Venue:
Location | Lodging | Dining | Travel | Attractions
LOCATION
The workshop and conference take place at the New York Hall of Science in Flushing Meadows Corona Park, Queens New York City (about 10 miles east of Downtown Manhattan).
The first workshop session will begin on Sunday, May 20, 2007 at 9:00 a.m. (Unless you are coming to the event locally, plan to arrive in New York the evening of 19 May). You will need to pick up your registration packet at the Hall of Science starting at 8:00 a.m.
The New York Hall of Science is New York City's only hands-on science museum, located in the world's most culturally diverse community: Queens, New York City (Approximately 30 minutes from midtown Manhattan via public or private transportation). It is home to "Connections: The Nature of Networks" The only hands-on museum exhibition on network science, along with many other exhibitions focusing on living sciences including astrobiology, microbiology, and biochemistry. It is considered one of the world's leading (top 10) institutions of its kind.
Local Time Zone
The local time zone for New York City in May is North American Daylight Savings
Time (EDT), which is 4 hours earlier than Greenwich Mean Time. The United
States uses a 12 hour clock (A.M. and P.M.)
Weather
Temperature in New York City at in the end of May tends to be in the low 20s
C (low 70s F) during the day and low teens C (50's F) at night. The temperature
can fluctuate widely this time of year, so a combination of cool and warm
weather clothing (layering) is recommended (light cottons along with a jacket
for evenings or cool weather). Be sure to have an umbrella and/or some kind
of rainwear since rain is not uncommon at this time of year. Local weather
information is available through the U.S. National Weather Service at: http://www.erh.noaa.gov/forecast/
Equipment
We very much encourage you to bring a laptop computer. Wireless Internet access
will be available in all areas of the museum as well as many of the Hotels.
Wired Ethernet access is also available at the museum on special request.
If you need any special equipment to display project or presentation data, please contact the conference management at netsci@nd.edu
Note: The electrical mains in the United States is 120 Volts AC @ 60 Hertz. Be sure to bring the correct adapter with you if you are traveling from overseas.
LODGING
20-25 May, 2007
The official hotel for the Conference is the Sheraton Hotel LaGuardia East 135-20 39th Avenue, Flushing, New York 11354, Phone: +1-718-460-6666, Fax: +1-718-445-2655. We have reserved a limited number of rooms at a conference rate (US$179) for your convenience. Please book before 19 April to take advantage of this special rate. It is within a few minutes ride of LaGuardia International Airport (LGA). A courtesy shuttle is provided by Sheraton from the Airport to the hotel. Public transportation to and from the conference is conveniently located around the corner from the hotel. The MTA number 7 local train is 2 stops (5 minutes) from 111th Street, then a 5 minute walk to the museum. If you require other forms of transportation to the museum please inquire with the hotel directly. If you are arriving at John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) or other airports, please see Travel section for more information.
We have also reserved a block of rooms at two other hotels for your convenience.
Holiday Inn LaGuardia Airport. 37-10 114TH STREET, CORONA, NY 11368. Hotel Front Desk: +1-718-651-2100 | Hotel Fax: +1-718-651-2222. We have reserved a limited number of rooms at a conference rate for your convenience (US$129). Please book before 5 May to take advantage of this special rate. It is within a few minutes ride from LaGuardia International Airport (LGA). A courtesy shuttle is provided by Holiday Inn from the Airport to the hotel. The hotel will also provide limited shuttle service between the museum and hotel in the mornings and afternoons (Please arrange with the hotel the day before you need transportation the following morning /afternoon.) If you are arriving at John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) or other airports, please see TRAVEL section for more information.
Courtyard Marriott New York LaGuardia Airport. 90-10 Grand Central Parkway, East Elmhurst, New York 11369, Phone: +1-718-446-4800, Fax: +1-718-446-5733, Toll-free: +1-888-850-6354. Please book before 20 April to take advantage of the conference rate (US189 Single/US$199 Double) and to assure availability. It is adjacent to Airport and 3 miles away from the conference site. A courtesy shuttle is provided from the Airport to the hotel. It is a short taxi ride to and from the conference site.
