I have a long layover in Newark, 5 PM - 11:55 PM. Please remind me of my options. I heard the VIP CO lounge is not worth a day pass.

That's not long. I have the same in Houston on the way there in a couple weeks, plus a 10-hour layover on the return (thanks to using miles for the flight, but then at least 3 of the 4 legs are in first class!).

I'm not sure what a day pass costs at the CO President's Club, but it's all-you-can-drink if you want to get your money's worth and that's your sort of thing. Otherwise, you can stuff yourself on cheese and crackers and potato chips, as they unfortunately don't have real food like international carriers' lounges. There's a TV room, free wifi, comfortable chairs, and even showers. Lockers to store your carry-ons if you just want to roam the airport hands-free. I get in as a member so it's a no-brainer for me, but obviously the value of a daypass goes up the longer your layover lasts.

If you want a nice long steak dinner to kill some time, Gallagher's has decent beef. The only problem is that I'm boycotting them after they promised me over the phone that they would be open and I could order dinner until a certain time on a previous flight. We ran, literally, from the gate all the way to Gallagher's, no short distance, only be told when we arrived there panting and out of breath that they already stopped serving because there weren't any customers, even though we were still 5 minutes before the cut-off time that I was promised over the phone.

I'm actually surprised TSA didn't shoot me the way I yelled a stream of profanities at the top of my diver-lung assisted voice, but then it's New Jersey and so no one barely noticed. The steaks are good, but after the great low prices in Bonaire, you'll get sticker shock.

There's a tram to a train that takes you right to Penn Station, which could be fun for a few hours, but that wouldn't be as much fun if you're laden with carry-ons. I did it once with a week's worth of check-in luggage and it really sucked. I think a cab to NYC is $45 each way? You certainly don't want to risk getting stuck in traffic and missing your connection, though.

Maybe Newark is fun for a few hours. I wouldn't know. I don't know anyone who's been there.

The only 'fun' things to do in Newark are (1) attend Newark Bears baseball game or (2) attend event at NJPAC (www.njpac.org), otherwise, I do my best to stay out of Newark at night. (full disclosure - I did my MBA at Rutgers-Newark, so I spend 3-4 years hauling there 2-3 nights/week).

If you really want to leave the airport, I would suggest a trip to Jersey Gardens. It's a great outlet mall, just 'across' the turnpike from the airport. The mall also has a decent Loews movie theater if you want to take in a movie. I posted a while back some info on a shuttle service they have to/from the airport.

Continental just cancelled our 7:30 p.m. flight to Newark; now we have to go earlier, which means a longer layover in Newark.

Not sure if we have the guts to actually leave the airport--and the Continental VIP lounge is $45. per person. What's the rest of the airport like? Any suggestions what to do with 5 hours?

Actually, a movie might work, if it's as close as the above poster suggests.

Thanking everyone in advance...