queens ny visitors guide

Visiting Queens New York

Quick Queens New York Visitors Guide

Queens is the largest of the five boroughs of New York City. It covers 178.28 sq mi (461.7 sq km), although the land area constitutes only 109.24 sq mi (282.9 sq km). Its boundaries is identical to the boundaries of New York State’s Queens County.

Queens is located in the western part of Long Island. It is between Brooklyn to the west and Nassau County to the east. Much of the land area of Queens is in the northern part of the borough, as the southern part comprises islets and a body of water known as Jamaica Bay, which is shared between Queens and Brooklyn. The John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) is located in Queens, on the south coast of Long Island facing Jamaica Bay. The southernmost part of Queens is the Rockaway Peninsula, a splinter of land separating Jamaica Bay and the Atlantic Ocean.

Located just across the East River from midtown Manhattan, Queens is very rich in cultural attractions that include many world-renowned museums and art galleries. It also has numerous historic sites and over 7,000 acres of parks to enjoy! Join the 2.2 million residents that Queens homes and discover the uniqueness that Queens can offer your ride in that special luxury car rental!

Visiting Queens

Most visitors to New York City only saw Queens as they sped towards the airports at JFK and LaGuardia. Those who do stop by will discover plenty of sights worth visiting. The easiest way to reach Queens (from Manhattan and Brooklyn) is by taking the subway. Among the trains that go to Queens include the A, E, F, G, J, M, N, Q, R, and Z.

Sights in Queens

  1. Fisher Landau Center
  2. Flushing Meadow-Corona Park
  3. Isamu Noguchi Sculpture Museum
  4. Museum of African Art
  5. Museum of the Moving Image
  6. New York Hall of Science
  7. Queens County Farm Museum
  8. Queens Museum
  9. Socrates Sculpture Park

Queens Fast Facts

  1. Home to the largest model of the city in the world; The Panorama of New York City located in the Queens Museum of Art.
  2. 2.3 million Queens residents representing all parts of the world who speak your language and welcome you to their neighborhood.
  3. Over 300 years of history that you can experience by visiting our historic homes and sites.
  4. 42 miles of subway lines to get you from here to there.
  5. The Uni-five; New York Hall of Science, Queens Botanical Garden, Queens Museum of Art, Queens Theatre in the Park, Queens Wildlife Center, located in Flushing Meadows-Corona Park.
  6. Your choice of 63 neighborhood branches of Queens Borough Public Library for getting information on the topics of your choice.
  7. Over 7,000 acres of parks for you to explore from beach to bay to a forest of oak, hickory, and pine.
  8. Eat food from around the world by spending a day in Queens
  9. Mets Players on the field at CitiField.
  10. 10 miles of sun, sand, and surf await you in the Rockaways.

Attractions in Queens

  • Queens Botanical Gardens – If plants are your passion, you must drive your luxury car rental to the Queens Botanical Gardens! With many different workshops for plant lovers of all ages, the Gardens are a great place to enjoy exquisite gardening and landscaping in a breathtaking atmosphere. Visit www.queensbotanical.org for additional information, rates, and workshop offerings.
  • MoMA QNS – The Museum of Modern Art has fabulous exhibits and collections from artists around the world. There are thousands of beautiful pieces to view and contemplate, and the architecture of this building will leave you just as amazed! The MoMA also has a great cafe and gift shop to explore. Visit www.moma.org for more information!
  • Shea Stadium – Come explore the home of the New York Mets baseball club! Located on Roosevelt Avenue in Flushing, Queens, Shea Stadium is a great place to catch a special event, concert, or New York Mets baseball game! For more information or to purchase tickets, call (718) 507-METS.
  • New York Hall of Science – Come visit New York City’s only hands-on science and technology center in your luxury car rental! There are over 225 interactive exhibits that include such topics as Marvelous Molecules, What About AIDS?, Hidden Kingdoms, Sound Sensations, and the Science Playground. Visit www.nyscience.org/nyhs-exhibits/exhibits.html.

Where to Eat in Queens

  • Cascon Cheesecake – Stop in for a slice or two of New York’s Finest Cheesecake – you have to have some before you leave the city! There is also a variety of other products available including a selection of sugar-free products. (718) 767-5700 or visit www.casconcheesecake.com.
  • Mezzo-Mezzo – Drive in your luxury car rental and stop in for some authentic Greek food and beautiful decor that will make you feel like you are eating in the heart of Greece! Enjoy traditional Greek specialties and fresh fish daily. (718) 278-0444 or visit www.mezzomezzony.com.
  • Pinocchio Palace – With a combination of Italian and Greek home-cooked specialties, visit this great Mediterranean restaurant for fresh seafood and delicious brick oven pizza. This landmark restaurant leaves you full and very satisfied! (718) 932-4976 or visit www.newsday.com/pinocchio.
  • Dazies Restaurant – If you desire fine dining that combines Italian and Continental cuisine in an innovative atmosphere, visit Dazies to avoid disappointment! This restaurant has great value and very generous portions. Try signature dishes such as the Stuffed Veal Chops or the Lobster Ravioli with Vodka sauce. (718) 786-7013.

Special Events in Queens

There are hundreds of events going on in Queens, and there is guaranteed to be something happening during your visit! For an up-to-date list of special events by month, please visit www.discoverqueens.info and click on Special Events!

History of Queens

Queens County was born in 1683 and is now made up of many different communities including Jamaica, Flushing, Long Island City, Astoria, Jackson Heights, the Rockaways, and over twenty more! The village of Jamaica is located in the center of Queens and early on became the colonial capital and home to Rufus King, the founding father. Thousands of people from Guyana, El Salvador, India, Columbia, and the Dominican Republic now call the neighborhood of Jamaica home. Visit Queens for great retail shops, fabulous ethnic food, and interesting historic landmarks! It is a great stop for variety and fun in your luxury car rental.

In 1894, a referendum was held in which the people of Queens voted to join an expanded New York City as one of its five boroughs. This was realized when Queens Borough was established on 1 January 1898.

Communications between Queens and Manhattan – the original part of New York City, which still bears the name New York County – was improved with the completion of Queensboro Bridge in 1909. Subway services were also extended to Queens in 1915. Its two civilian airports, LaGuardia and JFK, opened to civilian passengers in 1939 and 1948 respectively.

Neighborhoods in Queens

  • Astoria
  • Long Island City
  • Flushing
  • Forest Hills
  • Bayside
  • Jackson Heights
  • Elmhurst
  • Sunnyside
  • Woodside
  • Kew Gardens
  • Jamaica
  • Ridgewood
  • Rego Park
  • Middle Village
  • Douglaston
  • Glendale
  • Whitestone
  • Rockaways
  • Maspeth
  • Hunters Point
  • Corona
  • Richmond Hill
  • College Point
  • Ozone Park
  • Queens Village
  • Howard Beach
  • St. Albans
  • Hollis
  • Auburndale
  • South Ozone Park
  • Cambria Heights
  • Springfield Gardens