Ridgewood Neighborhood Guide
If you’re new to the area, we understand how tough that can be. We have members coming from all over the world and many of them at the start didn’t know much about America, let alone the mixed neighborhood of Ridgewood, Queens! Let us help you with some of the basics, so you can start exploring the neighborhood almost immediately.
Subway/Travel
It's really up to you, but here are the main ways to get to Manhattan!
The M train - Forest Ave
The M train is located just a minute’s walk from the house. Now, how convenient is that? To get there, you just have to make a left when you exit the house. You can’t miss it!
Distance from the Ridgewood House - walk: 1 minute
The L train – Myrtle-Wyckoff Avenue
The L train’s Myrtle-Wyckoff Avenue is 12-minute’s walk from the house. Here’s a tip: On weekdays, you can take the M train here.
Distance from the Ridgewood House - walk: 12 minutes; bike: 4 minutes
Gym
Having a tough time finding your new gym? here are some options below:
Ridgewood Yoga Studio - 16-23 Hancock St, Ridgewood
If you’re looking for an affordable and accessible yoga studio, this is the spot! They even offer a special promo for new students, where you can sign up for 3 classes at just $25.
Distance from the Ridgewood House - bus: 9 minutes; walk: 11 minutes; bike: 5 minutes
World Gym of Ridgewood - 1661 Weirfield St, Ridgewood, NY
World Gym offers serious, no-nonsense workout. We didn’t say it, they did. To ensure this, the gym provides its members with modern and high-quality equipment.
Distance from the Ridgewood House - Bus: 9 minutes; walk: 11 minutes; bike: 3 minutes
Planet Fitness - 329 Wyckoff Ave, Ridgewood, NY 11385
Planet Fitness promises a judgment-free zone for its members, by providing a comfortable, safe and energetic environment. It is also affordable, with membership prices starting at just $10 a month!
Distance from the Ridgewood House - Train: 6 minutes; walk: 12 minutes; bike: 4 minutes
Groceries
Looking to grab quick groceries? There are plenty of options you can pick from, but we have narrowed them down to four that suit your every need.
Hetman Fine Foods and Deli - 65-66 Forest Avenue, Ridgewood
Distance from the Ridgewood House - walk: 3 minutes, bike: 2 minutes
7 Star Deli & Tobacco - Ridgewood, NY
Distance from the Ridgewood House - walk: 5 minutes; bike: 1 minute
Rony’s Deli & Grill - 792 Onderdonk Ave, Ridgewood
Distance from the Ridgewood House - walk: 3 minutes; bike: 1 minute
Food Bazaar Supermarket - 454 Wyckoff Ave, Brooklyn, NY
The Wyckoff Food Bazaar is a great spot for fresh produce. What makes it stands out from other grocery stores around the area, however, is the array of international products available. If you’re missing food from “back home”, you can whip them up yourself with the items available here.
Distance from the Ridgewood House - train: 8 minutes; bus: 9 minutes; walk: 12 minutes; bike: 4 minutes
Vitelio's Marketplace - 1883 Madison St, Ridgewood, NY 11385
Vitelio's is the closest super market to the Ridgewood house and has a decent selection of items. The prices are a bit high, but the proximity to the house makes up for it if you're looking to make a quick meal.
Distance from the Ridgewood House - walk: 3 minutes; bike: 1 minute
Parks
Rosemary’s Park
Take a break from the indoors by going for a walk at Rosemary’s Playground. It’s also a good spot for sporting activities. So why don’t plan for a friendly basketball or soccer match between your housemates?
Distance from the Ridgewood House - walk: 3 minutes; bike: 1 minute
Food
The neighborhood offers an unlimited variety of eateries at affordable prices. Here are a few that we recommend, based on the input provided by our former and current members.
Super Pollo - 865 Woodward Ave, Ridgewood, NY 11385
Super Pollo is known for its outstanding Mexican cuisine that are prepared with only the highest quality of fresh ingredients. It's also the perfect place for a date, with fairy lights surrounding the restaurant.
Distance from the Ridgewood House - walk: 3 minutes; bike: 3 minutes
Rama Thai - 881 Woodward Ave, Ridgewood, NY 11385
5 steamed dumplings, $4.99. Fried Calamari, $5.99. Thai's signature dish - the sweet and sour soup called Tom Yum, $4.99. Authentic Thai Food = priceless. Need we say more about why this restaurant made to our recommendation list?
