The Unisphere - Flushing Meadows-Corona Park

Flushing-Northeast is a large area of Queens, a borough of New York City. Flushing contains a very large Chinatown, and in fact is more diverse than Manhattan's Chinatown. It also contains a large Korean and a large Indian neighborhood, with various other ethnic groups represented. Consider taking a trip there if you are visiting New York for more than a week, or if you would like a delicious meal before or/and after watching a game at Citi Field or matches at the U.S. Open.

Get in

By subway

• 1 Subway, Main Street and Roosevelt Avenue. The Flushing–Main Street subway station is in the middle of Flushing, within walking distance to the entire downtown area. The subway is the easiest way to travel between Flushing and Manhattan. The subway serves almost every part of Manhattan. The Flushing–Main Street subway station is the last stop on the 7 train. Subway fare is the same price no matter how far a person travels within the subway system. On weekday afternoons, it is quicker to take the express 7, rather than the local 7, if you are at an express stop. The express train generally decreases the length of a trip between Manhattan to Flushing–Main Street by at least 10 minutes.  

By Long Island Railroad

• 2 Long Island Railroad, Main Street and 41st Avenue. The Flushing–Main Street station on the Port Washington Line of the Long Island Railroad is located in the middle of Flushing. The station is about two blocks south of the Flushing–Main Street subway station on the 7 train. On weekends, one-way LIRR fare within the city limits (including Manhattan's Penn Station) is $4.25. It is still more expensive and less scenic than the subway, but it is faster, about 20 minutes from Pennsylvania Station compared to 35–55 minutes using the 7 subway train from Times Square. It is also the best way to reach places that are east Flushing.  

By bus

• There are many Metropolitan Transportation Authority buses that serve Flushing. Go to the MTA website to download a Queens bus map. While waiting for the bus, make sure you are on the correct side of the street for the direction you want to travel. The Q48 bus travels between LaGuardia Airport and Flushing.

By car

• Many highways and important streets travel to and from the center of Flushing. There is a lot of traffic in Flushing, and driving through Flushing takes a very long time, even for short distances. It is possible to rent a car at LaGuardia Airport and John F. Kennedy International Airport.
• Uber, Lyft, and other taxis serve Flushing.

By plane

• LaGuardia Airport. (LGA ^IATA) is the closest airport to Flushing. LaGuardia Airport has flights from many cities in the United States, but international flights are limited to Canada, Bermuda, and the Bahamas. The Q48 bus travels between LaGuardia Airport and Flushing. Uber, Lyft, and other taxis are also available.  
• John F. Kennedy International Airport. (JFK ^IATA) is also convenient to Flushing. Kennedy Airport has flights from many cities in the United States and many international flights. From Kennedy Airport, take the AirTrain to Jamaica station, and then take the Q20A bus, Q25 bus, Q34 bus, or Q44 bus to Flushing. Uber, Lyft, and other taxis are also available.  

See

• 1 Bowne House, 37-01 Bowne Street (Bowne Street and 37th Avenue), ☏ +1 718 359-0528, office@bownehouse.org. The John Bowne House was built by John Bowne in 1661. It is the oldest building in Queens, and it is one of the oldest buildings in New York City. John Bowne was a Quaker who advocated religious freedom, which was later written into the Bill of Rights. John Bowne's great-grandson, Robert Bowne, strongly advocated for the end of slavery in America. The house was the home of several generations of the Bowne House until 1945, when it was donated and converted into a museum. $10 per adult, $8 per student, $8 per senior citizen.  
• 2 Flushing Town Hall, 137-35 Northern Blvd (Northern Blvd and Linden Place), ☏ +1 718 463-7700 ext 222, boxoffice@flushingtownhall.org. Mon-Fri 12pm - 5pm and for scheduled events. Flushing Town Hall is a historic town hall built in 1862. At different times in its history, it was used as a government office, a social meeting place, a courthouse, a bank, and a jail. Today, Flushing Town Hall has a 308-seat concert hall/theater, a gallery, and a garden. 
• 3 Kingsland Homestead, 37th Avenue and Parsons Blvd. Kingsland Homestead is a historic home, built by Charles Doughty around 1774. It is now a museum with exhibits about the Victorian era, the slavery in Queens, and how Queens was affected by World War II.  
• 4 Latimer House, 34-41 137th Street (at Leavitt Street), ☏ +1 718 961-8585, info@lewislatimerhouse.org. The Lewis H. Latimer House is a Queen Anne-style of home, built around 1888. Between 1903 and 1928, it was the home of African-American inventor Lewis Howard Latimer. Today, it is a museum dedicated to his life and achievements, as well as those of other African-American scientists. $5.  
• 5 Old Quaker Meeting House, 137-16 Northern Blvd, ☏ +1 929 251-4301, flushingfriends@gmail.com. The Old Quaker Meeting House is a historic Quaker house of worship, built in 1694. It is the oldest house of worship in New York City and one of the oldest continuously active places of worship in North America. The religion believes that the presence of God is within each person, called the Inward Light. The religion, also called the Religious Society of Friends, believes that God is directly accessible to everyone without the need of a particular leader or ritual. They seek to remove the causes of conflict and war in the world, they trust in love rather than react in fear, and they emphasize peace, simplicity, and community. Quakers continue to use the building for worship, at 11am on the first Sunday of each month, and everyone is welcome to join in worship.  
• 6 Queens Botanical Garden, 43-50 Main St (Dahlia Street and Main Street), ☏ +1 718 886-3800. 8AM-6PM daily Apr-Oct, 8AM-4:30PM daily Nov-Mar. Large garden and arboretum featuring a variety of plants, and also a Victorian-style wedding garden. Apr-Oct: $4 per adult, $3 per senior, $2 per student, $2 per child age 3+, free for children ages 0-2. Nov-Mar: free admission for everyone..  
• 7 Voelker Orth Museum, 149-19 38th Avenue (1 block from Northern Blvd), ☏ +1 718 359-6227, info@vomuseum.org. T, Sa, Su, 1PM-4PM. This is historic home that was built by local businessman James Bouton in 1891. Eight years later, Conrad Voelcker bought the house, and the Voelcker family lived in the house for three generations. Today, it is a museum, and there is a Victorian garden and a bird sanctuary outside. $2. 

