trip with kids

[crazyskiier68]

I want to take the family into the city to see the tree and what not-
We live in NJ so we would have to take NJ transit into Penn Station and walk (15 blocks??) up to Rock Center... or take a cab- I am not crazy about the subway. Since we only want to go to that one area- would it be easier to wait until rush hour is over and drive in?? Is there anywhere to park in that area??

[ManhattanKnight]

Unless you really are insane, forget the car. Walk over to 5th Avenue directly from Penn Station, enjoy Lord & Taylor's classic Christmas windows show and walk your way up 5th to Saks' own window display. Cross back over 5th from there and proceed down the Rock Center Channel Garden pathway to the tree. Perfection.

[lofter1]

And for your return from there walk west to Sixth Avenue then down the Avenue to 48 / 47th then west to Times Square and down Broadway or Seventh Avenue to Macy's and eventually Penn Station.

Lights & Big Buildings everywhere!!

Bundle up!

[crazyskiier68]

Thanks all- So the walk from Penn station up to Rockefeller center is not bad?

[lofter1]

Not at all -- if you're strolling and taking in the sights it'll take you 30 - 60 minutes (depending on what you stop to look at ).

If you're doing a brisk walk you can do it in 20 -- but not much point of that during the Holidays.

ps: unfortunately the skiing is not so good in this neck of the woods, aside from the occasional out-of-the-ordinary opportunity (http://www.viewimages.com/Search.aspx?mid=56833037&epmid=1&partner=Google) :cool:

[crazyskiier68]

Thanks- How bad is the city the days after Christmas??
I was thinking of heading in next Thursday but if it's going to be hell- forget it

[lofter1]

Take public transport and it should be A-OK.

[macreator]

Normally I'd recommend just taking the E train a few stops right from Penn to 5th Avenue and 53rd street and then walking down 3 blocks, but ManhattanKnight is right, this time a year, take in the sights and walk over. At a leisurely pace it shouldn't take you long, and you'll be able to stop in at stores along the way if you'd like, or just enjoy holiday time in NYC.

[pricedout]

Actually, right after Christmas is lovely. Many of us locals have hit the planes, trains and automobiles and are out of the city. There is still a very festive spirit, but it is not nearly so manic.