Anyone stealthy style in NYC (Manhattan) or near by??

[LMTLMT]

Never been to NY or Northeast, would like to checkout the 9/11 memorial and the new tower.  

Any recommendation on where to stealthy park areas or what's the best way to deal with parking while visiting NYC?  I assume spaces are very tight in general over there.  I don't mind find a place to park and ride the subway back and forth.

Any tips would be greatly appreciated.  Thank you.

Btw I have a typical white Cargo Van.

 

[John61CT]

West side lower mid-town is sparser, even paid parking more affordable. But long as you avoid heavily policed tourist areas, observe the parking rule postings, keep moving to different areas - near subway stops on the long east-west numbered cross streets in not-poor areas, away from nightlife is good - you can stealth.

But lights, music, even moving around any sign you're in there could attract attention, probably most security-aware tightly patrolled city on earth.

But if looking respectable, polite etc they'll likely just tell you to move on.

 

[TMG51]

Every time I'm in NYC I get out as fast as possible. Not saying you can't stealth there, but, it just may be the last place I'd choose to do so.

 

[LMTLMT]

If no stealthy spots, might just find where they have rv parking and pay.

Anyone here lives close to NYC?

 

[John61CT]

I would be VERY surprised if there is ANY option that would allow you to openly sleep in a vehicle. Maybe a huge lot in sketchy areas and you bribe the attendants.

Undercover parking fees are more expensive in Manhattan than a nice apartment, or even good motel rooms in flyover country.

 

[LMTLMT]

damn john, thanks for the info, doesn't sound too promising :-(

 

[TMG51]

Since you mentioned mass transit.. I'm sure you could easily park somewhere outside the city and get a train in and be almost as quick. I don't know where to suggest but someone might.

 

[Optimistic Paranoid]

Westchester County, just north of the city, has county parks which permit camping.  Croton Point Park is one such, and is located very close to the Croton Harmon railroad station, you could ride the train into the city quite easily.

http://parks.westchestergov.com/croton-point-park

https://www.google.com/maps/place/C...c9ba5b5f5a6591f!8m2!3d41.1868094!4d-73.892262

 

[John61CT]

I just meant don't use paid lots for sleeping, don't try to be open at all about van camping in the city.

Solid stealth mode protocols in the long side street parking, areas with little night foot traffic should be fine, avoid tourist spots, security areas, commercial office zones are very quiet after hours.

Just read and follow the restriction signs, likely need to move twice a day, time it for quiet traffic times. 2-3 blocks over from subway stops would be ideal.

Look respectable, be polite, cops likely to just tell you to move on, the precincts are small.

Give it a try, then if you prefer head north along the train lines, NY CT better than NJ. Near railroad stations parking is very cheap or at least reasonable.

 

[Every Road Leads Home]

Last time I was in the city I paid $60 for overnight parking, right in downtown Manhattan. It was underground parking and we'd stay at a nearby hotel so that doesn't help you much for van sleeping. I think you could find a quiet spot and get away with it for a night or two though. NYC is huge with tons of different neighborhoods/boroughs. No way there isn't a spot to sleep. Might take a bit to find it. Me and my now ex gf used to like to go for a weekend once or twice a year. I'm not a city person, but I even find NYC is a fun city to be in on occasion. The MET museum is also free, well they encourage a donation but you are under no obligation to give it. I used to give $10. It's huge and there's no possible way to see everything in one visit.

 

[Dgorila1]

Park in front of Trump Tower Very safe with all the security now.

 

[kenlaxphoto]

The outer boroughs of NYC are your best bet, i.e., Queens and Bklyn.  The Bronx is still a mess still so I would avoid it, in terms of overnight street parking. Staten Island is good too but I do not know it well at all. You will need to take a subway train and then a ferry to get to Manhattan from Staten Island. Forest Hills in Queens is a very safe and busy area, Kew Gardens too. Park Slope in Bklyn is a very upscale neighborhood..lots of places to just pull over and park at night and they are all only a subway ride to wherever you want to go downtown.
I live in Westchester County..just north of NYC, many towns to park in....White Plains does not allow overnight paring from 2am until 6 a.m. so perhaps Yonkers or Mt. Vernon may work for stealth parking. But to get to the city requires a Metro North train trip to GCT which adds to your budget (approx. $20/ rt). Long Island is the same story, re the LIRR Trains to Penn Station from where you are parked ( unless you want to drive into Manhattan and park in a garage (very expensive..about $60/hr).

 

[deadwood]

I think like most major cities parking right in the downtown area can be tough. San Francisco and Philadelphia come to mind because I've parked in both. Your best bet is going out a little ways and once out of the middle of the city it's easier to find good spots for the night.

I haven't tried Manhattan so I can't remark to that. But I imagine it would be similar to that ther major cities I've stealth parked in.

 

[John61CT]

There are huge open-air parking lots where the guards likely won't notice don't care long as you're not pimping or dealing.

And it is a challenge to juggle the parking hours, but stealthing even downtown Manhattan is not rocket science long as you follow the rules.

Straight citizen looking that is, not poor / radical looking or brown

 

[AnFear]

I stay there a couple of times a year but I'm from there so I know where to go.
Try the village, West of 5th ave. Don't park directly in front of a building with a doorman.
Best bet is find a spot you like that has street sweeping restrictions. Get your spot and wait for the sweeper. If your sitting in the drivers seat you just have to move to let the sweeper pass then quickly move back. Don't try and go around the block, the spot will be gone. Pay close attention to the signs! Anything not prohibited is allowed. Read carefully. If you find a good spot it should be good for a few days. Obviously don't attract any attention, noise won't be a problem (don't blast your music) but if your interior lights can be seen from outside people might notice. Cops are very unlikely to bother you unless someone complains.
Too many spots to try and list here and too many places you should avoid for the same reason but I'll give you a place to start; 12th and 13th St between 5th and 7th Ave. Closer to 7th is better. Subway is right there to take you to the Trade Center.
Don't be surprised if the van gets bumped. Parking is tight and it's common for your van to get bumped by someone else trying to fit in to a too small space. I mention it because if your sleeping it can be disconcerting. If it happens it's usually best to ignore it.
Have fun