One of the most promising features of LIC is the strong family of cultural institutions to balance the heavy development going on: SculptureCenter, PS1, Noguchi and all the artists loft buildins (in particular 5 Ptz). All very interesting and you should check them out.

Here's their map and interactive little website

You can download their map (sponsored, invariably, by someone building a big development project -- in this case the good people of Hunter's Point condos) and it will be not only your giude to the arts institutions but also your map to the hood.