Free tour

Hidden Gems Multicultural Walking Tour in Astoria Queens NYC

5.00

Excellent(1)

New York

Duration: 3 hours

Languages: English

Guru: Alison

Registered on 10 June 2025

I'm a licensed NYC tour guide with extensive experience leading specialized walking tours. I enjoy going beyond the surface, uncovering stories hidden in plain sight, and sharing those experiences with people like you. When I travel, I skip the tourist traps for local gems, and I enjoy sharing that side of my city with visitors. As an immigrant, I feel a deep connection to the borough I now proudly call home, Queens. It's the world's most diverse place, and I love creating that same sense of welcome and connection for my guests. Walk with me, and you'll experience NYC and Queens like a local, make meaningful connections, see a side of NYC you won’t find in guidebooks, and walk away with a deeper appreciation of the world around us (and the best local recommendations!)

Free reservation and cancellation

Pay-what-you-want tour, no set price, reservation and cancellation are free

Tour description

Join me on an immersive walk through Astoria, Queens to feel NYC’s multicultural heartbeat in action! We’ll kick things off like true locals - savoring legendary NYC-style pizza slices for lunch while getting to know each other. Then, we hit the streets, diving into Astoria’s electric mix of cultures, flavors, and hidden gems!

We'll stroll through Little Egypt, where the air is filled with the scent of warm spices and sizzling kebabs. We’ll explore Astoria’s deep Mediterranean roots, uncovering fascinating stories of unassuming immigrant-run shops. We’ll check out vibrant street art, admire historical landmarks, and taste treats only locals know about. Our journey ends at a breathtaking waterfront park, where we'll soak in skyline views, Olympic history, and Astoria's birth story.

Along the way, I’ll share what makes Astoria the “Urban United Nations” and help you truly experience NYC's multicultural essence beyond touristy trails. This isn’t just a tour - it’s a chance to walk, taste, and connect like a local! Come curious, and ready for a Queens experience you won’t forget!

What to expect:

We’ll walk about 3.8 kilometers (2.4 miles), so please wear comfortable walking shoes. The tour runs rain or shine (except for extreme weather conditions), so please check the forecast and dress accordingly.
Please bring cash (some food stops are cash only.)
For payment of the walk, I accept cash and electronic payment (Venmo, Zelle, PayPal, no credit cards.)

P.S. If a specific day/time you're looking for is not available, please contact me directly. I'll try my best to accommodate your schedule.

Highlights

What will we see on this tour?

Meeting point:

37-20 30th Ave., Long Island City, NY 11103, USA

We'll meet at 37-20 30th Avenue, Astoria, NY 11103, in front of the Zen restaurant. I'll be carrying a "Queens Experience" tote bag. Please note some GPS services default this address as "Long Island City" or "Queens" instead of "Astoria" - not to worry, they are all correct and all leads to the same place! Please check your map against the map on this page to make sure you are navigating to the right spot.

Free entry

Andrew Bellucci's Pizzeria

We'll kick things off like true New Yorkers - with slices of classic NYC style pizza in hand! This is rated one of the best pizza places in town by the New York Times. It's one of my personal favorites because of the pizzas and the fascinating story behind it:)

Outside visit

Little Egypt

We'll stroll through an authentic Arab neighborhood, where you'll get a chance to taste, observe, smell, and hear about the history as well as human interest stories of different groups of people who've moved here over the years.

Outside visit

Ditmars Steinway

We'll move forward to a different part of Astoria and you'll experience how the vibe and culture shift from the Arab neighborhood. Here in Ditmars, we'll visit Astoria's Mediterranean roots - appreciating authentic neighborhood spots and the immigration history behind them. I'll also show you unique, vibrant street art and help you understand the true essence of diversity in Queens.

How much does this tour cost?

Free tours do not have a set price, instead, each person gives the guru at the end the amount they consider appropriate (amounts usually range from €15 to $50 depending on satisfaction with the tour).