Taking my 10 year old to the Belmont

[athornton5]

Being on the rail would be awesome for sure! I'm actually his dad not his mom, the account got messed up when it was made...lol. We're driving from Michigan, plan on leaving early Friday morning. Should we plan on getting a parking pass or park in a lot somewhere close? Not really sure what the parking situation is like. Also, do you know if our seats are in a shaded area, like under the grandstand?

[DonGuido]

Originally Posted by athornton5

Being on the rail would be awesome for sure! I'm actually his dad not his mom, the account got messed up when it was made...lol. We're driving from Michigan, plan on leaving early Friday morning. Should we plan on getting a parking pass or park in a lot somewhere close? Not really sure what the parking situation is like. Also, do you know if our seats are in a shaded area, like under the grandstand?

Not from the NYC/Queens/Elmont area but go on line and find the Belmont website and you should find a diagram of where your seats are. You can always call their customer service # also. My suggestion is not to drive all the way into the track but find a reasonable place to pick up the Long Island Railroad and take that to the track. It stops right at the track, well with a little walk to get to the track.

Last time we went, we took a cab to Union Station from our remote hotel and took the train in. I'm sure there's parking at or around Union station. Do some research on that also. You have time. Wish I could be more help and sorry about the mom reference.

Plan you trip well with a few of my suggestions, fill in the details and it will be an experience you will never forget and want to have again. Just think of the added plus to see a TC winner also!!!

Maybe others who are more intimately familiar with this area will chime in.

[tanner12oz]

If driving be prepared for about $100 in tolls

[santana]

You can easily park at the track.....just know that it will take an hr getting out of the lot, if you leave right after the Belmont.....get there early and as long as you have seats, you should be fine.;...going down to the rail is not the best of ideas for the big race....just see how it looks during the early races..

[GenuineRisk]

By the time of the race it's pretty shady, but bring plenty of sunscreen beforehand.

If you want to be down near the rail you really need to be ready to stand for two hours before the race, which is fine if your kid is cool with that, but if it's a hot or rainy day it can get really tedious.

If it's about just being on the rail, and seeing the end of the race live is not that important to your kid, you can go up closer to the turn to find a spot. I stood there for Charismatic's Belmont and it was pretty cool being far enough away from the stands to actually hear their hoofbeats. The noise from the crowd will let you know what happens at the end.

But hey, he's a kid, someone may likely let him sneak up to the front of your section- most attendees are really accommodating about letting smaller kids get up to where they can see. And the screen is huge; you'll be able to see that from almost anywhere.

[Danzig]

don't stress the details too much. wherever you are, he'll remember it forever. my kids still talk about the trips to Churchill and Arlington; they had a blast.

[bare it all]

Dad of the year! Can't wait til my 2yo is race-ready. He went to Churchill back in the fall and loved the paddock and watching the "neighs" but no interest in the races....yet.