Located in Long Island City, Queens — just one subway stop from Midtown Manhattan — The Local NYC offers clean, budget-friendly rooms with the added bonus of skyline views from the rooftop. It's an excellent choice for travelers who want proximity to Manhattan without the Manhattan price tag.
The Local NYC at 3-13 31st Avenue in Long Island City, Queens, offers an appealing proposition for budget-conscious visitors to New York: clean, modern rooms with Manhattan skyline views from the rooftop, at prices that can be 30 to 50 percent below equivalent Manhattan accommodations, combined with subway access that puts Midtown Manhattan just a single stop away on the 7 train.
Long Island City has transformed over the past decade from an industrial waterfront district into one of New York City's most dynamic neighborhoods — home to MoMA PS1 contemporary art museum, the Socrates Sculpture Park, the Noguchi Museum, and a rapidly growing restaurant and café scene along Jackson Avenue and Vernon Boulevard. The Local NYC sits in the residential core of LIC, close to the 21st Street and Jackson Avenue transit connections that make Manhattan day trips seamless and fast.
The hotel's rooms are clean, modern, and efficiently designed. The contemporary palette is understated, with quality bedding, strong wifi, and in-room amenities suited to both leisure and business travelers seeking value. A compact fitness center provides basic workout equipment for travelers maintaining a fitness routine.
The rooftop is the hotel's headline feature — a terrace with unobstructed views of the Queens–Midtown skyline, the East River, and the towers of Midtown Manhattan. Particularly at dusk and after dark, the rooftop view rivals anything available in hotels several times the price on the Manhattan side of the river. A seasonal rooftop bar operates during summer months.
For travelers willing to accept a five-to-ten-minute subway commute in exchange for significantly reduced costs and a less tourist-saturated base, The Local NYC represents one of the best value propositions in the New York accommodation market.
Amenities
- rooftop
- wifi
- fitness center
- bar
Location
3-13 31st Ave, Long Island City, NY 11106
40.7699, -73.9351 View on map
Highlights
- Long Island City hotel with rooftop Manhattan skyline views at prices 30–50% lower than comparable Manhattan hotels
- A single 7-train subway stop from Midtown Manhattan — one of the fastest city connections from Queens
- Modern rooms with quality bedding and strong wifi in a rapidly developing Queens arts and dining neighborhood
- Walking distance from MoMA PS1, the Noguchi Museum, and Long Island City's growing arts and restaurant scene
- Rooftop bar with unobstructed East River and Midtown skyline views, especially dramatic at dusk and after dark
Tips for visiting
- The 7 train to Midtown (Times Square, Grand Central) runs frequently and takes about 10 minutes from 21st Street–Queensbridge
- MoMA PS1 is a 5-minute walk from the hotel; the museum's outdoor sculpture courtyard is free during certain hours
- Time a rooftop cocktail for golden hour before sunset — the view of the Midtown skyline is best in that light
- Gantry Plaza State Park on the East River waterfront is a 10-minute walk and offers the best ground-level Midtown views
- Long Island City has grown rapidly — Jackson Avenue and Vernon Boulevard have strong new restaurant and café options
Accessibility
The Local NYC provides ADA-compliant accessible rooms with elevator access to all floors and accessible public areas including the lobby, fitness center, and rooftop. The Long Island City neighborhood is generally flat and accessible. Guests with specific accessibility needs should contact the hotel prior to arrival to confirm room configuration and accessible routes within the building.
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Frequently asked questions
How far is The Local NYC from Manhattan?
The Local NYC is in Long Island City, Queens, approximately one mile from Midtown Manhattan across the East River. The 7 train from 21st Street–Queensbridge station (a short walk from the hotel) reaches Times Square in about 10 minutes.
Why stay in Long Island City instead of Manhattan?
Long Island City offers significantly lower hotel rates than comparable Manhattan properties while providing 10-minute subway access to Midtown. The neighborhood also has genuine arts institutions, good dining, and a quieter, residential atmosphere.
Is there a rooftop at The Local NYC?
Yes, the hotel has a rooftop terrace with unobstructed views of the Midtown Manhattan skyline and the East River. A seasonal rooftop bar operates during summer months, serving cocktails with one of New York's most dramatic budget-accessible skyline perspectives.
What arts institutions are near The Local NYC?
MoMA PS1 is approximately a 5-minute walk from the hotel. The Noguchi Museum and Socrates Sculpture Park are a 10–15 minute walk or short subway ride. The Kaufman Astoria Studios and the Museum of the Moving Image are also in the borough.
What is the best subway to take from The Local NYC to Midtown?
The 7 train at 21st Street–Queensbridge is the most direct route to Times Square and Grand Central. The E, M, G, N, and W trains also have stations in Long Island City, providing additional connections to Manhattan and Brooklyn.