If you’re planning a trip to New York City but feel deterred by the prices of lodging, transportation, and other expenses, there’s a simple answer waiting for you across the Hudson River. The next time you visit NYC, consider staying in hotels with the amenities you like in nearby, less expensive New Jersey.
The Garden State offers its own charms, and with an abundance of local transportation options, it is easily accessible to Manhattan.
Saving Money
An NYC visit can require significant funds for hotel accommodations. Opting for a highly expensive room without reviewing all options can certainly be a costly mistake.
Consequently, it’s natural to begin exploring budget alternatives, and New Jersey provides the opportunity to save about $100 or more per night, depending on the season, location, room amenities, and various other factors.
Multiple chain hotels cater to Manhattan visitors. Each is situated slightly differently, and the convenience of location will vary. However, this alternative is worth considering as you create a budget for visiting NYC.
Hotel Options in New Jersey
Two places with excellent transportation connections to Manhattan are the Meadowlands area and near Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR); both provide a solid selection of mid-range hotels for approximately half the cost of a room in Manhattan.
The Fairfield Inn & Suites Newark Liberty International Airport, located just north of EWR, offers clean, nonsmoking rooms and breakfast included in the room rate. Flight information is easily accessible on monitors and via your television.
The Ramada Plaza by Wyndham Newark International Airport is a budget hotel that includes all the amenities one would desire, plus a free shuttle to EWR. Both the Ramada and The Best Western Plus Robert Treat Hotel are smoke-free with a multilingual staff. The Best Western includes breakfast with the room cost.
Transportation to NYC
Train transport between Manhattan and EWR utilizes the Air Train, which takes passengers from the airport to a point where they can access trains for Newark Penn Station and New York Penn Station.
The PATH Subway is one of the quickest and most affordable transit options between NYC and New Jersey, connecting Newark, Hoboken, and Jersey City to Manhattan Midtown and the World Trade Center.
Moreover, several NY Waterway ferries run regularly from New Jersey to NYC, providing lovely views along the way.
Taxis and buses are additional transportation options between NYC and New Jersey; however, they may take longer and prove more costly.
With some research and a little flexibility, you may find that a trip to NYC can be easily made more affordable when New Jersey is considered a viable option for your stay.
What to See in New Jersey
Just a taxi ride away and near EWR and Newark Penn Station, you will discover several engaging activities you might not even consider if you stay in Manhattan.
For those with an interest in the arts, the New Jersey Performing Arts Center is a wonderful stop for a concert or comedy show in Newark. The nearby Newark Museum offers an array of arts and science exhibitions, films, and other features for adults and children alike.
Liberty State Park in Jersey City boasts fantastic views of the Hudson River, Manhattan, the Statue of Liberty, and Ellis Island. Additionally, the Liberty Science Center provides films, exhibitions, and the largest planetarium in the Western Hemisphere.
The 18.5-mile Hudson River Waterfront Walkway—running through Jersey City and Hoboken, among other areas—is a popular, always-open site for viewing the Manhattan skyline on foot, by bicycle, or kayak. You can also spend the day at the Hoboken Historical Museum exploring exhibitions and events.
Alternatively, you may want to visit The Mills at Jersey Gardens, a mall featuring over 200 stores and a movie theater in Elizabeth.
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