My wife and I just got our confirmed slots for this year’s NYC Marathon.
We could use some advice regarding:
Moderately priced lodging close to the race expo and start… What is moderate for NYC anyway? < $150.00 a night I hope.
Family friendly, yet good dining options.
Pre-race logistics (packet pickup, best way to get to the starting line, etc)
Any other helpful hints are welcome!
Thanks in advance!
Just got in via the lotto, too.
I think there are some cheaper hotels, but the host hotel (Hilton) is filling up and it is not cheap about 300/night I think. There does not seem to be many openings at hotels I looked up on Orbitz-- I think some block out lots for marathoners, you may want to call around. Watch out as some require more than one night’s stay.
From what I hear, taking the bus is the best way to get to the start. I think there are stops at different parts of the city, so you should be set. As a last resort you can stay far away, drive in early (or take the train) and take a cab to the bus pick up.
Plenty of delis throughout the city – good food and pretty reasonable (for a large city).
Soylent Green, Lodging in the city is pretty expensive.Your looking at about $250-300 a night.If you look around, you might be able to find something a little cheaper. The best way to get to the start is by taking the NYRRC bus from 42 nd st. and 5th ave.They have buses running from 5:30 A.M. to 7:00 A.M. the morning of the race. Packet pickup is at the Jacob Javits Center(On west 34th st.) on Wednesday-Saturday.Try to get to the expo on either Wednesday or Thursday(less crowded). Here’s the link to the NYRRC marathon website.http://www.ingnycmarathon.org/home/index.php
Just a heads up, take everyones advice and take the busses. Do NOT try and drive/taxi to the start in the morning, they close the verrazano to all traffic other than the busses. I tried last year and ended up hitchiking a ride onto one of the busses. It was a lot of un-necessary stress on an already stressful morning.
For lodging, check with your employer to see if they have any corporate rates available for NYC. We use Club Quarters and get a very decent room in midtown for $150/night.
Dining options - just walk down any street, amazing options at every corner
Expo - they are amazingly organized, so don’t sweat it too much; there were probably 200 people in front of me when I got to the line and I got through in about 10 minutes!!!
Getting to the start - take the bus. I got the one in front of the main library. Again, it’s amazing how efficient they are. No problem at all.
Before the start - bring something to listen to or read. It’s a long time to wait. I was on my own with nothing to do or read.
Weather Reports - listen to them. I didn’t and almost dropped with heat exhaustion.
The Race - soak it all up. It’s such a great opportunity. You’ll feel like a rock star! 
Dawn
Dining options. Its NYC, almost all of the restaraunts are good. If they aren’t they just go out of business because of the all the competition. Just don’t eat at Olive Garden or any of the other awful chain restaraunts in the Times Square area. Get a Zagat’s guide for $10 if you are worried.
Hey! I’ll be there, too. My first NYC marathon. I’m hoping to stay with friends since 4 days of hotels expenses would kill me. Look for me - I’ll be the one that is shivering and bundled up from head to toe. I booked my flights this weekend. I’m arriving on Thursday AM and flying out Monday PM.
IMO accomodations in mid-town would be ideal, you can walk to the expo and the bus. Catch the bus at the NYC Library race morning, the line will be huge but it moves very fast. They do an amazing job with the logistics. Take some food and drinks, we waited in line for an hour at the start for a cold bagel and a small coffee. Also, watch the weather and if it is cool/windy/wet bring an old sheet of plastic to lay on and some old blankets and as someone else mentioned something to read. It is a long wait for the start. Carry in an old bag and leave it all behind once the race starts. After the race a nice walk from Central Park back to mid-town is good for the legs or you can catch a cab.
Good luck.
I’d look into the Beacon at 75th and Bway.
It’s only $195 a night. The hotel is okay and it’s in a real good neighborhood right next
to Central Park. It’s a 2 block walk to the Park and that’s where you want to be.
Easy subway ride to the expo and an easy walk to get to the bus to the race and to walk back to from the race. Less than a mile from the finish line.
I live nearby and if I was visiting NYC , I’d rather avoid midtown, especially Times Square area.
Good restaurants in the area. Check out Cesca , great Italian on 75th and Amstedam, 1 block away. A bunch of other nice bar/restaurants in the area.
Congratulations on winning the lottery. NYC Marathon is an awesome experience. I was lucky enough to have a place to crash but really any where on Manhattan Island is good. I stayed in the lower east side and easily made it to the expo and library for bus pick up via the subway. The busses from the library were the way to go, just know it’s you and a billion other people that morning. After the marathon I crossed the street and hoped on the subway back home with no problems. The NYC marathon is extremely well organized, maybe too much so. I just ran the Paris marathon this spring and while the number of entrants is similar the organization was far less structured and the race was just as enjoyable.
So, I guess the bottom line is don’t worry about the small details for New York - New York Road Runners will take care of all of that for you. You’ll be sent a booklet in advance with pretty much any question you may have answered. But… do find a place in Manhattan and it will probably be with in walking distance of the subway so you’ll be fine.
You are very lucky. New York is such a great place to be! ENJOY!!