Astoria

There is a lot of geography covered  in this post.  It can be covered by foot- but it is a lot of walking.  Numbers 1-3 are near the Steinway Street subway stop on the M and R trains.  It is also near the 36 Street subway station  on the N and W lines.  Numbers  4, 5 ,6 are right near the 30th Avenue station on the M and R line.  Numbers 7-10 are near the waterfront.  There is a ferry stop a 5 minute walk north of Socrates Park that returns to Manhattan.  The Q103 goes up Vernon Boulevard and stops at 21 Street and Queensbridge for the F train.   Any Queens resident will tell you that MTA service is variable and one should check that the line is actually running and the station is open before beginning the trip. (Or not - the stations are not that far from each other so if one is closed the next one is probably only a few blocks away).

1. Museum of the Moving Image  -http://www.movingimage.us/  Astoria was the original home of the film industry in the United States.  The Museum of the Moving Image located next to the Kaufman Astoria Studios has several floors of exhibits dedicated to many different facets of the Image Industry.  The Muppets exhibit is always a big attraction.  Many exhibits are hands on and popular with all ages.

2.Astoria Kaufman Studios. http://www.kaufmanastoria.com/   Originally this studio was home to Paramount Studios.  The Marx Brothers made films here.

3. Brookyn Grange-  https://www.brooklyngrangefarm.com/markets/This is an urban rooftop farm- with killer views of the skyline.  I think the only way you can really get to see it is to visit the Farmer’s Market on Saturday.  Otherwise check the website

4.Euromarket:   30-42 31 Street This old world grocery store is filled with goodies.

5.Taiwan Union Christian Church-This street  ( 31 Street  between 30 Drive and 30 Avenue)  is a good example of what happens to a street when zoning and neighborhood preservation is  something that happens elsewhere.  Mixed in the street are houses from the Old Astoria Village as well as new apartment buildings.  The Taiwan Union Christian Church is in a building originally built for the Dutch Reform Congregation at the time of the Civil War.

6.Athens Square Park-  https://www.athenssquarepark.org/

Astoria was once known for its large Greek community.  This neighborhood park with its statues of Greek philosophers  and mini amphitheater is a celebration of the communities heritage.  

7.Queens Library at Astoria 14-01 Astoria Boulevard .  This branch is one of the few remaining Carnegie Libraries in New York City.  This building built in 1904 was built with money from the Andrew Carnegie Foundation, which gave grants to build libraries all over the country.

8.Welling Court Mural Project:  Scattered around a series of mostly auto repair shops is a street mural display to rival anything Brooklyn has to offer.  https://wellingcourtmuralproject.com/

9.Noguchi Museum:  http://www.noguchi.org/museum/historyThe museum was designed and  founded by the artist Isamu Noguchi. Noguchi was an American artist of Japanese descent.  He was famous for his sculptures and set designs in the  mid 20^th century

10. Socrates Sculpture Garden:  http://socratessculpturepark.org/A combination city park and outdoor sculpture garden with spectacular views of Roosevelt Island and Manhattan