Avenue Key Address Number
9th Ave +13
10th Ave +14
Amsterdam Ave +60 Audubon Ave +165 Broadway above
23rd St -30
Central Park W, divide full number by 10 +60 Columbus Ave +60 Convent Ave +127
Lenox Ave +110
Lexington Ave +22 Madison Ave +26
Park Ave +35
Park Ave South +8 Riverside Drive, divide full number by 10 +72 St Nicholas Ave +110 West End Ave +60 Avenue Key
Address Number
1st Ave +3
2nd Ave +3
3rd Ave +10
4th Ave +8
5th Ave, up to 200 +13 5th Ave, up to 400 +16 5th Ave, up to 600 +18 5th Ave, up to 775 +20 5th Ave 775–1286, do not divide by 2 -18 5th Ave, up to 1500 +45 5th Ave, up to 2000 +24 (6th) Ave of the
Americas -12
7th Ave below 110th St +12 7th Ave above 110th St +20
8th Ave +10
FINDING AN ADDRESS
A useful formula has been devised to help pinpoint any avenue address. By dropping the last digit of the address, dividing the remainder by 2, then adding or subtracting the key number given here, you will discover the nearest cross street. For example:
to find No. 826 Lexington Avenue, you have to drop the 6; divide 82 by 2, which is 41;
then add 22 (the key number). Therefore, the nearest cross street is 63rd Street.
Signs on a street corner
Cyclist in Central Park
fleet one of the cleanest in the world. It was the first in the US to switch all diesel buses to ultra-low sulfur fuel. Cleaner- burning engines have been installed, and buses have been equipped with filters, cutting emissions by as much as 95 per cent. The MTA currently has around 2,000 hybrid-electric buses in operation. Numerous bicycle lanes have also been added around town for those brave enough to use them amid the heavy city traffic.
When it comes to leaving the city, the US train system is quite limited, but New York has some of the better connec- tions, especially Amtrak’s East Coast Metroliner and Acela trains (see pp381 and 393).
FINDING YOUR WAY AROUND NEW YORK Manhattan’s avenues run north to south; New Yorkers say “uptown” and “down- town.” Streets (except in the older areas) run east to west, and are referred to as “cross- town.” Fifth Avenue is the divider between East and West street addresses.
Most streets in midtown are one-way. In general, traffic is eastbound on even-numbered streets and westbound on odd-numbered streets.
Avenues also tend to be one- way. First, Third (above 23rd Street), Mad ison, Avenue of the Americas (Sixth), Eighth, and Tenth avenues are northbound, while Second,
Numbers increase Numbers increase
WEST 23RD STREET
Car-rental logos Walking through Chelsea
Traffic passing through Times Square at night
DRIVING IN NEW YORK Heavy traffic, lack of parking, and expensive rental cars make driving in New York a frustra- ting experience. If you decide to drive, you must wear a seat belt by law. Driving is on the right, and the speed limit is usually 30 mph (48 kmh) in midtown. Most streets are one-way, and there are traffic lights at almost every corner. Unlike the rest of New York State, you can never turn right on a red light unless there is a sign indicating otherwise.
To rent a car, you must be at least 25 years old. You will need a valid driver’s license (for eign visitors need an Inter national Driver’s License), a passport, and a credit card.
PLANNING YOUR JOURNEY
Buses and subways are busiest during the rush hours:
8–10am and 4:30–6:30pm, Monday to Friday. Through- out these periods, it may be easier to face the crowds on foot than attempt any journey by bus, taxi, or subway. At other times of day and during certain holiday periods (see p53), the traffic is often much lighter, and you should reach your destination quickly.
There are, of course, a few exceptions. When the president or other political celebrities visit, security measures can cause major disruption to the traffic. The area around Seventh Avenue, south of 42nd Street, is likely to be busy during the day with the
PARKING
Parking in Manhattan is costly and difficult. You can use parking garages, or see if your hotel includes overnight parking, but both options are very expensive.
The busiest streets in mid- town do not allow parking.
Other streets may have curbside meters for short-term (20–60 minutes) parking.
Yellow street and curb mark ings mean no parking.
