In order to get a Frequent Flyer ticket to Europe, I have an itinerary that includes a 12 hour layover at JFK. Land at 10:30 am and depart at 10:10 pm. I'm taking this trip with my elderly mother. I am thinking it would be too stressful for her to go to Manhattan and back, but am wondering if anyone can advise of, say a multiplex theater not far away where we could while away some of these hours? Any other ideas?

Instead of doing that why don't you try and get a day room at one of the hotels?

You can order a movie, use the hotels workout facilities or pool, and take a nap or just relax before your long flight.

Like the original poster, we have a 9 hour layover at JFK - arriving 3 pm, departing at 1 am on an international flight. Can anyone recommend a movie theater and perhaps good/reasonable restaurant in area?

JFK is waaay out on a bay on the edge of Queens; there's not a lot near there in terms of movie theaters and restaurants. The suggestion to get a room at an airport hotel sounds like the best bet!

Another suggestion is to take a taxi to the Queens Museum of Art (www.queensmuseum.org). It's located in Flushing, Queens, closer to LaGuardia than JFK, but should still work with your long layover. The museum is part of the old Worlds Fair grounds, now Flushing Meadows/Corona Park (the large metal globe is a New York icon). I have seen a nice exhibit on the two fairs held there, plus interesting contemporary works. The highlight of the museum is a scale model Panorama of NYC. The museum is also adjacent to Shea Stadium where the Mets play, and the village of Flushing: good Chinese food (it's often called Little Taiwan).

I know this won't help you fill 12 hours, but last week I flew out ot JFK to mexico city and I used the express spa. It was a wonderfully relaxing experience. I had a manicure, foot massage and head & neck massage all in the most comfortable massage chair. I know they give full body massages as well. I also saw one woman sleeping in one of the massage chairs and when I asked if they rent the chair, they said so but the woman had many treatments so they let her relax in the chair.

The only catch of course is that it is quite costly. For three 10 minute foot massages, three 15 minute head & neck massages and one manicure I believe I paid around $210 without tip.

Good luck with your travels....

Good idea. The closest movie theaters in a decent neighborhood are in Valley Stream Long Island and you'd have a hard time getting to/from there since it's not in NYC but rather in Nassau County. (Also not sure what they'd be like during the day). You have sooo much time, if you can manage to get rid of your luggage (check it through or store it), you could easily go into Manhattan for a nice meal in a taxi. I don't think that would be stressful. If you don't want to go that far, there are plenty of places in Queens to get a decent meal. Lots of interesting ethnic neighborhoods/restaraunts if she likes that.

I'd make the following suggestion. For $10 each way, you can come into Manhattan on the Airtrain (about 30 minutes each way). From Penn Station, there is a large multiplex theater about 2 blocks away if you want to see a movie; it even has bargain matinees, a rarity in Manhattan. You could take a taxi to see the Empire State Building (though buy tickets in advance to avoid long, long lines), eat at one of the restaurants right there, and then get back to JFK without too much exertion. That's what I'd do if I had a 12-hour layover.

The theaters at Valley Stream are not really to my liking; for example, they have metal detectors to deter gang members from entering with weapons. Perhaps this is something you're used to, but even in NYC, it threw me for a loop when I went there (admittedly a few years ago, so perhaps it's nicer now).

Thanks everyone for your helpful suggestions! (I was on vacation so didn't get to see them till now).

The theaters at Valley Stream are not really to my liking; for example, they have metal detectors to deter gang members from entering with weapons.

Wow, I know this isn't germane to the original question, but I grew up in North Valley Stream (left 35 years ago) and this is really distressing! It was such a nice place to grow up in.

Agree not to head for Valley Stream. There have been several incidents at that theater and even more at the mall to which it is attached. Plus - getting to and from would be a pain - finding a NYC cab willing to go there, then calling a local cab to get back.

Agree that your best option is Manhattan - but with an elderly mother I would do a cab back and forth rather than make her do all that extra trekking through train stations and subways etc. But - it will cost about $60 each way.

Your other good option is a day room at one of the airport hotels - nap, see a movie, grab a meal (not great but better than airline food) and way less stressful.

I'm a big fan of the AirTrain, but the only thing is that some of the terminal exits are a considerable walk away for an elderly person. You might want to see if there's any way you can find out how far of a walk it is and make your judgment from there. If it were me, I'd splurge for the taxi and take the others' suggestions from there.