50+ Things To Do This Summer in Astoria and Long Island City (2017 Edition)

Astoria, the unofficial start of summer has arrived! With Memorial Day behind us, we can finally start to plan our perfect summer fun—movies in the park, pool time, art openings, eating outside, street fairs, and more. Share all your summer adventures with us on social media with hashtags #whasummer2017 #weheartsummer. We’ll be updating this post all summer long, so check back in to see what new items we’ve added! Here we goooo!!!!!

50 Things To Do This Summer In Astoria, LIC, And
Surrounding Neighborhoods In Queens

1. See An Outdoor Movie

Grab a blanket, a friend, and maybe some boxed wine, (guys, don’t bring glass into our parks) and enjoy! We’ve also got a full chronological schedule of Outdoor movies here.

• Movies on the Water at Astoria Park: Monday nights at 8:30pm, series starts July 24.
• International Film Festival at Socrates Sculpture Park: Wednesdays in July & August at 7pm, series starts July 5.
• Newtown Road Backyard Film Festival
• Movie Tuesdays at The Ditty: Every Tuesday at 8:30 pm in the Backyard.

2. Go For A Swim In The Astoria Pool

Our much beloved public pool located in Astoria Park opens June 29th. Get all the info you need before you swim here. If you are a lover of swimming laps, make sure you get all the details here, for Adult Lap Swimming.

3. Go for a Swim at the Profundo Pool Club

The new Profundo Pool Club sits atop the Ravel Hotel, which means there are sweet, sweet views. Get information on pricing options and rules here.

4. View Nari Ward And Folly/Function At Socrates Sculpture Park

Once an industrial landfill and illegal dumping ground, Socrates Sculpture Park is now the crown jewel in the Western Queens art scene.

5. Warm Up At MoMA PS1

Warm Up is not to be missed! Expect a mix of experimental music, sound, and DJs, all right here in our backyard. Local residents with proper ID get in free (contingent on tickets available); get the full scoop here.

6. Do Free Yoga In The Park

Grab a mat and head over to the Socrates waterfront Saturdays and Sundays this summer for free yoga in the park. Get the schedule here.

7. Pick up Vol. 4 of The Paper

We’re feeling strong Summer Vibes for the fourth volume of our print publication The Paper. This edition has Summer Checklists, Queens Staycation ideas, Summer Fashions, and more! Make sure you pick up a copy at any of the locations on our paper route.

8. Take In The Astoria Waterfront Concert Series

Summer is music to our our ears! Make sure you check out the Waterfront Concert series that starts on July 13 at 7:30pm, and ends on August 17. No information yet on who is performing, but we’ll update when we get more information.

9.  Take A Tour Of The Brooklyn Grange—Or Better Yet, Volunteer

The Brooklyn Grange is a leader in the world of rooftop farms, where they grow over 50,000 lbs of organically-cultivated produce per year. Every Saturday they host an open house at their flagship farm right here in Long Island City at no charge—just go between 11am and 4pm. Volunteer hours occur during these Open House hours, and tasks include, but are not limited to, weeding, trellising plants, and laying burlap. This is my second summer as a volunteer and it’s a great way to get your hands dirty and enjoy the fresh air.

10. All Fun & Games

This summer make sure you add some fun and games to the mix. Lucky for you we’ve got lots of ideas! You can lace up some rented bowling shoes and try to get a strike at the old school feel Astoria Bowl, or the newly opened Gutter LIC. Gather a group of friends and try to escape at Locked Escape Rooms NYC. You can also enjoy Billiards, Ping-Pong, Darts, Vintage Arcades, Foosball, and Hoops at Break Bar & Billiards. Finally check out The Geekery HQ and find a great new card or board game to take to the Bohemian Beer Garden.

11. Dance at Socrates Park

This August, Norte Maar’s Dance at Socrates returns to the Park for its 5th season! Each week, two choreographers will complete respective residencies at the Park. Observe cutting edge dance and movement in the making. Come see these resident choreographers perform their finalized pieces along with other contemporary dancemakers in free public performances on Saturday, Aug 5, 12, and 19 at 4pm. Full details here.