Student housing provided by the YMCA,
Flushing 138-46 Northern Blvd., Flushing, NY 11354 (hostelry, shared room
and bath). To make reservations email your request to Peter Demetrius
pdemetrius@ymcanyc.org or call
+1-718-961-6880 Ext. 153. We have reserved a block of shared rooms at
a very favorable rate of US$55 for the double room (US$27.50 per person) or
the US$45 rate for a single for students attending the conference. Since it
is a hostel-style facility, rooms share a bathroom and bedrooms are shared
(2 beds per room) with your student-colleagues (on special request you can
ask for a single, but bath is always shared). If you have a preferred roommate
who you know is attending the conference, you can book together. All recreational
facilities at the YMCA are available during your stay (gym, pool, spa, exercise
facilities). Public transportation is within a short walk (7 minutes). Please
allow yourself 20 minutes to get to the Hall of Science via the number 7 local
train (two stops from Main Street to 111th Street on the local 7 train). For
more information, go to the TRAVEL
section below.
**DO NOT book your room via YMCA Flushing website (this process will not guarantee NetSci's negotiated rate).
To reserve you MUST communicate the following information:
For information on other hotels, as well as restaurants and attractions in New York City, Consult: http://nyc.gov/portal/site/nycgov/
If you plan to stay in Manhattan, or other parts of New York City, be sure to give yourself extra travel time. As the second most populous city in the United States, the use of public transportation is strongly encouraged. See TRAVEL section for more information.
Please Note: the weekend following the conference is Memorial Day Weekend. The Monday following that weekend (May 28) is a national holiday in the U.S. Keep this in mind as you make your travel arrangements:
DINING
Breakfast
The registration fee includes a continental breakfast (baked goods, fruit,
coffee, juice). It will be served at 8:00 a.m. each day Sunday Through Friday.
Lunch
Lunch will only be provided (box and catered lunches) for those who purchase
meal tickets in advance. Please make sure you indicate a selection for each
day you plan to have lunch and pay with your registration. Because the Hall
of Science is located in a city park, it is a long walk, a drive, or train
ride to most eating establishments. Local food establishments are small. Thus,
we strongly recommend that attendees take advantage of preordering box or
catered lunch at US$10 per day (See Registration Form for details). Your meal
tickets in your registration packet will specify the dates and selection you
have made and must be exchanged for each lunch ordered, since the caterer
will only bring in what is ordered.
Notes:
Afternoon break
An afternoon snack (coffee, water, fruit, cookies) will be provided as part
of the registration fee. It will be served during afternoon break Sunday through
Thursday.
Dinner
All hotels recommended for the conference have on site restaurants. In addition,
New York City is blessed with tremendous cultural diversity and no part of
New York City is more diverse than Queens. It is strongly recommended that
participants take advantage of this while selecting a dinner location. We
will provide a list of local and regional favorites in your packet. If you
plan to travel to Manhattan or other parts of the City to eat you can also
consult any of the guides listed here
for information. Travel information will also be included with your registration
packet and might be of help.
TRAVEL
Flight Information | Ground Transportation | Driving Instruction | Parking
Flight Information
Airport: LaGuardia International Airport
Airport Symbol: LGA
Location: 6.4 Km (4 miles) north of Flushing Meadows Corona Park, New York.
Served by: All major domestic and international airlines
Airport: John F. Kennedy International Airport Airport Symbol:
JFK
Location: 16 Km (10 miles) South of Flushing Meadows Corona Park, New York.
Served by: All major domestic and International airlines
Ground Transportation
Airports /Hotel
Consult with individual hotel for specific information about transportation
from the airport to the hotel. Transportation from LaGuardia International
Airport to Hotels described under LODGING is available free of charge through
courtesy shuttles provided by each hotel (not including the YMCA). Please
check with individual hotel about hours of shuttle service. Typically they
want you to call them to request transportation to the hotel even though they
may have regular shuttle service between the hotel and airport. Note: If your
flight arrives late evening or early morning, you may need to provide your
own transportation to the hotel.
Transportation from Kennedy International Airport to Hotels described under LODGING is available for a fee. Taxis are typically in the US$25-30 range, Busses are typically in the US$5-7 range, and the train is US$2.50 (ONE WAY). Please check with individual hotel to see if there are any special rates and for directions.
To get from the Airports to the YMCA
If you choose to use public transportation to get from the Airport to the
YMCA. (Note: bus and train schedules vary so check ahead of time to make sure
your route is running at the time you need to make your trip.
