Travel Directions
Hotel
The conference hotel is the Holiday Inn Midtown 57th Street located in Manhattan
at 440 West 57th Street, which is on 57th street between 9th and 10th Avenues. This
is on the west side of Manhattan. The hotel phone number is (212) 581-8100.
Climate
Fahrenheit:
Temperatures in New York City have been in the mid 40s during the day and mid 30s at
night. If it is sunny, it will be warmer, possibly into the upper 50s. Note though
that we had a cold snap last week with highs around 40 and lows in the 20s. It rains
here. Expect rain during at least part of your stay.
Celcius:
Temperatures in New York City have been around 7 degrees during the day and 1 degree
during the night. If it is sunny, it will be warmer, possibly 14 degrees. Note though
that we had a cold snap last week with highs around 4 degrees and lows around -5. It
rains here. Expect rain during at least part of your stay.
Transportation
John F. Kennedy Airport
The most convenient way to get into Manhattan is by Taxi. Use a Yellow Cab, which
charges a flat rate of US$30 to anywhere in Manhattan. Bridge or tunnel tolls are
extra, which means you pay them. One fare covers all passengers, and a good tip is
about 4-5 dollars(15 percent). For lost property and complaints, call (212) 302-TAXI.
A more economical alternative at US$13 is the Carey Airport Express Coach Bus,
which leaves JFK for Manhattan every 20-30 minutes from 6am until midnight. Upon
arrival at Grand Central Station, take a Yellow Cab to the Holiday Inn Midtown for
US$5-7.
The ground transportation counters near the baggage claim areas can provide
information and directions to the taxis and buses.
La Guardia Airport
The most convenient way to get into Manhattan is by Taxi. Use a Yellow Cab, which
charges a metered rate of around US$20-25 depending on your destination in
Manhattan. Bridge or tunnel tolls are extra, which means you pay them. One fare
covers all passengers, and a good tip is about 3-4 dollars (15 percent). For lost
property and complaints, call (212) 302-TAXI.
A more economical alternative at US$10 is the Carey Airport Express Coach Bus,
which leaves La Guardia for Manhattan every 20-30 minutes from 6:45am until midnight.
Upon arrival at Grand Central Station, take a Yellow Cab to the Holiday Inn Midtown
for US$5-7.
The ground transportation counters near the baggage claim areas can provide
information and directions to the taxis and buses.
Newark International Airport
The most convenient way to get into Manhattan is by Taxi . Use a New Jersey Taxi Cab,
which charges a rate of around US$30-40 depending on your destination in Manhattan.
Bridge or tunnel tolls are extra, which means you pay them. One fare covers all
passengers, and a good tip is about 4-6 dollars (15 percent).
A more economical alternative at US$15 is the Olympia Trails Airport Express
Bus, which leaves Newark for Manhattan every 20 minutes from 6:15am until midnight.
Be sure to take the bus to ``Midtown Hotels'' and tell the driver to take you to the
Holiday Inn Midtown 57th Street.
The ground transportation counters near the baggage claim areas can provide
information and directions to the taxis and buses.
Points of Interest
Getting Around Town
Bus or subway costs US$1.50 per person. If you are traveling in a group of three or
four people, Yellow Medallion Taxis are the most convenient way to get around the
city. Tipping the driver for good service at the rate of 15 percent is customary in
New York.
The bus and subway system is generally safe within Manhattan during daylight and
early evening hours, but always practice common-sense safety. Carry important
documents in a money belt or leave them in the hotel safe. Be sure you know the
reputation of the area where you are going. Strolling through certain sections after
dark with a tourist map could be asking for trouble.
Foreign Currency Exchange
Currency can be exchanged at most banks, at some travel agencies, and at specialized
currency exchange outlets. Some charge a flat fee of US$5 or so in addition to their
outrageous exchange rates, which can vary from place to place. Usually the most
economical way to obtain US currency is through any bank machine that accepts your
foreign bank card via networks such as Cirrus, NYCE, or Plus. Though your foreign
bank may also charge a fee for using your card abroad, the currency exchange rates
on such transactions typically can't be beat. Failing that, call or visit one of
the following places:
Chase Manhattan Bank at 8th Ave. & 57th Street, no fee and best rate, (212)935-9935,
Thomas Cook Currency Services at 1590 Broadway & 48th Street, $5 fee, (212)265-6063,
World Currency Exchange at 836 7th Ave. & 53rd Street, (212)765-2323.
Further currency exchange listings are given on page 126 of the Visitor's Guide, which
is available at registration.
Restaurants
A list of nearby restaurants in all price ranges will be available at the registration
desk during the conference. A 15 percent to 20 percent tip for service is customary in
New York.
Things To Do
Now that you have arrived safely and registered, you are ready, with Visitor's Guide,
transit maps, and cash hidden away, to hit the town. Below is a list of things everyone
should see at least once. Please refer to the Visitor's Guide for more detailed
information.
Broadway/Times Square
Catch a famous show, and wait at the stage exit for autographs.
Central Park
John Lennon memorial, paddle boat rental, zoo, theater, and lots of fresh air.
Ellis Island
Take the ferry from Battery Park to see this famous immigrant gateway to America.
Empire State Bldg.
Spectacular day- and nighttime views from 1050 feet above Manhattan.
Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts
Daily tours of the Metropolitan Opera House.
New York Stock Exchange
Take a guided tour and catch a glimpse of the trading floor.
Statue of Liberty
Take the ferry from Battery Park and climb up America's symbol of freedom.
World Trade Center
World's highest outdoor deck above 110th floor.
United Nations
Guided tours of assembly hall, council chambers, and art exhibits.
Transportation -- Part 2
Getting Into Town by Rail
If you are coming to New York by Train, you will arrive either at Grand Central Station
or at Penn Station. Grand Central Station is located on the east side of Manhattan
at Park Avenue and 42nd Street. Upon arrival at Grand Central Station, take a Yellow
Cab to the Holiday Inn Midtown for US $5-7. Penn Station is located on the west side
of Manhattan at 7th Avenue and 33rd Street. Upon arrival at Penn Station, take a Yellow
Cab to the Holiday Inn Midtown for US $4-5. Tipping the driver for good service at the
rate of 15 percent is customary in New York.
Geting into Town by Bus
If you are coming to New York by Bus, you will arrive at the Port Authority Bus
Terminal, which is on the west side of Manhattan at Eighth Avenue and 42nd Street.
Upon arrival at Port Authority Bus Terminal, take a Yellow Cab to the Holiday Inn
Midtown for US$3-4. Tipping the driver for good service at the rate of 15 percent
is customary in New York.
Points of Interest -- Part 2
Parking
If you are coming to New York by Car, parking is available at the Holiday Inn Midtown
at the rate of $11.75 per day. Check with the front desk staff for more details.
Food
For your grocery requirements, there are numerous supermarket chain stores and smaller
grocers all over the city. Most stores are open Monday to Saturday from about 9am to
8pm, and many also open on Sunday. Located near the Holiday Inn Midtown are:
D'Agostino at 8th Ave. & 57th Street, (212) 581-8716,
Sloan's/Gristede's at 8th Ave. & 54th Street, (212) 582-5873.
Gary's Walking Tour of Midtown (or Where Am I?)
In most of Manhattan, north-south roads are called Avenues and east-west roads are
called Streets. The distance from one Avenue to the next is 2 to 3 times as long as
the distance from one Street to the next. The hotel is located at 57th Street between
9th and 10th Avenues. You are in midtown. If you stand at the front entrance of the
hotel, you are looking NORTH. 9TH AVENUE is to your RIGHT and 10TH AVENUE is to your
LEFT. Street numbers increase going north. Avenue numbers increase going west. Some
Avenues have names instead of numbers.
CENTRAL PARK, is a beautiful place to walk. It is just a few blocks away. An entrance
is on 59th St. and 8th Ave., that is, two blocks north and 1 and 1/2 blocks east. This
area is called Columbus Circle. Central Park stretches north all the way to 110th St.
and east to 5th Ave. There are several museums on the east side (5th Ave) of the Park,
including the METROPOLITAN MUSEUM OF ART at 81st St. and the GUGGENHEIM MUSEUM at 89th
St. On the west side (8th Ave., called here, Central Park West) is the AMERICAN MUSEUM
OF NATURAL HISTORY at 77th St. LINCOLN CENTER, home of symphony concerts and operas is
also on the west side at 9th Ave. and 63rd St.
South and east of the hotel is TIMES SQUARE at approximately 43rd St. and 7th Ave. This
area contains an unbelievable array of electronic billboards and theaters. If you have
ever heard of the lights of Broadway, this is what they are talking about. Approach
Times Square by walking east on 57th St. past 8th Ave. to BROADWAY which crosses
diagonally. Then walk south on Broadway. Or, continue on 57th St. to 7th Ave. to see
CARNEGIE HALL at the corner and then walk south on 7th Ave.
Further east, on 5th Ave. between 49th and 50th Streets is ROCKEFELLER CENTER. Here is
the famous golden statue of Prometheus, an ice rink (operating until April), Radio City
Music Hall and the studios of the NBC morning program TODAY. Just a few blocks away is
the MUSEUM OF MODERN ART (MOMA) at 53rd St. between 5th and 6th Avenues. A few blocks
south and east at 43rd and Park Ave. (two blocks east past 5th) is the classic style
train station, GRAND CENTRAL TERMINAL. It has been undergoing renovation for the last
two years, but is looking beautiful inside. LOOK UP! If you go to Grand Central, you
will get a good look at the building on the RECOMB POSTER, the CHRYSLER BUILDING (and
you thought it was the Empire State Building)! A good view is at about 44th St. and
Madison Ave, one block east of 5th. Look east down 44th St.
For other interesting excursions, go to GREENWICH VILLAGE and the EAST VILLAGE, starting
south of 14th St. and stretching from one side of Manhattan to the other. WASHINGTON
SQUARE PARK and NYU are in Greenwich Village at about 5th Ave. and 5th St. SOHO, (South
of Houston St.), is a few block further south, walk down Broadway. Note that the
north-south east-west orientation of streets breaks down hear so it is easy to get lost.
The BROOKLYN BRIDGE is beautiful and should not be missed. You can walk across it to
get a view of Manhattan. Take the subway there and get off at City Hall (N and R lines)
or Brooklyn Bridge City Hall (6 line).