Westminster 411 – Where to Go, What to Know
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130 – February, 2015
By Amy Fernandez
Flying into NYC
NYC airports rank among the nation’s busiest. The experience can frazzle the most stoic traveler. If you’ve got dogs, tack, etc. in cargo, they are usually ready for pickup at the oversize luggage door before baggage comes down the carousel. If needed, flag down a luggage porter, who will also keep an eye on your stuff while you collect everything. Tips average about $1 per item. Keep an eye on your valuables and get out of there ASAP.
Trekking to NYC
Getting into Manhattan can be equally daunting. If you’re traveling with one dog, medallion cabs are your best bet. Airport taxi lines are easy to spot. Never accept rides from anyone soliciting fares inside the airport.
Medallion cabs are required to accept crated dogs. For specs, see http://www.nyc.gov/html/tlc/downloads/pdf/drivrules.pdf. If you need a minivan, ask the dispatcher (the frenzied little man with the clipboard in front of the line) to flag the next one for you.
FYI: Flat rate airport fares to Manhattan don’t include tolls or tips, but they do cover all passengers/dog to that destination. Medallion cabs can take four passengers, minivans accept five. Always check the meter before paying. Drivers accept cash or credit cards, tip is typically 15–20 percent.
For multiple dogs, a car service may be the best option. Most airports provide a list of authorized shuttle and car services.
Dial 7 accepts leashed or crated dogs if booked in advance. Basic online airport rates to Manhattan between 4:45 AM – 5:00 PM are:
• $34 from LaGuardia
• $48 from JFK and Newark
They accept cash, all major credit cards, and prepaid online reservations through PayPal. Dogs over 25 lbs. require a van or minivan. To prepay or reserve a car, minivan, 9 or 13 passenger van, or SUV contact: dial7.com – (212) 777-7777
If you’re traveling with a group, airport shuttles are more economical. Super Shuttle Manhattan accepts dogs in crates up to 32”x 22”x 23”. No charge for crates up to 17”x 12”x 7”.
You must book an exclusive van for larger crates. For more info contact:
(212) BLUE VAN – (800) 258-3826 – supershuttle.com
GO Airlink NYC offers shuttle service to Manhattan from all three NY major airports 24/7. Passengers with dogs must inform drivers in advance. They accept dogs under ten pounds in their Share-Ride shuttles and luxury sedans, and will carry larger dogs allowed luxury SUVs. For info contact:
goairlinkshuttles.com
Some pet transport companies offer special Westminster rates.
• Pet Chauffeur’s airport rates are:
$135 from LGA
$165 from Newark and JFK
For info contact:
212-696-9744 – 866-PETRIDE (738-7433)
petchauffeur.com
• Pet Taxi’s basic rates start at:
$95 from LGA
$115 from JFK
$135 from Newark
For info contact:
(718) 355-9665 – Text (347) 674-6157
service@pettaxinewyork.com
pettaxinewyork.com
If reading this has convinced you to drive to NYC in February, two great websites offer oversize or overweight vehicle route maps and current info on restrictions like construction detours and weather related issues.
• http://www.longhaulerusa.com/bttrmaps.htm
• http://gis.dot.ny.gov/osowscreen2/
Parking in NYC
Of course, getting here is only half the battle. Parking is always an adventure in NYC. Convenience comes at a price. Typically, prices are higher for lots and garages near the Garden and the Piers. Convenient parking (at NYC rates) is available above Pier 92. You can find cheaper options if you are willing to hike a few blocks to a nearby parking garage. By far, the best resource to check parking options is nyc.bestparking.com
Regardless of where you park, never leave valuables in your car.
Avoid Hotel Mayhem
Currently, 90+ NYC hotels accept dogs. You definitely have options, but the Westminster’s perennial favorites earn their keep. The Affinia and the Penn roll out the red carpet for canine guests during Westminster Week. The Penn provides basement exercise pens, treadmills, and bathtubs.
The Affinia provides an outdoor dog run with turf, along with a range of pet amenities through their VIPaws Pet Program. It features everything from dog walking/pet-sitting, gourmet dog treats, pet psychics, and pet taxi services.
All Affinia NYC hotels and their affiliates offer this program including:
• The Shoreham at 33 West 55th St.
Phone: 800-553-3347
• and The Mansfield at
2 West 44th Street, New York NY 10036
Phone: 800-255-5167
Both charge a non-refundable $25 fee and potential $250 cleaning/repair fee which encourages guests to supervise their dogs. These are far from the only dog friendly hotels in Midtown. See The Canine Chronicle website at www.caninechronicle.com for a more extensive listing.
Painless Hotel Check-In
Checking into a Manhattan Hotel with dogs in tow can be the biggest Westminster challenge. It’s a two person job because leaving your car unattended is asking for a ticket or tow. Doormen and bellhops are your best resource for a smooth, anxiety-free experience. (To speak to the head bellman at the Affinia call 917-495-1060).
Doormen can help you grab a curbside spot, quickly unload your gear onto a luggage cart, and navigate it to the front desk where you are likely to find all your dog friends at the endless check-in queue. Meanwhile, the doorman can direct your driver to nearby parking garages. You will probably still be in line by the time they return from parking the car.
Tips on Tipping
Be prepared to hand out plenty of tips during your stay. FYI – unless you’re really generous, bring plenty of singles and fives. In the long run, tipping is far more economical than bailing your car out of the tow pound or filing police reports for missing luggage.
• Hotel Doorman – $1-$5 depending on the service
• Porters and Bellhops – $1-$2 per bag
• Housekeeping – $2-$5 per day, depending on services
• Concierge – $5-$10, depending on request.
• Room Service Waiter – 15-20 percent (unless tips are added to your bill). Aside from restaurants/bars where tips can be added to the bill, always tip in cash.
Dog Walking in NYC
By the time you get checked in, your dogs will probably be going nuts for a walk and a pee, which brings us to the next Westminster dilemma. The Penn and Affinia provide dog exercise areas. Otherwise, a stack of newspapers on the bathroom floor can suffice for Toy breeds. But most dogs prefer some exercise.
Central Park has 23 designated dog-friendly areas throughout the park where dogs are permitted off lead before 9:00 A.M. and after 9:00 P.M.
DeWitt Clinton Park is near the Piers between 10th and 11th Avenues and 52nd Street. Locally, it’s the preferred dog hangout, spanning two acres along the Hudson with two nice dog runs.
Emergency Dog Wash Options
Jogging around NYC streets can leave your dogs pretty grimy. If sidewalks are icy, always check their paws for salt and injuries. Hotels generally discourage grooming and bathing dogs in rooms, which presents problems if they need a thorough cleanup before the shows. The Penn provides bathing and grooming facilities for exhibitors. If you’re staying elsewhere, consider trekking downtown to a self-service dog wash:
• dogwashnyc.com
• unleashedspa.com
In Case of Emergency
Hopefully, no one’s Westminster fun lands them in the ER, but it’s always wise to keep those phone numbers handy. New York’s most famous veterinary hospital, the Animal Medical Center, is way over on the East side at 510 E. 62nd. Street. You can contact them at:
• amcny.org
(212) 838-8101
• City Pets Vets at 50 West 57th Street makes house calls.
citypetsvets.com
Phone: 212 581-7387
• Closer to the Piers you can find Clinton Veterinary Center at
357 West 52nd Street between 8th and 9th Avenues.
212-333-5548
• Columbus Circle Veterinary Hospital at
2 Columbus Avenue, 9th Avenue and 59th Street.
212-245-3302
• Blue Pearl Veterinary Partners at
410 West 55th Street between 9th and 10th Avenues.
212.767.0099
ER Clinic is open 24/7
NYC Downtime With Dogs
Enough of that, let’s check out some fun activities with dogs. If the weather is cooperative, Hudson River Park is a short stroll from the Piers. Its 550 acres of pedestrian walkways run five miles along the Hudson. Along the way, you can find numerous diversions like dog runs, shopping, and restaurants. For info check: hudsonriverpark.org
Manhattan is packed with dog friendly hangouts. One of the nicest in Midtown is Madison Square Park at Madison Avenue and 23rd Street The former site of MSG, it’s worth a look if you’re into Westminster history. It’s also a good excuse to visit NYC’s most popular junk food dispensary, the iconic Shake Shack. Your dogs can share your fries, milkshake, and guilt trip or indulge in their own decadent Poochini Treat, frozen custard topped with Shackburger biscuits. It’s supposedly a big dog sized snack, but my Cresteds can annihilate one in seconds.
