Is Queensbridge-Ravenswood-Dutch Kills safe?
Queens, New York · safety score updated nightly
Be careful — go in daylight and stay on the busier streets.
VibeLoco rates Queensbridge-Ravenswood-Dutch Kills as “Caution”.
What makes up this score?Recent news
Gogo's take on Queensbridge-Ravenswood-Dutch Kills
“Go with care. While Dutch Kills and the waterfront areas offer great breweries, hotels, and arts spaces, the neighborhood includes major public housing complexes where violent and property crime rates remain notably above city averages. Visitors should stick to well-lit commercial avenues, avoid walking through isolated residential corridors late at night, and remain aware of their surroundings.”
About the area
Queensbridge-Ravenswood-Dutch Kills is a complex, evolving slice of western Queens bridging Long Island City and Astoria. It encompasses large public housing developments, historic industrial infrastructure, converted warehouse spaces, modern boutique hotels, and artist studios along the East River.
- Industrial-Chic
- Transit-Connected
- Evolving
- Urban Mixed-Use
Walking and biking in Queensbridge-Ravenswood-Dutch Kills
Walk score: 88/100 · Bike score: 82/100
Citi Bike docks are widely distributed throughout the area, and protected bike lanes connect riders over the Queensboro Bridge pedestrian/bike path and along Vernon Boulevard to the Queens Waterfront Greenway.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Rapidly growing dining and craft brewery scene in the Dutch Kills and 21st Street corridors
- Close proximity to Queensbridge Park featuring stunning panoramic views of the Queensboro Bridge and Midtown Manhattan
- Extensive subway and bus connections providing quick 10-minute access into Midtown Manhattan
- Active residential growth and hotel development bringing elevated foot traffic and business investment
Cons
- Elevated rates of robbery and felony assault compared to neighboring Astoria and central LIC
- Poverty rates exceed 30% in multiple residential tracts, with notable socioeconomic divides
- Industrial stretches and warehouse blocks lack consistent street lighting and pedestrian visibility after dark
- Heavy commercial truck traffic along major avenues like 21st Street and Northern Boulevard
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is moderately present, mostly concentrated around major transit hubs like Queensboro Plaza/Queens Plaza and under the elevated train tracks, with several transitional housing facilities and shelters operating in converted industrial-zoned hotels.
What Queensbridge-Ravenswood-Dutch Kills is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Active and generally safe as commuters walk to the N, W, F, and 7 subway stations and local delivery trucks start moving.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Busy with street life, contractors, hotel guests, and park visitors, though industrial side streets can feel sparse.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Lively around 21st Street, 31st Street, and local taprooms, but situational awareness is recommended on quieter cross streets.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Noticeably quiet outside of specific nightspots; walking alone near public housing grounds or dark industrial zones is not recommended.
Transit, parking and getting around
MTA New York City Subway services the area via the Queensboro Plaza (7, N, W), 21st St-Queensbridge (F), and 39th Ave-Dutch Kills (N, W) stations. Key bus lines include the Q69, Q102, and Q103 running north-south along 21st Street and Vernon Boulevard.
Street parking can be found with varying difficulty and alternate-side regulations, though commercial trucks occupy many curbs. Paid parking garages exist primarily near major hotels on 21st Street and near Queens Plaza, averaging $20-$35 per day.
Things to do in Queensbridge-Ravenswood-Dutch Kills
- Walk the waterfront promenade and enjoy skyline views at Queensbridge Park
- Sample locally crafted beers at Dutch Kills and Long Island City taprooms
- Explore contemporary art and performances at nearby cultural venues like The Chocolate Factory Theater
Local favorites
- Dutch Kills Bar · Cocktail Bar · 4.6★ (1150)Renowned speakeasy-style lounge serving hand-crafted classic cocktails over hand-cut ice.
- LIC Beer Project · Brewery & Taproom · 4.6★ (460)Rustic, industrial taproom pouring innovative hazy IPAs, wild ales, and lagers.
- Astoria Seafood · Seafood Restaurant · 4.6★ (4350)Lively fish-market-and-eatery combo where patrons pick raw seafood to be grilled or fried on the spot.
Neighborhoods near Queensbridge-Ravenswood-Dutch Kills
Common questions about Queensbridge-Ravenswood-Dutch Kills
Is Queensbridge-Ravenswood-Dutch Kills safe to walk at night?
Take care after dark: stick to lit main streets or take a ride.
Is Queensbridge-Ravenswood-Dutch Kills a good place to live?
On safety, Queensbridge-Ravenswood-Dutch Kills scores 64/100 — below average, so visit at different times of day before deciding to move.
How walkable is Queensbridge-Ravenswood-Dutch Kills?
Walk score 88/100 and bike score 82/100. Most errands can be done on foot.
Which areas near Queensbridge-Ravenswood-Dutch Kills are safer?
Upper East Side-Lenox Hill-Roosevelt Island (92), Upper East Side-Yorkville (92), Long Island City-Hunters Point (84) score higher nearby.
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