Noguchi Museum + Socrates Sculpture Park
About a week ago, I went to Long Island City for the first time, and loved it so much I stayed all day. After exploring Gantry Plaza State Park, I walked along Vernon Blvd, making a few stops along the way. My main destination was the Noguchi Museum, but first I stopped at Queensbridge Park.
I have to say, that I wouldn't really recommend walking all the way from Gantry to the Noguchi. Google tells me that it's exactly a 2 mile walk, and if that seems short then I'll tell you it felt longer. If that seems like kind of a haul, then I'll agree with you. It was pretty hot that day and Vernon Blvd is basically an industrial park, so you don't get much shade or nice scenery.
There's probably a bus or better way to get from one end to the other, but sometimes I hate trying to figure out the transportation system when it's so clear how to walk somewhere. It's a straight shot, which was nice, but I won't be doing it again anytime soon. That being said, at least there were a few stops along the way, and great views of the Queensboro Bridge.
Queensbridge Park is nice, although the entire waterfront is currently under construction. Like Brooklyn Bridge Park, you're almost directly under the bridge which gets you a great photo, and if the waterfront hadn't been fenced off, the skyline views would be wonderful too. The park is a little run down and scrappy, but it's a nice shady spot to chill out for a minute.
The next park I came across was Rainey Park, which had a nice waterfront view of the city and Roosevelt Island. Right in between Rainey and Socrates Sculpture Park is the Noguchi Museum. The museum itself was built by Noguchi to hold pieces that he considered to be representative of his life's work. My uncle had suggested that I go, and being that he is a man of impeccable tastes, when he says to go somewhere, I go.
I didn't know much about Noguchi before I went, but the museum was a great place to take a break and cool off. It's an incredibly peaceful and calming space, with indoor and outdoor galleries and a garden. I watched the film they show about Noguchi's life and career, which definitely helps to explain a lot of the meaning behind the mostly abstract works.
My favorite pieces were the striped ones, but there is such a variety that it's hard to pick a stand-out style. The museum was only $5 for students ($10 adults), and it's definitely worth that. It was larger than I expected, but not very crowded which I always appreciate.
After I left the Noguchi, I walked across the street to Socrates Sculpture Park. This is the part where I mention yet again that I don't really understand installation art, which is what is mostly in the park. There are a few actual sculptures, but most of the "art" is meant to be interactive (I think?). I sat on a large wooden stage — which I think was part of the "art" — and ate peaches that I had brought along, which is about the extent of my participation in any type of public art piece.
I still have one more post about Long Island City (it was a good day) but I definitely recommend the Noguchi, even if it is a bit difficult to get to. I'm am continually being pleasantly surprised by neighborhoods that I previously knew little about, which is something I love about New York. I still have a few more LIC destinations that I didn't get to that day, including the Museum of the Moving Image and walking across the Queensboro Bridge, so I'll definitely be back.