Astoria Queens: What to See in New York’s Greek Barrio

Astoria is home to the largest Greek community outside Greece.

These days it's a neighborhood picked by plenty of young Manhattan professionals looking for lower rents and a better quality of life (the same thing that's happening in neighboring Long Island City).

Things to Do in Astoria

This Queens neighborhood is perfect for an interesting night out to the beat of European techno, or for tasting Greek specialties in the many tavernas, restaurants and cafes scattered around the area.

You'll love running into the Orthodox churches that give the neighborhood its distinctive look.

1. Visit Astoria Park

Nature lovers will enjoy Astoria Park, a great spot to rest after a Mediterranean feast or to watch the lights of Manhattan come on at sunset.

The park sits between the Triborough and Hell Gate bridges.

Walking beneath their bases and hearing the constant hum of traffic crossing from Manhattan to Queens is something else.

Recommended if you want to see a different side of New York. Sometimes Manhattan is more beautiful from a distance.

2. Museum of the Moving Image

The neighborhood is home to the Museum of the Moving Image.

This museum holds the largest collection of memorabilia and objects used in the American film industry.

Where to Eat

Serious foodies say the best Mediterranean restaurants in New York are between Astoria Boulevard and 28th Street. You can't go wrong.

Here you'll find more suggestions on where to eat in New York, with classic dishes from other communities.

Astoria in Pop Culture

This Queens neighborhood comes with a few unavoidable pop culture references:

• 37th Street, between Ditmars Boulevard and 23rd Avenue, is known as the Seinfeld Street, because it shows up in the exterior shots of George Costanza's parents' house.
• Most of the exteriors for Martin Scorsese's Goodfellas (1990) and Robert De Niro's A Bronx Tale were shot in Astoria.

And that's just a sample of the countless film and TV productions shot in this neighborhood, chosen partly for how close it is to Silvercup Studios and other production companies based in Long Island City.

How to Get There

N and W lines. 30th Ave, Astoria Blvd or Astoria Ditmars Blvd stations

Map

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