👋🏾 Local Side Quests is a guide to enjoying your time outside of work in and near LIC. Each issue is a curated list of classes, activities and gatherings nearby that invite community, curiosity, and/or creativity.
💭 A Note From the Editor
Welcome to May, we’ve got lots to celebrate this week!
Firstly, happy Asian American, Native Hawaiian, & Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month! Additionally, special shoutout to all the local teachers and nurses this week for Teacher Appreciation and Nurse Appreciation Week.
We’re also in Mental Health Awareness Month and not to mention Cinco De Mayo tomorrow (on a Taco Tuesday 🌮 at that) and Mother’s Day this weekend (both of which snuck up on me)!
I didn’t find any taco/margarita-themed events for tomorrow so here’s a list of taco places in the area instead (to enjoy with some great weather!):
Skinny Cantina’s (Waterfront)
Chinelos Birria Tacos food truck (Waterfront)
Los Tacos City Habanero food truck (Hunters Point)
Sobremesa Cocina Mexicana (Hunters Point/Queensbridge-ish)
Tacombi (Queensborough)
Enjoy this week’s curation; I’ll be on the lookout for celebratory and educational events throughout the month. May the 4th be with you!
📅 What’s Happening Nearby This Week
5/4/26 (Mon) | 6-7pm | Queens Landing Boathouse and Environmental Center (Waterfront) | Free
Great for: Outdoorsy people who want to try water sports this year
5/4/26 (Mon) | 7-8:15pm | Luxuriate Lab (Queensbridge) | $37 (class pack deals available)
Great for: Anyone who's been doing pole for a while and ready to try going upside down
5/6/26 (Wed) | 8-9pm | Sishu Mandarin (Queensborough) | $29
Great for: Anyone wanting to learn Mandarin and open to trying an in-person class
5/7/26 (Thu) | 9-10am | Joe Coffee Company: Roastery Cafe (Queensbridge) | $10
Great for: Coffee fanatics who can start their day a little later to try new brews
5/7/26 (Thu) | 6-8pm | Trends Cannabis Dispensary (Queensborough) | Free
Great for: Crafty folks with mothers/mother figures who love homemade gifts
5/9/26 (Sat) | 10-1pm | Smiling HogsHead Ranch (LIC/Sunnyside Border) | Free
Great for: People who have failed to plant veggies on their own and want to try with the community
5/9/26 (Sat) | 12:30-3:30pm | 31st Ave Open Street Market (Astoria) | Free
Great for: Anyone with extra jewelry that deserves a new home (and wants to find something to replace it)
5/9/26 (Sat) | 1-2pm | Queens Plaza Studios (Queensborough) | $25
Great for: Folks who've been wanting to dance but have been too shy to try
5/9/26 (Sat) | 3-5pm | Wag & Bone (LIC/Astoria border) | $25 (for 1 dog & their human)
Great for: Brussels Griffons and Affenpinschers who like soccer (and their humans)
5/10/26 (Sun) | 6-7pm | Very Good Gym LIC (Hunters Point) | Free
Great for: Anyone with stiff limbs who need to relax before wrapping up the weekend
↗️ On The Horizon
Queens Taste 2026 → 5/12/26
Lecture - “The Pierogi Problem” → 5/13/26
S Korea Block Party → 5/16/26
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