Long Island City Hotels

Long Island City, New York

It’s nothing less than a crime that Long Island City is often overlooked in favor of the bright lights of Manhattan. It is true that this is a commercial and residential neighborhood in the borough of Queens, but don’t be fooled – Long Island City is home to a veritable wealth of artsy studios, exciting galleries and cultural institutions, giving it an official hidden gem status.

Exploring the Arts

It’s easy to fill the days with culture when visiting Long Island City. First stop: the curious Socrates Sculpture Park, which provides artists with the space to exhibit large-scale sculptures and multi-media installations in an outdoor setting. At certain times of year, the Hip to Hip theater company puts on public Shakespeare plays for free; theater-goers can bring a blanket, a chair and some picnic fare, and enjoy the show.

Long Island City is home to the Museum for African Art, the only dedicated museum of its kind. Nearby is the Fisher Landau Center For Art, where Andy Warhol’s 1981 original Myths is permanently displayed. The MoMA PS1, on Jackson Avenue, is one of the largest centers of contemporary art in the whole country, and consequently attracts many tourists and travelers from all over the world.

Artists themselves can rent out the Attic Studios for exhibit opportunities or other special events, so it’s a good idea to check the venue’s calendar for upcoming shows. To get in touch with the community, visitors can check out the new writers’ and artists’ salon known as the Oracle Club, where locals pay a membership for reading groups and writing classes.

Shopping

As is to be expected from a neighborhood this artistically switched-on, the retail opportunities in Long Island City are truly eclectic. Just Things is a thrift shop that has been supplying spectacularly odd items for nearly 30 years, while Underpenny sells museum-worthy antiques. For something distinctly Long Island City, shoppers head to Matted LIC, a concept store that is both an art gallery and a picture framers.

Nightlife

With such a vibrant art scene, it makes sense that Long Island City would have a young population and a booming social scene. Locals know that Alewife Queens is one of the best spots to start an evening in, with over 28 tap lines dispensing craft suds to its patrons. There’s everything from Belgian to German, American and British beers. Wine aficionados flock to Domaine Bar a Vins, with its vintage lights and leather stools, over 40 wines by glass available for sampling, and live jazz. This area comes alive at night, so exploring it on foot is a must!

If you’re ready to try somewhere different, check out our range of accommodation in other exciting cities.