NYC Transportation for Parent & Family Spectators

 Getting in to N.Y.C. on St. Patrick's Day during the rush hour on a Friday...  Do this:

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The band / choir (and most of our parents and/or families) are staying at the Embassy Suites in Parsippany, NJ.  The BEST way to get in to the city to see the parade is by TRAIN or BUS

BY TRAIN:

The Morris Plains Station is only about 15 minutes from the hotel, and you'll be in Manhattan in about an hour (NO CHANGING TRAINS). Straight shot.

To find the Morris Plains Station:  Google Maps:  Embassy Suites Parsippany TO Morris Plains Station

To see the entire NJ Transit Rail Schedule simply search: NJ Transit - Train Schedules.  Then enter "Morris Plains" followed by the destination". "New York Penn Station" (NOT Newark Penn Station).

On March 17th the 2 best times to catch the train are:

1.  8:23 AM. (arriving in New York Penn Station at 9:31 AM). 1hr. 8 min.

2.  9:22 AM. (arriving in New York Penn Station at 10:25 AM).  1hr.  3 min.

When exiting the train simply go up the stairs (any) and follow signs to a street exit.  Cabs are usually either lined-up or relatively easy to hail.  I would go uptown and ask to be dropped-off around the Plaza Hotel.  The you can walk a few block up 5th Ave. and find a spot to watch the parade.

BY BUS:

The Lakeland bus leaves directly from the Embassy Suites going to the NYC Port Authority Bus Terminal on 42nd and 8th each and every morning and no reservations are needed.  Just inquire at the front desk when you check in.  There is also the Parsippany/Troy Hills Park and Ride about 5 minutes away.  Just park in the lot and jump on the bus.  You can also inquire about logistics at the front desk when you check-in to the hotel.

BY AIR:

When flying:

I had a question from a few parents concerning how to get in to the city if flying into either Newark, Kennedy or Laguardia Airports... the airports now have the "Airtrain" and all you need to do is look for the signs (or ask someone).  Some go directly into the city, and others require a transfer to either a NJ Transit train, LIRR (Long Island Railroad train) or a subway train.  The system is actually pretty easy.  Just inquire at the service desk in whatever terminal you wind up in and they'll help guide you.  I believe the airtrain terminal at JFK is at terminal 8.

I hope this helps!