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- More Things To Do In Queens
Home to over 150 cultures, Queens is the largest and most diverse borough in New York City. While it's not as a tourist as its neighbors, like Brooklyn, it is definitely one of the most wonderful destinations in New York.
Covering an area of 108 square miles, Queens boasts gorgeous cultural attractions, incredible museums, and some of the most impressive sports venues. It is surrounded by Long Island's western end, giving access to more magnificent sights to explore.
UPDATE: 2023/05/01 19:48 EST BY NOAH STAATS
More Things To Do In Queens
Visiting Queens is quite the experience, and the updates to this complete travel guide expand on things to see and do.
Things To Do
Exploring the many boroughs of New York City? There are plenty of things to do throughout each unique neighborhood, whether it's sightseeing, shopping, or heading to a museum. Keep reading because this is the ultimate guide to Queens and things to do there.
1 Explore The Museum Of The Moving Image
Located in the beautiful neighborhood of Astoria, the Museum of the Moving Image is one of the best things that vacationers can do in this borough.
Bringing the film and photography history to life, this museum offers amazing exhibits and is a perfect spot for visitors to pop culture. Vacationers can even test their skills in sound and film editing.
2 Unleash Your Wild Side At The Queens Zoo
The next fun thing to do while in Queens, New York, is to check out the Queens Zoo. Since this zoo is smaller, visitors won't have to spend more than a couple of hours here. Many past visitors recommend this attraction for those with kids wanting to kill two or so hours, so this is the perfect afternoon stop.
Admission prices for the Queens Zoo are as follows:
- Adult (13 & over). $9.95
- Senior (65 & over). $7.95
- Child (3 - 12). $6.95
- Child (2 & under). Free
So, those with kids two and under can get into the zoo for free.
3 Visit The Louis Armstrong House Museum
Another fun thing to do while in Queens, New York, is to visit the Louis Armstrong House Museum. Here, visitors can view a historic house museum at 34-56 107th Street in the Corona neighborhood of Queens and learn about the late Louis Armstrong and his upbringing/personal life.
This home hosted Louis and his wife, Lucille, from 1943 until his death in 1971.
- Generally, going through this museum won't take more than an hour, and tickets are available via their official website.
4 Soak In The Sun At Queens Botanical Garden
Covering 39 acres of space, Queens Botanical Garden boasts 25 beautiful gardens that guarantee an incredible experience of the borough.
During the warm season, vacationers can explore Oak Allee, herb garden, bee garden, and more. All travelers, regardless of their ages, will have fun being here.
5 Witness Thought-Provoking Art At MoMA PS1
A must-see art museum in Queens is the MoMA PS1. Visitors can find experimental, thought-provoking art at the nation's first nonprofit arts center. This entire museum features underground work, as well as more known pieces from established creatives.
There is also an option for a guided tour through the museum, which may be better for those wanting a deeper dive into each exhibit.
6 Spend The Afternoon At Flushing Meadows Corona Park
Considering this is one of the city's most iconic parks, visiting Flushing Meadows Corona Park is a must. Notably, this park was the site of two twentieth-century World's Fairs, adding to its rich historical impact.
Additionally, Flushing Meadows Corona Park is now the largest in Queens—after it was reverted to the city and fully landscaped/re-imagined.
7 Stop By The Queens Museum
Initially known as the Queens Museum of Art, this is one of the top-rated attractions and the best things to do in Queens, New York. Located in the famous Flushing Meadows Corona Park, the museum offers fascinating exhibits related to art and design.
There are over 10,000 pieces of art to explore, including the Neustadt Collection of Tiffany lamps and glass windows.
8 Enjoy Nature At The Rockaways
Home to two of the most popular beaches in NYC; Rockaway Beach and Jacob Riis Park Beach. Located in Rockaway Peninsula, the Rockaways includes the Belle Harbor, Breezy Point, and seven other neighborhoods. Its beaches are a popular destination among sunbathers and surfers.
9 Enjoy A Laid Back Day In Astoria
Brimming with fun adventures, businesses, and trendy spots, Astoria is an amazing neighborhood to stay in. It has plenty of shops, restaurants, parks, and beautiful attractions.
Plus, some of the most beautiful tourist attractions in the borough are located here, including Astoria Park and the Museum of the Moving Image.
10 Long Island City: Incredible Arts Scene, Top-Notch Restaurants
Located on the western edge of Queens, Long Island City is one of the most popular neighborhoods in the borough and offers a great vacation experience. It's known for its thriving arts scene and incredible water parks. It is a quiet spot boasting friendly and welcoming locals. Visitors will find plenty of luxurious restaurants here.
11 Flushing: Incredibly Diverse Cultures
Home to multiple cultures, Flushing boasts NYC's largest Chinatown, plus numerous historic homes, colorful shops, restaurants, and gorgeous sidewalks.
