Water Taxi Beach, Artificial beach in Long Island City, Queens, US
Water Taxi Beach was an artificial beach setup along the East River waterfront in Long Island City within Queens. The area featured sandy zones with volleyball nets and a dining facility facing the water.
The New York Water Taxi Company established the beach in 2005 as a way to draw visitors from Manhattan. The project closed in 2010 after five summer seasons along the waterfront.
The site hosted the NYC Food Film Festival, which combined outdoor film screenings with food vendors along the waterfront. Guests gathered at casual tables under the open sky while watching the Manhattan skyline across the river.
The site was reached by water taxi boats that ran between Manhattan and Long Island City. Admission was free during the summer months, and the location sat within walking distance of subway stops in Queens.
The restaurant Harry's won first place in a borough-wide burger competition in 2008. The award drew extra guests who came to the beach specifically for that specialty.
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