The New York City skyline as seen from the Staten Island Ferry, a free option for taking in city and Statue of Liberty views during a layover.
I’ve learned that a long layover in New York can either feel like a hassle or like a bonus day in the city. The biggest difference usually comes down to one thing: what you do with your luggage.
Dragging a suitcase through subway stations, up stairs and through crowded sidewalks gets old quickly. So if I have a few extra hours in New York, I try to deal with my bags first.
Store Your Bags First
If I’m staying at a hotel, I’ll usually ask if they can hold my luggage before check-in or after checkout. But that doesn’t always make sense, especially if I’m ending the day in a different part of the city.
That’s where Radical Storage NYC can come in handy. It has more than 200 storage locations around New York, including businesses, shops and hotels, with prices starting around $2.90 per bag per day.
One thing I’d recommend: choose a storage location near where you expect to end your day, not where you start it. The last thing I want to do before a flight is travel back across Manhattan just to pick up a suitcase.
Stick to One Area
If I only have a few hours, I don’t try to see all of New York. I’d rather pick one neighborhood and actually enjoy it.
Midtown: Bryant Park, the New York Public Library, Rockefeller Center and Fifth Avenue are all easy to combine. If there’s enough time, MoMA is nearby too.
Lower Manhattan: The 9/11 Memorial, Battery Park and the Brooklyn Bridge are close enough to make a good half-day itinerary. The free Staten Island Ferry is also an easy way to get views of the Statue of Liberty.
Brooklyn: DUMBO and Brooklyn Bridge Park are two of my favorite options for skyline views, and Williamsburg is a short subway ride away for food and shopping.
Leave Plenty of Travel Time
I also try not to pack the schedule too tightly. Some museums and attractions have bag restrictions, which is another reason I’d rather store luggage than carry it around.
If I’m flying out of JFK, I’d leave plenty of time to get there. From Midtown, I’d plan on at least 90 minutes, and even more during rush hour.
I’d also keep my passport, medication, tickets and valuables with me. Before walking away from a luggage storage location, I’d save the address and closing time on my phone so there are no surprises later.
Make the Most of the Extra Hours
A long layover doesn’t have to mean sitting around an airport or hotel lobby. With eight free hours, I can fit in a museum, a good meal and a walk through one of New York’s best neighborhoods.
My rule is pretty simple: put the suitcase away first. Everything else feels easier after that.
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