Flushing Meadows–Corona Park

Flushing Meadows-Corona Park

Flushing Meadows–Corona Park. is a large public park with many trees, walking paths, two lakes, and grassy areas that are perfect for a picnic. The park is a popular place for residents to relax and play when the weather is nice. The park is 897 acres (3.6 square kilometers), so be prepared to walk a lot. It is possible to rent a bicycle near the Passarelle Building at the north entrance.  
The park also contains the following places of interest.

• 8 New York Hall of Science, 47-01 111th St (northwest corner of the park, across Grand Central Parkway), ☏ +1 718 699-0005. Sep-Mar: Tu-Th 9:30AM-2PM, F 9:30AM-5PM, Sa-Su 10AM-6PM. Apr-Jun: M-Th 9:30AM-2PM, F 9:30AM-5PM, Sa-Su 10AM-6PM. Jul-Aug: M-F 9:30AM-5PM, Sa-Su 10AM-6PM. Originally a pavilion for the 1964 World's Fair, this science center is now full of hands-on exhibits for the public. Highlights include Sports Challenge, Rocket Park (featuring full sized Atlas and Titan tickets), and a science playground. $11 per adult, $8 per student, $8 per senior, $8 per child. Free admission (Sep-Jun only) offered F 2PM-5PM and Su 10AM-11AM.  
• 9 Queens Museum, New York City Building (west end of the park, behind the Unisphere), ☏ +1 718 592-9700. W-Su noon-6PM. A visual arts center featuring the Panorama of New York City; a large architectural scale model of New York City. $8 per adult, $4 per senior, free for children age 0-17.  
• 10 Queens Theatre (Flushing-Meadows Corona Park), ☏ +1 718 760-0064, boxoffice@queenstheatre.org. A performing arts venue for theatrical plays and dance performances. $20-$42. Discounts for seniors and students.. 
• 11 Queens Zoo, 53-51 111th St (west end of the park, across Grand Central Pkwy), ☏ +1 718 271-1500. Apr-Oct: M-F 10AM-5PM, Sa-Su 10AM-5:30PM. Nov-Mar: 10AM-4:30PM daily. An 11-acre zoo featuring over 40 wildlife species including bison, mountain lions, and bears. $8 adults, $6 seniors, $5 children (3-12), free for children under 3.  
• 12 Unisphere. is considered a symbol of Queens. It is a 140-foot (43-meter) tall globe with a fountain below. It is beautiful to look at. In 1939 and 1964, Flushing Meadows-Corona Park was the location of the World's Fair, and the Unisphere was built for the 1964 World's Fair. 
• 13 USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, ☏ +1 718 760-6200. M-Sa 6AM-Midnight, Su 6AM-11PM. Home of the U.S. Open and also the largest public tennis facility in the world. It features 3 stadium courts, 9 indoor courts, and 14 outdoor courts that are available to the public year-round.  

