Whilst planning my most recent trip to New York, I decided that, though I was stoked for the opportunity to revisit my old stomping grounds in Manhattan (namely the East Village and Lower East Side), it’d also be a good idea to get out of my comfort zone a bit and familiarize myself with some new neighborhoods–after all, the city’s comprised of five enormous boroughs and countless unique areas within those boroughs, many of which I’d never set foot in before.
So when I stumbled upon The Local NY, a trendy new hostel just six months old located in Queens’ Long Island City, I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to spend a night there. It would only be my second time ever staying in a hostel in the US (the first being a wild night in Miami before flying to South America last year), and having spent so many nights in hostels around the world on my travels, I was curious to see how the experience would measure up.
Getting to The Local NY
I landed at Newark International in the early morning on Wednesday, August 20th, sleep-deprived and eager to rid myself of the luggage (albeit minimal) I was toting around. Luckily, arriving at my destination was a breeze, made even easier by the spot-on arrival instructions on the The Local’s website. A 25-minute train ride to Penn Station followed by a quick subway ride on the Uptown E line dropped me a mere 2.5 blocks from the door of the hostel; I was in transit for about 45 minutes total.
I quickly scanned my surroundings on that brief walk to the hostel and noted a grocery store and a handful of cafes and restaurants all in close proximity; convenience to necessities like this is crucial to me when choosing which hostel to stay with, and The Local NY definitely has that working in their favor. And for travelers looking to get into Manhattan quickly and cheaply, the subway can get you there in just 10 minutes for only $2.50 per ride.
The Facilities
Long Island City (LIC) is an up-and-coming neighborhood with a heavily industrial past; many of the current businesses occupy former warehouse buildings and the high ceilings and brick walls certainly paid tribute to the hostel’s former life. The bright and airy cafe-by-day, bar-by-night at the front of the hostel felt immediately inviting. Modern furnishings, off-beat art, and ample lighting gave the cafe and main reception areas a hip, urban feel free from pretense.
The staff at reception greeted me cheerfully, and even though arriving at 10am meant it was too early to check in (check-in begins at 3pm) they quickly offered to store my luggage and directed me to where I could freshen up or even shower if needed. I explained that what I was really dying for was a coffee and something to eat; they offered up several suggestions for where to grab breakfast, but I eventually settled on their own cafe where I could use WiFi and keep out of the summer heat. The food in The Local’s cafe is limited to a small selection of pastries, but that was fine for me at the time–an almond croissant and espresso were precisely what the doctor ordered.
I was then treated to a tour of the facilities with co-owner Lauren, one of the two sisters behind the operation. On the main floor, in addition to the cafe and reception, there is a large communal hangout area where guests can lounge on couches or watch movies, and a computer area where guests can use the hostel computers or plug in their own on tables with built-in international outlets.
A downside of many older buildings in New York is that there’s typically no elevator, and this one was no exception, so after passing by the communal (and very tidy, I might add) kitchen, we headed up the stairs to check out the rooftop with a fantastic view of the Manhattan skyline. Unfortunately, the rooftop isn’t utilized as much as they would like as of yet, but Lauren assured me they have plans to eventually hold events and activities up there, along with allowing alcohol (currently only allowed on the main floor and only purchased from their bar–no outside alcohol is allowed). In the meantime, it’s a perfect spot to lounge or catch the sunset while admiring Manhattan and the Queensboro Bridge.
I was able to check into my 4-bed, all-female dorm room around noon (all-male and mixed gender dorms also available); a private toilet, shower, and sink in the room made getting ready for the afternoon extra convenient. But my absolute favorite part of this room? AIR CONDITIONING. Anyone who’s spent a summer on the East Coast knows how crucial this fact is–and I guess after having spent so many sweaty nights in Southeast Asia and the Caribbean with nothing but a fan blowing around hot air (if that!), I stopped expecting hostel rooms to have A/C and was all the more pleasantly surprised when I discovered it.
What To Do in Long Island City
Once ready to take on the rest of my day, I headed down to reception to get the lowdown on what to do and see in Long Island City. An extensive chat with two of the lovely receptionists, Aramie and Sophia, revealed just how much LIC has going for it, especially if you’re a traveler on a budget. As I’m sure you know, New York is one of the most expensive cities in the US, but LIC has plenty to offer backpackers in the way of inexpensive food and activities.
Within walking distance of The Local NY, you can find food from all over the world for under $10, like halal food served up from a street cart by the world’s sweetest Egyptian man, or fresh Latin food at Mama’s Empanadas. Then there’s LIC Market which serves up a delicious and reasonably-priced “New American” menu made from local, seasonal ingredients; a brunch menu is on offer Saturdays and Sundays. LIC’s “main drag,” Vernon Boulevard, is lined with fun and diverse restaurants, cafes and bars as well.
