Travelers are always looking for something exciting for their kids, and luckily, Queens boasts some of the best and most affordable family adventures in the US. Whether visiting New York City with teens, curious kids, energetic toddlers, or infants, the largest borough in NYC has plenty of options, including museum exhibits, concerts, and exciting shows.
Vacationers will find something that will keep the whole family engaged and happy. If the ones in Queens are not enough, families can try the neighboring spots, like Long Island, Brooklyn, and Manhattan. Here are the fun things to do with kids in Queens, New York City.
10 Spend Time With The Kids At Queens Zoo
Visiting Queens Zoo is one of the best things to do in Queens, New York, with kids. The zoo gives families an incredible chance to see South America's spectacled bears and some of the world's smallest species of deer.
Located in Flushing Meadows Corona Park, Queens Zoo is home to American animals, such as bison, lynx, alligators, sea lions, and birds like Cattle Egret and Bobwhite Quail. Visitors can choose between exploring the national park-inspired exhibits or spending time interacting with domesticated animal species.
- Cost of entrance: $9 (adults aged 13+), $9.95 (seniors aged 65+), $7.95 (kids aged 3-12), $6.95 (kids aged 2 and below)
- Hours of operation: April to November 4, 10:00 am - 5:00 pm (closes at 5:30 pm during weekends and holidays); November 5, 2023 - March 29, 2024; 10:00 am - 4:30 pm
- When exhibits close: 4:30 on weekdays and 5:00 during weekends and holidays
There are so many interactive exhibits that families can enjoy at Queens Zoo. However, it is important to check the website to see the scheduled events, activities, and programs.
9 Enjoy Nature's Curiosities At Queens Botanical Garden
Queens Botanical Garden hosts plenty of family events and festivals, as well as kids’ programs that are run throughout the year. Vacationers not staying within the Flushing neighborhood will have to engage in a hike to get to one of the most beautiful botanical gardens in the US.
Dating back to 1939 during the World's Fair, this garden has gone through incredible phases of growth and renovation. It was only 5 acres when it started and now expands over a 39-acre of space.
Spring is one of the best times to explore the gardens, thanks to the cherry blossoms and plenty of celebrations, including Mother's Day. Summers also come with a lot of activities to enjoy, including live music and numerous crafting sessions for families to enjoy.
- Cost of entrance (April-December 15): Adults – $6; seniors (age 62+) – $4; Students with ID – $4; Individuals with Disabilities – $4; Children (ages 4 to 12) – $2; Children (3 and under) – FREE
- Cost of entrance (December 16-March): Free
- Opening hours: (April-October) 8 am to 6 pm, Tuesday through Sunday; (November-March) 8 am to 4:30 pm, Tuesday through Sunday
8 Relax Under The Sun With Refreshments At The Bohemian Hall And Beer Garden
Offering some of the best Czech and craft beers, Bohemian Hall and Beer Garden of one of New York City’s outdoor drinking venues. It has an incredible beer menu with plenty of options, including Pilsner Urquell, Krusovice, Schofferhofer, Spaten, and Hoegaarden.
Considered one of the quintessential summer hangouts in New York, this place offers more than just beers. It is also among the best places to visit with kids in Queens and guarantees epic memories for an entire family. Children can also enjoy doing some crafts together on Easter Holidays when they meet the Easter Bunny.
- Opening hours: 5:00 pm -1:00 am (Wednesdays & Thursdays); 3:00 pm -3:00am (Fridays); 12:00 pm-3:00 am (Saturdays); 12:00 pm -12:00am (Sundays)
7 Play & Relax With The Family At Juniper Valley Park
Juniper Valley Park is one of the most beautiful parks in Queens, New York City, and is a favorite among many locals and visitors alike. Part of the Middle Village neighborhood, one of the best neighborhoods in New York City, especially for first-timers, this park is among the unique US family adventures to enjoy at any time of the year.
It is a popular hangout and gathering spot among the locals. Families can visit Juniper Valley Park and enjoy its incredible facilities, including basketball, tennis, and handball courts, football fields, soccer fields, dog-friendly areas, public restrooms, and fitness equipment. There are also plenty of exciting events to enjoy at this park.
