What to do in Long Island City, NY

Activities, attractions and tours

Panorama of Gantry Plaza State Park in Long Island City, Queens, New York in early morning
A waterfront with high-rise buildings and a sign that reads 'LONG ISLAND.'
A brightly lit bridge spanning a river at night with city lights reflecting on the water.
A waterfront promenade with a view of the New York City skyline, including the Empire State Building and other high-rise buildings.
A city skyline at dusk with illuminated buildings reflecting on the water, a bridge, and a sign reading 'LONG ISLAND.'

Long Island City Attractions

Let Expedia help you to experience the best that Long Island City has to offer! If you’re planning a trip to Long Island City, we can provide you with a list of the top sightseeing attractions, as well as helping you to find unmissable activities. Whether you’re travelling to Long Island City with your family, planning a romantic trip with your loved one, or visiting on business, we’ll make it easy to plan an unforgettable holiday that checks all the boxes.

Places of interest in Long Island City

Long Island City is crammed with must-see places to visit and things to do. We can help you decide where to stay in Long Island City, and make it a breeze to explore Long Island City and the surrounding areas with our guides on where to go, what to see and when to see it. No matter how long your stay, it’s easy to find places of interest in Long Island City to make sure that you enjoy your holiday to the fullest and don’t miss a thing. Leave the local knowledge to us and leave the hassle behind.

If you’re planning a visit to Long Island City, why not check out our handy guides to places of interest in the area? You can browse lists of things to do, learn about the most popular attractions, and get help with planning the details of your trip. Expedia makes it easy for you to check out all the top sights in Long Island City.

Long Island City attractions

Long Island City has something for everyone, so whether you’re planning to get active on a summer holiday, put a spring in your step with a romantic rendezvous, or pamper yourself with a leisurely winter trip, you’ll find plenty of attractions in Long Island City to keep you entertained. Expedia makes it easy to book your flight, hotel and rental car in advance, making for hassle-free travel and freeing you up to explore the sights of Long Island City.

Looking for things to do in Long Island City can be time-consuming, but we can take the hassle out of planning your holiday. Whether you’re looking to get active in the great outdoors, sample the cuisine of Long Island City or catch up with the vibrant local culture, our guides to Long Island City attractions ensure that you’ll have a successful trip, whatever the season. Happy trails!

Things to do

Empire State Building Observatory Tickets - General Admission & Express

Empire State Building Observation Deck & Museum Ticket

£31
per child
90% of travellers recommend
Empire State Building Observation Deck & Museum Ticket
SUMMIT One Vanderbilt Experience Tickets

SUMMIT One Vanderbilt Experience Tickets

£36
per adult
94% of travellers recommend
SUMMIT One Vanderbilt Experience Tickets
Edge Observation Deck at Hudson Yards

Edge Immersive Observation Deck Ticket

£31
per adult
98% of travellers recommend
Edge Immersive Observation Deck Ticket
Go City: New York Explorer Pass - Entry to 2 to 10 Top Attractions

New York Explorer Pass: Visit 2-10 Attractions and Save Up to 50 Percent

£63
per adult
84% of travellers recommend
New York Explorer Pass: Visit 2-10 Attractions and Save Up to 50 Percent
Deluxe Helicopter Tour

Ultimate Manhattan Highlights Helicopter Tours

£192
per adult
100% of travellers recommend
Ultimate Manhattan Highlights Helicopter Tours
Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island Tour + Pedestal Access

Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island Tour: All Options

£55
per adult
94% of travellers recommend
Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island Tour: All Options
One World Observatory: Skip-the-Line Ticket

One World Observatory Tickets

£23
per adult
90% of travellers recommend
One World Observatory Tickets
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Most fun & popular experiences in Long Island City

Tours & day trips

See all 655 activities
Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island Tour: All Options

Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island Tour: All Options

Activity duration is 3 hours
9.4 out of 10 with 1878 reviews
Free cancellation available
Price is £56 per adult
Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island Tour: All OptionsOpens in new tab

Private & custom tours

See all 161 activities
New York: Central Park Walking Personalised Self-Guided App Tour

New York: Central Park Walking Personalised Self-Guided App Tour

Activity duration is 3 hours
10.0 out of 10 with 1 review
Free cancellation available
Price is £4 per adult
New York: Central Park Walking Personalised Self-Guided App TourOpens in new tab

Food, drink & nightlife

See all 134 activities
Beast Speedboat Thrill Ride

Beast Speedboat Thrill Ride

Activity duration is 30 minutes
9.2 out of 10 with 94 reviews
Free cancellation available
Price is £26 per adult
Beast Speedboat Thrill RideOpens in new tab

Shows & concerts

See all 53 activities
The Lion King On Broadway

The Lion King On Broadway

Activity duration is 2 hours and 30 minutes
9.6 out of 10 with 1468 reviews
Price is £111 per adult
The Lion King On BroadwayOpens in new tab

Attractions

See all 53 activities
SUMMIT One Vanderbilt Experience Tickets

SUMMIT One Vanderbilt Experience Tickets

Activity duration is 1 hour and 59 minutes
9.4 out of 10 with 960 reviews
Free cancellation available
Price is £41 per adult
SUMMIT One Vanderbilt Experience TicketsOpens in new tab

Recommended things to do in Long Island City

Number of things to do
958
Cheapest thing to do on Expedia
New York: Unlimited USA Internet with eSIM Mobile Data Plan: £3
Top 5 things to do
Half-day tours
With kids

What to do in Long Island City

Popular places to visit

Times Square

Times Square

New York’s infamous neon wonderland is hustle and bustle at its best, and an essential stop for all tourists.

