[sorrygottarunway]

I've found that if you're on with approach, flight following takes a big burden (although doesn't relieve you of your duties of see + avoid) off of your shoulders, as approach will be pointing traffic out to you. They will also hand you off nicely to the next controller, whom you will tell what you want to do. You can even ask to fly directly over LGA, remain south of the 2 bridges (Throgs Neck and Whitestone) before continuing on your way.