“Alternate-side” parking applies on most of the city’s side streets. Cars may usually be left all day and night, but they must be moved to the other side of the street before 8am the next day. For specific
information, call 311.
CAR INSURANCE Unless you are adequately covered by your own insurance policy, you should take out damage and liability pro tection when renting a car.
Check with your insurance company before you travel.
Lexington, Fifth, Seventh, and Ninth avenues and Broadway below 59th Street are south- bound. There is two-way traffic on York, Park, 11th, and 12th avenues and on Broadway above 60th Street.
The grid of streets is rectan- gular rather than square, so crosstown blocks are longer than north–south avenue blocks. To gauge distances, 20 north–south city blocks equal about 1 mile (1.6 km);
it takes only about six to ten crosstown (east–west) blocks to make up that distance.
Some streets have more than one name – for example, Avenue of the Americas is better known as Sixth Avenue. Park Avenue is called Park Avenue South below 34th Street and Fourth Avenue below 14th Street.
The maps in this guide give the names most often used.
truck and handcart traffic of New York’s garment industry.
Avoid Fifth Avenue on parade days, which often take place in spring and fall. On these days, and during the New York Marathon, it is difficult to get across town as bus services are disrupted.
If such events are scheduled during your visit, plan to see other areas of the city on that day. Subway traffic will not be affected, though trains may be more crowded than usual.
Your car-rental agency will be able to provide you with a policy if necessary.
PENALTIES If you receive a park ing ticket, you have seven days to pay the fine or to appeal. If you have any queries
about your ticket, call the Parking Violations Bureau. If you cannot find your car, call 311 to find out if it has been towed. The Traffic Department Tow Pound is open 24 hours a day, Monday to Saturday. Redeeming your car will cost $185 towing fee,
$70 execution fee, and $10–15 per day storage fee. Traveler’s checks, certified checks, money orders, and cash are accepted.
If you have rent ed the car, the contract must be produced, and only the authorized driver may redeem the vehicle.
WALKING
All intersections have lamp- posts with clearly marked street names; most have electric traffic signals. The lights show red (stop) and green (go) for vehicles, and
“Walk/Don’t Walk” signals for pedestrians. Crossing while the
“Don’t Walk” sign is showing is not recommended, nor is crossing mid-block, referred to in the US as “jay-walking.”
Vehicles in the US drive on the right, and there are no markings on the road for pedestrians indicating the direction of traffic. It is best to look both ways before you cross, and beware of cars, trucks, and taxis turning the corner behind you as you start to cross the street.
TAXIS
There are more than 12,000 yellow cabs in New York, easily identified by their color, the distinctive logo on the door, and the light on top.
A taxi can carry up to four passengers, with a single fare covering everyone on board.
All taxis are metered and can issue printed receipts. Taxis can be hailed anywhere on the street, but taxi stands are scarce. The best places to find waiting cabs are outside Penn and Grand Central stations. Cabs indicate that they are available by turning on the top light. This goes off if the cab is occupied or if the side lights indicate “off duty.”
Licensed taxis undergo periodic inspections and are insured against accidents and losses. Non-licensed, or
“gypsy,” cabs are unlikely to have these safeguards. They will have no meters and charge what they please.
Once the cab driver accepts a passenger, the meter starts ticking at $2.50, plus a state tax surcharge of 50 cents.
The fare increases 40 cents after each additional one-fifth of a mile (292 yards/267 meters) or every 60 seconds of waiting time. There is an additional 50-cent charge from 8pm to 6am, and a
$1 extra charge from 4 to 8pm on weekdays. It is customary to tip the driver about 15%. Taxi drivers will accept credit cards.
Make sure your driver understands where you want to go before you start your
ride. If you have a map of the area, mark the locations you want. A driver should not ask you your destination until after you’ve sat down, and by law, they must take you anywhere in the city. They must follow your requests not to smoke or talk on a cell phone, to open or close a window, and to pick up or drop off passengers as you direct. Each yellow cab displays the driver’s photograph and registered number next to the meter. If drivers don’t comply with your requests, you can report them to the Taxi & Limousine Commission. As an expensive alternative, radio- dispatched sedans can be hired for
$40 per hour with a two hour minimum.
