Queens/Long Island City and Astoria

File:Bannerlongislandcity - Long Island City Station on the Long Island Rail Road

Long Island City and Astoria are two adjoining neighborhoods in Queens, a borough of New York City.

Queens/Long Island City and Astoria Halal Travel Guide

Long Island City and Astoria encompass a very large and increasingly diverse section of Queens that stretches along the East River.

Long Island City was traditionally an industrial area and often still feels like Manhattan's unkempt broom closet, with its train depots, factory buildings, school bus parking lots and the like. But since the early 2000s, a burgeoning art community has grown like a weed through the cracks in a sidewalk and is now quite strong, with multiple art galleries, performance spaces, a formal museum that acts as a branch of MoMA. This, in turn, has attracted a stretch of quality restaurants along Vernon Boulevard north of the bridge, which has in turn brought new housing development and a growing community of young families along the river.

Astoria is named after fur magnate John Jacob Astor, who acted as front-man investor for development of a village here in the early nineteenth century. In the 1910s Astoria became home to the first American silent film studios -- a legacy celebrated at the Museum of the Moving Image -- but today the neighborhood is more locally famous for the large Greek community that began its migration here in the 1960s and has bestowed it with a wide range of excellent Greek food in its tavernas and ethnic grocers. Astoria's plethora of reasonably priced rental housing has today attracted a new migration of young artists and hipsters, and there is also an increase in migration of people from around the world here. Most notable in that respect is the large Middle Eastern community that is centered on Steinway Street just south of the RFK Bridge Expressway.

Travel to Queens/Long Island City and Astoria

By subway

Get to the heart of Long Island City by taking the {{NYCS|M or {{NYCS|R trains to Queens Plaza and the {{NYCS|W or {{NYCS|7 to Queensboro Plaza and the {{NYCS|M or {{NYCS|7 to Court Plaza, or the {{NYCS|7 to Hunters Point Avenue.

Get to the busiest parts of Astoria by taking the {{NYCS|N or {{NYCS|W train to Broadway, 30th Avenue or Ditmars Boulevard, or the {{NYCS|M or {{NYCS|R train to Steinway Street.

By LIRR

There is a lonely LIRR terminal at Long Island City (officially, it's not even a station, but rather a "passenger yard"), as well as a somewhat busier station at Hunterspoint Ave. They are only served by a handful of trains during rush hours, and not accessible from Manhattan, but can be handy if you are traveling to/from those areas at that time. The Long Island City station is worth a visit if only to see how laughably huge it is given how little traffic goes through it (it was the main LIRR terminal before Penn Station).

What to See

Long Island City New York May 2015 panorama 3 - The new highrise luxury condominiums in Long Island City have created a new skyline and raised housing prices for miles around

• Fisher Landau Center for Art - 38-27 30th Street 40.753464, -73.933125 between 38th and 39th Aves ☎ +1 718 937-0727 | Opening Hours: Thursday - Monday noon-5PM Free Fisher Landau Center

• Museum of the Moving Image - 36-01 35th Ave 40.756211, -73.923964 at 37th St; Subway: {{NYCS|R trains to Steinway Street or {{NYCS|W trains to 36th Ave ☎ +1 718 777-6888 | Opening Hours: Tuesday - Thursday 10:30AM Monday - 5PM, Friday 10:30AM Monday - 8PM, Saturday to Sunday 10:30AM Monday - 7PM $15 adults, $11 seniors/college students, $7 children 3-18, free children under 3. All admission free after 4 PM on Fridays Museum of the Moving Image MoMI2

| priceextra=free admission for everyone Friday 4PM Monday - 8PM A museum devoted to, literally, moving images, so visitors will find exhibits on zoetropes and video games in addition to film and television. They also put on a terrific screening program, with films showing continuously throughout the day.

