25 Lovely Things To Do In Long Island City, Queens (2024)

If you ask us Queens is wildly underrated, and with neighborhoods such as Astoria, Jackson Heights, Sunnyside, and more there’s so much to explore–it is NYC’s largest borough, after all!

Today, though, we’re focusing on Long Island City, an under-the-radar neighborhood filled to the brim with fabulous restaurants, bars, museums, and waterfront parks boasting breathtaking NYC skyline views. Even just one day spent in Long Island City gives you the perfect glimpse into Queens’ vibrancy, though we guarantee you’ll want to spend way more than just one day here.

But where should you start? Don’t worry–we’ve got you. Here’s our ultimate guide to spending the day in Long Island City, Queens:

Coffee Shops/Cafés in Long Island City

The secret to a good morning is a great cup of coffee, and if you’re in Long Island City looking for that perfect cup of joe we know just where to go. Find some of our fav coffee spots below:

1. No Stress Coffee

No Stress Coffee may be small, but it’s a great spot to grab a coffee to go, and its devoted fans often say it’s the best coffee shop in LIC. Beyond coffee they also have delicious pastries and some pretty damn good matcha.

📍 42-77 Hunter Street

2. Deploy Coffee

Grab your coffee to go via Deploy Coffee’s blue cart. The veteran-owned and operated small business is dedicated to serving exceptional specialty coffee, and they do just that with their endless options including flat whites, cortados, lattes, and tea offerings, among other drinks.

📍 47-40 Center Boulevard

3. Academy at Coffee Project NY

Coffee Project NY began in the East Village but it’s since expanded all over NYC, and we love being able to stop over when we’re in LIC. Not only can you grab yourself a coffee here, you can also take one of their many classes such as Coffee Tasting Intensive, SCA Brewing Skills, and Barista Intensive to expand your cup o’ joe knowledge!

📍 21-10 51st Avenue

Best Brunch/Breakfast in Long Island City

It’s the most important meal of the day, so why not make it the most delicious?! From classic diners to mouthwatering French pastries, our fav places to start our day in Long Island City include:

4. Court Square Diner

Nothing says New York quite like the classic image of the 24-hour diner, and Court Square Diner is exactly that. It’s been operating in the same location since 1946 is an essential for locals who live in the area. And yes, it is open 24 hours.

📍 45-30 23rd Street

5. Jackson’s

Jacksons is the place to go for a deliciously hearty brunch with a side of classic rock. We recommend trying the Buttermilk Fried Chicken & Sweet Corn Waffles or the Cajun Shrimp n’ Grits with a co*cktail on the side, like the Spicy Sriracha Bloody Mary.

📍 10-37 Jackson Avenue

6. Cannelle LIC

If you’re looking for something on the lighter side for breakfast, you must check out Cannelle, a contemporary French bakeshop offering classic breads, pastries and quiche, and delicious espresso drinks. From tarts and croissants to cakes and macarons they have literally everything you could imagine.

📍 5-11 47th Avenue

Best Restaurants in Long Island City

Whether you’re looking to burn your mouth off with spicy (yet oh, so delicious) Szechuan food, or play it safe with some Michelin star Mexican fare, here’s our tried and true Long Island City restaurant tour:

7. Casa Enrique

Casa Enrique is Queens’ only Michelin-star-rated restaurant exploring delicacies from different regions across the country including traditional Mexican fare and more experimental dishes. They’re known for their mole, so you’ll definitely want to try it out for yourself!

📍 5-48 49th Avenue

8. Red Sorghum

Red Sorghum is a fairly new 4,000 square foot Hunan and Szechuan eatery and baijiu bar inspired by Wong Kar Wai’s set designs. Not only is the space absolutely stunning, but the menu is so overwhelmingly good (pro tip: go with a couple of friends so you can order multiple dishes to share and try a bit of everything!)

📍 28-03 Jackson Avenue

9. Yumpling

Yumpling began as a small stand at LIC Flea before opening their first brick and mortar on Vernon Blvd in 2021. Here, they serve dishes inspired from traditional Taiwanese cuisine, as well as the food found at Taiwan’s bustling outdoor night markets. Regardless of what you order you won’t be disappointed.

📍 49-11 Vernon Boulevard

10. Anable Basin Sailing Bar & Grill

Anable Basin is an unpretentious waterside joint offering a simple menu of burgers, hot dogs, and beer, and honestly what more could you ask for?! Pair that with the stunning views they offer and you’ve got yourselves a fabulous day.

📍 4-40 44th Drive

11. Manducatis

Family-owned Manducatis Restaurant opened on Christmas Day in 1977 and they’ve been serving straightforward Italian cooking ever since. Dining here feels like you’re at a friend’s house, and as for what to order we suggest the eggplant rollettini or veal parmigiana.

📍 13-27 Jackson Avenue

12. Hupo

Hupo is an authentic Szechuan restaurant where you’ll find contemporary takes on classic dishes, and, honestly, it’ll blow your mind (obviously why they’re Michelin Bib Gourmand Rated!) Their more popular dishes include Chungking Spicy Chicken, Dan Dan Noodles, and Scallion Pancakes, but you also must try their Mapo Tofu!

