Moving to Queens? Here’s a list of
Our Favorite Queens Attractions,
Hot Spots, and Restaurants
- Flushing Meadows Corona Park – First and foremost it should be noted that the park is about 1-3 miles away from Elmhurst. However, the proximity is still something to be taken advantage of, as this is one of NYC’s largest, most iconic, and most unique parks. The 1964 World’s Fair took place within the park’s 897 acres, and today the park offers every sport under the sun, from tennis to kayaking. The park is also the site of the following institutions:
- Ramro– 30-93 38th Street, Astoria, New York 11103: Casual fine dining with a twist, Ramro offers a blend of Filipino and Nepalese dishes, crafted with French and Japanese techniques. Most of the menu is à la carte, but for a special occasion, try the tasting menu at the chef’s counter.
- Bohemian Hall & Beer Garden (29-19 24th Ave, Queens): This community-driven beer garden serves up Czech and Slovak cuisine – think grilled bratwurst galore – along with American favorites. There’s spacious indoor and outdoor seating, plus plenty to keep you entertained like sports screens, cornhole, and darts.
- Porta23 (29-17 23rd Ave, Queens): This spot serves up hospitality as generously as their portions. Don’t let the unassuming exterior fool you—inside, it’s a 10/10 culinary experience with deals like a $20 burger, fries, beer, and shot combo.
- Queens Museum – This art and education center provides the neighborhood with exhibits that showcase the unique history of Queens, one of the most diverse places in the world.
- HinoMaru (33-18 Ditmars Blvd, Queens): This snug, buzzy ramen bar is all about authentic Japanese flavors and even earned a spot on the Michelin guide. Their lychee slushie is a summer favorite, while hand-crafted ramen and sushi are enjoyed year-round.
- Winter Wonder at the Garden (43-50 Main St, Flushing, NY): Winter Wonder is December done right. There’s something for everyone at the Queens Botanical Garden event: Live music, tree lighting, menorah displays, holiday crafts, Santa photos, and Christmas shopping.
- Steinway & Sons Piano Factory (1 Steinway Pl, Queens): A must-visit for any musician, this historic factory offers tours that take you through the art of piano-making, from the raw wood to the final tuning. It’s a peek into the craftsmanship behind one of the world’s most storied piano brands.
- Drunk Shakespeare – A unique and fun theatre attraction where one professional actor downs five shots of whiskey and attempts to perform in a Shakespearean play.
- Queens Center – This shopping mall offers a compact, yet exhaustive assortment of big box stores, restaurants, and more really close to home.
- Sunnyside Gardens Park – This members-only park in the historic district of Sunnyside Gardens is the perfect place to kick back and enjoy some family time or time with your furry friends.
- Casa Enrique (5-48 49th Ave, Long Island City, NY): Once New York City’s most affordable Michelin-starred restaurant, Casa Enrique lost its star in November 2023, but it’s still a must-visit. Serving up traditional recipes from Chef Cosme Aguilar’s hometown of Chiapas, don’t miss the doña blanca enchiladas, mole, and the Aguachile Margarita.
- Rice Thief – 39-37 30th Street, Astoria, New York 11101: Once a viral sensation as a Korean crab delivery service, Rice Thief has now set up a permanent home in Long Island City. This spot is famous for its gejang—raw marinated crab—that has TikTokers and mukbang fans raving And with a beer and wine license, it’s the perfect catch!
- USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center – Home of the US Open, one of the largest tennis arenas in the world.
- Mira Sushi Restaurant Queens – Here you’ll find upmarket sushi, Japanese, and Thai dishes in a contemporary and upscale setting.
- Museum of the Moving Image – 36-01 35th Ave, Queens, NY 11106: Housed in the historic Astoria Studios, The Museum of the Moving Image is the only museum in the United States dedicated to the art, history, and technology of the moving image. There’s always something going on here, with regular exhibitions, film screenings, and live conversations with industry icons.
- Astoria Market (29-19 24th Ave, Queens, NY): Held in the iconic Bohemian Hall, this eclectic artisan market is a treasure chest of art, jewelry, toys, garments, pottery, and more. After shopping, take a breather and hit the bar for a beer and some Czech & Slovak bites.
- Code Astoria Night Club (20-30 Steinway St, Astoria, NY): If your idea of NYE involves R&B, DJs, and bottle service, Code Astoria is where you’ll want to go. With hors d’oeuvres to nibble and an open bar till midnight, ring in the New Year in VIP style.
- The Vander Ende-Onderdonk House: With two acres of beautiful gardens and historic architecture, the Vander-Ende Onderdonk House is a gem on the border of Ridgewood and Bushwick. It is the oldest Dutch Colonial stone house in New York City.
- Queens Zoo – This 18 acre zoo features a Sea Lion exhibit, woodland trail, great plains trail, and South American trail with the unique wildlife that inhabits those areas.
- Super Pollo: Low-key, colorful eatery focusing on hearty platters of Mexican fare including rotisserie chicken.
