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If you’re flying into New York on a domestic flight, chances are you’ll be landing at La Guardia Airport in the borough of Queens. La Guardia is located a short 20 to 40 minute New York car rental drive from Manhattan, depending on traffic, plus La Guardia is located right on the Grand Central Parkway, making navigating easy! The La Guardia Airport is operated by the Port Authority and services many major airlines, most of which are domestic flights. La Guardia is a busy place these days with over 533 non-stop flights departing and arriving daily! LaGuardia is also a major shipping airport with over 1,293 tons being transported through the airport in just one month! Read on for more information on La Guardia Airport and then check out their official website for help with flight changes and other airport services. The La Guardia Airport site can be found at www.panynj.gov/aviation/lgrtfram.htm.

Terminals

The terminals at La Guardia Airport are arranged in a semi-circle position along the Grand Central Parkway. Multiple access roads are available for those of you traveling in your New York car rental, so be sure to consult a map before braving the confusion of airport drop-off traffic! The terminals are lettered A, B, C and D. Terminal A is the Delta Shuttle Marine Air Terminal, terminal B is the Central Terminal Building (or CTB), terminal C is the US Airways and US Airway Shuttle Terminal, while terminal D is home of the Delta airlines. Depending on where you’d like to go upon your arrival in the state of New York, you may wish to head east in your New York car rental towards Long Island and Whitestone Bridge, or you may want to head southwest to the Triboro Bridge and the busy boroughs of Manhattan and the Bronx. The terminals are relatively close together, and there is a free bus shuttle from the Marine Air Terminal (terminal A) to all the other terminal buildings, so if you need to catch a connecting flight it is recommended that you hop on this handy commuter!

Parking at LaGuardia

La Guardia offers a wide variety of paring options for your New York car rental, from metered spots to long term areas. There are plenty of lots dedicated to daily parking, while the main long term lot is located just between the Central Terminal Building (terminal B) and the US Airways Terminal. Metered parking is found just outside the Marine Air Terminal and is quite limited. Parking costs range from $.50 per 15 minutes at the metered parking to $24 per 24 hour. It’s easy to find the parking garages at La Guardia in your New York car rental – simply follow the “P” signs to the airport exit for additional spaces. La Guardia also offers numerous disabled parking areas close to the terminal entrances along with free courtesy buses that transfer travelers between parking lots and their desired terminals.

Airport Terminal Services

La Guardia Airport offers a wide variety of shops and services to travelers ranging from barber shops to shoe shines! So when you’re feeling a little weary or bored why not check out one of the numerous restaurants, slower shops, duty free stores, or cocktail lounges?! La Guardia also offers services like banks, places of worship, wireless internet acess, currency exchange, and nursery stations; you name it and La Guardia has it!

Hotels

If you’re flight arrives late at night, there’s no need to worry; numerous hotels are located right next door to La Guardia Airport, allowing you to catch some much needed Z’s before hoping in your New York car rental and discovering the city!

With its premiere date on April 29, 2007 fans of the original movie Legally Blonde just can’t wait for the premiere of Legally Blonde on Broadway. Officially called “Legally Blonde: The Musical” its first debut will be at the Palace Theatre. The first previews of the musical will take place at the Golden Gate Theatre in San Francisco beginning on January 23, 2007. So don’t worry, you have lots of time to get your ticket before you begin your trip with your New York car rentals company AAMCAR Discount Car Rentals, just make sure you don’t wait too late! So begin your adventure in New York today by booking New York car rentals at AAMCAR Discount Car Rentals. You can be rest assured that AAMCAR Discount Car Rentals will take your to your destination with minimal costs and maximum safety.