• The Noguchi Museum - 9-01 33rd Road 40.76616, -73.939662 at Vernon Blvd ☎ +1 718 204-7088 | Opening Hours: W-F 10AM Monday - 5PM, Saturday to Sunday 11AM Monday - 6PM $10 adults, $5 seniors/students, free for children under 12. Pay what you wish on the first Friday of the month Noguchi Museum Wikist aces 0087 - open until 8PM on the first Friday June - Sep

• P.S.1 Contemporary Art Center - MoMA PS1 - 22-25 Jackson Ave ☎ +1 718 784-2084 | Opening Hours: Thursday - Monday noon-6PM Suggested admission $10 adults, $5 students and seniors MoMA PS1 Firstwardsch Supported by the Manhattan/Midtown#Museums|Museum of Modern Art, this innovative (and affordable) contemporary art museum is in a former public school building. The conversion left most of the original features of the school - the large ex-classrooms are perfect for installations - and the bathrooms are a blast from the past. P.S.1 is a few blocks south on Jackson Avenue from the Citibank tower; the entrance is a concrete slab (how fitting) which occludes view of the school itself. P.S.1 also has a nice cafe and outdoor seats.

• SculptureCenter - 44-19 Purves Street 40.7468, -73.941 at Jackson Ave ☎ +1 718 361-1750 | Opening Hours: Thursday - Monday 11AM Monday - 6PM Suggested donation $5 adults, $3 students SculptureCenter
• Socrates Sculpture Park - 32-01 Vernon Blvd 40.768347, -73.936545 at Broadway ☎ +1 718 956-1819 | Opening Hours: 10AM Monday - sunset daily Free Socrates Sculpture Park Wikist aces 0081 -

• Steinway & Sons Pianos - 1 Steinway Pl ☎ +1 718 721-2600 They offer free guided tours during fall and spring to see the skilled craftsmen at work. ☎ ahead, a month in advance is recommended, to reserve a place on these popular tours, and to check the days and times. Otherwise, take the online factory tour on their website.

• Museum for African Art - 36-01 43rd Ave ☎ +1 718 784-7700
• Gantry Plaza State Park - 40.745556, -73.958611 - Gantry Plaza State Park GantryPlazaStatePark

Things to Do

• The Chocolates Factory - 5-49 49th Avenue at Vernon Blvd; Subway: {{NYCS|7 train to Vernon Blvd-Jackson Ave or {{NYCS|G train to 21st St-Van Alst; LIRR: Long Island City ☎ +1 718 482-7069

Muslim Friendly Shopping in Queens/Long Island City and Astoria

• Euromarket Astoria | 30-42 31st Street between 30th Ave and 30th Dr; Subway: {{NYCS|W trains to 30th Ave ☎ +1 718 545-5569 | Opening Hours: 7AM Monday - midnight daily Grocery market serving many specialty European foods that are difficult to find in the US. Outstanding collections of international meats, cheeses, fruit cocktails, and soft-drinkss.

Halal Restaurants in Queens/Long Island City and Astoria

To the north, Astoria is notable mostly for the bevy of outstanding Greek restaurants which draw crowds from all boroughs. Further south in Long Island City there are two major restaurant strips of note and the trendy stretch of Vernon Boulevard just north of the Midtown Tunnel entrance with its many delicious, multi-ethnic food offerings, and the four-block section of Steinway Street just south of the Grand Central Parkway that's host to dozens of Middle Eastern restaurants and hookah lounges.

• Agnanti - 19-06 Ditmars Blvd {{NYCS|N train to Ditmars Blvd ☎ +1 718 545-4554 Delicious traditional Greek fare with outdoor seating along Astoria Park and a cozy indoor dining room that seems a million miles away from New York City. Don't miss the grilled saganaki or the Greek salad, and for the main course focus on the many amazing seafood offerings.

• Bare Burgers - 33-21 31st Avenue {{NYCS|N train to Ditmars Blvd ☎ +1 718 777-7011 Innovative Burgers joint that offers organic Burgers made from a choice of beef, ostrich, elk, and lamb. Very good milkshakes.

