Taking my 10 year old to the Belmont

[blackthroatedwind]

They are doing a ton of work on the LIRR platforms at Belmont, I took it home for the first time yesterday, and my guess is things will be a lot smoother this year. No doubt it is the best way to travel if possible. If driving, I would recommend buying parking in advance.

[Alabama Stakes]

Originally Posted by blackthroatedwind

They are doing a ton of work on the LIRR platforms at Belmont, I took it home for the first time yesterday, and my guess is things will be a lot smoother this year. No doubt it is the best way to travel if possible. If driving, I would recommend buying parking in advance.

surely you can share a couple of spots from where you and the jockeys watch without standing on tippy toes

[parsixfarms]

Your seats are very good.

If you are driving, I would avoid Hempstead Turnpike. In terms of getting in and out of the track, my best experience has been parking in the green lot (on backstretch side of the track - for only $10). They have shuttle buses running you directly to the grandstand entrances at the top of the stretch. Last year, they did not do a great job having shuttles taking people back out to the parking lots, but it's not that bad a walk if you have to make it. The police do a VERY good job getting people out of the lots onto the Cross Island Parkway. That is why I have parked there for years on Belmont Stakes Day.

[GenuineRisk]

If the LIRR platforms really have been fixed, great, but as someone who only takes the LIRR to Belmont (I don't own a car), I was going to recommend driving, because last year taking the LIRR home was a f*cking nightmare. Night. Mare.

But if they took last year seriously and are really putting in the work to make it better, then yeah, the LIRR is a good option. They run plenty of trains on Belmont Day before the race, so you don't have to arrive early if you're worried about a long day for a ten-year-old.

[athornton5]

Thanks alot for the responses, very helpful. It sounds like the seats are good, so thats a plus. Luckily my son actually has real good patients and kinda just goes with the flow, thats mainly the reason im taking him, because i think he can handle it. Hopefully AP wins the preakness and makes our day that much sweeter. Thanks again, and any other tips you have are always appreciated.

[alysheba4]

Don't take the train, getting out of there in 2004 was crazy.

[GenuineRisk]

Originally Posted by alysheba4

Don't take the train, getting out of there in 2004 was crazy.

So true. That was the last time my husband came with me to the Belmont. The LIRR trip back broke his spirit. He'll go other race days, but never again on Belmont Stakes Day.

[tanner12oz]

Originally Posted by athornton5

Thanks alot for the responses, very helpful. It sounds like the seats are good, so thats a plus. Luckily my son actually has real good patients and kinda just goes with the flow, thats mainly the reason im taking him, because i think he can handle it. Hopefully AP wins the preakness and makes our day that much sweeter. Thanks again, and any other tips you have are always appreciated.

yes the TC bid will be memorable but it also leads to a total structural breakdown. With a 10 year old I would actually be hoping for a non tc bid. I'm 31 and it was a nightmare there last year....

[tanner12oz]

Originally Posted by parsixfarms

Your seats are very good.

If you are driving, I would avoid Hempstead Turnpike. In terms of getting in and out of the track, my best experience has been parking in the green lot (on backstretch side of the track - for only $10). They have shuttle buses running you directly to the grandstand entrances at the top of the stretch. Last year, they did not do a great job having shuttles taking people back out to the parking lots, but it's not that bad a walk if you have to make it. The police do a VERY good job getting people out of the lots onto the Cross Island Parkway. That is why I have parked there for years on Belmont Stakes Day.

getting out on Hempstead going towards massapeaqua was a breeze last year..it appeared going back towards the city was a total mess..no drinking in the parking lots pre race..we got yelled at

[athornton5]

Are parking passes sold out? I can't seem to find them online. I've heard good and bad things about driving and taking the train. My thinking is, it's going to be a long day for my boy so if we're going to be sitting in traffic in the car, at least he can fall asleep. Waiting for the train might just take the fun out of the day for him.

[Lava]

I drive in from the Philly area and getting out is not that bad. I would not get a parking pass, just park in the general parking lots. I find getting out of the general lot to be faster.

[athornton5]

Originally Posted by Lava

I drive in from the Philly area and getting out is not that bad. I would not get a parking pass, just park in the general parking lots. I find getting out of the general lot to be faster.

ok, I wast thinking that you needed a pass to park in a lot. If we get there by 11 will that be early enough to get into the general lot? Just trying to get my ducks in a row so I'm not lost looking for a parking spot.

[GenuineRisk]

Originally Posted by athornton5

Are parking passes sold out? I can't seem to find them online. I've heard good and bad things about driving and taking the train. My thinking is, it's going to be a long day for my boy so if we're going to be sitting in traffic in the car, at least he can fall asleep. Waiting for the train might just take the fun out of the day for him.

The train is easy peasy going out, it's on the way back that it can be a wait. That said, it sounds like NYRA is trying to encourage people to stay longer this year, with music and (I sure hope) concession stands continuing after the big race.

(I know I am planning on staying to listen to the Goo Goo Dolls. Don't judge.)