- Cost of entrance: Free
- Facilities: Basketball, tennis, and handball courts, football fields, soccer fields, dog-friendly areas, public restrooms, fitness equipment
6 Catch A Baseball Game At Citi Field, Flushing
Situated within Flushing Meadows - Corona Park, Citi Field is a baseball stadium famous for being the ballpark of the New York Mets. The stadium boasts a seating capacity of 42,000 and is among the most beautiful baseball stadiums of Major League Baseball (MLB).
It is among the best places in Queens to visit with kids, as it allows families to introduce their children to the incredible world of baseball. The Citi Field stadium’s amenities are also fantastic, including an outfield picnic area where families can have some fun moments.
- The cost of entrance: Depends on which event one is attending and the location of their seats. The average price tourists spend to enter the stadium is $78
5 Feed The Family's Mind At The New York Hall Of Science, Corona
Boasting more than 450 interactive exhibits, the New York Hall of Science is definitely among the best spots to visit with kids in Queens, New York. It is the only hands-on science center in one of the most expensive cities in the world and guarantees unforgettable experiences for families.
Some of the best exhibits to experience at the museum include the Rocket Park Mini Golf and an award-winning Science Playground, which covers a space of 60,000 sq ft. Kids will love exploring Design Lab, which comes with innovative hands-on exhibits that educate on design and engineering.
- Cost of entrance: $16 (adults); $13 (Children, Students, Seniors)
4 Enjoy The Great Outdoors & Some Of The Best Views In New York City At Gantry Plaza State Park, Long Island City
Gantry Plaza State Park is one of the fun things to enjoy with kids in Queens. The 12-acre park offers some of the most breathtaking views of the midtown Manhattan skyline, with some of the most iconic attractions in New York City, like the Empire State Buildings, being visible from there.
Gantry Plaza State Park boasts four incredible piers, which families will enjoy strolling through. While taking some relaxing strolls along the park, tourists will definitely be attracted by the scenery of the magnificent restored gantries, which takes tourists back into the history of the waterfront. Families can enjoy the handball courts, playgrounds, a fishing pier, cooking grills, and basketball courts.
- Cost of entrance: $6-$10 for day use
- Amenities: Handball courts, playgrounds, a fishing pier, cooking grills, and basketball courts
3 Grab Some Of The Best Greek Food In New York City At Taverna Kyclades, Astoria
Considered one of the best Greek restaurants in New York City, Taverna Kyclades in Astoria boasts a family-friendly atmosphere. The restaurant is famous for serving some of the freshest food, prepared with incredible ingredients, which are based on the original recipes of the Greek dishes.
Astoria, Queens, is recognized for its large Greek population, and the best it can offer families is the Taverna Kyclades. The restaurant offers an incredible blend of delicious meals, competent staff, and efficient services.
- Opening hours: 12:00 pm – 11:00 pm (Mondays through Thursdays), 12:00 pm – 11:30 (Fridays & Saturdays), and 12:00 pm – 10:30 pm (Sundays)
2 Stroll Through Flushing’s Chinatown
Flushing Chinatown is one of the best Chinatowns in the US and among the largest in New York City. At this place, families will have tons of fun things to do. Nothing will be as exciting to the young ones as checking out the beautiful shops, Asian groceries, bookstores, and bubble tea cafes.
Shopping is definitely one of the best things families can do here because they will be spoiled for choice. Walking along its sidewalks introduces the kids to the amazing Chinese culture, as the area is mostly composed of the Chinese and Koreans, who came to settle here in the 1970s.
- Parking: Available and mostly free of charge
1 Inspire The Next Generation Of Farmers At Queens County Farm Museum
Covering a space of about 47 acres, Queens County Farm Museum is one of the best spots for families in Queens, New York City. It dates back to 1697, making it one of the oldest museums in the United States. The museum is open for public exploration every day of the week between 10:00 am and 5:00 pm.
There are plenty of kid-and-adult-friendly activities and programs to enjoy here, including field trips, site tours, volunteer farmer days, and special admission days. This is among the best family attractions in Queens, New York City, and is perfect for kids aged 3+.
- Opening hours: 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
- Admission: Free
Queens Country Farm Museum is free to enter at any time of the year except during the special admission days.