Getting to and from Madison Square Garden area

I will be bringing my 74 year old mother to MSG for the Westminster dog show. We plan on going to the show for part of the day, returning to the hotel for a break and going back in the afternoon or evening. The show is open until 10pm or so both nights.

We%26#39;re willing to walk a bit between the hotel and MSG, but I%26#39;m concerned about distance and safety. Would it be better to stay at the Metro and walk back and forth or stay further away at the Westin (Times Square)and rely on cabs. We%26#39;d love the freedom of being able to walk, but other posts suggest this is a dreary (possibly unsafe?)neighborhood.

If the cost of these two options were the same, what would you suggest?

Thanks in advance!

Getting to and from Madison Square Garden area

Where exactly are these two hotels you are referencing. This would be helpful for those wishing to respond to your query.

The areas mentioned are highly populated, I would deem them as safe as any other midtown locales, however if safety is an issue, take a cab.

Poppa

Getting to and from Madison Square Garden area

Thanks for your reply.

The Metro is at 45 West 35th (supposedly about 0.3mi from MSG).

The Westin is at 270 West 43rd (about a block off Times Square and about 0.6mi from MSG)

I would recommend that you try the Affinia Manhattan. Right across from the Garden and a nice suite hotel. affinia.com

This is not an unsafe area for walking and because of MSG and Penn Station, there are always plenty of people on the street.

The Metro should be fine. It%26#39;s right off Sixth Ave in front of Macy%26#39;s which is very close to MSG on Seventh Ave. You would only have to walk one avenue and three blocks south to get there. If you%26#39;re mother can get around at all, she should be able to make it. Of course, I don%26#39;t know her too well though. If not, it%26#39;s be about a $4-$5 cab ride.

Also, I don%26#39;t know who said midtown in the 30s was unsafe, but they%26#39;re out of their minds if they think that. You could get a wallet pickpocketed if you%26#39;re unaware and in the crowds on 34th st, but you won%26#39;t be in any danger at any time.

West 35th Street is not unsafe by any means, but it is a bit dreary after about 9 pm. It%26#39;s a somewhat commerical area with luncheonettes, shops and wholesale places, which close down at night. It%26#39;s just blah, and not busy. The action is on the Avenues.

I like the reco for the Affinia. It gets good reviews here.

My advice is to stay as close as possible. There will be a lot of walking inside the dog show. You%26#39;ll both be tired. Not a question of safety. If you%26#39;re not used to walking on paved streets, my suggestion is...stay close you%26#39;ll both be happier. The streets around the Garden will be filled morning, noon and night. That%26#39;s not the issue. It%26#39;s difficult to get cabs at certain times so you will most likely be walking.

jr

The area is safe, just not terribly attractive. But for this purpose, I agree stay as close as possible as long as it%26#39;s a good hotel. I think the Affinia Manhattan or even the Affinia Dumont would be great. From the Dumont, you could walk or take the crosstown 34 st bus. The Metro is also fine but the others I think are a bit nicer.

You MUST bring comfortable shoes. You%26#39;ll have a ball.;)

Thanks for all your suggestions.

The Affinia looks great, but is booked already.

Looks like most people recommend staying close and walking. Is it that much of a pain to get a taxi in the MSG/Penn Station area? I don%26#39;t want to get stuck at 10pm some night, but am leaning towards taking advantage of frequent guest points at the Westin...