Unmissable Things to Do in Long Island City and Astoria in Queens NY

WHY GO: Before we get into all the great things to do in Long Island City and neighboring Astoria, we should answer one burning question: Is Long Island City on Long Island or in Queens? And to that we say, well. both.

Where Is Long Island City?

Long Island City (LIC), and its neighbor, Astoria, sits on the westernmost part of New York City’s borough of Queens which, like Brooklyn, is in fact on the land mass called Long Island, but not considered of “Long Island”. (“Long Island” consists of Nassau and Suffolk Counties, which are not boroughs of NYC). It faces Manhattan across the East River, where the Queensboro Bridge crosses Roosevelt Island.

The neighborhood is much more than its famed views of the Manhattan skyline – or its pop-art Pepsi-Cola sign. It’s a cultural hotbed teeming with green spaces, contemporary art, and unparalleled cityscapes. Here’s your ultimate guide to the must-see spots when you visit Long Island City – and neighboring Astoria.

Queens has been experiencing a renaissance of late: the area is once again a center for moviemaking, television production, and the arts, high rises dominate the riverfront, and there are excellent restaurants and growing number of hotels. Come to Long Island City NY to stay and play. We’ll show you the way.

New York State is huge – and of course we’ve got plenty of weekend ideas for you and your honey. So check out our Best Romantic Getaways in New York post.

Things to Do in Long Island City and Neighboring Astoria

GO: Museum of The Moving Image, Astoria

Years ago, on a visit to the Museum of the Moving Image (MOTMI), I had to literally tiptoe around the galleries. IBM was shooting an ad, featuring author Stephen King, throughout the various halls and theaters. And so, to quote a certain cartoon character, I had to be vewwy, vewwy quiet. Apparently, this kind of thing goes on quite often at the world’s top museum devoted to the moving picture industry.

The Museum of the Moving Image, renovated and expanded in 2011, is not only a repository of everything to do with movie-making –  its history, representations, and interactive exhibits –  it’s an in-the-now movie set harking back to Astoria’s past.

Astoria, Queens has been home to filmmaking since technology imbued a series of still photographs with the illusion of movement. The museum’s history is tied to the next-door Astoria Studios, which opened in 1920 and became Paramount Picture’s East Coast facility.

The Marx Brothers W.C. Fields, and Valentino starred in movies that were filmed here before Paramount moved completely to Los Angeles in 1933.

In the ‘40s, The U.S. Army used the studios to make instructional films, but moved out in the mid-1970s, leaving 13 buildings in a decrepit state. The Motion Picture Guild expressed interest in bringing the movie biz back to Queens.

Astoria Studios Reborn

Taking up the charge in the early 1980s, developer George Kaufman bought and refurbished the studios, naming it Kaufman-Astoria Studios. Orange is the New Black, Sesame St., the Borne movies, and dozens of other shows were produced here.

You’ll want to spend the better part of a day exploring multiple galleries and theaters, which, in addition to spectacular interactive exhibits, offer a range of programming.

These include the introduction of Indie films (500 screenings/year from classic to experimental), Major Motion Picture previews featuring Q&A’s with star actors and directors, and discussions covering all aspects of the movie industry, in a brand new 267-seat theater.

Discover artifacts and information from the birth of moving pictures to the advent of the internet. One well-trafficked exhibit focused on the popularity of Cat Videos, Though the delivery devices have changed over the years, the process of creating moving images has not.

Galleries and Interactive Exhibits at MOTMI

File through a series of galleries, starting with The Hall of Cameras through the ages. See costumes, licensing merchandise from the ‘20’s, first video games, and celebrity “life masks.” These were done to create life-like prosthetics, employed for special effect.

But the most popular areas of the museum are interactive. You can appear in your own flip book.

Make a short stop-motion animation video which you can then email to yourself. Rehearse and then dub over and record dialog from a classic movie.  And insert your own sound effects into dramatic scenes – the sillier the better.

Along the way, you’ll learn about the complex editing involved in a typical sporting event.  Director Bill Webb uses a “Mets Vs. Padres” game as an example to show how he puts together a game in real-time from 14 feed.

You’ll also learn how some of the more befuddling special effects are accomplished.  For example, Natalie Portman’s neck expanded via a hydraulic pump and rubberized prosthetic “life mask,” in Black Swan.

End your visit in the old-fashioned arcade where you can play games of Pong, Packman, and Space Invaders on original machines.

VISIT: Noguchi Museum – Astoria

Japanese American sculptor Isamu Noguchi moved to Queens in 1961 due to the accessibility of professional stonecutters. He eyed an abandoned photo engraving plant, junkyard and gas station across the street from his studio as a potential location to showcase his designs to patrons.

In 1974, Noguchi purchased the buildings and renovated them into a zen-like series of galleries. In 1985, these galleries were turned into the Noguchi Museum: an exhibit of his work.