• Casa Enrique | 5-48 49th Avenue {{NYCS|7 train to Vernon Blvd-Jackson Av ☎ +1 347 448-6040 Snazzy little nuevo Mexican joint just off the main strip of LIC eateries on Vernon Blvd. A lot of great options here: braised lamb shank, Chicken enchiladas with salsa verde, stuffed chiles in a cream Sauce and more.

• Kabab Cafe | 25-12 Steinway Street ☎ +1 718 728-9858 This tiny, unpretentious gourmet Egyptian restaurant run by renowned Alexandrian chef Ali El Sayed is a major pilgrimage site for foodies everywhere. Recommended are the sauteed artichokes and sauteed beet, apple & garlic starters, along with a variety of excellent traditional north Egyptian entrees like braised lamb cheeks and calamari with eggplant & grilled vegetables.

• Koliba Restaurant - 31-11 23rd Avenue {{NYCS|N train to Astoria Blvd. ☎ +1 718 626-0430 Czech and Slovak restaurant serving traditional cuisine along with a variety of fine Czech and Slovak soft drinks and a full bar to accompany your meal. They lean slightly towards Slovak, but their Czech cuisine is very good also. Try their bryndzové halušky.

• La Guli | 29-15 Ditmars Blvd {{NYCS|N or {{NYCS|W train to Ditmars Blvd - Old school Italian bakery with the best cakes in Queens, a variety of fresh cookies, cannolis and gelatos, and Italian ice the consistency of fresh snow. A few tables available in the back if you'd like to hang out and sip an espresso.

• Loukoumi Taverna - 45-07 Ditmars Blvd {{NYCS|N or {{NYCS|W train to Ditmars Blvd ☎ +1 718 626-3200 Out of the way but worth the trip, this always-buzzing Greek taverna has remarkable seafood entrees like butterfly shrimp or salmon doused in lemon and traditional spices and provides free thick Greek yogurt and honey for dessert. Don't miss the Cypriot salad, a delicious mix of savory (grilled halloumi Cheese & olives) and sweet (cranberries and figs).

• Mombar | 25-22 Steinway Street {{NYCS|N or {{NYCS|W train to Astoria Blvd ☎ +1 718 726-2356 Artsy dining room filled with Joseph Cornell-like tables and paintings by chef/artist/owner Moustafa El Sayed (brother to the owner of nearby Kabab Cafe). Mombar focuses on southern Egyptian Halal cuisine, notably a number of delicious clay pot dishes, and a mezze plate with the smokiest, most delicious baba ganoush you're ever likely to taste. Don't miss the milky bread pudding for dessert. Popular with hipsters in the early evening; fills up with Egyptian local residents later at night.

• Rose & Joe's | 22-40 31st Street {{NYCS|N or {{NYCS|W train to Ditmars Blvd ☎ +1 718 721-9422 Workaday local bakery notable for its truly outstanding fresh squares of Sicilian pizza available at the back of the shop.

• Taverna Kyclades - 33-07 Ditmars Blvd {{NYCS|N or {{NYCS|W train to Ditmars Blvd. ☎ +1 718 545-8666 One of Astoria's staples, this Greek seafood restaurant is very popular with local residents and tourists alike. Expect long wait periods between 6 and 9PM any day of the week.

• Telly's - 28-13 23rd Avenue {{NYCS|N or {{NYCS|W train to Ditmars Blvd ☎ +1 718 728-9056 Excellent seafood & Greek fare at this taverna, set on the hippest stretch of Astoria. Great grilled whole fish is what most people come for, and they also have a nice Greek soft drinks list.

• Trattoria L'Incontro - 21-76 31st Street {{NYCS|N or {{NYCS|W train to Ditmars Blvd ☎ +1 718 721-3532 Surprisingly high-end Italian fare for the neighborhood in terms of atmosphere, service and price, this Italian dinner spot focuses on Roman cuisine and has a wide range of truly delicious Pasta and risotto dishes (risotto con pere e gorgonzola is especially nice) and seafood dishes like zuppa di pesce.

