Piano World Home Page Forums Our Most Popular Forums Piano Forum NEW THREAD: S&S FACTORY TOUR IN JUNE - Now with Picts & Reviews!

Yes fingers, it is that Bernard.

Here is the tour list so far:

1) LJC (+?)*
2) Kenny
3) Bernard
4) pianoloverus
5) Frank B.
6) Reliv4all (4)*
7) Rustyfingers
8) Jim Frazee
9) Pegg (2)*
10) turrin150
11) fingers
12) Sotto Voce

That's 16 definite so far.

Some not so definite:

1) EH Pianist/Laura
2) Vogel 54
3) piano again (2-3)*
4) C7 Player

We can have 20 people for the tour.

fingers

I'd like to attend, too, if space permits.

fingers, do you happen to know if parking is available for visitors to the factory?

Sotto Voce,

You are hereby on the list.

Parking is very available.

fingers

We're in:

1) LJC (+?)*
2) Kenny
3) Bernard
4) pianoloverus
5) Frank B.
6) Reliv4all (4)*
7) Rustyfingers
8) Jim Frazee
9) Pegg (2)*
10) turrin150
11) fingers
12) Sotto Voce
13) EHpianist
14) Laura
15) Laura's husband
16) EHpianist's husband

How do we get there from the city without a car?

Elena
www.duoscarbo.com

Elena
www.duoscarbo.com [/QB][/QUOTE]

I share the question.

Bernard may know, being a local.

It appears to be maybe three-quarters of a mile from the last stop on the N and W subway lines at 31st Street and Ditmars Boulevard in Astoria.

If that walk isn't doable, there probably won't be any yellow cabs cruising that part of Queens—but I know from experience that livery cabs are generally available in most NYC neighborhoods, especially around "end of the line" subway stations. (Technically, it isn't legal for them to pick up people who hail them on the street—they're supposed to be dispatched by radio to folks who've called for them in advance by telephone—but it certainly is standard practice.)

It looks like we have hit the limit of 20 people with the addition of EH Pianist and her 3 guests.

I have no clue about public transportation, but there is no reason I can't find out.

fingers

"It appears to be maybe three-quarters of a mile from the last stop on the N and W subway lines at 31st Street and Ditmars Boulevard in Astoria. "

Even on a nice day, even early in the morning, even on a workday, I would not be walking around this neighborhood folks.

In New York City, Astoria is known to be an especially safe neighborhood that has been gentrifying for many, many years. It was already a stable Greek-American community, not a slum. The only potentially problematic thing about the vicinity of the Steinway factory would seem to be the proximity of the entrance to Rikers Island.

The fact is, there doesn't appear to be any alternative public transportation aside from a couple of Queens bus routes that terminate at Rikers. That's not an attractive option.

Jim, you've made me curious if there's something about Astoria that I'm not aware of, and also what transit options you'd suggest. How are you planning to get there? Do you think it would be reasonable for the group to meet at the Ditmars Boulevard station and walk to the factory as a group?

That sounds like an excellent idea to me. At least it would guarantee I wouldn't get lost!

Elena
www.duoscarbo.com

I like the idea of going together.
I'm worried about walking though, especially since it is a walking tour.

I have a foot injury (plantar fasciitis) and am stupid enough to plan a week in NYC.

I'll do my best if we have to walk but maybe a few of us wimps would like to share a taxi from a central location.

When I took this tour around 10 years ago, I walked from the subway to the factory and it certainly did not seem like any part of the walk was in anyway dangerous in the slightest. Of course, I can understand why some out of towners might be less comfortable walking from the subway to the factory.

fingers and everyone, I called Steinway NY and here are directions they e-mailed me (They send this out to everyone):


DIRECTIONS TO STEINWAY & SONS

Address: One Steinway Place (38th Street and 19th Avenue), Long Island City, NY 11105

Subway Directions from Manhattan

Take N or W train going uptown to Astoria Queens - Get off at Ditmars Boulevard (last stop).
From there, either walk to 19th Avenue and 38th Street or get a local taxi.
All the drivers know how to get to the Steinway piano factory, but you can say you want to go to: 19th Avenue and 38th Street (trip should cost $5 or $6 dollars).
Whole trip from midtown Manhattan should take about 45 minutes.

Walking Directions from the Ditmars Subway Station

From the Ditmars subway station, continue walking in a northerly direction on 31st Street.
The first intersection you come to is Ditmars Blvd (a.k.a. 22nd Avenue) and 31st Street. Continue walking in a northerly direction on 31st Street until you pass 21st Avenue and arrive at 20th Avenue and 31st Street (31st Street ends at 20th Avenue).
Take a right on 20th Avenue and walk five blocks to 38th Street (there are no 32nd nor 34th Streets). Take a left at 38th Street and walk one block to 19th Avenue. You will then be at the corner of 19th Avenue and 38th Street - Entrance to factory is on 38th Street / 19th Ave..

Driving Directions from Manhattan – 59th Street Bridge

Use 59th Street Bridge lower level, stay in left lane and follow signs for Northern Boulevard.
Bear right and take Northern Boulevard, make a left turn on to Steinway Street, go straight until you reach 19th Avenue. Make a left on to 19th Avenue, go one block, make a right turn on to 38th Street - Entrance to factory is on 38th Street / 19th Avenue.

Driving Directions from Manhattan - Triboro Bridge

Get on the Triboro Bridge going to Queens, after toll, proceed to the right lane.
Get off the very first exit and proceed straight towards the elevated train.
As no left turn is allowed under the train station, drive through the train station then make the very first left at the light.
Make a left again and then a right. (You should be driving directly under train)
Make a right on 20th Avenue, then a left on 38th Street.
Entrance to factory is on 38th Street / 19th Avenue.


Additional parking in Shopping Mall located between 19th and 20th Avenues at 37th Street

[i]For Mapquest directions, our address is:
One Steinway Place, 19th Avenue & 38th Street, Astoria, NY 11105</i>

I will be driving in (from Enfield, CT).
Theoretically a 2-1/2 hour drive, although I'm sure I will have to take traffic into account at that time of the morning.

Anyway, I could try to meet up with you somewhere. I have room for 4 people in my car.

Thanks Frank.
I'l PM you.

Hmmm.. I thought your screen name sounded familiar!! Nice to see you hangin' out here!

Looks like I can't make it anyway. I won't be in town until the next day.

I hope you guys have fun!

I wish I could join but NY is too far for a youngster like me, tell me how it is when you guys are done. With details . I have a question does Steinway do these tours often? ... Because I don't want to buy their pianos just so I can have a tour haha.

I would love to make it; I'm just not sure yet as that's a week filled with obligations for me. Fingers, if you get to the upper limit of participants, don't worry about me. Otherwise I'll try to let you know closer to the date.

I've been to the factory for a few of their piano sales, so I can attest that it is a safe and not-too-long walk from the subway.

I think it's cool that NYC has a Steinway St. and Steinway Pl. There is even a Steinway St. subway stop, if you want to see the Steinway name in mosaic tile!