This article includes links to our travel partners at Tripadvisor, where you can read traveller reviews, book tours and plan your visit to New York City.
New York City could take a lifetime to explore – so you might as well begin with a quick visit to Manhattan on your JFK Airport layover. Provided you have a minimum of eight hours, we recommend hopping on the city’s public transit system to explore one or two critical areas. With burrows well suited to every interest and taste, you’re sure to find something that will inevitably lure you back to the city on a return visit. Below, we have detailed a few suggestions for quintessential art, culture and outdoor experiences, but of course, the city’s offerings extend well behind this! Shopping and eating at hip and emergent boutiques and restaurants can consume a weeklong vacation alone. Spend some time researching that which fits your interests before embarking on a high-speed layover from JFK.
Airport Overview
John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) is a behemoth located just beyond the perimeter of Manhattan. For those with a layover of less than six hours in New York, avoiding the traffic-induced headache found when attempting to get into the city is likely best. Instead, spend your layover wandering through the six terminals that make up this institution in air travel. Unfortunately, the airport does fail to offer any groundbreaking activities or amenities beyond its sheer size, so if you need some comfort, you might find yourself in a swanky private lounge. The airport has recently announced an expansion that will add two new terminals, and hopefully, that will translate into more amenities to pass the time. For more information on the airport, check out our JFK Airport Guide.
New York City Sightseeing Attractions
Below are a few of the top things to do in New York City:
Times Square and the Rockefeller Center
Electric and chaotic, it is hard to visit New York without at least passing through the epic Times Square. Navigate through the madness as neon signs flash above you, entering shops as you dare. Moving north, you will eventually find your way out of the commotion and at the foot of the iconic Rockefeller Center. Peer through windows for a glimpse of a live NBC filming, or wander into the curio shop for TV memorabilia. If you are there in the winter with some extra time, consider strapping on skates for a quick loop around the rink at the base of their picturesque Christmas tree. If you have time, go to the Top of the Rock for an incredible view of the city. You can purchase your tickets online, so your wait time will be minimal.
- Time Required: Block off at least two hours to make your way through Times Square and up to the Rockefeller Center. Add on a bit more time should you wish to shop or browse. This estimate does not include transport to and from the airport.
- How to Get There: Check out this Google Map for details on public and private transit options and the required time. Remember to keep time and rush hour traffic in mind as you plan your entry and exit from NYC.
- Plan Your Visit: Visit Tripadvisor for more information about visiting Times Square, book a tour or read traveller reviews.
Central Park
Need to stretch your legs and take in a bit of fresh air through a gentle intro to NYC? The trek up to the infamous Central Park may well be worthwhile! Located in the heart of Manhattan – dividing the posh Upper East and Upper West sides, a strong along the winding paths is another essential NYC experience. Whether you devote your wandering to searching for the perfect look-out hill, strolling around the lakes and ponds, or simply taking in some sensational people-watching, the fresh air in this urban park will rejuvenate you between flights. Veer out of the park to admire the multi-million dollar brownstone homes and then swing into a deli for a classic New York-style bagel to take back to a park bench under a tree.
- Time Required: Wandering Central Park can take as long or as little as you’d like. We recommend roughly an hour for a decent tour of the park and a few of its surroundings. This estimate does not include transport to and from the airport.
- How to Get There: Check out this Google Map for details on public and private transit options and the required time. Remember to keep time and rush hour traffic in mind as you plan your entry and exit from NYC.
- Plan Your Visit: Visit Tripadvisor for more information about visiting Central Park,
- book a tour or read traveller reviews.
MoMA
The Museum of Modern Art (‘MoMA‘) is believed to be among the most influential modern art galleries on the planet. Founded in 1929, it was the first of its kind to be devoted entirely to contemporary art. Today, it houses a sprawling collection of modern and contemporary paintings, drawings, sculptures, photography, books, prints, and modern media. Some famous pieces housed within include Van Gough’s Starry Night, Monet’s Water Lilies and Dance (I) by Henri Matisse. Equally as impressive as the contents is the six-floor building itself. Designed by a Japanese architect in the early twentieth century, this is yet another testament to modern art.
