9 Things to Do in Queens

Arguably the most diverse place on the planet, Queens is the NYC borough that walks the walk rather than just talks the talk.

Packed with rich culture, award-winning food, lush parks, art hubs and some of the most dazzling nightlife in the city, Queens has it all without having to brag about it.

So we’ll brag for ‘em.

Here are some of our favorite things to do, eat and see in Queens:

CATCH A GAME AT CITI FIELD

Home to the New York Mets, Citi Field opened in 2009, moving the Mets right across the parking lot from their old home at Shea Stadium. During baseball season, Citi Field is alive with electricity and some of the most loyal fans in the National League. Don’t want to spring for tickets? Check out McFadden’s, the sports bar attached right to the stadium!

GRAB A BITE AT CHERRY VALLEY

This beloved 24-hour Whitestone deli is famous for their specialty sandwiches. Whether it's for a late night hangout or an early morning breakfast, Cherry Valley serves up more than 150 different types of heroes, wraps and rolls – each with its own twist.

What to try: The locals usually start with the TCS (toasted garlic hero or roll with chicken cutlet, American cheese and gravy) as their first taste of the Cherry Valley way of life, and quickly graduate to the Corona (chicken cutlet with bacon, cheddar, onion rings and BBQ sauce on a toasted garlic hero or roll) or the Macho Man (grilled roast beef, mozzarella, swiss, fried onions and brown gravy on a roll or hero). But why stop there when there are so many other delights to sample!

HAVE A PICNIC IN A PARK

Photo Credit: NYC Gov. Parks

Home to three of NYC’s top 10 largest parks, visit Forest Park, Alley Pond Park or Flushing Meadows-Corona Park to feel like you’ve been transported right out of the city and to a lush oasis. Each spot has its own qualities, including baseball fields, hockey rinks, ponds, winding trails and tons of things to do and see!

BRUNCH AT QUEENS COMFORT

Probably one of the most popular brunch spots in the five boroughs, Queens Comfort has been serving up comfort food since 2011. But don’t expect to just waltz on in, Queens Comfort gets very busy, so prepare yourself by coming early and checking out a local bar while you wait for your table.

Local Tip: Bring your own champagne and Queens Comfort will supply the OJ. You’re welcome!

MAKE A LATE-NIGHT STOP AT MAMA’S EMPANADAS

Photo Credit: Emp Mama NYC

You can choose from several locations to get yourself a mouthwatering baked or fried Latin American turnover. Depending on your location you can check out Mama's Empanadas venues in Sunnyside, Astoria, Elmhurst or the original one in Jackson Heights.

HAVE A CRAFT COCKTAIL AT DUTCH KILLS

Photo Credit: Travel and Leisure

This Long Island City cocktail bar pays homage to the days of speakeasies. With dim lighting, perfectly crafted drinks and a stealthy location tucked under a bridge in a warehouse with nothing outside to let you know it’s there but a small sign that says ‘BAR’, you’d be amiss not to find out what awaits within.

CHECK OUT ONE OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD HOT SPOTS

Whether it’s Bell Boulevard in Bayside, Austin Street in Forest Hills, or basically all of Astoria, these little neighborhood nuggets are full of life day or night. Each street has a unique quality that draws the locals to their favorite watering holes and eateries.

CATCH THE VIEWS AT ASTORIA PARK

Photo Credit: Astoria Park Alliance

Sitting on the edge of the East River and tucked between the Triborough Bridge and the Hell Gate Bridge, the sights here are unlike anywhere else in the city. Astoria Park is also home to New York City's largest and oldest public pool – and it’s free too!

GET YOUR ART ON

There are tons of cool places for checking out art in Queens, including MoMA PS1, one of the country’s largest museums dedicated to contemporary art, the Queens Museum in Flushing Meadows-Corona Park, and the Museum of the Moving Image, the former home of historic Astoria Studios. You can even check out some living art at the Queens Botanical Garden, a 39-acre oasis in Flushing.