The Ultimate List of Things You Need to Do in Astoria Before the Summer is Over

Before the summer is officially over, you NEED to make sure you’re taking advantage of summer in the city…OUR section of the city, to be exact. You have leftover vacation time, the office is slow, no one’s doing work anyway, the days are longer, the weather is wonderful…no excuses, play like a champion.

We’ve gathered up the vest best ideas for making sure the photos you get next year from Timehop are reminding you that this was the best summer ever.

Consider this a to-do list.

 

Wander Astoria Late During a Nice Evening

Summer evenings are the best, and Astoria’s got plenty of spots open late to satisfy late night wandering. Here are 10 spots that are open late.

 

Walk Further than Normal to Try Something New

On that note, when it’s nice out, there’s no excuses for not traveling more than 5 minutes for dinner. We put together a great list of awesome spots that are off the beaten path, but definitely worth the walk.

 

Experience the Astoria Pool

Our much beloved public pool located in Astoria Park is open daily 11am to  7:00 p.m. Get all the info you need before you swim here.

 

Hit Up Smorgasburg in Long Island City

If you’ve always wanted a Ramen Burger, but have been too lazy to go to Brooklyn to get one, your prayers have been answered. Don’t miss Smorgasburg Queens.

 

Shop Socrates Sculpture Park’s Green Market

This market serves the Long Island City and Astoria communities with farm-fresh fruits and vegetables and family-friendly activities every Saturday. Shoppers will find a bountiful selection of seasonal produce, orchard fruit and juice, meat, poultry and eggs and multi-ethnic artisan breads. Read our full scoop, here.

 

Do Yoga in the Park

Saturdays through September, get your yoga on with city views. For free. More info here.

 

Geek Out at HiFi Records

Astoria finally got a record store, and it’s really sweet. Go before it’s too late to say you went before it was cool.

 

Eat Outside

The #garden is in full swing @sweetaftonbar come join for #happyhour today from 4-7! Or join us this evening for a #cocktail under the lights. #sweetafton #Astoria #Queens #backyard

A photo posted by Sweet Afton (@sweetaftonbar) on Jul 28, 2015 at 10:05am PDT

  Get your dose of Vitamin C or enjoy the cool night summer breeze while dining at one of our favorite spots with outdoor seating.      

 

Turn Your Vacations Days into Staycation Days

Long Island City has some pretty sweet hotel offerings. Why not stay close but still get away? Pretend to be a tourist and don’t allow yourself to go to any spots you’ve been before or any chains.   

 

Go to a Beer Garden

Bohemian Beer Garden is the oldest Beer Garden in the city. I think there’s some sort of unwritten rule that if you don’t visit once a year, even if you don’t live here, you’re not a true Astorian. You can also go to Studio Square (also great, just not the same).

Join us at the LIC Flea on Saturday, August 29th

Unlimited beer during our event, We Heart logo tote bag, Instagram Contest with Prizes, Live Music, and MORE! Get your tickets like right now.

Find a Friend with a Rooftop and Drink on It

C’mon, is your landlord really going to find out you had friends on the roof if it’s just a few people. Grab some booze, your closest friends, and chill out on a roof while you still can.

 

Drink Iced Coffee

 People will start to look at you funny when you drink iced coffee after the summer, so enjoy it now, sans the weird looks. Here’s all the places I go to get it and love it.     

 

Support a New Business

Nazca, a new #Peruvian restaurant on Broadway, opens tonight! We got our hands on the menu. There’s lots of 🐙🐟. 📍Link in the bio!📍 #WeHeartAstoria #AstoriaQueens #Astoria #astoriany

A photo posted by We Heart Astoria (@weheartastoria) on Aug 6, 2015 at 8:13am PDT

Things are always opening in Astoria. Check out a “New Arrival” and be an early supporter.

 

Take a Sexy Instagram of Your Hood

#VSCOcam #sunset #AstoriaNYC #AstoriaQueens #astoryofastoria #WeHeartAstoria #skyline #nyc #rooftop #neighborhood #queensny A photo posted by Edith (@enjurado) on Aug 14, 2015 at 5:36pm PDT

Show off how awesome it is living here. Just don’t do it too much. We don’t want outsiders to get in on our secret. Get inspo from the @WeHeartAstoria Instagram account.  

