This is a follow up to my post about 24 hour trips to NYC, which you can find here.
As I said in my last post, a day trip to New York, especially if you intend to be up for nearly 24 hours straight, requires some preparation and planning. This posts includes some of my suggestions – but keep in mind these are just some tips, and it’s your vacation, so edit them to suit you.
In terms of transportation, I suggest a discount bus company like Megabus or Bolt Bus. These companies are pretty much your standard greyhound, with a lot fewer routes. If you plan on having a full 24 hours for travel and leisure, you’ll want to schedule your Boston departure time between 6 and 7 a.m. (earlier if you’re worried about winter weather) and your New York Departure time around 11:30 p.m. to give you enough time to get to your bus from whatever play you decide to see, or place you decide to explore. Prices can vary based on the time of day you’re leaving as well as how far in advance you book. I’ve managed to get fares as low as $1 and as high as $20, so even if you do drag your feet and book late, the fares are still reasonable (as long as the bus isn’t sold out for the time you want.)
Other travel options to and from Boston include Acela Express, a train service offered by Amtrak. I’ve never taken it personally, so if you choose this mode of transportation please drop me a line to let me know what you thought!
If you definitely want to squeeze two shows into your 24-hour day, make sure you plan to go on a Wednesday, Saturday, or Sunday. Many Broadway (and Off-Broadway) shows have two shows on these days (a matinee at 2pm and an evening show at 8pm), but check Playbill.com’s weekly chart of current Broadway shows to determine your show’s individual schedule.
There are a number of resources for discount ticket codes and offers including BroadwayBox and Playbill. In my next post, I’ll detail even more options for discount tickets in NYC.
If you choose to see one show (or no shows), there’s a long list of museum and attractions to check out. For more info check New York travel websites like the New York City Guide or NYCGO.
When you get to New York, your planning will pay off as long as you keep a keen eye on the time. And my last bit of advice seems obvious, but I’ll throw it in nonetheless: wear comfortable clothes and shoes. Theater is way less formal than it used to be, so no one will care if you show up in jeans. And in terms of footwear, after 24 hours of being awake (depending on whether or not you can sleep on buses or trains) and walking around the city, your feet will thank you for the extra padding.
Have any other suggestions for NYC day trips? Leave a comment!
The Broadway Bostonian 