Taxis driving through an intersection in SoHo
Signs in midtown
A water taxi crossing New York Harbor
WATER TAXIS
The New York Water Taxi is mainly a commuter service, but it also offers various tours and a weekend hop-on/hop-off sightseeing boat (mid-Apr–
mid-Oct). The route is around New York Harbor, between West 44th and East 34th streets, with stops including Chelsea Pier, World Financial Center, Battery Park, South Street Seaport, the Brooklyn river- front, and Long Island City. In summer, water taxis provide a service to a couple of man- made beaches in Long Island City and on Governors Island.
FERRIES
The Circle Line runs several ferry services a day to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island from Battery Park, at the southern tip of Manhattan. The 24-hour Staten Island Ferry, also from Battery Park, travels the channel and offers splendid views of lower Man- hattan, the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, the bridges, and Governors Island. The round trip is the best bargain in New York; it’s free.
Midtown has several small parks and plazas where visitors can rest. In the Broadway area you can have a rest with a Times Square view on the high tier of steps behind the TKTS booth (Broadway and 47th St).
Some of the surrounding blocks are traffic-free and furnished with chairs. The traffic islands around the Lincoln Center also offer seating (as on p370).
DIRECTORY
CAR RENTAL AGENCIES Avis
Tel (800) 331-1212.
www.avis.com Budget Tel (800) 527-0700.
www.drivebudget.com Hertz
Tel (800) 654-3131.
www.hertz.com National Tel (800) CAR RENT.
www.nationalcar.com PARKING
Alternate Side Park- ing Information Tel 311.
Parking Violations and Towing Information Tel 311.
Parking Violations Bureau
Tel (718) 802-3636.
Police Tel 911.
Traffic Department Tow Pound Pier 76, W 38th St and 12th Ave. Map 7 B1.
Tel 311.
TAXIS
Taxi & Limousine Commission Tel 311.
Taxi Lost and Found Tel 311.
Transportation Department Tel 311.
FERRIES Circle Line www.circleline.com Staten Island Ferry www.siferry.com WATER TAXIS New York Water Taxi
Tel (212) 742-1969.
www.nywatertaxi.com GUIDED TOURS Bicycle Tours: Bite of the Apple Tours 2 Columbus Circle, 59th St
& Broadway. Map 12 D3.
Tel (212) 541-8759.
Boat Tours:
Circle Line Sightseeing Yachts Pier 83, W 42nd St. Map 7 A1. Tel (212) 563-3200.
Spirit of New York W 23rd and Eighth Ave.
Map 8 D4.
Tel (866) 211-3805.
World Yacht, Inc.
Pier 81, W 41st St. Map 7 A1. Tel (212) 630-8100.
Building Tours:
Grand Central Terminal E 42nd St at Park Ave.
Map 13 A5.
Tel (212) 883-2420.
www.grandcentral terminal.com
Heritage Trails Federal Hall, 26 Wall St.
Map 1 C3.
www.nps.gov/feha/
Metropolitan Opera Tours
Lincoln Center. Map 11 C2. Tel (212) 769-7020.
www.metoperafamily.org NBC Studio Tour 30 Rockefeller Plaza.
Map 12 F5. Tel (212) 664-7174. www.
rockefellercenter.com New York Public Library Fifth Ave and 42nd St.
Map 8 F1.
Tel (917) 275-6975.
www.nypl.org Radio City Music Hall Stage Door Tours
Sixth Ave. Map 12 F4.
Tel (212) 247-4777.
Walkin’ Broadway 1619 Broadway. Map 12 E5. Tel (212) 997-5004.
Bus Tours:
Gray Line of New York 42nd St and Eighth Ave.
Map 8 D1.
Tel (212) 397-2620.
Carriage Tours 59th St at Fifth Ave and along Central Park S.
Map 12 F3.
Helicopter Tours:
Liberty
W 30th St and 12th Ave, South Ferry. Map 7 B3.
Tel (212) 967-6464.
Walking Tours:
Adventures on a Shoestring 300 W 53rd St. Map 12 E4. Tel (212) 265-2663.
Big Apple Greeters 1 Centre St, Suite 2035.
