These are the 2024 winners for the best museums, boutiques, parks and more. Get going!
(Please note that the winners in LIC are listed alphabetically.)
ASTORIA
The Bonnie
29-12 23rd Ave, (718) 274-2105, thebonnie.com
Good food, strong drinks, nice ambiance, music that’s not too loud… This has been a top-notch date spot since it opened.
Tootles & French
36-15 Ditmars Blvd, (347) 642-3012, tootlesandfrench.com
Chill vibe and huge wine selection. Also, the owners and staff are great.
Ovelia
34-01 30th Ave, (718) 721-7217, ovelianyc.com
LIC
Dutch Kills
27-24 Jackson Ave, (718) 383-2724, dutchkillsbar.com
The best cocktails we’ve had in Queens. Maybe all of NYC? Low lighting and quiet tunes up the ambiance for a great night out.
Tournesol
50-12 Vernon Blvd, (718) 472-4355, tournesolnyc.com
Hearty French food, small tables (so you can get a good look at your companion) and friendly waitstaff.
ASTORIA
Lockwood
32-15 33rd St, (718) 626-6030, lockwoodshop.com
The Brass Owl
36-19 Ditmars Blvd, (347) 848-0905, thebrassowl.com
So many fun things in this store.
Gift Box
25-11 Broadway, (347) 813-4881, giftboxastoria.com
The Honey House at Astor Apiaries
33-22 23rd Ave, (201) 830-2337, astorapiaries.com
LIC
Book Culture LIC
26-09 Jackson Ave, (718) 440-3120, bookculture.com
A very fun store that doesn’t just have books; you can find all sorts of knick-knacks that could be great gifts. And the downstairs is for kids!
Fado
45-45 Center Blvd Suite 2, (914) 228-7788, shopfado.com
ASTORIA
Orangetheory Fitness
31-57 31st St, (718) 962-0800; 22-56 31st St, (917) 814-6272, orangetheory.com
Blink Fitness Astoria
32-27 Steinway St, (718) 880-3616, blinkfitness.com
LIC
Brooklyn Boulders Queensbridge
23-10 41st Ave, Queens, (718) 482-7078, qb.brooklynboulders.com
ASTORIA
Magician Salon
34-09 30th Ave, (718) 777-7798, instagram.com
Survey says: “Winnie is our favorite hairdresser.”
LIC
Otis & Finn Barbershop
11-16 44th Ave, (347) 507-1335, otisandfinn.com
Studio FIBA
23-01 41st Ave #1B, (718) 392-8515, studiofiba.com
ASTORIA
Q.E.D.
27-16 23rd Ave, (347) 451-3873, qedastoria.com
Bench Flour Bakers
43-18 25th Ave, benchflournyc.com
LIC
The Beast Next Door
42-51 27th St, (718) 255-1612, thebeastnextdoor.com
Focal Point Beer Co
43-50 12th St, focalpoint.beer
This is not super-close to any subway station, but it’s a really cool spot. It’s a big space, there are tons of beers on tap, and movies are projected on the walls. You can also bring in food, as they only have snacks.
ASTORIA
The Shillelagh Tavern
47-22 30th Ave, Astoria, (718) 728-9028, shillelaghtavern.com
Survey says: “Fantastic pub. More live music weekly than any other local spot.”
The LetLove Inn
27-20 23rd Ave, (718) 777-5683, letloveinn.com
Bohemian Hall & Beer Garden
29-19 24th Ave, (718) 274-4925, bohemianhall.com
LIC
Debbie’s (above Dutch Kills)
27-24 Jackson Ave
Fifth Hammer Brewing Company
10-28 46th Ave, (718) 663-2084, fifthhammerbrewing.com
ASTORIA
Museum of the Moving Image
36-01 35th Ave, (718) 777-6888, movingimage.org
The Noguchi Museum
9-01 33rd Rd, (718) 204-7088, noguchi.org
This is a high quality museum that is also a hidden gem. After going through the gallery rooms, be sure to relax in the tranquil garden.
