The 32 best things to do in Queens

Not only does this park have incredible East River and skyline views, but it boasts actually-good art. Located in Long Island City, the Socrates Sculpture Park features 4-and-a-half-acres of large-scale sculptures that you can interact with. It features an annual show that you should absolutely check out. This year, June 6, 2025 – April 6, 2026, is "Up/Rooted," which "explores the complexities of uprooting species for long-term sustainability and resilience," its website states.

Time Out Tip: Don't miss yoga or sunset meditations at the park. You can check the calendar here.

One of the coolest museums in New York City is located in Queens. Especially for film nerds, this museum is a must-see. Not only are there are exhibits featuring artifacts from the early filmmaking process, exhibits exploring viral internet videos and computer-made films, there's an entire Muppets exhibit that will fill your heart with nostalgia and whimsy. Better yet, there are hands-on moments playable classic arcade games, an in-house theater showing classic, experimental and modern family-friendly hits, a stop-motion film workshop and even the chance to create your own Muppet. 

Time Out Tip: Sign up for the museum's newsletter to find out about film screenings and discussions with filmmakers big and small.

Forest Hills stadium started hosting concerts back in the 1960s, hosting names like Bob Dylan, Frank Sinatra and Barbra Streisand, but it's still presenting top talent from around the country (and world). This year, through October, it'll feature Mumford & Sons, Alabama Shakes, Phish, The Black Keys, Pulp and Leon Bridges, among others. The stadium will also play home to the returning All Things Go Music Festival from September 26 through 28, with high-profile performers like DOECHII, Lucy Dacus, Rachel Chinouriri, Djo and Lola Young on the docket. 

Time Out Tip: If you're bringing a party, office or large group, you may want to look into booking one of the stadium's Speakeasy Suites. You get a private viewing porch and in-suite bar and food service, private restrooms and more.

The contemporary wing of the Museum of Modern Art in Long Island City grounds the now-gentrified neighborhood in creativity. Not only is it grounds for some pretty fabulous works of art (see: James Turrell’s incredible "Skyspace" called "Meeting") that often incorporate new technology, it's a fun spot to party on summer Fridays when it hosts outdoor dance parties called Warm Up.

Time Out Tip: Definitely plan your visit during a Warm Up because you'll get to party and check out the museum's latest exhibits at the same time.

Flushing isn't just home to arguably the best dim sum in New York City, but it has a robust performing arts center worthy of your attention. Flushing Town Hall (137-35 Northern Boulevard) is a Smithsonian affiliate that features multi-disciplinary global arts to encourage appreciation for the borough's global communities. Here, you'll take in concerts by artists from across the world, watch dance from different cultures, peruse art representing universal themes and so much more. If there's an upcoming cultural holiday, it's likely Flushing Town Hall is celebrating it in a big way.

Time Out Tip: There are ticket discounts for first responders, medical professionals, military members, students and artists!

Looking for a verdant space to relax and take it all in? Queens Botanical Garden (43-50 Main Street in Flushing) is your ticket with 25 gardens across 39 acres. Among them, favorite spots include its Fragrance Walk and a Bee Garden. Yoga is allowed at the garden in case you're looking to take advantage of the quiet.

Time Out Tip: Admission is just $6 but free in the cooler months, December 16 - March 31.

Self-billed as "New York's largest independent music venue," Knockdown Center (52-19 Flushing Avenue in Maspeth) is a 50,000 square-foot building that has multiple performance spaces including its Main Hall and "Ruins" outside. Known for the WIRE Festival, Outline, RUSH and BASEMENT, the space is dedicated to platforming exploratory music and performance art.

Time Out Tip: The space has lockers you can rent if you don't want to carry your stuff with you throughout a performance.

Grab your friends and head out to Nowadays for a chill night out. Nowadays’ ample outdoor space is the home of its day-party incarnation Mister Sunday, so you know it's good. Not only does it have good food and drinks, but it prides itself on being a safe space for dancers. The tunes are good too with regular resident DJs and a full calendar of events. 

Time Out Tip: Covers tend to be around $25 but have a sliding scale for those who may not be able to afford that.