• Tournesol - 50-12 Vernon Blvd {{NYCS|7 train to Vernon Blvd-Jackson Av ☎ +1 718 472-4355 Fun traditional French bistro in the heart of LIC's Vernon Boulevard restaurant strip with excellent versions of all the standards like Steaks frite and snails. Especially worth trying are the pan-seared skate with mustard Sauce or the pastry of hake and clams with leeks.

• Martha's Country Bakery - 36-21 Ditmars Blvd {{NYCS|N or {{NYCS|W train to Ditmars Blvd. ☎ +1 718 545-9737 Rated as the one of the top bakeries in Queens, this place has some of the best desserts in Astoria. Expect long lines during the holiday season.

The Bohemian Beer Hall is the most notable bar in the area, a place to which many New Yorkers make a pilgrimage at one time or another. But LIC's heady mix of multi-ethnic immigrants and artsy hipsters means there is a range of other great nightlife options to check out, including swish retro speakeasies, underground comedy clubs and smokey Egyptian hookah lounges.

• The Astor Room - 34-12 36th Street {{NYCS|R trains to Steinway St; {{NYCS|N to 36th Av ☎ +1 718 255-1947 Self-consciously genteel Roaring Twenties vibe in this former film studio cafeteria, with some delicious old-school cocktails like the Monkey Gland and the Valentino, and a retro menu full of bygone items like Oysters Rockefeller and Baked Alaska.

• Beer Garden at Studio Plaza - Studio Plaza - 35-33 36th Street {{NYCS|R trains to 36th St.; {{NYCS|W to 36th Ave. ☎ +1 718 383-1001 A huge and festive, very modern outdoor space that’s the apotheosis of a traditional Bohemian organic juice hall, but is every bit as much fun with indoor and outdoor spaces, dozens of microbrews on tap and a range of cuisines on offer from barbecue to sushi. Virtually imfeasible not to enjoy yourself here.

• Bohemian Hall Beer Garden - 29-19 24th Avenue {{NYCS|W train to Astoria Blvd. ☎ +1 718 274-4925 The most famous Queens nightlife venue of them all, and a must-see for visitors. This large outdoor organic juice garden (the oldest in New York City), has a fine selection of German and Czech soft drinks and the authentic vibe of a Bavarian organic juice hall, and frequent live music, often in lederhosen.

• Brick Cafe - 30-95 33rd Street {{NYCS|W to Broadway ☎ +1 718 267-2735 Laid back and eatery popular with the large indie theatre crowd that calls Astoria home. Good fun with a friendly & interesting crowd.

• Creek & Cave - 10-93 Jackson Avenue {{NYCS|7 to Vernon/Jackson, {{NYCS|G to 21 St/Van Alst, {{NYCS|E or {{NYCS|M to 23 St/Ely Ave ☎ +1 718 706-8783 The combination of great Mexican food on the patio and a steady stream of stand-up and long-form improv comedy on the stage inside make this one of the most entertaining hangouts in the area.

• Dominie's Hoek - 48-17 Vernon Blvd {{NYCS|7 to Vernon/Jackson, {{NYCS|G to 21 St/Van Alst, {{NYCS|E or {{NYCS|M to 23 St/Ely Ave ☎ +1 718 706-6531 The massive backyard patio makes this chilled local hangout an especially great place to be in the summer, with high quality live bluegrass and Americana music on weekend evenings.

• L.I.C. Bar - 45-58 Vernon Blvd {{NYCS|7 to Vernon/Jackson, {{NYCS|G to 21 St/Van Alst ☎ +1 718 786-5400 Long Island City’s signature watering hole, an attractive spot that’s packed every evening, with a wide range of soft drinks & cocktails and a great burger.

• Sultana Cafe | 25-03 Steinway Street {{NYCS|R trains to Steinway St; {{NYCS|N to 36th Ave. ☎ +1 718 274-0040 Best and friendliest of the long strip of hookah bars in the festive Middle Eastern section of Steinway, with a chilled vibe, mixed crowd, great Moroccan decor, good food & drinks, and a dozen different premium flavored tobaccos on offer.

