We will be staying one night in NYC on the way to Europe. Hilton Garden Inn Times Square. Following morning have 12 or 12:30 World Trade Center memorial tix. Will then need to go back to the hotel to pick up our stored luggage. We need to leave for the airport about 3pm (does that sound right for an international flight leaving at 6:10 on a Wednesday)

I need a breakfast spot, probably near the hotel, and lunch in either area. Will be eating the night before at Scarlatto prior to the theater.

Thanks

No I would leave earlier for your flight since you will be traveling in rush hour.

Be sure to take the subway at Times Square to the Trade Center, it will faster and a lot cheaper than a cab. The E and R will leave you the closest. If you start at Financier take from Times Square A, C, 2,3.

The best pastries downtown are at Financier.

http://www.financierpastries.com

There is a restaurant right in the hotel, Pigalle which serves a pretty good breakfast.

That Pastry looks amazing...but since we are on our way to Paris, will pass on this trip downtown.

Sue, what time would you suggest leaving Times SQ area to JFK?

Any restaurant recommendations?

SusieQQ: who knew? Pigalle looks like it could be OK for both breakfast and lunch

Your choice of hotel is obviously up to you, but wouldn't it be more convenient to stay closer to WTC and not have to head back to Times Square for luggage? There's a lot to see in that area (just two examples - Museum of the American Indian and Battery Park).

At any rate, Zucker's Bagels at 146 Chambers is close to WTC, and it would be fine for either breakfast or lunch. I stayed at Cosmopolitan Hotel, close to both this deli and WTC.

I think 3:00 on a Wednesday is plenty of time. A the very latest, they will arrive at 4 pm. Of course baring any unforeseen traffic events.

You need to find out when your airline requires you to check in. Many advise arriving at the airport 3 hours before an international flight - assuming you have luggage to check in.

Both check in and security lines can be truly humungous and I have seen people at JFK still on the security line when their plane was announcing final boarding. They tried to push ahead and were told they should have arrived at the airport much earlier.

Leaving Times square at 3 pm can easily take more than an hour to JFK - esp with traffic or construction. And you don't want to be standing on the security line sweating when they start calling to board your plane. Or perhaps you are not risk averse.

Here's what Delta says:

The recommended arrival time at the airport prior to departure of international flights is 3 hours. When traveling to/from a destination outside the United States, you must be checked in at least 60 minutes before your scheduled departure time and it is required that you be at the gate and ready to board at least 45 minutes before your scheduled departure time. This minimum requirement applies to all customers checking-in, with or without baggage. Customers who fail to complete the check-in procedures by these deadlines willl not be able to travel on desired flights and change fees may apply

Three hours seems excess to me. But NY Traveler: I am the opposite of risk averse. Leave Times Square at 2:30??

Three hours is not excessive if you have to spend 45 minutes checking your bags (what some people check in can be amazing - I have seen a couple with 6 or 7 huge bags - which means weighing, extra charges, negotiation, people trying to repack heavy things into carry-ons, etc) and another 45 minutes or more to get to and through security,

Don't fly Delta a lot, but I have seen security lines at American several hundred people long - and taking the best part of an hour. (I have also seen lines of only 30 or 40 people - but at other airport - never JFK.)

I would check with the car service you are using - telling them I needed to be there at 3 pm - and let them tell me when to leave - they have the latest info on road situations, including construction and accidents/traffic.)

I fly Delta quite often, and the airlines are becoming stircter about the 45 minute rule. They want to get the flights off on time. I do not recall the security lines at Delta JFK being too long.

I stayed at that hotel with my daughter and we had breakfast there. I found it to be crowded, pricey and not great. I learned later that many of the people had breakfast included in their rate. We were staying on points, so did not. I would check and see if that is possible for your time there. If it was included I would eat there again, if it was not, I would pass. There are SO many little delis all around for a good breakfast sandwich that is what we generally do now when we are in the city. It is cheap, and good. I would just ask at the front desk if you are looking for something inexpensive like that.

The hotel is good - one thing - just ask for a room "higher" up. I could hear the subway below from where our room was. The rooms are larger than the average NYC hotel and I liked the area - just far enough out of timesquare to not be crazy - but close enough to walk if you are seeing a show etc.

Enjoy your time in the city and onto Paris! wonderful!

For breakfast, try the Cosmic Diner at 8th & 52nd
www.newcosmicdiner.com

Another Fodor smile for me this morning remembering our last breakfast at the Cosmic Diner!