12. Support The Ditmars Park Youthmarket

Ditmars Park Youthmarket, is back for its second season, located on Steinway Street between Ditmars Blvd and 23rd Ave. Participating youth learn small business skills, nutrition education and much more, all while serving their community. Go check it out starting June 3. Full details here.

13. Go Kayaking On The East River

The 2017 kayaking season kicks off May 29 at the LIC Boathouse. Full details here.

14. RHINOCEROS in Astoria Park

The Rhinoceros Collective is Trumpeting the message of Eugene Ionesco’s absurdist masterpiece RHINOCEROS in vibrant public art performances. Featuring puppetry, movement and original music,contemporary audiences are invited to reflect on the provocative social parallels emerging today in 21st century America. Performances start July 29. Full details here.

15. Celebrate the 4th of July

The Macy’s Fourth of July Fireworks—are back on the East River which means folks in Queens and Brooklyn have the best opportunity to see the show. The live broadcast will start at 8pm on NBC, starting with live musical acts. That will continue on for the fireworks, which start around 9:20pm. Check out our full 4th of July roundup here.

16. Free First Fridays At Noguchi

On the first Friday of every month, year-round, the Noguchi Museum offers visitors free admission and tours in both English and Japanese. In the summer, Noguchi has extended hours, with a cash bar for drinks in the garden (refreshments are free for Museum members). Extended summer hours start June 2.

17. Check Out Queens Craft Brigade’s First Event

Queens Craft Brigade, a new group of local makers, is throwing their very first event, a summer marketplace/craft fair on July 9th, and will feature all of our favorite things: shopping, food, music, and supporting local businesses! Full details here.

18. Head Out To A Street Fair

Check out our annual no-nonsense list of upcoming summer and fall street fairs in Astoria and LIC, as well as Sunnyside, Woodside, and Jackson Heights.

19. Check Out Summerstage At Queensbridge Park

Puppets, hip-hop, soul disco, and more all right on Vernon Blvd. Event series starts July 22.

20. Chuckle with a Craft Cocktail

Enjoy a night of comedy at The Standing Room in LIC. While you are cracking it up, make sure you check out their collection of expertly crafted cocktails. Read about some of our favorites, and sip on their new summer additions.

21. Shake that Salsa

Learn some new dance moves and get those hips moving with Salsa in Queens. You are not required to arrive with a partner. Learn more about this cool studio here.

22. City of Water Day

Socrates is proud to participate in Waterfront Alliance’s citywide festival, City of Water Day, dedicated to fostering awareness, appreciation, and stewardship of NYC waterfronts and waterways. Aquatic art and costume-making, create a giant Magic Waterfalls sculpture with Free Style Arts Association, learn local waterfront history with Greater Astoria Historical Society, and enjoy a special river-themed Bangla dance and music performance from the Bangladesh Institute of Performing Arts (BIPA). Get the full details here.

23. BBQ4U

Nothing says summer like meat smoked and smothered in sauce. Astoria/LIC has great options for BBQ from the new Salt & Bone, and new kids on the block (they’ll open at some point!) Uncle Jack’s Meat House and Mothership Meat Company. Plus we’ve got our classic favorites The Strand, Butcher Block, and John Brown Smokehouse.

24. Spend A Day At MOMI

We can’t think of a better way to spend a sweltering sticky hot NYC day than in the cool confines of the Museum of the Moving Image. Make sure you check out the Jim Henson exhibit which is now open!!

25. Petals & Roots 2nd Annual Summer Soiree

Feel summer feels at Petals & Roots Summer Soiree. Raffles, refreshments, and plant fun. Make sure you RSVP at (718) 267-1700. Full event details here.

26. Find Waldo In Astoria

Waldo is back and he’s hiding in some of your favorite neighborhood spots! Spend July hunting around Astoria for the chance to win some awesome prizes at the Where’s Waldo Party, Sunday, July 30 at The Astoria Bookshop. Pick up a passport at any of the participating businesses starting July 1 to start looking! Get all the details here.

27. Get Boozy With Bottomless Brunch

Astoria is no stranger to the brunch scene, and better yet, the bottomless brunch scene. Our round-up highlights some of the best places in Astoria to get brunch with DRANKS.

