What to Do With Long Layovers in New York City

When you’re flying, there are times when you have a long layover. With a few hours in the airport, you can take a nap, have a few drinks, or get some food. However, with layovers of eight hours or more, you may want to do something outside the airport, such as explore a city you’ve never been in. 

When you only have a limited time, you have to prioritize what to visit, so this article is full of must-see destinations in New York City. 

Of course, some of these destinations are a little far from the airport, and it can be a pain trying to rent a car. When you need airport transfers NYC, you can get a New York City airport car service. They will drive you to and from any airport for a reasonable price, whether you’re by yourself or in a group, and you don’t have to worry about riding with strangers. 

Times Square

If you want to experience the hustle and bustle of city life in the few hours you have for your layover, Times Square is the place to go. It’s located in midtown Manhattan at the junction of Broadway, Seventh Avenue, and 42nd Street. 

Times Square takes up five blocks and is lit up by giant billboards and many businesses that operate all day and night. It was originally known as Longacre Square but was renamed in 1904 when The New York Times moved its headquarters there in the form of The New York Times Building. 

The beauty and brilliance of Times Square are so ethereal that it is sometimes given names like “The Crossroads of the World,” “The Center of the Universe,” “The Heart of the Great White Way,” “The Center of the Entertainment Universe,” and “The Heart of the World.” 

It is one of the busiest pedestrian areas in the world, with over 50 million visitors per year. It is also the location of many events, including the New Year’s Eve Ball Drop in New York City. 

St. Patrick’s Cathedral

St. Patrick’s Cathedral is located in midtown Manhattan. It is the seat for the Archbishop of New York and a parish church. One of the reasons it is so popular is that it is the largest Gothic Revival-style Catholic cathedral in North America. 

The church is huge, taking up a whole city block, with the highest points reaching 330 feet above the street. It can seat 2,400 people inside. 

The first building blocks were laid in 1858 to replace an older cathedral of the same name. However, the building took a long time to complete due to delays like the Civil War. It was finished in 1878, though finishing touches like the spires were added later.

While tours are available and anyone can stop by and visit the church, it is still active, offering between 15 and 20 masses every day and 150 weddings per year, so you may want to make sure that the building is open to the public the day you’re visiting. 

Broadway Theater District

If you plan ahead, you may have time to see a Broadway show. But if you don’t have time for a show, it’s still worth visiting the area to see all the buildings. The district originated in the early 1900s as theaters became bigger and began to move to the uptown areas of New York. 

The Broadway Theater District is full of theaters, both old and new, restaurants, shopping, and much more. You can spend a whole day in the district exploring without having to spend a thing, but you can also jump around watching small shows, going shopping, and eating delicious foods. 

Some of the highlights of the district include Belasco Theatre, Duff Square, Joe Allen Restaurant, New Amsterdam Theatre, New Victory Theater, Sardi’s, Shubert Alley, Palace Theatre, and Town Hall.

New York Public Library

This library has over six million books and is a National Historic Landmark. It features many one-of-a-kind works, including a copy of the Declaration of Independence copied by Thomas Jefferson himself, the Gutenberg Bible, and the Farewell Address by Washington. 

There is even a store in the building where you can pick up a souvenir to remember the visit. If you want a quick trip and feel overwhelmed about where to start, they offer tours for a donation to the library to let you see some items you wouldn’t otherwise get to see. 

If you’re a fan of architecture, you can appreciate the building as well. Both the inside and outside are full of amazing details, including the stone arches, lions near the entrances, and detailed light fixtures. 

Some parts of the library are restricted to visitors, as it is an active library with a lot of areas specifically for research and studying, but most of it is open and available to view. The library is free to visit, so you don’t have to worry about expenses. 

The Bronx Zoo

If you enjoy seeing animals, then the Bronx Zoo is well worth a visit. The zoo is open from 10:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. every day of the week. There are all sorts of animals, including gorillas, tigers, bison, bears, butterflies, aquatic animals, giraffes, snow leopards, sea lions, mice, reptiles, and more. 

People tend to spend between two and five hours at the zoo, but if you take your time and explore all of it, you can easily spend the whole day there. The zoo itself is over 265 acres with over 4,000 animals. 

If you have a lot of time to kill, you can plan your day at the zoo to visit all the events like feedings and educational keeper talks. And you can even book wild encounters to see your animals up close and personal with penguins, cheetahs, porcupines, and sloths. 

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