Astoria is a thriving community that seems to be constantly enhancing its charm. With boutique shops, an arts district, museums, cool bars, and budget-friendly restaurants popping up all over the neighborhood, there is plenty of things to do to keep visitors entertained. Astoria is an ideal destination to explore for any art enthusiast with the Kaufman Arts District, the Noguchi Museum, and the Socrates Sculpture Park.
Astoria Bier & Cheese
The Astoria Bier & Cheese shop first opened its doors in Astoria in October of 2012. Along with the company’s other location, Milk and Hops, Astoria Bier and Cheese sources the finest charcuterie and cheese from all over the world, from both distributors and importers, as well as directly from the very farms that produce them. The shop prides itself on offering quality products that are made by people who care a great deal about their craft. The owners are delight in connecting important artisans to customers. The shop also serves cheese plates, sandwiches, grilled cheese, and a rotating lineup of draft beer.
34-14 Broadway, Astoria, NY 11106, Phone: 718-545-5588
Welling Court Mural Projects
Primarily established as an historic community beautification and upliftment project, the Welling Court Mural Projects can be found in the Astoria district of Queens. The project was initiated in 2009 and has drawn in some amazingly talented graffiti and street mural artists who have transformed the bare, worn walls of the building into a vibrant and beautiful artistic statement for the entire community to enjoy. Every year there are new opportunities for artists to come forward and apply to bring their unique artistic talents to Welling Court. You can easily visit the area using public transport and spend some time admiring the fun and funky work of these talented artists.
Welling Court Mural Projects, 30th Ave and 12th Street, Astoria, NY 11102, 802 747 8996
Astoria Park
Astoria Park, while known very well for featuring a beautiful pool, is the largest and oldest park in the whole city and offers much more than aquatic fun. The park also consists of outdoor tennis courts, basketball courts, several walking trails, a bandstand for entertainment, playgrounds, and a track. Astoria Park draws visitors from all over New York City, and is especially great for the views of the Manhattan skyline and other parts of the city, showcasing the diverse landscape. Astoria Park extends from the Hell Gate Bridge to the Triborough Bridge on the western shore of Queens.
19th St, Astoria, NY 11105, Phone: 212-639-9675
Bohemian Hall
The Bohemian Hall serves some of the finest craft and Czech beers out of anywhere in Astoria and the surrounding area. The beer garden also offers a full food menu, including grilled dishes along with Slovak and Czech favorites and specialities. There almost always is something happening at the Bohemian Hall, whether its traditional festivals or sports games playing on the screens throughout the beer garden. The Bohemian Hall and Beer Gardens is owned and operated by the Bohemian Citizens’ Benevolent Society of Astoria, which aims to provide a social home for those of Slovak and Czech ancestry.
29-19 24th Ave, Astoria, NY 11102, Phone: 718-274-4925
The Park at Athens Square
Astoria is home to a large Greco-American community who immigrated to New York after the Greek Civil War I 1945. The 9-acre Park at Athens Square is named for Greece’s historic capital and center of history and culture. Originally established in 1967 the park was massively reconstructed in 1990. In order to bring a little slice of Greece to Astoria, the park is divided into 3 areas which include an amphitheater, recreational space and a seating area. There are 3 fluted Doric columns adjacent to the amphitheater and several bronze sculptures of historic Greek gods/goddesses/heroes have been installed in prominent locations.
The Park at Athens Square, 30th Street and 30th Ave, Astoria, NY 11102
La Guli Pastry Shop
La Guli Pastry Shop first opened in the Astoria community back in the year 1937, and still remains open today in its same original location. The pastry shop still prides itself on offering local businesses and families with delicious, fresh, homemade baked goods at an affordable price. Each one of the baked goods available for purchase at La Guli Pastry Shop is freshly baked every day from recipes for the Italy’s finest pastries that have been handed down through generations. That legacy is honored at the Astoria pastry shop, allowing others to enjoy the delicious pastries.
29-15 Ditmars Blvd, Astoria, NY 11105, Phone: 718-728-5612
Lockwood
Lockwood is the result of a love affair with the retail industry, mixed with a huge crush on the Queens borough, with just a bit of design and business thrown into the mix for some good measure. The flagship retail store of Lockwood opened in September of 2013, named after an old street name in Astoria. The Lockwood flagship store carries gift items and home decor with a focus on locally designed and custom products. Just around the corner is Lockwood Style, a women’s apparel boutique with a large range of sizes. Lockwood Paper carries offers notebook embossing and paper products.
32-15 33rd St, Astoria, NY 11106, Phone: 718-626-6030
Museum of the Moving Image
The Museum of the Moving Image in Astoria, New York is the only museum focused on the technology, technique, history, and art of the moving image, including in all its forms, in the United States. This museum is a unique attraction for visitors of all interests and ages, from avid gamers to families and kids to enthusiasts of classic cinema. A wide variety of topics are showcased at the museum, from the latest digital art technology back to the optical toys of the nineteenth century, every phase in the production, exhibition, and promotions of moving images is explored.