As for things to do, free activities abound in LIC. You can walk to Gantry Plaza and stroll along the East River while admiring the Manhattan skyline or catch one of the free concerts that take place there in the summer months; you can browse the weekly Flea and Food Market, located in LIC on Saturdays and Astoria on Sundays; or catch a free comedy show at The Creek and the Cave (you’ll have to buy drinks, but they’re cheap).
Another great option is to hang at The Local for their nightly activities and get to know the other guests–they offer live music, movie nights, trivia, drawing contests aptly named “Drink & Draw,” group outings and pub crawls. From time to time they also hold special events on-site; in mid-May, they hosted the LIC Arts Open, featuring an exhibition by artist Luba Lukova (whose work is pictured above, hanging in the hostel’s cafe and lounge areas).
My stay was on a Wednesday, so I caught their live music night and a performance by an eclectic artist called Unigen, a self-proclaimed “mobile electro power-pop busker” (uhh…what?)–basically, the guy was a one man band wearing a suit made of pianos and a reminder of why I love New York oh so dearly. Additionally, the hostel bulletin board lists a whole host of free activities all over New York for every day of the week.
One activity in LIC that’s not exactly free but still very worth your time is a visit to MoMA PS1, an exhibition space focused on the advancement of contemporary art through the showcasing of emerging artists and innovative and adventurous works. Gallery admission is $10 for adults. Saturdays during the summer, MoMA Ps1 holds the sweatiest dance party of your life otherwise known as Warm Up. These daytime music events feature local and international DJs; admission is $18 in advance or $20 at the door.
If going out for drinks is what you’re after, the Rockaway Brewing Company is just a few blocks away (unfortunately closed when I was there!) as well as a fantastic spot right on the river called Anable Basin where you can relax with a cocktail and enjoy my favorite skyline in the world.
As for nightlife…well, this is where LIC kind of falls flat. A handful of bars is really all there is. Luckily, a quick trip into Manhattan or south to Brooklyn will put you right in the middle of that New York City excitement where you can stay out ’til the wee hours of the morning while having a quiet neighborhood to come back to when you’re finally ready for sleep.
Being my first night in the city after a rather sleepless red-eye flight from Seattle, I opted to forego the Manhattan scene in favor of The Local’s live music night. A few beers, a few games of Cards Against Humanity, a few tequila shots and a photobooth session later, and I was sound asleep in my gloriously air-conditioned room.
What’s it going to cost?
If you’re looking to stay at The Local NY, the four-bed dorm is definitely your most affordable option. Prices fluctuate seasonally so check their booking site for the specific dates you’d like to stay, but a bed will typically cost you anywhere from $54-$65 USD for the night but can be as low as $39 depending on availability. The other, pricier option, is a private two-person room, either with a single queen-sized bed or two twins; one of these rooms will cost anywhere from $189-$209 per night, though sometimes cost as little as $139.
The dorm prices are comparable to most other hostels in New York and come with the peace of mind of having the highest user ratings on just about every hostel booking site I came across. And compared to the price of a typical hotel room in NYC (upwards of $300 for a night), the private rooms are quite a steal as well. New York isn’t the most backpacker-friendly destination, and this is just an unfortunate fact, but The Local NY definitely provides great value for the price you pay.
My Conclusion
The Local NY ticks just about all of my boxes as far as what I look for when booking a great hostel–cleanliness, friendly and helpful staff, good security, comfortable beds, a communal kitchen, on-site bar and activities, a good location close to public transit, and a rooftop with a view as an added bonus.
Cheaper accommodation can be found in other parts of the city, but you may end up getting exactly what you pay for (not much). I’d definitely recommend The Local NY to anyone heading to NYC for the first time or anyone looking to get to know a new part of the city. Their knowledgeable staff will help you navigate the Big Apple and have you feeling like a local in no time.
My stay was wonderful and I felt right at home, even in a new borough; if I find myself back east again anytime soon, I’ll definitely head out to Long Island City to stay with the awesome locals at The Local.
You can follow The Local NY on Twitter or Instagram (why not both?) for hostel news and exciting events and activities going on all over the city. Questions? Email them at info@thelocalhostels.com or call +1-347-738-5251. Visit them at thelocalny.com for bookings or do it the old fashioned way and show up at their door: they’re located at 1302 44th Avenue, LIC, New York, 11101.
Many thanks to the wonderful people at The Local NY for hosting me!
All opinions expressed in this article are my own.