Discover the story of Legally Blonde…

Legally Blonde is a 2001 comedy film which starred Reese Witherspoon as Elle Woods, it is based on the 2001 novel by Amanda Brown. It has been considered to be a part of the “Girl Power” movement popular in the late 1990s and early 2000s. Legally Blonde is a fictional story which tells of a valley girl’s life. After an unexpected breakup with her long time boyfriend claiming that her frivolous life will hamper his prospective political future. Crushed, Elle Woods is determined to win back her boyfriend by pursuing to be taken seriously by attending Harvard Law School. However when she arrives at Harvard (the same school that her former boyfriend is attending) she finds that he is already engaged to a fellow law student. Not only that but she is met with prejudice and skepticisms everywhere she goes. The movie goes on to follow her rise in academics at Harvard with a few trials, heartbreaks and friendships along the way. If you haven’t seen the movie you should definitely add this to your list to must see. Legally Blonde was a Golden Globe Award nominee for Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy and Reese Witherspoon received a nomination for her performance. It is also under Bravo’s “100 Funniest Moves'” as number 29. So do yourself a favor, when Legally Blonde: The Musical comes out, come and check it out with your New York car rentals company AAMCAR Discount Car Rentals.

Find out about the people behind Legally Blonde…

Even though Legally Blonde the Broadway musical has not yet made its debut, the people behind the scenes has the Broadway community a buzz. The show is being produced by Hal Luftig, Fox Theatricals, and Dori Berinstein. Nell Bengamin and Laurence O’Keefe (composer and lyricist of Bat Boy: The Musical) are in charge of the score and the book is by Heather Hach. Tony award winner Jerry Mitchell will bring his expertise to Legally Blonde by directing and choreographing the musical.

See the up and coming stars with your New York car rentals…

Be the first to see the next rising star in Broadway with your New York car rentals company AAMCAR Discount Car Rentals. Laura Bell Bundy plays the delightful and sometimes annoyingly optimistic Elle Woods and the handsome Christian Borle as Emmet Forest. Other talented performers that you will see in Legally Blonde when you visit New York with your New York car rentals company AAMCAR Discount Car Rentals are Nikki Snelson, Kate Shindle, Richard H. Blake, Michael Rupert, Annaleigh Ashford, Leslie Kritzer, Dequina Moore, Natalie Joy Johnson, and Andy Karl.

For more information on the Broadway musical Legally Blonde when you visit with your New York car rentals company AAMCAR Discount Car Rentals visit their official website at http://www.legallyblondethemusical.com/ for more information.

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The Lion King on Broadway is one of Disney’s most successful plays. The play is based on the Disney film of the same name and features actors in animal costumes and puppets. Whether you are here with your car rental in New York with kids or not, this is a great play to see.

Come to the jungle

The play opens with the rising sun over Pride Rock. Simba is presented to the animals here, as his dad Mufasa is king. Meanwhile Scar is upset about his lost chance at becoming king. Simba grows up and his father explains to him the delicate balance of life, known as the Circle of Life. Simba is warned not to go beyond the boundaries of the Pride Lands because danger lies beyond. Scar eventually convinces Simba to go to the Elephant Graveyard because he knows that Simba is very curious and not allowed to go there. Simba asks his best friend Nala to go with him, but they do not tell their mothers. This journey proves to be a frightful experience, as hyenas attack them. Thankfully, they make it back to the Pride Lands alright.

Be part of the circle of life

Mufasa is disappointed that Simba disobeyed him, but Simba only wants to be brave. An important life lesson about life and death follows. But Scar is still conspiring to become king by killing Simba. Scar promises the hyenas they will never go hungry again if they help him become king. Scar brings Simba to the gorge and the hyenas start a stampede. Mufasa saves Simba, but is killed. Simba believes that he was the reason his father died. Simba leaves and Scar claims the throne. Simba has left and ventures into the desert.

Hakuna Matata

Since Scar became king, there has been draught in the Pride Lands. Scar laments that he is not loved by the kingdom and wants to have children. At the same time, Simba has meet Pumbaa and Timon and they make their way to the jungle. One night, while Simba is signing to the stars, his father’s friend Rafiki hears the song and knows that he is still alive. In the jungle, Simba finds Nala when she tried to eat Pumbaa. Nala tells Simba what life in the Pride Lands has come to and encourages him to go back and claim his throne. Rafiki also meats Simba on his own and tells him that his father is still alive within him. Simba returns to Pride Rock with Timon and Pumbaa and sees what has happened.

This Disney play is just as good as the Disney movie. When you are here with your car rental in New York you will want to stop by and see this production. It has won many awards and is considered to be one of the best you can see with your car rental in New York. Come see the Circle of Life take place, either with or without kids. The musical adaptation has improved upon the movie and there are different elements in the musical that you will not expect from the movie. This is a lot of fun for everyone in the family with your car rental in New York.