- The Little North Pole (144-03 Neponsit Ave, Neponsit, NY): Move over, Dyker Heights, Queens has a Christmas home tradition of its own. Each year, resident Joe Mure transforms his Rockaway home into a Christmas spectacle, to raise funds for Juvenile Diabetes Research. The lighting ceremony on Dec. 7 promises a night of food, live performances, and holiday magic.
- Trans Pecos: Trans Pecos is on a mission to offer space for indie arts and the neighborhood’s musical community. It is a place where locals from the neighborhood can come together to be creative.
- Flushing Meadows Corona Park – The western part of Kew Gardens Hills borders Flushing Meadows Corona park, one of the city’s most iconic parks. Here you’ll find:
- Sports facilities
- Multiple ponds
- Hiking trails
- New York State Pavilion
- Queens Museum – This art and education center provides the neighborhood with exhibits that showcase the unique history of Queens, one of the most diverse places in the world.
- Queens Zoo – This 18 acre zoo features a Sea Lion exhibit, woodland trail, great plains trail, and South American trail with the unique wildlife that inhabits those areas.
- Fountain of the Planets
- USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center – Home of the US Open, one of the largest tennis arenas in the world.
- Matiz Latin Cuisine – This restaurant offers plenty of options for a variety of Latin American and Spanish flavors, from Colombia to Spain. They also have a special menu for vegetarians and vegans . If you want really solid, authentic flavors at a budget-friendly price, this is the right place to go .
- Queens Night Market (4701 111th St, Corona, NY): This family-friendly, open-air night market features over 100 independent vendors selling a mix of art, merchandise, and cuisine from all around the world. With dishes priced at just $5 or $6, you can sample all the flavors without breaking the bank.
- The Noguchi Museum (9-01 33rd Rd, Queens, NY): A serene escape designed by Japanese American sculptor Isamu Noguchi. This intimate museum and sculpture garden is perfect for a meditative afternoon, thanks to its ivy-covered walls, cream color palette, and biomorphic sculptures.
- Queens Botanical Garden – Queens Botanical Garden offers over two dozen gardens, sections and features over its 39 acres. Be sure to check out the
- Astoria Film Festival – 34-12 36th St, Queens, NY 11106: The Astoria Film Festival showcases global filmmaking and animation, plus works by local students. Held in person every May at Arri Rental LIC and Kaufman Astoria Studios, the festival also offers online webinars, panels, and networking events year-round.
- The Ditty (3503 Ditmars Blvd, Astoria): A Ditmars hotspot any day of the week, this pub pairs craft beer and cocktails with bar bites, plus DJ nights, movie screenings, and late-night food.
- Steinway Street’s International Cultural Festival: International troupes perform the music and dance of their Native land and culture, including traditional Mexican music, Korean, Rozafati Dance (Albania), and Sheba Dance (Middle Eastern movement) performances.
- Schmidt’s Candy: This candy shop has become a neighborhood staple. Whether you’re looking for old-fashioned penny candy or something more particular like a handcrafted truffle or fudge, Schmidt’s has what you’re looking for. When you walk into this store you will feel that you went back in time. The shop has been open for almost a century and they haven’t made many changes at all. Also this shop offers personalized baskets for every event you can think of, like birthdays, weddings or baby showers.
- Smile of the Beyond – This restaurant was open in 1972 when the vegetarian owner wanted to provide the neighborhood with a quality vegetarian experience. This is a good place to go and enjoy a good meal like breakfast, lunch or brunch . They also offer alternative options for vegans like, vegan tofu scramble, vegan cheese and soy bacon.
- Astoria Park (19 19th St, Astoria): The “Central Park” of Astoria, this public park offers views over the East River. In the summer, enjoy movies in the park, a yearly fair, an Olympic-sized swimming pool, tennis courts, and a running track.
- Cachapas y Más: Since 2008, Cachapas y Más have made it their mission to offer New Yorkers a taste of Venezuela’s most iconic dishes. They’re dedicated to serving fresh, traditional Venezuelan fare.
- Q.E.D. Astoria (27-16 23rd Ave, Queens): This intimate, community-driven space is made for and by creatives. It’s a performance venue, education center, and café all rolled into one, offering comedy shows, art classes, and more.
- Long Island City (LIC) Springs!: This community street festival is a celebration of Long Island City, with live music, dance performances, interactive art lessons, fitness classes, outdoor dining, and pop-up activities. It’s free and open to the public, drawing major crowds each year.
- 18th Century Tavern Night (73-50 Little Neck Pkwy, Queens, NY): Over holiday clichés? Step into the past at Queens Farm’s Adriance Farmhouse, where the winter season is celebrated sans Santa. Instead, back in time for a farmstead feast with churned butter, handpicked carrots, and candlelit conversations.
- Queens College, City University of New York – Queens College is a public university within the City University of New York system. Notable alumni include Jerry Seinfeld, Jon Favraeu, and Joy Behar among many others.
- Taverna Kyclades (36-01 Ditmars Blvd, Astoria): Craving Greek food? Skip Manhattan and head here for the freshest seafood, Greek salad, and fried calamari. This lively restaurant is a must-visit for Greek food lovers.