The convention site (Friday evening through Monday) will be on the campus of Manhattan College. We will be updating this page frequently as we learn more—check back often!
Manhattan College Info
Manhattan College is located in the borough of the Bronx, just north of Manhattan in a neighborhood known as Riverdale. The campus is accessible by public transportation from Manhattan. It is in a park-like setting, but rather hilly, and we will be using multiple buildings. We will have fact sheets available at convention to show you the best ways to get from building to building while minimizing staircases and steep inclines.
If you are driving, please note that the directions on the Manhattan College website are incorrect. Please use your GPS and the addresses listed on the Parking page, follow the signs to Manhattan College and use the links below for maps.
If you are staying on Manhattan College campus, Horan Hall will be your first stop. Here is a map with driving directions to Horan Hall.
At Horan Hall, on the first floor lobby, please pick up your Welcome Packet which contains:
- Your room assignment
- The keycode to your suite
- Your overnight parking pass
- Information about Manhattan College and the surrounding area.
After you get all of the above, you can leave your luggage with one of our helpers (in a green shirt) and take your car to the Parking Lot. Then come back to unpack and settle in. Here is a map with driving directions to the Parking Lot.
If you are just coming for the day, Kelly Hall will be your first stop. Here is a map showing how to get to Kelly Hall via public transportation.
Public transit and walking directions to Kelly Hall:
- Take the #1 Train and to the 238 St. station (there are a lot of steps), you can also get off at 231 St. where there is an elevator, and take the Bx9 bus to 238 St.
- Looking north on Broadway, make a left onto 238 St.
- Walk along 238 St. to Irwin Ave. Make a right.
- Take Irwin to a dead end and then make a left (this is 240 St.)
- You will be at the back entrance to Kelly.
- Walk across the parking lot and into the back door.
- Take one flight up to the 2nd floor for registration (stairs or ELEVATOR).
Kelly Hall will have:
- 1st Floor Starbucks
- 2nd Floor Convention Registration (get your name badge, survival kit, tote bag, etc.)
- 4th Floor Sales (The Source, Gold Mine and Vendors)
- 5th Floor Hospitality
To get around campus:
Before you come
First, of course, don't forget to register for the convention! And if you want to stay in the Manhattan College dorms, register for housing, as well. Also see the links in the sidebar to the left.
Travel around New York is complex, with many overlapping systems - bus, train, subway, taxi - so we highly recommend you find yourself a good guidebook. The "Lonely Planet" series of guidebooks are generally excellent, and, for our international visitors, they publish in German, French, Spanish, Italian, Chinese and Japanese. Find a guidebook you like, and definitely read it before you come! There are also many websites to help plan your visit.
A detailed map of New York will be helpful if you plan on doing any sightseeing before or after the convention; transportation maps are available at major bus and train stations.
There are bus and subway stations very close to Manhattan College, making it an easy spot from which to launch trips around the city.
And if you think you might need some extra assistance before or during the convention - whether with language, first-timer questions, or any other special requests - please get in touch with us at convention-info [at] origamiusa.org and we'll see if we can help. Please remember that we're all volunteers, and so we cannot guarantee assistance with every special need, but will do our best to accommodate you.
Entering the U.S.
If you'll be coming from outside the United States, remember that Customs and Immigration processes at U.S. ports of entry have become increasingly strict; please make sure you understand what paperwork is necessary for travel from your country to the U.S.
See:
Some countries participate in the Visa Waiver Program - from these countries, a visitor's visa is not required. See the U.S. State Departement website for details:
If you are traveling from a country not participating in the Visa Waiver Program, then you will need a visa - and need to allow for sufficient time prior to your departure for visa processing - plan ahead! Some countries require an invitation letter in order to obtain a visa. If you need one, contact convention-info [at] origamiusa.org and we will provide you with an invitation to attend the convention.
Getting to NYC
By air
New York is served by three major airports, run by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey
General information on getting to and from the airports is accessible here:
Specific information on each airport, including terminal maps and other details:
By train
Long-distance, interstate travel by train is served by Amtrak; all Amtrak trains arrive in New York at Pennsylvania Station (abbreviated "Penn Station" by locals; and with station code "NYP" within Amtrak).
If you're coming from the surrounding areas, you have several other choices:
- Long Island Railroad, serving Long Island, NY, and terminating at Penn Station in Manhattan
- Metro-North Railroad, directly serving stations East of the Hudson River out of Grand Central Station in Manhattan, and West of the Hudson via connections to New Jersey Transit's Hoboken station.
- New Jersey Transit, serving stations in New Jersey, with service terminating in Hoboken, New Jersey, and in New York's Penn Station
By bus
There are a huge number of bus lines running to/from New York, too numerous to list here. Most bus lines use the Port Authority Bus Terminal located between Eighth and Ninth Avenues from 40th to 42nd Street.
By car:
If you are driving to Manhattan College, we suggest you use GPS or a map app, as the instructions on the school website are neither clear nor particularly accurate. Detailed instructions and target addresses will be posted on our website shortly. Free parking is available, but must be arranged in advance on your registration form. We will email you a parking permit. Be sure to indicate whether you are staying on campus or commuting.
Getting around NYC, generally
On foot
Manhattan, in spite of its size, is a very walkable city. The roads are (mostly) laid out in a grid: "Avenues" run approximately North/South, and are either named or numbered; "Streets" run approximately East-West, and are (generally) numbered. Streets are designated "West" if they are west of 5th Avenue, and "East" if they are to the east of it. South of approximately 14th Street the strict grid begins to break down, and navigating is a bit more of a challenge.
Bus, Subway and Train
Public transportation in the city is run by the New York City Transit, part of The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA).
All parts of Manhattan are easily accessible by bus and subway.
Taxi
New York's famous yellow taxicabs are another very useful option for getting around the city, particularly if you're traveling with a small group. Some information on the cab system in the city, including fare information:
Wheelchair Accessibility
The New York City Taxi and Limousine Commission provides this information to request demand-responsive wheelchair accessible service. Information is here: