New York City is a fantastic place to live with plenty of incredible things to do in Queens, day or night. Although it’s slightly outside midtown Manhattan, you can still get into the big city anytime. In addition, the subway system in New York is robust and runs virtually all the time between Queens, the Bronx, Long Island City, and Brooklyn.
In reality, you probably won’t run out of things to do in Queens or greater NYC in general. So, if Queens hasn’t been on your list as the ideal destination to raise a family and spend your life, it’s time to consider this excellent borough.
About Queens, New York
Queens is a New York City borough with plenty of unique neighborhoods, vibrant parks, and many museums. There’s also affordable and friendly housing and a booming buyers’ real estate market throughout the borough. It’s easy to sell a house fast in New York, and plenty of cash home buyers in Queens are eager to attend home screenings and sign on the spot.
Although there are many pros and cons in moving to NYC, the high quality of local attractions and the sheer number of fun things to do in NY make Queens the ideal place to work and play. If you ever decide to leave, you’ll find plenty of places and people who know we buy houses in New York City, so there’s no long-term commitment.
What Makes Queens, New York, a Great Place To Live
Let’s explore what makes Queens genuinely unique!
First, Queens has some of the most interesting multicultural neighborhoods in the Americas, including Jackson Heights and Forest Hills. Jackson Heights has Little India, where you can get authentic cuisine from the subcontinent and partake in the Queens Pride Parade and Festival. There are a lot of romantic things to do in Queens.
Forest Hills is a gorgeous, well-maintained neighborhood near Station Square with plenty of fantastic shopping and entertainment options. It’s also a lovely place to live and raise a family because it’s nice, quiet, safe, and full of great neighbors. Additionally, you can check out the glorious Manhattan skyline from many parts of Queens.
World’s Fair Heritage
Did you know that Queens once hosted the 1964-1965 New York World’s Fair? Queens had nearly 150 different pavilions and delicious restaurants spanning cuisine from worldwide. People flocked from all over the country to participate in and see the fair, putting Queens solidly on the map.
These are just a few of the reasons why Queens is a fantastic place to work and place. Additionally, several attractions and things to do in the borough make it unique.
Things To Do in Queens, New York
If you’re searching for the top things to check out in New York City, you don’t have to venture much further than Queens.
Go Shopping
Although Manhattan gets credit for being the fashion and shopping capital of the world, true fashionistas know that Queens is where all of the good stuff is. From the high-end retailers of Forest Hills to street vendors, you’ll find many options in Queens. Not only will you encounter shoes, clothes, and accessories, but you can also pamper yourself with top-notch beauty treatments.
Wander Through Astoria Park
This massive park covers nearly 60 acres and is easily one of the biggest and grandest parks in all of New York City. Rivaling Central Park in beauty and accessibility, Astoria Park stands on the East River and runs between Hoyt Avenue and Ditmars Boulevard. Astoria Park is the place to go if you love running, hiking, or simply getting out in nature.
See Flushing Meadows Corona Park
Flushing Meadows Corona Park has several names, including Flushing Meadors or Flushing Meadows Park, but they all mean the same thing. This massive park has a ton of history and several excellent museums. It’s a good place to spend the day, and you’ll find something to do there for everyone in your family, including the USTA Billie Jean King Tennis Center and other attractions.
The Queens Zoo is of particular interest, a significant attraction that covers nearly 20 acres of park. The Queens Museum is a delightful indoor attraction where you can learn about the region’s history.
The New York Hall of Science is also in Flushing Meadows Corona Park. So, if you love science and nature, the NYSCI, as it’s affectionately called, is a must-visit.
Fly into LaGuardia Airport
Queens has its own international airport called LaGuardia. It’s one of the busiest airports in the world, hosting multiple flights from all over the country and the world. Not only will you be able to get into Queens quickly and easily, but you’ll also be able to get out by hopping into a taxi and driving a few short miles to LaGuardia Airport.
Check out Socrates Sculpture Park
This massive outdoor sculpture park is full of interactive, incredible exhibits and installations centrally located in Astoria. The sculptures are whimsical and gigantic, and it’s the perfect place for wandering around or filling up your Instagram with incredible pictures that you won’t get anywhere else.
Although Socrates Sculpture Park tends to get pretty busy on the weekends, you can go during the week and have the whole place to yourself.