Map 4 F4.
Tel (212) 669-8159.
Big Onion Walking Tours
76 13th St, Brooklyn.
Tel (212) 439-1090.
http://bigonion.com Eldridge Street Synagogue 12 Eldridge St. Map 5 A5.
Tel (212) 227-8780.
Harlem Spirituals, Inc.
690 Eighth Ave. Map 8 D1. Tel (212) 391-0900.
Lower East Side Tenement Museum 108 Orchard St. Map 5 A4. Tel (212) 431-0233.
Municipal Art Society
457 Madison Ave. Map 13 A4. Tel (212) 980-1297.
www.mas.org Wall Street Walks Tel (212) 209-3379.
www.wallstreetwalks.com CYCLING
Central Park Bike Rental
203 West 58th St.
Map 12 E3.
Tel (212) 541-8759.
www.centralpark biketour.com CYCLING
Hoping to cut down on auto traffic, the city is making a real effort to create bike
paths, which cover over 90 miles (145 km) in Manhattan. It takes courage to travel beside heavy traffic on busy midtown streets;
however, trails along the East River and far west side are pleasant and very popular, as are the many roads for bikers in Central Park, where auto traffic is banned on week- ends. Visit www.nycbike maps.com for maps of bike routes. You can rent bikes at Columbus Circle or the Loeb Boathouse in Central Park (see p362).
GUIDED TOURS
Whichever way you choose to see New York – with the help of a knowledgeable guide, a photographer, a pre-recorded walk, or an exciting trip in a helicopter, boat, or horse- drawn carriage – organized sightseeing trips can save a lot of time and effort. Walking tours give in-depth back- ground information about specific neighbor hoods and the city’s history and architecture that you might not get on your own. The
Municipal Art Society is renowned for its knowledge- able guides. Fascinating behind-the-scenes tours are available for the New York Public Library, Metropolitan Opera, and Radio City Music Hall. Bus tours are also a great way to see the city, as you can hop on/hop off as you please (see also p391).
Traveling by Subway
The subway is the quickest and most reliable way to travel in the city. The vast system extends over 233 route miles (375 km) and has 468 stations. Most routes operate 24 hours a day throughout the year. In the past few years, the subway system has been upgraded, and the trains are now air-conditioned, well lit, safer, and (unless you are riding at rush hour) more comfortable.
Since the 1980s, a portion of all station-improvement funds has gone to the Arts for Transit project, with some notable results. Keep an eye out for the mosaics, sculptures, and art that decorate many stations.
TICKETS AND FARES A MetroCard must be pur chased in order to enter the subway. The fare is $2.25 no matter how far you travel.
A 1-day FunPass ($8.25) offers all-day unlimited travel to visitors. Other money-saving tickets are the 7-day ($27) or 14-day ($51.50) Unlimited Ride MetroCard. If you purchase a Pay-Per-Ride MetroCard and put $8 or more on it, you will receive a 15 per cent bonus credit.
Metro Cards, which can also be used on buses (see pp390–
91), are sold at news stands, drugstores, and other locations around the city, as well as at all subway stations, where you can pay with cash. The machines take cash and debit and credit cards. One transfer per ride is allowed between the subway and bus; it must be used within 2 hours.
New York subway logo
USING THE SUBWAY Enter the subway by swiping your MetroCard at the turn- stiles; the card is not needed to exit. Look for signs for uptown (northbound) and downtown (southbound) trains. Note that there are two types of trains: local trains stop
Passengers exiting from South Ferry Subway Station
SUBWAY STATIONS Many subway entrances are marked by illuminated spheres: green where the station booth is manned around the clock, red where there is restrict ed entry.
Others are marked simply by a sign bearing the name of the station and the numbers or letters of the routes passing through it. Although the subway system runs 24 hours a day, not all routes operate at all times. The basic service is between 6am and midnight.
The most crowded periods are the weekday rush hours (6–8:30am and 4:30–6:30pm);
it is best to avoid these times if you can. If not, during
READING THE SUBWAY MAP Each route is identified on the subway map (see inside back cover) by color, by the names of the stations at each end of the line, and by a letter or number. Local and express stops and interchange points are also identified. The letters and numbers below the station names indicate which routes serve that particular station.
