Alia Akaam

These days, Long Island City—one subway stop away from midtown—is starting to feel a lot like Manhattan. Flashy new condos are being built at lightning speed, a speakeasy-style bar serves handcrafted cocktails, MoMA's edgy PS1 has spawned a world-class contemporary-art scene, and a thriving community of musicians—this year saw the arrival of the neighborhood's first-ever jazz and folk festivals—is calling it home. Long Island City still may flaunt an appealing industrial grit with warehouse-strewn streets, but its bohemian vibe and growth spurt of glamorous new buildings make this one of the city's most desirable old-meets-new destinations. Valerie Green, artistic director, Green Space and Dance Entropy "My favorite spot for inspiration is Gantry Plaza State Park. The view is breathtaking and awe-inspiring. And the sunset is amazing. Walking out the distance of the pier and taking everything in makes me thankful for all the experiences and opportunities I have had here." Gantry Plaza State Park, 4-09 47th Rd at Center Blvd (718-786-6385, nysparks.state.ny.us/parks/149/details.aspx) "I enjoy the diversity of people in the area and the sense of neighborhood among artists and residents. I love that I can stay close to home and have plenty of amazing restaurants to choose from, as well as bars, cafs and entertainment. It is also a great convenience to live and work all in close distance. Long Island City, and Queens in general, have embraced my organization, offering us a beautif

In the morning, a gaggle of men chattering in Greek gather on the patio of a no-frills caf to shoot the breeze over frapps; young Midwestern transplants, script in hand, pass them by, heading to the N train for a Midtown audition. The old-timer and the hipster peacefully coexist in Astoria, and that's its allure. Stylish new eateries constantly pop up flaunting its progressive streak, but at the same time, there's comfort in stumbling upon a bakery where you can buy a filling meat pie for a buck. In the morning, a gaggle of men chattering in Greek gather on the patio of a no-frills caf to shoot the breeze over frapps; young Midwestern transplants, script in hand, pass them by, heading to the N train for a Midtown audition. The old-timer and the hipster peacefully coexist in Astoria, and that's its allure. Stylish new eateries constantly pop up flaunting its progressive streak, but at the same time, there's comfort in stumbling upon a bakery where you can buy a filling meat pie for a buck. Astoria's ethnic pockets—Greek, Italian, Croatian—makethe neighborhood feel decidedly European. Pete Romano, director of facilities management, Kaufman Astoria Studios "Like anyone who grew up here, I have many stories about days and nights spent in Astoria Park—especially as a teenager. I met my wife there at 18 and even proposed to her there on the terrace overlooking Astoria Pool 23 years ago. Now as a father with two teenage kids, it has been a great place to spend time with them, whethe