ASTORIA

Astoria Park

14th Pl and Astoria Park South, (718) 626-8620, nycgovparks.org

Survey says: “A gorgeous, massive park with tons going on. It’s the perfect meeting spot that’s Covid-safe during this lingering pandemic.”

Museum of the Moving Image

36-01 35th Ave, (718) 777-6888, movingimage.us

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. Note: Right now the physical museum is closed, but it is still offering virtual programs.

Socrates Sculpture Park

32-01 Vernon Blvd, Long Island City, (718) 956-1819, socratessculpturepark.org

Survey says: “Art, outdoors, composting, view of the river and Manhattan… I love this place!”

LIC

Culture Lab LIC

5-25 46th Ave, (347) 848-0030, culturelablic.org

Google says: “Culture Lab is a hotbed of creative, visual and musical performances.”

The Gutter Bar LIC

10-22 46th Ave, (929) 328-0409, thegutterbarles.com

They have walk-in bowling at all times. Bowling is first come first serve. There is also a large bar with TVs, pinball and foosball to enjoy as well.

ASTORIA

Lockwood

32-15 33rd St, (718) 626-6030, lockwoodshop.com

Survey says: “Incredible gifts! Went shopping there for holiday gifts and they were a hit!”

The Brass Owl

36-19 Ditmars Blvd, (347) 848-0905, thebrassowl.com

Survey says: “So many adorable gift ideas!”

Gift Box

25-11, Broadway, (718) 440-3411, business.site

Survey says: This is the best place for gifts. Forget the more popular places.”

LIC

Matted LIC

46-36 Vernon Blvd, (718) 786-8660, mattedlic.com

This is a picture matting and framing shop, but there are also many other items, such as pieces of art, jewelry, greeting cards, and colorful stones and gems.

ASTORIA

Blink Fitness

32-27 Steinway St, (718) 880-3616, blinkfitness.com

Google says: “Plenty of room to get your workout in, even on weekday evenings.”

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”

Orange Theory

31-57 31st St, (718) 962-0800, orangetheory.com

Google says: “After a year, I’m leaner, stronger, faster, and happier.”

LIC

Nicely Fit Co.

44-01 21st St Suite 203, (212) 287-9660, nicelyfitco.com

Google says: “Very impressed by the new location, great equipment and lots of space.”

ASTORIA

The Wolfhound

38-14 30th Ave, (718) 204-2111, wolfhoundnyc.com

Survey says: “Best variety of live music in Queens. Great Irish traditional scene as well.”
Survey says: “You’re never lonely at The Wolfhound, even if you go for a drink on your own – the live music and the people make it a home from home!”

The Shillelagh Tavern

47-22 30th Ave, Long Island City, (718) 728-9028, shillelaghtavern.com

Survey says: “Consistently the best live music anywhere in the area. Worth the short trip from Manhattan.”
Survey says: “Great place to watch a live show! It’s an intimate space with a great energy.”

LIC

Culture Lab LIC

5-25 46th Ave, (347) 848-0030, culturelablic.org

In the warmer months there is live music usually three-to-four nights per week, and the groups we’ve seen perform have all been fun, high quality and had good energy.

LIC Bar

45-58 Vernon Blvd, (718) 786-5400, licbar.com

Google says: “Great selection of beers, live music most nights, nice beer garden out back.”

ASTORIA

Crush Studio

40-12 Ditmars Blvd, (718) 204-2096, crushstudiony.com

Google says: “Lovely people who know how to do their profession well.”

LIC Tonsorial Barber Shop & Shaving Parlor

32-86 Steinway St, (347) 654-6386, lictonsorial.com

Google says: “Def going back for like the rest of my life.”

Salon Deana Inc.

47-10 30th Ave, (718) 274-4247, facebook.com

Google says: “She listens and understands exactly what you want, and then delivers the goods.”

Studio Tim

30-93 32nd St, (347) 813-4837, studiotimny.com

Google says: “Amazing salon—lovely people, wonderful service bright sunlit space.”

LIC

Otis & Finn Barbershop

11-11 44th Rd Store #1, (718) 433-1155, otisandfinn.com

Google says: “Fantastic ambience, good people, and my haircut was really great!”

ASTORIA

Museum of the Moving Image

36-01 35th Ave, (718) 777-6888, movingimage.us

Survey says: “Being in the Entertainment Industry, this is a great, local resource.”

The Noguchi Museum

9-01 33rd Rd, Long Island City, (718) 204-7088, noguchi.org

Google says: “It is unique, tranquil, exciting and bold. It has spacious indoor exhibitions as well as outdoor features. This is where I take friends and visitors and they are always impressed.”

LIC

Culture Lab LIC

5-25 46th Ave, (347) 848-0030, culturelablic.org

Google says: “Very cool art gallery and music event space.”

MoMA PS1

22-25 Jackson Ave, Long Island City, (718) 784-2084, momaps1.org

This museum devotes its energy and resources to displaying the most experimental art in the world and throws awesome outdoor parties on Saturdays in the summer. (Barring Covid restrictions.) Also, if you have an ID with zip code 11101–11109 you get free admission.

ASTORIA

Astoria Park

19th St and 23rd Dr, (718) 626-8620, nycgovparks.org

Survey says: “Great place to walk along the water and great photo spots near the bridges.”
The recently-renovated track and turf field in the middle of it are 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.

