These are the 2025 winners for the best museums, boutiques, parks and more. Get going!
(Please note that the winners in LIC are listed alphabetically because of low response.)
ASTORIA
Maggie Hall’s
34-06 30th Ave, (917) 832-6131, maggiehalls.com
Tootles & French
36-15 Ditmars Blvd, (347) 642-3012, tootlesandfrench.com
Survey says: “Romantic corner table with amazing food, wine cocktails and staff.”
Ambrosia Garden
29-11 23rd Ave, (718) 371-0038, instagram.com
Survey says: “Super romantic.”
LIC
The Greats of Craft
10-15 43rd Ave, (718) 489-9874; 47-20 Center Blvd, greatsofcraft.com
ASTORIA
Lockwood
32-15 33rd St, (718) 626-6030, lockwoodshop.com
The Brass Owl
36-19 Ditmars Blvd, (347) 848-0905, thebrassowl.com
LIC
Book Culture LIC
26-09 Jackson Ave, (718) 440-3120, bookculture.com
A very fun store that doesn’t just have books (although there are a lot of those); you can find all sorts of knick-knacks that could be great gifts, including terrific greeting cards. And the downstairs is for kids!
ASTORIA
Orangetheory Fitness
31-57 31st St, (718) 962-0800, orangetheory.com
Rock Fitness
22-15 31st St, (718) 204-1400, rock-gyms.com
Matrix Fitness Club
43-60 Ditmars Blvd, (718) 267-8989, matrixfitnessclub.com
LIC
Lady Life Pilates
27-19 Thomson Ave, (718) 938-3939, ladylifepilatesclub.com
ASTORIA
Dimitris Hair Design
31-72 31st St, (718) 204-5858, linktr.ee
Survey says: “The crew from Redken Salon joined the staff last year, so many good stylists.”
Alex Barber Shop
30-03 32nd St, (718) 726-7427, yelp.com
Crush Studio
40-12 Ditmars Blvd, (718) 204-2096, crushstudiony.com
Magician Salon
34-09 30th Ave, (718) 777-7798, instagram.com
Winnie gives a great haircut. We recommend her.
LIC
Otis & Finn Barbershop
11-16 44th Ave, (929) 522-0657; Court Square, 45-22 Pearson St, (718) 392-2327, otisandfinn.com
Studio FIBA
10-42 Jackson Ave, (718) 433-2550, studiofiba.com
Vikkie Hair Lab
21-44 44th Dr, (347) 808-8889, vikkiehairlab.com
ASTORIA
Ambrosia Garden
29-11 23rd Ave, (718) 371-0038, instagram.com
Survey says: “It has a hidden beautiful back space.”
LIC
On The 7 – Where Manhattan Meets LIC
50-04 Vernon Blvd, (718) 784-2350, onthe7lic.com
It’s right by the subway, but still not known to many people. Huge wine list, beer, board games available and sometimes there’s live music. Also a good date spot.
ASTORIA
Maggie Hall’s
34-06 30th Ave, (917) 832-6131, maggiehalls.com
The Wolfhound
38-14 30th Ave, (718) 204-2111, wolfhoundnyc.com
LIC
Bantry Bay Publick House
33-01 Greenpoint Ave, (718) 784-9500, bantrybaynyc.com
Culture Lab LIC
5-25 46th Ave, (347) 848-0030, culturelablic.org
Fifth Hammer Brewing Company
10-28 46th Ave, (718) 663-2084, fifthhammerbrewing.com
ASTORIA
Astoria Food Pantry
25-82 Steinway St, (929) 487-5115, astoriafoodpantry.com
Destination Ditmars Merchants Association
31-28 Ditmars Blvd, (718) 726-0034, destinationditmars.org
ASTORIA
Museum of the Moving Image
36-01 35th Ave, (718) 777-6800, movingimage.org
The Noguchi Museum
9-01 33rd Rd, (718) 204-7088, noguchi.org
Galleries and exhibits, much of it sculptural, dedicated to artist and architect Isamu Noguchi plus a serene sculpture 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 evenings, with DJs spinning and people dancing in the courtyard. Definitely a good time.
