Flying into the Big Apple? John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) is the main airport serving travelers in and out of New York, and one of the busiest in the US. But there’s so much more to JFK than a starting destination or a connecting flight.
Whether you’re killing time at the airport for a few hours or you’ve got a longer layover, discover our list of the top things to do at JFK Airport. We’ll explore some of the best things to do near JFK, as well as the top attractions within the airport.
Top things to do near JFK Airport
- Stroll the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge
- Visit the Louis Armstrong House Museum
- Enjoy the New York Hall of Science
- Explore the Queens Museum
- Take a tour of NYC
Top things to do at JFK Airport
- Step back in time at the TWA Hotel Museum
- Visit the largest hotel gym in the world
- Unwind at the Delta One Lounge
- Sample global cuisine
- Relax with a massage
JFK Airport is 16 miles away from the thrills of Manhattan across the East River. Located in the borough of Queens, JFK is surrounded by various captivating and historic attractions.
Perhaps you’ve allocated a day to explore the local area while you’re waiting for your connection, or maybe you’re staying at a JFK Airport hotel before your flight. If you’ve got a day to catch the local sights, we’ve got you covered with some of the top things to do near JFK Airport.
Travel Tip
If you’re flying into JFK Airport on a whirlwind connection, it’s important to consider how much time you have before your next flight. Though it’s tempting to explore the local attractions, consider how much time you’ll need for transport and getting back through security. If you’re thinking of exploring Queens and NYC on a layover, make sure your connection is more than 10 hours away.
Need to keep your luggage at the airport? JFK has various luggage storage facilities available at:
- Terminal 1 (Arrivals)
- Terminal 4 (Arrivals)
- Terminal 8 (Arrivals)
Stroll the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge
If you’re looking for somewhere to stretch your legs the day before your flight, the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge is one of the best free things to do near JFK Airport.
Described as a bird watcher’s paradise, the serene stretch of salt marshes and wetlands at Jamaica Bay is home to more than 330 species of birds. Trek the five miles of trails or perch at a bench and soak up the peaceful views of the bay with the city ahead of you. This charming nature reserve is ideal if you’re traveling as a family or in need of a moment of quiet before a busy journey.
Highlight: Located across the bay from JFK Airport, not only is the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge the ideal spot for bird watching, but it’s a great stop for plane spotting too.
Distance: Approximately 6.5 miles from JFK Airport
Find driving directions on Google Maps
Visit the Louis Armstrong House Museum
Around the corner from Flushing Meadows Corona Park, you’ll find the former home of the legendary jazz musician, Louis Armstrong. This intimate experience offers guided tours of the home Louis Armstrong shared with his wife Lucille Wilson, celebrating his life, music and achievements.
As you drift from room to room, see how Louis lived his life and dive into his legacy. With countless memorabilia to admire and recordings to listen to, the Louis Armstrong House Museum is one of the best things to do around JFK Airport for history and music buffs.
Highlight: Look out for exclusive listening sessions held throughout the year, unearthing archives and showcasing new talent in the soul and jazz scene.
Distance: Approximately 9 miles from JFK Airport
Find driving directions on Google Maps
Enjoy the New York Hall of Science
Less than a 30-minute drive from the airport, the New York Hall of Science (NYSCI) is one of the best things to do near JFK for families.
Filled with interactive exhibits and attractions, this hands-on museum is a unique learning experience for kids – both big and small – who love science. Build, play, conduct experiments and discover everything from robots to biology, then hit the Rocket Park Mini Golf course for a trip to the 1960s Space Age.
Highlight: Check their events schedule for special demonstrations and educational films to see what’s in store each week.
Distance: Approximately 8 miles from JFK Airport
Find driving directions on Google Maps
Explore the Queens Museum
Lose yourself in the world of contemporary art just a short drive from JFK airport. Only a 12-minute walk from the New York Hall of Science, this local gem at Flushing Meadows Corona Park in Queens is known for its 1964-1965 World Fair displays. The Queens Museum is perched across from the Unisphere, a stainless-steel globe from the 1964 World’s Fair.
Highlight: No time to visit NYC? Check out the famous Panorama at the Queens Museum – the largest model of New York City, built in 1962 and last updated in 1992.
Distance: Approximately 7.8 miles from JFK Airport
Find driving directions on Google Maps
Take a tour of NYC
It’s no surprise that New York City is one of the top travel destinations to visit in the US. If the city that never sleeps is calling your name, you might have time to catch a few key tourist attractions if you have a longer layover at JFK.