A letter or number in heavy type indicates that trains on
that route stop there between 6am and midnight;
letters in lighter type mean that the route is served by a part-time service only; a boxed letter or number shows the last stop on the line. Express trains are indicated on subway maps with a white (rather than solid) circle. The maps posted in all the subway stations have a compre- hensive guide that explains the trains and timetable of each route.
Free subway transfer Local service only
Free out of system subway transfer (excluding single-ride ticket)
Normal service
Terminal
42 Street–
Times Square
Light type Part-time service
Bold type Full-time service
Express and local stops
1.2.3 7 6 N.R S
Part-time line extension
Additional express service Boxed type
Last stop on this line (full- or part-time)
at all stations, while faster express trains make fewer stops. Express lines have different letters or numbers than local ones; both types of stops are distinguished on every subway map.
TRAVELING BY SUBWAY Subways run north–south up and down the city; the N, R, E, F, V, and W trains run east–west from Midtown to Queens. See “Subway Lines” for the most useful routes.
1 There is a map of the subway system on the back inside cover of this book. Large-scale maps are also positioned in prominent areas in every station. Maps are also available at www.mta.info and at subway stations.
2 Buy a MetroCard from a station subway booth or MetroCard vending machine.
The machines accept most credit and debit cards and bills up to
$50, but no pennies. Vending machines can also be used to refill MetroCards.
3 Use MetroCard to pass through the turnstile onto the platform.
4 Follow the directions for the train you want. For safety, stay in sight of the booth as you wait for your train; at night, stay in one of the yellow off- hours waiting areas.
5 Each train displays its route number or letter in the appropriate color and the names of the terminal stations.
6 On every platform, you will find a line map, while on each train there is a system map next to the door on both sides of the car. Newer trains have electronic route maps for that line that light up overhead. Stops are announced on the public address system, and you will see station names at each platform. The doors are operated by the conductor.
7 After leaving the train, look for signs giving directions to the exit. If you need to change trains, just follow the signs to the connecting platforms.
crowded times the first and last cars are usually less busy.
The subway is generally quite safe, but visitors may feel more secure riding during the day and until around 10pm, when there are many other passengers around. If you feel unsure, stand in the
“Off-Hours Waiting Area” on the platforms. Avoid traveling alone late at night, but if you must ride when traffic is light, use the central cars. In an emergency, contact either the station agent in the station booth or a member of the train crew, who are located in the first car and in the middle of the train.
SUBWAY LINES Subways run north–south up and down the city on Lexing- ton Avenue, Sixth Avenue, Seventh Avenue/Broadway, and Eighth Avenue. The N, R, E, F, V, and 7 trains to Queens run east–west in Manhattan. A shuttle train connects Grand Central, East 42nd Street to Times Square, West 42nd Street. Trains mostly run along one avenue, but some stations, such as Times Square, Union Square, and Columbus Circle,
are convenient transfer points where several lines converge.
Each subway line has a distinct color, while the routes on each line are identified either by letter or number. For example, the Lexington Avenue line is green and
the #6 is a local train, while #4 and #5 run express. The Eighth Avenue line is blue, and the A train is the express, while C and E are local trains. First and last stops are posted on track signs and on each car. Large system maps are posted in all stations. Free individual sub- way maps are usually available from booth attendants.
Some lines are especially useful for visitors. The Lexing- ton Line is the only one serving the East Side and its many museums. The #6 train stops near the Guggenheim, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and the Frick Collection. The red #1 Broadway/Seventh Avenue line on the West Side takes you to Lincoln Center, MOMA, Times Square,
Greenwich Village, SoHo, the Financial District, and South Ferry, where you can catch a ferry to the Statue of Liberty.
Note that track work on weekends can cause changes to the schedule. When you enter, ask the booth attendant about changes that may affect your journey.
DIRECTORY
MetroCard Customer Service
Tel (212) 638-7622.
MTA Automated Travel Planner
http://ripplanner.mta.info/
Subway Information Tel (718) 330-1234.
www.mta.info
Number 6 train at Brooklyn Bridge–City Hall station