last-minute trip to NYC next weekend?

[Anonymous]

We're thinking about trying to plan this today but I don't know if traffic would be too crazy for us to handle (we will have a toddler and dog with us). My husband has never been to the City and I'd love to go again. Any thoughts/suggestions? We could always go later, in October or November, on a regular weekend instead of a holiday weekend.

[Anonymous]

We did a last minute (as in booked and left within a few hours) weekend in NYC pre-kid. It was not a holiday weekend, though. We got a hotel on Hotwire around 1 am on a Sat, then bought train tickets at Union Station around 5 am. I would be sure your hotel has parking if you plan to drive. Have fun!

[Anonymous]

A dog? Will you be staying with friends? I'd go on a regular weekend!

[Anonymous]

I highly recommend Amtrack. Goes right to Penn Station, comfortable, no plane hassle, you can miss your train/reschedule/and not be penalized. It is not cheap. Check out if kids go free or are discounted. And, if you use AAA and book 4 days in advance then you get a discount (it works out to about $15 per ticket.) Also, if you get on their rewards programs then you will get a free ticket after s specific mileage (3,000 miles ?)

Where did your husband grow up, how long have you lived here? You have to get him to NYC! Long overdue, but never too late.

Also, the US Tennis Open is over the next 2 weeks, if you are i nterested in tennis. Tickets are expensive, though!! I am going. Not paying for my tickets, though. The Open is a HUGE deal (in Flushing Meadow) and may effect hotel vacancy, pricing, etc. Just a heads up.

Anyway, have fun, and report back.

[Anonymous]

Discount is about $15 off of original ticket price, I meant!

PP

[Anonymous]

Looks like we'll have to postpone a trip till later this year - I think I am going to be heading back to the Midwest to help my ma post-surgery... but we will definitely get there soon!

Husband is from San Francisco and we've been a little over a year. What is strange to me is that he was actually stationed in New York (Fort Drum) and never made it down there. But he wants to go now.

[Anonymous]

Does Amtrak transport non-service animals?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Does Amtrak transport non-service animals?

No.

Pet Policy
Animals Not Allowed

Amtrak does not permit pets on trains or Thruway services, in passenger areas of train stations, nor in checked baggage.

Service animals, however, are not considered pets, and are permitted in all areas where passengers are allowed. Service animals are animals that are trained to perform a specific task for the benefit of a person with a disability.

The following are examples of types of animals that are not permitted:

Comfort animals – animals not trained to perform a specific task, but which are said to provide emotional support or to relieve anxiety simply by their presence (for example, by the passenger holding or stroking the animal)
Pets – animals for which no claim of any service is made
Search and rescue dogs* – they are trained generally, but not to assist a particular passenger
Police dogs* (other than dogs brought on trains by the Amtrak Police Department)

* If the passenger or agency feels an exception needs to be made for search and rescue dogs or police dogs, contact the Amtrak Police Department for assistance.