New York City: Clean Public Restrooms --- Restrooms In New York

When you gotta go, you gotta go, but unfortunately, this can be a surprisingly difficult process when you're on the go in Manhattan. Ask most restaurants if you can use their facilities and chances are, they'll tell you that the restrooms are for customers only. Meantime, many of the stores will just tell you that they don't have one. So, what to do when there's an emergency? Here are some safe, clean options.

1. Penn Station (34th and 7th/33rd and 8th): If you enter the Long Island Railroad side (on 7th), head down the stairs, then go back toward the waiting room. Here there are nice-sized, spotless restrooms. Usually there's a line -- especially during rush hour -- but because there are so many stalls, it moves quickly. Workers can frequently be seen cleaning the place so you know it's as germ free as possible. Upstairs is the Amtrak terminal; they also have several bathrooms present.

2. Grand Central Terminal (42nd between Park and Lexington): GC's restrooms are on the lower level. Like Penn Station, these can be crowded during rush hour, but the lines move quickly and they're kept nice and clean.

3. The Marriott Marquis Hotel (1535 Broadway, near Times Square): This upscale hotel has bathrooms to match! These are perfect for when you've seen a Broadway show, but don't want to wait on the ridiculously long lines in the theater after. To note, most of the theaters are old and therefore have tiny, 2-3 bathrooms, so it can be difficult to go, even during intermission. But the Marriott's are spacious, clean and modern.

4. Lord & Taylor (5th Ave and 39th St.): L&T's facilities are also spacious and neat. The department store is worth checking out, as well!

5. Barnes & Noble (locations vary): Almost every B&N has a bathroom that the public can use, regardless of whether you purchase a book in the store. They're usually not as large as the bathrooms in the train stations or department stores, but are clean and not too crowded.

6. Saks Fifth Avenue (611 5th Ave): This world-famous dept. store also has a very nice bathroom. It's the perfect stop for when you're shopping on the luxurious street.

7. Bryant Park (42nd St. between 5th and 6th Avenues): Though it's a public park, the bathroom is in decent shape and conveniently located near midtown.

8. McDonald's (locations vary): MickyD's restrooms can be hit or miss a) as to whether they actually have one and b) whether they're clean. But in a real emergency, it's good to note that most do have well-maintained facilities. The one on the corner of Madison and 40th has a very clean restroom downstairs.

9. Central Park: Central Park has several bathrooms throughout the grounds, including ones by Wollman Rink, The Loeb Boathouse (East Side between 74th and 75th Streets), by 5th Ave. and 103rd st. and by 74th and 5th. Most are wheelchair accessible. For a complete list of restrooms and their locations, see the link below for Central Park.

10. Delis (locations vary): Almost every deli has a clean bathroom. Most don't care if you come in and use it, though to be polite, you may want to at least purchase a bottle of water or a can of soda.