They are all around the stadium now, especially on 10th Avenue. FYI: in the past, parking has cost fans about $15 for the whole game.
Option 3: Street Parking, or "The Hunt"
REPEATING THE SPECIAL NOTE FOR 2018: There is major street project going on the Inwood neighborhood this year that will make parking in the area even harder than usual. Free parking, that is. Garage parking should still be fine and there's info about that below.
Of course, you can try being really sneaky and try to park for free on the residential streets around the area. This is really something for early-birds, as the spots fill up fast. In fact, there aren't a lot of spots to begin with because Inwood is really residential and the local folks like to keep their spots for the weekend. BUT, the eagle-eyed among you may be able to find a nice spot and enjoy knowing that you're a winner even before kickoff by saving a few bucks with a free spot. There are a couple of important pitfalls to avoid:
a) If you aren't really good at parallel parking, don't even think about parking on the streets of Inwood. The hilly terrain makes even seasoned parkers a little nervous, and all those scratched bumpers and fenders on the parked cars are proof of the "goofs" people make from time to time.
b) Inwood is not really a high-crime area, especially during the day, but you should never tempt fate. Lock your cars. DO NOT keep any packages or valuables in plain sight in your car, and you probably should leave them out of the trunk too if you can. This is especially true if you are driving a car with out-of-state plates.
c) Make sure to check the street signs to see if you're parking in a legal spot. Saturdays are usually immune from alternate side of the street parking rules, but not always. You cannot park within six feet, either way, of a fire hydrant, and you also need to give a lot space for bus stops. You cannot block any driveways. And if there's a yellow stripe painted on the curb, you can't park there either. A good M.O. is to eye every open spot with EXTREME SUSPICION, the chances are more than likely that the spot is there because it's not a legal spot.
d) You may be hampered even further in your quest for free parking if the NYPD blocks 218th Street at Broadway which they often do on game days. To be safe, just find your way to Seaman Avenue, which runs parallel to Broadway on the WEST and start looking for spots there. You might consider printing out a Google Map of Inwood, NY to learn to navigate the local streets better. Remember to look out for one-way streets and the occasional street fair which often pops up and further kills parking opportunities on the weekends.
TIME OUT! WHY IS THIS SO HARD?
Manhattan is a great and unique place. One of the things that makes it so unique is that every inch of land is super-valuable and the chances of any institution setting aside lots of space for occasional parking is not likely or even sane. Most sensible people living in all parts of Manhattan do so without a car, regardless of their economic stature. A day or two driving around here will tell you why.
That's why we have the best, (but still too expensive), public transportation system in the world. And luckily, there are a number of more relaxing and reliable ways to get to Baker Field.
Public Transportation Option 1: From Columbia Campus
You can ditch your car at one of the many parking garages near the Columbia campus, or try to find free street parking, (it's not much easier than Inwood, but doable), and then take the free shuttle bus or public transportation.
To get the subway somewhat direct to the stadium you can 1) catch the uptown #1 train at 116th Street all the way to 215th Street. Easy.
You CAN 2) walk down the hill at West 110th Street, get on the uptown C train and switch at 168th Street for the A from there. That transfer does not involve the creepy elevator and is much better, but still not ideal.
I love taking the A train from start to finish.
Getting the A directly is a lot easier from Midtown Manhattan, where most hotels are located anyway. From the Columbia campus, you can also take the #1 DOWNTOWN to 59th and then get on the A train UPTOWN from there. It's not too terrible to do that actually.
If you're in Midtown Manhattan, I recommend taking the A at the 59th Street and Broadway station. It is a VERY short ride, (less than 20-25 minutes), from there. The A train runs on the far West side of Manhattan, through Brooklyn, past JFK airport, and all the way to a neighborhood where I did a lot of my growing up called Far Rockaway. The uptown or Manhattan bound A takes you the 207th Street stop, which is the last stop. Exit at the 211th Street exit and then you can either walk the seven blocks along Broadway, (about 35% of a mile), to Baker Field or better yet, enter Isham Park on your left and enjoy a nicer trip that will take you to Seaman Avenue along the left side of the park and you will see Wien Stadium right in front of you at the end of the avenue. This is a more scenic walk and will give you a better idea of what Inwood is like.
To ride the NYC subway you will need a Metrocard. Go to the ticket booth at the station or the automated Metrocard machines and buy a two-trip card. The machines take cash, credit and debit cards.
When you get to the platform, again make sure that you are on the UPTOWN side awaiting the UPTOWN train.
FREE BUSES!
If the subway isn't for you, for the last several years Columbia has been running free shuttle buses to and from Baker Field on game days. They usually run from the 116th Street and Broadway entrance, but ask the security guards at the gate to be sure. I'm not sure how long it takes for these buses to reach the stadium, but they will always be slower than the subway. (There is no faster way to get around Manhattan than the subway... none).
And there is also a bus running from the Upper East Side! It leaves from 3rd Avenue and East 86th Street 90 minutes prior to kickoff.
A number of NYC buses, (not free, you need a Metrocard), run to the Baker Field area, but I really don't recommend using them. They are extremely slow, (what do you call it when you have sex on a NYC bus? "Joining the 3-mile-an-hour club"), and erratic on the weekends. BUT if there ever is a fire on the subway or something, it's good to know they're there.
The Marble Hill Station on Metro North
One of the most beautiful ways to get to a Columbia game is on the Metro North commuter railroad. Take the HUDSON RIVER LINE to the Marble Hill stop and simply walk over the footbridge to Baker Field. The views of the Hudson that you will get if you're coming from the North, (if you're looking to go this way from Grand Central Terminal, it's not a terrible idea, but much more expensive than just taking the subway from another station on the West Side), are just great. MTA.info is the website to find the schedules for Saturdays from Grand Central to Marble Hill. Note the reliable 19-20 minute travel time and the many, many options you have for trains all the way through game time. If you are staying on the East Side of Manhattan, this is a GREAT option.
Cab Anyone?
You can always try to hail a yellow cab and tell the driver to take you to WEST 218th and Broadway, (don't say "Baker Field," there's a very good chance he won't know what you're talking about), and go that way. I expect the trip will cost about $15-$18 in cab fare not including tip... but it varies.
In NYC there are also non-yellow so-called "gypsy" cabs that may honk their horns at you and offer you a ride. The official rules in the city say that you can't take a ride with them without arranging it in advance, but I have found they are usually reliable. The price should be about the same as Yellow cab, but they don't use a meter... so make sure you agree on the fare before you get in.
What if I'm coming from New Jersey, and I want to take Public Transportation?
New Jersey Transit trains take you to Penn Station where you can get the A train, or a cab. I'm not sure about the reliability of NJT trains or buses on weekends, but perhaps some of my readers would like to chime in about that in the comments section.
Isn't the Subway Dangerous?
Not really. It's dirtier than it should be, but in general it's fine. Basically, keep your wallets and valuables secure, try to ride with or near larger groups of people, and try not to telegraph the fact you're a tourist by pulling out a map every two seconds. It's okay to ask fellow riders directions; most New Yorkers like proving they know the City.
I'm Coming from JFK, LaGuardia, or Newark Airport. What should I do?
A cab from Newark directly to Baker Field is actually not that terribly expensive. But from the other major airports, I suggest you get into Manhattan via a cab and then take the subway, unless you have lots of bags which will make the whole day a pain. In that case, try to get to your hotel first, dump the bags and then follow the directions above.
What if I get Lost?
Go into almost any store you see and ask for help. Store owners can sometimes seem surly, but they'll probably help you. Cops on the street will be good too.
Can't I Just Come with You?
I'd love the company, but I don't think that will work. I am with you in spirit, I promise.
NOW LET'S EAT!
I now turn the podium over to Inwood resident "Inwood Tiger", who knows the neighborhood really well and is a big Ivy football fan. He says the restaurant scene has not changed since last year, so here are his comments from 2017:
2017 marks the 94th year of Columbia football in Inwood. Decent dining options for gameday are of far more recent vintage. But there are quite a few good spots now, in fact so many that this year I'm only listing places I would recommend. Note that these are listed in order of distance from the stadium.
1. INDIAN ROAD CAFE - Beloved coffee shop / restaurant / bar at 218th St and Indian Road. Excellent coffee, brunch and drinks, but people really go for the atmosphere. Terrific live music and other programming.
2. PARK TERRACE DELI - The quintessential New York deli experience, on 218th St near Broadway. They have everything you need and a great sandwich bar.
3. TWIN DONUT - Why go to Dunkin when you can go to a local imitation? (In fact this one actually played a Dunkin for this SNL commercial -
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FSvNhxKJJyU) Not very good donuts, but the location on 218th an Broadway can't be beat.
4. LA ESSENCIA - Broadway just south of 218th St. This small spot is a favorite among locals for their prices and Dominican fare.
