For IMLP (my first) we will be spending 6 days in LP and 6 days in NYC. “We” would be my wife and 3 daughters (13, 10, 8). We are staying at the Swiss Acres Inn in LP and the NY Hilton in NYC. We plan to fly into NYC, rent a car to drive to/from LP and turn the car back in when we return to NYC and not have a vehicle for that part of the trip. My bike will go via tribiketransport. I am aware of the Winter Olympic sites in LP. In NYC, we already have tickets for the Broadway plays we want to see and plan the usual touristy stops (Empire State Building, Statue of Liberty, Ground Zero, American Girl Doll, Central Park, etc.).
My questions:
What are some other must do’s in LP?
What are some other must do’s in NYC? 3) What airport should we use in NYC?
I think going up to the top of the ski jumps is the coolest thing in LP. Makes you really not want to go off of one. If you want to fly into and out of NYC I suggest Newark (EWR). It is usually the easiest one to drive away from heading north. Both JFK and Laguardia are on Long Island and heading north toward LP will involve driving over a couple of bridges and through westchester county. Also, when you are leaving the NJtransit raillink from Penn Station is a quick and easy way to get back to the airport. You take a commuter train about 20 minutes and then connect to the monorail that goes to all the of Newark terminals. You should be able to choose a rental car that you can drop off either right at or very near the Hilton. If it is the Hilton I am thinking of on 7th ave a few blocks south of the park that is a great location to do what you are looking to do. Have fun.
I live near Lake Placid and If I were going to visit on a trip I would want to drive to the top of Whiteface mountain and see all the mountains all around. Thats about it for Placid (other than Ironman
Renting a car and driving from NYC might be a pain in the A$$. If it were me, I would grab an amtrak train ticket from Penn Station to Syracuse NY (about 5 to 6 hours of train-riding) then rent a car/van depending on how many people you have traveling and drive up from there. It would be easier on your body too. Also another thought that just popped into my head was to grab a connecting flight to syr.
In NYC after the race I would recommend a couple different things:
Wicked the musical is amazing and great for kids that age.
2)make sure to take them on a cab ride and a subway ride (for the experience)
times square!!!
if you want to drop $100 on video games that involve sports go to the ESPN zone.
if you can hold on to them it might be a good lesson about appreciating what you have to go to Chinatown
and if you do make it to canal street go to Florinnes (check the spelling) its the only italian restaurant in Chinatown and its amazing and reltively cheap (compared to the chain restaurants)
The grocery store in LP is hidden. We ate out everyday until we stumbled upon the store. Eating was much cheaper after that. We stayed at a B&B that served food, so they lady there would not tell us where the store was.
The grocery store in LP is hidden. We ate out everyday until we stumbled upon the store.
Swiss Acres Inn is right next door to the supermarket in LP (west end of town).
For the OP:
I live 28 miles northwest from Manhatten, right on the NJ/NY stateline. It is a pretty easy drive up to LP, and rather scenic. From here or the city, it is about 5 hours (with stops and lunch). I’d recommend a stop for lunch at Lake George, it is really gorgeous. Getting out of NY (and in for that matter) is critical with respect to timing. Interstate 87 locks up good on Friday afternoons. Coming back Sunday evening is brutal in the summertime. Plan accordingly.
La Guardia is to be avoided at all costs. Newark is a bit of a clusterfloop, but is workable. Part of Newarks’ problem is that it is in New Jersey, and driving in this state is extremely aggravating based on the illogical routes and incompehensible signage. Be well prepared with route info and hopefully you also have an outstanding navigator. I suppose if you have the bucks, I’d rent a car with a GPS/nav option.
A great (and free!) activity in NYC would be to take a walk across the Brooklyn Bridge. Beautiful views of the city, and a bit of history to boot! Also, that would put you in a nice position to check out the downtown Financial District area and South Street Seaport.
I live near Lake Placid and If I were going to visit on a trip I would want to drive to the top of Whiteface mountain and see all the mountains all around. Thats about it for Placid (other than Ironman
Renting a car and driving from NYC might be a pain in the A$$. If it were me, I would grab an amtrak train ticket from Penn Station to Syracuse NY (about 5 to 6 hours of train-riding) then rent a car/van depending on how many people you have traveling and drive up from there. It would be easier on your body too. Also another thought that just popped into my head was to grab a connecting flight to syr.
Why would you go to Syracuse to rent a car. Albany is directly between NYC and Lake Placid and has direct trains that only take 3 hours from NYC and then it is only 2 hour drive to Lake Placid. Your option would take about 5 hours longer than necessary.
Go to Museum of Modern Art, the Met or the Natural History Museum. You need to judge how mature your kids are as this may be a bit much for them.
Go to a NY Deli. Katz’s is awesome, recommended in the Lavendar room and I confirm that a Katz’s dog with deli mustard and kraut and a stacked corn beef sandwich is one of the finest meals I have ever eaten. I have also eaten at Sarge’s and it is good as well, but not as gritty.
Lake Placid
I second the drive up Whiteface. Porter and Cascade Mountain are the easiest high peaks (over 4000 feet) to actually hike (about 6-7 miles roundtrip), but again, you will be tired after the race and it depends on what your kids are into. These peaks are right on the IMLP course, to your right as you descend into Keene.
Eat at the “Tail of the Pup” BBQ, just west of Lake Placid. I think it would be fun for the kids and the brisket is excellent.
If you plan on renting a car from one of the airports,and driving directly to LP,your best bet would be to fly into Laguardia. If your staying at the midtown Hilton,its about a 20-25 minute cab ride(depending on traffic) from Laguardia to the Hilton.JFK would be closer to a 40 minute cab ride ,and Newark closer to an hour. Getting on to route 87 North from Laguardia is actually quite easy,and fast. As Ironman 18 said, Times Square and Chinatown are nice touristy spots.When your in Time Square the kids might enjoy the Toys R Us store. ESPN Zone is also close by.
