Outer Zone

Though it’s only one train stop from Manhattan, Long Island City provides a respite from the city that never sleeps.

Considering the rise of “selfie tourism”—visiting a photogenic destination just to snap a pic—it’s surprising that there aren’t more Insta-motivated tourists flocking to Long Island City (LIC). With its near-flawless view of the Manhattan skyline and being a mere E-train stop away from Manhattan in Queens, LIC boasts the best of both worlds: peace and proximity. Imagine Williamsburg, Brooklyn, circa 2003—which is to say, ungentrified. A sign for Dykes Lumber sits just blocks away from a brand-new barre studio perkily proclaiming “Opening soon!” From my room at the Z NYC Hotel, I have an unobstructed view of the Empire State and Chrysler buildings, which feels like a gateway to the world while still providing some breathing room from the restlessness of the city. (The hotel offers a complimentary shuttle into the city every hour.) Though LIC may initially seem like a peaceful respite for Manhattan-bound travellers who need a quiet place to sleep, there are lots of reasons to spend an entire day here. The borough is home to plenty of art galleries and installations, like the hyperminimalist Noguchi Museum, the MoMA PS1 outpost and the certifiably bizarre Socrates Sculpture Park. The latter is an unexpected gem where facsimiles of giant pillows comingle with sculptural tributes to the band Run-D.M.C. that are so strange they feel like a mistake but are a delight. Even better, I was able to make my Porter Airlines flight despite leaving LIC only two hours before my departure time.