It can take anywhere from an hour to two hours to reach Times Square from JFK Airport by taxi, subway and AirTrain. From Times Square, you’ll have access to a range of city tours – or you can embark on your own adventure.
Highlight: For a speedy tour of the nearest sights, popular hop-on hop-off bus tours from Times Square can offer circuit Downtown and Uptown loop tours within around two and a half hours.
Distance: Approximately 16 miles from JFK Airport
Find driving directions on Google Maps
Top things to do at JFK Airport
Whether you’ve arrived nice and early or you’ve a few hours until your connection, if you’re wondering what to do at JFK Airport to kill time, you’ve come to the right place. There are plenty of places to eat, relax, work and take a nap, if that’s your goal. So, follow on as we explore our favorite things to do at JFK itself.
Step back in time at the TWA Hotel Museum
The TWA Hotel and museum should be at the top of your list of things to do at JFK. Especially if the idea of mid-century interior design and a retro aircraft turned into a cocktail lounge excites you.
Paying homage to the glamorous jet age of the 1960s, the TWA Hotel and museum is one of the key highlights here. Celebrating the history of air travel, this functional hotel and aviation museum is overflowing with memorabilia, old uniforms, and interactive displays.
Access to the TWA Hotel Museum is free to the public, so make sure to stop by during your visit.
Highlight: Visit “Connie”, the fully restored 1958 Lockheed Constellation airplane that has since been turned into an elegant cocktail lounge. Meanwhile, retro lounges the Paris Café and Sunken Lounge offer panoramic views of JFK flights.
Location: Former TWA Terminal at JFK Airport – 1 Idlewild Dr, Queens, NY, 11430
Visit the largest hotel gym in the world
If the allure of the TWA Hotel hasn’t already drawn you in, don’t miss out on exploring the biggest hotel gym in the world.
Available for overnight and Daytripper guests, the 10,000-square-foot gym at the TWA Hotel is truly something to behold. So, if you find yourself getting frustrated waiting for your turn on an elliptical – we don’t think you’ll have an issue here.
Highlight: Whether you’re mad about cardio or all about weights, you’ll find 14 Peloton bikes, a full yoga studio, complete weight training equipment and a whole showcase of treadmills and ellipticals.
Location: 1 Idlewild Dr, Queens, NY, 11430
Unwind at the Delta One Lounge
You may have heard whispers about the popularity of the Delta Sky Club at JFK Airport. However, the new Delta One Lounge takes premium travel to the next level with world-class dining, wellness packages and unbeatable comfort.
Larger than your typical Delta Sky Club, Delta One ticketholders and Delta 360°™ Members can enjoy elevated hospitality with full-service dining and high-end shower suites.
Highlight: Delta One Lounges are currently only available at JFK, LAX and BOS airports. So, if you happen to be flying first or business class with Delta partners, don’t forget to try this exclusive perk.
Location: You’ll find the Delta One Lounge between Concourses A and B in Terminal 4
Sample global cuisine
When it comes to grabbing a bite to eat, there’s no shortage of incredible food at JFK Airport.
From melt-in-the-mouth donuts to savory Japanese and Korean food, have your choice of just about any cuisine and comfort food.
Catering to all tastes and time budgets, choose from sit-down restaurants to fast and fresh food on the go. For a full breakdown of where to chow down, read our ultimate JFK Airport food guide for more inspiration.
Highlight: For one last taste of New York steak before you leave JFK, we recommend The Palm Bar & Grille.
Location: You’ll find a range of excellent eateries across Terminals 1, 4, 5, 7 and 8
Relax with a massage
Traveling can be tiring business. If you’ve ever dreamed of having a soothing massage to help you relax before a flight, now’s your opportunity.
From massages to nail care, there are various places to enjoy wellness treatments at JFK Airport. Whether you’re flying for business or leisure, work out those knots and refresh your nails at Be Relax Spa.
Highlight: Wellness salons and spas are a great alternative to relaxing at an airport lounge if you have a long wait for your connection or your flight gets delayed. Choose from short and sweet express manicures, soothing head and neck massages and more.
Location: Terminal 1 Gate 5
John F. Kennedy International Airport and the borough of Queens are full of exciting things to see and do if you’ve got time to spare. From art installations at the airport to a lounge built from a former aircraft, you certainly won’t be bored.
Explore our guide to the best airport parking at JFK and arrive for your flight feeling calm and prepared. Benefit from exclusive deals and rates when you pre book your parking at JFK Airport today.
Photos by:
Camille Stelly – Unsplash | Reno Laithienne – Unsplash | Michael Heise – Unsplash