Socrates Sculpture Park

32-01 Vernon Blvd, Long Island City, (718) 956-1819, socratessculpturepark.org

Google says: “Beautiful park with lots of interesting art that they rotate every season. They also hold events in the summer/weekends. Excellent spot to also watch the sun setting over Manhattan. Best part is that mainly only locals visit, since it is not in the main tourist area. Your fur babies will love it too!”

Rainey Park

Vernon Blvd and 34th Ave, nycgovparks.org

Google says: “Always clean, a lot green areas to play soccer or volleyball. Amazing place to walk with your dog and/or family.”

LIC

Gantry Plaza State Park

4-09 47th Rd, (718) 786-6385, parks.ny.gov

The entire LIC waterfront is really pleasant to walk along and the views of Manhattan are second to none. There are picnic tables, lounge chairs, grassy areas, a playground, basketball hoops, a dog run, a turf field, a sand volleball court and a cafe right on the water.

Queensbridge Park

Vernon Blvd and 41st Ave, (212) 639-9675, nycgovparks.org

Google says: “Public park with waterfront views of Queensboro Bridge, baseball fields, picnic areas and playgrounds.”

ASTORIA

Q.E.D.

27-16 23rd Ave, (347) 451-3873, qedastoria.com

Google says: “Performance venue, education center and cafe offering shows and classes in comedy, dance, art and more.”
Survey says: “Because Kambri is AMAZING!”

LiveONE.tv Studio

35-12 Astoria Blvd, (718) 440-8522, liveone.tv

Survey says: “A community space where creativity meets media technology. Live shows and live streaming of a wide variety of shows.”

LIC

Astoria Performing Arts Center

44-02 23rd St, (718) 706-5750, apacny.org

Small theater company showcasing plays and musicals. As well as producing shows, it offers programming for kids and seniors.

The Chcolate Factory Theater

38-33 24th St, (718) 482-7069, chocolatefactorytheater.org

Google says: “Experimental arts company with a variety of performances such as theater, dance and music in two spaces.”

Culture Lab LIC

5-25 46th Ave, (347) 848-0030, culturelablic.org

Google says: “It’s a vibrant place that we needed in LIC.”

ASTORIA

Château le Woof

31-01 Vernon Blvd, (718) 626-9663, chateaulewoof.com

Google says: “Great selection of doggie treats, clothing, and dog food. Oh, and they serve mimosas — to go!”

Heart of Gold

37-14 31st Ave, (718) 255-1844, heartofgoldnyc.com

Google says: “Incredible selection of beer and cider, very pretty outdoor patio and a really nice interior as well. Staff was incredibly kind and service was quick. Can’t wait to come back here regularly!”

The Wolfhound

38-14 30th Ave, (718) 204-2111, wolfhoundnyc.com

Survey says: “Named after a dog, logo is a dog, dog dog dog.”

LIC

Dog Island City

42-60 23rd St, (718) 433-4545, dogislandcity.com

Google says: “The staff here are very welcoming and did a great job grooming my little Yorkie puppy. I almost cried when I saw how gorgeous he looked!”

ICONYC Brewing

43-63 11th St, iconycbrewing.com

Google says: “One of my favorite dog-friendly breweries in LIC. It has a HUGE outdoor space — part of it belongs to the brewery (everything behind the gate) and part of it is public space.”

ASTORIA

Q.E.D.

27-16 23rd Ave, (347) 451-3873, qedastoria.com

Survey says: “Because there are so few other comedy venues and they are the best at what they do!”

ASTORIA

CTown

34-12 34th Ave, (718) 784-8420; 40-12 28th Ave, (718) 278-3000; 21-30 Newtown Ave, (718) 278-4444; 31-18 24th Ave, (718) 204-1785, ctownsupermarkets.com

Survey says: “Great selection knowledgeable staff and impressive beer selection.”

Greenbay Marketplace

32-06 Broadway, (718) 204-6400; 31-10 30th Ave, (929) 328-2729, mercato.com

Survey says: “Expensive but good produce.”

Lidl

19-30 37th St, (844) 747-5435, lidl.com

Google says: “This place has a very open layout and is easy to get from one side of the store to the other. Very nice bakery and deli. Everything is set up and probably the best part are the prices for the products!!”

Trade Fair

30-08 30th Ave, (718) 728-9484; 37-11 Ditmars Blvd, (718) 274-1085 tradefairny.com

Google says: “Multiethnic market with exotic produce, imported international foods and a full-service butcher.”

LIC

Food Bazaar Supermarket

42-02 Northern Blvd, (347) 448-8860, foodbazaar.com

Google says: “Supermarket chain offering traditional groceries & produce along with international items.”

Trader Joe’s

22-43 Jackson Ave, (718) 472-2672, traderjoes.com

Google says: “Grocery chain with a variety of signature items, plus produce, dairy and more.”

ASTORIA

Best Comedy Variety Show: “The Kong Show”

instagram.com

Survey says: “The Kong Show on TV is not only laugh-out-loud funny, you’ll also be treated to an amazing array of guests ranging from magicians and mind readers to musicians and sketch comedy.”

Best Covid-Safe Location: Astoria Park

19th St and 23rd Dr, (718) 626-8620, nycgovparks.org

Survey says: “A gorgeous, massive park with tons going on. It’s the perfect meeting spot that’s Covid-safe during this lingering pandemic.”

Best Host for Astoria Darts League: The Wolfhound

38-14 30th Ave, (718) 204-2111, wolfhoundnyc.com

Survey says: “They have 5+ teams on Monday nights through many divisions and are welcome to new players!”