Page 381 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - New York City

GE T TING AROUND NE W Y ORK CIT Y  379

Parking
spring and fall. On these days,
and during the New York Finding a parking space in
Marathon, it is difficult to get Manhattan is costly and difficult.
across town, as bus services are You can use parking garages,
disrupted. If such events are or see if your hotel includes
scheduled during your visit, overnight parking, but both
plan to see other areas of the options are very expensive.
city on that day. Subway traffic The busiest streets in
will not be affected, though Midtown do not allow parking.
trains may be more crowded Other streets may have
than usual. curbside meters for short-term
Walking through Chelsea (20–60 minutes) parking. Yellow
street and curb mark ings mean
Driving in New York
on York, Park, 11th, and 12th no parking.
avenues and on Broadway Heavy traffic, lack of parking, “Alternate-side” parking
above 60th Street. and expensive rental cars applies on most of the city’s
The grid of streets is rectan- make driving in New York a side streets. Cars may usually
gular rather than square, so frustra ting experience. If you be left all day and night, but
crosstown blocks are longer decide to drive, you must wear they must be moved to the
than north–south avenue a seat belt by law. Driving is other side of the street before
blocks. To gauge distances, on the right, and the speed 8am the next day. For specific
20 north–south city blocks limit is usually 30 mph information, call 311.
equal about 1 mile (1.6 km); it (48 km/h) in Midtown.
takes only about five to eight Most streets are one- Penalties
crosstown (east–west) blocks way, and there are
to make up that distance. traffic lights at almost If you receive
Some streets have more than every corner. Unlike a park ing ticket,
one name – for example, Avenue the rest of New you have seven
of the Americas is better known York State, you days to pay the
as Sixth Avenue. Park Avenue is can never turn fine or to appeal.
called Park Avenue South below right on a red light If you have any
34th Street and Fourth Avenue unless there is a sign queries about
below 14th Street. The maps indicating otherwise. your ticket, call
in this guide give the names To rent a car, you Car-rental logos the Parking
most often used. must be at least 25 Violations Bureau.
years old. You will If you cannot find
need a valid driver’s license, your car, call 311 to find out if
Planning Your Journey
a passport, and a credit card. it has been towed. The Traffic
Buses and subways are Department Tow Pound is
busiest during the rush hours: Car Insurance open 24 hours a day, Monday to
8–10am and 4:30–6:30pm, Saturday. Redeeming your car
Monday to Friday. Throughout Unless you are adequately will incur a $185 towing fee, $70
these periods, it may be easier covered by your own insurance execution fee, and a $20-per-
to face the crowds on foot than policy, you should take out day storage fee. Traveler’s
attempt any journey by bus, damage and liability pro tection checks, certified checks, money
taxi, or subway. At other times when renting a car. Check with orders, and cash are accepted.
of day and during certain your insurance company before If you have rent ed the car, the
holiday periods, the traffic is you travel. Your car-rental contract must be produced,
often much lighter, and you agency will be able to provide and only the authorized driver
should reach your destination you with a policy if necessary. may redeem the vehicle.
more quickly.
There are, of course, a few
exceptions. When the president
or other political celebrities
visit, security measures can
cause major disruption to the
traffic. The area around Seventh
Avenue, south of 42nd Street,
is likely to be busy during
the day with the truck and
handcart traffic of New York’s
garment industry.
Avoid Fifth Avenue on parade
days, which often take place in Vibrant Times Square with its neon billboards

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