The N/W train runs elevated up 31st Street. Its shadow is the most reliable shade in Astoria. Three picks that use the el and the residential canopy.
The elevated N/W on 31st Street isn’t pretty, but it throws a continuous shadow over the avenue from 7 AM until 5 PM in summer. The patios under the el — Mamma’s of Astoria, the Greek coffee shops, the gyro counters — are functionally air-conditioned by the structural shade. The residential blocks east and west add tree canopy.
These picks pair the el with the Astoria Park canopy and the Greek-quarter cross streets.
South under the el. Continuous structural shadow, awnings cover the cross streets.
South through the park canopy, then east into the beer garden under the chestnut canopy.
East under the el structure of the M/R, then south into Spaghetti Park’s sycamore canopy.
Stay Cool computes a shadow-aware route for any city we map.