Of the three NYC-area airports, LaGuardia doesn’t have the best reputation. Despite its outdated, unclean facilities and the lack of amenities, you can get a little more out of your time here with these seven things to do on a layover at New York City LaGuardia Airport:
1. Grab a bite to eat
There are enough options for eating here, but nothing is better than average for an airport. You’ll have a decent range of food court options and a few sit-down restaurants in Terminals B, C, and D, but Terminal A is woefully lacking. Good burgers are available at Five Guys, Sam Adams and Biergarten are great for sampling craft beers, and Crust serves up a solid NYC slice. No 24-hour eateries are available.
2. Hang out in a lounge
A long layover is the right time to try out an airport lounge. If you are flying Air Canada, American, or United or hold an American Express credit card, you can purchase a day pass to enter a lounge. For a single price, take advantage of unlimited food and drinks, solid WiFi, comfortable couches and seating, and news and TV – in a quiet setting conducive to work or relaxation. See our New York City LaGuardia Airport Guide for details and locations.
3. Shop
Like the dining scene, you’ll find many shops to help pass the time, but you won’t find anything too original. Terminals B and C have the most options, including convenience stores and shops offering makeup, sunglasses, souvenirs, technology, and a few duty-free areas. If you’re feeling spendy, head to Lacoste, Desigual, or TUMI, though a couple of Uniqlo outlets give you much more bang for your buck.
4. Relax at the spa
The XpresSpa in Terminal C offers manicures, pedicures, facials, express massages, and more to travellers needing some TLC before that next flight.
5. Go sightseeing
It doesn’t take too much time here to want to turn around and leave. If you’ve got a layover of 7 hours, it may be worth leaving the airport to explore New York City.
The NYC Airporter vans make it easy to get into Manhattan for $16 one-way. Buses are available, too, but can take much longer to reach Manhattan. Taxis are pricier but will shave some time off the ride – a standard-traffic ride from LGA to Midtown Manhattan takes about 35 minutes. Once in Manhattan, visit neighbourhoods like Greenwich Village, Chinatown, and TriBeCa. Wander in Central Park and pop into the nearby Met or Guggenheim. Pick up a slice of NYC pizza and stroll across the Brooklyn Bridge (walk fast enough, and you may be confused for a local).
If you want to stay closer to the airport, catch a cab to MoMA PS1, a contemporary outpost of the Museum of Modern Art, about 20 minutes from the airport. Visit Tripadvisor for more things to do in New York City.
6. WiFi
WiFi is now free and unlimited, so you can catch up with your social media accounts, text your friends and stream the latest episodes of your favourite shows.
7. Sleep
Unfortunately, we do not recommend sleeping at this airport, especially overnight. Many travellers have reported homeless people and squatters hanging out in any public area. As armrests are standard, come prepared with something to lie down on if you want to sleep on the floor. Floods and construction have wreaked havoc on the floors, even inside the Secure area. Instead, opt for one of several hotels within minutes of the airport – a couple are within walking distance of Terminal C, and many offer complimentary shuttle service. Details and locations are listed in our New York City LaGuardia Airport Guide.
These are just a few things to do on a New York City La Guardia Airport layover. Visit our New York City LaGuardia Airport Guide for more information about the services and facilities available, such as food, WiFi, mobile charging, luggage storage, nearby airport hotels, and much more.