 

Do Trivia

There are a dozen+ bars around Astoria and LIC  that host trivia.  Make it a point to check out a round before sports take over this fall.

 

Go Kayaking on the East River

 

 

A photo posted by We Heart Astoria (@weheartastoria) on Jul 27, 2015 at 9:38am PDT

The LIC Community Boathouse has lots of opportunities to get out and paddle on the East River this summer. Runs through early September. Get all the info you need here.

 

Enjoy Some Ice Cream

Let’s face it, ice cream is just better in the summer, even though we’ll never stop eating it all year round. Need a place to indulge? Check out Sweet Jane’s, Queens Kickshaw, and Astoria Coffee, are just a few spots that made our list of where to satisfy your sweet tooth.

 

See the Mad Men Exhibition at Museum of the Moving Image Before It’s Gone

Matthew Weiner’s Mad Men Exhibition has runs through September 6. Be sure to stop by MoMI before it’s all over!

 

Take in the Changes at the Noguchi Museum

If you’ve never been to the Noguchi Museum, you must check out one of the area’s true cultural highlights. If you’ve been before, stop in to view some of the changes being made for their 30th anniversary.

 

Go to the Astoria Flea Night Market

 

 

A photo posted by We Heart Astoria (@weheartastoria) on Jul 30, 2015 at 6:17pm PDT

The Astoria Flea returns as a Night Market in September. Do not miss out on what is sure to be Instagram gold.

 

Go on a Picnic (and let someone else worry about packing the food)

 

Take an amazing picnic to one of our local waterfront parks or Athens Corner without doing any of the hard work. BEAR’s menu looks like summer perfection.

 

Get Some Exercise

SUMMER SHREDD AT ASTORIA PARK IS BACK AND IN FULL EFFECT! !! Check out these Shredders killing the partner log jump! This was after the workout and decided to have some fun! #muscles #Astoria #astoriapark #summershredders #shredd #summerworkout #sundayfunday #summershredd15 #queens #nyc #beastmode #iwillwhatiwant #staymotivated #sticktoyourgoals #partnerworkout #weheartastoria A video posted by Dorian L Cervantes (@dorianrocksfit) on Aug 2, 2015 at 1:04pm PDT

The days are longer, so you have more time in the day, which is a good reason to stop putting off going to the gym.

 

Don’t Miss Frozen Hot Chocolate

Try the Astor Bake Shop iced hot chocolate, made with a 61% Belgium dark chocolate and a 35% Belgium milk chocolate. Blended with ice it’s like a rich chocolate smoothie, optionally topped off with whipped cream and chocolate sauce.

 

Read a Book in the AC

If you still don’t have AC, it’s only going to get hotter before things cool down. Head to one of these places to stay cool and read that book you’ve been avoiding all summer.

 

Hop on The East River Ferry

In the heat of summer, we all know being on the water is the best. Why not hop on the East River Ferry and head to Williamsburg, Greenpoint, or Governor’s Island? All the info you need is here.

 

Go for a Bike Ride

The bike lanes are calling your name. Does yours need fixing? Or need to get one? It’s not to late! Visit one of these local places, and get riding again: Tony’s, Bike Repairman, Bike Stop, and Spokesman Cycles. You’re also able to ride CitiBike in Long Island City now!

 

Try Something New

Stop ordering the same old same old. Be adventurous. We’ll give you ideas.

 

Show Off Astoria to Your Friends

Tired of that annoying friend who’s always saying there’s nothing in Astoria? There’s always cool stuff to see and do here, but even more so in the summer. Use our post “Where To Bring Visitors In Astoria” to give you the best ideas for showing off our hood to outsiders.

 

 

What’s on your to-do list pre-summer’s end? Have you done anything on this list yet? Share share share in the comments!

One Comment

Kate August 17th, 2015

This is such an awesome list! I recently spent an entire fun-filled day in the area surrounding the Socrates Sculpture Garden, which I highly recommend. Begin the day with yoga and end with a delicious treat at Astor Bake Shop (with some artsy stuff and kayaking in between!). There’s also some good graffiti sightings in that area!

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