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Socrates Sculpture Park
Rating Details »
Category: Art Galleries [Edit]
Neighborhood: Long Island City3205 Vernon Blvd
Astoria, NY 11106
(718) 626-1533
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Parking:
- Street
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
35 reviews for Socrates Sculpture Park
Came here for a 1 year olds birthday party. It's a really nice park although FAR AS ALL HELL from the train. Or maybe it just felt further since I was carrying a giant fake shopping cart present for the baby.
I get there and there are a ton of awesome sculptures near a lake. Pretty! There are some weird ones, including the inside of a whale's tail. Not necessary.
My favorite was when I saw the metro station sculpture and thought there was a metro station IN the park that I missed. I cursed myself out for 5 minutes until I walked over and realized you cant go down the fake stairs.
Definitely should come see it at some point and nice view.
I felt full of wealth when I first walked to this park from my apartment in Astoria. Here you will find rotating contemporary art exhibits both in human scale and larger, which create a contemplative and creative landscape to escape to. On the waterfront you will experience the inspiring Manhattan skyline unique to this area-aren't we the lucky ones to view New York in this way? At Socrates park I have had a birthday party picnic, a break up "discussion", early morning reflections, watercolor painting sessions, visited for live performances, or to simply to view the exhibit on display. My favorite moment at Socrates was taking shelter under the partially enclosed education area during a wild lightening storm-I felt very peaceful there with the others who took cover.
One issue may be parking; There are signs indicating that the Costco parking lot, which is directly next door, is strictly for Costco customers. There is street parking in the surrounding neighborhood.
Another plus, which I have yet to explore is the Noguchi Museum which is across the street from Socrates Sculpture Park.
there is some saying about how one mans trash is another mans treasure, or something.
this park encapsulates that saying perfectly.
This park is probably best viewed in conjunction with a visit to the Noguchi museum down the street. After a serious retrospective of incredible sculptures, you are free to be whimsical eying up more amateur fare. At Noguchi you can't touch any of the sculptures. Here, children are free to play on the sculptures. It is a nice small park that supports artists and provides a view of the city across the river. The sculptures are changed out often, so no two viewings are alike. I did enjoy the fake subway station featuring the I and U lines. Worth going to if you are in the immediate area, otherwise tag team it with the Noguchi museum.
it's really just a big field where people plop their crappy art.
it's nice to go hang out in on a nice day if you live nearby but it's so out of the way and not really all that interesting.
"Kite Flight: Paper Play" was this past Sunday @ Socrates Sculpture Park....and OMG!! It was HHHOOOOTTT!!!
Free kite making demos with all supplies provided! I'm IN no matter how hot/cold it was!
I don't know but whenever I see kites...I start humming my favorite childhood song....http://kids.niehs.nih....
......Let's go fly a kite...up to the highest height...let's go fly a kite and send it soaring....
- Mary Poppins...the nanny every kid dreamt of having^_^
I learned how to make a paper kite...along with a hundred other "kids".
I folded, taped and decorated my kite with tassles and string.
Then...with sweat dripping off my forehead I ran with it! So yes..it flew...10 feet above my head and when I ran out of breathe..........plop! :()
...I tried. I blame the weather...it was too hot with no wind whatsoever!
I believe that everyone should embrace their childhood enthusiam for as long as they shall live...this was a perfect day to let that part of them sing....just let go and be a kid with all the other ones around you!
....and the reward?....Mr. Softee's truck conveniently park outside!
HOORAY 4 ICE CREAM! :)
The view from the park was the skyline of Manhattan..I escaped it for a day, but somehow it manages to remind me that it'll always be there! ^_^
People, what's the fuss about?
It's a park, with grass, and lots of dogs. In addition to a couple of weird looking dudes drawing. What's so great about it? Maybe I'm not artsy but Astoria Park is so much better! There's not much parking, it's right next to costco so you get to dodge the cars lining up to get inside, and it's quite frankly in the boondocks. The neighborhood used to be rowdy, not sure how it is nowadays but when in doubt RUNNNNNNNNNNN!!!
