Suggestions for a full day stop over at JFK?

March 5, 2009 7:09 AM

Ideas for one day road trips or exciting events in NYC area this Saturday during our brief 2 night 1 day stopover at JFK?

My wife and I have just found out that we are going to be flying into JFK 9pm Friday night and leaving again 9am Sunday morning, with all day Saturday to do whatever we want. Both of us have been to NYC/Manhatten before and done a few of the normal tourist things (Empire State, Staten Island Ferry, Galleries, Natural History Museum, etc.) We'd really like to see something a little different this time . Any suggestions for a mini one day road trip from JFK (we can rent a car and don't mind driving a good distance each way at night to get somewhere), or any insanely great events this Saturday in the NYC area we should know about?

It would be especially good if our road trip takes us past a decent shopping mall briefly. I know that doesn't sound exciting but we're living in the Caribbean at the moment with pretty nominal/expensive shopping options so my wife does want to find a Target type shop for an hour and I'd love to find something similar to an REI or FRYS.

Extra points if we get to see snow (even at a distance) at some stage. We don't get to feel cold very often in the Caymans :-(

Ideas greatly appreciated!

posted by inflatablekiwi to travel & transportation (9 comments total)

It's supposed to warm up into the 50's this weekend (yay!) so snow might not be in the cards. Rain? Possible.

The Hobken St. Patrick's Day Parade is this Saturday. That's about all I got...
posted by jckll at 8:15 AM on March 5

There is a Target in Brooklyn and one in Queens, but I would not recommend either of them. I think you should consider renting a car and driving out to Long Island to find a shopping mall and a Target that is in decent condition. The Target in Brooklyn is exceptionally bad.

Snow is not likely this weekend due to warmer temperatures and rain, but you might see some piled up on the sides of the road that hasn't melted yet!
posted by peanut_mcgillicuty at 8:26 AM on March 5

There is a target in the Palisades mall, which is also close to Woodbury Commons. It tends to be a bit colder up there, so there may be more residual snow.

That said, it will be a drive for you, you may want to see if Long Island (closer to JFK) has options.
posted by cestmoi15 at 8:52 AM on March 5

I would say check out the beach in Montauk, or out in Long Island. Maybe you could get a room at a bed and breakfast or something. If you're interested in staying in or near the city, but don't want to do all of the aforementioned activities, all I can really recommend to you is good restaurants. As far as mall shopping is concerned, the Target in Brooklyn is like cold war era russia - empty shelves and incredibly long lines. You need to get out to Long Island to get to decent malls, and I wouldn't be able to tell you one, because I never find myself wanting to go to a mall.

I'm not living in the Carribean though. MeFi message me if you want some restaurant suggestions in and around the city!

Have fun.
posted by orville sash at 9:11 AM on March 5

Montauk is a good idea, and there are wineries along the way (we liked Channing Daughters, ymmv). You can google a target along the way.
posted by cestmoi15 at 9:46 AM on March 5

There's also a Target at 225th Street in the Bronx (well technically Marble Hill is Manhattan, but I won't get hung up on technicalities).
posted by JaredSeth at 10:35 AM on March 5

The eastern end of Long Island had a foot of snow earlier in the week. If there's any snow remaining by Saturday it's not going to look pretty. Montauk is nice though, even without snow. Target's store finder isn't the easiest to use but if you search for "commack, ny" you'll get a map of the Long Island locations.

I work a couple of miles from the Palisades mall. The snow cover is patchy around here today. By Saturday you'll probably have to travel at least another 30-40 miles further north to see snow. DIA: Beacon is a two-hour drive from JFK on the east side of the Hudson.

If you haven't checked out the Brooklyn Museum, this Saturday happens to be Target First Saturday. Free admission in the evening with entertainment and cash bar.
posted by plastic_animals at 11:05 AM on March 5

The Target at 225 is analagous to the Brooklyn and Queens Targets. The one in White Plains (also in a mall!), now that's a Target!
posted by cestmoi15 at 11:26 AM on March 5

Thanks to all who responded with suggestions - my wife and I ended up driving out to Montauk and had a great time discovering Long Island. We even got to have a snow fight along the way (okay the snow was a few days old, but that was close enough for us!)
posted by inflatablekiwi at 10:03 AM on March 9