Hi there , I was planning on going to NYC with my toddler.
Besides walking, I think my best option to get around town is using the subway.
I have seen postings from other moms mentioning that they use the wheelchair accessible entrances to get into the subway stations.
Can anyone tell me from experience, do you just use the elevators and the handicapped entrances? Is that a problem anywhere? It seems (according the the MTA website) that the handicapped entrances are only accessible by a special MTA pass.
Or do you use the elevators and the regular turnstile entrances? If I seek out the handicapped accessible stations, I am hoping to not have to collapse my stroller at all.
Also, once I get on the subway (and, yes, I am going to avoid rush hour), Is it considered Ok to keep my son in his Maclaren umbrella stroller as long as there is some passage in the aisles. I don't know why I never noticed people with 2. 5 year olds in the subway before...maybe because it is too much of a pain? I need your tips ladies! Thanks!
Boston trains used to require that you collapse any stroller which was a pain since I had lots of stuff under the stroller that I then had to keep together. So next time we had a back pack and an umbrella stroller and took our child on our lap. But NYC may be different, and even Boston may have improved since my 14 year old was a toddler.
If you're in a station where the token clerk can see you, they usually buzz you through the special entry doors.
I may have collapsed the stroller or lifted it over the turnstile (with heavy son inside) in busy stations. Can't recall. I DO remember lifting the stroller (son inside, again) to go down stairs. Occasionally, friendly people help out. Often not. Avoid rush hour, whatever you do. And take your lightest, smallest stroller.
There is no problem keeping your son in the stroller on the subway - people do it all the time and everyone is used to it. Mind the gap!!!
Just took my son into Manhattan 2 weeks ago (we moved out when he was an infant; now he's almost 5). I have to say, I REALLY, REALLY miss the stroller. A lot of whining about walking. I had to carry him quite a few blocks and it was quite the workout now that he's almost 50 pounds. Ugh! ;)
I never used my stroller in the handicapped things. I didn't know you could and I wouldn't do that. I've seen lots of kids and strollers on trains, and I cant' imagine they had that in mind for everyone! I have an easy to fold MacClaren Volo. If it was crowded, I folded it. If it wasn't I didn't. No one minds if you leave yours open if you're not blocking people's passage. Sometimes you take up LESS room with an open stroller with child in it than holding a toddler with a stroller on your back. Depends on the situation. It's not really that hard to manage if you're not in a super hurry (and if you're strong at hoisting the kids and strollers up and down the stairs-I never even bothered with elevators). The only pain is waiting for the attendant to see you and wave you through the gate (OH WAIT! Is the 'gate' beside turnstiles the handicapped entrance? Maybe I did use it and didn't realize-yes they wave you right through when they see you) rather than going through turnstiles..but, I haven't been to NYC with a stroller in two years, so things may have changed for all I know with less live people in the stations to open gates. But you're correct, you DO want a stroller, and the trains are great to get around.
My son was 4 months old when I lived in SOHO for a month. I got a very small, 10 lb. umbrella stroller and we traveled a lot with that. I used the elevators and it worked fine. Sometimes they were stinky, but mostly OK. Don't know about the handicapped thing.
You may also want to look into the Ergo Baby carrier. I am able to carry my 50lb, 4.5 year old in mine. I got in in NYC when he was 4 months old and it was great. If you can find it on sale, or borrow it, that might be great.
I took my son (at 3)around NYC with a Small umbrella stroller. I found a tote bag that fit well on the handles of the stroller, but a small backpack might be better. When I went on escalators and through the crowds I folded up the stroller and pulled it (rolled it) with one hand and held his hand with my other hand. (too big for me to carry him) I never had a problem. I only used subway and train so I don't know about taxis. In DC I saw people push strollers on and off the subway and keep their kids in the stroller but Penn Station is too crowded in my opinion. Is he the type that may try to drop your hand and wander off? Is your stroller easy to open and close?
We took our daughter in her Maclaran stroller in the Paris subway and she was fine. They have virtually no handicapped access so my husband and I were carrying her in her stroller up and down staircases. NYC is bound to be easier.
