With nearly half its residents born outside the US, Queens is one of the most culturally diverse places in the world. Have your pick of day trips in this captivating borough, discovering history among World's Fair relics at Flushing Meadows Corona Park, sampling your way through authentic global cuisines, cheering on the Mets at Citi Field and maybe even finding a few surprises along the way (surfing, anyone?).Flushing Chinatown Tour features one of the largest and in the world, its blocks lined with Chinese restaurants and bakeries, herbal shops, jewelers and specialty shops. A walk down Main Street is a food tour of epic proportions, with eateries housing authentic Chinese cuisine, as well as Korean, Malaysian and Indian fare. Pick up an order of dumplings at White Bear (the number 6 pork wonton dumpling is a favorite) or sample your way through Queens Crossing mall for ramen and more traditional foods.Rockaway Beach Ever wonder why the Ramones wanted to hitch a ride to ? With over 7 miles of shoreline and 5.5 miles of boardwalk, it's an oceanside oasis within city limits. On top of free beach access, you'll find plenty of great eats and activities to make a day of it.Surf beaches are located between Beach 67th and Beach 69th streets, Beach 87th and Beach 92nd streets, and Beach 110th and Beach 111th streets. If you're a beginner, rent a board from , which also offers lessons and surf camps, or learn from competitive surfer siblings Cliff and Will Skudin at . If you're traveling in from any of the surrounding boroughs, the NYC Ferry, train or a ride share is likely your best mode of transportation. In fact, it's not uncommon to see beachgoers taking the A train to the Rockaway Park Shuttle with surfboards in tow. If you drive, there's free parking from Beach 11th to Beach 15th streets and at 95th Street.Flushing Meadows Corona Park The largest green space in Queens, —once the site of both 1939 and 1964 World's Fairs—is now a hub of culture and recreation for the community.At the , located within the park, the Panorama of the City of New York is an impressive sight. Part of the museum's permanent collection, the nearly 10,000-square-foot scale model of the five boroughs was commissioned by Robert Moses and built for the 1964 World's Fair and has been periodically updated to represent a more current version of the City.Just steps away from the landmark Unisphere is the , known for its range of classical and culturally significant dance, theatre and musical productions. Also on-site, the and are perfect day-trip destinations with the kids.Recreational facilities in the park include marinas and fishing, paddleboat rentals, skate parks, football and baseball fields, basketball courts, pitch and putt and mini-golf, an Olympic-size indoor pool and ice rink.Sports Centers Within Flushing Meadows Corona Park, is where you'll find the New York Mets. Set up a tailgate party in the stadium's parking lot, and then head into the state-of-the-art ballpark to enjoy the game with Mr. Met and crew.Just across the way from Citi Field is , the site of Arthur Ashe Stadium, where every August–September the US Open Tennis Championship is played. For the rest of the year, the tennis complex hosts smaller tournaments and is open to the public for an hourly fee.AAA members can find exclusive savings on sports tickets at .Queens Botanical Garden Take some time to stop and smell the flowers at the . At nearly 40 acres, this serene escape flourishes with a wide array of flowers, plants and trees, with smaller gardens themed around world cultures. Enjoy the cherry trees blossoming in spring and lilies in summer, take in the aromas on the fragrance walk and see what all the buzz is about in the bee garden.Astoria Park Located along the East River between Robert F. Kennedy and Hell Gate Bridges, has great views from its (at almost 55,000 square feet, it's the City's largest) and at sunset. But that's certainly not all there is to enjoy. The 60-acre green space also has a skate park, tennis courts, dog park, playgrounds and a running track, and often hosts special outdoor events like free yoga classes, film screenings, concerts and storytelling sessions in the warmer months. It's easily reached by car via the RFK Bridge and by subway.Art Scene Enjoy art with a view of the Manhattan skyline at the , an open-air exhibition spot for artists, as well a small neighborhood park. Steps away from Socrates, the features the works of Isamu Noguchi and has its own sculpture garden. For more local art discovery, head to , an abandoned public school building turned contemporary art institution. The space features thought-provoking modern works, often addressing current social, cultural and political issues, from an ever-changing roster of artists, like the early 2020 exhibition Marking Time: Art in the Age of Mass Incarceration, featuring the works of current or formerly imprisoned artists. On exhibit through fall 2021, Rashid Johnson: Stage is a participatory installation that invites visitors to step up to one of five microphones on a stage in the museum's courtyard and make their voices heard.Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge Go on a hike, search for turtle nesting areas, and admire the wildflowers and insects that call its over 9,000 acres of woods, salt marshes and freshwater ponds home at the . With more than 325 species of birds, it's a place bird-watchers will not want to miss. The refuge trails and parking lot are open daily from 6am to 9pm.Louis Armstrong House Museum The house in Queens' Corona neighborhood that Louis Armstrong and his wife Lucille purchased in 1943 is now a . The house gives visitors a peek into the couple's life, while the museum's collection of personal and donated memorabilia, recordings, scrapbooks, instruments and awards pays tribute to Satchmo's accomplishments and legacy in the world of jazz. It's just one stop you can make on a self-guided exploration of the Queens Jazz Trail. As a place where hundreds of jazz musicians lived and played, including stars like Ella Fitzgerald and Lena Horne, Queens is an integral part of jazz history. Gantry Plaza State Park Formerly part of the city's industrial waterfront, in Long Island City is now a manicured 12-acre park and promenade running alongside the East River. Part of the unique appeal of the park, which has breathtaking views of the Midtown skyline, are the restored gantries that it is named for—once used to load and unload railcar floats and barges. Amenities include gardens and playground facilities, basketball and handball courts, a fishing pier and the iconic Pepsi-Cola sign.
