Want to take your day in Long Island City to the next level? Consider these tips to maximize your time in New York City’s most under-the-radar borough.
Lean Into the Local Scene During a Long Island City Day Stay
- Stroll Among the Sculptures - Take a dive into the buzzing LIC art scene with a visit to the picturesque Socrates Sculpture Park. Open 365 days a year, this beautiful five-acre outdoor museum features an ever-changing roster of sculptures, exhibitions and multimedia installations. Be sure to arrive at the park before sunset to scope out some incredible views of the NYC skyline!
- World-Class Art - Head to MoMA’s edgier little sister, MoMA PS1, to get schooled on the various aspects of contemporary art. MoMA PS1 differs in that unlike most traditional museums, it is solely an exhibition space. Here you can see some of the edgiest and most experimental art in the world, as well as indulge in a full schedule of musical and performance programming.
- Cozy up with a Cocktail - Learn all about ‘drinkable art,’ or the craft of the cocktail at renowned cocktail bar Dutch Kills. Owned by the same proprietors as Manhattan’s famed Milk & Honey, Dutch Kills brings the upscale cocktail experience, with a splash of speakeasy vibes to Long Island City. If you can’t decide on a delicious beverage, tell the bartender your preferred flavor profile and they'll whip up something special!
- Get Your Sweat On - Conquer your fear of heights (or at least break a sweat) at The Cliffs, one of the country’s largest climbing gyms. A spacious expanse of 30,000 square feet dedicated to all things climbing and bouldering, The Cliffs is a perfect way to dip your toes into this exhilarating but often-intimidating sport. The gym offers affordable day passes as well as a 1.5-hour intro class for beginners.
Six Long Island City Facts We Think You Should Know
- Silvercup Studios, which has produced TV hits such as 30 Rock and Sex and the City, was once a Bakery.
- MoMA PS1 is named after the former public school in which it is housed.
- LIC was the home of the infamous 5 Pointz, a building housing artists’ studio which was legally painted on by graffiti artists.
- LIC is home to the largest fortune cookie factory in the U.S, producing 4 million fortune cookies a day!
- The village of Dutch Kills was once an important road hub during the American Revolution.
- Many of your favorite businesses call LIC home, including Fresh Direct, Brook Brothers, Jet Blue, and now...Amazon!