Vacationers will find an incredible food scene, thanks to the Korean, some of the best Chinese, Indian, and more delicious food cultures. Queens Zoo and Botanical Garden are located in this neighborhood.
12 Bayside: Plenty Of Outdoor Adventures
Bayside is known for its numerous green spaces, making it a great spot to spend time outdoors. Located in Queens' northeastern side, Bayside is brimming with restaurants, beautiful shops, parks, and top-notch bars.
Public transportation is easily accessible, and there are many things to see and do. Some of the top spots to explore are Fort Totten Park, Crocheron Park, Oakland Lake, and the Bayside Historical Society.
13 Rockaways Beach: A Perfect Destination For Sunbathers And Surfers
Rockaways Beach is a popular year-round destination for swimmers, surfers, the Ramones, and everyone else. It is most vibrant during summer, especially from Memorial Day to Labor Day weekends, receiving millions of visitors.
Tourists will also find plenty of playgrounds and outdoor opportunities to explore. Think of this as the perfect way to spend a day out in the sun while in the city.
14 Best Time To Visit Queens, New York
The best to explore Queens depends on what one is looking to explore. But April through June and September to early November are amazing times to see Queens since the crowds are thinner and the weather is at its most splendid.
Vacationers planning to explore the borough on a budget should target winter or summer. The cheapest months are January and February. During this time, one can save lots of money and obtain the best deals on accommodation and flights.
Summer is the best season for families with kids because there are a lot of fun activities for everyone. However, with Labor Day and Memorial Day being the high season, travelers planning a summer vacation in Queens must plan and book flights, hotels, and restaurant reservations in advance.
- Best time overall: April through June, September to early November
- Best time for families: Summer
- Best time for budget travelers: winter and summer
- Cheapest months to visit: January and February
15 Best Ways To Get Around Queens, New York
The New York City Subway is one of the most efficient transportation systems in the United States and serves all five boroughs. It is also the busiest in the country and the seventh busiest in the world. Queens boasts 81 New York City Subway stations, 10 of which are express-local stations.
The subway gets travelers wherever they want, making it one of the best ways to get around.
- Cost: $2.75 per ride
Many Queens' neighborhoods, especially the most touristy ones, like Astoria, are walkable. So, visitors on a budget can enjoy one of the best ways to get around, which won't cost anything, and allows them to have a wonderful experience of the borough.
Uber/Lyft is a great choice for those who prefer getting around in a private car. However, cabs are way cheaper and easily accessible. Most of the main streets are full of cabs.
One can also rent a car, especially if exploring the furthermost areas of the borough or planning to visit other spots, like Brooklyn and Manhattan.
- The cheapest way to get around Queens: The subway system, but there are some things to know before riding.
16 Where To Eat In Queens, New York
- Court Square Diner: This is one of the oldest restaurants in Queens since it’s been there since 1946. An amazing dining experience is guaranteed here, thanks to quality service and a delicious menu. It is one of the best breakfast restaurants and boasts items like oatmeal, eggs benedict, Canadian bacon, Turkey bacon, and beef sausage on the menu.
- Bruno's Restaurant: This is a perfect spot to eat Italian food, making it a great restaurant to grab some eats for lunch. It boasts a delightful selection of daily specials, ranging from pasta dishes to fresh seafood.
- Trattoria L'incontro: Also an Italian restaurant, vacationers will have the best dining experience in this spot. Their food is cooked using fresh ingredients and ranges from modern to traditional dishes.
17 Where To Stay In Queens
There are plenty of great hotels to consider when staying in Queens. One advantage to this area is that there are more affordable accommodations for tourists and fancy, high-end hotels. There is something for any budget, including these highly-rated choices:
The Harlem Cascades
Located in Harlem, the Harlem Cascades is a perfect budget accommodation option for vacationers looking for a more affordable way of staying in Queens.
It is about two miles from Yankee Stadium, New York, and offers amazing amenities, including free internet and air-conditioning. Its rooms are elegant and provide spectacular city views.
- Address: Harlem, Queens, NY
- Amenities: City view, kitchen, free Wi-Fi, terrace/patio, balcony, outdoor dining area, air-conditioned, linens, towels, and a flat-screen TV.
New York LaGuardia Airport Marriott
New York LaGuardia Airport Marriott’s position near Manhattan makes sit a wonderful choice for accommodation during a trip to Queens.
It is located less than a mile from LaGuardia Airport and provides free shuttle rides to and from the airport. It features stylish guest rooms with fantastic amenities, including plush bedding, HDTVs, and outstanding room service.
- Address: 102-05 Ditmars Boulevard, Queens, NY 11369
- Amenities: Fitness center, restaurant, bar/lounge, room service, free Wi-Fi, coffee machine, coffee shop, valet parking, free airport shuttle, and shuttle service (free).