LIC
Culture Lab LIC
5-25 46th Ave, (347) 848-0030, culturelablic.org
MoMA PS1
22-25 Jackson Ave, (718) 784-2084, momaps1.org
Warm-up is back! Last summer it was Friday nights, with DJs spinning and people dancing in the courtyard. Definitely a good time.
ASTORIA
Astoria Food Pantry
25-82 Steinway St, astoriafoodpantry.com
Dave’s Lesbian Bar
LIC
Culture Lab LIC
5-25 46th Ave, (347) 848-0030, culturelablic.org
We’re fortunate to have Culture Lab LIC—live music in the parking lots many nights during the warmer months, comedy shows, art exhibits and other cultural events.
ASTORIA
Astoria Park
19th St and 23rd Dr, (718) 626-8620, nycgovparks.org
It’s so nice that we have this great park in the neighborhood with excellent bridge and sunset views. We especially apprecaite the redone track.
Socrates Sculpture Park
32-01 Vernon Blvd, (718) 956-1819, socratessculpturepark.org
LIC
Gantry Plaza State Park
4-09 47th Rd, (718) 786-6385, parks.ny.gov
This is such a pleasant waterfront walk, and the views of Manhattan are second to none.
ASTORIA
Q.E.D.
27-16 23rd Ave, (347) 451-3873, qedastoria.com
There’s not just stand-up comedy here! They also have classes, open mics and a little gift shop.
LIC
Culture Lab LIC
5-25 46th Ave, (347) 848-0030, culturelablic.org
ASTORIA
Château le Woof
31-01 Vernon Blvd, (718) 626-9663, chateaulewoof.com
Bar Dalia
33-17 31st Ave, (347) 507-1218, bardalia.nyc
Survey says: “Runners-up: The Bonnie and Diamond Dogs.”
LIC
Focal Point Beer Co
43-50 12th St, focalpoint.beer
Survey says: “It was Takumen until they had to get rid of their outdoor dining :(”
ASTORIA
Q.E.D.
27-16 23rd Ave, (347) 451-3873, qedastoria.com
We’re so glad to see Q.E.D. continues to live on! We wish only the best to the new owner who takes over on March 1, 2025.
Grove 34
31-83 34th St, (347) 848-0361, grove34.com
We’ve seen some very funny comedians at this intimate venue.
ASTORIA
Lincoln Market
21-27 31st St, (718) 777-1120, lincolnmarket.com
Lidl
19-30 37th St, (844) 747-5435, lidl.com
LIC
Trader Joe’s
22-43 Jackson Ave, (718) 472-2672, traderjoes.com
Thank goodness for Trader Joe’s! They have the best snacks, and they somehow can keep the prices low for quality products.
ASTORIA
Astoria Park (especially during sunset)
19th St and 23rd Dr, (718) 626-8620, nycgovparks.org
The Honey House at Astor Apiaries
33-22 23rd Ave, (201) 830-2337, astorapiaries.com
Bohemian Hall & Beer Garden
29-19 24th Ave, (718) 274-4925, bohemianhall.com
Museum of the Moving Image
36-01 35th Ave, (718) 777-6888, movingimage.org
The Noguchi Museum
9-01 33rd Rd, (718) 204-7088, noguchi.org
LIC
Gantry Plaza State Park
4-09 47th Rd, (718) 786-6385, parks.ny.gov
You can walk out on one of the many piers, watch the dogs at the dog run, relax in a lounge chair, get a bite or drink at the cafe, ride of the two NYC ferries from LIC, or just stroll along the waterfront and take in the magnificant views.
ASTORIA
Best Secondhand Shopping: Hour Children
36-11 12th St, (718) 433-4724, hourchildren.org
Best Way to Get Involved: Attend a Community Board 1 meeting
LIC
Best Secondhand Shopping: Remix Market NYC
5-38 46th Ave, (929) 302-3954, remixmarketnyc.com
Survey results from December 2024. Click here for the results from December 2023, December 2022, December 2021, December 2020, December 2019, December 2018, December 2017, December 2016, January 2016, July 2015, January 2015.
