Long Island City
This area is also just one stop into Queens on the 7 train proves that a Queens address can be just as desirable as uber-trendy Williamsburg in Brooklyn. While the draw to see Astoria might be the ethnic restaurants and that amazing swimming pool, go to Long Island City to get in on the ground floor of what is sure to become the next best thing to happen in NYC. Here, art is popping up everywhere in unexpected places, like warehouse facades and its spectacular waterfront promenade is the perfect antidote to sometimes feeling overwhelmed by masses of people and gargantuan buildings that are among the hallmarks of this city.
Just as Astoria has the wow factor with its huge swimming pool, Long Island City dazzles with its waterfront promenade, Gantry Plaza State Park. With spectacular views of the East River looking across at the United Nations building and mid-town New York, the high rise apartments that have recently sprung up along this stretch are serious competition for its luxurious counterparts found in Manhattan. For $3.25 million you can be the proud owner of a two-story waterfront penthouse. However anyone can enjoy the walk along the river the promenade’s built-in lounge chairs and hammocks. Towering over you, is the iconic 60-foot high neon Pepsi Cola sign that was constructed in 1936 for the Pepsi Cola bottling plant; the sign was dismantled and placed in its current location facing the river.
If art’s your thing, I suggest you save Long Island City for a Thursday through Sunday visit when the major art museums are open. MoMA P.S. 1 is an exhibition site affiliated with the Museum of Modern Art focusing on experimental and innovative art. It is open Thursday through Monday.
The Japanese-American artist and sculptor converted the nearby Noguchi Museum, open Wednesday through Sunday, to a museum from an abandoned industrial building in 1986. Built to house his life’s work, the design of the building and its open-air sculpture garden has become some of his most celebrated pieces.
Close by, is the Socrates Sculpture Park, which shows what can happen when a community comes together to turn a beast into something beautiful. Originally a dumpsite, artists transformed it into a sculpture garden for large-scale works. It has also become a popular place for local residents to host events like the outdoor movies shown during the summer months.
There are several galleries in the area, such as the Dorksy Gallery and m55Art, but there is a one spot you can’t miss. At Jackson Avenue between Crane and Davis Streets 5 Pointz, a collection of warehouses covered in extraordinary and electrifying graffiti. See it soon as there is talk of tearing these buildings down.
Long Island City Eats:
Madera Cuban Grill & Steakhouse: This place will put an authentic bit of Havana in your belly. I say just go for the sandwich Cubana and follow my waiter’s suggestion and order the yucca fries. Between those two items and the fried sweet plantains, let me just say that I was happy I was wearing pants with an elastic waist. 27-49 Vernon Blvd., LIC
Tournesol: This small French bistro is as good as many famous Paris spots and. it’s less expensive than counterparts in Manhattan. Consider yourself lucky if you happen to be having dinner there on a night when the cassoulet is their plats du jour. 50-12 Vernon Blvd., LIC
The Corner Bistro: This Greenwich Village late night legendary burger joint has opened in Long Island City and it’s a great place to go when you’re craving that cheeseburger with bacon. And if your companion is counting his/her calories, the grilled chicken sandwich is pretty good, too. 47-18 Vernon Blvd., LIC
Sweet Leaf: When you are exhausted and can’t walk another step but you still have more sightseeing to do, stop at this local coffee house. The coffee is great, the people are friendly and the club chairs are perfect for collapsing on. I spent a half hour there sipping my iced coffee while I rested up before hitting the next gallery. 10-93 Jackson Ave, LIC
