New York City Travel Answers

You will hopefully get more insightful comments from locals. But from the tourists perspective, I'd try to find a location not in Times Square. I've not stayed in the HI in TS in many years so it may have been upgraded to keep out the traffic noise and be quite accomodating. Queens many be quieter, though I don't know that location, but it would mean a bit of travel. The subway is for the most part quite safe, just be careful of the hours. Any city can be problematic at late hours. Times Square typically has lots of activity until late hours and I've not felt uncomfortable in that area at any time of day just because of all the activity. As for your worry about being young and female I can only offer, that my daughter stayed in a hotel near Madison Sq Garden at 20 when one of her films made the International Film Festival. She felt no issue wit the area or the travel.

I can only answer part of your question. Imo, there is no need to be over-concerned about your safety in and around Times Square/the centre of Manhattan. You'll need to use normal city common sense, of course, but no more than that. I cannot speak for walking around alone in the early hours of the morning, but I wouldn't do that in my local city let alone a larger one. I stayed a couple of blocks from TS last summer (solo female traveller, albeit not especially 'young') and did not feel in any way at risk. I would definitely prefer to be based near where I was to meet my friends than spend time travelling in and out.

To me...this is a no brainer...Stay in Times Sq. That does not mean that you have to spend all your time there..but of you are visiting NYC and the$ isn't an issue(using points)...stay in the city...aka....Times Sq!

I agree you should stay in Times Square, where you can easily walk around and see things- out by LGA there is nothing to do or see, it's just a hotel. There is no easy way to get to Manhattan by public transportation (it requires a bus ride to a subway station and there are several combinations that will get you to the same place), especially since this is your first trip and you will getting there in rush hour traffic. Although somewhat more expensive I would recommend using a car service (like a private taxi), of which there are many. One reputable service is at www.dial7.com. They will meet you at the luggage area and take you straight to your hotel. Enjoy NYC.

I would advise against staying near the airport if you can avoid it. It's a pain to get to /from Manhattan and the neighborhood near the airport isn't particularly interesting for a tourist. But there are other choices besides the Holiday Inn Times Square. A quick web search indicated at least 8 Holiday inns in Manhattan, including one by Madison Square Garden, one on 45th Street and 5th Ave, one on West 26th St and 6th Ave, one in Midtown, and one in Soho. Take a look at holidayinn.com for details and reservations. Probably the most stress-free way to get downtown is the New York Airport Express bus from LaGuardia to Grand Central Terminal. Fare is normally12 each way, with occasional discounts online. See http://www.nyairportservice.com/ for details.

If you contact your hotel they probably have a contract w/ a shuttle service to the airport. When I said at the Paramount this was the case and I think it was about a25 trip on the shuttle.

Take the M66 bus (for 2 dollars cash only or metro pass). It SLOWLY treks thru Queens into Harlem and Manhattan. Most people get off at the Columbia University stop on 116th street and Broadway. Fun way to explore the diversity of NYC. From 116 take number 1 subway going downtown and get off Time Square (42 street). Most areas are very safe in NYC/boroughs. Most people are working families in Corona and extremely nice/helpfull. Just be alert. This is the biggest college town you will ever visit in all of USA.Enjoy your stay.

A bus ride is not2^^^.

The city bus from LaGuardia to Harlem and Morningside Heights is M60, not M66. Also, the fare is2.50 cash, or2.25 with a pay-per-ride Metrocard.

My bad. Thanks for the correction.