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If youre planning on taking a vacation to the Big Apple dont forget to take a trip to one of the citys most diverse neighborhoods! Little Italy, which is currently located between Canal and Broome streets, is one of the areas oldest neighborhoods. Home to countless boutiques and mouthwatering restaurants, the community of Little Italy is steeped in tradition, providing visitors with an air of exciting acceptance. Historically known for its large population of Italian immigrants, Little Italy is still home to numerous Italian American families providing tourists with a wide variety of distinctively Italian goods and services. More than your average neighborhood, the community of Little Italy offers New York discount car rental travelers a tantalizing glimpse at Italian culture, so dont miss your chance to join in on the fun! AAMCAR New York Discount Car Rentals encourages you to visit this one-of-a-kind NYC attraction, so grab a map and check it out today!

Little Italy Landmarks

The community of Little Italy is currently home to numerous NYC attractions, so dont forget to purchase a camera during your upcoming journeys. One of the neighborhoods most notable areas is that of the Canal and Mulberry streets intersection. Here you will find the legendary Welcome to Little Italy sign. This stunning sign is located on the border of Little Italy and the neighboring Chinatown community, creating an international flavor unlike anything else out there! Once youve basked in the glow of the Little Italy sign, remember to take a stroll down Mulberry Street. This laneway is the center of Little Italy, providing tourists with tons of exciting retail outlets and specialty shops. And dont forget about the restaurants! Little Italy is THE place to be if youre looking to enjoy some authentic Italian cuisine, so come prepared to feast on some of the citys finest pasta and flakiest pastries! Top AAMCAR New York Discount Car Rental restaurant picks along Mulberry Street include:

• La Bella Ferrara Pasticceria if youve got a sweet tooth youll love La Bella Ferrara Pasticceria! An endless array of deserts can be found within this quaint Little Italy establishment, providing hungry tourists with tons of calorie loaded, mouthwatering desert sensations. AAMCAR New York Discount Car Rentals encourages you to try the vanilla custard filled French Roll during your next visit.
• Amici II vacationing families absolutely love the atmosphere at Amici II restaurant thanks to hearty home cooked meals and ultra friendly service. Owned by one of Little Italys own, Maria Sarna, the Amici II restaurant is proud to provide visitors with much more than just quality food. If youre planning on visiting Amici II during your upcoming AAMCAR New York City Discount Car Rental vacation remember to order the lobster house specially its simply divine!

The Feast of San Gennaro

The Feast of San Gennaro is an annual festival celebrated every September in the heart of Little Italy. Since 1996 the San Gennaro Festival has rocked Mulberry Street, providing tourists and locals alike with endless entertainment and tons of uncensored fun! Live music, free food and lively parades are all apart of the Feast of San Gennaro, which commemorates the patron saint of Naples, Italy. New York City is currently home to one of the largest San Gennaro Feasts, attracting over 1 million guests each and every year! This years celebration was held September 15th through to the 25th and included everything from cannoli eating contests to a candlelit procession. Hosted by Figli di San Gennaro, Inc. the San Gennaro Feast is a definite must-visit for anyone interested in learning more about the neighborhoods culture and local practices. More than 300 licensed vendors participate in this annual celebration along with 35 local restaurants, so be sure to come out and enjoy the festivities during your upcoming AAMCAR New York City Car Rental vacation.

If you would like more information on current happenings in and around Little Italy please feel free to visit the official New York City Little Italy website at www.littleitalynyc.com.

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The Javits Center is a convention center in New York City on West 34th Street. They hold many different types of events here in their 814,400 square feet of exhibit space. There are over 100 rooms for seminars and hospitality events, should you need the facilities while you are here with your New York car rental. There is also an addition 65,000 square feet of space for registration and kitchens on site that can prepare up to 10,000 meals at the same time. The location in midtown on the river makes it easy to get to with your New York car rental, with multimedia equipment to take care of your needs.

Planning Your Trip to New York

New York is one of the biggest cities in the world, with plenty of activities to keep you busy with your New York car rental. But planning this trip can be a little daunting. You need to begin by deciding which season to come in. Each season in New York has its own special attractions.

