Aug 4, 2025

Socrates Sculpture Park New York

Outdoor cultural gem

""Socrates Sculpture Park", my oasis in Astoria, combines two of my favorite things about New York City: outdoor public spaces & ambitious, inventive art..."

Socrates Sculpture Park combines two of my favorite things about New York City: outdoor public spaces, and ambitious inventive art. Located on the shore of the East River, with beautiful views of Manhattan and Roosevelt Island, it is my oasis and a vital cultural center for the Astoria community.

Socrates Sculpture Park is an outdoor museum that invites local artists to create site-specific artwork for their spring and fall seasons. Between seasons, I love to watch the sculptors at work in the park's open-air studio. As I watch the artwork grow from raw materials into beautiful sculptures, I can feel the creative vibe pulsing throughout the entire park. 

In addition to its biannual sculptural exhibitions, Socrates Sculpture Park offers a huge variety of cultural events. Farmers’ markets, folk dance performances, kayaking, and outdoor foreign film screenings, are all among my favorite activities at Socrates Sculpture Park.

Socrates Sculpture Park seems to hibernate during the winter. While you can still visit the park for the nice outdoor space and great East River views, you'll have to wait until springtime for new sculptures and outdoor events. 

002-building
Art & culture
017-plant-1
Relaxing

About this spot

32-01 Vernon Boulevard

US$

free

Find your way with 304 Insider Tips from our Local Spotters

Discover hidden gems and all our locals’ favourites! Get full access to our New York guide.

Nice place right!? There’s so much more to discover:

Discover all other hidden gems in New York

35 Times, Toby Buonagurio

Subway art 10

"35 Times - Toby Buonagurio" in New York are small artworks in the Times Square subway station, maybe even 16 inches square, lit on the inside. Jazzy!

002-building
Art & culture

by

Geoffrey

Dunbar

Aug 17, 2025

The Pythian Temple

R&R Shrine

"The Pythian Temple" in NYC was designed in 1927 for the movie 'The Knights of Pythias'; today, it's remarkable for much more than its beauty...

002-building
Art & culture

by

Geoffrey

Dunbar

Aug 16, 2025

A Gathering, 2001 - Muñoz & Martin

Subway art 13

"A Gathering, 2001" by Muñoz & Martin in the Canal Street train station in NYC 'enlivens the space & provides respite from the busy commercialism above'...

002-building
Art & culture

by

Geoffrey

Dunbar

Aug 16, 2025

Rucker Park

NBA caliber street basketball

"Rucker Park" in New York City is where big men and children come to play basketball, strut, defy, dominate make a name for themselves. You have to see it.

002-building
Art & culture
017-plant-1
Relaxing

by

Geoffrey

Dunbar

Aug 16, 2025

Saiguette

Vietnamese counter/takeout

I first returned to the Vietnamese restaurant "Saiguette" in NYC for its light, rich, rejuvenating soups, but I also recommend the pork shoulder sandwich.

021-spoon-and-fork-1
Restaurants

by

Geoffrey

Dunbar

Aug 16, 2025

Subway Portraits, Chuck Close

Subway art 1

I took the Q train in New York and reached the 86th Street station, where twelve Chuck Close mosaic mesmerizing portraits adorn the walls...

002-building
Art & culture

by

Geoffrey

Dunbar

Aug 16, 2025

Music Inn

Instruments, custom & stock

"Music Inn" in New York City is run by musician, instrument designer & inventor Jeff Slatnick. There are musical instruments just everywhere in the shop...

026-thrift-shop-1
Shopping

by

Geoffrey

Dunbar

Aug 16, 2025

Di Fara, Brooklyn

Pizza 1

"Di Fara" in New York is the best pizza pilgrimage one can go on. This local favorite makes a time-capsulized pizza restaurant. Its crust sets it apart...

021-spoon-and-fork-1
Restaurants

by

Geoffrey

Dunbar

Aug 16, 2025

Whirls and Twirls (MTA), Sol LeWitt

Subway art 3

The Subway Art in Columbus Circle New York City by Sol LeWitt is one of the pieces that make me feel I need to stop to take it all in...

002-building
Art & culture

by

Geoffrey

Dunbar

Aug 16, 2025

The Revelers, Jane Dickson

Subway art 6

"The Revelers by Jane Dickson" in New York's Times Square Subway Station is mostly located in the transfer corridors between the BMT and IRT Flushing line

002-building
Art & culture

by

Geoffrey

Dunbar

Aug 16, 2025

The Return of Spring, Jack Beal

Subway art 7

"The Return of Spring - Jack Beal" in New York is a mosaic mural in the Times Square station in the IRT West Side Lin mezzanine. Is it really Wayne Gretzky?

002-building
Art & culture

by

Geoffrey

Dunbar

Aug 16, 2025

New York in Transit, Jacob Lawrence

Subway art 8

"New York in Transit - Jacob Lawrence", I've been passing this piece a lot lately. Nearby is a spot where musicians hang out, so it's nice to pause here...

002-building
Art & culture

by

Geoffrey

Dunbar

Aug 16, 2025

Heading to New York?

304 Insider Tips from our local Spotters

Authentic Stories by Real People

Escape the Crowd & Travel Slow 🐌

... for just €9.99

Heading to New York?

0 Insider Tips from our local Spotters

304 Insider Tips

✓ Escape the Crowds

✓ Find Spots nearby

✓ Authentic Stories

... for just €9.99

App Download Download our app

City guides by those who know the city in and out!

Our Locals' Favorite Art & culture

Our team loves New York

Get to know our other Spotters from New York

As featured on:

New-York-Times
the-guardian
mashable
the-sunday-times
[paywall_activator]
false
0
false
63
Made with the 💚 of 496 Spotters.
Filters