Ariadne 
Moving to Queens? Here’s a list of
Our Favorite Queens Attractions,
Hot Spots, and Restaurants
- Sunnyside Gardens Park – This members-only park in the historic district of Sunnyside Gardens is the perfect place to kick back and enjoy some family time or time with your furry friends.
- Astoria Bookshop – 36-19 30th St, Astoria, NY 11106: This well-curated, queer woman-owned bookshop in central Astoria has been a local treasure since 2013. Astorian bookworms of all ages go here to discover new authors and books.
- Matiz Latin Cuisine – This restaurant offers plenty of options for a variety of Latin American and Spanish flavors, from Colombia to Spain. They also have a special menu for vegetarians and vegans . If you want really solid, authentic flavors at a budget-friendly price, this is the right place to go .
- Astoria Alive / 31st Street Festival: (Astoria–Ditmars Boulevard) This annual street fair along 31st St. is a family favorite, featuring food vendors, rides, and live entertainment, sponsored by the Astoria Restoration Association.
- Stray Vintage – Shop for vintage furniture, salvaged items, and antique goods in this neighborhood mainstay.
- Code Astoria Night Club (20-30 Steinway St, Astoria, NY): If your idea of NYE involves R&B, DJs, and bottle service, Code Astoria is where you’ll want to go. With hors d’oeuvres to nibble and an open bar till midnight, ring in the New Year in VIP style.
- Please Don’t Tell – This neighborhood Speakeasy is a unique place to kick back and have some cocktails. Just don’t tell anyone!
- Guadalajara de Dia 2: This quaint eatery offers traditional Mexican food such as tacos & mole poblano, plus grocery items. It has a unique atmosphere and offers dine-in, takeout, and delivery services.
- Socrates Sculpture Garden– 32-01 Vernon Blvd, Queens, NY 11106: In 1986, abstract expressionist sculptor Mark di Suvero transformed this garden into a community-focused art haven. Today, Socrates Sculpture Park presents three major visual arts installations each year and supports artists from all stages of their careers.
- Cunningham Park: Is the second largest park in Queens, next to Flushing Meadows Corona Park. A place to recharge your energy, feel at peace and have a relaxing time by yourself or with others. This is a great place to take a walk, ride a bicycle, get some exercise or have a romantic picnic with your loved one .
- The Vander Ende-Onderdonk House: With two acres of beautiful gardens and historic architecture, the Vander-Ende Onderdonk House is a gem on the border of Ridgewood and Bushwick. It is the oldest Dutch Colonial stone house in New York City.
- Ridgewood Reservoir: Highland Park and the Reservoir sit on a ridge that lends to dramatic views of nearby cemeteries, East New York, Woodhaven, the Rockaways, and the Atlantic Ocean. With the combination of many different types of habitats—forests, fields, and wetlands—the Reservoir is an opportune spot for wildlife viewing.
- Queens Museum – This art and education center provides the neighborhood with exhibits that showcase the unique history of Queens, one of the most diverse places in the world.
- Astoria Market (29-19 24th Ave, Queens, NY): Held in the iconic Bohemian Hall, this eclectic artisan market is a treasure chest of art, jewelry, toys, garments, pottery, and more. After shopping, take a breather and hit the bar for a beer and some Czech & Slovak bites.
- Elmhurst Sculpture Garden – This public space is only 10’ x 10’, but its purpose is special and community oriented and reflects the values of Elmhurst as a whole. The space is meant to be an incubator for local artists to display their outdoor art and give back to the community by revitalizing overgrown lots into enjoyable city spaces.
- VR World NYC – This interesting attraction showcases the best of mixed reality and VR. Here, you’ll interact in a novel way with art, film, and games. The bar has some solid cocktails as well!
- Beijing Dumpling House – A small Chinese dumpling restaurant in the area offers many options to enjoy for every type of diet, like pork, shrimp, vegetables. For those who love spicy food, this is the right place.
- Mira Sushi Restaurant Queens – Here you’ll find upmarket sushi, Japanese, and Thai dishes in a contemporary and upscale setting.
- Smile of the Beyond – This restaurant was open in 1972 when the vegetarian owner wanted to provide the neighborhood with a quality vegetarian experience. This is a good place to go and enjoy a good meal like breakfast, lunch or brunch . They also offer alternative options for vegans like, vegan tofu scramble, vegan cheese and soy bacon.
- Taverna Kyclades (36-01 Ditmars Blvd, Astoria): Craving Greek food? Skip Manhattan and head here for the freshest seafood, Greek salad, and fried calamari. This lively restaurant is a must-visit for Greek food lovers.
- Lost in Paradise Rooftop (11-01 43rd Ave, Long Island City, NY): Party in style at this rooftop lounge which offers views of the Manhattan skyline, tropical cocktails, and Latin fusion tapas. Need more reasons to visit? Check out their weekly events like Taco Tuesdays and Karaoke Wednesdays.
