Queens in One Day
Published 09/26/2017
Queens is New York City’s largest borough in terms of area, but that’s not the only superlative it claims. It’s also the most culturally diverse, with roughly half of its residents hailing from countries outside the US. And thanks to its restaurant scene, roster of craft breweries and some serious music history chops, it’s firmly on the radar of those in the know. Spend 24 hours in Queens, using our guide below, to see why.
1
Flushing Meadows Corona Park
1
17 Ederle Promenade
Kick off your day with a visit to Queens’ largest park, which happens to be home to one of the borough’s most recognizable landmarks, the Unisphere. The green space encompasses other well-known sights, including the Queens Museum, the New York Hall of Science and Citi Field—home to baseball’s Mets.
2
Queens Botanical Garden
2
43-50 Main St.
A short walk east of the park’s Fountain of the Planets, explore this 40-acre oasis tucked among the streets of Flushing. Stroll through the Rose Garden, the Fragrance Walk and many other carefully curated gardens, all of which are free to enter November through March.
3
New World Mall
3
136-20 Roosevelt Ave.
The highlight of what claims to be New York’s largest indoor Asian mall is an impressive food court that offers affordable dishes from nearly every regional cuisine. Try Chinese dumplings, Japanese takoyaki, Malaysian curried noodles, Vietnamese spring rolls, Taiwanese fried chicken and other delicacies from the 30-plus vendors or from the mall’s enormous food market.
4
India Sari Palace
4
37-07 74th St.
Off the 7 train, a stretch of 74th Street in Jackson Heights offers a taste of the neighborhood’s international vibe—and plenty of shopping opportunities. Hear a world’s worth of languages and dip into eye-catching shops, like this one packed with colorful fabric and garments from South Asia.
5
Arepa Lady
5
77-17 37th Avenue
Don’t underestimate this unassuming offshoot of the popular food cart, which serves up tasty Colombian arepas (cornmeal cakes that enrobe meat or cheese). They may come on humble paper plates, but they have a cult following—you’ll almost assuredly become part of it after trying one.
6
Museum of the Moving Image
6
36-01 35th Ave.
Take the M or R train to Astoria, a neighborhood rooted in the development of motion pictures, to reach this institution that celebrates all things film and television. The core exhibition, Behind the Screen, showcases artifacts like costumes from Mrs. Doubtfire, boxing gloves from Raging Bull and the head-spinning puppet from The Exorcist.
7
Gantry Plaza State Park
7
4-09 47th Rd.
The Long Island City waterfront is a go-to for photos of the Manhattan skyline, nowhere moreso than from this space. Also in or adjacent to the park: the iconic Pepsi-Cola sign and, on weekends, LIC Flea & Food, a local favorite for specialty foods and vintage finds.
8
Casa Enrique
8
5-48 49th Ave.
Chef Cosme Aguilar’s kitchen has flaunted the City’s only Michelin star for a Mexican restaurant since 2015. Every dish—from chips to guac to braised lamb shank—is made from scratch before it makes its way to the contemporary, white-walled dining room.
9
The Creek and the Cave
9
10-93 Jackson Ave
If you’re looking for after-dinner entertainment, head to this comedy club. It hosts stand-up, improv and sketch comedy shows—many of them free to attend. Between sets, try your hand at the pinball machines or relax in the backyard beer garden.
10
Dutch Kills
10
27-24 Jackson Ave.
Despite a nondescript exterior (look for the neon “BAR” sign), this low-lit lounge is a standout for cocktails. Sip on a custom-made nightcap—with hand-shaved ice—while soaking up the speakeasy vibes and resting your feet from a packed day in Queens.