Four Points By Sheraton Flushing
Offering a perfect travel experience of New York's largest borough, Four Points by Sheraton Flushing is located right in the heart of Flushing.
It boasts stylish rooms with incredible amenities and hotel facilities. It provides easy access to the public transportation system, thanks to its location near subway stations and airports, LGA, and JFK.
- Address: 33-68 Farrington Street, Queens, NY 11354
- Amenities: Indoor pool, fitness center, restaurant, bar/lounge, free Wi-Fi, coffee machine, valet parking, free airport shuttle, shuttle service (free), and business center.
18 Tips For Staying In Queens, New York
For people heading to Queens, New York, there are some things to keep in mind. First, this area is considered very safe, so walking from point A to point B should be doable. Furthermore, Queens is a subway-friendly borough, meaning everywhere someone needs to get should be available via the subway.
Queens is also great for families, as it features countless parks and public spaces for the family. So, if someone wants to explore a neighborhood park with their children: they are free to. Some past visitors to the area recommend booking a hotel nearby a subway station for transportation's sake: so that may be worth considering for easy access.
On top of that, there are countless museums and art galleries surrounding Queens, making it a great spot to indulge in the creative side of NYC. There's always something going on here!
19 Spending A Perfect Day In Queens
Queens has a lot of things to offer 24 hours won't be enough to explore all of them. But vacationers can experience certain things on a day trip to this borough.
To start a perfect day in Queens, a cup of coffee from a local shop would be perfect, and COFFEED is just the spot to the eye. The shop uses locally sourced ingredients to make their food, producing everything fresh and yummy!
After having a great cup of coffee, vacationers can begin touring the largest New York borough. Malba neighborhood is a good starting point.
Being one of New York’s most lavish communities, visitors will explore some of the most beautiful mansions, stylish houses, and breathtaking scenery.
From Malba, head to one of the most popular sports temples in the Big Apple, Citi Field, and New York Mets Stadium. A visit to a top destination for sports enthusiasts will be fascinating.
From Citi Field, enjoy the Flushing Meadows Corona Park, one of the most iconic attractions in NYC. At the park, one will find some of the most spectacular and famous sculptures, one of which is the Observation Towers, which was featured in the movie, "Men in Black.''
After exploring this gorgeous park, one can head to the Museum of the Moving Image. Here, tourists will learn the amazing history of film and photography. Visit Rockaway Beach, and end the day by exploring the spectacular bridge that connects this borough to Manhattan, the Queensboro Bridge.
FAQ
Q: Is Queens NY worth visiting?
While it's not as a tourist as its neighbors, like Brooklyn, it is definitely one of the most wonderful destinations in New York and is worth visiting.
Queens boasts gorgeous cultural attractions, incredible museums, and some of the most impressive sports venues. It is surrounded by Long Island's western end, giving access to more magnificent sights to explore.
Q: What is Queens NY known for?
JFK International and LaGuardia, two of the three major airports in NYC are based in Queens. It is also home to some of the city's most iconic attractions (and photo-worthy spots), including the Queens Botanical Garden, Queens Museum, and Flushing Meadows Park.
Q: What is the nicest part of Queens?
Queens' neighborhoods have everything vacationers may look for during their trip. The best areas are:
Astoria: Laidback And Trendy
Brimming with lots of fun adventures, businesses, and trendy spots, Astoria is an amazing neighborhood to stay in. It has plenty of shops, restaurants, parks, and beautiful attractions. Plus, some of the most beautiful tourist attractions in the borough are located here, including Astoria Park and the Museum of the Moving Image.
Long Island City: Incredible Arts Scene, Top-Notch Restaurants
Located on the western edge of Queens, Long Island City is one of the most popular neighborhoods in the borough and offers a great vacation experience. It's known for its thriving arts scene and incredible waterparks. It is a quiet spot, boasting friendly and welcoming locals. Visitors will find plenty of delicious restaurants here.
Flushing: Incredibly Diverse Cultures
Home to multiple cultures, Flushing boasts NYC's largest Chinatown, plus numerous historic homes, colorful shops, restaurants, and gorgeous sidewalks. Vacationers will find an incredible food scene, thanks to the Korean, Chinese, Indian, and more delicious food cultures. Queens Zoo and Botanical Garden are located in this neighborhood.
Bayside: Plenty Of Outdoor Adventures
Bayside is known for its numerous green spaces, making it a great spot to spend time outdoors. Located in Queens' northeastern side, Bayside is brimming with restaurants, beautiful shops, parks, and top-notch bars. Public transportation is easily accessible, and there are many things to see and do. Some of the top spots to explore are Fort Totten Park, Crocheron Park, Oakland Lake, and the Bayside Historical Society.