Welcome to Astoria
A historic, residential neighborhood with a charming community
Astoria is one of the most fascinating neighborhoods in New York City. Known for its historic low-rise buildings, it offers a calm pace of life within New York City’s bustling metropolitan landscape. It’s a tight-knit community filled with small businesses, restaurants, and some of the best Greek food in the city. Named one of the 10 coolest neighborhoods in the world in 2019, Astoria draws global attention for its excellence as a place to live.
One of the best things about Astoria is that no matter where you are, you’re never far from the water. Astoria is bordered by the East River, Roosevelt Avenue, and 31st Street. The eastern part is largely commercial, with both small businesses and larger chains. The western side of the neighborhood is residential, with a variety of buildings and styles.
What to Love
- Convenient commute to Manhattan
- Nightlife at pubs
- Several renowned museums
- Unique mom and pop shops
Local Lifestyle
Astoria is a lively neighborhood with many parks featuring spectacular views of the New York City skyline. Tree-lined residential streets are aplenty in the northwesternmost neighborhood of Queens. With easy access to Manhattan and Brooklyn by train, Astoria is an ideal home base for anyone interested in commuting or exploring all of New York City. Many artists call Astoria home, contributing to a bohemian vibe in the neighborhood. While there are popular chain restaurants and stores, Astoria is known as a haven for small businesses, including restaurants, boutiques, and other locally owned stores. This facilitates a strong sense of community within the neighborhood.
Dining, Entertainment & Shopping
Astoria features many standout museums. The Museum of the Moving Image (MoMI) houses an impressive collection of moving image artifacts, including a large collection of silent films. Opening in 1985, the Noguchi Museum features sculptural works by artist Isamu Noguchi, a prolific visual artist whose work spans six decades.
As far as parks are concerned, Socrates Sculpture Park is a great place to relax and take in some greenery. Socrates Sculpture Park is dedicated to displaying artwork by local artists, indicative of the artistic essence of Astoria. In the warmer months, you can take a dip in the massive swimming pool or enjoy the bocce courts at Astoria Park, situated along the East River.
Foodies will rejoice at what Astoria has to offer. Bohemian Hall & Beer Garden, the oldest beer garden in New York City, is a popular spot to enjoy a beer and a slice of pizza. This restaurant offers a variety of craft beers on tap and has a spacious outdoor patio perfect for large groups.
Comfortland is a quirky bakery with decorated donuts and quick breakfast sandwiches. Neptune Diner, another iconic restaurant in Astoria, infuses Greek and Mediterranean cuisines with American diner staples, reflecting Astoria’s history and culture.
Things to Do
Residents and visitors of Astoria can tour the Steinway Factory, where iconic Steinway pianos have been built since 1880. Kaufman Studio, where many legendary television shows have been shot, is in Astoria. The film studio includes credits such as “Sesame Street” and “Orange Is the New Black.” The Studio is a hallmark of the Kaufman Arts District, a section of Astoria featuring different art institutions.
Each September, Astoria residents enjoy the beginning of autumn at the Astoria Alive Street Festival, which features high-quality craft booths, food vendors serving a variety of international cuisines, and carnival games. The festival takes place on 31st Street each year in Astoria.