5Pointz might not be around anymore (what a damn shame!) but there's plenty of street art left in Long Island City at the Welling Court Mural Project at 11-98 Welling Court. It began in December 2009 and is directed and curated by founder Alison Wallis as a way to beautify and revitalize the area with street art. Artists who have created work on these walls have included Lady Pink, Swoon, Crash, Daze, Queen Andrea, Tristan Eaton, Joe Lurato, Rubin 415, John Fekner & Don Leicht: The Original Space Invaders, Cey Adams, Roa, Gaia and more. 

Time Out Tip: Grab a coffee or cold drink at Astoria Provisions first (12-23 Astoria Boulevard) then, once you've finished taking your photos of the street art, walk over to the Sculpture Park to see more fantastic outdoor art.

Astoria's Q.E.D. (27-16 23rd Avenue) is the neighborhood's hub of entertainment. From stand-up and open mics to board game nights and creative workshops like drink and draws and gelli-printing, the space always has something on. Tickets are typically very affordable (either free or about $10) making it an easy choice for what to do in Astoria. 

Time Out Tip: Q.E.D. has a great little shop selling books, games, puzzles, art and more in the front, so if you're looking for a gift, you'll find something here.

Challenge your friends to arcade games at Gaming City USA (36-10 31st Street), a giant space with classic games and immersive augmented reality experiences for all ages. You can try your hand at claw machines or race around a virtual track or move your body within its Dynamic Reality Games or Dancing Grid rooms. It also hosts private parties if you're looking for a memorable birthday party.

Time Out Tip: Walk up to 36th Street to fuel up at Pig Beach BBQ afterwards.

The city's largest pool is one of the coolest places to swim in the city. Located between the RFK and Hell Gate Bridges, the pool is situated near the East River within the massively underrated Astoria Park. Not only that, but you can still see the historic details it was built with in the 1930s: two fountains at the east end of the pool that spray water 25 feet in the air (used as Olympic torches back then) and its Art Deco facilities—decorative glass block, deco-style steel railings, and Art Moderne style ticket booth.

Time Out Tip: Like at every NYC public pool, bring a padlock and follow the rules.

Queens has its own museum right on the grounds of the 1939 and 1964 World’s Fairs (now Flushing Meadows Corona Park) that contains 10,000 items related to the World's Fairs, about 900 of which are on permanent display. That being said, it also has works by Salvador Dalí and Mark Dion and a stunnning display of Tiffany glass and an ever-changing program of new exhibits of photography, prints, drawings, and various forms of contemporary art that reflect the diverse communities of Queens.  

Time Out Tip: One exhibit on permanent display is a must-see: the 1964 World’s Fair showstopper “Panorama of New York,” a 9,335-square-foot scale model of the five boroughs.

Speaking of the park (located at 17 Ederle Promenade), it's the city’s second-biggest and is also home to the Queens Botanical Garden, New York Hall of Science, Citi Field and the U.S. Open. It also offers up boating, swimming, bike riding, trails for exploring and views of the Unisphere. Even cooler it's been the backdrop to hip-hop music videos like The Notorious B.I.G.’s "Mo’ Money Mo’ Problems," Craig Mack’s "Flava in Ya Ear" and A Tribe Called Quest’s "Award Tour."

Time Out Tip: Check out the park's free summer fitness classes!

The Ramones-approved sprawl may have gained some hipster cache over the past few years, but the draws to Rockaway remain pretty constant: You can’t beat the few-blocks-off proximity to the subway—it’s about an hour trek from downtown to the sand—and the expansive, nearly six-mile-long beach means there's plenty of room for your blanket.

Time Out Tip: The waves here are also rideable! Hang ten and sign up for surf lessons at the New York Surf School (at Beach 69th Street)

One of NYC's best Open Streets, 31st Avenue, between 33rd and 35th Streets, in Astoria is open to pedestrians every Saturday and Sunday from late April through December. Yes, you can walk, cycle and hang out on the street but its organizers keep it stacked with vendors, from makers and organizations to events like a community cookout series in the summer by Tikkun BBQ and a brand new farmers market.

Time Out Tip: Check the Open Street's Instagram before heading over to see who/what will be there.

