What to do and see in Queens, Queens: The Best Nature & Parks

May 15, 2022 Osvaldo Hartline

Queens is the most ethnically diverse area of its size on Earth, which means there's a little something for everyone. Chow down on Indian food, sit in on a traditional Irish pub music session, and dance the night away at a Puerto Rican nightclub, all of it located within a few subway stops. Queens is also the home of the Mets and the US Tennis Open, and the former home of the New York World's Fair, now Flushing Meadow-Corona Park, and Paramount Pictures, now the Museum of the Moving Image.
Restaurants in Queens

1. Gantry Plaza State Park

409 47th Rd, Long Island City, NY 11101-5509 +1 718-786-6385 http://nysparks.state.ny.us/
Excellent
76%
Good
22%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 467 reviews

Gantry Plaza State Park

Reviewed By untdrum99 - Cebu City, Philippines

Gantry Plaza State Park is located in Long Island City in Queens and is a great park with a lot of family-friendly activities with a dog park, sand volleyball, dining, open spaces, and with some of the best views of the Manhattan skyline, especially at sunset. There is also a ferry that goes across to Manhattan, but is also conveniently located near a couple of subway stops. Entrance to the park is free. It's a former dockyards so it is interesting to see how they have repurposed the area into something everyone can use. There is free parking located nearby on the street.

2. Queens Wildlife Conservation Center

5351 111th St, Flushing, NY 11368-3301 +1 718-886-3800
Excellent
43%
Good
43%
Satisfactory
14%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 7 reviews

A center where children learn about wildlife and nature.

3. Flushing Meadows Corona Park

Flushing Bay, NY 11368 +1 718-760-6565 http://www.nycgovparks.org/parks/flushing-meadows-corona-park
Excellent
50%
Good
36%
Satisfactory
11%
Poor
2%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 389 reviews

Flushing Meadows Corona Park

A great NYC park for people-watching, this was the site of previous World Fairs and offers visitors bicycle paths, the Queens Wildlife Conservation Center, a carousel, freshwater fishing, indoor ice-skating rink and marina.

Reviewed By emilymaehood - Long Island, United States

Queens, New York hosts an epic playground, Flushing Meadows Corona Park, for everyone’s unique desires. This 897 acre park is the 4th largest public park in NYC. It was once host to the 1939 & 1964 World’s Fair and Shea Stadium. It currently houses Citifield (home to the Mets), USTA Billie Jean National Tennis Center (US Open), New York Hall of Science, Queens Zoo, Queens Museum of Art, Queens Theatre in the Park, and the New York State Pavilion. This is a great place for multiple family adventures! Check out the link in my bio for information on all of the different attractions.

4. Horatio Playground

49th Rd, Bayside, NY 11364
Excellent
33%
Good
67%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 3 reviews

Horatio Playground

5. Riis Beach

Jacob Riis Park, Far Rockaway, NY 11693
Excellent
75%
Good
0%
Satisfactory
13%
Poor
0%
Terrible
12%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 8 reviews

Riis Beach

6. Alley Pond Environmental Center

22806 Northern Blvd, Douglaston, NY 11362-1096 +1 718-229-4000 http://www.nycgovparks.org/parks/alleypondpark
Excellent
63%
Good
33%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 30 reviews

Alley Pond Environmental Center

A great place for kids where toddlers get hands-on experience with various animals and discover nature trails.

Reviewed By 824kento

My son had his 8 years old birthday party there; the staff were attentive and respectful from preparation to the actual event. They gave excellent advice, and conducted an excellent tour for my son and his friends. On the day of the party, they took out many animals and show them to the all the kids. The children just went wild!

7. Cunningham Park

Union turnpike & Francis Lewis blvd, NY 11364 http://nycgovparks.org/parks/cunningham-park
Excellent
56%
Good
33%
Satisfactory
11%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 9 reviews

Cunningham Park

8. Rockaway Beach

Beach 3 St. to Beach 153 St. and Boardwalk to Atlantic Ocean, Far Rockaway, NY 11693-1577 http://www.nycgovparks.org/parks/rockawaybeach
Excellent
49%
Good
35%
Satisfactory
12%
Poor
2%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 206 reviews

Rockaway Beach

Long Island beach in Queens borough that can be reached by subway. Popular destination for New Yorkers in mid-20th century, still pleasant to visit.

Reviewed By gnaturecenter - Cheshire, United States

I have lived in Belle Harbor and Rockaway almost all my life. The Beach is a free one. Parking in the higher numbers is difficult. Best to come by ferry or mass transit. Further down, there are food services, bathrooms and ba nice boardwalk.

9. Astoria Park

West Shore of Queens extends from south of the Triborough Bridge to north of the Hell Gate Bridge, Astoria, NY +1 718-626-8620 http://www.nycgovparks.org/sub_your_park/historical_signs/hs_historical_sign.php?id=8891
Excellent
60%
Good
34%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 308 reviews

Astoria Park

Reviewed By 83kathim - Protaras, Cyprus

Astoria- one of the most diverse neighborhoods hosts a 7 acre riverfront park with an Art Deco pool and has spectacular views of Manhattan. Safe, dog friendly and people friendly.

10. Doughboy Park

Woodside Ave., Woodside, NY 11377
Excellent
67%
Good
33%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 3 reviews

Doughboy Park

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