These are the winners for the best museums, boutiques, gyms, music venues, parks, and more. Get going!
Astoria Social
[email protected], astoria-social.com
Survey says: “Softball, darts, kickball, trivia and cornhole all in Astoria/LIC.”
Museum of the Moving Image
36-01 35th Ave, (718) 777-6888, movingimage.us
Each year the museum screens more than 400 films in a stimulating mix of the classic and the contemporary. With live music for silent films, restored prints from the world’s leading archives, and outstanding new films from the international festival circuit, museum programs are recognized for their quality as well as their scope.
Astoria Park (including volunteer cleanups)
19th St and 23rd Dr, (718) 626-8620, nycgovparks.org
Survey says: “Whether it’s Fourth of July fireworks, running, a picnic, or whatever else, I’m so grateful we have this park in our neighborhood.”
Lockwood
32-15 33rd St, (718) 626-6030, lockwoodshop.com
Survey says: “They have everything you could ever need and more.”
The Brass Owl
36-19 Ditmars Blvd, (347) 848-0905, thebrassowl.com
This homey boutique offers a selection of shoes, accessories, and gifts.
Astoria Bookshop
31-29 31st St, (718) 278-2665, astoriabookshop.com
Google says: “Great bookstore. Excellent customer service. They will order any books you want. Their creative/inspire section is fantastic.”
Inside Astoria
28-07 Ditmars Blvd, (718) 956-4000, insideastoria.biz
Google says: “Always tons of beautiful gifts and very nice people working there.”
CrossFit UNLEASHED
36-42 37th St, (347) 201-3235, crossfitunleashed.com
Survey says: “I’ve never been so motivated by a gym and a group of incredible coaches. I’ve reached fitness goals I had never imagined possible.”
Survey says: “The best community and programming. Great space and any levels of fitness are welcome. I feel very fortunate to have found this gym.”
Survey says: “The most incredible fitness and community you will find in Astoria!”
New York Sports Clubs
38-11 30th Ave, (718) 932-1400, mysportsclubs.com
Survey says: “NY Sports Clubs is great if you want to do lots of classes”
Planet Fitness
30-33 Steinway St, (718) 777-0700, planetfitness.com
Survey says: “Planet Fitness is great because it is cheap and you can bring a friend.”
The Shillelagh Tavern
47-22 30th Ave, Long Island City, (718) 728-9028, shillelaghtavern.com
Google says: “No frills Dive with live music, friendly bar tenders, and super reasonable prices. What’s not to love?”
The Letlove Inn
27-20 23rd Ave, (718) 777-5683, letloveinn.com
Google says: “Great ambiance, good drinks, cool crowd…Live music early in the week, so good!”
The Last Word
31-30 Ditmars Blvd, (718) 440-3378, tlwastoria.com
Survey says: “They always have great music and it’s always varied.”
The Wolfhound
38-14 30th Ave, (718) 204-2111, wolfhoundnyc.com
Live music on Sundays with the Sunday Sessions, and Mondays with Irish Trad Session.
Gigi Salon & Styling Studio
34-17 30th Ave, (718) 777-7755, gigistylingstudio.com
Google says: “Love this place great service and stylists!”
Well Kept Barbershop
30-11 32nd St, (718) 255-1547, wellkeptbarbershop.com
Google says: “I got a haircut yesterday and got a lot a compliments at work.”
Redken Saloon Salon
36-17 30th Ave, (718) 956-3366, redkensaloon.com
Google says: “I love Saloon Salon! The atmosphere is wonderful… friendly, chic, clean, efficient. This is my go to place to feel relaxed and pampered.”
UA Kaufman Astoria Stadium 14
35-30 38th St, (718) 786-1722, regmovies.com
If you sign up for the Regal app (for free) you can earn points towards free popcorn, soda and movies!
Museum of the Moving Image
36-01 35th Ave, (718) 777-6888, movingimage.us
Each year the museum screens more than 400 films in a stimulating mix of the classic and the contemporary. With live music for silent films, restored prints from the world’s leading archives, and outstanding new films from the international festival circuit, museum programs are recognized for their quality as well as their scope.
Museum of the Moving Image
36-01 35th Ave, (718) 777-6888, movingimage.us
Survey says: “I still love the voice dub booth.”
This museum immerses visitors in the creative process of making moving images. It features over 1,400 artifacts—from nineteenth-century optical toys to video games—as well as an array of interactive experiences, audiovisual material, and artworks.
The Noguchi Museum
9-01 33rd Rd, Long Island City, (718) 204-7088, noguchi.org
Google says: “The attention to space and light of the exhibitions brings the work to life.”
