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Astoria Neighborhood
My family and I have lived in Astoria for 15 years. This vibrant, Queens neighborhood is home to one of the most diverse populations in the city. Astoria is a fascinating, quaint area that has gained a reputation for its ethnic foods, charming homes, and rich history. Astoria Park, Socrates Sculpture Park, and Athens Square Park are all found within the boundaries of the neighborhood and provide residents and visitors with plenty of beautiful green space. The westbound side of the neighborhood features waterfront parks, trails, and beaches that border the East River and offer unobstructed, picture-perfect views of Manhattan. Residents describe their community as relaxed with low-key nightlife, and host to a community of tight-knit locally owned restaurants and shops. Below are some recommendations for visting during your stay!
The Museum of The Moving Image was built in 1988 and occupies one of the thirteen buildings that used to comprise the former Astoria studio complex in the early 1920s. These buildings were the center of filmmaking in the U.S. before the industry moved west to Hollywood. Today, the Museum of The Moving Image offers screenings in several theaters and screening rooms and contains a gallery that presents audiences with video art. The museum holds a range of production workshops, tours, and screenings that are enjoyed by tens of thousands people each year.
This beautiful 65 acre park located on the west side of Queens is home to the largest swimming pool in New York City. Astoria Park also has beautiful views of the Manhattan skyscrapers and offers a variety of activities including two playgrounds, an outdoor track, bocce court, six tennis courts, an athletic field, and three baseball diamonds.
Once an abandoned riverside landfill, Socrates Sculpture Park was transformed by Artist Mark Di Suvero into an open studio and exhibition space for artists. This park is now an internationally known outdoor art museum and part of the New York City public park system. Over 1,000 artists have their work showcased on these 5 acres of waterfront land, making the park a center for cultural programming.
Founded in The Metropolitan Museum of Art is one of the world's largest and finest art museums. Its collection spans 5,000 years of world culture, from prehistory to the present and from every part of the globe. The Met has always aspired to be more than a treasury of rare and beautiful objects. Every day, art comes alive in the Museum's galleries and through its exhibitions and events, revealing both new ideas and unexpected connections across time and across cultures.