Honestly, I had a decent time here until I looked at the Yelpers' photos - my friend and I feel robbed. We saw *some* sculpture - like, three. And none were as cool as the photos uploaded on Yelp. It seems to be a big grassy field for dog owners (and their dogs) and some kids. It's by the water, which is nice, and there are some interesting trees - which are probably more interested in any month but August. Let's just say I'm glad I saw it but will not need to see it again.
It is what it is. It's on the water, there's grass, families, dogs... it's a sweet little park. When you're not in the mood to do what everyone else is doing on a sunny Sunday afternoon (having brunch at a trendy spot), it's nice to ride your bike/drive/walk to Socrates Park, have a picnic and enjoy whats going on around you.
Happened to be in Astoria the other day and looking to entertain guests in town before they headed back home when we stumbled across Socrates Sculpture Park. For someone who is not a big art fan, the thought of Socrates and sculpture instantly made me think I'd be spending the afternoon looking at the sculptures like the infamous Thinker. Instead, I was surprised that the park provided a great view of Manhattan and the Upper East Side, as well as showcased some interesting art work - all for free. Some of the favorites among our group included a lawn filled with a random assortment of every day objects (tires, doors and trash cans) and an automatic door. The park is great for photo opps, whether its taking a picture of the Manhattan skyline or just trying to create the ultimate Facebook photo.
While the exhibits change from time to time, it doesn't take too much time to see everything in the park. If you are in Queens, looking to lay out and take in some culture, it's a great place to go - but I wouldn't make the trip out just to visit the park.
I went for the craft fair earlier in the summer and without that added draw - I don't think I'd go back. Although I love the idea of checking out new sculptures from time to time, the walk from the train alone would defer me from going back. Go if something else is going on but skip it otherwise and head to Gantry Park for a good view.
I had the pleasure of going to this park on Sunday (4/26/09) with two friends. Yes we are a little dorky as we were excited to make our own kites and fly them. I must say the kite making part of the event was organized but it was extremely hot. In addition, the park is not that big and we were constantly running into little kids. Being that it was hot and I was very hung over, maybe flying a kite was not the best form of recreation for me at that time but overall I had fun. I would come back to this park. Oh yeah this park is right next door to Costco so if you want cheap lunch the food cafe is worth it.
Great green space. Outdoor art sculpture gallery. By the water - the East Riv. Good view of East Side midtown skyline. Great for sun sets. Free art classes and taichi/yoga/capoeira classes, though I haven't tried them yet but I do know they exist for a fact since their site states it, and we all know that the internet does not lie. Free kayaking, even! Free outdoor movies on Wednesdays. Only down side? Quite a walk to get there from the yellow line. And their grass could use some miracle gro or some shizazz like that.
A plus: tourist-free! No need for toxic fumes of touristicides.
Beautiful, lush green park. Amazing, interesting scupltures. Came here for the Maker's Market. Some very interesting items on display. Fro example, Brillo spongy mittens and slippers, all going for more that $200. Wow! Also cat nip mice for sale, interesting concept ;-) Everything was way too expensive to buy, but it was nice to see the creativity. The park is amazing and it has a great view of the City and Roosevelt Island. Nice place to take a date ;-)
This is a park
What the heck is this thing?
This is where garbage goes to become "art"
The grass is sparse and there is dog poop everywhere
You have to walk through the middle of nowhere Astoria to get here
I walked past here at least a dozen times before I knew it was a park
I thought it was someone's abandoned green reindeer from Xmas
Really?
This is a park?
Really?
......really?
This moderate park is some golden tucked away green space. It has a great view of the East River and the Manhattan skyline. I think part of its charm is the wayward location. (I don't think it's that far from the yellow line, anyway, it keeps the tourists away.)
The park itself is ok - there is plenty of benches for sitting and open space to run around (for people and dogs alike, apparently!). The view is phenomenal and the place itself is quiet. If I worked around here this would be a fair weather lunch spot.