Noguchi was born in Los Angeles in 1904 to an unmarried Irish mother and Japanese father. Curious about his Japanese heritage, he visited Japan and was transfixed by the traditional lanterns produced in his Father’s hometown of Gifu.

In the 1950’s he riffed on these lanterns, producing the “Akari Light Sculptures,” which to this day, along with his iconic tables and couches, remain his most popular designs.

Until his death in 1988, Noguchi was an experimental and prolific artist, working in stone, ceramic, wood, metal and large-scale landscapes. The courtyard garden, featuring Japanese flora (Cherry Blossom Trees) mixed with American plantings (Birch and Magnolia trees), is the museum’s most beloved space.

Noguchi fashioned set pieces for Martha Graham and Eric Hawkins Dance Companies, built public playground equipment, and created furniture through Herman Miller and Knoll. You’ll find all of these works here, as well as architectural models and drawings.

The museum, consisting of ten indoor galleries on two floors, and the acclaimed outdoor sculpture garden, has been renovated several times since 2004. Fortunately, designers overseeing each renovation kept the integrity of the building and Noguchi’s original intent in mind.

The Gift Shop is chock full of Noguchi designs, from lanterns to the iconic paisley-shaped coffee table ($1,250 by Herman Miller).

As part of his estate (Noguchi had no children and never married), sales of his designs, still in production, help support this museum.

VISIT: MoMA PS1, Long Island City

Set inside an 1890’s school building, this contemporary art museum is The Museum of Modern Art PS1, Manhattan’s much edgier sister. Three floors of thought-provoking and experimental exhibits, videos, and other installations will keep you busy (and sometimes scratching your head) for a couple of hours.

VISIT: Sculpture Center, Long Island City

Founded in 1928, Sculpture Center is the only contemporary art museum in New York City dedicated to sculpture, though it embraces other forms of related art as well.

Moving over the years from Brooklyn to the Upper East Side and finally to this former 1908 trolley repair shop (still featuring tracks and pulleys in a soaring ceiling) in 2001, Sculpture Center houses dynamic works from emerging and underrepresented artists.

The space was renovated to the specs of designer, Maya Lin in 2002. It’s expansion and renovation by Andrew Berman Architects in 2014 retained the integrity of the trolley workshop while creating a stunning environment for contemporary artists to best show their creations.

Themed shows change every four months, integrating video installations and live performances around innovative works of art. Check website for hours and admission fees.

WALK: Socrates Sculpture Park (one block from the Noguchi Museum) Long Island City

Next door to Costco on Vernon Blvd. in Long Island City, the small Socrates Sculpture Park fronts the East River. It’s a favorite with dog walkers and art aficionados who prefer their river views backed by Manhattan skyline. It is also the only public area in the city committed to providing large-scale artists a chance to showcase their work, not to mention a gathering place for programming (like meditation, gardening classes, and dance). Open 10am to dusk daily, free.

DO: East River Ferry from Hunters Point Park, Long Island City 

Take the New York Water Taxi to Manhattan, or just go along for the ride.  Afterward, stroll the Park’s East River Esplanade.

Long Island City Restaurants

COFFEE: Sweetleaf

An early pioneer of “hipster” LIC, Sweetleaf coffeehouse was the brainchild of two heavy metal rockers about 15 years ago.

Though other outposts have opened, be sure to visit the original Sweetleaf on Jackson Ave. It’s got cool antique counters, pressed tin walls and ceiling, and distressed seating. The baked goods are so incredibly decadent, lines form out the door every morning.

EAT: Café Henri

Sister of local Michelin-starred, Casa Enrique, this tiny French spot, Cafe Henri, puts one in mind of a classic Left Bank café. The rosemary-herbed Croque Monsieur is a lovely fragrant twist on the traditional.

EAT: Near Court Square

Court Square Diner, and Han Dynasty Long Island City (original in Philly) all win high marks from locals. Nearby, Red Sorghum, Jara, and 4747 LIC are also highly ranked in what is always a very subjective NYC conversation.

Best Place To Stay (Boutique) In Long Island City

STAY: The Boro Hotel

For travelers seeking a blend of industrial chic and modern comfort, the Boro Hotel in Long Island City is an ideal choice. The hotel offers striking views of the Manhattan skyline, easily one of its selling points. The minimalist design of its rooms is elegantly offset by touches of wood and exposed concrete, offering a cozy yet contemporary ambiance.

With its convenient location—just a short subway ride from Manhattan—the Boro Hotel serves as a fantastic base for exploring both Long Island City and the iconic sights of the Big Apple. Adding to its allure are the in-house restaurant and rooftop bar, where you can savor quality cuisine and cocktails while soaking in panoramic views of New York City.

More New York City Getaways:

• Discover Awe-Inspiring Culture In Flushing NY (Queens)
• Downtown NYC: The Ultimate Traveler’s Checklist
• Midtown Manhattan Uncovered: Must-See Romantic Spots for Couples

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