Long Island City, or LIC as locals call it, was the first neighborhood I ever lived in when I moved to New York. Because of that, it holds such a meaningful place in my heart—and honestly, I don’t think enough people talk about how cool LIC is! I lived there for three years and got to explore it in depth, so I thought I’d put together this little guide to share my top 5 favorite spots in the neighborhood.
But before I get into the places themselves, let’s talk a bit about LIC’s backstory—because it’s fascinating and it explains a lot about why the neighborhood looks and feels the way it does today.
A Bit of History
Long Island City was originally its own city (yes, an actual city!) founded on May 4, 1870. It was part of Queens County and even had its own mayor and board of representatives. It stayed that way until 1898, when Queens was annexed into the City of Greater New York.
In the decades that followed, LIC became a hub for factories, bakeries, and major transportation routes—including the Queensboro Bridge and multiple subway tunnels connecting it to Manhattan. But by the 1970s, most of those factories were being abandoned. Fast forward to 2001, and the city re-zoned the area from industrial to residential. Since then, LIC has exploded with development. Between 2010 and 2017 alone, 41 new apartment buildings were built!
Now it’s a dynamic mix of waterfront parks, high-rise living, cute cafés, and great places to eat—all with a killer view of Manhattan.
If you’re planning to visit or maybe even move to NYC, LIC is definitely worth checking out. And if you need proof, here are five of my absolute favorite places in the neighborhood:
🎥 Watch the full video here before diving into the rest of the post:
1. Gantry Plaza State Park
If you’ve seen dreamy Instagram shots of NYC with the Empire State Building perfectly centered in the skyline—chances are they were taken here. Gantry Plaza State Park is a 12-acre waterfront park that stretches along the East River, directly across from Midtown Manhattan.
It’s the perfect place for a walk, a picnic, or just sitting on a bench with a coffee and pretending you’re in a Nora Ephron movie. You’ll also spot the iconic gantries—big metal crane structures from the area’s industrial days that now serve as historical art pieces.
I went here in every season, and each one gave the park a completely different vibe. It’s worth visiting year-round.
2. The Pepsi-Cola Sign
Yes, that giant vintage-looking Pepsi sign you see in photos? It’s a real NYC landmark—and it’s located inside Gantry Plaza State Park.
The sign has been around since the 1940s when Pepsi had a bottling plant right there on the LIC waterfront. Even after the factory closed down in 2000, Pepsi kept the sign and had it restored. It’s now a preserved landmark, lit up in red neon at night. Very cool, very retro, very photogenic.
Whether you’re into history, branding nostalgia, or just want a fun backdrop for your TikTok, it’s worth a visit.
3. The Piers
Still inside Gantry Plaza (see a pattern here?), the piers are such a vibe. There are four of them in total, each offering unobstructed views of the skyline. There’s also a fishing pier complete with a fish-cleaning station, which I always found oddly charming.
In the summer, the plaza near the piers hosts live music and family activities. You’ll find everything from food trucks to outdoor yoga classes. It’s the kind of place that makes you feel like you’re in the middle of a big city and a small community at the same time.
4. Café Henri
Okay, moving on from waterfront views and into food—which let’s be honest, is everyone’s favorite part of any city guide.
Café Henri is a French café located on Vernon Boulevard and 50th Avenue, right near the 7 train’s Vernon-Jackson stop. I’ve been coming here for years, and it’s always been a go-to for brunch, a cozy solo breakfast, or even a low-key dinner.
The crêpes are amazing (as you’d expect from a French spot), and the coffee is solid. They also have American-style breakfast options like scrambled eggs and bacon if you’re in the mood for something heartier. And yes, it’s dog-friendly—Oreo and I have enjoyed many a sidewalk table here.
5. Bareburger
My final recommendation is just one block away from Café Henri and it’s a place I’ve gone back to so many times: Bareburger.
As the name suggests, it specializes in burgers—meaty, veggie, build-your-own, you name it. I love places that let you fully customize your meal, and this one delivers. Prices are fair (especially for NYC), and the service is always super friendly.
They’ve got indoor and outdoor seating, plus delivery and pickup if you’re having one of those lazy days. It’s casual, fun, and just hits the spot when you’re craving a burger done right.
Quick FAQs About LIC
Where is Long Island City?
LIC is on the western edge of Queens, bordered by Astoria to the north, the East River to the west, and Newtown Creek to the south (which separates it from Brooklyn).
Is it the same as Long Island?
Nope! Long Island City is part of NYC (in Queens), while Long Island is a whole separate area east of the city. The name is confusing, I know.
How do you get there?
Lots of subway lines run through LIC, including the 7, E, M, R, N, W, F, and G trains. You can also take the NYC Ferry—there are two stops: Long Island City and Hunters Point South.
Final Thoughts
LIC is one of those NYC neighborhoods that surprises people. It’s not as touristy as Midtown, not as hyped as Williamsburg, but it’s absolutely beautiful, walkable, and full of history. I love that it still shows traces of its industrial past while embracing its new identity as a thriving residential and cultural spot.
If you’re visiting NYC—or just curious about different neighborhoods—I hope this guide gives you a good starting point. And if you’ve ever been to LIC, let me know in the comments if I missed one of your favorite places!
Thanks for watching the video and reading the post. If you liked it, don’t forget to subscribe to my channel and follow me on Instagram @flopereira for more NYC content and everyday life updates. You can also check out my hashtag #FlorTipsNewYork for more local gems. 🗽
Until next time,
Flor 💫
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