DIRECTIONS & LODGING
The following general routes are suggested by the Society of Illustrators. Please be sure to consult a map for the actual best route from your location. Keep in mind that numerous alternate routes into Manhattan exist and that traffic conditions can vary widely and change rapidly. For specific questions or more information about directions, contact the Society.
Subway:
Metrocards may be purchased at any New York City Transit station, either from a manned fare booth or from an automated machine. Metrocard automated machines accept cash, credit cards, and debit cards. For detailed information about fares, click here:
Cab:
Taxi cabs can be hailed anywhere in Manhattan or hired at taxi stands found outside major transit hubs such as Grand Central Station, Pennsylvania Station, or Port Authority. Taxi rates are subject to change. For information on fares and policies, click here:
By Bus
The nearest bus lines are the M98, M101, M102, and M103, running along Lexington Avenue, and the Q32 running along 60th Street. Check schedules and maps ahead of time at New York City Transit:
By Car
From Long Island: Take the Queensboro/59th Street Bridge into Manhattan and exit onto 2nd Avenue, traveling south. Turn left onto East 60th Street, travel one block, and then turn right onto 3rd Avenue, traveling north. Go three blocks to East 63rd Street and turn left. If arriving from Long Island via another route, such as the Midtown Tunnel, check ahead of time for the best route to the Upper East Side and 63rd Street.
From Upstate New York via New York State Thruway:
From I-87 South/I-287 East follow signs for the Major Deegan Expressway. Via [bridge TK] travel onto the FDR Drive Proceed downtown to the 63rd Street exit
From Connecticut / Upstate New York via I-95:
Take I-95 South to Exit 6B, I-278 West toward Bruckner Expressway / Triborough Bridge. Take exit 47, I-278 West/FDR Drive/Grand Central Parkway toward Triborough Bridge. Via the Triborough Bridge travel onto the FDR Drive. Proceed downtown to the 63rd Street exit
From New Jersey Via George Washington Bridge:
Exit George Washington Bridge, merge onto I-95 North. Take Exit 2, Amsterdam Avenue/Harlem River Drive/ FDR Drive, towards Manhattan. Follow signs to the Triborough Bridge and FDR Drive. Take the FDR Drive downtown to 63rd Street Exit
From New Jersey Via Lincoln Tunnel:
Exit Lincoln Tunnel and take the 10th Avenue/West Side Highway exit toward points north. Follow 10th Avenue uptown to 65th Street. Turn right onto 65th Street and travel crosstown to Lexington Avenue. Turn right onto Lexington and travel south to 63rd Street
Parking
On street parking in the vicinity of the Society is rarely available and recent meter enforcement policies leave motorists highly susceptible to ticketing. We recommend using a parking garage. Icon Parking is a useful website for locating parking in garages and lots and calculating its cost. Parking garages in the vicinity of the Society offering hourly, daily, and longer rates include:
Baron Parking 1801 Third Avenue
Custom Parking 186-188 E. 64th Street
Capital Parking 166 E. 63rd Street
Distinctive Parking 35-39 E. 61st Street
GMC Parking 124 E. 63rd Street (located next to the Society but very expensive)
MPC Parking 300 E. 59th Street
Premiere Parking 203 E. 61st Street
BY SUBWAY AND TRAIN
From Brooklyn, downtown Manhattan, or Queens: Take the F train to Lexington Avenue and exit on the southwest corner of Lexington and 63rd Street. Walk west.
Connections:
In Manhattan connections to the F train are available at Delancey Street from the J, M, or Z train; at West 4th Street from the A, B, C, D, E, or V train; and 34th Street from the B, D, N, Q, R, V, or W train.
From the Bronx or uptown Manhattan:
Take the 4, 5, or 6 train to 59th Street/Lexington Avenue, exit, and walk uptown to 63rd Street.
Pennsylvania Station:
Exit Pennsylvania Station onto Seventh Avenue and 32nd Street. Walk one block east to the subway station at Sixth Avenue and 32nd and take the F train uptown to Lexington Avenue and exit on the southwest corner of Lexington and 63rd Street. Walk west.
Alternate route:
Take the 1, 2, 3, 9, A, C, or E train from Pennsylvania Station to Times Square/42nd Street, switch to the 7 train heading toward the east side and take it one stop to 5th Avenue/42nd Street. Switch to the uptown F train.
Grand Central Station:
Take the 4, 5, or 6 train to 59th Street/Lexington Avenue, exit, and walk uptown to 63rd Street.
Alternate route:
Take the 7 train to 5th Avenue/42nd Street, transfer to the F uptown train, exit at Lexington Avenue and 63rd Street.
FROM THE AIRPORTS VIA SUBWAY
JFK International Airport:
Take the AirTrain from JFK to the A train at Howard Beach/JFK Airport. Take the A train uptown (toward Manhattan). At Jay Street/Borough Hall (in Brooklyn) transfer to the uptown F train to Lexington Avenue and exit on the southwest corner of Lexington and 63rd Street. Walk west.
Alternate routes:
Take the AirTrain from JFK to E train at Sutphin Boulevard/Archer Avenue/JFK Airport. Take the E train uptown toward Manhattan. At Kew Gardens/Union Turnpike (in Queens) transfer to the uptown F train to Lexington Avenue and exit on the southwest corner of Lexington and 63rd Street. Walk west.
It is also possible to change at Sutphin Boulevard/Archer Avenue/JFK Airport to the Long Island Railroad and travel to Pennsylvania Station. See above for directions.
LaGuardia Airport
There is no direct train service from LaGuardia Airport. Travelers must take a cab or car service or see directions via bus below.
FROM THE AIRPORTS VIA CAB OR CAR SERVICE
To hail a cab at either JFK International Airport or LaGuardia Airport, look for the taxi stand, usually located outside the baggage claim in the pickup location for arriving passengers. Cab fare to the Society of Illustrators building from LaGuardia will vary depending on traffic but should run between $40 and $50, which includes regular fare plus tolls. A Flat Fare program is in effect for cabs running from JFK into Manhattan and the fare is $45. Fares from the city to JFK are calculated on the regular fare rate, plus tolls. Look for licensed medallion cabs and always take your receipt. For more information, click here:
Travelers may also make arrangements with a private airport car or limo service, which often offer a flat fee for transportation but which may carry additional passengers.
HOTELS & AREA LODGINGS
Following is a brief, alphabetical directory of hotels in the immediate vicinity of the Society of Illustrators. The Society recommends that visitors search for lodging arrangements that best suit their budgets and travel needs. There are many, many hotels in New York City, presenting a vast array of styles, settings, and room rates, and catering to broad variety of personal tastes.
Execustay by Marriott 220 E. 65th Street New York, NY 10021 (212) 750-4622
Lowell Hotel 28 E. 63rd Street New York, NY 10021 (800) 745-8883
Lyden Gardens Suite Hotel 215 E. 64th Street New York, NY 10021 (212) 355-1230
The Melrose Hotel 140 E. 63rd Street New York, NY 10021 (212) 838-5700
Regency Hotel 540 Park Avenue New York, NY 10021 (212) 759-4100
