Possible NERAC Attendee from Canada - some questions first to help plan this.

R

rbeleno

Premium Member
Hi There,

Just found out about this conference and I'm starting my research to see if it is workable for me to attend. I'm up in Toronto, Ontario, Canada and was planning to visit the Atlantis Aquarium sometime this year, although not as soon as March. Since there is a conference going on, it will make good planning on my end if I can benefit from the aquarium and conference together. I enjoyed my time at MACNA last year and have IMAC coming up - but never knew about this one until now.

I do have a few questions if some of the locals and coordinators can help me out with my research:

1. I'm an avid driver and might possibly drive over there... I'm used to driving to New York City, but not into Riverhead. My other option is a simple plane ride over. I'm good with both, but would like to know the following:

a) Which airport is the closest to the hotel? JFK?
b) How long is the drive from the airport to the hotel?
c) What would the price for taxi be from airport to hotel? Or is there free shuttle or a hobbyist/conference arrangement to drive visitors from airport to hotel and vice versa for free (or cheaper than taxi).
d) How far is hotel from conference at Atlantis (time and cost of taxi)? Is there a shuttle from hotel to Atlantis? or Volunteers driving back and forth?
e) If I drive to Atlantis with my car, is there are parking fee?

2. With the registration cost, does that include a tour of the facility and access for me to go on my own and look around?

Thanks for any assistance - I'll probably have more questions later.

Ron (from Canada)
 
If driving, once you go around the city via George Washington Bridge down to the Long Island Expressway (I495) it is a straight run out to Riverhead, (exit 70 I believe)

a) Which airport is the closest to the hotel? JFK? MacArthur Airport (regional)

b) How long is the drive from the airport to the hotel? JFK and Laguardia are about 1.45 hours, MacArthur is about 1hr

c) What would the price for taxi be from airport to hotel? $80 JFK/LAG and maybe $65 from MacArthur
Or is there free shuttle or a hobbyist/conference arrangement to drive visitors from airport to hotel and vice versa for free (or cheaper than taxi).

d) How far is hotel from conference at Atlantis 10 min, taxi $5-10(time and cost of taxi)? Is there a shuttle from hotel to Atlantis? or Volunteers driving back and forth? There are Vols staying at the hotel.

e) If I drive to Atlantis with my car, is there are parking fee? No

2. With the registration cost, does that include a tour of the facility and access for me to go on my own and look around? Yes
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9170682#post9170682 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by pyro383
If driving, once you go around the city via George Washington Bridge down to the Long Island Expressway (I495) it is a straight run out to Riverhead, (exit 70 I believe)
Click to expand...

Exit 73, also known as the "bitter end" of the Long Island Expressway, or exit 72 (rock throwing distance from 73) depending on what hotel you stay at.
 
Welcome! Actually, we had two gentlemen from Toronto drive down to our regular club meeting last month, and to see Atlantis as well. They said the drive wasn't too bad at all.

If you choose to drive (not necessarily a bad idea if you like the drive), do choose the G washington bridge and avoid Manhattan--much faster this way. Once you are on Long Island it is an easy straight drive all the way out east. If you'd like PM me and I'll help you work out accomodations and driving directions, and put you in touch with people here to help you out.

The nice thing about going to Atlantis for the conference instead of at a regular time (aside from the conference itself) is the behind-the-scenes tour. I had gone to NERAC and passed up on the tour until last year, and boy did I miss out. It is truly remarkable to see these huge systems at work, and in contrast the tiny systems in every nook and cranny that the aquarium staff have set up as their pet projects (clownfish and seahorse breeding, the giant greenwater and rotifer cultures, frag tanks...there is stuff everywhere). You don't have that opportunity any other time (and to be led by the aquarium's curator too--).

Keep in touch--
Christine
 
If driving, wouldn't it make more sense to take a ferry across the sound?
 
You could drive to Bridgeport,CT
http://www.mapquest.com/directions/...&2c=BRIDGEPORT&2s=CT&2z=06604-4920&panelbtn=2
and then get to the ferry there
When travelling on I-95 West/South
Take Exit 27, at bottom of ramp make left, then straight on Lafayette Street. Continue under rail road bridge and make left on Rail Road Avenue, proceed ahead to Ferry access road.
which is 1 hour 20 min trip, and then drive from Port Jefferson, NY to Atlantis:
http://www.mapquest.com/directions/...+Main+St&2c=Riverhead&2s=NY&2z=11901-2556&r=f
 
Thanks all for your replies. I have just officially confirmed and booked both hotel and registration for the conference.

I've decided I'll be enjoying the drive down and might actually go to Bridgeport, CT and ferry it from there. I haven't really looked at driving directions and map in detail, but I'll find my way.

Anyone want anything for me to pick up from up north?

Anyways, thanks again and I look forward to the conference and the Atlantis. I'll probably be posting some other questions closer to the date.

Ron
 
Hi All,

Again, thanks for the assistance in helping me with my trip over there.

I was wondering if there is a contact person (or 2) and phone numbers I can have with me just for backup purposes for my drive over there.

Looking forward to meeting many of you.

Cheers

Ron
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9408876#post9408876 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by rbeleno
Hi All,

Again, thanks for the assistance in helping me with my trip over there.

I was wondering if there is a contact person (or 2) and phone numbers I can have with me just for backup purposes for my drive over there.

Looking forward to meeting many of you.

Cheers

Ron
Click to expand...

work here is 631-208-9200, ext 120, I"ll pm my cell.
 
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