- Time Required: The MoMA takes days to explore, but a preliminary visit can be done within an hour and a half. It all depends on which exhibits you hope to see and how long you’d like to spend at each. Audio tours and Gallery Talks are also available if you desire more guidance. Check the website for additional details. This estimate does not include transport to and from the airport.
- How to Get There: Check out this Google Map for details on public and private transit options and the required time. Remember to keep time and rush hour traffic in mind as you plan your entry and exit from NYC.
- Plan Your Visit: Visit Tripadvisor for more information about visiting the MoMA, book a tour or read traveller reviews.
Hop On Hop Off Bus Tour
Given the sheer volume of significant sights in New York City, a layover might best be spent on an open-top hop-on hop-off bus tour. This ensures you have the chance to see all the major sights while also allowing you to get off and explore those that interest you most. The ‘Downtown Loop’ covers the city’s most iconic sights and neighbourhoods, including the Empire State Building, Radio City Music Hall, the Rockefeller Plaza, Greenwich Village, SoHo and Little Italy. If you hope to see more of the city, you may want to combine the Downtown Package with the Uptown Loop, which swings past Central Park, the MET and the MoMA. The Brooklyn Tour and the Night Tour might also be of interest to those looking for something a little different. The live commentary on all tours gives further insight into the city’s development over the years and information on what you’re passing. Buses come to each stop approximately every 30 minutes.
- Time Required: All routes last two hours, assuming you do not get off the bus. If you only purchase the downtown loop, your ticket is valid for 24 hours, while the ‘All Loops’ ticket is valid for 48 or 72 hours. Be sure to factor in time for getting off the bus and exploring the sights you pass.
- How to Get There: While the tour can be picked up at any point in the city, starting at the Times Square stop on the Downtown Loop is easiest. From JFK, this involves taking the E train to the 42nd Street Port Authority stop and walking to Times Square from there.
- Plan Your Visit: Visit Tripadvisor for more information about NYC bus tours, book a tour or read traveller reviews.
Airport Transportation
JFK is connected to downtown Manhattan through public and private transport options. Often, given the traffic, the AirTrain/Subway combination is the quickest and most reliable way to reach the city center.
Public transit options include:
- AirTrain (all terminals): Connects the airport to Jamaica Station (NY Transit lines E, J and Z trains, Long Island Rail Road, and several bus lines, Howard Beach Station.
- Bus: A handful of bus lines connect only nearby neighbourhoods to the airport directly – most bus lines must be connected through the AirTrain.
- NYCAirporter (Ground Transportation and Welcome Center desk near baggage pickup): An express bus connects JFK to Penn and Grand Central Stations, with free shuttle services from the stations to elsewhere in the city. Departures occur seven days a week, every half hour between 5:00 AM and 11:30 PM. For fares and schedules, visit NYC Airporter.
Private transit options include:
- Taxi (Arrivals): Taxis are available at the arrivals halls in all terminals. Note that traffic enormously influences the cost and timing of taxi services to the city center.
- Car Rental (Baggage Claim): Several rental services are available. Organize your rental at Baggage Claim and then take the AirTrain to the Federal Circle Station to pick up your vehicle.
- Private Car or Shared-Ride Van (Port Authority Welcome Center): Reservations for private cars or shared-ride van hires can be made in the arrivals hall of each terminal
Before You Go: Layover Tips
Now that you are motivated and excited about your mini layover vacation check a few final logistical concerns off your list before you fully commit.
- Do you need to organize a visa to leave the airport? Requirements change frequently and for each nationality, so be sure to seek out current details on the availability, cost, and procedures of obtaining a transit visa.
- When is your next flight’s check-in time? Double-check with your airline exactly when you need to be at the airport – and plan your layover accordingly.
- What are security wait times like at the airport? Some airports are notorious for extended security wait times, so research in advance and factor that into your overall time budget.
- What’s happening with your luggage? When you check in to your first flight, confirm whether your luggage is checked through or needs to be picked up between your connecting flights. Visit our New York City JFK Airport Guide for information about Luggage Storage.
Other Useful Resources
Finally, here are a few handy resources to help you plan your layover even more thoroughly:
- JFK Airport Ground Transportation
- NYC Transit (subway and bus) Information
- Tripadvisor – Visit Things to Do in New York City to plan a tour or the NYC Travel Forum to check out past threads to see what other travellers have shared about sightseeing during long layovers at JFK Airport and post your questions.