7 Best Things to Do Near JFK Airport
You are on a layover at New York JFK airport, and you have plenty of spare time before your next flight. The question comes to mind: How to kill spare time. There are multiple things to do near JFK airport during a long layover rather than sleeping.
New York is the city of hidden gems. You can visit the adventures tourist spots near the JFK airport. In this article, I will cover the quick and budget-friendly things you can do near JFK airport.
Best Things to Do Near JFK Airport During Layover
You can visit a variety of tourist attractions to make your layover time in New York unforgettable.
Following are the places you can explore in the city near John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK).
1. Visit The Rockway Beach
The beach is 8.8 miles away from the airport, and with a car ride, it takes almost 30 to 45 minutes to be there. It is one of the free things to visit near the JFK airport. You can spend time here according to the layover hours.
It is the place to enjoy the fresh air even if you are traveling with your family and friends. It is considered one of the best beaches situated in Queens near JFK Airport. It's an incredible experience enjoying ocean breezes with boardwalk and golden cushiony sands.
2. Visit Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge
Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge is a remarkable land with a variety of migrated bird species. The destination is 6.5 miles away from JFK airport by car. It is the largest bird habitat in the northeastern United States.
The place is away from the city's tall buildings, and best to spend some time in quiet with nature. The refuge is the home of 300 bird species with different traits. The place is in the territory of Gateway National Recreation Area.
Moreover, here you can enjoy birdwatching, hiking, and strolling. In the colder season, you can witness the ocelots, deer, and opossums.
To keep this memory saved in your device, you can click the photos with beautiful birds. But do you have cellular data to share these memories with your social media friends and family? Try an eSIM card in your device to access a flexible internet connection.
Phonico eSIM provides the USA based eSIM plans with data to keep you connect wherever you travel in the country.
3. Explore Iconic Empire State Building
You can visit the iconic landmark, the Empire State Building. The building is 16 miles away from JFK Airport. You can book the rental car to explore the Empire State. You should pay the entry fee to explore the building.
The entry fee varies depending on which floor you want to visit. At the tops of the building, you can see the stunning 360-degree view of the city. The 2nd floor is for exhibiting the galleries to showcase the construction and history of the building.
4. Visit Queens Botanical Garden
If you are a nature enthusiast, visiting Queen Botanical Garden is the best thing to do near JFK airport. The destination is 9.9 miles away from the airport. The fee to enter the garden ranges from $10 to $20.
The garden spans over 50 acres with a collection of beautiful flowers and plants. If you are visiting in spring in USA, don’t forget to take the tour of Japanese Hill-and-Pond, the Native Flora, and the Shakespeare Garden.
5. Explore the Queen Zoo
Queen Zoo is the home of 75 American native animals. It is the best place to visit for animal lovers. It is an 18-acre wildlife land with flushing Meadows–Corona Park in Queens. You can explore the sea lion and domestic animal area.
Authorities organize the educational programs in the zoo to understand visitors' wildlife language. You get the entry; you have to pay the entry fee, which ranges from $8 to $9.
6. Visit Green Acres Mall
Green Acres Mall is 5 miles away from JFK Airport. It takes 20 to 30 minutes to drive a car, spending around $30. The mall is famous for being Long Island's first open-air mall. There are around 150 stores, food spots, and free parking lots.
There is a vast selection at the Mall, which makes it an outstanding shopping destination. Whatever you are looking for to eat and shopping, find everything here.
7. Explore New York Hall of Science
If you are interested in physics and technology, you should not miss visiting New York Hall of Science. The hall is 8.5 miles away from JFK airport and takes 30 to 35 minutes by car. Hall of Science is the perfect place for the kids to learn and explore new things.
The museum has almost 400 exhibits that are related to the topics of physics and modern technology.
Tips to Consider While Getting Around JFK Airport
Go through the following tips while traveling to the nearby tourist destination of JFK airport.
- Buy USA eSIM to stay connected with a stable internet connection. It will help you to avoid connecting unofficial public WiFi connection.
- To explore the city without your luggage, use the JFK luggage store system.
- Download the travel apps for route updates and nearby tourist destinations.
- Download the JFK app to be updated for your next flight.
Conclusion
During layover, the common thing that bothers passengers is how to kill the spare time. If you are on a layover at JFK airport, luckily, you have many things to do. There are multiple things to do near the JFK airport.
You can go to relax at Rockway Beach, explore the Empire State Building, Green Acres Mall, Queens Zoo, and New York Hall of Science.
How will you stay connected while roaming around the famous spots of New York? Phonico eSIM for USA will help you to get connected even if you are away from the main city. eSIM has multiple plans with data and unlimited talk and text.
FAQs
Is it allowed to leave the JFK airport during layover?
Yes, generally the authorities allow passengers to leave the airport. However, to explore the nearby areas, you need to go through the US customs and immigration.
How can I store my luggage at JFK Airport?
If you want to safe your luggage without spending lots of money, store your luggage in trusted hotels and shops near the airport.
