New York LaGuardia Airport Transportation Guide

LaGuardia Airport, New York, NY 11371, www.panynj.org

The Gate to Manhattan

LaGuardia airport (LGA) is one of the most well-known, and well traveled airports in the country. As a New York City landmark, it has been featured in countless TV shows and movies; remember "The Terminal with Tom Hanks? Although you might already be familiar with LGA from the big screen, we'll tell you what to expect in person.

Things You'll Enjoy About LGA

Being so close to Manhattan, LGA has a big city vibe to it. It is busy, and fast paced. Delta Airlines redesigned its terminal fairly recently, and it is perhaps the best terminal in the building. There, you can find comfortable seats, with some even being equipped with iPads open to public use. A lot of the terminals also have easy access to electrical outlets to charge your devices.

How to Pass Time at LGA

If you're hungry and you have time on your hands, head to Bisoux Market. This eatery is a little pricey, but they have iPads at every table so you can browse the Internet or view digital magazines while eating. If you're not hungry, you can have a coffee or cappuccino to sip on while you kill time. You also order and pay through the iPad, so you don't have to wait around for a waiter.

If you are in the secured area around US Airways, you can find plenty of reading materials to pass the time. There is a waiting area between Gate 15 and Gate 22 that contains numerous magazines and periodicals. If you get there in between flights it is practically vacant, and you can have all the reading materials to yourself. The best part is that it is free!

Getting Fed at LGA

NYC is known for having an eclectic selection of restaurants, which is composed of all types of cuisines and cultural influences. LGA attempts to capture some of that in its food service areas.

One of the most popular restaurants, Vuelo Taqueria, serves a delicious selection of Mexican dishes. Vuelo Taqueria stands out from the chain Mexican restaurants by using locally produced ingredients made to serve quickly in the traditional Taqueria style. You'll find filling food items such as short ribs tacos garnished with pickled onions, and scrambled egg breakfast burritos. You can even find some Coca-Cola products that are produced for sale in Mexico. If you find yourself craving Mexican food, you can locate Vuelo Taqueria by going to the post-security food court located near the Delta Terminal.

Custom Burgers by Pat LaFrieda, located at the Terminal D food court, is the perfect choice for meat lovers. The restaurant's namesake is a well-known meat purveyor who created a special blend of meat for the restaurant's burgers. Surprisingly, the burgers are reasonably priced, starting at $4.75 for a single. You can choose from a wide variety of add-ons through the easy touch screen ordering system. You can even switch up the old burgers and fries combo by opting for fried pickles instead.

If you are in the mood for pizza, check out Crust in Terminal D. Here, you can customize your pizza with seemingly endless combinations. They also have some pre-chosen orders if you can't make up your mind. If pizza alone isn't enough, you can add a salad or dish of anti-pasta. iPads are located at every table so that customers can conveniently put in their order. Don't skip this place just because it is breakfast time, they also have a tasty breakfast pizza!

Some Other Things You Should Know

If you plan on sleeping in the airport, the lack of comfortable seating means you may be stuck on the floor. We mean that literally, you may get stuck to the floor since it’s so dirty from all the foot traffic. You can prepare ahead of time by bringing a large blanket or towel to lie on. You should also bring an eye mask and earplugs to rest comfortably.

Also, if you are catching a nap in the pre-security area, make sure to keep your belongings close. It is not uncommon for purse snatching and other small thefts to occur. Try to catch some Z's near other groups of travelers, or areas where airport staff are nearby to thwart off sticky hands.