Queensboro Plaza (7, N, W)
This part of Long Island City has my favorite dessert cafe with a secret art gallery inside and a kawaii-vibe boba shop. But, before we get there…
The first thing you’ll notice coming out of this stop is the Ed Koch Queensboro Bridge Lower Roadway, which is a mouthful for “big car thoroughfare with subway tracks above it.” It’s loud and a bit of a challenge to cross, since the pedestrian crosswalks are few and far between. But, it’s doable.
On the south side of the expressway, where the station will likely spit you out, you’ve got views of fancy, glassy high-rises. If skyscraper architecture is your thing, you’ll love the views around here.
View from the station facing southwest, in all its gentrified skyscraper glory,.
I recommend crossing the roadway to get to the relatively less-developed north side for fancily crafted desserts and afternoon tea at AnnTremet LIC.
I am obsessed with this cake from Ann Tremet LIC.
For boba in a kawaii-vibed toy arcade, try M Tea, which is my favorite bubble tea store in NYC simply because the interior feels so unique compared to boba chains.
The interior vibe of M Tea. It’s such a cute place to sit and read a book, chat with a friend, or try your luck for a plushie.
On a zoomed out level, this station holds a very interesting position in the context of LIC’s gentrification sequence. It’s sandwiched between the gentrified Queens Plaza EMR and Court Square GEM7 stations to the south, and the ungentrified 21st Street - Queensbridge F station to the north. In short, this station hangs in the balance of gentrification. I’m not sure how long that will last, and chances are by the time you visit, it’ll lean more towards the gentrified side.
