✈️ LaGuardia, I Owe You an Apology

I already wrote about my first reaction to arriving at LaGuardia Airport after not flying through LGA for a very, very long time.

But now I found a picture of LaGuardia from the 1990s, which is much closer to the airport I remember.

Put that picture next to the photos I took this weekend and...

Are we sure this is the same airport?

Seriously.

The old LaGuardia wasn't exactly an airport you arrived at early to soak up the atmosphere.

Low ceilings.

Fluorescent lighting.

Narrow corridors.

Crowded gate areas.

People sitting wherever they could find a spot.

Limited food choices.

And yes, I remember seeing rats running around in the drop ceiling.

That old photo brought it all back.

Then look at LaGuardia today.

📸 The Before-and-After Is Ridiculous

The 1990s picture almost looks like it came from a completely different era of air travel.

Because, well...

It did.

Compare that with the pictures I took this weekend.

Huge open spaces.

High ceilings.

Natural light.

Modern architecture.

Wide walkways.

Moving walkways.

Plenty of seating.

Restaurants and food options everywhere.

The difference isn't subtle.

It's astonishing.

Walking into the American Airlines check-in area, I actually stopped to take a picture because I couldn't believe I was standing in LaGuardia.

The check-in area is huge, bright, clean, and open.

Then I made my way farther into the terminal and had essentially the same reaction.

This is LGA?!

If your last memory of LaGuardia looks anything like that picture from the 1990s, you might have the same reaction I did.

🗽 And Then There's the View

I also took a picture of the view from LGA.

That's another thing I had forgotten about flying through LaGuardia.

You're right there in Queens, with New York City surrounding you, and depending on your approach or departure, you can get some fantastic views.

On my flight into New York, I caught a great view of Lower Manhattan during our descent.

On the way home, I got another chance to appreciate where the airport sits.

But there was still one final test.

⏰ What About the Famous LGA Delays?

The physical airport may have changed, but there was one part of the old LaGuardia experience I was fully expecting to revisit:

The delay.

Before all of these improvements, delays and LGA seemed to go together like New York and pizza.

You'd get to the airport.

Find your gate.

Sit down.

And wait.

Then you'd hear:

"Ladies and gentlemen, we have a short delay..."

And everyone familiar with LaGuardia would collectively think:

Of course we do.

This time, I was actually expecting a delay before departure.

And then something very strange happened.

We left.

No hours sitting around.

No endless mystery delay.

No wondering if I needed to find somewhere to sleep.

We got on the plane and took off.

I even recorded video of the takeoff because after everything I remembered about LGA, departing without that expected delay almost seemed worthy of documentation.

✈️ This May Change How I Travel to New York

Over the years, I've often used Newark (EWR) or JFK, depending on where I was going.

If I needed a rental car or was heading to the northern New Jersey suburbs, Newark often made sense.

JFK was another option depending on the flight and destination.

LaGuardia?

For a long time, it wasn't necessarily my first choice.

After this trip, that may change.

For getting into Queens and New York City, LGA was incredibly convenient.

I flew nonstop from Charleston.

Landed at LaGuardia.

Got over to Astoria quickly.

And when it was time to leave, I went through a clean, modern, comfortable airport and actually departed without the delay I had been expecting.

From THIS to THIS

That's what makes the old picture so much fun to include.

Look at 1990s LaGuardia.

Then look at the pictures I took in 2026.

If you haven't flown through LGA in years, erase whatever image you have in your head.

Because that airport no longer exists.

Airports aren't usually something I get excited about. They're a means to an end.

You go through security, buy an absurdly expensive drink, find your gate, and hope the person sitting next to you understands the universally accepted laws governing airplane armrests.

But this transformation deserves recognition.

So, LaGuardia...

I owe you an apology.

I remembered you as crowded terminals, low ceilings, people sitting on the floor, rats above my head, and seemingly inevitable delays.

Instead, you gave me a beautiful modern airport, great views, tons of food choices, easy access to Queens, and an on-time departure.

And that old photo proves something else:

My memory wasn't exaggerating quite as much as you might think.