• Winter – the winter can be a magical time in the city, especially if it is a snowy one. You can skate on the rink at Rockefeller Center, see the menorah lights in Central Park, or see the Sugar Plum Fairies dance. The only downside is getting around in the snow in your New York car rental in a city you are not familiar with.
• Spring – spring is when baseball returns to Yankee and Shea Stadiums, and the Cyclone reopens for the summer on Staten Island. As you stroll through Central Park you can see the flowers bloom and you just know that there is something special happening.
• Summer – Summer brings people outside again. There are many festivals, performances, parades, and other outdoor activities to keep you running around. In the summer there is also a special time when many of the finest restaurants offer prix-fixe, where you can get a three-course meal at a discounted price during Summer Restaurant Week. Sports also come to the city and plays are abound.
• Fall – fall brings exhibits, music, and Broadway shows to the city with a vengeance. As the weather gets crisper, the anticipation of the upcoming holiday season starts to build and the excitement can be felt in the air.

New York has many interesting site and places to visit with your New York car rental. There are many visitor centers located throughout the city to help you out if you ever have any problems, and your hotel will also have plenty of information. Some of the more popular areas include Midtown, Downtown, Chinatown, SoHo, Broadway, and many, many more. The most important thing to remember is that New York City has five boroughs: the Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens, and Staten Island. They are all linked by a series of tunnels and bridges that enable you to travel between them with your New York car rental.

Finally, traveling with kids is always a challenge. Luckily New York City has much to offer them to keep kids happy. The city is chalk full of dinosaurs, parks, ships, toy stores, space shows, circuses, museums, and much more. The best thing to do with kids is to plan short trips to many places and bring distractions with you in case they get bored. Above all, always have a back-up plan in case they get fussy. Remember, this is a vacation for the whole family, and everybody should have fun and remember the trip.

No trip to New York is complete without visiting a Broadway musical with your New York car rentals company AAMCAR Discount Car Rentals. Jersey Boys on Broadway is icing on the cake when it comes to musicals. With the amazing performances by the performers and the dramatic theatrics, there is just so much to see and hear when traveling with your New York car rentals company AAMCAR Discount Car Rentals. In fact, since its opening debut on November 6, 2005 Jersey Boys began its National Tour on December 10th 2006 in San Francisco, California. In 2006, Jersey Boys won four Tony Awards including one for Best Musical. This is definitely a Broadway musical you shouldn’t’ miss out on when you travel with your New York car rentals company AAMCAR Discount Car Rentals.

See what Jersey Boys all about with your New York car rentals…

When you see the Jersey Boys with your New York car rentals company AAMCAR Discount Car Rentals you will find that this musical is told in a documentary style about on of the most successful 60’s rock and roll groups, the Four Seasons. The focus is mainly on the groups tough beginnings on the streets of Newark to their rise to fame. The musical pays tribute by playing several of the Four Seasons songs that made them famous.

Find out about the people behind Jersey Boys…

The book on Jersey Boys was written by Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice. The music that will have your feet tapping was written by Bob Gaudio with lyrics by Bob Crewe. And of course nothing could ever happen without the production team which includes Director Des McAnuff and Assistant Director Holly-Anne Ruggiero.

Some things before you go with your New York car rentals…

• The entire performance of Jersey Boys runs for 2 hours and 30 minutes including a 15 minute intermission
• The musical may be inappropriate for children under the 12 years of age due to the strong language but this is under the parent / guardians discretion. However, children under the age of 4 are not allowed in the theatre.
• If you are traveling with a group of 15 or more when with your New York car rentals company AAMCAR Discount Car Rentals, you may be able to get a special group discount. For more information call (212) 239 – 6262.
• A tip in buying tickets from your New York car rentals company AAMCAR Discount Car Rentals, for the best Orchestra availability look to book tickets during weeknight performances beginning in February 2007. Premium tickets are also available.
• Ticket prices range from $96.50 up to $131.50. However if you want to save a couple of bucks when you travel with your New York car rentals company AAMCAR Discount Car Rentals the theatre offers special ticket offers including “Standing Room” with tickets that go for $26.50 available at the box office two hours prior to the performance but they only except cash only and there is a limit 1 per person. “Student Rush” is available for the same price. Students must present a valid student ID and valid government issued ID for verification. Tickets are sold the day of the performance, they only take cash and is subject to availability.

