Flight from EWR got in more-or-less exactly on time, so no bonus time to play with. (Which we would have had except it took an hour in the traffic jam waiting for take-off).

Had time to buy ticket, grab a train into Central, walked around for about 15-20 minutes - it looked pretty shabby in the area near the station, which is a pity, because I remember it cleaner and less drab, but that was 10+ years ago. Maybe had I ventured further afield I would not have been disappointed. So anyway I turned around and got a train back. Good job I did, because the Schengen passport/security lines were long and slow. Got to the gate with less than 5 minutes before they started boarding.

So - 2:50 is too tight to do anything useful. AND, NS do not take any credit cards without PINs. I'm not sure if they ONLY take Chip&Pin, or if an old fashioned 20th century US issued card with a pin assigned would work. Note to self - set up PINs when I get home.....!