First time to NYC

I am traveling from Baltimore. We wish to visit NYC. Train ticket is about $170 each. We would be willing to drive but, don%26#39;t know about the dificulity with traffic (weekend) and parking. Could use some advice regarding best (cheapest) way to get there, lodging for one night and sightseeing.

First time to NYC

Got some questions for you. Have you looked into flying from Washington, D.C. to LGA? Amtrak is typically not the cheapest, especially if there are airline specials.

BTW, alas, why only one night? That%26#39;s too bad. But, if you really only have one night, I would look into Site59. It%26#39;s a last-minute travel-package website, especially for short trips. I%26#39;ve gotten wonderful deals for air+hotel and air+car. (You must book at least two components.)

www.site59.com

For a good overview of NYC, take one of our bus tours. Most people here report that they enjoy the Marvelous Manhattan Tours and the Party Shuttle. The double-deck Grayline Buses are also recommended.

http://kingofnyc.com/

http://newyorkpartyshuttle.com/

http://www.coachusa.com/newyorksightseeing/

Check out the Frommer%26#39;s website for ';what to do in one day'; itinerary:

frommers.com/destinations/鈥?021020766.html

About.com also has some ideas for a one-day visit:

鈥bout.com/cs/travelitineraries/a/one_day.htm

New Yorkled is a great site for basic tourism info and ';must see'; lists and maps.

http://www.newyorkled.com/

How about browsing through some trip reports? Here is a collection of reports from couples. Most were first timers. Steal an itinerary!

tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g60763-i5-k472956-鈥?/a> Collection_of_trip_reports_from_couples_great_ideas-

First time to NYC

Have you considered traveling by bus? It is much cheaper, and barring an accident, the same time that Amtrak takes.

AMtrak is easy and relaxing but not all that cheap...on the other hand, it gets you right into midtown no fuss no muss no get there early security blah blah stuff which is great if you have only one day...whereas if you fly you need to get to the airport in DC, in advance, on the plane, into the city from LGA or JFK....which makes the trip just as long as the train, no cheaper and a pain in the neck. If you want to drive, you can park your car in a commercial lot for less than your two train tickets! But getting into NYc by car is not for the faint-hearted. FInally, if you really want to come cheaply on the bus, try fung wah bus company online. They recently got a bad rep for a bus accident, but they are cheap cheap cheap and I think they do a ny-dc run.

Here%26#39;s an article about the Chinatown bus companies:

www.answers.com/topic/chinatown-bus-lines