Skiergirl

I think you'd be INSANE to risk leaving the airport. Newark is huge, there is a lot of walking around to do and places to eat. To risk missing a flight to eat a stupid Italian meal in JERSEY is ridiculous. If you or the kids can't hang for 5 hours then the trip is in major trouble.

JerseyGirlinAZ

Another vote for staying at the airport ... and that's coming from someone who GREATLY misses the Italian food in JERSEY.

bspielman

So, PonyUp, there's your choice: Be adventurous with little obvious risk, and have a nice dinner with New Jersey ambiance you're not likely to find in Utah. Or, remain at EWR, bored to tears.

Ellijune

Friends of ours also had a several hour layover at EWR...they arranged in advance for a limo to meet them at the airport, met us in Short Hills, at the Hilton, we had a lite meal, she got a quick manicure at the spa there and they returned by waiting limo to the airport in time for their Paris flight...(toting a doggig bag prepared by the Hilton to eat on the flight)...it was an awfully pricey way to spend a few hours, but they were glad they did it...

bspielman

And Short Hills is a lot farther away from EWR than Jersey City is. Your layover is limited only by your creativity.

PonyUp

... and our finances ;-) Thanks for all the suggestions. We leave in less than a week!

bspielman

Whatever you decide to do, Buon Viaggio!

cmt

The Newark Museum is really good and worth visiting. It has a variety of collections, but one unusual and particularly rich and attractive section of the museum is the large Tibetan collection. It's so good that I think if it were someplace other than in Newark, NJ, it would be a major tourist attraction.
The backyard of the museum is a pretty little park-like garden area with benches where you can sit and eat if you carry your own small lunch with you. Lots of workers in the area do that.

I assume that you can take a taxi to the museum from the train station. It's a fairly short walk from Penn Station, and there are buses, too, but it's probably better to be cautious anf safe and take a taxi.

kismetchimera

Just stay at the airport..is boring but at least you know for sure that you are not going to miss your flight.Once you leave the Airport anything could go wrong..Traffic's jam for instance,car accidents etc..,

LaurenKahn1

I could not agree more. Everyone should bring a book to read. Life does not have to be one constant "doing of things" on vacation--especially the things that might put your connecting flight at risk.

mztery

So what did you wind up doing?

PonyUp

Just rereading my posts and reliving our trip. The teenagers were well behaved so that wasn't a problem. We just got fast food to eat and chilled, making our connection without any stress. The trip to Italy was fantastic by the way!

JoannfromJersey

Oh for the love of God and all that is holy....do NOT leave the airport! Nothing in Newark is worth it! Five hour layover is not enough time to venture someplace worthwhile. Trust me when I tell you the lines at security are LONG! Like someone said, why look for an Italian meal in Jersey when you are going to Italy!? Tell your teens to suck it up...I mean they are going to Italy!!! How lucky are THEY! HAVE FUN!!

aliced

Get a taxi and go to Jersey Gardens for great outlet shopping or at the other spectrum, take a taxi to Short Hills Mall. Divine shopping experience, the kids will spend an hour in the Apple store alone. Have lunch at either. Do not consider NYC or bother with Downtown Newark. Remember, NJ hs no sales tax on clothing or shoes!!