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-   -   heading to NYC (and afraid of getting lost again) (https://tpunk.com/showthread.php?t=12664)

fasternathan 01-04-2007 02:34 PM

heading to NYC (and afraid of getting lost again)
 
Hey all, I'm traveling to NYC in about a month or so. Love the city but the couple times I've been there I got so incredibly lost. Literally and physically lost, that is. Does anyone have any tricks for getting around? Last time I spent three hours in the subway, making wrong transfers and heading in the wrong direction. During my whole stay I ended up spending about a hundred bucks for cab fare and twenty bucks in 411 calls. I don't want to get that lost this time around. Any advice, suggestions, or useful maps you can point me toward?

Much appreciated.

Diorama 01-04-2007 07:26 PM

Well I just got back from NY a few weeks back. I found the subway to be confusing. Not like the london tube! But at each platform they have a map of where that particular train is going. So that's what saved me a few times. And asking. Oh my goodness I asked so many people directions . The grid layout of the city is pretty convenient (aves and streets) . The one major thing that always got me lost was I never knew which way to walk. So I would usually walk one block then find out I was going the opposite direction that I was supposed to.

Seriously though, ask ask ask. i can't emphasize that enough! And there are TONS of cops on the street everywhere so utilize them.

tumblezweedz 01-05-2007 02:49 AM

And invest in a really good map or guide. DK Eyewitness guides are quite good, as they have neighbourhood maps, lots of pictures and are compact enough to pop in a shirt pocket. And if you do get lost, try not to worry too much, unless you find you're in a really dodgy area, take a look around and see what's there - you might find a hidden treasure.

Stop by a deli or corner store if you need directions, you'll probably meet some very interesting characters along the way.

:tumbleweed:

mbo108 01-05-2007 10:31 AM

Also, you can load subway maps onto your Ipod http://www.isubwaymaps.com/download.php#newyork for help with that.

One handy thing to remember, is that 1st avenue is East, 8th avenue is West, 1st is South and 100th is North. Based on that you can always tell what direction you're headed.

When you're down in the subway, the staircases usually say what corner they'll be putting you out on, such as 24st & 5th Ave - NW Corner. So you know when you come out which way to walk if you want to get to 27th st (North with 5th Ave on your right hand side).

Also i used to based my position on the Empire State Building (34th St and 5th Ave) to tell what direction i was headed. This works well if you can see it.

iomaggio 01-07-2007 06:58 PM

New Yorkers are nowhere near as scary or rude as they're portrayed in movies and TV. Find some that look approachable and you'll have no trouble getting directions. Definitely avoid the cab rides unless you need to get somewhere in a rush. And you know that 411 is free now, right? Call 1-800-Free 411 and listen to a 15 second ad, no problem. The New York grid system is great when you're above (uptown of) 14th Street, but below 14th it's a bit of a tangled mess. You can remember the order of the named avenues by repeating "My Period is Late," for Madison, Park, and Lexington going *east to west*.

I've been lost in New York on more than one occasion, and it's turned out to be a wonderful experience -- go ahead and let yourself get lost and you can stumble upon some wonderful things.

NYCHouseGirl 02-06-2007 06:11 PM

"My Period is Late," for Madison, Park, and Lexington going *east to west*.

I've been lost in New York on more than one occasion, and it's turned out to be a wonderful experience -- go ahead and let yourself get lost and you can stumble upon some wonderful things.[/quote]


best thing i've heard in a realllllly long time! i ALWAYS screw up the order of those streets...east to west of course...and now because of that, i vow to never do it again!!

thank you thank you thank you!!
:worship:


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