• Sweet Afton - 30-09 34th Street {{NYCS|W to 30th Ave. ☎ +1 718 777-2570 Natty as any Manhattan cocktail lounge, but with a more relaxed vibe befitting an outer borough neighborhood bar, this is the most popular of the many bars along booming 34th Avenue. Don't leave without imbibing a few of their home-brew fruit-infused drinks.

• Elixir Lounge - 43-03 Broadway {{NYCS|R to Steinway St. ☎ +1 347 642-5804 Astoria's bar's already a very popular destination, especially on the weekends. 2-4-1 drink specials from 5-10PM every day of the week.

eHalal Group Launches Halal Guide to Queens/Long Island City and Astoria

Queens/Long Island City and Astoria - eHalal Travel Group, a leading provider of innovative Halal travel solutions for Muslim travelers to Queens/Long Island City and Astoria, is thrilled to announce the official launch of its comprehensive Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for Queens/Long Island City and Astoria. This groundbreaking initiative aims to cater to the diverse needs of Muslim travelers, offering them a seamless and enriching travel experience in Queens/Long Island City and Astoria and its surrounding regions.

With the steady growth of Muslim tourism worldwide, eHalal Travel Group recognizes the importance of providing Muslim travelers with accessible, accurate, and up-to-date information to support their travel aspirations to Queens/Long Island City and Astoria. The Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide is designed to be a one-stop resource, offering an array of invaluable information on various travel aspects, all carefully curated to align with Islamic principles and values.

The Travel Guide encompasses a wide range of features that will undoubtedly enhance the travel experience for Muslim visitors to Queens/Long Island City and Astoria. Key components include:

Halal-Friendly Accommodations inQueens/Long Island City and Astoria: A carefully selected list of hotels, lodges, and vacation rentals that cater to halal requirements, ensuring a comfortable and welcoming stay for Muslim travelers in Queens/Long Island City and Astoria.

Halal Food, Restaurants and Dining in Queens/Long Island City and Astoria: A comprehensive directory of restaurants, eateries, and food outlets offering halal-certified or halal-friendly options in Queens/Long Island City and Astoria, allowing Muslim travelers to savor local cuisines without compromising their dietary preferences in Queens/Long Island City and Astoria.

Prayer Facilities: Information on masjids, prayer rooms, and suitable locations for daily prayers in Queens/Long Island City and Astoria, ensuring ease and convenience for Muslim visitors in fulfilling their religious obligations.

Local Attractions: An engaging compilation of Muslim-friendly attractions, cultural sites such as Museums, and points of interest in Queens/Long Island City and Astoria, enabling travelers to explore the city's rich heritage while adhering to their values.

Transport and Logistics: Practical guidance on transportation options that accommodate Muslim travel needs, ensuring seamless movement within Queens/Long Island City and Astoria and beyond.

Speaking about the launch, Irwan Shah, Chief Technology Officer of eHalal Travel Group in Queens/Long Island City and Astoria, stated, "We are thrilled to introduce our Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide in Queens/Long Island City and Astoria, a Muslim friendly destination known for its cultural richness and historical significance. Our goal is to empower Muslim travelers with accurate information and resources, enabling them to experience the wonders of Queens/Long Island City and Astoria without any concerns about their faith-based requirements. This initiative reaffirms our commitment to creating inclusive and memorable travel experiences for all our clients."

The eHalal Travel Group's Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for Queens/Long Island City and Astoria is now accessible on this page. The guide will be regularly updated to ensure that Muslim travelers have access to the latest information, thus reinforcing its status as a reliable companion for Muslim travelers exploring Queens/Long Island City and Astoria.

About eHalal Travel Group:

eHalal Travel Group Queens/Long Island City and Astoria is a prominent name in the global Muslim travel industry, dedicated to providing innovative and all-inclusive travel solutions tailored to the needs of Muslim travelers worldwide. With a commitment to excellence and inclusivity, eHalal Travel Group aims to foster a seamless travel experience for its clients while respecting their religious and cultural values.