- Oh! Calcutta (10-57 Jackson Avenue, Queens, NY): Ruhel Amin, who’s already made a name with Indian restaurants in Harlem and Williamsburg, brings the flavors of Kolkata to Long Island City. Named after the risqué British revue, Oh! Calcutta is a creative twist on Indian and Bengali cuisine.
- HinoMaru (33-18 Ditmars Blvd, Queens): This snug, buzzy ramen bar is all about authentic Japanese flavors and even earned a spot on the Michelin guide. Their lychee slushie is a summer favorite, while hand-crafted ramen and sushi are enjoyed year-round.
- Noguchi Museum – 9-01 33rd Rd, Queens, NY 11106: Founded and designed by the legendary American landscape architect Isamu Noguchi, this intimate museum and sculpture garden is a peaceful oasis for you to escape the hustle and bustle of New York City life.
- Schmidt’s Candy: This candy shop has become a neighborhood staple. Whether you’re looking for old-fashioned penny candy or something more particular like a handcrafted truffle or fudge, Schmidt’s has what you’re looking for. When you walk into this store you will feel that you went back in time. The shop has been open for almost a century and they haven’t made many changes at all. Also this shop offers personalized baskets for every event you can think of, like birthdays, weddings or baby showers.
- Gottscheer Hall: This German tavern serves Old World German cuisine along a lineup of beers and spirits from around the world. There are multiple function halls and rooms making it a great place for occasions.
- Bar Enzo (10-15 43rd Avenue, 2nd Floor, Long Island City, NY): This new Italian-American cocktail bar is a nod to owner Joe Schinco’s Sicilian grandparents and their lively parties. With Attaboy alum Steven Lewis behind the marble bar, you can expect some seriously memorable drinks.
- The Little North Pole (144-03 Neponsit Ave, Neponsit, NY): Move over, Dyker Heights, Queens has a Christmas home tradition of its own. Each year, resident Joe Mure transforms his Rockaway home into a Christmas spectacle, to raise funds for Juvenile Diabetes Research. The lighting ceremony on Dec. 7 promises a night of food, live performances, and holiday magic.
- Long Island City (LIC) Springs!: This community street festival is a celebration of Long Island City, with live music, dance performances, interactive art lessons, fitness classes, outdoor dining, and pop-up activities. It’s free and open to the public, drawing major crowds each year.
- PreGame Sports Bar & Lounge: Snug bar with a wood-clad interior like a train car featuring sports on TV, plus happy hour deals.
- Soysauce Glatt Kosher Chinese – Soysauce has been serving Glatt Kosher Chinese food with high-quality ingredients since 2013. They offer takeout, catering, and even local delivery.
- The Beast Next Door (4251 27th St, Long Island City, NY): With its dimly lit, brick-walled, wood-furnished interior, this sultry bar is perfect for an easy date night. Plus, they’ve got an unbeatable happy hour, including $1 oysters.
- MoMA PS1 (22-25 Jackson Ave, Queens, NY): Located in an old public school building, this contemporary art museum is all about pushing boundaries. For over 20 years, MoMA PS1 has been taken seriously in the art world as the place for provocative and challenging exhibitions. Plus, it’s home to Warm Up, one of NYC’s trendiest summer dance party series.
- Drunk Shakespeare – A unique and fun theatre attraction where one professional actor downs five shots of whiskey and attempts to perform in a Shakespearean play.
- Casa Enrique (5-48 49th Ave, Long Island City, NY): Once New York City’s most affordable Michelin-starred restaurant, Casa Enrique lost its star in November 2023, but it’s still a must-visit. Serving up traditional recipes from Chef Cosme Aguilar’s hometown of Chiapas, don’t miss the doña blanca enchiladas, mole, and the Aguachile Margarita.
- Astoria Film Festival – 34-12 36th St, Queens, NY 11106: The Astoria Film Festival showcases global filmmaking and animation, plus works by local students. Held in person every May at Arri Rental LIC and Kaufman Astoria Studios, the festival also offers online webinars, panels, and networking events year-round.
- Vert Frais (43-10 Crescent St, Queens, NY): This sunlit, white-walled café in Long Island City might not look like a serious restaurant, but trust us, it’s got the credentials. With a Japanese-inspired brunch menu, you won’t regret ordering the karaage, crème brûlée pancake, or the chirashi bowls.
- Astoria Park (19 19th St, Astoria): The “Central Park” of Astoria, this public park offers views over the East River. In the summer, enjoy movies in the park, a yearly fair, an Olympic-sized swimming pool, tennis courts, and a running track.
- USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center – Home of the US Open, one of the largest tennis arenas in the world.
- Bohemian Hall & Beer Garden (29-19 24th Ave, Queens): This community-driven beer garden serves up Czech and Slovak cuisine – think grilled bratwurst galore – along with American favorites. There’s spacious indoor and outdoor seating, plus plenty to keep you entertained like sports screens, cornhole, and darts.