Evil Twin, a small nanobrewery by Jeppe Jarnit-Bjergsø and his family located at 1616 George Street in Ridgewood, is known for being innovative with its brews like the double IPA "New York Is A City Of Superlatives; A Place Where The Best, The Brightest, & The Biggest Is The Norm" and the Barleywine "Lemme Get A Baconeggandcheese" as well as what's on its 20 rotating taps. Enjoy them in the greenhouse space and beer garden. Make sure to eat first from Claudia's cafe food pop-up.

Time Out Tip: Look out for Marlon, the brewery's cat, who has beers named after him like "Don Marleone," "Mercat Marlon" and "Even More Covered in Marlon Hair."

Very unique to Queens is the retro TWA Hotel at JFK Airport. The 1960s-themed hotel is a time capsule perfect for a vintage photo shoot or night out. Outside of the super-cool main hall, it boasts the Paris Café restaurant by Jean Georges, the Sunken Lounge, the Pool Bar, a food hall and the Connie Cocktail Lounge inside an old 1958 Lockheed Constellation airplane parked on the TWA Hotel tarmac. Don't miss the outdoor pool/hot tub either. You can swim and soak as you watch planes arrive and depart on the active JFK tarmac. Make sure to dress up!

Time Out Tip: The pool cover is Starting at $50 for adults and $10 for children age 5 to 12; children under age 5 are free. But check the website for more information about its hours and offerings.

Hopefully this isn't news to you, but Ridgewood is great. The Queens neighborhood was our "coolest neighborhood" in 2022 and for good reason. Its diversity, the local vibes of Queens and the hip offerings of Brooklyn makes it old school meets trendy with its mix of landmark staples, like Rudy’s Bakery and Gottscheer Hall, and buzzy bars and restaurants like Rolo's, Evil Twin and Cafe Plein Air.

Time Out Tip: Do a food tour—stop at Rudy’s Bakery in the morning, grab lunch and a flight at Evil Twin Brewing and then dinner from the beloved Rolo’s. Stop at its stores along the way like OPC Buy Sell Trade, Forever Vintage, Topos Bookstore and Tiny Arts Supply.

Browse more than 450 exhibits to learn about technology, sports, marine biology and climate change, and don’t miss the delightful Big Bubble Experiment at NYSci. A 3-D theater showing an ever-changing roster of documentaries on science-related topics (think: extreme weather, engineering, robotics) offers a well-deserved break during a day of exploring this enormous museum.

Time Out Tip: It has a Sensory Sensitive Hour on Saturdays, 10am-11am, with dimmed sounds and light!

Fans of Satchmo can visit his two-story house, where he lived from 1943 until his death in 1971, in Corona. Across the street, you can look at photos, manuscripts, letters and momentos, or take in a live jazz concert at the Louis Armstrong Center, a 14,000-square-foot venue and a 75-seat venue.

Time Out Tip: Check its website for some fun live events coming up and for hours.

Fifth Hammer (10-28 46th Avenue, Long Island City) is great if you want to pick from a mind-boggling range of beers:kettle sours laced with passion fruit, mango and cherry; a roasted dry stout; toasty farmhouse golden ales; and pale ales aged in rye barrels handed down from NY Distilling Co.

Better yet, it's a great place to hang. Its taproom is open for indoor seating, outdoor sidewalk seating and to-go beer and it also hosts live music nights, weekly trivia nights, and pop-up kitchens.

Time Out Tip: The brewery is an official New York Liberty bar, so catch games there! If you're looking for another kind of game, it hosts Dungeons N' Drafts for tabletop RPG fans.

If you're a self-care girlie, you've probably seen videos of those wildly luxurious scalp massage/washes. You can get one yourself at this Flushing spa. The experience at GuiFei Spa kicks off right as you enter the basement at 136-89 37th Avenue. The 40-minute scalp treatment and massage includes a deep scalp cleanse and massage with a specialized tea tree oil based shampoo, a shampoo and scalp massage with products "unique to your hair type," a light neck and upper back massage, a rinse, a blow dry and a scalp inspection—all for $48 plus tip.

Time Out Tip: Make a day of it and grab a reservation at Mountain House Flushing for dinner and make your own bejeweled creation at Monster DIY Studio.

