8 Must-Do Outdoor Activities in Astoria to Welcome the Sunshine!
It’s April, Astoria. The doldrums of winter are finally behind us. The sun is shining, the days are longer, and the temps are warmer. Spring is finally here and is bringing a newfound energy to the neighborhood. With brighter skies ahead and the vibrancy of everyday life coming back into the fold, you may find yourself rejuvenated and eager to break from winter’s dormancy and the confines of your apartment. The good news is every weekend this month, Astoria is blooming with a plentiful array of outdoor activities for you to bask in the glory of the sun. Whether enjoying brews and BBQ out in the open air, shopping at street fairs or outdoor farmers markets, or getting an edge on your fitness to attain that beach bod for the summer months, we’ve got nine weekend activities to help you make the most of the sunny days ahead.
Experience The Total Solar Eclipse From The Lawns of Astoria Park
We know Spring isn’t all sunshine. In fact, there will be a day when the sun will go dark for a mere 13 minutes! A total solar eclipse will visit New York on April 8, 2024 beginning at 3:16 pm EDT with the final exit of the Moon’s shadow from the state at 3:29 pm, and Queens will experience 90 percent totality. A total eclipse of the sun is the most beautiful sight you will ever see in the sky, so make sure you have your eclipse viewing glasses ready! The next one won’t happen for another 21 years!
19th St. and 23 Ave | www.nycgovparks.org/parks/astoria-park
Start With Having Authentic Wood-fired Neapolitan Pizza On This Sunny Astoria Street Corner
Sal Scampitelli has been serving his piping hot $12 Naples-style pies from his brick oven on the corner of 46th Street and 19 Avenue since November 2020. The brick oven he ordered from Naples, Italy, was initially intended to be used for outdoor private parties during the pandemic. Fast forward to today it has transformed to be much more than that, a place that brings together Astoria’s diverse community through the universal love of pizza. Make the trip to support this Napolitano turned Astorian small business owner who carts his pizza oven around town.
46th Street and 19 Avenue | @pozzuoli_pizza_party_
Friday Happy Hours At The Bohemian Hall & Beer Garden
Take yourself back to Astoria’s quintessential beer garden for Happy Hour. This cherished landmark stands as one of the city’s oldest beer gardens and reflects the neighborhood’s rich cultural tapestry. With spacious communal outdoor seating underneath majestic trees and twinkling lights, the beer garden offers a warming atmosphere for friends and family to gather. Happy Hour runs from 5PM – 7PM. Enjoy $5 draft beers and well shots; $6 bottles and cans; $7 wines; $10 cocktails and $10 beer and shot specials.
29-19 24th Avenue | @bohemianbeergarden | bohemianhall.com
Saturday Morning Runs At Astoria Park
Shed off that winter weight and blow the dust off your running shoes by hitting Astoria Park for a refreshing run under the sun. Every Saturday from 9am – 12pm New York Road Runners (NYRR) hosts a community-led 5K run in the park that is free and open to runners and walkers of all ages, abilities, and experience levels. The course route will take you through the park’s wooded trails around the pool and along Shore Blvd for gorgeous river views as you run under the Hell Gate and RFK bridges.
19th St. and 23 Ave | @nyrr | nyrr.org
Walk The Tree-Lined Skillman Avenue and Shop At Sunnyside Greenmarket
If you still need to address your farmers market fix, just a hop, skip and a jump away from Astoria is the Sunnyside Greenmarket at Skillman Ave between 42nd and 43rd streets. Adjacent to Lou Lodati Park, the Sunnyside Greenmarket, hosted by GrowNYC on Saturdays from 8am-3pm, is a bustling community hub that draws a diverse array of Queens residents from around the area. Here, you’ll find vegetables that were nurtured from the black dirt of Orange County, along with specialty Mexican produce and herbs, eggs, seasonal fruits, cider, freshly caught fish, baked goods, and more. You’ll also find other culinary delicacies like artisanal cheeses, pickled vegetables, grass-fed beef, and wine crafted from locally grown grapes.
Skillman Ave between 42nd and 43rd streets | @grownyc | grownyc.org
Sweeten Springtime With The Kids At Astor Apiaries
Spring isn’t spring without the buzzing of bees flitting from flower to flower and bringing life to the season’s blossoms. At Astor Apiaries’ newly opened Honey House on the corner of 23rd Ave and 38th St, they offer classes about bees and beekeeping, and produce exceptional raw honey from NYC bees. On Saturday, April 20th, from 11-12pm, you and your kids can buzz into a world where culinary arts meet the wonders of nature in their “Bee-a-Chef: Junior Cooking Class.” This class focuses on the preparation, cutting, and mixing of simple, healthy recipes that your kids will love. Each recipe includes honey or other hive products, like pollen and honeycomb. Plus, you’ll use ingredients that only exist thanks to the essential role of bees in pollination! The class is tailored for young chefs aged 5-10. Secure your child’s spot in this delightful culinary journey at http://astorapiaries.com/events. Tickets $35 each.
33-22 23rd Ave | @honeyhouse.nyc | astorapiaries.com
Join the 4th Annual Jeff Michner BBQ Benefit at Pig Beach BBQ, April 26 11am-5pm
Along with sunny days and blooming flowers, spring also heralds the arrival of BBQ season, and there isn’t a better way to ring in the season than at Astoria’s ultimate BBQ spot, Pig Beach. The annual Jeff Michner BBQ Benefit is a full-day meat smokin’ extravaganza organized in honor Pig Beach’s late BBQ executive chef. This all day event will feature more than 25 indoor & outdoor food stations helmed by celebrated chefs and barbecue royalty from across the county, plus complimentary beer, specialty cocktails, and non-alcoholic refreshments. Tickets can be purchased at pigbeachnyc.com
35-37 36th St | @pig_beach_queens | pigbeachnyc.com
Central Astoria LDC’s International Cultural Festival, April 28 11am-6pm
Get ready for the ultimate spring extravaganza hosted by the Central Astoria Local Development Coalition (CALDC). CALDC will turn Steinway St. into a cultural epicenter that will showcase a melting pot of local street food, arts and crafts, and various other activities, reflecting the vibrant diversity of Astoria’s community.
Steinway St. between 28th & 34th Ave | centralastoria.org | @centralastorialdc
