The 411 on Newark

curmudgeoness

Okay -- My kids and I were planning on leaving the car at a park and ride and taking NJ Transit to Newark Penn Station, and then meeting my husband, who will be driving from work, at the Prudential Center. I would be taking the Morristown line or the Montclair-Boonton line, and now I see that those trains go to Broad Street, not Newark Penn Station. The NJ Transit "trip planner" has us taking light rail from Broad Street and then walking half a mile to the arena. How safe is this? I had been planning to avoid having two cars in lots around the arena, but now I am wondering what will be the best transportation option.

RPAQ88

I do not recomend doing that. It is pretty far from the Broad Street station to the arena. Two ideas that are better: Drive and park at a train station that has direct service to Penn Station. OR Take a train to Seacacus Junction and transfer to Penn Station from there.

curmudgeoness

RPAQ88 wrote:

I do not recomend doing that. It is pretty far from the Broad Street station to the arena. Two ideas that are better: Drive and park at a train station that has direct service to Penn Station. OR Take a train to Seacacus Junction and transfer to Penn Station from there.

Thanks -- lines with direct service to Penn Station are pretty far out of the way for me, so transferring at Secaucus is easier. What I am wondering about though is the light rail service from Broad Street station to Newark Penn Station. Looking at a map, the light rail line seems to go by the Newark Museum and NJPAC -- pretty nice area; I just want to check on safety since I will be with my kids.

RPAQ88

I've never taken the light rail so I can't tell you exactly where it will pick you up / drop you off. The area around the NJPAC is safe and from there it is a straight walk down Mulberry Street to the arena. I think you can also take the light rail direclty to Penn Station which is a shorter walk to the arena and there will be plenty of other people making that walk.

Not trying to scare you but I just thought it would be easier is you could catch a train directly to Penn Station. Assuming you are travelling during evening rush hour there will be plenty of people / commuters around and it will be daylight.

curmudgeoness

I appreciate the information, really. Now I just need to figure out how early to get there.

MikeSig

From my experience, the entire area surrounding the light rail line is pretty nice. I don't think it's a cause for concern, but transferring at Secaucus might just be easier from a logistical perspective.

elwayvedder

Baba ORiley wrote:

Bump... WHERE IS MMM BELLOS?? Need a Pre-show spot!

376 Market Street. A few blocks from the Prudential Center

curmudgeoness

Okay, thanks.

Another question, if you don't mind, which I just posted on the general tour info thread after elwayvedder's note: Is MMM Bello's a bar or restaurant? I'm happy to come by the pre-party and support the fundraiser, but I will have my kids (13 and 11) with me. Also, they are growing boys, so they always need to eat. I'd like to get them something other than fluorescent popcorn for dinner, so if I can feed them and support a good cause at the same time, so much the better.

elwayvedder

curmudgeoness wrote:

Okay, thanks.

Another question, if you don't mind, which I just posted on the general tour info thread after elwayvedder's note: Is MMM Bello's a bar or restaurant? I'm happy to come by the pre-party and support the fundraiser, but I will have my kids (13 and 11) with me. Also, they are growing boys, so they always need to eat. I'd like to get them something other than fluorescent popcorn for dinner, so if I can feed them and support a good cause at the same time, so much the better.

i would call Bellos and ask: 973 465 0052.

BoltOfLightnin'

I'm in south Jersey and won't be able to leave until about 5 - 5:30 pm. Google maps says it's about a 1hr 45 min drive to Newark, but I'm worried about hitting a bunch of traffic...someone else mentioned staying away from 21, but I think that's the way I'll be coming - from the south tho. So, can anyone tell me what, if any problems I might run into? Should I prepay for parking to be safe?

JC29856

any recommendations for a quick bite and drink just before the show, somewhere along the way from pennstation? maybe a nice bbq or roast pork sanbo and beer? thxs

RPAQ88

Hell's Kitchen, Arena Bar, Brick City Bar and Grill, Scully's, Spot Lounge. I believe they all have websites and have good food / drinks. Brick City is the closest to the arena - it's accross the street from the box office.

Jacks

I received email yesterday from the Prudential Center that included
confirmation that still cameras "of all sizes" are allowed. I called
security to seek clarification to try to further increase the chances
that I wouldn't risk having my DSLR and lens confiscated.

If anyone else knows anything further I'd be grateful for a PM.
All the security shift supervisor with whom I spoke was able
to tell me was thAt he hadn't heard about any change in the usual
"no cameras with removable lenses" rule

I'm parked across the street and guess I'll be able to dash over to
stow my gear if necessary. But I'm going to take a shot and
bring my main body and real glass (f/2.8 70-200mm).

Trying to be positive here . . .

curmudgeoness

I called Bellos, and it's okay to bring my boys -- "They just can't sit at the bar." So we will try to come by later and meet some people, etc.