Long overshadowed by landmark-packed Manhattan and ever-trendy Brooklyn, Queens is finally getting its comeuppance. New York City’s largest borough by area is renowned for its diversity—a staggering 800 languages are spoken here, and its eclectic neighborhoods reflect its extraordinary, world-spanning scope. Whether you come to see sporting events like the US Open or Mets games at Citi Field, visit the city’s largest Chinatown in Flushing, discover MoMA PS1 and the Louis Armstrong House Museum, or sun yourself on Rockaway Beach, there are virtually endless things to do in Queens.
Summer is undoubtedly primetime in Queens. The Mets’ season is in full swing, the weather is perfect for a Rockaway Beach trip, the open-air Queens Night Market welcomes foodies, and the US Open brings world-class tennis. Winter is also a great time to explore, when Christmas and Chinese Lunar New Year celebrations light up the borough. That said, there’s rarely a bad time to tour Queens.
Queens is home to two of the New York metropolitan area’s three international airports: John F. Kennedy International Airport and LaGuardia Airport. It’s also served by 81 different New York Subway stations, a wide range of bus routes, and the Long Island Railroad. Taking public transit is one of the easiest ways to navigate the sprawling borough, although taxis and rideshare services make getting around simple as well.
Queens’ cultural diversity makes it one of the best places to eat in New York City—and few neighborhoods rival Jackson Heights when it comes to delicious dining. Its many street carts and neighborhood eateries are some of the most exciting places to have a meal in the Big Apple, where you can just as easily nosh on Mexican tacos and Colombian arepas as Nepalese momos and Pakistani curries.