The art is fantastic. Nothing beats the thrill of art you can touch, or a free standing automatic door that actually works! Public art is A-Number One in my book.
dogs and children run free, the sun glows just slightly behind the awkward shapes of roosevelt island, and sculpture stands gently nearby while you sit in the green grass near the water. i'm a big fan of this park, because it offers space and inclusion at the same time. you can sit quietly and read alone, but still enjoy dogs running around happily, and hear kids giggling around somewhere. it's also nice to see open space in a part of the neighborhood that could arguably use some open space. the park also has free yoga and tai chi on weekends. what could be better? oh wait...free outdoor art!
It's a park but the lovely part is obviously the sculptures. Unique pieces that are perfect for the outdoors whether there's rain or shine. I love looking at the pieces that have been installed and watching the other peices that aren't done as of yet just alike. There's the workshop right there so you can also take a peek at what they are up to as well. All in all a nice experience.
I just don't get it!!!
Such a tiny weird little place. I see what people have said about the views but you could get that from Astoria park. Also it's not really well maintained... there's garbage everywhere and the grass is gross
Sculptures were strange and not worth the hype. by all means I recommend you to check it out ... but I wouldn't recommend staying long.
Also to the person who lost your engagement ring and posted flyer's all over the park... I hope you found it :(
Took a day trip to Socrates Sculpture Park back in May. They change up what is on display from time to time and they have different events going on during the Spring and Summer. It was a nice day to walk around and then sit in the grass, watching kids play, dogs running around. Check it out, it is in Long Island City, Queens. Then afterward you can ... WALK over to Steinway and do some more walking and shopping too...
What's not to love? Of all the sculptures I've seen here, two personal favorites include a giant athletic supporter and a glass-enclosed queen sized bed. The summer movie nights are fun, but I would recommend showing up early to get a good spot. The last time I went, I could not find even a sliver of a spot with an unobstructed view of the subtitles.
And seeing as I don't speak Polish, I had to leave.
The grass here is a little patchy and scratchy, but in a city of concrete and brick it's certainly an acceptable getaway. Plus the main focus here is more on the sculptures and art more than anything.
It's not that large a space and it's strangely wedged next door to the Costco parking lot, but on occasion you can catch yourself some decent impromptu music from other park patrons as well as organized events.
Not bad, not good. It's just ho hum for me. However....what the heck are people fishing into the trash and crap at the water's edge thinking by the way?
Both days I've gone to Socrates have been cold, bleak and rainy so that's become my association with the place. And it kind of makes sense. When you walk all the way out there from the Broadway stop on the N, you see the landscape change from a bustling to commercial area to an abandoned industrial area with a Costco and this park.
From the park, you can see Roosevelt Island and Manhattan across the East River and you can see deserted-looking buildings behind you. And right in the middle are these really cool art installations that are really spread out from each other. You get to wander around, discover each one for yourself and try to figure out what it's about. In the process, you let your mind seek refuge from the bleak, rainy day.
UPDATES: I've been to three events at Socrates since writing my review and they were all awesome!
1) Summer solstice event with music, food and art projects, and then when it got dark, they showed these really neat silent arty movies and gave everyone a mini radio to tune into the soundtrack of their choice.
2) Watching a man dance with a back ho (huge piece of construction equipment). One of the cooler things I've witnessed in my life.
3) Seeing Fellini's 8 1/2 there last week. It drew a huge crowd so we were near the back, but could still see just fine. Loved the movie and the setting.
I'm so glad Socrates is in my neighborhood! Plus, in the evenings you get a gorgeous sky along with the Manhattan skyline.
I really love this park. I had heard about if from random strangers in the 'hood and then some friends so when I had a photoshoot one weekend this summer, I decided to take my model there to shoot on location.
It turned into about 6 locations in one! There's this whole section by the fence that's packed with tires, the waterfront scenes of course, the random boat, the florals, the Astoria warehouses in the background, and the random sculptures.
I have gone back several times for more photoshoots since then. It's very versatile.