I can't believe I'm saying this, but...

I'm actually looking forward to flying through LGA again.

Nicely done, New York.

Springhill Suites - Long Island City Review. Great Staff and Spacious Room, With a Few Accessibility and Noise Issues

I was in town for just one day to attend an “old guys” fraternity gathering in a backyard in Astoria/Long Island City. My flight arrived at LaGuardia shortly before 9:00 a.m., and I reached the SpringHill Suites around 9:30. I politely asked whether an early check-in might be possible because I was hoping to take a nap before the party—I’m old! They accommodated me immediately. SCORE!

Since Saturday breakfast ran until 10:30, I grabbed a plate of bacon and found a seat. At 9:30, the first-floor breakfast area was packed, with guests cutting in front of one another as if it were the apocalypse and the world had run out of toilet paper again. Through it all, the breakfast staff worked incredibly hard to keep the area clean, replenish food, and answer questions.

My room on the 12th floor was spacious by New York City standards. As an above-the-knee amputee, I had requested an accessible room with a roll-in shower. Like many Marriott-family hotels I’ve visited, the room seemed to meet the basic ADA requirements: grab bars, a handheld showerhead, and anchored bottles of shampoo, conditioner, and body wash.

However, the shower did not have a built-in bench, which I usually find in roll-in showers. The staff quickly provided a shower chair, so that was an easy fix. A few practical improvements would make the room much more usable for actual ADA guests. The shower tray should be closer to the mounted toiletries so guests can also place their own soaps within reach. The towels were left on the sink, forcing me to scoot the shower chair over to retrieve them because I do not shower while wearing my prosthetic leg. Placing towels within reach of the shower would make a meaningful difference.

The hotel has three elevators, but they are small considering the number of guest rooms. A line frequently formed in the lobby. The elevators are fast—unless yours turns into the local train and stops on every floor.

The hotel is in a very industrial area, although new residential buildings are being constructed or converted nearby. There is a bodega at the end of one block and a DoubleTree at the other. There is also a street-cart guy nearby, and I got a combo over rice from him at an awesome price by any standard—especially for New York City.

Rideshare vehicles can reach the hotel, but street parking narrows the remaining roadway. Since I move slowly, the cars behind my rideshare had to wait while I got out.

The first-floor gym, which I did not use, is about the size of a large Manhattan studio apartment. There are also three universally accessible restrooms near the gym. The hotel market uses a self-checkout system: select an item, scan it, and pay by card—no cash. Security is stationed at the entrance, which has become fairly typical at New York City hotels.

Noise was the biggest drawback. I could have sworn I smelled cigarette smoke coming from another room on my floor. Doors slammed throughout the night and into the morning, and some younger guests near my room seemed to be having a party in the hallway. I understand that people want to ensure their doors are securely closed, but the constant slamming was disruptive. Having security periodically patrol the guest floors—using the type of scan system commonly used in hospitals and office buildings—could help address smoking, hallway gatherings, and excessive noise.

Despite those concerns, the staff was absolutely awesome. Their friendliness, hard work, and willingness to help made the overall experience a good one. The early check-in alone was greatly appreciated, and the staff truly made this hotel shine.

It’s 10 PM. I Shouldn’t Be Eating This. But the Food Cart Called Me.

It's 10:00 PM in New York City.

I've had a long day.

I've eaten plenty.

I'm back at the hotel.

The responsible thing to do would be to drink some water, get into bed, and call it a night.

There was just one problem.

The food cart outside my hotel was calling me.

And I don't mean figuratively.

I walked outside, and I'm pretty sure I heard:

"Niel... Niiiiiel... come get some chicken and lamb over rice..."

What was I supposed to do?

Ignore it?

That would be rude.

🌃 This Is New York Street Food

The cart has exactly what you'd expect from a New York City street food cart:

Chicken over rice.

Lamb over rice.

Falafel over rice.

Gyros.

Hot dogs.

And enough other options displayed on the side of the cart to make you stand there staring at the menu much longer than necessary.

But I knew what I wanted.