36-01 35 Ave, Astoria, NY 11106, Phone: 718-784-0077
Noguchi Museum
The Noguchi Museum is home to the most extensive and largest collection in the world of the designs, models, drawings, and sculptures created by the artist Noguchi. The museum includes the Core Collection that is made up of artwork that Noguchi selected. These works of art were selected because of the great significance they had for Noguchi, several of which are on permanent display in the galleries at the Noguchi Museum. Free Gallery Talks take place on certain days. These talks are free with admission to the museum, and are available in Japanese and English.
9-01 33rd Rd, Long Island City, NY 11106, Phone: 718-204-7088
Astoria Coffee
The goal of Astoria Coffee is to provide the community with a comfortable space in which people can just hang out with family, friends, and neighbors over some great food, coffee, or tea. The coffee shop aims to be a part of community, culture, and art happening within the Astoria neighborhood. The coffee ventures began as a delivery service for whole coffee beans that was inspired by a neighborhood eager for a consistent supply of excellent coffee. The business eventually expanded to a brick-and-mortar store in Astoria, New York. Now everyone in Astoria can enjoy a great cup of coffee.
30-04 30th St, Astoria, NY 11102, Phone: 347-619-3915
The Bonnie Astoria
The Bonnie is a charming Astoria gastropub with two bars and two outdoor spaces – a small front patio and a much larger, beautiful shady garden in the back. The indoors is equally inviting, with exposed brick walls, hanging plants, and Victorian paintings. The Bonnie is a popular brunch place for a good reason: Their avocado toast with poached egg and bacon is divine and so is the biscuit with sausage and gravy. The strong French press coffee and imaginative cocktails will have you hanging out longer than you planned. Chef Nick Testa makes sure that the menu changes often and that you will always find something new to taste. Inventive cocktails are one of The Bonnie’s big attractions. Try the Amaro and brown butter bourbon or the Pamplemousse liqueur with ancho chile.
29-12 23rd Ave, Astoria, NY 11105, Phone: 718-274-2105
Sweet Afton
Sweet Afton is a lively Astoria bar and grill operated by the owners of the popular Wilfie and Nell bar in Manhattan's Greenwich Village neighborhood. The bar, which has been acclaimed as the Queens neighborhood's best burger joint, serves up a selection of local craft brews and straightforward cocktails made with house-infused liquors crafted with flavors such as pineapple, lime, and ginger. The laid-back, intimate vibe of the bar eschews flat screen televisions and sporting events for quaint ambiance, serving up brunch, dinner, and late-night menus full of delicious comfort fare. Shareable appetizer plates include favorites such as artichoke and kale dip, deep-fried McClure's pickles, and Thanksgiving-leftover egg rolls stuffed with cranberries, turkey, and gravy.
30-09 34th St, Astoria, NY 11103, Phone: 718-777-2570
People's Museum
The People's Museum in Astoria, New York is a museum that is truly for everyone, making sure that all people, no matter what their disability or disorder can enjoy the exhibits and learn. The idea behind the museum was to provide a place for enjoyment and learning for all people. Innovative methods are used for the presentation of exhibits, which consists of a wide range of subjects. Visitors can find exhibits about many different cultures from all over the world, contemporary art, Hollywood memorabilia, and dinosaur fossils among many other topics. The People’s Museum also contains a military collection.
22-27 Crescent St, Astoria, NY 11105, Phone: 718-204-7941
Socrates Sculpture Park
The Socrates Sculpture Park in Astoria is a community waterfront park that is dedicated to supporting local artists in the creation and presentation of art for the public. Individuals, families, and groups are all welcome to visit the part and take a self-guided tour of everything the park has to offer any day of the year. Upon arrival, visitors can find explanatory materials about the art on exhibit inside of a box at the main gate of the Socrates Sculpture Park. These self-guided tours typically take around thirty-five minutes. The park is open starting at nine in the morning to sundown.
32-01 Vernon Blvd, Long Island City, NY 11106, Phone: 718-956-1819
SingleCut Beersmiths, Astoria, NY
SingleCut Beersmiths was established by Rich Buceta, a music-obsessed, NYC/Queens born brewer. His lifelong passions for music and brewing led him to a place where vinyl and hops could shine together, side-by-side. Since SingleCut opened in 2012, it has become a well respected establishment and has acquired a loyal following. Rotating pop-up food vendors come to SingleCut Beersmiths every week. The outdoor seating area is dog-friendly, and the tap room occasionally hosts live music.
19-33 37th St, Astoria, NY 11105, Phone: 718-606-0788
