Long Island City was its own independent city until it merged into New York in 1898, and it still feels like a distinct place. Sitting in western Queens just one stop from Midtown on the 7 train, LIC has become one of the city’s best neighborhoods for art and waterfront views.
The Noguchi Museum is the big draw -- Isamu Noguchi’s own studio converted into a serene gallery of his sculpture and design work. MoMA PS1 hosts some of the most adventurous contemporary art shows in the city. Socrates Sculpture Park, a former illegal dumpsite turned outdoor gallery, sits right on the East River with Manhattan skyline views. The Sculpture Center, housed in a converted trolley repair shop, rounds out the art scene.
The waterfront at Gantry Plaza State Park is worth the walk for the views alone, especially at sunset. The food scene has exploded in recent years, with everything from Uruguayan steaks to Sichuan noodles along Vernon Boulevard.