Looking for some fun things to do in Queens?
When we planned our first family trip to New York City last year, we wanted to see the Statue of Liberty, Broadway, Central Park and all the other iconic attractions. However, we felt serious sticker shock when we saw rates for Manhattan hotels and started searching the boroughs.
We struck gold in Queens, where you can save at least $100 per night on a comparable hotel, enjoy skyline views, and stay just two subway stops from midtown Manhattan.
The other thing we discovered about Queens is how many cool things there are to do there. It's entertaining, diverse, and real. If you want to take a break from the touristy side of NYC and do fun things that most visitors miss, Queens is a great place to do it.
Here is my list of 10 fun things to do in Queens with your family.
Museum of the Moving Image
We spent a lot of time in famous New York City museums, and the Museum of the Moving Image was my kids' favorite. This is a serious museum about the history and art behind movies, television and video games.
The Museum of the Moving Image is loaded with hands-on, interactive exhibits that my whole family enjoyed. It is located next door to Kaufman Studios where Sesame Street and other popular movies and television shows are filmed. www.movingimage.us
Related: Tips for Using the New York City Subway
Louis Armstrong House Museum
When Louis Armstrong sang, What a Wonderful World, he said he was thinking of the neighborhood in Queens where he lived with his wife for more than 40 years. After both of them passed away, their home became a museum.
The Armstrongs had a colorful sense of style, so kids may appreciate the gold bathroom, bright blue kitchen or silver foil closet while they learn about one of our nation's great musicians. www.louisarmstronghouse.org/
Noguchi Museum
The Noguchi Museum was founded by the renowned Japanese-American sculptor Isamu Noguchi near his studio in Long Island City, Queens. He used natural materials and integrated them with nature in innovative ways.
Families are welcome at this small museum, but I recommend that you plan your visit around one of the museum's family programs to make the most of your visit. www.noguchi.org
Socrates Sculpture Park
Finally, an art “museum” where kids can touch anything they want! Socrates Sculpture Park is located across the street from the Noguchi Museum, and it is filled with sculpture so large it won't fit indoors.
Admission is FREE and children are welcome to run, touch, use outdoor voices and even climb inside some sculptures. Exhibits change regularly. www.socratessculpturepark.org
Hunters Point Park
Hunter's Point Park was our first stop on our first day in New York City, and it was a great way to start our trip on the right foot. We ordered breakfast, ate on the patio and let the kids run on the lawn and try out the new playground.
The East River Ferry stops here too. However, the real reason to come to this park is the inspiring view of Manhattan on the other side of the river. www.hunterspointparks.org
Citi Field
Citi Field is home to New York Mets baseball. We don't have a Major League Baseball team close to home, so we enjoy seeing a game on the road whenever we have the chance. It's a family-friendly, classic American experience. Citi Field opened in 2009, after Shea Stadium was retired. It's sad to see a famous piece of baseball history go, but I rarely complain about improved comfort and convenience. mlb.com/mets
USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center
My husband's dream is to attend the U.S. Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, which is located in… Queens! The U.S. Open is held in August. You can get tickets for as little as $10 on Arthur Ashe Kids' Day.
If you'll be visiting at a different time, you can play a game of tennis on the same courts as the pros, or sign up for a tennis clinic. https://ustanew2.gotennissource.com/page.lasso?p=ustatours
Flushing Meadows Corona Park
Flushing Meadows Corona Park hosted two twentieth century World's Fairs, and continues to be a great destination for families.
Citi Field, the National Tennis Center and the Queens Night Market (all on this list) are located here, along with the Queens Zoo, the New York Hall of Science, Queens Theater in the Park and the Queens Wildlife Center. You could just about spend your entire vacation at this family-friendly destination. www.nycgovparks.org/parks/flushing-meadows-corona-park
Chinatown
New York City's largest Chinatown is located in Queens. This is where Chinese tourists stay when they come to New York City because local hotels and businesses do their best to make these international visitors feel at home.
You'll find the best authentic Chinese restaurants, with ingredients and dishes that don't have English names. There is a lot of good shopping to be found here, but come prepared. It can be intense.
Queens Night Market
Chinatown isn't the only international neighborhood in Queens. More than 170 languages are spoken in the borough, and you'll have no trouble finding restaurants, shops and people from every corner of the globe.
You can find many of them at the Queens Night Market every Saturday night at the New York Hall of Science at Flushing Meadows Corona Park. This is a free, family-friendly event. www.queensnightmarket.com
If you're looking for something more familiar in Queens, you can find that too. It has plenty of suburban neighborhoods with well-known chains and discount stores. While I was excited to try some of the exotic dishes in New York City, my kids' favorite meal was the one we ate at Applebee's, just a few doors down from the Museum of the Moving Image.
Disclosure: We received complimentary and discounted hotel stays, meals and admission to attractions during our stay in Queens for the purpose of review. I received no additional compensation and all opinions are my own.
Colleen Lanin
Who knew there was so much to do in Queens?!
Tamara Gruber (@tgruber)
Next time also stop in at the Lemon Ice King in Corona Queens for so many Italian ice flavors and spend some time watching the guys playing bocce ball in the park across the street.
Allison
That sounds really fun! Thanks for the recommendation!
Jody Robbins
That sculpture park looks amazing! What a great way to introduce children to different mediums of art when they can touch and interact with it.
Sarah - A Week at the Beach
Oh this is so helpful! I can’t wait to take my kids to NYC, thinking this fall, will bookmark this for sure!
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What a great post idea! We have recently visited Spa Castle in Queens with the kids (although not without some criticism, another fun thing to do while in the area):)
Sarah Hirsch
Wow! I had no idea that Queens was such a fun place for families to visit. Adding it to our list for our next visit to NYC! Thanks!!
Jolanta aka Casual Traveler
That Museum of the Moving Image sounds like fun! I wonder if we could squeeze that in when we fly in to JFK from Europe and before heading back home. Thanks for the tips!