Regular AMEX Platinum holders can go into CO's President's Club plus one guess. Platinum Optima has no access.

Chase single-person, single-entry Presidents Club passes are going for $45/pair on ebay.

Don't risk it, stay at the airport.

I'll throw in one more option:
Very close to Newark Airport is a gigantic outlet mall--Jersey Gardens. Lots of shopping that might appeal to your teens. If nothing else, it's a huge place to walk around. less boring than strolling the airport. They are only open until 7 on Sundays.
It also has a movie theater that could work out if the timing is right.
There is transportation available from the airport
http://www.jerseygardens.com/go/gmap.cfm

You don't have enough time to leave the airport. Bring a book, ipod, etc.

Talk directly to the Marriott and ask if they have a "day rate" - i.e. for people in your situation who only want to stay in the hotel a few hours. Most airport hotels have day rates (often 40-70% of full rate) that they never publish.

Your girls could hang out, watch TV, do room service, work on the internet, etc. If they have an exercise room, it's not a bad way to get exercise and work off energy between long flights.

As someone said, take a book and shop the pretty nice shopping mall at EWR. There is not a CHANCE of going to NYC--silly idea. This is an international flight. Check in will be about 3 hours after arriving.

OK, I am going to add that I have been held up in the entry security at EWR in a LONG LONG line if you decide to go away from the airport for any reason. You never know when an entire tour group will be in line with you.

Sudoku

I agree with those who advise you to just hang out at the airport. Rushing around to see next to nothing on the cusp of a flight to Europe will be stressful and you will be even more tired when you arrive in Europe the next morning.

You could also consider Ikea, which is right across the highway from the airport (probably 10 minutes by taxi). They have a cafeteria where you can eat something quick and simple, and you can hang out there. I don't know any restaurants near the airport, but hopefully someone does. The airport is actually in Elizabeth, but you could easily get to Newark Penn Station, and there may be some restaurants within walking distance of the train station, but I can't recommend anything specific. The Ironbound area of Newark has the best Portuguese restaurants, and it's within walking distance of Newark Penn Station.

On several long layovers, I have used the shuttle bus to go to the Jersey Gardens Mall and theater complex, as mentioned above. You can check movie schedule on-line ahead of time and have some options in mind. Another time, I went to a Portugese restaurant in Newark - used Air Train (within airport) to connect to train into Newark and then walked a few blocks to Spain restaurant. With four people, it might be easier to take a cab. 5 hours is not enough time to attempt NYC and any other off airport trip is feasible only if you land on time and have ongoing seat assignments and boarding passes. Also double check departure terminal and gate in Newark, I once had an unexpected change. You must allow plenty of time to get back through security, as the lines are long. This will be easier if you leave carry-on luggage at club lockers. Travelottie

I have bad news. If these teens cannot amuse themselves for about 2 hours in an airport, this trip will be from H.

Wow! Thanks for all the suggestions. I'm leaning toward either going to the Marriott or just staying at the airport. As for the teens - well, they're actually very good girls and would be happy anywhere. I think this question is more for me than them ;-)

Stay close BUT...Casa Dante in Jersey City is very good. it's about 10m from EWR
Seeing as you can get good Italian food almost anywhere these days, I'd go for something different and try Portuguese in Ironbound section of Newark. Tony Da Caneca (about 5m from EWR) is fantastic, see their menu at http://www.restaurantpassion.com/lis...98&sid=8&sn=NJ.

If you do try one of these be sure to make revervation & ensure they can call cab service

I can't imagine why anyone flying to Italy would chance leaving the airport for an Italian meal which comes with an additional $80 round trip cab fare!
We fly to Europe many, many times each year.
Don't leave the airport.
We fly several times a year to Europe, now out of SFO (which is a great place to kill time!) but before from EWR.
Do allow 3 hours from check in for your international flights. We've spent almost two hours getting through security at EWR (although slightly earlier in the evening.
Take a book, charge your laptops, rent a DVD and try to relax.
Don't waste your money on anything but a Virgin Atlantic lounge...
If you really have to do something, my vote would be the Mall. It might be the only time you take your tenns to the Mall with a real reason to say 'no you can't buy that!'

Wouldn't an Italian meal in Newark set the mood for the upcoming trip? :p

We met some friends at Casa Vasca in the Ironbound section of Newark for dinner at 7:30, they has a 12:00 a.m. international flight, dropped them back to Newark by 9:30, they told me a cab to the restaurant was $16.00. You have plenty of time to go outside the airport and have a nice dinner before the flight.

My husband works in law firm in Newark and he knows the area well. The restaurants there, Italian or Portuguese are not that good. Not worth getting a cab, going back thru security. Stay at the airport, buy a good book and sleep on the flight.

I agree with Elainee about Newark restaurants, which is why I didn't recommend any of them. The Portuguese places in the Ironbound section are all about volume and little more. I don't think I've ever seen so much rice on one plate in my life.

I still stand by my original suggestion, however. Casa Dante in JC is an old-time authentic Italian, worth the trip even in the limited timeframe available.

Assuming the inbound flight is on time, there's quite enough time to leave EWR, have a nice, even leisurely, dinner, then head back in time to clear TSA security.