Ditmars Steinway - Astoria, NY

The unique name of the neighborhood comes in part from the famous Steinway and Sons piano company that called the area home. The other part of the name comes from a famous reptile curator who worked for the Zoological Society at the Bronx Zoo in the mid-20th century.

The People's Museum sits directly in the center of the neighborhood and provides learning experiences for everyone. Special exhibitions featuring dinosaur fossils and bones as well as artifacts from countries all around the world are on display here.

No art galleries exist in this mostly residential neighborhood, so residents travel to nearby communities to admire artwork. A Paint Night event can sometimes be found in the neighborhood at a local restaurant. Ticket prices vary depending on the location; you can expect a fun night of eating and drinking while exploring your creative side.

Many eclectic restaurants can be found throughout the neighborhood and quite a few have gotten rave reviews from residents. Wave Thai on 31st Street remains a go-to place for excellent Thai food. Local favorites include the roast curried duck and the vegetarian wok special with basil and bamboo. The menu also includes classic Thai drinks like coconut juice and lychee juice. The menu prices are very affordable for the large portion sizes.

Residents enjoy classic Greek cuisine at MP Taverna on Ditmars Boulevard. The restaurant provides a modern take on a classic Greek tavern with a sleek and clean motif inside. Traditional dishes like Greek paella with shellfish and spicy sausage and beef or chicken souvlaki top the list of delectable dinner options. The menu prices are quite expensive; expect to pay more than $30 for one dinner.

Forno Siciliano provides great authentic Italian fare for very affordable prices. Some of the more trendy menu items include the penne vodka pasta with homemade sauce and sauteed eggplant with mushroom and tomato. The menu features options for everyone from vegetarians to meat lovers. The food portions are fairly large, allowing for sharing with a friend or a date.

For nights out on the town, check out the Central Lounge on Steinway Street. The lounge caters to private parties and serves Mediterranean-Asian fusion cuisine along with drinks. As a bonus, they feature a sushi bar that remains open late into the night. The lounge also has live DJs on Friday nights with drink and beer specials. Guest musical celebrities have also been known to make an appearance here.

Ditmars-Steinway remains a very convenient location for professionals working in Manhattan and other boroughs of New York City. Major roadways run in and around the neighborhood, including Interstate 278 and the Brooklyn Queens Expressway to the south.

The subway is the most cost-effective way to get in and out of the neighborhood. The N-train and Q-train are accessible from a station in the center of the neighborhood with subway tickets starting at $2.75 for a one-way trip.

Walking and biking are very easy in this part of Queens, as there are designated bike lanes throughout the neighborhood. Since the neighborhood traffic is mostly residential, it generally moves slowly enough to make walking safe for pedestrians.

Uber car services can be used here with base prices starting at $6 and going up to around $64 for the SUV service. Calling for a scheduled pickup by cab is another option; base fares start at around $8 to go a few blocks and can go up to around $50 for a trip to the airport. As in most areas of taxi-dense New York City, the old-fashioned method of hailing a cab on the street works just as well.

Public parking can be found along the streets with meters charging $1 for every one hour of parking. A Central Parking facility located on 20th Avenue in the north section of the neighborhood provide a great option for visitors driving into the area who want to explore the neighborhood for a day. Fees range from $3 per hour and go up to $25 for a whole day.

Astoria Park borders the East River on the west side of the neighborhood and provides a large area of greenery and trees with walking and biking trails throughout. Bocce ball and tennis courts are available to patrons, and there's a large outdoor pool open in the summer. Spray showers and public restrooms provide convenience for those wishing to enjoy the park all day.

Picnic areas can also be found in the park near the playgrounds. Clean and modern play equipment for children make the park kid-friendly. Several dog-friendly areas exist inside the park as well. Basketball courts and running tracks are set up in close proximity to the fitness equipment.

Admittance costs nothing and leashed dogs are allowed in the designated dog areas. The park holds events randomly throughout the year, including photography and art shows free of charge; there are also volunteer opportunities cleaning the park and planting flowers and trees.

The cost of living in Ditmars-Steinway sits at about five percent lower than that of the New York City average and 60 percent higher than the national average. A typical one-bedroom apartment in the neighborhood averages $1,300 per month. The price of beer at a local bar or pub varies and starts at around $2 for a domestic beer during happy hour. For specialty or craft brews as well as imports, prices for a pint average $7 or $8 and can go up from there.

Gas prices in Ditmars-Steinway run about 23 percent higher than the national average, but about three percent lower than the average of New York City.

Ditmars-Steinway is a mostly residential neighborhood with only a few boutiques on the outskirts of the neighborhood. However, the very close proximity to downtown Manhattan's fashion and shopping districts make up for it.

If you enjoy thrift shopping, visit Unique Boutique on Steinway Street. From high-quality designer clothing to a wide range of accessories, including hats, purses and jewelry, this consignment shop has something for everyone. You'll even enjoy finding great deals on used DVDs and video games, and you might even spot a vinyl record, cassette or VHS tape you want to take home. The owner is friendly and keeps the store clean and organized to enhance your shopping experience.

Cali Caliente, also on Steinway Street, is perfect for residents looking for adult costumes, lingerie, or novelty items. The store employs friendly staff members who are ready to help you put a look together for Halloween parties, Christmas plays, Easter parades, and other celebrations.

Several grocery stores serve the neighborhood, including the Ditmars Supermarket on Ditmars Boulevard. Associated Supermarket on 21st Avenue serves the north side of the neighborhood.

Astoria Greenmarket on 14th Street is the only farmers market in the neighborhood and is only open on Wednesdays from July through November. There, residents interact with locals, attend nutrition events and purchase fresh produce from local farmers.