Check on flights into Albany for the initial trip to Lake Placid. It is a short drive from Albany to LP and then take the Amtrak from Albany into the City. It is easy and I think it’s cool to ride the train.
Thanks for all of the replies so far. We do have tickets for Wicked (and Hairspray and the Lion King).
Flying into Albany sounds interesting; the train ride would be a fun experience for the kids. How does the transfer from the Albany airport to the train station work best? I wonder if I can book my return flight out of Laguardia without it costing me an arm and a leg? If not, how bad will a train ride to Albany be before trying to catch the return flight? I’d love to hear some more opinions.
I fly would fly into any one of the airports, they are all a pain in the a$$. I go with the cheapest one.
As for getting to/from the city by car/taxi and by car to LP, try to avoid the rush hours (7-10 am and 4 pm-7:30pm) at all costs. If not, don’t let it get you crazy but plan to sit in some traffic. The best plan is to arrive around 8 or 9 pm and when you’re leaving the city for LP get on the road by 6:00 am (and the same for getting back to the airport). If you can’t don’t sweat it but the more you can do that the more you’ll save time. I wouldn’t go through the effort of Amtrak to Syracuse and then get a car there etc. Car rental in NYC is amazingly easy as long as you reserve in advance. If you don’t there is sometimes a shortage of cars on short notice.
While in the city here are some ideas:
Visit Top of the Rock at Rockefeller Center. Amazing views.
Go for a run in Central Park. Afterwards visit SBR MultiSports tri shop on 58th between 7th Ave and Broadway, it’s a block from the Park.
Take a ride on the Hudson/East rivers on the Circle Line tour.
If you and your family like Italian food and aren’t picky, eat dinner at La Mela on Mulberry Street. It’s a tiny place, great food, they pick and bring out the courses with a variety of food (it’s family style), and they put two bottles of wine on the table and you pay for it on the honor system by telling them how much you had. A truly fun Little Italy experience.
Go to the Museum of Raido and Television. You can see anything you choose, including the nightly news from the day you were born. Really cool.
Be a New Yorker. Take in the craziness but don’t let it intimidate you. Be aware of what’s going on around you. Be polite but abrupt, and don’t put up with any crap.
Lots of other great fun and food, I can offer endless suggestions.
Do the bobsled ride (after the Ironman of course) - it is awesome. On Friday or Saturday before the race you can watch the ski jumpers practice - very cool. If your kids like sports, you should check to see if the Mets or Yankees are playing. The bleacher/nosebleed seats are fun. My kids like the wax museum in NYC - even though it is a little cheesy, it is fun. The Museum of natural History is a lot of fun - have lunch nearby and go for a walk in Central Park afterwards. If it is a hot day, there is an AWESOME playground in the south west corner of the park that has a great water play section. The carousel in Central Park is also nice and very inexpensive. Your kids might like to go shopping downtown on Canal Street. Have fun!
Fly into LGA, not Newark if you’re stying in the city. Rent the car at the airport (obviously.) Don’t take a cab to your hotel in the city and expect to rent or park a car in the city without paying a lot…and dealing with parking space is not easy for out-of-towners.
Always, always make sure you get gas at Glen’s Falls (there are three exits for Glen’s Falls on Rt. 87 north.) Otherwise, there are no gas stations until Keene and they may not be open (limited hours.)
Stuff in the city… don’t go to NYC w/o trying the tourist stuff and ride the subway.
Yes… that would be the easiest, most fun and less expensive way to go. Driving from LGA to LP would be the most direct route. Get on Rt. 278 (Triborough Bridge) to Rt. 87 North (called the Major Deegan Expressway at that point) and follow Rt. 87 North (turns into the NY State Thruway) the whole way to Lake Placid (no exits, no turns.) You’ll see signs for Rt 278 North as you immediately leave LGA.
In NYC, yes, ditch the rental car and enjoy public transportation… use cabs to go across town and the subway to go north and south, which is easy and fun. The kids may get a kick out of it. It’s true NYC.
Sounds like you’re thinking along similar lines as I. Coming from western Canada, I’d like to see as much as I can while in the area. Currently on the list:
Lake Placid
All the pub hoping we can handle (with diligent restraint on my part pre-race)
Spiros,
Damn, you must be about 135 years old now. It’s about time you did your first IM. A few more ideas other than those already mentioned for LP:
Tail of the Pup is an excellent idea, but don’t be afraid to try the ribs. Also, bring change if the girls are into video/arcade games while you and the wife finish off a last glass.
John Brown’s Farm: http://www.nysparks.state.ny.us/sites/info.asp?siteID=14 A shame to get this close and not experience this piece of pivotal history of the US. (I say this but I didn’t make it here until my ~fifth visit to LP.) This would probably be last on your girls’ list.
From Heart lake, you can also hike to Rocky Falls, about 2 miles on flat ground, where there is an excellent swimming hole. Again, perfect for kids the age of yours.
If you want some quality time with the wife, walk them over to the movie theater downtown, go and have dinner, go back to the Swiss Inn for a little quality time…, or however else you like to bond, and meet them when the show lets out. My kids always got a kick out of this little piece of independence.
You’re gonna have a blast. Enjoy,
Dan
If you are going to a broadway show (hopefully It’s Wicked!) then hit the Ellen Star Diner either b4 or after for some food.It’s rights across the street Foods not that great. But it’s great for kids. The waitresses are aspiring actors and actresses They sing and dance and serve. So New York and so much fun. The line gets long b4 shows, so plan for it but its well worth it!!