Do

Citi Field

• 1 New York Mets, Citi Field (Subway:  7  Train to Mets - Willets Point; LIRR: Port Washington Line to Mets–Willets Point). April–September. The New York Mets have been playing baseball since 1962. Many people of all ages enjoy watching baseball, eating hot dogs or other food from the stadium, drinking beer, and enjoying the weather. (Outside food and drinks are not allowed inside. Security is strict.) Games on Monday through Saturday are usually in the evening, and games on Sundays are usually in the afternoon. The New York Mets are one of two Major League Baseball teams in New York City. The New York Mets and New York Yankees have a rivalry. Almost nobody likes both teams, and it is not recommended to wear Yankees clothing inside the stadium. This stadium was built in 2009, and it has a unique architectural entrance that pays homage to the arched facade of Ebbets Field, the ballpark of the old Brooklyn Dodgers. The entrance is named the Jackie Robinson Rotunda, which honors the first black player in modern Major League Baseball. Robinson played for the Brooklyn Dodgers at Ebbets Field. A museum dedicated to the New York Mets is located next to the rotunda, and it is open on game days. If the New York Mets hit a home run, look for the Home Run Apple rising out of the center field wall. The area surrounding the stadium has nothing to do though. Between $12 and over $100 per seat, depending on the seat's location..  
• 2 Flushing Meadows Golf Center, Flushing Meadows-Corona Park, ☏ +1 718 271-8182. Open all year, if weather allows. May 15-Oct: 8AM-1AM. Oct-May 15: 9AM-Sunset.. 18-hole public golf course with short drives. Golf club rental available. Miniature golf. Golf: $18.75-$21. Miniature golf: $10. Discounts for children and seniors.. 
• 3 Kissena Golf Course, 164-15 Booth Memorial Avenue (between 164th Street and Fresh Meadows Lane), ☏ +1 718 939-4594, kissenagolf@gmail.com. 4,665-yard golf course. $28-$53. 
• 4 Wheel Fun Rentals, Willow Lake (Flushing Meadows-Corona Park), ☏ +1 917 231-6229. 12PM-Sunset. Opens earlier in summer and on weekends. Closed Nov-Mar.. Bicycle rentals. Also rents kayaks and boats on Willow Lake. Adult bicycles are $26 for a half day. Children's bicycles are $18 for a half day. Kayaks are $16 for an hour.. 
• 5 World Ice Arena, 131-04 Meridian Road (in the Flushing Meadows-Corona Park Aquatic Center), ☏ +1 718 760-9001. Sa 12PM-4:45PM, 8PM-9:50PM, Su, 12PM-4:45PM. M-Th 10:30AM-5:15PM. F 10:30AM-5:15PM, 8PM-9:50PM.. Indoor ice-skating rink. $7-$10. Discounts for children and seniors. Ice skate rental $5.. 

Buy

• 1 A & C Supermarket, 41-41 Kissena Blvd (across from the Flushing branch of the Queens Library), ☏ +1 718 359-3399. This is positively the biggest Chinese supermarket in New York. There are several other large Chinese supermarkets in the neighborhood, but A & C is by far the best for most purposes. You want it, they've got it. A & C is patronized extensively. It has high-quality fresh produce, condiments, meats, poultry, fish and seafood, and prepared goods. (updated May 2020)

