Action-packed Astoria

Definitely PS1 and the Noguchi Museum. I go back to those places all the time, whenever I have a chance over the weekend. It's so convenient to get there from New York city, and it's a world away. What a nice break.

I also love eating in Astoria-so many international restaurants and food stores. It's a nice way to travel around the world without getting on the plane. The prices are also much better than those in New York city.

Quick Tips:

Wear comfortable walking shoes, as you will be walking a long ways. That's the only way to experience this section of New York. I doubt you'll be able to cover all the places mentioned in this journal in one day. There are schedules for the museums you have to be aware of. I would do my research on the internet before you go to confirm directions and opening hours. Long Island City is still not fully commercialized so bring along a good map and/or good directions. Some of the streets from the subway to your destinations can be deserted, especially on weekends. But I felt completely safe in the neighborhood. Just be aware of your surroundings at all times, as in any big city.

Best Way To Get Around:

Subway - definitely the way to go. Get a fun-pass for , unlimited rides for one day. Once you get there, walking would be the main mode of transport. That's the only way to get a real sense of the neighborhood.

This is a brand new restaurant, just opened this fall. The interior is an elegant Italian trattoria, nicely decorated and comfortable with a fireplace setting. The Italian food here is simple and quite authentic. I had the squid-ink pasta-excellent-just like they serve in Venice. To get here, take the subway N to 30th Ave.

There are many restaurants serving international fare, anything from Greek to Italian to Brazilian food, along Steinway Street. This is like going on a culinary trip around the world and it's only a subway ride away from NYC.

PS1 is a must-see for those who are interested in what's going on with new artists. As you can tell from the name, this used to be a school facility, now converted into 130,000 square feet of space. Contemporary art by both American and international artists are on show here, with changing themes and exhibits. The space is raw here and reminded me of cutting-edge galleries. It is a nice change of pace as you will be provoked and surprised by the artwork. No one leaves unaffected.

When you are finished with the exhibits, be sure to visit the roof top terrace, which provides a beautiful view of the Manhattan skyline. Afterwards, on the top floor, slide down to the ground floor on the spiral tube. Loads of fun and great interactive art. Some of the stairs and corridors are hard to walk through, as the space is very raw and sometimes narrow.

PS1 recently merged with MOMA (Museum of Modern Art) in NY. Here is the official website: PS1 Contemporary Art Center.

From Manhattan, take the subway E or F to 23rd St.-Ely Ave. The neighborhood can be deserted on weekends and you have to walk through industrial streets, However, don't be deterred as PS1 is very popular and you will be bound to find fellow museum-goers along the way.

This is one of my favorite places in NY. Open only from April to October, you have to coordinate your schedule to visit this sanctuary. This used to be the working studio of Isamu Noguchi, the famous Japanese-American sculptor. There are thirteen galleries, housed in a converted factory building with tranquil gardens laid out by the artist. The sculptures here are classic Noguchi, and his Akari lighting "sculptures" are also on display in a serene room all in white. I love the gardens, with the granite sculptures and beautiful simple landscaping reminiscent of Japanese gardens. If you happen to be there before 2pm, ask about the free guided tour.

Check out this website for more information and photos: Isamu Noguchi Garden Museum

To get there, take the subway N to Broadway and walk the distance to the house. Get the directions off the website. It is about a 15 minute walk (head towards the river), through an industrial neighborhood. Hours are Wed-Fri 10am-5pm, Sat, Sun, 11am-6pm. Remember it is only opened from April to October.

This is right across the street from the Noguchi Museum and is a huge outdoor yard of large-scale sculptures. It's right by the river, which makes for a nice backdrop, but I would much rather spend time at the Noguchi museum. I found some of the artwork hard to grasp and aimless in direction. However, there are sometimes concerts in the summertime, which would make your visit more enjoyable.

Behind The Screen is an exhibition that takes up 2 floors and brings you through the process of making moving images. Moving images would include movies, video and digital images. On exhibit here are both artifacts from the museum and interactive experiences such as animation and sound effects editing, videos, and sometimes someone will demonstrate live. I hear parts of this exhibition are under construction, so I would call ahead to check the schedule first.

This museum is interesting if you are into film and process. I was fascinated as well as my companion. I think it would've been more meaningful if I had joined the free guided tour. I don’t know the times, but check with the museum before you go.

Of course, there are also screenings of classic films. Check local magazines like New York magazine or Time Out NY for listings.