Anchoring three famous bridges—the Queensboro, the Triborough, and the Hell Gate—this colorful corner of New York City has been a rural village, a retreat for the well-to-do, a company town for Steinway Pianos, and the movie industry's East Coast production center. Today, Astoria is a community where traditions from around the world are cherished and celebrated.

Join the celebration! Astoria is easy to get to and get around. 36th Avenue, Broadway, 30th Avenue, Astoria Boulevard, and Ditmars Boulevard (all stops on the elevated N & W line) runs roughly east-west. Steinway Street, "The World's Longest Department Store" (a stop on the R, V and G lines), runs generally north-south. Along with Astoria Park and Athens Square Park, these "Main Streets" are often settings for festivals, fairs, parades, and performances (for details call 718-728-7820).

It doesn't take long to sense Astoria's special character. Well-tended residential blocks criss-cross an international street life. The pace is neither Manhattan's hectic bustle nor the steady routine of the suburbs. Astoria is truly a village within the City, ideal for strolling, lingering, and people-watching.