<p>I'm an international junior from Mexico and I'm applying ED later this year. I've spent countless hours researching this school online and now I really want to visit the campus. I'm studying abroad in China this semester and my flight connects in JFK. On my outbound flight, I have a nearly 7 hour layover in JFK, so I would love to take a train to Columbia to visit! I arrive in JFK at 5:45 in the morning and my international flight departs at 12:40PM. I've only been to NYC once before, and I drove in from Connecticut, so I'm not familiar with Airport-City transportation. I researched online and I figured out that if everything goes fine (no delays) I could be in Columbia for 2-3 hours. </p>
<p>So my question is, what should I do once in Columbia? I looked online for tours or information sessions, but they start at 10AM earliest and I should be heading back to the airport by then. I'm emailing the Columbia Visitors Center, but in case they can't do anything for me, what should I do once in Columbia? Any places on campus where I can have breakfast? </p>
<p>Not to be really creepy, but when are you coming (what day)? If you come before Jan. 22nd all campus dining will be closed as far as I know, and most of the student population will just be coming back from break. I would eat breakfast off campus in one of the places on Amsterdam or Broadway. Without knowing when you’ll be here (relative to our school schedule) I don’t really know what to suggest, but generally I would just walk around campus and see how you like it. Our hedges seem to be a polarizing aspect :P</p>
<p>I’m gonna be there on Wednesday February the 13th. Yeah, I’ll probably just end up walking around Columbia. I wanted to have breakfast on campus so I could spend more time there, but it’s no big deal really, I can always grab a coffee on my way there. Are the dining halls open to the public, though, or are they just for students? If so I guess I could go to Ferris Booth or something.</p>
<p>By February 13th, the semester will be in full swing. For breakfast, you can go to Nussbaum & Wu, a popular bakery on Broadway that opens at 7 am. There’s also Hamilton Deli, on Amsterdam, which is open 24 hours a day. Since you’ll be there so early in the morning, you probably won’t be able to do much besides walk around.</p>
<p>By the way, how are you planning to get to Columbia from JFK and back?</p>
<p>+1 everything that pwoods said. The earliest dining halls are open is 8am. I would not recommend going to Ferris Booth (which opens at 8) unless you are VERY hungry as you will pay $13-15 (I forget what it is). It is all you can eat, but you can get better quality food in the neighborhood for the same price. If you really want to patronize a campus dining place, go to Cafe 212 on the first floor of Lerner. If you eat “off campus” at any of the places pwoods mentioned you’ll be no more than 5 minutes walking from campus.</p>
<p>Do keep in mind that JFK to Columbia is a bit of a trek… be prepared for delays.</p>
<p>The Nussbaum & Wu bakery sounds nice, I’ll probably go there. Thanks for the suggestions! </p>
<p>I plan on taking the Airtrain to Jaimaica, then the LIRR to Penn Station and then the subway to Columbia. I’ve read it takes , is that correct? Will I be fine if I go back to JFK 2 and a half hours before my flight? </p>
<p>You could take the Airtrain to the subway station at Howard Beach and take the A train right there to 59th St./Columbus Circle, and change there for the #1 train to Columbia. Less than an hour on the A train and 20 minutes on the #1 train. Very direct and easier (and fewer) changes than from the Airtrain to the Long Island Railroad to the subway.</p>