An Airport Layover Excursion – A Great Mini Vacation!
There’s a new trend in travel! Airports around the globe have begun airport layover excursions in their city. Amsterdam, Tokyo, London, and Seoul to name a few. What a great way to take advantage of discounts flights with stopovers and make them an exciting mini vacation!
The U.S. is lagging behind in this arena but why not plan your own? Many major U.S. airport are less than ten miles to city center. Assuming a minimum of 6 hours before landing and take off, let’s go over some of the quick stop, bucket list ‘things to do’ in these famous U.S. cities whose airports’ offer a close proximity to city center.
New York City
Hail a cab from LaGuardia Airport. Try uber.com to get your transportation! It’s about 10 miles and 30 minutes but consider timeframe and traffic and plan accordingly!
Metropolitan Museum of Art
Gaze out the window of your taxicab as you pass the awe-inspiring, vast skyline of New York City. Have your cab driver drop you off at the Metropolitan Museum of Art (east side at 82nd Street). It’s on one of the worlds largest and finest art museums. Whether an art enthusiast or not, The Met is bound to impress.
Central Park
Just behind The Met lies Central Park. Central Park is the most famous park in the world, with an amazing number of visitors flocking here each year to see it’s 843 acres of beautiful lakes, lawns, and sites. Make your way to the mid-park area and head to The Loeb Boathouse restaurant (east side of 74th Street) for a quick bite. The food is amazing. Enjoy the picturesque view of the lake and city behind it, don’t forget to bring your camera.
After lunch meander through to the south end of the park and take a walk through the Central Park Zoo (east side at 64th Street) and out into the city.
Head south on a walking tour which will bring you to the Rockefeller Center area, located between 49th and 50th Streets, just west of 5th Avenue. The Top of the Rock observation deck offers a breathtaking 360 degree view of New York City from the 70th floor. Nearby between 50th and 51st Street is St. Patrick’s Cathedral. Built in 1888, St. Pat’s is massive, gorgeous and a must see!
Chicago
Chicago
Grab a cab and begin your quick tour of the Windy City at the world-famous Willis Tower. You haven’t ‘done’ Chicago until you’ve been there! Formerly the Sears Tower, the Willis Tower is America’s tallest building and the view spans four states and over 50 miles. Dare to go out on The Ledge on the 103rd floor, an all glass balcony that extends over four feet out from the building allowing you to stand 1,353 feet in the air. Awesome!
Buckingham Fountain Chicago
Head east from the tower and make your way toward Lake Michigan to see Grant Park and the historic Buckingham Fountain. The Art Institute, The Field Museum and the Shedd Aquarium are all located in this area. Walk along the water north through Millenium Park on to Navy Pier. Take a walk on the boardwalk at Navy Pier. This is Chicago’s most visited attraction. The ferris wheel is huge and offers a great view of the city. Don’t forget to get some cotton candy!
Before hailing a cab back to the airport, grab a bite and do a little window shopping along the Magnificent Mile, Chicago’s shopping district where you will see many landmark buildings and towers. There’s an abundance and variety of shopping as well as everything from burgers to haute cuisine. There’s something for everyone here.
As with everything in life, it’s all about perspective! Instead of looking at a long layover as a big hassle, look at it as an opportunity to view famous sites in the world’s greatest cities! Next time you see a great airline rate with a long layover, smile and plan a mini vacation!
If you’ve enjoyed a mini vacation during your airport layover, please share below!!
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