MoMA PS1
22-25 Jackson Ave, Long Island City, (718) 784-2084, momaps1.org
This museum is in LIC, but worth listing. It devotes its energy and resources to displaying the most experimental art in the world and throws awesome outdoor parties on Saturdays in the summer. Also, if you have an ID with zip code 11101–11109 you get free admission.
Athena’s Nails
31-11 30th Ave, (718) 278-4597, yelp.com
Google says: “I really enjoyed my pedicure. The women who did that did an excellent job.”
Faces & Nails Spa
41-08 34th Ave, (718) 482-0220, facesandnailsspa.com
Google says: “Wonderful nails beauty salon. Fantastic services and prices. Clean and trendy place.”
Astoria Park
19th St and 23rd Dr, (718) 626-8620, nycgovparks.org
The recently-renovated track is beautiful and great to run on. There are also many tennis courts, basketball courts, a skate park, an Olympic-sized pool, and large grass areas to relax on. Every year there are fireworks (pre-Fourth of July) and free movies in the summer.
Survey says: “Such an amazing group of volunteers here organized by Astoria Park Alliance.”
Socrates Sculpture Park
32-01 Vernon Blvd, Long Island City, (718) 956-1819, socratessculpturepark.org
A small gem of a park. Especially great in the summertime when they have a weekly farmers market, free yoga and tai chi, and movie screenings during the week. The unique sculpture art adds a special touch. Also great for dogs!
Gantry Plaza State Park
2nd St and 26th Ave, nycgovparks.org
Free movies are shown in the summer. There is a sand volleyball court, a basketball court, an astroturf field, a nice cafe with food (LIC Landing) and breathtaking views of the city.
Q.E.D.
27-16 23rd Ave, (347) 451-3873, qedastoria.com
Q.E.D. settled into the Ditmars area and is bringing in comedians, trivia shows and great classes for adults to learn and laugh.
Astoria Performing Arts Center
34-12 36th St Suite 1-232, (718) 706-5750, apacny.org
Astoria Performing Arts Center’s mission is to bring high quality theater to Astoria and to support local youth and senior citizens. Ever wanted to help build or paint a set? The group is always looking for volunteers.
Frank Sinatra School of the Arts High School
35-12 35th Ave, (718) 361-9920, schools.nyc
Google says: “I have had the chance to see the school grow and plan on coming back in the near future to see its progress and maybe see a few of the many performances.”
Q.E.D.
27-16 23rd Ave, (347) 451-3873, qedastoria.com
So many comedy shows! We’re very glad that we have Q.E.D. in the neighborhood. Want to do something fun? Go to a show. You can also find classes on an assortment of different topics.
Survey says: “Great for laughs and fun!”
The Creek & The Cave
10-93 Jackson Ave, Long Island City, (718) 706-8783, creeklic.com
Affordable (read: low cost or FREE) comedy shows all week and weekend, with opportunities for improv as well. Big names come through here and it’s also a great way to check out the local talent.
Greenbay Marketplace
32-06 Broadway, (718) 204-6400
This supermarket has a focus on fresh produce, and the cheese selection is quite impressive. There is also a hot food bar and sushi made fresh daily.
Key Food Supermarkets
22-15 31st St, (718) 721-4680; 32-15 Newtown Ave, (718) 728-9403; 30-13 36th Ave, (718) 482-7600, keyfood.com
Survey says: “The ONLY comprehensive market in the Ditmars area, for those with no car. Please don’t let it close due to R.E. ‘development’!”
Best Market
19-30 37th St, (718) 721-7500, bestmarket.com
Google says: “Good beer selection, cheese and deli, salad bar, produce, pastries and cakes.”
Gossip Coffee
37-04 30th Ave, (718) 440-8792, gossipcoffee.com
Nice, comfortable space. Relax with a coffee or tea while you surf the web.
Astoria Coffee
30-04 30th St, (347) 410-7399, astoriacoffeeny.com
Google says: “Lovely staff and delicious drinks—super cute decor and peaceful ambiance.”
Panera Bread
38-01 35th Ave, (718) 937-4740, locations.panerabread.com
The sandwiches and soups are tasty, and the wi-fi is reliable.
Best Health and Wellness Place: Oak Point Health and Vitality Centre
23-92 23rd St, (718) 777-0620, places.singleplatform.com
Best Astoria-related website: BOAST! Duh!
Editor’s note: Aw. Gee, thanks.
Q.E.D.
27-16 23rd Ave, (347) 451-3873, qedastoria.com
Survey says: “QED has been such a wonderful addition to the neighborhood. They have more than just comedy and other events from the stage. I’ve taken a class in the front part of the venue as well. Its become a cherished community center!”
The Wandering Jews of Astoria
Survey says: “Instant sense of community and Jewish life in Astoria.”
Survey results from December 2019. Click here for the results from December 2018, December 2017, December 2016, January 2016, July 2015, January 2015.
