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A quick subway ride from Midtown, Long Island City has quickly become the suburbs inside New York City with the best view of the famous Manhattan skyline.
Long Island City is flanked by the Midtown Tunnel to the south and Queensboro Bridge to the north. It runs along the East River waterfront runs and extends inland to 51st/Hobart Street. Quaint shops, trendy bars and restaurants entice passersby with a range of atmospheres from cozy to contemporary. A major cultural center, LIC is replete with museums, artist lofts as well as many outdoor and indoor galleries.
The history of Long Island City is part of its intrigue. In 1898, 28 years after the original villages and hamlets consolidated themselves into one, Long Island City officially became a part of New York City when the city expanded its borders to include Queens.
The opening of the Queensboro Bridge and other transportation additions made this area even more accessible, which furthered industrial growth here. The decline of manufacturing in the U.S. in the 1970’s helped begin to turn this area into a major cultural center with world-class art and working artists. This trend continued in the 21st century with the renovation of warehouses into luxury condos. Today, businesses and residents alike seek out the convenience of Long Island City.