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Hunters Point: LIC’s Waterfront Playground

waterfront promenade in Hunter’s Point, Long Island City, shaded by modern white steel canopies, with picnic tables and planters, offering a clear view of the East River and the Midtown Manhattan skyline, including the Empire State Building.

Reshaping the LIC Waterfront

Originally occupied by Dutch settlers and later by British Captain George Hunter (whose family gave the area its name), Hunter’s Point is a vibrant waterfront enclave located along the East River in Long Island City, directly across from Midtown. Once associated with shipyards, factories, and warehouses, a creative influx of new development has transformed the area into one of LIC's most popular places to live.

Starting in the 1990s and accelerating after 2001, city-led rezoning and big waterfront redevelopment plans turned underused industrial land into residential towers, waterfront parks, and public amenities. Projects like Hunter’s Point South Park and Gantry Plaza State Park created green spaces on what were once piers and rail yards, attracting families and young professionals. At the same time, new multi-use buildings, restaurants, cultural spaces, and improved transit connections have blossomed, reinventing the neighborhood vibe.

Fast‑forward to today, where Hunter’s Point is now one of LIC’s most desirable pockets. New standout high-rises like Lumen, now one of Queens’ tallest towers at 731 feet, stand as a beacon of just how far the area has come. Check out our favorite neighborhood parks, restaurants, museums, and other hotspots below.

Public Parks & Green Spaces

  • Hunter’s Point South Park - A stunning, sustainable 11-acre waterfront transformation that's replacing former rail yards with resilient wetlands, playgrounds, fitness areas, a kayak launch, picnic terraces, and a dramatic 30‑ft cantilevered overlook that delivers sweeping Manhattan skyline views. Bioswales, marsh restoration, and innovative water management features help to safeguard the shoreline.
    Visit along Center Blvd.

  • Gantry Plaza State Park - A wonderful, 12-acre waterfront green space that's undergone significant shoreline restoration to reclaim its industrial dockyard past. Enjoy expansive Manhattan skyline views, playgrounds, sports courts, mist gardens, fishing piers, seasonal programming, all with the the iconic 1940 Pepsi-Cola neon sign, rebuilt in 1993 and landmarked in 2016, as its historic centerpiece.
    Visit at 4-44 47th Rd.

  • Smiling Hogshead Ranch - This un-fenced, open‑access urban farm and community garden operates as a nonprofit micro‑farm, offering composting, educational workshops, cultural events, an apiary, and a lush environment to enjoy.
    Visit at 25-30 Skillman Ave.

Restaurants & Dining

  • Casa Enrique - A Michelin‑starred Mexican restaurant where celebrated Chef Cosme Aguilar transforms traditional Chiapas family recipes—like mole de Piaxtla and cochinito Chiapaneco—into standout dishes.
    Visit at 5-48 49th Ave.

  • Jora - This popular spot anchors Vernon Boulevard with well-executed Peruvian classics liketangy ceviche, hearty lomo saltado, and a pisco sour that’s worth lingering over.
    Visit at 47-46 11th St.

  • Mercato LIC - A inviting Italian‑Mediterranean eatery known for its cozy brick interior, homemade pastas, crisp thin‑crust pizzas, and approachable wine and cocktail list.
    Visit at 47-46 Vernon Blvd.

  • Blend on the Water - Serves polished Latin-fusion plates—like short rib arepas and citrusy bistec—in a sleek, glass-walled space overlooking the East River and Manhattan skyline.
    Visit at 45-40 Center Blvd.

  • Jackson’s Eatery -Delivers seasonally inspired, farm-fresh American comfort food (buttermilk fried chicken sandwiches, shrimp ‘n’ grits, hearty grain bowls) in a relaxed, modern space.
    Visit at 10-37 Jackson Ave.

  • HUPO -Blends traditional Sichuan depth with modern flair—offering standout dishes like Dan Dan noodles, Chongqing spicy chicken, and tea-smoked duck in a stylish, lantern-lit space.
    Visit at 10-07 50th Ave.

  • Kaiyo Omakase - An intimate, exclusive omakase experience where a fixed 18-course menu unfolds at a chef’s counter using seasonal, high-quality seafood and nigiri.
    Visit at 47-38 Vernon Blvd.

  • Skinny’s Cantina - Contemporary Mexican fare served in a relaxed, rustic‑chic space with exposed beams, Spanish tile, and sweeping views of the Manhattan skyline.
    Visit at 4705 Center Blvd.

  • Anable Basin Sailing Bar & Grill - A laid‑back, family‑friendly outdoor bar and grill known for tasty burgers, affordable vibes, and scenic East River views.
    Visit at 4-40 44th Dr.

Arts & Culture

  • Noguchi Museum - Founded in 1985 by renowned sculptor Isamu Noguchi, this museum combines over 24,000 ft² of indoor galleries with a tranquil outdoor sculpture garden, all housed in a converted 1920s industrial building. Minimalist stone and steel works are harmoniously integrated with nature, light, and silence.
    Visit at 9-01 33rd Rd.

  • Socrates Sculpture Park - A marvelous open-air museum and community hub showcasing large-scale public art, seasonal exhibits, and free cultural programming along the East River in Queens.
    Visit at 32-01 Vernon Blvd.

  • Culture Lab LIC - A nonprofit arts center featuring three exhibition spaces, a 90‑seat theater, residences, and more. Diverse arts events—from immersive plays and jazz nights to community markets and wellness workshops—anchor the creative pulse of Hunters Point.
    Visit at 5-25 46th Ave.

  • Queens Public Library at Hunters Point - Opened in 2019 along Center Boulevard, this beautiful library is an 82-foot-tall, six-story concrete beacon on the LIC waterfront. Modular reading spaces, a rooftop terrace, environmental education center, and panoramic East River views that have quickly made it a vibrant neighborhood hub.
    Visit at 47-40 Center Blvd.

  • MoMA PS1- An experimental branch of the Museum of Modern Art housed in a repurposed 19th-century schoolhouse, famed for its edgy exhibits, outdoor installations, and its iconic Warm Up music series in Long Island City. Located just east of Hunter's Point.
    Visit at 22-25 Jackson Ave, Queens, NY 11101.

Find Your New Vantage Point

Discover the scenic appeal and convenience of living in Hunter's Point. Just minutes from Midtown, NYC's fastest-growing neighborhood blends dynamic waterfront developments with a thriving arts, dining, and cultural scene. Contact us at Lumen today to explore available floor plans, move-in specials, and more in our beautiful new apartment building.

A colorful, triangular woven sculpture with vibrant pink, purple, and orange patterns sits on the grass at Socrates Sculpture Park, with city buildings and trees in the background.