We are connecting with Continental flight to Paris and have no idea at this point what to do with six hours between flights.

What would you do or suggest?
Thanks

Hey RBO:

Forget trying to get out of Newark to see or eat anything. It would take up too much time, especially with going back thru customs.
Try and get a 'Day Pass" for the Continental lounge. Especially the one right behind the tix desks. They are very well stocked and very comfortable with enough to keep you interested for a few hours.
JOHN

Given certain time constrants, I would say that the best use of your time is to vist a nearby outlet mall called, Jersey Gardens. It's very closeby, so you can spend 2-3 hrs and still have plenty of time to get back for your flight. Although it is TECHNICALLY possible to get into Manhattan for about an hour or 2, it really would be too much rushing around to be worth your while.

While its easy to get a cab at the airport to go to a mall, I worry about getting a cab back. I have never done it and I have never seen cabs just waiting for a passanger at a mall. Maybe its easy, but I would be sure before I took a chance on missing my flight to Paris. I fly from Newark all the time and there really isn't anything to do in the area. The train into Newark only takes 10 minutes, but there in NOTHING to do in Newark except the exceptional Newark Museum. Again, make sure of your transportation back to the train. All in all, I would just hang around the airport.

This is copied from the Jersey Gardens Outlet Mall website, at
http://www.jerseygardens.com


Jersey Gardens is located at Exit 13A of the New Jersey Turnpike. After passing through the tollbooth, follow signs for Jersey Gardens Boulevard.
From local Routes 1 & 9, follow North Avenue East- Elizabeth Seaport. Take Jersey Gardens Boulevard onto the property.
Jersey Gardens is also accessible via NJ Transit buses 24, 40, and from Manhattan via #111.

Jersey Gardens also operates a free shuttle from Newark International Airport at Airtrain Station P4.

For more information call: 908-354-5900
Mall Hours: Monday to Saturday 10am - 9 pm
Sunday 11 am-7pm

I would call them and get info about the shuttle frequency and travel times. I personally think this is your best option, gives you something to do close by, so you don't go crazy sitting in the airport, waiting for your flight!

If you're at the airport on a weekend day, you don't want to go to Jersey Gardens. It gets so ridiculously crowded it's not funny. You'll already have a long flight to Paris, you don't need to return to the airport all stressed from that mall trip.
You shouldn't go into NYC too..you might be tempting faith re: making/missing your flight.
There's really not much to do in the area. If you're a lover of great restaurants and great food (and the timeframe works), I can recommend a Brazilian restaurant in Newark right across from the NJ Performing Arts Center.
It's called Seabra's Rodizio at 1034 McCarter Highway in Newark. #973-622-6221.
You can catch a cab from the airport and the restaurant can call you one when you're done.
A friend of ours took us there one day. I've been to Brazil and let me tell you, it is authentic Brazilian cuisine. My husband and I loved it so much, we had our rehearsal dinner there and we go back a couple of times every year.
If you decide to go, choose the buffet where they'll come around with all different types of meat to your table. If you're a vegetarian, ignore my suggestion!

Here's a thought. You will have just gotten off of a flight and will be looking at another 7 hours of sitting. There are several hotels in the area that have indoor swimming pools & fitness centers. I would call them (if you are a member of any of them it might help) and see if you can pay a fee to swim and use the gym. They might even have massage and facial services. Plus, they all have free shuttle service to and from the airport so the transportation issue is solved. I would bring old gym clothes that I am ready to get rid of so that I don't have to lug anything to Paris other than my sneakers and maybe a slightly soggy bathing suit in a plastic bag. Some hotels are: Wyndham, Radisson Suite Hotel Meadowlands, Four Points Sheraton, and the Newark Airport Hilton. All have pools and fitness.

Newark - my second favorite subject after NYC. If you will be leaving the airport, then the only thing worth doing with the amount of time you have is going to the Ironbound for Portuguese/Brazilian food. Seabra's is a good choice. I also like Fornos on Ferry street. If you like the idea of Rodizio (all types of meat cooked on skewers over an open fire) then another choice is Iberia Peninsula, also on Ferry street. Newark is like NYC, you can hail a cab on the street or from Fornos or Iberia Pennisula, you can walk the one to 2 blocks to Penn Station and pick up a cab at the station or have the restaurant call you one. The cab ride from the Ironbound to EWR is about 10 minutes with no traffic and about 20-25 minutes with rush hour traffic.

Although, a swim in the pool at a hotel is also a great idea.

Skip the mall - the mall is a mall, you can see one at home.

You know getting in and out of airports is a huge hassle these days with security and you would not want to miss your flight.

I find that if I have a good book with me time passes very quickly.

If the hotels do not let you pay a fee for using their facilities, check into pricing for a day room which will give you a room as well as use of the facilities for approximately half price.

If RBO is a shopper, than going to the Mall could be disasterous with the baggage restrictions. How many us could fit anything extra into our luggage before a European trip? Returning from Paris is a diffent story... there is ALWAYS room for more.

Also check with the airline about checking baggage before your flight. You may not be able to leave the airport once your luggage is checked. For security reasons. Other than checking what are you doing with your luggage?

I highly recommend an Italian restaurant called Benito's -- 6.5 miles from EWR, and they can easily call you a cab.

http://www.dabenito.com/

Take the train into Manhattan--takes 20 minutes to Penn Station. Go have lunch and go back in time for the 2 hour window for international flights.

I like the idea of going to a hotel for the gym and a swim. Plus they all have restaurants which couldn't be much worse than the ones in the airports. Marriott has a hotel in Newark Airport right on the grounds and connected by the monorail (when it works). I would call them first to see if you could use the pool, if they have one. Newark Airport (in the Continental terminal) now has a place to get a manicure, hair, facial, etc. done. I wouldn't recommend a new hairstyling and cut, but a manicure and pedicure would be nice. We once had a 8 hours layover in Equador. I planned to go to a shopping mall near the airport. Then I read in the local paper (I do not read Spanish but I could figure this headline out.) Cholera !! We stayed in the airport and our airline allowed us to use their lounge. It was boring but healthy.

Number One Rule: DO NOT, I REPEAT, DO NOT LEAVE THE AIRPORT TO GO ANYWHERE ELSE. NEW YORK TRAFFIC IS IMPOSSIBLE AND YOU WILL MISS YOUR FLIGHT IF YOU LEAVE THE AIRPORT

if you are really bored, i guess you could ride AirTrain inbetween the terminals a million times. Its free and brand new

Otherwise, enjoy six glorious hours in New Jersey, the garden state