Some NYC travel tips. I like to take the PATH into Jersey (Hoboken/Jersey City stops) and then get out and cab it to Newark airport. Of course, I'm usually already downtown (financial district) so it is a matter of walking two blocks to the PATH and waiting about 2 minutes for a train. Otherwise, spot on GR, those tunnels and Newark can go to hell. LGA meanwhile has made some great progress on their renovations. Its still damn close to a 3rd world airport, but definite improvements, perhaps CV came at a good time for that.
Blocks indeed are 'short' north to south, but not the case E-W. The other tactical problem many will face, if you're on the eastern half of the US you might not have many NS choices to JFK. Of course the opposite is true, if you're on the West Coast, you *won't ever see a flight to LGA (runway length makes it a non-starter for transcontinental flights (larger planes).
I've regrettably flown a bunch here in '22 (worst year in my life for air travel by far), and NYC, with Boston and Minneapolis 2nd/3rd, are just not 'back' to the same buzz and activity that I'm used to seeing. I couldn't believe how completely dead downtown Minneapolis was on multiple beautiful weather afternoons and evenings in early June. North Loop/Warehouse were in good spirits though. SF was surprisingly lively, but I would caution, you get a few blocks west of the financial district (Union Square and west) and it is a disgusting mess of a city. Quite sad. We all (I think) know about the chronic homeless issues in the larger West Coast cities.
the least surprising statement: I was in Clearwater/Tampa/Orlando this past week. I see nothing that tells me there's been a pandemic. our resident FL folks know this of course, but they don't seem to have missed a beat (other than canceling flights

, which isn't reserved to FL).
* LGA has a perimeter rule, which prohibits west coast flights (besides Denver which of course is not on the coast, and then some Saturday exceptions, I think Spirit has tried to offer a LGA/LAX Saturday flight)