📍 10-07 50th Avenue

Best Bars in Long Island City

Fancy a co*cktail? Us too, and we know just where to go! Whether you’d like to clink glasses to spinning vinyls or jump inside the Titanic movie (no, we’re not kidding) you should head to one–or all–of the following:

13. 929

929 celebrates mixing in all of its forms–from playful co*cktails that showcase familiar Chinese flavors to meticulously curated playlists and live DJs that highlight retro Asian pop music. The co*cktails are named after classic hits from the golden age of Cantopop and Mandopop, the shareable bites are delish, and the vibes are overall fabulous (plus the staff is friendly as hell). Read more about 929 here.

📍 42-45 27th Street

14. Record Room

New York City isn’t unfamiliar with vinyl record bars, and one of our favs is Record Room in LIC. Tucked behind a coffeeshop (also vinyl-themed) the music here is curated by DJs spinning vinyl records, the co*cktails are meticulously crafted, and the vibes are too captivating to miss. Read more about Record Room here.

📍 4709 Center Boulevard

15. The Baroness

You might have seen videos of that Titanic themed bathroom in NYC (if you haven’t you can here) and if you were curious where you can find it, it’s here at The Baroness! But besides their quirky bathroom the eclectic eatery also offers a range of dishes named after pop culture icons like Whitney Houston, Adele, and Mariah Carey. Learn more here.

📍 47-18 Vernon Boulevard

16. Dutch Kills

For creative craft co*cktails served with hand-cut ice in a dark, throwback-style space, you’ll want to head to Dutch Kills. they first opened in 2009, though they just recently expanded with Debbie’s, a live music venue located upstairs.

📍 27-24 Jackson Avenue

17. Fifth Hammer Brewery + Taproom

At Fifth Hammer’s Brewery and Taproom you’ll find a rotating lineup of draft and canned beers in a wide variety of styles. Plus they also host trivia night every Tuesday at 7 pm! They offer indoor seating, outdoor sidewalk seating, and to-go beer.

📍 10-28 46th Avenue

18. Finback Brewery Taproom

After ten years and countless brews, Finback Brewery deepened their Queens roots with a taproom that opened in Long Island City in December 2023. The space consists of an airy main taproom, which seats 99 people, and a production zone in the back, boasting a close-up view of the brewing area. Read more about the space here.

📍 29-37 41st Avenue

19. Rockaway Brewing Company

Rockaway Brewing Company is yet another Brewery and Taproom in LIC (yes, there’s several of them!) This brewery began in Rockaway Beach, hence the name, but now all their beer is made in LIC. They have several beers on tap with flights available so you can sample multiple kinds, and they also offer tours of the production facilities and hold other fun special events.

📍 46-01 5th Street

Best Museums in Long Island City

In unbearably hot, cold, or rainy weather we love to spend our days hiding out in museums, and Long Island City has a few of its own definitely worth checking out! Find some of our favs below:

20. MoMA PS1

MoMA PS1 is the MoMA’s sister museum, embracing boundary-breaking ideas and experimental practices. One of the best parts: they offer free admission to New York residents everyday they’re open!

📍 22-25 Jackson Avenue

21. SculptureCenter

SculptureCenter is a contemporary art museum founded in 1928 as “The Clay Club” by Dorothea Denslow. Here, you’ll be able to explore underrecognized and emerging artists, many of whom have gone on to celebrated and substantial careers. Since relocating to Long Island City in 2001, they’ve presented works by over nine hundred artists.

📍 44-19 Purves Street

Best Parks in Long Island City

For views on views on views, and simply to enjoy the great outdoors, Long Island City has two parks that allow you to do just that–and they’re absolutely stunning! Find them below:

22. Gantry Plaza State Park

Nothing quite beats the feeling you get in your chest when you see the New York City skyline, and let us tell you: LIC’s Gantry Plaza State Park is one of the best places to get those views. The 12-acre waterfront park is a beautifully landscaped public space with breathtaking views of Manhattan, and it’s the perfect spot for kicking up your feet on a beautiful day. Read more about it here.

23. Hunters Point South Park

Long Island City’s waterfront is actually two parks combined, so along with Gantry Plaza State Park on the north side there’s also Hunters Point South Park on the south side. Hunters Point has all the same stunning Manhattan views as Gantry Plaza, along with a central green, playgrounds, a dog run, picnic terraces, a 13,000 square foot pavilion with an elevated cafe plaza, and more.

Fun things to do in Long Island City

The best part about exploring different neighborhoods around the city is finding out what makes them so unique–like all the fun things they have to offer (because there’s sooo much more to NYC than just eating!) Here are some fun things to do in Long Island City:

24. The Gutter

Gutter Bar in LIC is the brand’s second location of three locations. Here they offer eight vintage hardwood lanes, a galley kitchen featuring NY style hot dogs, and a full bar serving American craft beers. The space is 21+ and beyond the bowling they also have pinball and foosball to enjoy as well.

Bonus: Find more places to go bowling in NYC here

📍 10-22 46th Avenue

Best places to stay in Long Island City

We told you you’d definitely need more than one day to explore Long Island City, so if you need a place to stay in the area while you’re at it so you can prolong the fun, check out our picks below:

25. The Ravel Hotel

Overlooking the East River and Roosevelt Island, the Ravel Hotel is a luxurious hotel in LIC featuring chic hotel rooms, accommodations, amenities, and stunning views of the Manhattan skyline! The best part though: their newly designed 9,500 square foot Penthouse, an indoor/outdoor rooftop restaurant and lounge overlooking Manhattan.

📍 8-08 Queens Plaza S

Looking to explore more NYC neighborhoods? Well, we have way more guides including Bushwick, East Village, Upper East Side, Hudson Yards, and Flushing.