Brief 5hrs in NYC - how to fill in the time?

[Galleo]

Am travelling DCA to ZRH via JFK in Nov. JFK to ZRH is part of a RTW trip which leaves at 18:05. AA cancelled our same day flight from DCA to JFK and moved us to an earlier flight arriving JFK at 12:00 which means we now have 5hrs to kill before our ZRH flight (making an allowance to be back at the airport 1hr prior to our onward flight). Anyone know what we could do in NYC to fill in the time rather than spend all these hrs at the airport?. We we are travelling F on LX but I still don't want to spend all that time in the lounge at the airport if we can help it. We will have spent 3 days in NYC 10 days earlier so will have already covered the major city attractions etc. Any recommendations would be really appreciated.

 

[daysoff]

Take a look at the circle line cruises around Manhattan island for around $30 - great way to see the statue and the bridges

 

[dajop]

Can they you move you to an earlier flight from DCA?

I'd suggest making your way into Manhattan via taxi ($45) or Airtrain/Long Island Railroad ($11 per pax). Then from there explore, Times Square, maybe even time to go up the Empire State or Rockefeller Centre for views of Manhattan, if the weather is nice (the former is legendary of course, but the latter will probably have less queues and has the advantage of better views of central park, and of course of the ES building itself).

Otherwise the circle boat trip may be worthwhile.

If the weather is no good, there's always one of the museums (Met, Guggenheim MOMA, Natural History if that's your thing) or shopping at Macys or along fifth avenue.

Enjoy, well worth the effort to escape the airport for a few hours!

 

[Galleo]

Thx dajop - some good ideas worth considering. Your right about the weather. Being November could be a bit dicey.

 

[Sprucegoose]

Has anyone flown up to Niagra for the day?

 

[rtyuiop]

I'd say reserve one of the main attractions (not one of the 'must-dos' in case the inbound flight is late) from the earlier trip to do during this stopover. The Intrepid museum is pretty cool, and would be doable in not too much time (unlike the met for instance!).

If you don't mind the weather, a good wander around central park and the gastronomic experience of a few different street side hot dogs would also fill in some time, and I think qualifies as a genuine NYC experience...

Danny

 

[drron]

Quite frankly you dont have enough time for anything worthwhile unless you want to do a chopper transfer.A taxi or limo from JFK to Manhattan or reverse will take 30 minutes if everything goes right which usually is early morning,90 minutes + in peakhours which basically it would be trying to come back to JFK at 4pm.
You could take the Airtrain/subway combination(cheapest at $7 per person but you need to allow 60-80 minutes each way.

 

[dajop]

You could take the Airtrain/subway combination(cheapest at $7 per person but you need to allow 60-80 minutes each way.

Unless going downtown, the Airtrain/LIRR combination from Jamaica stn to Penn station in midtown can be quicker than subway, tends to be more like 45-60 minutes. Admittedly this is probably a better option returning to the airport as more frequent trains at 4pm than at midday.

But your are right, there is not a lot of time, but I'd take 2hrs of people watching on a subway and 2-2.5hrs in NYC over 6hrs at JFK anytime, lounge or no lounge!

I didn't read Galleo's original post properly, regarding being in NYC for 3 days earlier. That being the case, I think you will probably have a good idea what you missed and want to do when you go back! Another suggestion is the high line park, I had a pleasant walk along it back in Feb (easy to find on google).