Navigating Public Transit
Small dogs in carriers can ride NYC public transit, which includes.
• Metro-North and Long Island Railroads
• PATH trains
• NYC buses and subways
• and the Seastreak Ferry that runs year-round from Pier 11 on Wall Street. For info contact 800-BOAT-RIDE
seastreakusa.com
Sightseeing
Down at the ferry slip, you can stroll around the South Street Seaport’s cobblestone street pedestrian mall. It’s still recovering from Sandy, but it’s definitely a dog hangout with plenty to do. For info visit: southstreetseaport.com
You’ll probably be ravenous by then, but that doesn’t mean banishing your dogs to the hotel. Technically, animals are not permitted in establishments serving food, but those rules get stretched. Down at the South Street Seaport, the Growler is the goto spot. Located at 55 Stone Street, this dog-themed pub specializes in craft beers and specialty hot dogs. Dogs are welcome on the back patio which features various canine attractions to offset the Wall Street crowd inside. For info contact:
(917) 409-0251 – info@thegrowlernyc.com
For a bit more sightseeing, catch the Staten Island Ferry and show your dogs the Statue of Liberty. It’s not only free, there’s a bar on board. For info visit: http://www.siferry.com/
Shopping
Sightseeing is fine, but let’s face it, NYC is about shopping! Retail establishments set their own policies regarding dogs, but a few are known to cultivate canine clientele. Try Polo Ralph Lauren at 72nd and Madison, Tiffany’s and Bergdorf’s at 57th and 5th Avenue, and Bloomingdales at 59th Street and Lexington Avenue. If those are a bit too pricey for your budget, many Gap and Banana Republic outlets are dog friendly. Both have locations at 59th & Lexington. If you’ve got an uncooperative husband or boyfriend along, they might prefer a look around Restoration Hardware at 935 Broadway between 21st and 22nd Streets.
If you want to top off your day with a drink, dog friendly bars abound in NYC. Near the Piers you will find:
Mr. Biggs at
586 10th Avenue and 43rd Street
212.246.2030
NYC offers endless entertainment, but that’s not why you’re here. Make it an early night and get those dogs groomed for tomorrow!
At The Shows
When you get caught up in the action, it’s easy to lose track of life beyond the dog show. It helps to venture outside the venue occasionally. If you are worried about leaving your dogs unattended, visit westminsterkennelclub.org to arrange for private security at MSG or the Piers. Westminster recommends
Citadel Security at 718-948-3658 or
citadel8@verizon.net.
It may seem like the Piers are in the middle of nowhere, but this is NYC. Tons of great dining spots are minutes away. If you like Thai, two great places are nearby:
• Yum Yum Bangkok
650 9th Ave. between 45th and 46th Streets
212- 262-7244
• Topaz Thai
127 W. 56th St.
212 957-8020
If you’re strictly burger and fries like me, the options are even better:
• The Burger Joint
119 W. 56th St. (cash only)
212 708-7414
• Five Guys Burgers and Fries
43 W. 55th St.
212 459-9600
• The Counter
7 Times Square
For the best giant orders of fries and good chili
212 997-6801
For fabulous desserts try:
• The Flame
893 9th Avenue at 58th Street
212 765-7962
Most are open late and they all deliver.
For an invigorating pre-show breakfast try:
• The Morning Star
879 9th Avenue and 57th Street
212 246-1593
If you want at least one classy meal during your trip try
• The Thalia
828 8th Avenue and 50th Street
212 399-4444
It’s the perfect place to celebrate a great win, but whether you win or lose a bit of advance planning will guarantee a great trip to NYC. See you there!
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