and head to Times Square Area (or close as possible). Try for cab, bus, or train?

thanks,

Definitely public transportation. Why you would want to drive in Manhattan on New Year's is beyond me. Then again, why you would want to be in Manhattan on New Year's is also beyond me. It's the one time of year I try to get out. Too many outsiders, tourists, crowds, overpriced drink specials/open bars, annoying people, and the bitter cold. Really, it's not unlike many of Dante's circles of hell.

Take the train from seq right into penn then hop on the A downtown to W 4 st. (you can also take the C/E, but the A is express and the quickest)

Then take the same line right back uptown to 42 st.

By all means, try to find a private party to go to after your Blue Note thing. Work all your NY friends and connections - do everything you can to find something happening at someone's place instead of a bar, club, or even worse on the street.

Two words for you: good luck

Yeah, I didnt exactly want to be negative about your plans or anything, but I would highly advise against going to Times Square. TS is bad enough on a normal day, but on NYE its a joke. TS is not an authentic NY experience at all. If you are going that late you arent getting anywhere near the ball anyway... if that was your hope.

i'd only go to times square if it's vaguely warm. do you really want to stand in subzero weather, blocks from the ball to the point where you can't see it? ppl who actually can see the ball have been waiting in times square all day.

also, if you have to go, take the subway, the traffic past herald square alone will be nasty.

You def want to go train all the way. Its going to be a madhouse driving in NYC on New Year's Eve. Park in downtown Jersey City near the PATH station...Newport or Grove Street stop. Unless you are able to find parking in Hoboken to take the train from there.

Taking the train from seq will be much quicker than taking the path, plus you dont have to go into JC, thats always a plus.

Originally Posted by MetroStyles

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Definitely public transportation. Why you would want to drive in Manhattan on New Year's is beyond me. Then again, why you would want to be in Manhattan on New Year's is also beyond me. It's the one time of year I try to get out. Too many outsiders, tourists, crowds, overpriced drink specials/open bars, annoying people, and the bitter cold. Really, it's not unlike many of Dante's circles of hell.

I've been to NYC many times, but never on 12/31. It's one of those things that I always wanted to do just once. Better now, before I get to old to run for safety

Originally Posted by fcuknu

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Taking the train from seq will be much quicker than taking the path, plus you dont have to go into JC, thats always a plus.

The problem with Secaucus is that New Jersey Transit does not run all night. The last train runs at one something. i was assuming that the OP might have wanted to party. If he is just going to watch the ball drop...then seq is the best bet.

Originally Posted by dsholmes1

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The problem with Secaucus is that New Jersey Transit does not run all night. The last train runs at one something. i was assuming that the OP might have wanted to party. If he is just going to watch the ball drop...then seq is the best bet.

Party til 5 and you are fine for the train home. You just need fortitude.

Originally Posted by gdl203

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By all means, try to find a private party to go to after your Blue Note thing. Work all your NY friends and connections - do everything you can to find something happening at someone's place instead of a bar, club, or even worse on the street.

Two words for you: good luck

I second this. My wife and I went to NYC for new years once to go to Times Square and it royally sucked. It was cold and we were far from the action. We were basically just sitting on our asses. Luckily, one of our connections got as an invite to the New Years party at Google, which was pretty awesome considering their building is right in Times Square.

Another thing we did that night is go ice skating at Rockefeller Center. There were so few people that there was no time limit and we were allowed to skate for as long as we want. Pretty sweet night, but it would have completely sucked ass if all we did was hang out outside at Times Square.

Yes on train from Seq to penn station, A subway (or C or E) train down to west 4th street. Blue Note is right by the subway exit.

By 10pm you will not be able to get anywhere near Times Square. The police pen in everybody and block the avenues outside, so you won't even get close. It's frustrating if you want to get in. People start camping out early in the day.

Originally Posted by odoreater

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Another thing we did that night is go ice skating at Rockefeller Center. There were so few people that there was no time limit and we were allowed to skate for as long as we want. Pretty sweet night, but it would have completely sucked ass if all we did was hang out outside at Times Square.

Thats surprising to hear. Usually, ice skating at Rockefeller Center is crowded as **** during Christmas time.

Stayed in Saddle Brook NJ at the Marriott . Nice hotel for only $89 (w/free parking).
Decided to drive to manhattan. Only problem was GW bridge. Bridge had only 2 cash lanes on New Year's Eve It's now around 8pm and I'm looking for a parking spot. I parked on 55th near 11 Ave. After we started walking, I realized I could have parked even closer to times square. Got some nice pizza @ 48th and 8th Ave. Had a friend on NYPD and she met us at the pizza shop. She escorted us pass security to B-way and 7th ave. She had to work, so we were on our on.

Now it's 9pm with 3 more cold hours til midnight. The nearest food, coffee, heat, chairs, and toilets are in Juniors restaurant and the marriott hotel. I needed them all, but security was tight. Only vips and folks staying in the times square Marriott could go out and get back in. Marriott folks used their key cards as ID to enter and leave the times square area. My key cards from saddle brook looked just like the key cards used for the Marriott in times square. Everthing went well and we had a great time.