Guidebook for Queens
Parks & Nature
Great Farmer's Market and free summer yoga (10AM) on Saturdays, and otherwise a great place to slow down and enjoy views of Manhattan
238 locals recommend
Socrates Sculpture Park
32-01 Vernon BlvdGreat Farmer's Market and free summer yoga (10AM) on Saturdays, and otherwise a great place to slow down and enjoy views of Manhattan
Gantry Plaza State Park
4-44 47th RdAstoria Park
19 19th StThere's a great biking/running trail that starts in Queensboro Plaza and goes over the Ed Koch Queensboro Bridge. Great for a quick run or bike ride!
25 locals recommend
Queensboro Plaza station
There's a great biking/running trail that starts in Queensboro Plaza and goes over the Ed Koch Queensboro Bridge. Great for a quick run or bike ride!
Arts & Culture
MoMA PS1
22-25 Jackson Ave
Noguchi Museum
9-01 33rd RoadEssentials
Convenient and high quality grocery store - similar to Whole Foods, but homegrown in LIC
20 locals recommend
Foodcellar & Co.
43-18 Crescent StConvenient and high quality grocery store - similar to Whole Foods, but homegrown in LIC
Drinks & Nightlife
Great drinks, super chill neighborhoody vibe, and right next to the apartment!
23 locals recommend
The Beast Next Door
4251 27th StGreat drinks, super chill neighborhoody vibe, and right next to the apartment!
Technically a hostel, The Local also has a great, super hip bar popular with (as its name suggests) locals. Tucked away on an industrial, but very safe, street.
The Local NYC
13-02 44th AveTechnically a hostel, The Local also has a great, super hip bar popular with (as its name suggests) locals. Tucked away on an industrial, but very safe, street.
Speakeasy-in-style before speakeasies were cool - Dutch Kills is probably the best cocktail bar in Queens and is in a nondescript industrial building with just one light-up sign above, just down the block. (We're VERY lucky!)
104 locals recommend
Dutch Kills
27-24 Jackson AveSpeakeasy-in-style before speakeasies were cool - Dutch Kills is probably the best cocktail bar in Queens and is in a nondescript industrial building with just one light-up sign above, just down the block. (We're VERY lucky!)
Has one of the best rooftop views in the city - weekends tend to be for closed events, but weeknights is open for happy hour.
Vista Skylounge
27-05 39th AvenueHas one of the best rooftop views in the city - weekends tend to be for closed events, but weeknights is open for happy hour.
Comedy club for emerging comedians. Original to Gramercy, Manhattan.
13 locals recommend
The Standing Room
4738 Vernon BoulevardComedy club for emerging comedians. Original to Gramercy, Manhattan.
Entertainment & Activities
The Cliffs at LIC
11-11 44th DrThe biggest climbing gym in the city :)
Food Scene
My favorite spot in the neighborhood for working and/or a quick and inexpensive bite!
13 locals recommend
Communitea
11-18 46th RdMy favorite spot in the neighborhood for working and/or a quick and inexpensive bite!
Etto Espresso Bar
159-49 Cross Bay BoulevardGreat for a quick coffee on your way out. Try their Bulletproof!
Delicious, healthy, locally sourced - would be three times as expensive if it was in Manhattan!
56 locals recommend
LIC Market
21-52 44th DrDelicious, healthy, locally sourced - would be three times as expensive if it was in Manhattan!
Astoria Seafood
3710 33rd StHole-in-the-wall seafood joint that's affordable and oh-so-yum :)
COFFEED
37-18 Northern BlvdGreat cafe for working during the day!
M. Wells Steakhouse was one of the few reasons that Manhattanites used to come over to LIC, before LIC was cool. Consistently highly rated - and just down the block! Make it a night with Dutch Kills for a nightcap.
29 locals recommend
M. Wells Steakhouse
43-15 Crescent StM. Wells Steakhouse was one of the few reasons that Manhattanites used to come over to LIC, before LIC was cool. Consistently highly rated - and just down the block! Make it a night with Dutch Kills for a nightcap.
Healthy, creative takes on burgers in this increasingly popular NYC chain. Great for unique diets (gluten-free, paleo, etc) because almost any burger can be customized and ordered without the bun.
465 locals recommend
Bareburger
33-21 31st AveHealthy, creative takes on burgers in this increasingly popular NYC chain. Great for unique diets (gluten-free, paleo, etc) because almost any burger can be customized and ordered without the bun.
Open on Saturdays and Sundays during the summer (perhaps into fall?), LIC Flea & Food features delicious local eats from around the borough, as well as a handful of cute shops. I'd suggest making it over around 11AM, when everything is open, grabbing a bite, and then going over to Gantry State Park for gorgeous Manhattan views and a day in the sun!
24 locals recommend
LIC Flea & Food
5-25 46th AveOpen on Saturdays and Sundays during the summer (perhaps into fall?), LIC Flea & Food features delicious local eats from around the borough, as well as a handful of cute shops. I'd suggest making it over around 11AM, when everything is open, grabbing a bite, and then going over to Gantry State Park for gorgeous Manhattan views and a day in the sun!
Just around the corner, this is a great place to get some delicious coffee and enjoy a quiet morning in the courtyard!
284 locals recommend
Partners Coffee
125 N 6th StJust around the corner, this is a great place to get some delicious coffee and enjoy a quiet morning in the courtyard!
This small cafe/restaurant is a local gem. Located right on the corner of the John Murray Park and around the block from the MOMA PS1, this spot has absolutely delicious food that changes every day.
LIC Corner Cafe
21-03 45th RdThis small cafe/restaurant is a local gem. Located right on the corner of the John Murray Park and around the block from the MOMA PS1, this spot has absolutely delicious food that changes every day.
The best Thai food in Long Island City and a local fav. They've also got the best bubble tea in the area. Unfortunately, they don't deliver. (For that, order online from Spice LIC.)
29 locals recommend
Tuk Tuk
49-06 Vernon BlvdThe best Thai food in Long Island City and a local fav. They've also got the best bubble tea in the area. Unfortunately, they don't deliver. (For that, order online from Spice LIC.)
Brand new neighborhood Starbucks - if the Toby's Coffee across the street is a little too hipster!
491 locals recommend
Starbucks
405-409 Union AveBrand new neighborhood Starbucks - if the Toby's Coffee across the street is a little too hipster!
Chipotle Mexican Grill
193 W 237th StFor a quick bite a block from the apartment!
Delicious and hip upscale pizza. Great for date nights, but they've also put up with my loud boisterous family as well! Great courtyard on warm days.
11 locals recommend
Levante
26-21 Jackson AveDelicious and hip upscale pizza. Great for date nights, but they've also put up with my loud boisterous family as well! Great courtyard on warm days.
Great (though somewhat pricy) ramen, Japanese food, AND really great drinks. Hip and industrial.
8 locals recommend
Sapps
27-26 Jackson AveGreat (though somewhat pricy) ramen, Japanese food, AND really great drinks. Hip and industrial.
The secret of "Chinatown" in NYC is that Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Queens each has its own, though only the Manhattan Chinatown is called such. Flushing is my favorite, and has the best food, in my opinion. Have lots of dim sum and Sichuanese recommendations in particular, which I'm happy to share! Just ask.
89 locals recommend
Flushing
The secret of "Chinatown" in NYC is that Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Queens each has its own, though only the Manhattan Chinatown is called such. Flushing is my favorite, and has the best food, in my opinion. Have lots of dim sum and Sichuanese recommendations in particular, which I'm happy to share! Just ask.