If you’ve been waiting for a fall plan that’s equal parts cozy and “only-in-New-York,” the Cityside’s Pumpkin Patch at the Summer Club LIC is your move. Picture a sea of orange gourds and twinkle lights set against the Manhattan skyline—on a rooftop. It’s the kind of Queens moment I love to recommend to clients and neighbors: easy to get to, friendly for all ages, and a fun way to test what a weekend feels like in Long Island City.
What It Is (and Why People Love It)
The rooftop at the Summer Club has transformed into Cityside Pumpkin Patch, an immersive fall playground perched above Queens Plaza. Organizers bill it as a full pumpkin-patch experience—thousands of pumpkins sourced from upstate farms, photo backdrops, lawn games, and activities—only with skyline views and plenty of room to roam. Sessions run from Thursdays through Sundays with timed entry, and general admission includes access to the rooftop patch (most packages include a pumpkin; if not, one can be purchased on-site). Kids under three are typically free; check the booking page for your slot’s details.
The location is 8-08 Queens Plaza South, Long Island City—the same rooftop complex you may know from pool-season posts. The venue confirms the address and basic logistics on its site, and media previews this month have highlighted fall-only features like archery stations, pumpkin-smashing, carnival-style games, and live entertainment on select nights. (Pro tip: evening sessions feel extra cinematic when the skyline lights up.)
When to go, how to get there, and what it costs
Dates & hours: Fall sessions run Thursdays–Sundays with multiple time blocks. Recent listings show afternoons through late evenings (e.g., 5–10 p.m. on weeknights; noon–10 p.m. weekends). Time slots can sell out fast—book early.
Tickets: Recent roundups cite general admission from about $16–$20 (often including one pumpkin) and premium/all-inclusive options at higher tiers if you want extras like games, archery, face painting, or a second pumpkin. Family cabanas are available for groups. Always confirm inclusions at checkout—packages vary by date.
Transit: LIC is simple by subway. Take the N/W to Astoria Blvd (short rideshare hop) or the E/M/R/7 to Queens Plaza/Queensboro Plaza and walk a few minutes to the venue. LIRR to Mets–Willets plus a rideshare works too if you’re coming from northeast Queens. The address and map pins match across major listings.
What to expect once you’re on the roof
The pumpkins. Big carving pumpkins, small “take-to-work” pumpkins, and lots in between—stacked in cheerful mounds with photo spots tucked throughout. The whole point is to browse, pick, and linger without rushing, so plan at least 60–90 minutes. Many ticket tiers include one pumpkin per person; extra pumpkins are typically $10–$20 based on size.
Activities. Beyond the obligatory photos, look for archery (often under blacklight in evening sessions), pumpkin-smash stations, simple carnival games, and seasonal crafts/face painting on select dates. Details can change by time slot—check the calendar for the week you go.
Food & drink. The venue is set up for snacks and sips; think easy bites and themed beverages that make sense for a strolling crowd. Some nights flip to 21+ after 8 p.m., with a cocktail-forward vibe (again—confirm for your slot).
The view. This is the differentiator. You get the pumpkins and the photo ops, plus LIC’s steel-and-glass porches and the Midtown skyline as your backdrop. It’s a very “Queens but elevated” moment (literally).
How to make it a perfect LIC afternoon (or date night)
For families: Book the earliest weekend slot. Bring a foldable tote for pumpkins, wipes for sticky hands, and a light jacket; the rooftop catches a breeze. After your session, walk to Gantry Plaza State Park for playground time and sunset photos, or grab hot chocolates in Court Square.
For a date: Go at golden hour. Do the photos and a game or two, then step off the roof for dinner in Hunters Point or Dutch Kills. LIC’s restaurant scene has range: cozy pasta, sleek izakayas, wine bars, and dessert spots, so you can tailor the evening to your style.
For a friends’ night out: Choose a later slot that overlaps with the archery under the lights and the higher-energy programming. Consider a cabana if you want a home base; split an all-inclusive bundle so everyone gets a pumpkin and a couple of activities without nickel-and-diming.
House-hunting angle: why I send clients here
When people ask me what LIC “feels like” outside of work hours, this is my answer in event form. You get the walkability test (transit from the venue to dinner), the weekend energy (families and friend groups sharing a space without crowd stress), and the skyline reality you’ll actually see from neighborhood rooftops and terraces.
If you’re comparing LIC to Astoria or Greenpoint, give yourself a simple checklist while you’re at Cityside:
Transit comfort: How easy was your route with a bag and jacket?
Noise tolerance: Does the energy from the rooftop feel enjoyable or overwhelming for your daily life?
Night routine: Could you see yourself making this a monthly habit—market, park, dinner—when you live five blocks away?
That gut-level read can be more honest than a spreadsheet.
Final word (and a neighborly nudge)
There are pumpkin patches, and then there’s a pumpkin patch with a skyline—a neat little postcard of why Queens works. Whether you’re making a family memory, a seasonal date, or a decision about which neighborhood feels like you, the Cityside Pumpkin Patch at Summer Club delivers the fall mood without leaving the borough.
If you want to line up an LIC home tour around your visit or compare a few buildings with rooftops you’ll actually use, reach out. I’ll bring maps, numbers, and a short list of post-patch dinner spots within a 10-minute walk.