Hi all,

My husband and I are heading up to NYC tomorrow morning to see a show that my friend has choreographed. We are driving about 6 hours from Virginia. This is a very spontaneous trip, and normally I would be flying- not driving! My friend, who lives in Manhattan, told us the addresses of a couple of parking garages where we can leave our car for $25 a day - we are returning Friday evening - quick trip.

Here's my question - having never driven in Manhattan before, am I insane? I have driven into Brooklyn, but never never Manhattan. The parking garage is a couple blocks from her place - 54th and 10th/11th Ave. We would be getting into the city around 3pm. I'm wondering if it will take me forever and a day and add an hour or two to the trip or if I can get to the garage without too much trouble.

Does anyone have a sense of what I might be getting into? I can't call my friend because her show debuts tonight, and she won't be home till I'm in bed.

Any advice would be MUCH appreciated. I guess my only other option would be to drive and park in Brooklyn and take the train in.

Thanks!!

brooklyn has alot of alternate side parking so you would have to be willing to come and move your car on those days ... ( i live in brooklyn myself trust me on this one .. ) when i go on vacation i usually park my car in queens around the last stop on the A train as they have more parking and no alternate side rules once you come off the main avenue ... 25 bucks a day can add up

if your taking the midtown tunnel or the 59 street bridge it may take some time getting cross town to your garage...driving in Manhattan is challenging, but if the gods are on your side and get are in by 3 you should be ok. Good luck and enjoy the show.

Well, we're only going to be there Thu and Fri, so I don't mind paying the 50 (much cheaper than our flights would've cost). My main question is whether or not I will be able to drive into Manhattan at 3 pm tomorrow or if that potentially could take me hours.

Thanks for the ideas.

Thanks, Holly. We posted at same time. I think we need to leave earlier than planned to make sure to be in city by 3... and I guess hope for best.

it's not that insane. you may face some traffic that will test your patience, but I wouldn't overworry it. I grew up in the California suburbs and have driven in Manhattan plenty of times. 10th and 11th avenues are big streets a little more towards the edge of the city, not as congested as say 5th ave area in the 40s. relax, have fun. the commute traffic going in and out of city probably starts around 3.

Thank you, Dragon! Just hearing that from a pro makes me feel a little more confident about what's ahead. I'll let you all know how I did when I return :-)

I agree, I drive all the time in Manhattan since I bought a car (shame, shame!).

Enjoy your trip, today is going to be sunny!

Hey ladies - Just wanted to let you know we fared just fine. I really appreciate all the advice. Getting through the Lincoln Tunnel was crazy, but once we got through the driving in Manhattan wasn't bad at all. I think I would even do it again. Thanks again!

My husband and I have made the drive right into Manhattan (52nd St.), and we're small towners from Ontario, so if we can do it, you can

Katie

glad to hear it! was a lovely weekend this past weekend too.