David KrisoThere is no city like New York City. New York City is the city that never sleeps. It is the city where the world comes to audition. It is the mecca of the sports world. So much comes to mind when New York City is brought into the conversation. New York City may be a great city to experience from surface roads, but to experience all the great attractions and activities, there is only one great way to see it all-the subway. Whether below or above ground, the New York City subway is one of the most diverse, yet user-friendly subway systems in the world. What New York City points-of-interest are best accessible via subway? All it takes is just a swipe of the Metro Card and one little push of the turnstile.
#5 New York City Beaches: Everyone knows the 80s song, “Cruel Summer” by Bananarama. There’s nothing like hitting the beaches on a hot New York City summer day. Unlike New Jersey, New York City has a handful of popular beaches of its own. Coney Island, Manhattan Beach, and Brighton Beach are well-accessible by subway. In fact, it’s best to forget about the car and take the subway to all New York City beaches. Coney Island can be reached via the D, F, N, and Q lines. Brighton and Manhattan Beaches can be reached on the Q line. The subway ride time is approximately 1 hour.
#4 Broadway theatres: When anyone visits New York City for its Broadway theatre entertainment, it’s the best choice any visitor can make. The Broadway theatre district stretches from West 40th Street to West 52nd Street. Many of the Broadway theatres are feet apart and across the street from one another. No matter what show, no matter which theatres visitors are searching for, the subway can take them there. The New York City subway system has an array of stations in proximity to the Broadway theatres. The New Amsterdam Theatre, home to Disney’s “Aladdin”, is a short walk from the 42nd Street-Port Authority Bus Terminal station. The Minskoff Theatre, home to Disney’s “The Lion King” is closest to the 42nd Street-Times Square station. 42nd Street-Port Authority Bus Terminal is the midtown hub for many lines. The A, C, E, N, Q, R, and W lines all cris-cross at this location. 42nd Street-Port Authority Bus Terminal has a connecting corridor to the 42nd Street-Times Square station, where the 7 and Grand Central Terminal shuttle train can be reached. The 50th Street station is just 4 blocks from the Radio City Music Hall, with neighboring Broadway theatres just minutes away.
#3 Sports venues: New York City has been known as mecca of the sports world. Going to any sports or concert events at any New York area stadium is the experience of a lifetime. Aside from sports events, concerts are popular for New Yorkers too. When Billy Joel and Elton John are in town, they are the two most selling concert events in New York. Tickets often sell out like lightning. The New York Mets’ Citi Field is accessible via the 7 subway line. The 7 line begins at 34th Street-Hudson Yards station, nearest to Penn Station, The Vessel, and the Jacob Javits Convention Center. Riders disembark at Willets Point-Citi Field, just outside the stadium gate. Fans going to Yankee Stadium are blessed with the choice of 3 lines-the B, D, and 4 lines. The B and D lines run north-south through midtown. The B line is a local, while the D line is an express. The 4 line runs north-south on the eastern side of town, passing through Grand Central Terminal. Madison Square Garden, home to the New York Knicks and New York Rangers, is accessible via the A, B, C, 1, 2, and 3 lines. Penn Station is located directly below Madison Square Garden. It’s best to follow the crowd. The Barclays Center in Brooklyn, home to the Brooklyn Nets, is widely accessible via the 2, 3, 4, 5, B, D, N, Q, and R lines. Whatever sports New Yorkers and city visitors follow, the subway is a slam dunk, a home run, a power play goal, and a touchdown caliber choice.
#2 Staten Island Ferry: The Staten Island Ferry is one of most widely used ferries in the world. Millions of tourists and commuters ride the Staten Island Ferry daily. It is an experience never to be passed up. The Staten Island Ferry White Hall Terminal is very easy to reach via New York City subway. The 1 line is the subway station closest to the Staten Island Ferry White Hall Terminal.
#1 The New Jersey Shore: Who said that New Yorkers and New York City tourists don’t visit the New Jersey Shore? The New Jersey Shore is a quick ferry ride away from the Wall Street Pier 11. Every summer, New Yorkers visit the New Jersey Shore daily by the thousands. Getting to Pier 11 by subway is simple. Pier 11 is 3 blocks away from the Wall Street subway station, served by the 2 and 3 lines. At Pier 11, it’s a quick 40 minute ride aboard the Seastreak Ferry across New York Harbor. The Seastreak Ferry whisks riders out the Verrazano Narrows channel, taking riders to the Atlantic Highlands dock. At last, land ho! For New Yorkers, every day is a perfect day at the New Jersey Shore. Wait, where is everybody headed? Atlantic Highlands is home to famous Sandy Hook and Twin Lights. Sandy Hook is home to one other popular destination-Gunnison Beach. Gunnison Beach is the largest clothing-optional beach in the northeastern United States. On weekends, it is packed to the gills. It’s that popular. For New Yorkers, the New Jersey Shore is never far away. Note: Early birds who take the 8 am ferry pay just $30.00 round-trip, as opposed to all other ferry departures, which cost $47.00 round-trip. The less money spent, plus more time spent at the beach, add up to a grand time had by all.
