Flushing Meadows Corona Park
The largest park in Queens has quite the interesting evolution story. It was once nothing more than an ash and refuse dump serving as the inspiration for The Great Gatsby’s “valley of the ashes”. It then became the main backdrop for the 1939 and 1964 World Fairs; in fact, the park is still home to several famous World Fair relics. Today, the park serves as a stunning main attraction for locals, families, and tourists alike in Queens. At almost 900 acres, the park has something for everyone: the New York Hall of Science, the Queens Museum, a botanical garden, the Queens Zoo, the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center (home of the US Open), Citi Field (home of The Mets), a carousel, a marina, an amphitheatre, athletic fields, running trails, playgrounds, a swimming pool, an ice skating rink, an amusement park, the famous Unisphere and fountains, and much more. This gem is a definite “must-see” for anyone visiting Queens. When planning your visit to Flushing Meadows, allow yourself more than one day to see and do everything on your wish list. Between Grand Central Pkwy and, Van Wyck Expy, 11354, United StatesMoMA PS1
MoMA PS1, an affiliate of the The Museum of Modern Art, is a contemporary art studio founded in 1971 by Alanna Heiss. It is the first non-profit arts center in the United States dedicated wholly to contemporary arts. The museum is proudly committed to displaying thought-provoking art in creative, tolerant, and diverse ways. MoMA PS1 focuses on new trends and promotes the work of emerging artists via various art forms including video-art, music, and theatrical performance. The museum does not house a permanent art collection; it focuses mainly on temporary exhibitions, special events, concerts, performances, lectures, workshops and educational programming. Recognized as one of the world’s most important art centers of its kind, MoMA PS1 aims to “provide an engaging environment for artists; to inform, inspire, and challenge its audiences; to actively attract new audiences; and to be an accessible resource that elevates the role of art in our contemporary world.” The museum is accessible to everyone, and is also home to Mina’s restaurant. 22-25 Jackson Ave, Queens, NY 11101, United StatesQueens Museum
The Queens Museum aims to provide art exhibitions, educational experiences and public programs that: support artists, promote art appreciation and enjoyment, and enhance the quality of life for people in the New York metropolitan area. The heart and soul of the museum is its Panorama of the City of New York. This artistic marvel was developed by the 1964 World Fair president Robert Moses. It is the largest scale city model in the world, and depicts every building in the entire city of New York. The panorama covers 9335 square feet of exhibit space and was built by over 100 people over a span of three years. The Queens Museum offers a variety of programming such as:- Family workshops
- Free virtual camps
- Educational and afterschool programming
- Professional development opportunities
- ArtAccess – a program for children and adults living with various physical, behavioral, emotional or cognitive issues, or to those who are ill, incarcerated, homebound, or in foster care
- Queens Teens – a program that allows teens to create art, discuss social justice issues and attend a variety of events and workshops
- New New Yorkers – a program offered to adult immigrants that teaches English language acquisition and valuable life skills through the arts