dgkp

My husband, 18 month old son, and I may be looking at a 7.5 hour layover at EWR en route to Milan. Is there anything to do nearby that would get us out of the airport for a few hours? I thought I'd read somewhere that the Statue of Liberty is not too far from there? Any suggestions would be most helpful.

Thanks!

michaelcrane

I'd be real careful about this, especially with the toddler and the extra time it takes to move with the little guy. Considering that you should be at the gate 2 hours before boarding for the international flight, and let's assume your initial flight will be one hour late, you're now looking at real time total of 4.5 hours. All that being said, I'd take the train from EWR into NYC if you do anything--you can connect to NJ transit, PATH or Amtrak via the airtrain. Avoid driving (including taxis) at all costs because the traffic is so incredibly unpredictable.

J62

7.5 hrs is plenty of time to get out and have some fun. You don't need to be at the gate 2hrs ahead of time - airlines request that you be at the airport in advance for checkin, baggage, etc. If you are flying Continental, they will have checkin lines open all day so you can checkin for the Milan flight to satisfy the 'be there early for checkin' requirement.

Yes, you will have to go through security again upon return to the airport but since you'll already have boarding passes in hand that's really not a big deal. The ferry to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island is an easy 10-15min drive from the airport. For the cost of a round trip taxi, you could just as easily rent a car for the day. The Statue of Liberty ferry restricts the kinds of bags you can bring. Before you can board you have to go through a security check not unlike the airport. If I recall even backpacks may be forbidden. Having a rental car will give you a place to lock up your carryons for the day too.

That will give you plenty of time to visit both Ellis Island as well as the Statue of Liberty.

Sunnyboy

The Liberty Science Museum is only about 20 minutes from EWR. It's a pretty interesting place although I'm not sure how much fun it would be for your 18 mo. old son as its "hands on exhibits are geared toward older children.

It's been a long time since I've done it but I think you can only get to the Statue of Liberty from New York (although it is very close to the Science Center). That said, I'd avoid going into NYC. Depending on the time of day it could take you about an hour to get to mid-town from the airport and you'll have to allow at least 2 hours to get back as you never know when the Holland or Lincoln Tunnels will be backed up with traffic (it can be horrific). That doesn't leave you with much time for NY sightseeing.

As the OP pointed out you are supposed to check-in for your international flight 2 hours prior to departure. Even if you already have your boarding passes and your luggage is checked through from your departure city to Milan you should still be airport through security an hour before scheduled flight time. That really doesn't give you very much time for a trip into NYC and other than the Science Center and a few nearby shopping malls there's really not much to see or do near EWR.

J62

You can get the ferry from NJ - right near the Liberty Sci. Museum. Just be sure that when your are leaving you take the one that gets you back to NJ and not Manhattan!

IMO the museum is geared more towards older kids - elementary school age.