Visit Jersey Boys on Broadway’s official website at http://www.jerseyboysbroadway.com/ for more information when you visit with your New York car rental company AAMCAR Discount Car Rentals.

Jersey Boys on Broadway

August Wilson Theatre
245 West 52nd Street (between Broadway and 8th Avenue)
New York, New York 10019
Telephone: (212) 239 – 6262 or (800) 432 – 7780 for callers outside the New York metro area.

Imagine that you have a fancy party to go to, but you dont want to wear the same thing you always wear. Youre little black dress has been worn one too many times and you always see the same people. Everyone is going to start thinking you dont have any money and that you only have one dress. You want something bold, something that tells everyone youve arrived when you enter the room. You want all eyes on you and you want to be the belle of the ball. Where are you going to go to get this fabulous, one-of-a-kind dress you so desperately desire? On your upcoming Manhattan car rental vacation, go to Henri Bendel for a showstopper classic. Henri Bendel founded this four-story, magnificent department store in 1985. It is so popular that it has attracted huge names like the Astors and the Vanderbilts. Bendel was a unique man because he imported some of the most famous designer clothes to put on the first fashion show in New York City. Bendel loved to show off some of the biggest names in fashion. He also loved to showcase some of the newest fashion designers in his store and in his shows like Stephen Burrows and Anna Sui so that he could get these names recognized. Come to Henri Bendel on your future Manhattan car rental trip for styles you wont find anywhere else!

Shop till you drop

Henri Bendel provides many different options for women of all shapes and sizes. There are clothes, shoes, hats and handbags. You can also find watches, jewelry, eyewear and swimwear. One of the most popular places in Henri Bendel is the lingerie section. If you are planning a romantic evening with that special someone, you will find all youre looking for and more in this area. There are over 30 vendors to be found here like the Henri Bendel New York private-label collection. You will find things here that you wont find anywhere else. Its a great opportunity to try new things and see what suits you best. You can also find designs by John Galliano, Sarrieri and Little Joe by Gail Elliott. The Henri Bendel department store received one of the Best of New York Awards for Best Womens Dresses. If the prices arent exactly in your price range, wait for a day when there are sales on. You could go in and buy $800 worth of clothing for $160! Its been done before. You could also have the chance to see a celebrity shopping alongside you because thats how well-know this store is. On your Manhattan car rental trip, try Henri Bendel for everything you could ever want and more.

One oclock, two oclock, three oclock, More!

This four-story building is truly a sight to see, Manhattan car rental customers. On the first floor, you can find products by MAC, BeneFit, Kevyn Aucoin and Mally Beauty. There are also numerous accessories and a gazebo full of many different bags. On your way up to the second floor, there is a Chanel beauty shop and a variety of Chanel sunglasses to choose from. When you finally get to the second floor, you will find jewelry, perfume and more accessories. You can never use too many accessories, right? On the next two floors you will find items by Hanky Panky, Cosabella, Matthew Williamson and Rock and Republic. There are so many things to choose from that you might just have to spend the whole day here. The Henri Bendel department store is open Monday-Saturday from 10:00am-8:00pm. It is also open on Sundays from noon-7:00pm. What a great way to spend your time (and money) on your amazing Manhattan car rental vacation.

Herald Square is found at the intersection of Broadway, Sixth Avenue, and 34th Street in Manhattan. It was named for the New York Herald, much like the New York Times was once the focus of Times Square. There is a triangular park formed by Broadway, Sixth Avenue, and West 32nd Street named for Horace Greeley, a New York Tribune publisher.

Herald Square is home to one very famous store. Macy Department Store is located here. Macy’s is the largest department store in the United States, and possible even the world. This is a sight you will want to see with your New York car rental. Until 1986, Macy’s rival store was also found here in Herald Square. The store was Gimble Brothers. This was a well-known store, due to the fact that it was rivals with Macy’s. It was also featured in the 1947 Miracle on 34th Street. In recent years the store was the set of the fictional setting of the department store featured in the film Elf (2003). A major reason the store became popular was because many of its doors led to the Herald Square subway station, but later this would be part of its demise. Gimble’s had one of the highest rates of shoplifting in the world. Today you can visit the site with your New York car rental when you visit Manhattan Mall.

