Layover In LaGuardia Airport (LGA)
When it comes to flying into and out of New York, JFK Airport is not the only game in town. If you’re on a domestic flight or are planning a trip to Aruba or the Bahamas (wouldn’t that be nice), then you’re likely to use LaGuardia Airport. The smallest of the New York Metropolitan area’s three airports, La Guardia has been run by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey since 1947. Its relatively central location means that there are lots of opportunities to enjoy a layover in LaGuardia. Make sure you sort out offsite airport parking so you don’t have the hassle of looking for a parking space in Manhattan.
Rockefeller Center
About three and a half miles from the airport is the Rockefeller Center. This 22 acre site encompasses linked indoor and outdoor spaces in the center of Manhattan. It’s a National Historic Landmark, with the original 14 buildings completed between 1930 and 1939. There’s so much to see and do that it’s hard to know where to begin. Radio City Music Hall is a top tourist destination, while the ornate GE Building is worth a look. The outdoor plaza features skating in fall and winter and outdoor dining in spring and summer. There’s an underground network of passageways with shops, restaurants and more, as well as McGraw Hill Park (where the fountain is spectacular) and Garden Park.
Exploring Art
Just under five miles away is the famous Guggenheim Museum. Designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, the building is as much of an attraction of the contents of the museum. American industrialist Solomon R Guggenheim started collecting modern arts in the period from 1929 onwards and the collection has grown since then to include other types of art. There’s always something to see here. Art lovers will also enjoy a visit to the Metropolitan Museum of Art, which is a similar distance from LaGuardia Airport.
Animal Attraction
For something completely different, take a trip to Queens Zoo. See American alligators, Andean bears, bison, sea lions, porcupines, pronghorns, pumas, parrots and more. There are birds, domestic animals and exhibits featuring animals from the Great Plains and South America. The zoo is part of the Wildlife Conservation Society, one of the earliest such societies in America.
Other Manhattan Attractions
Finally, round out your layover by checking out some of the most famous Manhattan attractions, such as the Empire State Building, the Ellis Island Immigration Museum, the American Museum of Natural History and, of course, Central Park.
(Photo: scarab)
Tags: layover, lga, manhattan attractions, new york, new york attractions, offsite airport parking
March 12th, 2009 at 5:22 pm
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