Gantry Plaza State Park
Gantry Plaza State Park
Guía rápida
Gantry Plaza State Park is one of those one-of-a-kind New York spots. It's a park in Queens where you can enjoy the breeze off the river and that famous Manhattan skyline.
What to see in the park
The park sits right on the East River, so the most fun way to get there is by NYC Ferry.
It's one of the most modern parks in New York (it opened in 1998), part of the urban renewal of Long Island City, the trendiest neighborhood in Queens (and a great place to stay in New York: close to Manhattan, with modern hotels at lower prices).
The Pepsi-Cola sign
The symbol of Gantry Plaza is the giant Pepsi Cola sign, an icon of that other New York across the East River.
The sign dates back to 1936, when it marked the Pepsi-Cola bottling plant that stood in the neighborhood decades ago. It's a relic of Long Island City's industrial past.
Thanks to that New York knack for balancing preservation and reinvention, when the Pepsi plant was torn down they moved this pop gem to Gantry Plaza State Park, surrounded by gardens and luxury residential buildings.
What the gantries are
The park takes its name from the gantries, the loading and unloading cranes from the old Long Island City docks, restored and celebrated as industrial monuments.
Concerts and events are held around the gantries in spring and summer. It's a lively spot, and the spectacular Manhattan skyline is always the backdrop.
Manhattan from Gantry Plaza State Park
As I mentioned, this park is one of the best viewpoints over Manhattan.
- You'll see Roosevelt Island and its Four Freedoms Park, another park we recommend visiting.
- The United Nations building, right across from the park.
- You'll be able to pick out the Empire State Building and the Chrysler Building.
- You'll see the Queensboro Bridge, which you can walk across into Manhattan (though it's more fun to ride alongside it on the Roosevelt Island Tram).
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Address
Gantry Plaza State Park: 474 48th Avenue, Long Island City
Hours
8 am to 10 pm
How to get there
Line 7. Vernon Blvd – Jackson Ave station
Line G. 21 St station
East River Route and Astoria Route. Hunters Point South stop (54th Avenue and 2nd Street
Map
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