Chicken and lamb over saffron rice.

Add the lettuce.

Add the tomatoes.

And absolutely give me the white sauce.

Hot sauce?

Nope.

I've learned that lesson before.

My stomach and hot sauce have a complicated relationship. Actually, that's being generous.

My stomach has clearly communicated its boundaries.

I'm respecting them.

💰 Wait... That's the Price?!

Then came the biggest surprise of the night.

The entire plate was just over $10.

In.

New. York. City.

Are you kidding me?

I was fully prepared for the guy to tell me it was $15. Maybe more.

It's 10 PM. I'm hungry. I'm in New York. He has possession of the chicken and lamb.

He has all the negotiating power.

Instead, just over ten bucks.

At that price, I happily added another 20% tip for the guy working the cart.

And somehow this gets even more ridiculous.

Earlier, I bought two bottles of Coke Zero from the hotel.

Almost $8.

Let me make sure I understand the economics here:

🥤 Two Coke Zeros from the hotel: almost $8

🍗🐑 A giant container of chicken AND lamb over saffron rice, with lettuce, tomato and white sauce from a New York City street cart: just over $10

Someone, please explain this to me.

Actually, don't.

I don't want anyone investigating and telling the food-cart guy he needs to raise his prices.

🤤 And Was It Worth Eating at 10 PM?

Look at the picture.

You already know the answer.

Chicken.

Lamb.

Saffron rice.

Lettuce.

Tomatoes.

White sauce everywhere.

No hot sauce because I would like to enjoy the rest of my trip without my digestive system filing a formal complaint.

And it is amazing.

Was eating this at 10 PM a good decision?

Nutritionally?

Probably not.

Financially?

ABSOLUTELY.

Spiritually?

I'm going with yes.

After a day of hanging out with friends and family, eating New York backyard food, missing my Broadway show because I was having too much fun, and riding through Queens at night, this feels like the appropriate ending.

Tomorrow I'll worry about responsible eating.

Tonight?

The cart called.

I answered.

And for just over $10 in New York City, I'm very glad I did.

Sometimes Missing the Show Means I Had a Great Day

Today was awesome.

After spending days watching the New York weather forecast bounce all over the place—55% chance of rain, then 77% with thunderstorms, then suddenly looking pretty good—I couldn't have asked for much better.

The temperature stayed in the mid-70s, the humidity was low, there was some sunshine, and toward the end of the day we got a raindrop here and there.

That's it.

Apparently, I spent several days worrying about New York weather for absolutely no reason.

And I'm perfectly okay with that.

This Was Why I Came to New York

Yes, I wanted the New York bagels.

Yes, I wanted the pizza.

Yes, I wanted to see what they did to LaGuardia.

And yes, I had plans to see a Broadway show.

But none of those things were really why I got on a plane this morning.

Today was about the people.

I got to spend the afternoon hanging out with friends and people who are basically family—people I've grown up with and known for years but don't get to see nearly as often as I'd like.

We talked.

We laughed.

We gave each other a hard time.

Because that's what you do with people you've known forever.

There are friendships where you haven't seen someone in a long time, but within about five minutes of being together, it's as if no time has passed at all.

Today felt like that.

And Then There Was the Food

Oh, the food.

I also got something I've been missing for a while:

New York City backyard food.

Not a fancy restaurant.

Not something carefully arranged on a plate so someone can take a picture of it for Instagram.

I'm talking about the kind of food you eat while you're hanging around outside with people you've known forever.

Good food.

Good people.

Good conversation.

And absolutely no reason to rush anywhere.

Which brings me to Broadway.

🎭 About That & Juliet Ticket...

Remember that ticket I bought for & Juliet?

Yeah.

I missed it.

I stayed at the gathering so long that by the time I left, there was no chance I was making the show.

And you know what?

I don't care.

Thankfully, the ticket was $49, not the approximately $200 I would have spent to see Paranormal Activity.

Would I have liked to see & Juliet?

Absolutely.

Was spending more time with friends and family I rarely get to see worth losing $49?

Absolutely.

Broadway will be there the next time I'm in New York.

