Penn Station

If you’re taking New Jersey Transit or Amtrak, or you know which subway you need, it’s not really that hard to find your way. Do research about where you’re going beforehand and you’ll be alright. Just follow the signs.

Oh, if you’re riding New Jersey Transit, especially during rush hour, be prepared to push and fight your way to your train.

Off in the LIRR area, there’s an entrance to a KMart. That always struck me as highly amusing.

The commuter train areas are a bit of a labyrinth, but fun to walk through at the height of the evening rush hour. And having finally been in the Acela first class lounge- meh. It’s always overcrowded, because they simply don’t have near enough seating. I’ll take meandering around the rest of the station next time.

...but it sure was pretty damned big, I’ll say that. Pretty much I used it as an en route detail to and from Newark Airport, so I can’t say I spent much time in the way of sightseeing, alas. But maybe I’ll go again someday and lose myself amid the Dunkin’ Donuts.

The train from Newark Liberty Airport stops here. Once I arrive, I know I have arrived. The bustle, the crowds, the busyness are a foreshadow of whole crowded bustling busy city ready to unfold before me.

Sigh! I wish I was there already!

In and of itself, not that interesting a place. However, when compared with driving and parking in the city, this place is incredible!

Penn Station was two purposes: To get you where you’re going, and to keep you somewhat placated until you can go. It can be somewhat confusing, but not too hard to get used to. If you find yourself with time to spare, there’s lots of options for food, touristy trinkets, and opportunities to buy books and magazines.

Biggest flaw? NO SEATING and FEW BATHROOMS.

Nice to pass through, but not hang around in. My memories of it may be clouded by two things, though: the first night I got to New York, we came in through Penn Station and all I can remember is getting out onto the street and smelling salami; secondly, the night we were leaving was the day after the big blackout and everything was late and everybody was tired and there was nowhere to sit down so I planted myself on the ground, curled up with a book, and abdicated responsibility for watching for our train to my mom.