Distance from the Ridgewood House - walk: 3 minutes; bike: 3 minutes
Bosna Express- 791 Fairview Ave, Ridgewood, NY 11385
This neighborhood joint looks simple from the outside. But it offers tasty and authentic Balkan delicacies that you have to try out!
Distance from the Ridgewood House - walk: 1 minute; bike: 1 minute
Garlic to Chicken- 6692 Forest Ave, Ridgewood, NY 11385
Fans of K-pop and all things Korean, this is a must-visit spot for you guys. Try out their Korean style fried chicken. We promise you won't regret it.
Distance from the Ridgewood House - walk: 1 minute; bike: 1 minute
Madison Pizza - 775 Woodward Ave, Ridgewood, NY 11385
Good news: their's great pizza right around the corner! Madison Pizza is rightacross the street from the Rosemary’s Park, and thier plain slice of pizza is great! Also try their pepperoni pinwheels :)
Coffee shops
Norma’s Corner - 59-02 Catalpa Ave, Ridgewood, NY 11385
If you’ve ever wanted to travel to Europe but never had a chance to do so, spend a morning on a sunny weekend having breakfast here. It’ll take you away from Brooklyn, into a small French town.
Distance from the Ridgewood House - walk: 4 minutes; bike: 3 minutes
Topos Bookstore Cafe - 788 Woodward Ave, Ridgewood, NY 11385
What’s better than a cozy spot where you can read and enjoy a cup of coffee? Topos… Topos is better. This is because on top of being a hip and chic café, it also allows you to rent a wide array of popular contemporary literature, and the relatively uncommon vintage editions.
Distance from the Ridgewood House - walk: 1 minute; bike: 1 minute
Fruitti Yummy - 5751 Myrtle Ave
This is definitely the perfect spot to cool yourself down on a warm day!
Distance from the Ridgewood House - walk: 7 minutes; bike: 2 minutes
Tornado Crepe - 1808 Weirfield St, Ridgewood
The crepes here definitely fit the cafe's name. They come with tasty and exquisite fillings that are filled to the brim of huge spongy cones. The best part is they are also affordable despite being incredibly unique to the neighborhood!
Distance from the Ridgewood House - walk: 8 minutes; bike: 2 minutes
Nightlife
The Ridgewood Ale House - 5738 Myrtle Ave, Ridgewood
If you're looking for a quality spot to watch sports with your Outpost friends, head over to the Ridgewood Ale House. Why? Because not only do they have great snacks in the form of pizza and chicken wings, they also have booths that are fitted with flatscreen TVs!
Distance from the Ridgewood House - walk: 8 minutes; bike: 2 minutes
Acres BBQ - 57-42 Myrtle Ave, Flushing, NY 11385
Looking for good food in addition to good drinks? Acres BBQ is your place! On Thursdays they also hold a trivia, hosted by Geeks Who Drink.
Distance from the Ridgewood House - walk: 8 minutes; bike: 2 minutes
The Deep End - 1080 Wyckoff Ave, Ridgewood
The Deep End has everything you could possibly need for a great night out. From food like chicken wings, burgers, and tacos, to reasonably priced drinks, it has it all. The bar also hosts Karaoke nights and different events every week.
Distance from the Ridgewood House - bus: 12 minutes; walk: 18 minutes; bike: 5 minutes
Dromedary Urban Tiki Bar - 266 Irving Ave, Brooklyn
This bar offers tiki-style cocktails and doubles as an event space. It feature monthly burlesque shows, comedy shows, a drink'n'draw night, live music, weekly trivia & karaoke nights, movie screenings, among many others!
Distance from the Ridgewood House - train: 10 minutes; bus: 14 minutes; walk: 17 minutes; bike: 6 minutes
These are just some of the more popular ones. There are plenty other cool bars you should checkout, like the Elmekkah Bar and Grill at 277 Wyckoff Ave, and Victor’s Bar & Restaurant!
Post office
United States Postal Service - 6060 Myrtle Ave, Ridgewood
Distance from the Ridgewood House - bus: 9 minutes; walk: 12 minutes; bike – 4 minutes
United States Postal Service - 6080 Woodbine St, Ridgewood
Distance from the Ridgewood House - bus: 7 minutes; walk: 9 minutes; bike: 4 minutes
THAT'S ALL FOR NOW! WE CONSIDER THIS A LIVING DOCUMENT, SO IF YOU HAVE ANY SUGGESTION OF PLACES TO ADD, OR TIPS FOR THE PLACES ALREADY ON THE LIST, LET US KNOW! YOU CAN COMMENT BELOW OR EMAIL US AT [email protected]
