Taking my 10 year old to the Belmont

[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.

[DonGuido]

Find a way to take the Long Island Railroad somehow there and back. You'll thank me for it later.

[dellinger63]

Your seats are excellent, yellow r section 11 rows back. Looks to be 100 yards short of the finish line. Should be shaded all day.

https://www.eseats.com/sports_ticket...nt_stakes.html

We attended the Big Brown Belmont and I'd also strongly suggest the LIRR as opposed to driving in but your departure station will depend on where you're staying. We stayed near JFK airport and took a train out of Jamaica.

http://web.mta.info/lirr/getaways/belmontpark/index.htm

Personally I'd stay in the seats and just pick him up to your eyelevel. Follow the crowd in front of you and if they stand on their seats than you do.
Should AP win the Preakness the crowds will be huge but the place is so big the crowd is manageable especially if you don't have to visit the women's rest room.

Some of the local New Yorkers can help further with the LIRR if you post where you'll be staying.

You and your kid will have a blast regardless, but if AP wins the triple crown it'll be something you and he will talk about and remember forever.