I am arriving at 6am on an overnight flight from PHX., leaving at 7pm for Europe. (I am flying Continental.) I don't know if I will have my 22" bag with me. (I "never" check bags but I am considering it because of the long layover.) I might just find a place to sleep in the airport but if I wanted to go into NYC it looks like Manhattan is the place to go. Other ideas? I have never been to NYC.

I don't want to shop per se but seeing something seems like a good idea. I read other posts about transportation on the trains and bus so I can get to Times Square. Is that where I want to be to see Manhattan? I would aim to get back to the airport by mid-afternoon.

I could buy a one day pass for the president's club. Could I sleep there?

Any other ideas? Thank you!

Continental's Newark President's Club has excellent shower facilities. Sleeping accomodations are limited to armchairs.

If you do the Manhattan visit, and you are going to claim luggage, you'll have to tote your bag everywhere with you, as lockers and day storage no longer exist in this universe.

The Manhattan museums and galleries are all a 10 minute cab ride from the Port Authority terminal where your bus will arrive from EWR. St. Patricks is a similar distance.

If you are business class on the Europe leg, you will have President's Club access without purchasing a pass.

The Marriott Newark Airport has a shuttle to the terminals and might be accessible from the sky tram. I am sure the Marriottt has day rates, but I am also sure the rate will be expensive. This Marriott also has an acceptable restaurant and bar.

If you want to go into Manhattan and can check your luggage thru, you certainly have the time to see a few things. When is this happening? (month/ day and of week)

Is there anything in particular you'd like to see? I don't think Times Square is really seeing NYC, but many tourists would disagree. I would head to Rockefeller Center, go to TOp of the Rock and maybe see a bit of Fifth ave. and up into Central Park if the weather is good.

For same day connection, you can check your bags through.

There's no bed inside President's Club, but there are sofas, showers, snacks and all you can drink alcoholic drinks. In the morning, they also have bagels.

$45 for a day pass seems steep, but for you it may be worth it. You can take a shower and have breakfast before heading out to the city. And after you come back, you can take another shower and relax.

To get into the city, the cheap ways are using the AirTrain to the Newark Airport train station, then take the New Jersey Transit to NY Penn Station at about 34th St. The other is to take the Airport Express bus to 42nd St. Both about $14-15 each way.

What you want to see in Manhattan depends on your interest. From south to north, you have Financial District, Chinatown, Little Italy, Soho/Greenwich Village. Then from 34th St north is mid-town. Empire State and Macy's at 34th St, further up you have Times Square, Rockerfeller Center, the shops on 5th Ave, Central Park, and so on. With that much time, you can do both financial district and mid-town if you want.

If you want to go directly to Financial District, you can take AirTrain to NJTransit, but get off at Newark Penn Station and switch to PATH trains.

You can ask more specific questions...

I will be there this Friday, Nov 30. I wish I were flying Business Class...

I have never seen the Statue of Liberty. I see that the Staten Island Ferry is free and that you can get kinda close to the ferry with public transportation. I know it will be cold but it does appeal to me. How doable is it and exactly how do I get there? (And then from there to midtown?)

Is it reasonable to take a bus instead of the subway so I see more of the city?

Thank you all. This is very helpful.

Take Bus #62 from EWR to Newark Penn (20 minutes, every 10-15 minutes, $1.35, much cheaper than using AirTrain/NJTransit). Then switch to PATH train to World Trade Center. It's under a mile walk down to the Staten Island Ferry.

Yes, you can take the M6 bus uptown from South Ferry, takes about an hour to Central Park. It goes on 6th Ave heading north, through the center of Manhattan.

Or take the #1 Subway train, which goes the exact route.

For your trip back, go to New York Penn Station (underneath the Madison Square Garden arena, between 31 and 33th Sts; between 7th and 8th Aves) and take a NJTransit train - either Northeast Corridor Line or New Jersey Coast Line; but check schedule carefully - not all trains stop at Newark Airport. Get off and then take the AirTrain back to the terminal.

Check that bag and head straight to NYC!
I just in awe of people who travel far away places and can take a 22" bag..
Have a wonderful time in NYC and Europe!

Only place to store luggage at EWR is inside the President's Club. It's not secured private lockers, but a storage room.

If you don't want to check luggage through (and you definitely don't want to haul bags through the day), then your only real option is get a PC day pass.

Go to NYC. But great idea to go to Contintental Club for $45 take a shower and breakfast and be on your way by 9 AM. which is after some of NYC commuter traffic.If you are coming before 12/30 I would go to the Christmas Show at Radio City Music Hall at Rockefeller Center. First show probably at 10 AM then 12:30. You should get tickets in the orchestra around rows 10-18 in the center or 2-4th row mezzanine in the center only. They are most expensive (maybe $25 but a great view). You can get on line in advance on-line through Ticketmaster or Telecharge. If you go a great taste of NYC is lunch at the Carnegie Deli. A pastrami or corn beef samdwich and a soda or beer is $20 but what an experience. Another idea is The Museum of Natural History I think it opens at 10. The Gem Hall and fossil exhibit are spectacular and will take 90+ minutes to do both.Last time I went I think suggested contribution was $15. You can take a taxi from the train or Port Authority. To Rockefeller Center ~$7 and $10 to the museum. You really do not have to head back to the airport until 3 and you will arrive at 4 if small bag checked at club. It may be a $100 day but a blast. The Marriott day rate from 9-5, last time I used it 2 years ago, was ~$75-$80.

$25 for the Xmas Spectacular? What century were you there, Stan? Tix are more like $75 but for there's a half price offer that would be good for Fri. Use the code ROCKET to get $35 seats on radiocity.com
Not sure I'd go to the show with such a short amount of time and so much to see, but it's an option.