After a long travel day from Medford, Oregon, I touched down at New York's LaGuardia Airport in the evening aboard a United Airlines flight. I selected LaGuardia Airport because the distance to the Manhattan Cruise Terminal on 12th Avenue was listed as just 8.1 miles--compared to 17.4 miles from JFK and 15.6 miles from Newark Airport.
For this one-night layover, I had pre-booked a stay at the Holiday Inn Express & Suites Woodside LaGuardia Airport, using one of my IHG reward nights. This particular property offers a complimentary breakfast and free airport shuttle service, making it a convenient choice for overnight flyers.
Once I collected my baggage, I phoned the front desk at 718-898-9868 and received clear instructions on where to meet the shuttle. By 6:00 PM, I was checked in and headed to my room to drop off my luggage before venturing out for dinner.
At 6:45 PM, I walked just two blocks to Woodside Pizza, a highly rated local favorite that also offers delivery. Right next door was Charlie’s Bar, a neighborhood hangout originally called Roddy’s Bar until its renaming in 1972. Charlie’s is as local as it gets, with a laid-back vibe and friendly faces. I ordered a Yuengling draft for just $6.
Then it was next door to Woodside Pizza for dinner. I opted for their large Penne Vodka Pasta Pizza—a rich and flavorful choice I highly recommend. With two additional drafts, the total came to $27.19 before tip. The New York taxes added a bit more than expected, but the quality made it worthwhile.
The walk back to the hotel felt safe and easy. The area was well-lit and active, and I appreciated the neighborhood feel of Woodside.
The next morning, I was down at breakfast by 7:30 AM. While enjoying the meal, I met Tom and Sheri from Tahoe, who, coincidentally, were also heading to board the Norwegian Pearl cruise that day. We decided to share an Uber, which picked us up at 9:45 AM in front of the hotel. Although it wasn’t far distance-wise, traffic was classic New York—absolutely terrible. We finally pulled up to the cruise terminal at 10:35 AM--a full hour to go just 8 miles. Total cost of the Uber ride for four: $84. On the positive side, the slow crawl through the city streets afforded a fantastic impromptu tour of Manhattan, with views of iconic landmarks and bustling neighborhoods that made the delay feel a little more worthwhile.
By 10:38 AM I was in the cruise check-in line, and by 11:47 AM I had cleared security, received my key card, and settled into my cabin. With several hours to spare before a 6:00 PM sail away, I took a short 10-minute stroll to one of my favorite Manhattan institutions—The Landmark Tavern at 626 11th Avenue.
Founded in 1868 by Patrick Henry Carley, this historic tavern once sat on the edge of the Hudson River before 12th Avenue was even built. Its second and third floors served as the Carley family’s residence until Prohibition forced a speakeasy operation upstairs. Today, it's one of the oldest continuously running establishments in New York and has retained its original charm. I was lucky enough to chat with the current owner, who’s held the reins for the past 20 years, and even meet a few of the locals who consider it their second home.
Another 10-minute walk brought me back to the cruise terminal, and just like that—I was onboard and ready to set sail.
#Landmark Tavern#Charlie's Sports Bar#Holiday Inn Express#LaGuardia#Woodside Pizza#Norwegian Pearl#Manhattan Cruise Terminal#River Cruise 2025
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