Times Square
Central Park

Central Park

Offering blissful respite from Manhattan’s concrete jungle, this is the perfect spot to rest weary feet or enjoy a picnic.

Central Park
A cityscape with prominent skyscrapers, including the Empire State Building, and a large circular building with illuminated pink and purple lights.

Madison Square Garden

Whether you’re performing here, watching your favorite sports team or entertainer or touring the venue, you’re in for an exciting event.

Madison Square Garden
Statue of Liberty

Statue of Liberty

This symbol of freedom, democracy and hope is one of the most famous statues in the world.

Statue of Liberty
Grand Central Terminal

Grand Central Terminal

This majestic, lively hub for commuters is a must-see for architecture buffs.

Grand Central Terminal
Broadway

Broadway

Visit the dazzling theater district of one of the world’s most exciting cities. Enjoy the shopping, dining and street entertainment as well.

Broadway
Rockefeller Center

Rockefeller Center

One of Manhattan’s most iconic developments, this hub of business and entertainment was considered a remarkable feat when it was completed in the late 1930s.

Rockefeller Center
Yankee Stadium

Yankee Stadium

Baseball’s most famous franchise has a new, somewhat luxurious home in the central Bronx, full of homages to the team’s long history.

Yankee Stadium
Empire State Building

Empire State Building

No trip to New York is complete without zooming up the top of this iconic building, where the views of Manhattan are unmatchable.

Empire State Building

Where to stay in Long Island City

Find the best Long Island City areas for the activities you enjoy most. Learn more about Long Island City
Learn more about Long Island City
A waterfront cityscape with high-rise buildings, a prominent 'LONG ISLAND' sign, and a wooden boardwalk.

Hunters Point

While you're in Hunters Point, take in top sights like MoMA PS1 or Gantry Plaza State Park, and hop on the metro to see more of the city at 21 St. Station or 45 Rd. - Court House Sq. Station.

Dutch Kills

When in Dutch Kills and the surrounding area, you'll want to check out sights like Grand Central Terminal or 5th Avenue and hop on the metro to see more of the city at 21 St. - Queensbridge Station or Queensboro Plaza Station.

Blissville

Blissville might not have many top sights, but MoMA PS1 and Court House Square are two attractions nearby that you can check out.

 

Looking for fun things to do nearby? Check things to do near me to find and book the best things to do, fun activities, and top attractions wherever you happen to be.

 

 

Day trip destinations from Long Island City

New York

New York

Astoria

Astoria

Brooklyn

Brooklyn

Row of Old Brick Homes with Beautiful Gardens with Flowers during Spring in Sunnyside Queens New York

Sunnyside

Frequently asked questions

Is Long Island City worth visiting?
Famous for its bars and pubs and culture, discovering awesome things to do in Long Island City is a cinch. Remember to add Times Square to your itinerary when here.
How do I spend a day in Long Island City?
Times Square and Rockefeller Centre are two good places to kick-start your sightseeing adventures. Be sure to explore the dining and retail options in Long Island City while you're in town too.
What is the top tourist attraction in Long Island City?
Times Square is one of the top tourist attractions in Long Island City and deserves a place on every to-do list of the area.
Is three days enough to stay in Long Island City?
You can easily tick off popular attractions like Times Square, Rockefeller Centre and 5th Avenue with a three-day escape to Long Island City. On average, many travellers book three days here. There's plenty to experience nearby too, so stay a while longer and head to New York.
Is Long Island City a walkable city?
It all comes down to what you want to do and see in Long Island City. Several top sights, such as Times Square and Rockefeller Centre, are reachable on foot. If you're up for a wander around some of Long Island City's neighbourhoods, Manhattan is 5 kms (3 miles) away from downtown, while Midtown is 3 kms (2 miles) away from the city centre and also within walking distance.
What are some activities to do in Long Island City with kids?
Whether you're travelling with hard-to-please teens or tiny adventurers, an itinerary filled with cool activities sets the tone for a great escape. Browse our recommendations for what to do in Long Island City with kids.

What to do in Long Island City for adults?
Brooklyn Brewery and New York Distilling Co. Are just a couple of the things to do in Long Island City. With loads of activities available, there's something here for everyone to experience.
Are there free things to do in Long Island City?
From checking out parks to strolling around vibrant neighbourhoods, it's easy to find free things to do in Long Island City. If you need new ideas, ask for tips from a local tour guide. Times Square is a top spot for anyone wanting to save on their travel adventures.

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