Summary
If you are looking for outdoor activities in Queens, New York, the largest of the five boroughs of New York City, head over to Flushing Meadows Corona Park. It is the largest park in Queens, nestled between the Flushing and Corona neighborhoods. The park can satisfy your need for an outing almost any day of the year.
Flushing Meadows was once a swamp and an ash dump, but now it’s a great place to stretch your legs or ride a bike. Moreover, there are museums, sporting activities, history, a zoo, and more to explore. The biggest attractions are the Major League Baseball Mets at CitiField and world-class tennis at the U.S. Open. Iconic images from the park include remnants of buildings from past World’s Fairs, such as the Unisphere, which symbolizes the borough.
Flushing Meadows Park Overview
The World’s Fair Site
The World’s Fair was held in Flushing Meadows Park twice: once in 1939-40 and again in 1964-65. Two towers from the 1964-65 World’s Fair, famous from the blockbuster movie Men in Black, still dominate the area’s skyline. In addition to the Unisphere, other facilities from the fairs include the New York State Pavilion (which houses the museum and an ice rink), numerous statues, and monuments.
Activities
At 1,255 acres, Flushing Meadows Corona Park is one and a half times the size of Manhattan’s Central Park. Thousands of visitors come for weekend picnics, strolls, festivals, soccer games, and other activities. The park features:
- Two lakes
- A pitch-and-putt miniature golf course
- Playing fields and picnic areas
- Bicycle rental stands
Originally built for the World’s Fair, the playground on the Corona side is a well-loved neighborhood spot. Families come for the playground, while teens enjoy the basketball and handball courts.
The park is home to the Queens Museum of Art, the New York Hall of Science, the Queens Zoo, the Queens Theatre in the Park, and the Queens Botanical Garden. It hosts several annual festivals, including the Colombian Independence Day Celebration and the Dragon Boat Festival.
Four Sections of the Park
Flushing Meadows Corona Park is ringed by highways and is easily accessible by car, subway, train, or foot. There are four main sections:
Corona: West of the Grand Central Parkway, this section includes grass lawns, the New York Hall of Science, and the Queens Zoo, featuring an outdoor aviary in a geodesic dome open year-round.
Central: Connected by overpasses, this section features the Unisphere, the Queens Museum of Art, and sports facilities. CitiField and the U.S. Tennis Association’s Arthur Ashe Stadium occupy the northern rim, where the U.S. Open is held every August.
Southern: This section features Meadow Lake with trails for biking, running, inline skating, and walking. There are cricket fields and areas for baseball, softball, and soccer, along with large playgrounds and a boathouse renting paddle and row boats.
Eastern: This area, separated by College Point Boulevard, includes the Queens Botanical Gardens, easily accessed from Main Street south of downtown Flushing.
Major Sports Venues
The park is home to CitiField, the stadium of the National League Mets, situated near LaGuardia Airport. The stadium is located north of the Unisphere. Check the Mets website for schedules and tickets.
Every August and September, the U.S. Open showcases the world’s best tennis players at Flushing Meadows, alongside free qualifying tournaments and family activities.
Sports Activities
The park offers numerous sporting activities including soccer, tennis, mini-golf, cricket, sailing, and boating. Below is a brief overview:
| Sporting Activity | Description |
|---|---|
| Soccer | East of the Unisphere, the local Hispanic community often fields fútbol teams; the soccer fields cater to various skill levels. |
| Tennis | The U.S. Tennis Association holds the U.S. Open at Arthur Ashe Stadium, with public tennis courts available year-round for adults, youths, and seniors. |
| Pitch and Putt and Mini-Golf | The northwest part of the park features both miniature golf and a par-3 pitch and putt course. |
| Cricket | The cricket fields are located at the north end of Meadow Lake and are busier on weekend afternoons. |
| Sailing and Boating | The American Small Craft Association offers sailing lessons on Meadow Lake, and rowboats can be rented at the boathouse. |
| Other Sports | Players enjoy baseball, softball, Ultimate Frisbee, and handball, with fields located on either side of Meadow Lake. |
Culture and Arts
The park showcases major attractions such as performances at the Queens Theatre in the Park and exhibits at the Queens Museum of Art, the New York Hall of Science, the Queens Zoo, and the Queens Botanical Garden.
| Attraction | Description |
|---|---|
| Queens Theatre in the Park | This venue features drama, comedy, dance, children’s entertainment, and a film series. It also hosts the annual Latino Cultural Festival. |
| Queens Museum of Art |
Formerly home to the United Nations, this museum features contemporary art and a detailed scale model of New York City called “The Panorama of New York City.” |
| New York Hall of Science | This leading science museum offers hands-on experiences for children, engaging them in technology and science topics. |
| The Queens Zoo | Focusing on wildlife from North and South America, this 18-acre zoo provides a delightful visit for families. |
| Queens Botanical Garden | Located at the park’s eastern end, this botanical garden presents a showcase of herbs, trees, and flowers while hosting educational gardening programs. |
Getting to the Park
The easiest way to reach Flushing Meadows is via the #7 subway or Long Island Railroad (LIRR). The #7 subway line stops at Willets Point/Citi Field, which is located in the northern part of the park. For the Queens Zoo and NY Hall of Science, you can also use the #7 stop at 111th Street and walk south.
You can take the Q48 bus to Roosevelt Avenue at Citi Field and walk south into the park. Alternatively, for the Queens Zoo and NY Hall of Science, consider the Q23 or Q58 buses, which stop at Corona and 51st Avenues, followed by a walk east into the park.
For those driving, access to the park is available directly from Grand Central Parkway, Van Wyck Expressway, and Long Island Expressway.
