🇺🇸 Newark | NJ's Largest City Near NYC

Had a layover at Newark Liberty Airport today, and honestly? It’s not as chaotic as people say 🛫. Took a shuttle bus from Terminal C to Terminal A, then hopped on the Go28 bus—reached downtown in about 30 minutes 🚌. With limited time, I headed straight to the iconic Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart ⛪. As one of the largest Gothic Revival Catholic churches in the U.S. (and the 5th biggest overall), it was even more breathtaking in person. Pro tip: You can take the Go28 directly from EWR and get there in 40 minutes! From there, I walked toward Military Park. On the way, I crossed an overpass and caught a distant but clear silhouette of the Manhattan skyline 🌆. The weather was a bit gray, giving Newark a muted, almost cinematic vibe. The architecture here feels deeply historic, and with the autumn leaves turning red and yellow 🍁, the whole scene had a unique charm. As I neared downtown, the atmosphere shifted—more energy, more people 🚶♂️🚶♀️. While waiting for the bus back to the airport, I noticed the air was… well, let’s say distinctly aromatic 🍃💨. To return, I took Bus #62 from near Military Park—just 20 minutes straight to Terminal A. Check-in and security were surprisingly smooth, with plenty of counters open. From leaving the airport to returning and clearing security, the whole adventure took less than three hours. Efficiency win! ✅ Another state checked off: U.S. States Progress (11/50) — New Jersey ✅ #NewJersey #LayoverLife #NewarkAirport #USATravel #50StatesChallenge #NewarkNJ #SacredHeartBasilica #TravelDiaries #UrbanExploration