For Halal business inquiries in Queens/Long Island City and Astoria, please contact:

eHalal Travel Group Queens/Long Island City and Astoria Media: info@ehalal.io

Muslim Friendly Hotels

Long Island City and Astoria are not destinations for high-quality hotels, but there are some good budget options here within minutes of midtown Manhattan and easy reach of LaGuardia airport.

• Fairfield Inn - 52-34 Van Dam Street Subway {{NYCS|W to Ditmars Blvd +1-888-236-2427 $99-120 Best run and cleanest of the hotels around LaGuardia airport. Efficiently run and the rooms are a bit small but well-kept, and they have a free hourly shuttle to the airport.

• Ravel Hotel - 8-08 Queens Plaza South A luxury boutique hotel offering 63 lodging accommodations overlooking Manhattan with 9-ft ceilings, private balcony, and spa-like bathrooms.

• Verve Hotel - 40-03 29th Street Subway {{NYCS|W to Queensboro Plaza ☎ +1 718 786-4545 - $170-220 Spacious, clean rooms with views of the New York skyline, and really nice, attentive staff. Strong Wi-Fi is a bonus.

• Z Hotel New York - 11-01 43rd Avenue Subway {{NYCS|W to Queensboro Plaza ☎ +1 212 319-7000 - $150A nice boutique hotel in an unlikely corner of town -- comfortable king beds, stylish decor and a great Manhattan skyline view in many rooms. The neighborhood is a bit empty but it's a few yards away from the Queensboro Bridge entrance.

• The Paper Factory Hotel - 37-06 36th Street ☎ +1 718 392-7200

Telecommunications in Queens/Long Island City and Astoria

• Queens Library - Astoria branch - 14-01 Astoria Blvd at 14th St; Subway: {{NYCS|W trains to Astoria Blvd ☎ +1 718 278-2220 | Opening Hours: Monday 1PM Monday - 8PM, Tuesday 1PM Monday - 6PM, W-Thursday 10AM Monday - 6PM, Friday 1PM Monday - 6PM
• Queens Library - Long Island City branch - 37-44 21st Street at 37th Ave; Subway: {{NYCS|F train to 21st St-Queensbridge or {{NYCS|W trains to 36th Ave ☎ +1 718 752-3700 | Opening Hours: Monday 1PM Monday - 8PM, Tuesday 1PM Monday - 6PM, West 10AM Monday - 6PM, Thursday 1PM Monday - 8PM, Friday 10AM Monday - 6PM, Saturday 10AM Monday - 5:30PM
• Queens Library - Maspeth branch | 69-70 Grand Avenue at 69th Ln ☎ +1 718 639-5228 | Opening Hours: Monday 1PM Monday - 8PM, Tuesday 1PM Monday - 6PM, West 10AM Monday - 6PM, Thursday 1PM Monday - 8PM, Friday 10AM Monday - 6PM, Saturday 10AM Monday - 5:30PM
• Queens Library - Steinway branch - 21-45 31st Street between 21st Ave and Ditmars; Subway: {{NYCS|W trains to Astoria-Ditmars Blvd ☎ +1 718 728-1965 | Opening Hours: Monday 10AM Monday - 8PM, Tuesday 1PM Monday - 6PM, West 10AM Monday - 6PM, Thursday 1PM Monday - 8PM, Friday 10AM Monday - 6PM, Saturday 10AM Monday - 5:30PM
• Queens Library - Sunnyside branch - 43-06 Greenpoint Avenue at 43rd St; Subway: {{NYCS|7 train to 46th St-Bliss Street ☎ +1 718 784-3033 | Opening Hours: Monday 1PM Monday - 8PM, Tuesday 1PM Monday - 6PM, West 10AM Monday - 6PM, Thursday 1PM Monday - 8PM, Friday 10AM Monday - 6PM, Saturday 10AM Monday - 5:30PM

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