Welcome to Astoria, NY

Astoria is a neighborhood in Queens, New York, located on the western shore of Long Island. It is bordered by the East River and Long Island City to the north, Steinway and Woodside to the south, and the Triborough Bridge and Bowery Bay to the east. Astoria is a vibrant and historic community with a rich cultural heritage and an abundance of things to see and do.

Astoria has a long and colorful history. It was originally inhabited by the native Lenape people, who named the area “Hallet’s Cove” after one of their chiefs. The Dutch colonized the area in 1635, giving it the name “Bouwerij,” which eventually became “Bowery.” In 1839, entrepreneur Stephen Halsey purchased the land and named it Astoria after his partner John Jacob Astor. The area quickly grew into a thriving community of German, Italian, and Greek immigrants, who opened businesses, churches, and other organizations.

Today, Astoria is a bustling neighborhood with a population of about 150,000 people. It’s known for its diverse population, vibrant nightlife, and unique shopping and dining experiences. The neighborhood is filled with art galleries, music venues, bars, cafes, and restaurants that offer cuisines from around the world. There are also parks and outdoor spaces for relaxing and enjoying the views of the East River and New York City skyline.

No matter what your tastes are, there’s something for everyone in Astoria. Here are some of the top things to do in Astoria, NY:

Explore Astoria Park

Astoria Park is the largest park in Queens and one of the most popular attractions in the neighborhood. Located on the banks of the East River, it offers stunning views of Manhattan and New York City’s skyline. It also features an Olympic-sized swimming pool, sports fields, playgrounds, picnic areas, and a stunning boardwalk. The park is also home to a variety of wildlife, including birds, turtles, rabbits, raccoons, and other animals.

Visit the Museum of Moving Image

The Museum of Moving Image is a must-see for any film lover. Located in the heart of Astoria, the museum houses an impressive collection of artifacts from film history, including costumes, props, photographs, posters, and more. It also offers interactive exhibits that explore the history of film and television. Visitors can also tour the museum’s production studios, soundstages, screening rooms, and editing suites for an inside look at filmmaking.

Take a Food Tour

Astoria is known for its diverse population and vibrant food scene. There are countless restaurants offering cuisines from around the world. A great way to experience all that Astoria has to offer is to take a food tour. Astoria Food Tours offers a variety of tours that explore different neighborhoods in Astoria and sample dishes from local restaurants. You’ll get to try everything from Greek specialties to Italian delicacies and more.

Visit Socrates Sculpture Park

Socrates Sculpture Park is an outdoor museum and public park located on the East River waterfront in Astoria. The park features an array of sculptures by local artists as well as an open-air gallery with rotating exhibitions. It also features a large grassy lawn for relaxing and enjoying the views of Manhattan. The park hosts a variety of events throughout the year such as movie screenings, concerts, dance performances, art installations, and more.

Go Shopping at Kaufman’s Astoria

Kaufman’s Astoria is a shopping destination like no other in Queens. Located in the heart of Astoria’s historic commercial district, it is home to over 80 stores offering everything from clothing to home goods. You can find everything from high-end designer labels to vintage gems at this unique shopping destination. There are also plenty of restaurants and cafes nearby for taking a break from shopping.

Take a Tour of Steinway & Sons Piano Factory

Steinway & Sons has been making some of the world’s finest pianos since 1853. The company has its roots in Astoria where its headquarters is located on Steinway Street. Visitors can take a tour of the factory and learn about its history as well as its piano-making process. The tour also includes a visit to the showroom where visitors can try out different pianos before selecting one to purchase.

Visit the Noguchi Museum

The Noguchi Museum pays tribute to one of America’s most important 20th century sculptors – Isamu Noguchi. Located in Long Island City just across the East River from Astoria, the museum houses an extensive collection of Noguchi’s sculptures as well as his design objects. Visitors can explore two floors of galleries to learn more about Noguchi’s artwork as well as his life and influence on modern art and design.

Experience Astoria on a Bike Tour

Biking is one of the best ways to experience Astoria. With its flat terrain and abundance of parks and waterfront views, it’s an ideal place for cyclists of all levels. NYC Bike Tours offers an exciting way to explore Astoria on two wheels with its guided bike tour of the neighborhood. You’ll get to see all that Astoria has to offer while riding along its picturesque streets and waterfront paths with knowledgeable guides pointing out all the highlights along the way. Book an Astoria Bike Tour here.

Explore Roosevelt Island

Roosevelt Island is located just off the coast of Queens and offers stunning views of Manhattan and Long Island City skyline. The island can be accessed by tram or ferry from Astoria Park or by subway from Queensboro Plaza station in Long Island City. Once on Roosevelt Island you can explore it’s many parks and attractions such as Franklin D. Roosevelt Four Freedoms Park, Blackwell House ruins, Lighthouse Park and more. You can also take a ride on its aerial tramway which offers breathtaking views as it travels across the river between Manhattan and Roosevelt Island.Book a Roosevelt Island Tour here.

Take a Brewery Tour

Astoria has become a craft beer destination with several local breweries offering tours of their facilities as well as tastings of their beers. SingleCut Beersmiths offers guided tours that include beer tastings and an inside look at their brewing process while LIC Beer Project offers guided tastings with a variety of beers on tap as well as souvenirs such as t-shirts and glasses for purchase.Book an Astoria Brewery Tour here.

No matter what your interests are, there’s something for everyone in Astoria NY. From exploring parks and museums to taking food tours and brewery tours – you’ll never run out of things to do in this vibrant neighborhood in Queens.