ASTORIA
J’aime Nails
28-39 31st St, (718) 204-7835, yelp.com
Kiki’s Nails & Spa
34-20 30th Ave, (718) 728-1742, instagram.com
Nailberry
42-01 Broadway, (718) 255-6126, instagram.com
Q & A Beauty Salon
21-03 31st St, (718) 932-3543, instagram.com
Xcellent Nail Square
22-01 31st St, (718) 274-1234, xcellentnailsquare.onbuildhealth.com
Survey says: “Wonderful staff, excellent technicians.”
ASTORIA
Astoria Food Pantry
25-82 Steinway St, (929) 487-5115, astoriafoodpantry.com
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.
Hunters Point Parks Conservancy
2-17 51st Ave, (516) 319-9732, hunterspointparks.org
ASTORIA
Astoria Park
19th St btwn Ditmars Blvd and Astoria Park S, (212) 639-9675, nycgovparks.org
Survey says: “Nature and great views of Manhattan and bridges.”
Survey says: “Duh”
Socrates Sculpture Park
32-01 Vernon Blvd, (718) 956-1819, socratessculpturepark.org
LIC
Gantry Plaza State Park
4-44 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
QED Astoria
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.
Tootles & French
36-15 Ditmars Blvd, (347) 642-3012, tootlesandfrench.com
Survey says: “Some amazing talent!”
LIC
Culture Lab LIC
5-25 46th Ave, (347) 848-0030, culturelablic.org
There’s regularly live music indoors (colder months) or outside (warmer month) as well as stand-up comedy. There are also art exhibits throughout the year.
ASTORIA
Maggie Hall’s
34-06 30th Ave, (917) 832-6131, maggiehalls.com
Château le Woof
31-01 Vernon Blvd, (718) 626-9663, chateaulewoof.com
LIC
Fifth Hammer Brewing Company
10-28 46th Ave, (718) 663-2084, fifthhammerbrewing.com
ASTORIA
QED Astoria
27-16 23rd Ave, (347) 451-3873, qedastoria.com
There are a huge number of shows that happen every week at QED.
Grove 34
31-83 34th St, (848) 219-7167, grove34.com
We’ve seen some very funny stand-up at this intimate venue.
ASTORIA
Lincoln Market
21-27 31st St, (718) 777-1120, lincolnmarket.com
LIC
Trader Joe’s
22-43 Jackson Ave, (929) 290-2720, 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
19th St btwn Ditmars Blvd and Astoria Park S, (212) 639-9675, nycgovparks.org
Judy & Punch Events, specifically Troublesome Trivia
34-08 30th Ave, (718) 626-3100, judyandpunch.com
Jason Hazell’s Open Mic at Sissy McGinty’s
25-67 Steinway St, (718) 545-4286, instagram.com
Museum of the Moving Image
36-01 35th Ave, (718) 777-6800, movingimage.org
Play sports!
Socrates Sculpture Park
32-01 Vernon Blvd, (718) 956-1819, socratessculpturepark.org
Tootles & French Musical Theatre Open Mic
36-15 Ditmars Blvd, (347) 642-3012, tootlesandfrench.com
LIC
Gantry Plaza State Park
4-44 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 one of the two NYC ferries from LIC, or just stroll along the waterfront and take in the magnificant views.
Troublesome Trivia at The Gutter Bar LIC
10-22 46th Ave, (929) 328-0409, gutterbarbowl.com
ASTORIA
Best Bookstore: Astoria Bookshop
36-19 30th St, (718) 278-2665, astoriabookshop.com
Best Karaoke: Karaoke Shout
32-46 Steinway St, (718) 569-0080, karaokeshout.com
Best Live Event: Queens Cup at The Bonnie
29-12 23rd Ave, (718) 274-2105, thebonnie.com
LIC
Best Rec Sports League: Outerboro Sports
Survey results from December 2025. Click here for the results from December 2024, December 2023, December 2022, December 2021, December 2020, December 2019, December 2018, December 2017, December 2016, January 2016, July 2015, January 2015.