LGA
JFK
Taxi
Manhattan is the only borough with reliable roaming taxi service. In Queens
you must call by phone for a taxi to pick you up and drop you off. Here is
a list of reliable taxi services that cover Queens, including the airports,
as well as provide transportation to other destinations in the City.
Cooperativa: +1-718-699-1111
Dominica: +1-718-507-1700
Santo Domingo: +1-718-699-5959
Car
Auto rental is available at each airport and the rental agent can provide
directions to any of the hotels. Hotels all have their own parking. Ask about
whether there is a parking fee. Hotels also have access to car rentals, limousine,
and taxi services, as well as special shuttles to Midtown Manhattan. Parking
Rates for select hotels is as follows:
Driving Instructions
For those traveling to the New York Hall of Science by car, here are driving directions:
From the East (Long Island) Northern Long Island and Northeastern
Queens:
Long Island Expressway (LIE) westbound, or Grand Central Parkway westbound
to LIE westbound. Exit the LIE at 108th Street. Right on 108th Street. Right
on 52nd Avenue to 111th Street. Left on 111th Street. Right at 49th Avenue
into the New York Hall of Science entrance drive.
From Southern Long Island and Southern Queens
Southern State Parkway westbound to Belt Parkway westbound. Belt Parkway
to Exit 19 (Van Wyck Expressway/I-678 North). Take the Van Wyck north and
merge onto the Grand Central Parkway west at Exit 10- on the left- toward
La Guardia Airport/Triboro Bridge. Continue on the Grand Central to LIE
westbound. Follow directions, From Northern Long Island and Eastern Queens.
From Manhattan/Midtown Tunnel
Long Island Expressway eastbound, staying in the right-hand lanes. Exit
at 108th Street. Left on 108th Street. Right on 52nd Avenue to 111th Street.
Left on 111th Street. Right at 49th Avenue into the New York Hall of Science
entrance drive.
From Bronx/Westchester/New England
Cross the Whitestone Bridge, bearing right at the end onto the Whitestone
Expressway. Exit onto Grand Central Parkway eastbound. Take exit 10, bearing
right to follow the Midtown Tunnel signage. Right on Corona Avenue. Right
on 111th Street. Right at 49th Avenue into the New York Hall of Science
entrance drive.
From Northern Manhattan/The Bronx (Triborough Bridge)
Grand Central Parkway eastbound to Exit 10, bearing right to follow the
Midtown Tunnel signage. Right on Corona Avenue. Right on 111th Street. Right
at 49th Avenue into the New York Hall of Science entrance drive.
From Brooklyn
Brooklyn-Queens Expressway to Long Island Expressway (LIE) eastbound. Stay
in the right-hand lanes and exit at 108th Street. Left on 108th Street.
Right on 52nd Avenue to 111th Street. Left on 111th Street. Right on 49th
Avenue into the New York Hall of Science entrance drive.
Parking
Parking is available at the New York Hall of Science at no charge for Workshop/Conference attendees. The parking lot is adjacent to the museum. Turn right, just past the museum entrance. If there is an attendant at the booth, tell them you are with the conference.
Trains
All major regional train lines have frequently scheduled trips to New York
City.
National:
- Amtrak: www.amtrak.com
Regional:
- Metropolitan Transportation Authority: http://www.mta.info/index.html
- New Jersey Transit http://www.njtransit.com/
Local:
Local rail travel is provided by the MTA (see above) New York has one of
the best public transportation systems of any large city. Its world-class
subway provides unlimited transfers to anywhere in the city for US$2.50
per trip. They have converted to a magnetic card system that can be purchased
at any subway stop from vending machines using cash or credit cards. The
New York City subway system can be a little daunting for outsiders. To help
the unfamiliar get around, you can plan a trip using HopStop http://www.hopstop.com/
It can show you how to get around using the subway and bus system as well
as best walking routes. Like Mapquest or GoogleMaps, you plug in the starting
and end addresses and it gives you exact trains and transfers to get where
you are going.
ATTRACTIONS
NYC and Company is the official visitor's bureau for the City of New York. Please review this site to understand the wide array of possibilities in terms of world-class cultural institutions (the Hall of Science is one of the many City Institutions). The site also includes more general travel information including restaurants, theater, night clubs, and events.
Last updated March 16th, 2007 | Site Design by Elisha Hardy