Located along the East River in Long Island City, Queens, Gantry Plaza State Park is a beautiful 12-acre refuge of green space and waterfront scenery, just minutes from Manhattan. From its piers and gardens to recreational facilities, Gantry Plaza State Park provides a peaceful spot to enjoy the outdoors in the city.
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Gantry Plaza State Park: An Urban Waterfront Retreat
Gantry Plaza State Park, tucked along the East River waterfront, features lush gardens, charming fountains, and unobstructed views of the epic Manhattan skyline.
Historic Gantries
The huge gantry structures found all over the park are a nod to its history as a busy cargo and manufacturing area back in the day. The factories and shipping industry have obviously died down, but these cool-looking gantries still stand to represent the site’s industrial past. It’s pretty neat to see these giant steel relics mixed into the park’s gardens and fountains.
Scenic Piers
The park has four piers that jut out into the East River, which make awesome fishing spots if you want to try your luck catching something. They even have cleaning tables on the piers where you can prep your fish after reeling them in. Aside from fishing, the piers are nice places to take a relaxing stroll along the water. They’re lined with benches where you can sit and soak in the awesome views of the river and the Manhattan skyline in the distance. It’s a great place for an easy-going waterside walk and maybe snap some photos of the panoramic scenery all around.
Gardens and Green Space
Aside from the piers, the park has some really nice garden areas filled with tons of flowers, bushes, trees and other greenery. The gardens are well-taken care of with neat lawns and little fountains that make the whole landscape look really pleasant and relaxing. It’s a cool oasis of nature with lush plants and flowers blooming all around. The gardens are awesome to wander through on a nice day since they provide some shade and add a refreshing splash of color to the park.
Gantry Plaza
The main plaza in the middle of the park is a big open space surrounded by two huge gantry structures. With benches scattered around and some trees providing shade, it’s a great spot to kick back and enjoy the views of the Manhattan skyline in the distance. The plaza really serves as the central hangout spot and gathering place within the park. Whether you want to people watch or just take in the scenery, the plaza is primed for relaxation with its ample seating and awesome skyline panorama.
Recreational Amenities
There’s tons of ways to stay active in Gantry Plaza Park. They’ve got a huge playground, basketball courts, tennis courts, and separate areas just for dogs to run around off-leash. You can bring your pup to certain spots in the park too as long as they’re leashed up.
Between the nice gardens, the paths along the waterfront, and open grassy areas, Gantry Plaza Park really provides that perfect natural escape right in the middle of the busy city. It’s an awesome outdoor oasis just a short trip away from the hustle and bustle of Manhattan.
Exploring the Scenic Long Island City Waterfront
Aside from Gantry Plaza Park, there are some other awesome scenic spots around the area where you can take in views of the East River waterfront.
Hunters Point South Park
Hunters Point South Park is a 30-acre green space nearby that has baseball fields, a turf field, basketball courts, and a small “beach” that’s perfect for pictures of the Manhattan skyline. There’s also a huge Pepsi sign there that’s an iconic spot for photos.
Riverside Piers & Promenades
The Hunters Point South Pier, Anable Basin Pier, and 54th Ave Pier are piers that stick out into the river, providing chill spots to fish or just walk along the waterfront.
Waterside Dining
For waterside dining, restaurants like Skinny’s Cantina and Cyclo have outdoor seating with panoramic views of the water. You can post up on their patios or grab food from the various vendors and trucks around.
With the nice parks, piers, and awesome skyline views, Long Island City’s waterfront area offers tons of ways to relax and hang out that are just a quick ride from the hustle of Manhattan.
Free Museums, Art & Entertainment
Aside from the outdoor spots, Long Island City also has some cool free cultural attractions near Gantry Plaza Park:
Hunters Point Library
Queens Public Library at Hunters Point has books, workshops, and classes for all ages. It also has huge windows looking out over the waterfront.
Outdoor Movie Nights
In the summer they have free outdoor movie screenings along the waterfront and in Gantry Plaza Park, which make for a fun cheap night out.
LIC Flea & Food
Every weekend the LIC Flea & Food market has food vendors, artists, crafts, and live music that are free to check out.
Hunters Point Park
Hunters Point Park has handball courts, roller hockey, and equipment rentals for staying active outside or in.
Kid-Approved Attractions
For families and kids, there are endless attractions near the scenic waterfront area:
Gantry Park Playgrounds
With jungle gyms, sprinklers, and green space galore, Gantry Park itself is a children’s paradise full of outdoor fun.
NYC Ferry Rides
Taking the NYC Ferry along the East River provides adventure and unique views of the Manhattan skyline. And kids under 44 inches ride free!
Canelle Patisserie
Canelle Patisserie satisfies sweet cravings with colorful macarons, croissants, tarts and other yummy French treats.
MoMA PS1
This contemporary art museum offers interactive kids’ workshops on select weekends.
Queens County Farm Museum
The Queens County Farm Museum has farm animals to feed, barns to tour, and fields to play in.
Final Thoughts
With all its parks, recreation, arts, and dining, Long Island City really does have it all. Use Gantry Plaza State Park as a home base while exploring the awesome offerings of the neighborhood. An urban escape full of natural scenery and cultural excitement is waiting there!
