The most ethnically diverse neighbourhood in the world offers a delectably astonishing choice of ethnic dining and shopping, a mixture of vibrant urban and leafy suburban neighbourhoods, lots of outdoor and cultural attractions and access to two of the city’s major airports, and this is just a slice of what makes Queens exciting. We also propose apartments and accommodation nearby the Queens Area.
New York has always been hailed as a cultural and culinary capital. Manhattan caters to the discerning and the wealthy, while Brooklyn is all about experimentation and novelty, Queens, however, is the veritable international foodie heaven of the metropolis. Well known as the most culturally diverse area not just in New York but in the world, Queens has virtually every ethnic group under the sun on its map. The distinct ethnic communities that inhabit the various neighbourhoods in Queens have created a rich dining scene unlike any other in the country.
European, Asian, South American, Middle Eastern and African, you can sample dishes and treats from all culinary traditions. Manhattan can be cold and upscale but Queens is rarely pretentious. Here restaurants, cafes and eateries are run by the locals for the locals, so you usually get authenticity served with a homey touch. The gourmet, the foodie, the picky and anyone else who simply loves good food cannot bypass Queens.
Jackson Heights is home to diverse South East Asian and Latin American communities and an amazing place to sample nearly every South Asian or South American cuisine under the sun. Astoria in Long Island City is dotted by Greek taverns and shops where you can sample mouth-watering Greek food.
Apart from a stunning choice of dining offers, Queens is the New York borough with the greatest range of outdoor activities and recreational spots. In Queens you can watch a game at the New York Mets, escape the hustle and bustle of the big city in the the vast Flushing Meadows-Corona Park, one of the largest parks in the area, take your kids to the Queens Zoo or treat your significant other to a romantic day at the beautiful Queens Botanical garden.
The Rockaways, one of the most popular beach neighbourhoods in New York City, is also a part of Queens. The eponymous Rockaway beach is the most popular in the area but you can also find lots of less crowded sandy stretches that promise tranquillity. Visit on a warm, sunny day and you can get a summer vacation along with your city break. Keep in mind though that the Rockaways is made up of very diverse quarters, beside some affluent upscale and middle-class quarters, a few areas have notoriously high crime rates so it is always good to be careful where you go.
The art scene in Queens has been flourishing since the early noughties. Long Island City in particular has become a hub of numerous art galleries, performance venues, and art centres embrace local arts and community spirit. Best of all, tickets are cheap and sometimes entry is absolutely free. The two major art venues worth checking out are the Queens Museum of Art with its expansive collection that and the Museum of the Moving Image that pays homage to the first film studios built in the country here in Queens.
Accommodation
Queens is a mixture of urban and suburban neighbourhoods. Western Queens, which is nearer Manhattan, is dominated by high rises, while the eastern side is more family-oriented and made up of stand-alone houses. If you want to be away from the typically urban hustle and bustle and huge tenement blocks associated with the city, you can find tranquillity in the leafy neighbourhoods of Queens.
Transport
Queens is very well served by the subway and by lots of express buses but the best thing about staying in the borough is that allows quick and easy access to La Guardia Airport and JFK Airport, both of which are located in Queens.