For out-of-towners, I've researched some good hotel/airfare options. I based a lot of my travel information on Rochester to NYC for travel on Friday, October 17th and Sunday October 19th, but if you have a particular city you want me to look into, please let me know.
I had this fantasy that for those who have never traveled to NYC, they would use this trip as an excuse for a vacation and site-seeing opportunity. For more information in things to do in New York, go the official tourist website. Another good resource is Time Out New York magazine.
This will be an on-going project, so please check back for updated details.
By Plane
New York has three major airports: La Guardia, JFK and Newark (which is in New Jersey, but there's a shuttle that takes you right into Penn Station in Manhattan, so in many ways, it's easier). Lucien and I live in Queens, very very close to LaGuardia. From Rochester, the flight takes about an hour and a half (plus the 11 hours it takes to go through security) and costs between $125 (on United) -$140.
By Train
Amtrak trains enter New York City at Penn Station. MetroNorth trains enter at Grand Central. I've found that Amtrak is generally more expensive and time-consuming than simply getting a cheap flight (don't get me started on our pathetically inefficient rail system!). It's about a 6-8 hour ride from Rochester. So unless you want a long, leisurely adventure that in no way resembles those romantic 1940s films, I would just fly. The good thing about the train is that you can walk around, though.
By Bus
Greyhound/Peter Pan busses enter NYC via Port Authority, which is smack-dad in the middle of Manhattan. The good thing about taking a bus is that you have more flexibility. A quick search revealed nine buses departing from Rochester to New York City in one day. It takes anywhere from 6-8 hours and cost around $140 round trip (about the same as the train or a plane ticket)
By Car
The easiest way to obtain directions via car is to go to Mapquest once you've booked a hotel. You can type in your address and the address of the hotel and get detailed directions: it's awesome!
Manhattan
The wedding is taking place in Manhattan, so the best idea is for people to get rooms nearby.
The
Gershwin
7
East 27th Street
New York, NY 10016
Phone: 212-545-8000
This is a very cool hotel close to the Metronome. The
bottom floor has an art-gallery and there's live jazz performances. Rates
starting from $99 for the economy double (they're very small, though). There
is also one larger suite per floor with ajoined rooms for $209/night. It can
be used for 2 couples and a single. If older cousins want to stay together,
there are hostel rooms with bunkbeds for $40! I recently visited the hotel
and really liked it. It's not luxury, but it's very clean, safe and interesting
(original artwork in every room)... and extremely close to Metronome.
I reserved
a block of rooms for our guests. If you wish to stay here, mention the code
GR-PERRY for a discount.
The closest parking garage is Central Parking at 839 6th ave., between 29th/30th Sts. (212.695.3896). Gershwin guests get a reduced rate of $25 per 24 hour period, but you need to get a sticker from the hotel when you check in. Put the sticker on the back of your parking ticket in order to get the discount when you leave the garage.
Milford
Plaza
270 W. 45th Street
New York, New York United States 10036
1-888-LODGING (563-4464)
Located in the heart of Midtown Manhattan's Theater District. Rates are around
$100/night. I haven't visited it, so I can't give an honest review.
The
Benjamin
125 East 50th Street
New York, NY 10022
(212) 715-2500
(212) 715-2525 Fax
Our friend works at the restaurant downstairs from this very swank, gorgeous hotel. She can get us an extremely good deal of about $150/night (half the usul rate!), but it's not that close to Metronome. This is a good choice for those out-of-towners who want to use the trip as an excuse for a more upscale vacation.