Free tour

NYC Beyond the Obvious: Hidden Gems & Diverse Cultures in Astoria Queens

5.00

Excellent(8)

New York

Duration: 2 hours and 30 minutes

Languages: English

Guru: Alison

PRO

Verified quality

Registered on 10 June 2025

I'm a licensed NYC tour guide with extensive experience leading specialized walking tours. With a background in journalism and communications, 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

NYC has so much more to offer beyond Manhattan! Do you want to see a more authentic side of the city beyond the most touristy trails? Join me on an immersive walk through Astoria, Queens to feel the city's multicultural heartbeat in action. Guests have described this tour as a "can’t miss exceptional tour!"

We’ll kick things off by strolling through Little Egypt, where the air is filled with the scent of warm spices and sizzling meats. You'll have a chance to sample authentic Middle Eastern sweet treats here!

Then, I'll guide you to explore Astoria’s deep Mediterranean roots, uncovering fascinating stories of unassuming immigrant-run shops. Together, we’ll check out vibrant street art, admire historical landmarks, and conclude our journey at a breathtaking waterfront park, where we'll soak in skyline views, Olympic history, and Astoria's birth story.

Along the way, we'll dive into the mix of cultures that make Astoria the “Urban United Nations.” I'll share local, hidden-gem recommendations to help you avoid tourist traps and make the most of your time in our amazing (but sometimes overwhelming!) city.

This isn’t just a tour - it’s a chance to walk, taste, and connect like a local! Come curious, and I can't wait to share with you a Queens experience you won’t forget!

P.S. I get it - last minute bookings happen and plans can change. If a specific day/time you're looking for is not available, please message me directly. I'll try my best to accommodate you. Please don't show up at the meeting point without a confirmed booking OR prior communication - I wouldn't want you to wait in vain!

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.

Outside visit

Little Egypt

We'll stroll through an authentic Arab neighborhood, where you'll get a chance to immerse in the local community by tasting, observing, and hearing about non-textbook history as well as human interest stories of different groups of people who've moved here over the years.

Outside visit

Ditmars Steinway

You'll feel how the vibe and culture shift from the Arab neighborhood only a few blocks away. Here, we'll visit Astoria's Mediterranean roots - appreciating multicultural spots that still serve authentic needs in the community today and uncovering the historical immigration trends behind them.

Outside visit

Ditmars Steinway

It wouldn't be an authentic neighborhood tour without unique street art! You'll have a chance to appreciate vibrant murals that embody the true essence of diversity in Astoria and 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).