Nextdoor to GuiFei Spa at 136-91 37th Avenue in Flushing, Monster DIY offers people of all ages to bejewel nearly anything with gems and charms. When you walk in, you choose from the item you'll be decorating (a mirror, a hairbrush, a phone case, a clock, a hair clip, a handheld fan) and get a quick tutorial on how to apply them with deco-cream. Then, you're left to your own devices. It's a fun and playful way to be creative with friends or kids!

Time Out Tip: Have an idea of what you want to do before you arrive so you can use your time wisely.

Seriously don't miss out on Flushing. The bustling urban center is home to beautiful parks, plenty of cultural attractions and one of the city’s three major Chinatowns (arguably, the best of the lot). Stroll through planted environments like the coniferous Pinetum and the Korean-themed Circle Garden, or find yourself a peaceful patch of grass in the Meadow. Post-stroll, grab a bite at soup-dumpling favorite Joe's Shanghai.

Time Out Tip: Plan your day out before you go using our guide to the neighborhood's best restaurants.

Gatcha is a new arcade at Tangram mall—at 8,746 square feet store has tons of claw machines with plush toys custom-created by an on-site team alongside a mix of other products, including anime figurines, Gundam kits and snacks. If you aren't good at claw machines, you can purchase some of the goodies you can't reach and go play some arcade games on the other side of the space!

Time Out Tip: Since you’ll already be at Tangram, make sure to also peruse through the mall’s other offerings, including the first 4DX movie theater in Queens, a cyberpunk-inspired Asian food hall and beer garden, a store for badminton supplies (it's never too late to pick up a new sport, after all), an Angry Birds store, tons of Japanese retailers, a sushi restaurant serving food off a conveyor belt and a lot more. 

This is the city’s longest continually farmed site (at 73-50 Little Neck Parkway) with 47 acres of crops and livestock that instantly transports you to another time and place. When you visit, you can feed and pet the barnyard animals, including sheep, ponies and goats, and shop from the farmstand, which sells all sorts of fresh produce and goods, including honey. In the fall, you can enjoy pumpkin picking and make your way through the Amazing Maize Maze (yes, that’s a corn maze).

Time Out Tip: On Saturdays throughout the year, you can attend the farm's Grow and Gather Family Gardening program, where you can learn how to plant seedlings, directly sow, weed, prune, companion plant, harvest vegetables, dry herbs, and more with its in-house botanist.

This nature refuge that you can access at 304 Cross Bay Boulevard spans more than 12,600 acres of water, saltmarshes, freshwater and brackish water ponds, upland fields and woods, and open bay and islands. If you're in need of solitude or to touch grass, you can view some of its 300 species of birds, walk its many trails and even launch a kayak from here.

Time Out Tip: You can walk completely around the West Pond, where there are bird blinds. The East Pond, which has short walking trails, also has bird blinds.

This beautiful 12-acre spot in Long Island City (at 4-09 47th Road) boasts sparkling views of Manhattan and the East River, but it's got history attached to it as well. The park is built around gantries, which were used for loading and unloading barges and it's where the Pepsi-Cola sign resides! The park also has basketball and handball courts, four piers as well as a fishing pier and a mist fountain.

Time Out Tip: You can bring your dog! There are two dog runs and leashed dogs are permitted on paved pathways and plazas throughout the park during regular park hours, 8am to 10pm. 

Located in a former photo-engraving plant across the street from Isamu Noguchi's old studio, this museum at 9-01 33rd Road, designed by the artist himself, is a meditative spot within an industrial setting. Wtih 12 galleries and a garden, you'll enjoy a quiet and introspective time as you peruse Noguchi’s sculptures as well as drawn, painted and collaged studies, architectural models, and stage and furniture designs.

Time Out Tip: Admission is free on the first Friday of every month. Tickets are released two weeks before each date, at noon.

Whether you want to root, root, root for the home team or dance at the concert of a huge diva, this state-of-the-art stadium is not only convenient to get to, it’s a home-run experience. The gourment food options will make you completely rethink your greasy hot dog go-to, while fun touches like the iconic apple that rises in the outfield whenever the Mets hit a homer make you want to come back all summer long.

Time Out Tip: Know what you want to eat before you go! Check out the Field's dining guide.