The Greek roots, still visible
Astoria has been a center of Greek immigration to New York since the mid-20th century, and it's still one of the largest Greek communities outside Greece itself. Long-running Greek bakeries, tavernas, and cafes anchor the neighborhood even as its population has diversified significantly.
Getting there
The N and W trains reach Astoria directly from Manhattan, with the elevated tracks along 31st Street giving the neighborhood's main commercial strip a distinct, above-ground subway feel that's different from most of Manhattan's underground stations.
What's there now
Alongside the Greek institutions, Astoria has a strong Middle Eastern and Balkan food presence, and a fast-growing Brazilian community around Astoria Boulevard. It's a genuinely good neighborhood to just walk and eat your way through without a strict plan.
Beyond food
- Astoria Park — one of the best, least-crowded views of the Manhattan skyline and the Hell Gate and Triborough (RFK) Bridges, with a historic public pool.
- The Museum of the Moving Image — a genuinely excellent, under-visited film and media museum, one of the few of its kind in the US.
- Socrates Sculpture Park — a waterfront outdoor sculpture park, free to enter, with rotating installations and its own skyline view.