28. Eat, Drink, Be Outdoors

Whether it’s a sunny brunch or nighttime cocktail under the stars (or, more accurately, streetlights) we’ve got LOTS of great places that offer outdoor dining and drinking. Check out our Outdoor Dining Guide here.

29. Grab A Cold One

Astoria/LIC is becoming a hotbed for carefully crafted beers—Saisons, IPA’s, Ales, Stouts and more! No matter the type, these brewmasters are mixing personal passions with delicious flavor combinations. So when the going gets hot, enjoy a super refreshing glass of locally made suds. In LIC you’ve got Big Alice Brewing, LIC Beer Project, Rockaway Brewing Company, and Transmitter Brewery. Here in Astoria we’ve got SingleCut Beersmiths and new on the block, ICONYC‘s Tap Room.

30. 13th Annual Rural Route Film Festival

The Rural Route Film Festival was created to highlight works that deal with unique people and places outside of the bustle of the city. This year the Festival is centered around ‘Singer-Songwriters (…in Suspense)!’ Each film contains live music performances of original and traditional songs…as well as some element of suspense.  There will also be live music on each day of the festival! The Opening Night Screening Party is July 14 at The Brooklyn Grange, with the Core Festival July 15-16 at MOMI. Full schedule here.

31. Run In The Park!

Catch an open run most Saturdays in Astoria Park this summer, courtesy of NYRR. Open to all ages, experience levels, walkers, strollers, and dogs—All are welcome! FYI, Global Running Day this year is June 7. Make a pledge at GlobalRunningDay.org and tell them why you run.

32. Secret Summer Festival 2017

‘Secret Summer‘ is New York City’s first and only Farm-to-Bar Cocktail Festival where food, music, fashion and performance converge. Set in the beautiful Foundry in LIC make sure to wear your garden best and get ready to eat, drink, and be entertained! We can’t wait to check it out! Speaking of secret….use our We Heart Astoria deal and get 20% off tickets.

33. Hop On The Citywide Ferry

Last December we got the scoop on the upcoming Citywide Ferry, and by August 2017 the Astoria routes should be up and running. Don’t want to wait until August to travel, take advantage of the East River Route which picks up and drops off at Hunters Point South.

34. Spend A Day At The LIC Flea

The LIC Flea, now in its fifth year, is back with dozens of new food vendors, a beer garden, and more. (PRO TIP—Check out their themed events during the summer from Beer Festivals, to a Wine Tasting.)

35. Drink At A Beer Garden

Astoria is lucky to have two very different beer gardens to choose from. For the classic experience, spend the day at Bohemian Beer Garden, full of pierogies and pitchers of Czech beer. For a newer, more modern garden experience, head to Studio Square where you can pair mac & cheese with a Loaded Electric Lemonade.

36. Drink On A Rooftop

Grab a drink at one of these awesome rooftop bars with mesmerizing city views: Vista Ballroom, Z Hotel, Penthouse 808, Boro Hotel, or the Luna Asian Bistro.

37. Get In A Killer Workout

Ready for an intense workout this summer? We’re excited to check out Summer Shredd in Gantry Park.

38. Drink On The Waterfront

We heart LIC Landing and all those killer city views (see LIC HENGE above). Stroll around Gantry State Park, take your littles to the Hunter’s Point South Playground, or spend the day exploring our sister neighborhood, and then kick back at LIC Landing for a drink (or two).

39. Pilates in the Park

Every Tuesday at 7 PM join Lynette Nicole in Astoria Park for a 1-hour mat Pilates class. Each session is $10 (cash or PayPal). Mats can be reserved for $2 and must be requested at least an hour before class starts. Pilates in the Park will take place every Tuesday evening throughout the summer, ending in mid-September. More information here.

40. Crawfish Boil At The Bonnie

On July 15, enjoy a Jazz Fest-inspired menu of muffuletta sandwiches, crawfish and fried green tomatoes, plus Hurricanes for all! The festivities kick off at 5pm and a live brass band will keep the party going into the night. Entry is free, and food is sold on a ticket system—$5 per ticket (one ticket for a side dish, two for a main).