Macy’s

The flagship store of Macy’s can be seen as you drive through Herald Square with your New York car rental. The store was completed in 1924 with the Seventh Avenue addition. There are two other flagship stores: one in San Francisco and the other in Chicago.

If you are in New York on Thanksgiving, you will want to see the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, put on every year by the store. This annual event is enjoyed by millions of people all over the U.S., but you can see it in person with your New York car rental.

If you are able to stop with your New York car rental to get some shopping in, Macy’s offers better than average price levels compared to other department stores such as J.C. Penny, Sears, and Dillard’s. Another famous New York landmark, Bloomingdale’s, is within the same division but at the luxury department store level competing with Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom, and Saks Fifth Avenue.

Macy’s has a long history in New York. It was founded in 1858 from a dry goods store from Haverhill, Massachusetts. The original location of the store was at 14th Street and 6th Avenue, but it moved to 18th Street and Broadway. At the time, this area was known as the “Ladies’ Mile”, a popular shopping district (which it still is today). In 1902 the store made its final move to its current location slightly uptown to Herald Square. Since then Macy’s has expanded all over the United States and is still one of the best-known stores in the United States.

Herald Square is a very popular and historic site to visit with your New York car rental. From the New York Herald to Macy’s, there is plenty to see here at Herald Square.

More than 300 years of history can be found just outside Manhattan on Staten Island. This is because the island is home to Historic Richmond Town, New York City’s only living historical village and museum complex. Established in 1958, Historic Richmond Town is the result of a joint project between the Staten Island Historical Society, an independent not-for-profit cultural organization, and the City of New York. Composed of some 15 resorted buildings on more than 100 acres of land, Historic Richmond Town provides visitors with a functioning look at New York City nearly three hundred years ago. Customers of AAMCAR New York Car Rentals are invited to experience the domestic, commercial, and civic activities commonly associated with a historic New York town, all the while enjoying live presentations and informative reenactments. From museum exhibits to community festivals, you’re sure to find tons of fun activities inside this fully functional village. A short car ride outside the city will take you back centuries, so why not bridge the time barrier during your upcoming AAMCAR New York Car Rentals vacation? Plan a visit to Historic Richmond Town today.

A quick history of Historic Richmond Town

Richmond town was first established as a crossroads settlement way back at the turn of the 18th century. It functioned as the center for Dutch Reform religious activities well into the 1700s. The town quickly grew overtime, attracting a variety of settlers and merchants. Blacksmiths, shoemakers and other craftsmen called Richmond Town home, along with a doctors and storekeeper. As Manhattan became increasingly more populated in the 1800s, Staten Island emerged as a popular retreat for wealthy travelers. Towns began to pop up all around Richmond Town, which was, by now, a commercial center. A courthouse was erected in 1837, to be followed by a number of residential areas and storefronts. Local businesses prospered late into the 19th century. Richmond Town would continue as a residential neighborhood after Staten Island became a borough of NYC in 1898. Preservation of the town began during the Great Depression of the 1930s and continues to this day. Today, 15 buildings have been fully restored including an informative museum facility. A professional staff is on-hand inside the Historic Richmond Village at all times providing customers of AAMCAR New York Car Rentals with a ton of interesting facts and figures.

Become a part of History: What you’ll see and do in Historic Richmond Town

There is currently more than 100 acres of town space preserved in Historic Richmond Town, providing the customers of AAMCAR New York Car Rentals with access to plenty of exciting amenities and activities. Visitors to the town will see everything from furnished houses to formal exhibitions, not to mention contemporary reenactments. More than 27 buildings are also open to the public in Historic Richmond Town, including a handful of fully restored houses. As you walk through the streets you’ll pass a number of storefronts advertising local wares and upcoming civic events. Customers of AAMCAR New York Car Rentals are invited to learn everything from quilting to square dancing during their visit, so go ahead and join in the fun during your upcoming visit. And don’t forget to stop in at one of the country shops for a bite to eat. These home cooked meals are sure to satisfy even the hungriest of travelers.

