Visiting Belmont - Need help

[Rootdog1]

Starting to make plans for visiting Belmont next week....obviously making sure Shack runs before I book anything.

Never been to Belmont and wondering what the accomidation options are near the track or should I stay in the city and ride a train to the track. I would guess with one week out many places are full.

I appreciate any suggestions.

Thanks

[slotdirt]

I'd absolutely stay in the city and take the train. There are like 7,012,835 hotel rooms in Manhattan - I guarantee you that at least one reasonably nice one is still available.

[Storm Cadet]

depends if you are driving or flying in!

For JCGC weekend, many people fly into Islip-McArthur and stay right at the airport hotels there (less expensive flights and hotels than NYC) and rent a cheap car...or

if you have no wheels, there is no place near Belmont I would stay at...stay in NYC and take the train...but be prepared to have long lines on the Belmont Special trains on that day post race!

[blackthroatedwind]

Originally Posted by Storm Cadet

if you have no wheels, there is no place near Belmont I would stay at...stay in NYC and take the train...but be prepared to have long lines on the Belmont Special trains on that day post race!

I've taken the Railroad home from Belmont each of the last two years and it couldn't have been easier.

[Storm Cadet]

Thanks Andy...always heard from friends that it was bad! I'll tell them to STOP whinning and enjoy the ride!

Rootdog: here is a great link put up by NYRA regarding the train service not only on Stakes day but the regular schedule in case you arrive early!

http://www.nyra.com/belmont/stories/Apr262011.shtml

PM me if you need hotel info out here in Long Island as I've hosted many guys on JCGC Day and others! If it was me..and I had the opportunity to stay in NYC and enjoy all that Manhattan can offer with all the great restaurants and entertainment, I'd stay there for the weekend! I spend about 20-30 nights a year in NYC hotels on business and love my time in the city!

[randallscott35]

I try to avoid public transportation because of the risk of flash mobs.

[Rootdog1]

Thank you to everyone. Great help.

[blackthroatedwind]

Originally Posted by Cardus

If you absolutely cannot stay in Manhattan, try to get into the Garden City Hotel if you can (which is expensive). It is nice, and close, to Belmont Park.

And almost certainly sold out.

[Storm Cadet]

It is sold out! as is the Long Island-Marriott nearby!

[slotdirt]

I think it's great to be near the track and all, but if you're coming from far away (and I'm assuming that Rootdog is given how often he plays SoCal racing), there's no reason NOT to stay in the city for Belmont weekend.

Oh, and the train is absolutely the way to go. If one goes early, there's virtually zero line, and with a Triple Crown not on the line, the crowd will be in the 60-ish thousand range and not 100k plus (as it was in, say, 2008), and one shouldn't have to wait too terribly long for the LIRR postrace.

[Rootdog1]

Flying in from Kentucky, and have been to the city many times but just never made it to Belmont. I was supposed to go last year as I named a race on the Belmont Stakes undercard by winning an auction for a non-profit but something came up and missed it. I think I will stay in the city close to Penn station...sounds like the train is the way to go. If Shack wins, I will be going back to the city in a Limo!

[cal828]

Can you get to Belmont from Grand Central or do you have to go to Penn Station? Stayed in a small, but nice hotel called the Affinity 50 which is fairly close to Grand Central last time I was in NYC.

[slotdirt]

It's a direct from Penn Station.

[philcski]

Originally Posted by cal828

Can you get to Belmont from Grand Central or do you have to go to Penn Station? Stayed in a small, but nice hotel called the Affinity 50 which is fairly close to Grand Central last time I was in NYC.

No. But what you can do, to avoid backtracking, is taking the 7 train from GCT to Woodside-61st St and switch to LIRR there.

[alysheba4]

Originally Posted by Storm Cadet

depends if you are driving or flying in!

For JCGC weekend, many people fly into Islip-McArthur and stay right at the airport hotels there (less expensive flights and hotels than NYC) and rent a cheap car...or

if you have no wheels, there is no place near Belmont I would stay at...stay in NYC and take the train...but be prepared to have long lines on the Belmont Special trains on that day post race!

,,,did that one belmont and it was CRAZY

[Storm Cadet]

Originally Posted by alysheba4

,,,did that one belmont and it was CRAZY

what was? the flying in to Islip or the Belmont train from NYC?

[alysheba4]

belmont train......mind you it was 2004 and about 127k people. this year it will be, what? 45k

Originally Posted by randallscott35

I try to avoid public transportation because of the risk of flash mobs.

[cal828]

Originally Posted by slotdirt

It's a direct from Penn Station.

Originally Posted by philcski

No. But what you can do, to avoid backtracking, is taking the 7 train from GCT to Woodside-61st St and switch to LIRR there.

Thanks. I go to NYC a couple of times a year. Wife has mandatory training she goes to in NYC for her work. I tag along just for the fun of it. Go to plays at night with the wife, but need something to do during the day when she is in training workshops.

[Storm Cadet]

Originally Posted by alysheba4

belmont train......mind you it was 2004 and about 127k people. this year it will be, what? 45k

My guess with good weather will be between 50-60,000...NYRA has really done a nice job fixing the track back yard and picnic area along the rail this year! Place is really clean, they have put up some nicer amenities for food and drink for the fans too. This past Saturday they had over 9,000 for a Met Mile card and they got nice weather for that day too!

The race card is shaping up as excellent too so get out there on Friday and Saturday and enjoy the great Stakes weekend!