I haven't been to a free movie night here yet, but definitely want to hit that up next summer.
Bonus: The Costco next store has a parking lot if you have a car, and there are no signs that say you can't use it for this park (we've never gotten towed or ticketed, but still park at your own risk).
My parents used to take me and my parents here to play all the time when we were kids, and later I would come here to sketch or just hang out, especially during summers home in Queens. The sculptures are so cool, and the view of the city is great. It's super easy to get there on the 7 train and walk down.
Obviously a seasonal visitation, but I am considering going by after a good heavy snowfall just to see what it looks like all coated in white!
There is always something new at this park. Gorgeous views of Manhattan (and Roosevelt Island) are one reason to go there and another is the art. It always changes and it's always interesting. Worth the trip! Plenty of benches and cute areas throughout the park. Not much else to say, check it out yourself!
sure the grass is patchy, but come on! you're in astoria, where are you ever going to find nice patch of green grass around here anyway??
it's an interesting park. there are beautiful views of the city and if you have a SMALL dog, it's a great place for your little one to run around with the other little dogs that like to wear sweaters whilst they play. unfortunately, we have a pitt-bull (who thinks he's a cat) and A LOT of the dog owners didn't take well to us being there. some of them even picked up their dogs and left!!! they didn't even give us a chance, hmpfth!
observation: if you're a single guy with a dog who happens to find yourself at the park on the weekend, you're pretty much guaranteed at date by the time you leave.
oh, the art! the art is unique. it's sorta hit or miss which is why i'm glad they change the sculptures as often as they do. personally, i think the park is awesome. there's nothing else in astoria like it. for those of you who make your way to socrates park and find that the sculptures don't "live up to the hype," the noguchi museum is around the corner so you can still salvage the your trip to queens.
have fun!
This is an amazing lil spot to watch the sunset over Manhattan. It's clean, it's safe, it's got some rad sculptures.
Green spaces in NYC are so few and far between that when you find even a concrete slab of land with a few benches inside, yer psyched.
But this is much much better.
It's right on the water in LIC, it's not sketchy like a lot of parks are, and it's green! I will gladly ride my bike down here to picnic and catch the sunset any chance I can...
As others have said, it's a small park with big views. A great place to venture if you're feeling uninspired. It's peaceful and roaming around the artwork can be cathartic.
I've been going to Socrates Sculpture Park for the last ten years and every summer I find myself there all the time. As a child I remember climbing on the sculptures, most of the art here is interactive. I've been going to the Free yoga summer classes here for the last 3 summers. The outdoor cinema over the summer months here is amazing. I've seen great international films, enjoyed relaxing music and ate ethnic food here all on the same night. Its also very family friendly and they have children art workshops on Saturdays. Good place to relax especially during hot NYC summer months.
I've been a few times. I enjoy the summer wednesday films, the views of manhattan across the river, the sculptures, and the idea of art outside in NYC.
The sculptures are cool most of the time but I didn't think what I saw there really warrented the walk down. Someone eludes it being near the Museum of the Moving Image, sorta? Not really. I live near the museum and this felt like a hike without purpose. Don't get me wrong, I liked the view but really why go to this place when you can go to the much nicer Astoria Park (which is also in a nicer area)?
It's a very small park. But I love being in the same space as the sculptures, especially hearing the lonesome *ding* *ding* *ding* of metal against metal as the sun sets over the river. Don't know whether it's worth traveling to from another borough just for the park itself unless there's a free movie on.
This is a funny little park with interesting things to look at (both people and loosely defined art). I enjoy taking friends & family here for the excellent view of Manhattan and the odd experience it is to walk to/through here. Kids and dogs are definitely in their glory at Socrates Sculpture Park. I'm looking forward to this Wednesday night's film, compliments of the Museum of the Moving Image (also very cool).
Absolutely awesome Sculpture Park. Not the season now but when spring breaks pack a picnic lunch and head over to Socrates and fill up on wonderful sculpture and an equally wonderful view of the Manhattan skyline.