If the crush of modern living is getting you down now’s the time to stop in at Historic Richmond Town. A slower pace of life reigns supreme inside this pleasant country village, creating a calm vacation destination for you and all your AAMCAR New York Car Rentals companions. To learn more about Historic Richmond Town please contact the Historic Richmond Town Foundation at 1-718-351-1611. Customers of AAMCAR New York Car Rentals can also visit the official Historic Richmond Town website at www.historicrichmondtown.org. Historic Richmond Town is located at 441 Clarke Avenue on Staten Island.

The Holland Tunnel, which links New York to New Jersey, was opened in 1927. The first vehicular tunnel to travel beneath the Hudson River, the Holland tunnel was considered to be an outstanding feat of engineering genius, and is now cited as a National Historic Civil and Mechanical Engineering Landmark. The Chief engineer on the Holland Tunnel project, originally named the Hudson River Vehicular Tunnel, was Clifford Holland, a pioneer in the business of tunnel construction. His twin-tube design for the Hudson River Vehicular Tunnel was a revolutionary concept, a concept still in use today! The tube-shaped design of the Holland tunnel creates a safe and sturdy haven of transportation, allowing millions of vehicles and Manhattan car rentals to cross nearly 8,558 feet of the Hudson River. Today the Holland Tunnel is one of the busiest tunnels in New York City, connecting Canal Street, Manhattan to 12th Street in Jersey City.

Interesting Facts about the Holland Tunnel

• The deepest section of the Holland Tunnel is located over 93.5 feet of water beneath the Hudson River
• There are 31 million ceiling tiles on the Holland Tunnel and over 2.9 million wall tiles
• There are 9 toll lanes of traffic leading into the Holland Tunnel
• In 2004 some 33,926,000 vehicles traveled the tunnel
• Clifford Holland never got to see his masterpiece tunnel completed he died one day before construction even began on the Hudson River Vehicular Tunnel
• The first non-official vehicle to cross the Holland tunnel wasnt a Manhattan rental car it was actually a truck making a shipment of merchandise to the Bloomingdales Department Store in downtown Manhattan!

A Brief History of the Holland Tunnel

Before millions of Manhattan car rentals could travel through the Holland Tunnel, thousands of workers had to blast through miles of muddy river bed beneath the Hudson River. During the process some 13 workers were killed, and many suffered from intense bouts of the bends due to the tunnels compressed air supply. It took some seven years for the Holland tunnel to be completed as workers from both the New York and New Jersey side tunneled towards completion. On November 13th, 1927, then President Calvin Coolidge formally opened the tunnel, unlocking it with the same key used to open the Panama Canal some 12 years early.

Disaster Strikes the Holland Tunnel

On May 13, 1949 disaster struck the Holland Tunnel when a chemical truck carrying some 80 drums of carbon disulfide caught on fire. Ten trucks and cargo vehicles were destroyed in the blaze along with 600 feet of the New Jersey tunnel section. 650 tons of debris had to be cleared from the tunnel before it was cleared to open 56 hours after the initial accident. Damage to the tunnel was estimated at $1.0 million, including cable and wire connections throughout the tunnel. 66 people were injured during the blaze, but amazingly there were no fatalities. A second close call involving the Holland Tunnel took place on March 25 of 2002. one of the storage facilities located close to the Jersey City entrance of the tunnel suffered a multiple-alarm blaze, threatening the western portals of the Holland Tunnel. For several days the tunnel was forced to close as demolish crews and fire fighters stabilized the area.

Todays Holland Tunnel

Since the Holland Tunnel was officially opened in 1927 it has carried some 1.3 billion automobiles between New York and New Jersey! There is a toll to use the Holland Tunnel in your Manhattan car rental, but only if you are traveling eastbound. The toll is six dollars cash only please. Since the 9/11 attacks of 2001 a variety of new restrictions have been put into place, especially concerning tractor-trailer usage of the tunnel. Towed vehicles are no longer allowed inside the Holland tunnel, nor are trailers. If you are traveling with a trailer or towing a vehicle behind your Manhattan car rental you may wish to consider traveling across the George Washington Bridge.