Where the riders are this November in NYC
Thanksgiving is getting near and the holidays have begun. New York is busier now than ever. Good business is where you find it, but where you look is critical.
At INSHUR we look for ways to help you make more money – revealing where the crowds are is one of them. So where are the riders this November in NYC? Many Uber drivers will be cruising for riders in all the same old places. But that’s way too competitive. Instead, we’ve searched for different ways to cash in on the big events and make the most of other busy spots that may get overlooked. Scoop up the riders that the others never see.
NYC 2019 Marathon
Event: The nation’s biggest marathon.
Where: Across all NYC boroughs. Starts on Staten Island, ends at Central Park.
When: Sunday, 3rd November. Times: 6.00am to mid-afternoon.
More than 50,000 runners take on the 26.2 miles track in the 2019 edition of this classic NY race. With viewers spread across more than 50 miles of sidewalk, picking hot spots for riders can be a challenge. Concentrate on the areas around both ends of the Queensboro Bridge and the Charity Cheer Spot along First Avenue and between 116th and 125th Streets. Map.
Insider’s scoop: The ferry terminals between Manhattan and Staten Island will be jammed. Spectators will mass around the St. George Terminal on Staten Island and Whitehall Terminal in south Manhattan. Time your presence to the ferry schedule to make the most of the moment.
2019 New York Comedy Festival
Event: Comedy extravaganza.
Where: Different venues (see below).
When: 4th to 10th November.
Times: From 7.30pm (variable, see schedule below) ‘til late.
A whole week of laughs spreads across New York from 4th November. The Comedy Festival brings the biggest names in showbiz to locations across the city. Check the event schedule for venues, names and times to ensure you’re there for the laughed-out crowds when the shows wind down each night.
Insider’s scoop: Expect sell-out nights when Stephen Colbert plays Carnegie Hall on Nov 7th and Trevor Noah graces Madison Square Gardens on Nov 8th. Both shows start at 8.00pm.
NY Botanical Gardens Holiday Train Show
Event: Model trains in a huge winter wonderland.
Where: NY Botanical Gardens, 2900 Southern Blvd., Bronx, NY 10458.
When: 23 rd November thru 26th January. Times: 10.00am to 6.00pm.
The NYBG Holiday Train Show is every kids’ Christmas favorite. More than two dozen model trains rumble past famous NY landmarks in a winter showcase on half a mile of track. Afternoons, weekends and when schools are out are peak times for families of riders.
Insider’s scoop: The day shows are for kids. But there’s an adult version complete with wet bar that’s open late. Check the Bar Car schedule for the times when the big kids will need a ride home.
Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade
Event: Iconic annual holiday parade.
Where: Central Manhattan. When: 28th November. Times: 9.00am to noon.
Back for it’s 93 rd year, Macy’s Parade is New York’s biggest Thanksgiving event by a long, long way. Hundreds of thousands flock to see the marchers, balloons, horse shows and Father Christmas roll by. The best spot for riders is along 6th Avenue and between West 59th and West 38th Streets. South of these points, public viewing is restricted, and the crowds thin out.
Insider’s scoop: Never mind the parade. Thousands throng to see the mega-balloons being inflated around the American Museum of Natural History (77th and 81st Streets), from Wednesday, November 21st at 1.00pm to 8.00pm. Fans surge the best viewing area at 77th Street and Columbus Avenue. (See our map).
Dyker Heights Christmas Lights
Event: Massed Xmas lights around private homes.
Where: Dyker Heights, Brooklyn.
When: Late November thru New Year’s. Times: After dusk.
Every year, more than 100,000 people surge the streets of Dyker Heights to catch the illuminations. Many thousands of lights, animated scenes, loud music and carols await viewers across multiple blocks and hundreds of homes lit for the holidays. Advisories ask spectators to leave cars behind and use public transport – creating great opportunities to pick-up many tired and footsore walkers.
Insider’s scoop: Many viewers will take the D Train to the stop at 79th Street and New Utrecht Avenue. That’s great, because it’s an uphill, 15 minutes hike to the lights. Be near the station to pick up those who like Christmas dazzle but hate tough walks.
HIGHLIGHTS:
It’s New York’s busiest time of year
Catch riders where other drivers do not look
2019 NYC Marathon
NYC Comedy Festival
NYBG Holiday Train Show
Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade
Dyker Heights Christmas Lights
SOURCES & LINKS:
NY Marathon: https://www.nyrr.org/tcsnycmarathon
Marathon course map: https://scblob.nyrr.org/nyrrsitecoreblob/nyrr/pdf/race-course-maps/tcsnycm19_map_course_092419.pdf
Marathon road closures: https://help.tcsnycmarathon.org/customer/en/portal/articles/2171304-street-closures
Staten Island Ferry: https://www.siferry.com/
Ferry schedule: https://www.siferry.com/schedules.html
NY Comedy Festival: http://nycomedyfestival.com/
NY Comedy Festival venues: http://nycomedyfestival.com/venues/
Holiday Train Show: https://www.nybg.org/event/holiday-train-show/holiday-train-show/
Holiday Train Show hours: https://www.nybg.org/event/holiday-train-show/holiday-train-showvisit-ticket-info/
Holiday Train Bar Car info: https://www.nybg.org/event/holiday-train-show/bar-car-nights/
NY Botanical Gardens map: https://www.nybg.org/visit/interactive-map/
Macy’s Parade: https://www.macys.com/social/parade/
Macy’s Parade route: https://www.macys.com/social/parade/where-to-watch/?cm_sp=imp-_-parade-_-lp_wheretowatch&lid=parade_route-lp
American Museum of Natural History: https://www.amnh.org/plan-your-visit
Dyker Heights: https://www.timeout.com/newyork/things-to-do/dyker-heights-christmas-lights
Dyker Heights Metro Map: https://www.google.com/maps/@40.6121479,-74.0007999,17z