41. Support Local Young Artists (and drink at the same time!)

Pilsner Urquell, Reyes Brewing Co. and Queens Homebrewers Club Brewstoria are teaming up to bring you the hottest beer festival this summer at the Bohemian Hall and Beer Garden in Astoria NY. Sample brews from the best of the best local homebrewers and independent craft breweries. Your donation will fund the Queens Council On The Arts’ High School to Art School program. HS2AS provides qualified high school juniors and seniors with college application assistance and financial aid planning necessary to gain acceptance into competitive art colleges. Make a donation and reserve your spot here.

42. Visit The Welling Court Murals

The Welling Court Mural Project opening happens June 10, with a tour of fantastic murals painted by legendary artists.

43. Celebrate Changes At Lockwood

We jumped for joy when we found out that Lockwood was shaking things up, moving Lockwood Style to a bigger space on Broadway (33-06 Broadway), and bringing us Lockwood Paper. Expect to see both new stores open to the public in August. Read the full scoop here. And don’t forget Lockwood’s EPIC Clearance sale on June 23-30; enjoy 50-75% off hundreds of items.

44. A League Of Your Own

Astoria Social wants to build a community of awesome locals coming to together to have fun. Currently they have four leagues that you can join; Darts, Kickball, Softball, and Trivia. Learn more and sign up by contacting Astoria Social here.

45. Drink Like A Pirate

Off The Hook has a new and expanded rum bar! The OTH team loves rum and treats it as a complex tasting drink, not just something to put in your Coca-Cola. So get in touch with your inner Jack Sparrow and learn more about this tropical liquor—plus while you drink like a pirate, eat like one too and enjoy some of Off The Hook’s excellent seafood.

46. Check out Katch’s Backyard Speakeasy

Katch Astoria has a new owner and they’ve got big plans for the big venue this summer. A backyard speakeasy is currently being created, which will open once a week on Thursday nights during the summer months beginning on Thursday, July 13th. The outdoor space will come complete with a retro cocktail list of classics along with black and white movies playing on the flat-screens rather than major sporting events, which will be shown on the other 50 screens indoors.  

47. One Summer Night at The Paper Factory Hotel

On July 27th you are cordially invited to One Summer Night at the Paper Factory Hotel in Long Island City. Featuring hidden rooms, outdoor courtyards, dance clubs, costumed characters, interactive art, theater and burlesque, djays and live bands, reggae and salsa, house music and global beats, 3d projections and wonder. It’s a PARTY you don’t want to miss. Get your tickets and see the full event details here. (P.S.Early bird tickets are only $20!)

48. Q.E.D’s Summer Craft Bazaar

Head over to Q.E.D. on July 22 from noon to 5pm for their Summer Craft Bazaar. Showcasing the neighborhood’s most creative makers, this curated marketplace features one-of-a-kind jewelry, quirky collectibles, hand-crafted cards, tasty treats, eye-catching art, and vintage finds all offered up in an atmosphere that’s about having fun and celebrating the local community.

49. The Queens Cup Cocktail Competition

The Bonnie’s biannual cocktail competition brings ten of Queens’ best mixologists to the bar garden to battle for the Queens Cup. This year the battle will take place on August 7. Competitors will be challenged to create a cocktail around an assigned liquor and theme. Entry is free, and guests can taste a sample of each bartender’s creation before casting a vote for the People’s Choice winner. I’ll be judging this year’s competition…and I’m coming thirsty.

50. Don’t Let The MTA Get Ya Down!

Clearly this post is an argument for staying local this summer, but the MTA likes to reinforce the idea. Summer schedules and public transport are the worst! Take advantage of staying in Astoria and make sure you shop the “No Trains, Stay Local” event on August 11-13. Show your MTA card at participating local stores and businesses for 10% off your purchase. Get more details here.

…And here’s a small list of awesome things to do ALL over NYC that we heart, even though they’re not in Astoria or LIC:

• Stand up at The Queens Stands Up Rally on June 11th. Summer is no time to slack on liberty, democracy, and political participation.
• Make sure you check out Queens Nightmarket. Eat all the noms!
• Buy some peanuts and Cracker Jack, and root for the Queens home team! Full Mets game schedule here.