From JFK to Manhattan: all is fun!

JFK airport is very well linked and provides you with loads of options to get New York subway. Ok, you can also rent a car (oh my God I am wondering where you are going to park your car in Manhattan and above all, how much you would pay to park), take a shuttle (hmmm a single ticket is $15 per person and the round one $28) or take a bus (the cheapest way:  get a single fare subway ticket, get off on Kew Garden subway station and from there, you will go everywhere by subway). But it is very cool to get the Air Train. Life is a Journey took the Air Train. The Air Train cost $5 and offers a special ticket which is Air Train fare + subway= $7,25.  The train service connects  the airline terminals and from each terminal route, you can take other two routes which go outside the airport, Jamaica station and Howard Beach Station. We don’t remember where Howard Beach takes you, but you will certainly take the train to Jamaica Station to reach Manhattan, Brooklyn and Queens. It is easy-yyyy , but for us the most difficult bit was to undertand when the train was going to Jamaica Station. Or worst, if we were going to Howard Beach.  First, when the train is going to Jamaica Station a green square appears on the screen. Otherwise, a red one will apppear when the destination is Howard Beach. In addition,  the train goes clockwise and before the last stop, it is announced “The last stop is Jamaica Station”.  God save the dude and the dudess!

Savour the supermarkets in Manhattan: is there any??

Well, it was not easy to find a $200 – hotel in Manhattan. Yeah, this is the least you will pay, if you really want to get good accommodation, but finding a supermarket in the sophisticated Manhattan was something like wild – goose chase task. Ethinic, organic food  or  grocery shopping, you will find anywhere, but a supermarket is really rare. Life is a Journey succeeded in finding one and will tell you where Manhattan locals buy food. Actually, there aren’t many at all, but a good option is D’Agostino. There is one at 38th East in Midtown and we saw another on Upper West at 86th West. A relaxed supermaket with nice staff and good service. You can get your general grocery shopping as well as gourmet. Actually, the gourmet food section is really yummy and the selection of hot food will drive you crazy. They everything from normal supermaket itens to mangoes. Stop also at Whole Food and check their large variety of healthful and unique groceries. Food Emporium at Union Square in Greenwich Village is open 24 hours. Enjoy!

Savour the hotel in New York

It was not easy to find a hotel in New York which matched with our budget (hic) and all our needs, but, in the end, Life is a Journey found the Murray Hill East Suites. The Hotel is in a great  area (please, check the map out for the location) and has reasonable rates for NYC. Located in Midtown, very near from the key spots like Fifth Avenue, New York Public Library, Rockfeller Center and Times Square, it features suites and studios with kitchen and kitchenette, free wi-fi in the public area, a fitness centre, vending machines, guests laundry facilities and tour desks.

Life is a Journey chose a studio. The studio is very spacious, around 40m², with separating living room and a kitchen. The kitchen bit is very handy when you are travelling with children. First, after having walked  the whole day, believe me, the last thing you will be fancying  to do is drag yourself and your child around to eat in a restaurant; second, eating out everyday in NYC is a luxury for Brad – Jolly family and third, it is really a dream having your meal in Manhatan as you were a local in his/her home.

Next: cheapest ways out from JFK to Manhatan and supermarkets,

Savour the big apple: heading for New York

Yes, we went to the Big Apple. Through this serie of posts, you will learn how Life is a Journey enjoyed New York, even though it was a brief week journey,  with our five – year old young boy. Travelling with a child requires special care and attention to, what one could say futile, and even essential for parents, details like “does the hotel have tv with cable channels?”, “is the hotel near or far from public transports?” and so on. So enjoy our adventure in New York!