NYC trip with a 5 month old--plane, train, or automobile?

[Anonymous]

We're going for a small family event in January and it'll be our first trip away from home (VA suburbs) with a baby. We'd like to hang out and see a bit of the city while we're there, too. We're not sure if we'll be taking the subway more (babywearing or with a stroller) or cabs (I'm sure there are times we'll want to pay for convenience.) We also don't know anyone who lives in NYC with a baby, so we turn to you for advice--

Would you rather drive to NYC (and worry about parking but not worry about the carseat in cabs), take the train (a longer trip, but maybe easier to handle all the baby baggage), or take a plane (shorter trip, but probably the most expensive)?

We also don't know where we'll be staying yet, but we're assuming somewhere in Manhattan (bonus gratitude points for anyone who has the perfect mythical cheap clean baby friendly hotel rec!).

[Anonymous]

Drive.

[Anonymous]

Train - they'll let you board early. Then you'll be right in Penn Station.

[Anonymous]

Drive for sure with a baby. Park someplace when you get there and don't move your car. But, it's helpful to have the car for the gear.

[Anonymous]

Even if you drive up you're not going to want to drive in the city.

Also Penn Station smells like piss.

I would stay home. Nobody will enjoy this.

[Anonymous]

PP again -

Plus, if you're in the car, if the baby is crying, you won't get stressed out about bothering everyone else. My kids were both big criers, and I found the car way less stressful.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Train - they'll let you board early. Then you'll be right in Penn Station.

+1.
We took Amtak to Penn station which is mid-town, and close to everything. Don't fly or drive. It is such a pain.

[Anonymous]

You are not going to want to carry a carseat around NYC and /or spend your time trying to install it in cabs. So cut that piece out of your equation.

[Anonymous]

The plane is a big PITA, so either the train, if you guys like trains, or car, if you'd rather drive. Either is fine. Bring the baby carrier and get around the city on foot or using the subway.

[Anonymous]

I love the train! No security, usually no delays. You can wear baby in the carrier and walk the aisles of baby is fussing. I think uber family is in NYC now with car seats but maybe forward facing only? Check it out. Even if you drive up there, driving around town and parking is such a pain that it's just not realistic. I'd probably do the subway as much as possible.

[Anonymous]

A car will give you more flexibility on the way, but the train could definitely work too - get a porter to help you board early with the bags. Especially at Penn Station - otherwise it's gross.

Check on what to do with a baby in a cab - my friend in NYC got seriously injured in a cab years ago and always insists that people wear seat belts now. Not sure of her stance on baby safety though... Maybe if you wear your seat belt and have the baby in the carrier above that?

[Anonymous]

Love to train to Philly and to NYC with kids. So easy!!

[Anonymous]

I would do a car just because of the baby stuff you will need and the flexibility on time.
I would also find a hotel with parking and not move my car again until I left.
I am super anal retentive about car seats but have to say I would use cabs and just hold my baby if staying in the city itself. I think the average speed in NY city is 5mph

I have done the train without kids and flown without kids and I prefer the train. Its not quicker to fly when you factor in parking at airport, security, flight itself, waiting for bags at other end. Well, maybe its 30 mins quicker but still prefer train.

[Anonymous]

We did this recently with a baby and opted to drive based on the gear alone. If baby is in an infant car seat with a snap n go maybe that would make the train easier but ours was in a convertible at that point and I didn't want to haul it. Also we took our playyard which was unnecessary but we have a nice one and she sleeps well in it and my DH really wanted to bring it. We stayed at Hotel Roosevelt btw in mid town. Well priced and nice enough but not crazy fancy or expensive.

[Anonymous]

I go to NYC all the time. I have an 8 month old. We drive and park. We like to drive because of all the stuff we have. We don't drive in the city though, just take the bus or metro.