Visit the MoMA PS1
For jaw-dropping contemporary art, there’s only one place to go: MoMA PS1. Not to be confused with Manhattan’s museum, this remarkable institution focuses solely on contemporary art, giving you a fresh and fun new perspective on the art world. Plus, it’s right in the heart of Long Island City, so you can get there quickly by public transportation.
MoMA SP1 is one of New York City’s often-overlooked hidden gems and one of the best art museums on the East coast.
Picnic in Alley Pond Park
Another exceptional park in Queens, Alley Pond Park, is a massive 655 acres and the ideal spot for long treks and hikes. If you like picnicking, exploring, or simply feeling like you’re not living in one of the biggest cities on the planet, head to Alley Pond Park.
Visit Gantry Plaza State Park
This prestigious and attractive park spans 12 acres and sits right on the East River. It’s a beautiful place to take a stroll with your family and see remnants of Queens’ distinguished history as a manufacturing and shipping giant. Gantry Plaza State Park is a must-see if you’re interested in history.
Catch a Game at Citi Field
If you love sports, you must get to Citi Field to see the New York Mets play. This iconic baseball stadium is right in the middle of Flushing Meadows-Corona Park and is a newer version of the old Shea Stadium. It’s a state-of-the-art stadium with plenty of great food, interactive things to do, and of course, baseball.
See the Queens Botanical Garden
For a natural break from your day-to-day life, there’s only one spot to go: Queens Botanical Garden in Flushing. This gorgeous place features a unique bee garden, plenty of herbs and flowers, and plants you won’t see anywhere else.
Best of all, it’s reasonably priced. Adults pay less than $10 to tour the gardens, and special discounts are available for military personnel, kids, and students.
Stop by the Noguchi Museum
Japanese-American artist Isamu Noguchi’s excellent Noguchi Museum hosts a fantastic collection of sculptures and art that will delight you and your entire family. There’s also free admission on certain Fridays with a reservation, or you can pay full price to visit anytime. It’s one of the best museums in Queens in scope and artwork.
Marvel at the Museum of the Moving Image
MoMI, or the Museum of the Moving Image, focuses on all things digital, including television, video games, film, and the culture surrounding our digital landscape. Currently featuring a fun homage to Jim Henson and the Muppets, the Museum of the Moving Image looks at how the muppets captured our hearts and how their magic came to life.
If you and your family love interactive exhibits and learning about the magic behind the cameras, this museum is truly for you. See all of the art, but make sure you put the Jim Henson exhibit on your special list.
See the Louis Armstrong House
The Louis Armstrong House is an iconic museum where you can learn about the life of this celebrated entertainer and American legend. Louis Armstrong lived in Queens until he died in the early 1970s, and his home is now an open museum for history and music lovers. Conveniently located in Corona, Queens, the Louis Armstrong House is a fantastic tourist attraction and one you will not want to miss.
Sunbathe on Rockaway Beach
Rockaway Beach is a little paradise right in Queens. With a nearly six-mile-long boardwalk of fun things to do, a lovely beach, and many activities both on the water and shore, you’ll thoroughly enjoy your day trip to Rockaway Beach. Also, it’s super easy to get to and from Queens itself.
With dining options, live music, and decent surfing, Rockaway Beach has something for everyone. Plus, it’s fun to wander around this beachy stretch of New York and look at the pastel architecture and the charming boardwalk itself.
Rockaway Beach is also home to Jacob A. Riis Park, a fun spot to go bird watching and see animals you’d never get a chance to spot anywhere else in the city. So, for wholesome family fun and some time by the sea, it’s got to be Rockaway Beach.
Visit the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge
Nearby Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge is a fun collection of salt marshes and natural beauty. This protected land comprises a big chunk of the Gateway National Recreation Area and is an unspoiled bit of territory that tourists and residents enjoy visiting. So, if you love natural beauty and want to learn more about our ecosystem, check out the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge.
Conclusion
With many great things to do, see, and explore in Queens, there’s no reason why you and your family can’t have a beautiful life in this exciting borough. There’s truly something for everyone, whether you’re a nature-lover, museum buff, or history enthusiast. Plus, it’s relatively economical, convenient, and pleasant to make your home in Queens, New York.
Once you visit, you’re bound to be a believer too. So check out some of the fun activities and sights on our list, and find some more hidden gems of your own in Queens. You certainly won’t be disappointed with your search.