Eat

• 1 Spicy and Tasty, 39-07 Prince Street (Prince Street, between Roosevelt Avenue and 39th Avenue), ☏ +1 718 359-1601. Spicy and Tasty used to be arguably the best Sichuan-style restaurant in New York, but they have changed management, and recent reports have been mixed. Expect to pay roughly $15-22 per person for lunch or dinner. 
• 2 Lu's Seafood, 38-18 Prince Street (Prince Street and 39th Avenue). A popular Taiwanese restaurant. They serve thick and thin soups which are big enough for a meal with or without a cold dish. For those who want it, there is offal available, notably including pig intestine dishes. 
• 3 East Manor, 46-45 Kissena Blvd (Kissena Blvd and Laburnum Avenue), ☏ +1 718 888-8998. A Zagat Survey rated restaurant that serves some of the best Chinese, Korean, and Japanese food in New York City. This restaurant is often packed during the weekdays, and serves many lunch and diner specials. A buffet room is located on the top floor. It can be on the pricey side for weekends, but it is much cheaper than Manhattan. 
• 4 39 Kings Cafe, Prince St and 38th Ave (Prince Street and 39th Avenue). Delicious dim sum all day as well as a full menu. Come for the dim sum, stay for the specialty drinks with fun names. 
• 5 AA Plaza, 40-66 Main St (directly under the LIRR overpass). Serves fast and inexpensive take-out food for commuters. The scallion pancakes ($1) are particularly good. No seating - eat on your feet, or if the weather permits, sit on the steps of the public library across the street. 
• 6 Hunan House, 137-40 Northern Blvd ( 7  to Flushing–Main Street, then walk north on Main Street and east [right] on Northern Blvd. [about a 10-minute walk]), ☏ +1 718 353-1808. Authentic, very tasty and spicy Hunanese food in a quiet, historical part of Flushing about a half mile from the subway stop. Expect to spend about $20/person for a large dinner, and to leave with your mouth buzzing. 
• 7 El Rincón Antioqueño, 41-25 162nd Street (Can be reached by either the Q13 bus or the Q12 and is a 1 minute walk from either). Specializes in Colombian cuisine, particularly of the region of Medellín. 
• 8 Fu Run, 40-09 Prince Street. Fairly cheap place to try Chinese Muslim food, particularly from the Northeast. They have all the standard offerings (including, somewhat surprisingly, a large pork selection), but the standout is the lamb dishes. Try lamb's kidney if you're adventurous. 
• 9 Sushi Village, 32-50 Francis Louis Blvd, ☏ +1 718 886-4733. Monday-Thursday 11AM - 10:30PM Friday 11AM - 11PM Saturday 12:00-11PM Sunday 12:00-10:30PM. Asian restaurant which makes a little pricey sushi and other Asian goods, but all keeps it nice. Service is kinda slow. Think the restaurant's full? Think again! This restaurant has a tiny staircase that brings you down to the basement, where the service is obviously slower. Those are the good and bad about Sushi Village. Try the Kamikaze Roll if you want a hint of spice! 
• 10 Bagel Oasis, 183-12 Horace Harding Expressway (between 183rd and 184th Sts), ☏ +1 718 359-9245. Open 24 hours. Often regarded as the best bagels in Queens, with an excellent variety of cream cheese spreads and sandwiches available. Inexpensive. Small store with no seating. It is a little far from anything of tourist interest. From Main Street and Roosevelt Avenue in Flushing, take the Q17 bus toward Jamaica. Ride about 20 minutes. Get off at 183rd Street. The bus stop is almost directly in front of Bagel Oasis. (updated May 2020)
• 11 The Sandwich Bar, 71-32 Main Street (Main Street and 71st Road), ☏ +1 718 544-1014. If you like "make your own", this is your place. Choose from seven types of schnitzel (or any of the other entrees or salads); then select sauces and toppings to your taste. Order something different every time; it won't get boring. Kosher. 

Drink

Flushing is full of bubble tea places. For great tapioca, milk tea beverages, other flavored tea, ice desserts, slush and many kinds of fancy drinks, you can also visit Quickly, located at 41-40 Kissena Blvd or their other location on Roosevelt Avenue.

Sleep

There are many hotels in Flushing. Most hotels are basic with small rooms, but some hotels are larger and more comfortable.

• 1 Best Western Queens Court Hotel, 133-51 39th Avenue (between Prince Street and College Point Blvd), ☏ +1 718 888-1900, toll-free: +1-888-390-3900, fax: +1 718 888-1141. 
• 2 Flushing YMCA, 138-46 Northern Blvd (at Bowne Street), ☏ +1 718 961-6884. 
• 3 Grandview Hotel New York, 31-06 Linden Place (at 31st Road), ☏ +1 718 886-2200. Very inexpensive, with extremely small rooms 
• 4 Marco LaGuardia Hotel and Suites, 137-07 Northern Blvd (at Farrington Street), ☏ +1 718 445-3300. Upscale boutique hotel, clean, free Wi-Fi. 
• 5 Prince Flushing Hotel, 133-43 37th Avenue (between Prince Street and College Point Blvd), ☏ +1 718 939-5000. 
• 6 Ramada by Wyndham Flushing Queens, 36-27 Prince Street (at 38th Road), ☏ +1 718 606-6788. 
• 7 Sheraton LaGuardia East Hotel, 135-20 39th Avenue (between Main Street and Prince Street), ☏ +1 718 460-6666. 
• 8 Super Lake Hotel, 36-31 Prince Street, ☏ +1 718 886-8884. 

Stay safe

• Flushing is a safe neighborhood, and people walk around the neighborhood all week and almost all hours of the day and night. It is best not to walk between Flushing and Citi Field because the street is very unpleasant, going past automobile body shops and across bridges spanning the polluted Flushing River, with broken glass on the walkways. It is best to take the subway or a taxi to Citi Field instead. The streets near Willets Point Avenue have car repair shops, and it is not very safe at night.

Go next

Routes through Flushing-Northeast

Midtown Manhattan ← Jackson Heights ←

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