5. FOOD UNIVERSE - Handy supermarket located at Broadway north of 215th St in case you need snacks, drinks or prepared foods.
6. GUACAMOLE - Fabulous taco cafe, on Broadway at 214th St. Inexpensive and super tasty. Stop reading this and go, it's great.
9. CARROT TOP - Also on Broadway at 214th, this is an Inwood tradition. Good spot for sandwiches, great bakery for treats.
10. LIFFY II - At Broadway and 213th, the sole survivor of Inwood's once-numerous Irish bars. Take the kids and show them what old guys drinking in a dark New York bar used to look like.
11. CHOC NYC - Much-heralded bakery/chocolate shop with tons of gourmet treats made on premises. Located on Broadway just south of 212th St.
12. GRANDPA'S BRICK OVEN / PIZZA HAVEN - Dueling pizza places on either side of Broadway near Isham Street. Both are super for a NY slice and highly recommended.
13. V.S. BERRY - The biggest and best of Inwood's fro-yo spots, with all of the trimmings. Located at Isham and Broadway.
14. INWOOD FARMER'S MARKET - One of the best greenmarkets in Manhattan, this runs every Saturday on Isham Street west of Broadway and is a scene. Stop by before the game for pastries, cookies, real apple cider and other direct-from-the-farm goodies.
15. GARDEN CAFE - An Inwood standard for a lovely weekend meal, especially on their back patio. Recently renovated. On Broadway south of Isham St.
16. DARLING COFFEE - Inwood's best hipster coffee bar. Fantastic, will make you think you got off the A train in Brooklyn. On Broadway between Isham and 207th.
17. YUMMY THAI - I can faithfully report that Inwood's only Thai outpost is in fact yummy, and an attractive place to sit. On Broadway south of Isham St.
18. INWOOD LOCAL - One of the best craft beer bars in the area, with terrific bar food as well and a very big screen in the back for those weekend games. On Broadway north of 207th St.
19. DICHTER'S - The epicenter of all Inwood life, Manny runs a traditional pharmacy/general store complete with ice cream counter, bagels and sandwiches. Terrific prices and friendly atmosphere. Stop in and say hello.
20. TUBBY HOOK - Replaced the old Piper's Kilt and quickly became just as popular. Excellent food and atmosphere. Perfect for pre- or post-game while checking out the scores.
21. G's / CAPITOL - Looking for a diner or lunch counter that feels like it did when Lou Little was coaching the Lions? Try the ancient Capitol diner on Broadway just south of 207th, or the delicous G's luncheonette on 207th west of Broadway. While you're at it, you can get your hair cut the proper way at Ray's Barbershop, next to G's and now in its third generation. They don't make places like these anymore.
22. AMY'S - Good chinese food, also many vegetarian options. On 207th near Vermilyea.
23. ANCHOR HEIGHTS - The best new restaurant on this list. Absolutely wonderful cozy Italian restaurant hidden in plain sight. You will be thrilled by the service and the food, best place for a nice meal in Inwood. On 207th at Vermilyea.
24. BEANS AND VINES - On Broadway near Academy, but soon moving to a much larger space across the street. Really nice wine and coffee bar and small-plates menu
25. BOCADITO'S - Bistro on Broadway near Academy that has a very popular brunch. Check out all the photos of the food that people post on Yelp.
26. DYCKMAN STREET - I hesitate to recommend anything on Alcohol Alley, as this huge concentration of bars and restaurants around Dyckman and Broadway is known. But apparently the brand new SEAWALK at Payson and Dyckman is worth a look for brunch or dinner.
27. TRYON PUBLIC HOUSE on the east side of Broadway is only a couple years old but is the go-to neighborhood pub for southern Inwood. Very popular and fun spot.
28. CANAVE - New cocina and bar opening soon at Broadway and Arden. Owners run a great bistro in Riverdale, so this could be a winner.
29. LA MARINA - On the one hand, the setting by the Hudson River is nothing short of spectacular and will make you feel like you are dining upstate. But the prices are insane and the reviews of the food and service are extremely mixed. Still, it may be worth a visit just for those views. Go before they close for the season in October. At the western end of Dyckman St by the river.
30. NEW LEAF - This one is more of a hike, being located in Fort Tryon Park in an old park building that was restored by Bette Midler's nonprofit group in the 90s. Best accessed from the 190th St "A" subway station, or by hiking up the steep trails from Dyckman Street, or driving to their small parking lot. It's one of the most beautiful spots in upper Manhattan to eat, especially when the fall colors are out.
