Socrates Sculpture Park

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

Survey says: “The exhibits are ever changing, and it is lovely on the water.”

Museum of the Moving Image

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

The Museum’s Amphitheater Gallery has been home to exhibitions and installations about animation, digital art and much more. In the Museum’s lobby, visitors have been greeted with video installations by various artists on the panoramic 50-foot media wall.

The Astoria Bookshop

31-29 31st St, (718) 278-2665, astoriabookshop.com

Located off the Broadway stop, this small gem stocks popular best-sellers and features local authors along with service with a smile.

Lockwood

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

Amazing place to shop for gifts for others or yourself, ranging from your sister the foodie to your two-year-old nephew. They also just opened Lockwood Style next door filled with affordable clothes and accessories.

Loveday 31

33-06 31st Ave, (718) 728-4057, loveday31.com

The right place for a unique dress, shoes or jewelry item. They also carry a big selection of vintage fur coats.

DiWine

41-15 31st Ave, (718) 777-1355, diwineonline.com

A cozy spot to sit, drink some wine or a cocktail, eat some tasty flatbread pizza and whisper sweet nothings to your honey. The booths are especially private. Great for a first date or a first anniversary.

Steinway Cafe & Billiards

35-25 Steinway St, (718) 472-2124, steinwaybilliards.com

What better way to end a movie and dinner date than with a competitive game of pool? Lots of excuses for touching and it’s so noisy you’ll be whispering in each other’s ears until you leave arm in arm.

Mosaic Cafe & Lounge

25-19 24th Ave, (718) 728-0708, mosaicastoria.com

If your date enjoys craft beer, impress them by taking them to this spot down 24th Ave a bit off the beaten path. If the owner is working that day, have him pick out some seasonal items for you and your date to drink while noshing on the quite tasty flatbread and dips. Especially great during the week when it’s quieter and you can cozy up next to each other on one of the couches.

New York Sports Clubs

38-11 30th Ave, (718) 932-1400, mysportsclubs.com

Survey says: “Love Sal’s spin class!”

Blink Fitness

32-27 Steinway St, (718) 880-3620, blinkfitness.com

One of the best gym deals in the city, this particular Blink is big, bright, airy and has all the machines one could ask for. For those self-motivated folks, it doesn’t get better than this. There are tons of treadmills and elliptical machines, and a large weight area upstairs. They also have affordable personal training packages.

Life Health and Fitness

37-11 35th Ave, (718) 349-3494, lifehealth-fitness.com

Excellent bang for your buck at this local Astoria gym. Great classes (try spin or any of the ab workouts) and it’s open 24 hours for your fitness pleasure. Try the Ladder machine to truly test your fitness level.

The Strand Smokehouse

25-27 Broadway, (718) 440-3231, thestrandsmokehouse.com

Stop by for a drink and catch up with friends on a Friday through Sunday and hear some of the hottest bands in town.

Crescent & Vine

25-03 Ditmars Blvd, (718) 204-4774, crescentandvine.com

Survey says: “With You Bred Raptors? playing every month!”

Singlecut Beersmiths

19-33 37th St, (718) 606-0788, singlecutbeer.com

Friday nights at 8pm enjoy a local beer and local music in the Tap Room. These evenings will start back up again in March 2015.

UA Kaufman Astoria Stadium 14

35-30 38th St, (718) 786-1722, regmovies.com

If you sign up for a crown club card (for free) you can earn points towards free popcorn, soda and movies! If you have the card, you can get $1 popcorn on Tuesdays.

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

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.

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 in the summer.

Astoria Park

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

Fireworks? Check. Swimming Pool? Check. It’s a great place to take walks with a gorgeous view of the water.

Survey says: “Lap swim program is phenomenal. No better way to spend a summer evening.”

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!

Astoria Performing Arts Center

30-44 Crescent St, (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.

Q.E.D.

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

The Q.E.D. is an after-school space for grown-ups. You’ll find arts and crafts, stand-up comedy, tastings, DIY projects, poetry slams, game nights, walking tours, storytelling, gardening, improv, and everything in between.

The Creek and 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 way to check out the local talent.

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.

Greenbay Market

32-06 Broadway, (718) 204-6400

Amazing selection of natural and organic food items. If you have any type of dietary restrictions, this is the place to shop. They also have a great meat and fish counter, and don’t sleep on the sushi rolls prepared fresh daily to go. Secret tip: walk by their abundant ice cream aisle, and find something locally made and delicious to take home with you.

Trade Fair

30-08 30th Ave, (718) 728-9484, tradefairny.com

No matter what country you are from, no matter what your ethnic background, it is more than likely they carry foods from your homeland.

Survey says: “There are locations at 36th Ave, Broadway, 30th Ave, Astoria Blvd, and Ditmars Blvd.”

Starbucks

Multiple locations

Where else can you spend ten hours straight studying for finals or writing your next article without even a word or nudge to leave? Starbucks, that’s where.

Survey says: “Yes, it’s a chain, but the Astoria locations are clean, easy to get a seat, and some of the best spots for free wi-fi.”

New York City Bagel and Coffee House

29-08 23rd Ave, (718) 728-9500, nycbch.com

Plenty of seating to choose from along with great coffee and bagels? We’d call that a win.