Days like today aren't nearly as easy to reschedule.

I'd make the same decision again.

🌃 A Ride Through Queens

Eventually, though, the day had to come to an end.

On the ride back to my hotel, SpringHill Suites in Long Island City, I got to take some pictures as we headed south on Vernon Boulevard, just past the Roosevelt Island Bridge and toward the Queensboro/59th Street Bridge.

It was one of those rides where I could just look out the window and enjoy being back in New York.

No rushing to Broadway.

No checking the weather app.

No wondering whether I was going to get rained out.

Just enjoying the ride.

And I'm glad I took some pictures along the way.

🌯 But the Night Isn't Quite Over

Now I'm back at the hotel.

There's a street food vendor right outside, which means I have one final decision to make tonight.

Actually, who am I kidding?

The decision has already been made.

I'm getting something over rice.

Chicken?

Lamb?

Combo?

I haven't decided yet.

But something is going over rice, and I'm going to eat it.

Then I think I'm officially done.

This morning started with a flight from Charleston, a completely transformed LaGuardia Airport, an early hotel check-in and a plate of bacon.

It ends after a beautiful day with people I don't get to see enough, great New York food, a Broadway show I happily missed, a nighttime ride through Queens and, apparently, a plate of street-cart food.

I came to New York wondering whether the weather would ruin the trip.

Instead, I got exactly the kind of day I came here for.

Sometimes the plans you miss aren't nearly as important as the moments that made you miss them.

Today was worth the trip.

✈️ I Made It to New York—and What Happened to LaGuardia?!

I made it!

After days of watching the weather forecast go from 55% rain to 77% rain with thunderstorms and then back to almost nothing, I got on the plane in Charleston this morning and headed to New York.

It has been a very, very long time since I've flown into LaGuardia Airport, and I have one question:

What did they do with the old LGA?!?

Seriously.

The LaGuardia I remember and the LaGuardia I walked through today seem like two completely different airports.

It's new. It's clean. It's bright.

There are food options everywhere.

People aren't sitting on the floor waiting for their flights because there aren't enough seats.

And, perhaps most importantly...

I didn't see any rats running around in the drop ceiling.

If you flew through the old LaGuardia, you know I'm not necessarily exaggerating. 😂

This place has changed.

🗽 Now THAT'S a New York Welcome

As we descended into LaGuardia, I was also able to catch a picture of Lower Manhattan from the plane.

That's one of those views that immediately tells you:

Yep. I'm back in New York.

There's something about seeing Manhattan from the air that never gets old.

Then it was time to start working through today's agenda.

👻 Paranormal Activity Didn't Happen

I had hoped to score one of the same-day Rush Tickets for Paranormal Activity.

That didn't happen.

And I'm still not paying around $200 for a ticket.

I wanted to see some ghosts, but not badly enough to have one haunt my credit-card statement for the next month.

But Broadway isn't completely off the agenda.

I got a ticket to see & Juliet instead!

So tonight I'll be heading to Broadway after the party to see something I hadn't originally planned on seeing.

Sometimes those spontaneous choices end up being the most fun.

I'll post afterward and let you know what I thought of it.

🥓 Hotel Accomplishment Unlocked

Next challenge: Could I check into the hotel early?

YES.

That might actually be today's biggest victory.

I got into my room, dropped everything off, and then took care of another extremely important New York travel priority.

I grabbed a plate of bacon.

Because obviously.

So let's review:

✈️ Made it to New York.

🗽 Saw Lower Manhattan from the air.

😳 Discovered that LaGuardia apparently became a completely different airport while I wasn't looking.

🏨 Got an early hotel check-in.

🥓 Ate bacon.

👻 Failed to get a Paranormal Activity Rush Ticket.

🎭 Got an & Juliet ticket instead.

🎉 Party starts at 1:00 PM.

I'd say we're doing pretty well.

And now, after I hit publish on this...

I'm taking a nap for a few hours before the party.

Because apparently my New York itinerary also includes scheduled unconsciousness.

Stay tuned. There is still a lot of Saturday left.