Things to do in Flushing New York

By Sarah Harris

We can’t quite explain it, but there’s just something about Flushing. Located just across the East River, the neighborhood is home to some of the most exciting activities and attractions in the city. Whether you’re looking to check out the interesting historical landmarks, taste some incredible Chinese food, or have your mind blown by an entirely unique museum exhibit, you’ll find countless reasons to love the area. Boredom is something you won’t experience here for sure.

So, if you’re planning to make the visit, have a read through our list of the best things to do in the area and then see how The New York Pass® can make your experience even better! Whatever you choose to do, we promise you won’t leave disappointed!

Explore the Area

Recognized for its vibrancy and diversity in culture, New York is home to the biggest Chinese population outside of Asia. Though many tourists flock to Manhattan Chinatown, the city has nine whole iterations within its state boundaries! We love Flushing’s version of this high-energy ethnic enclave for its lower price points and an endless array of enticing restaurants. Seriously, as the largest Chinatown in New York, this place is the prime dining destination in the area. You’ll find everything from Peking duck puns, lychee bubble tea, and mooncakes in every flavor right here. Don’t mind if we do!

Originally created as part of the 1939 New York World’s Fair, the garden continues to inspire and delight visitors with its colorful dazzling displays. Open all year round, this stunning urban oasis offers 39 acres of greenery to be discovered – we couldn’t think of a better way to spend a sunny New York afternoon! Whether you’re a nature lover, or just simply a lover of pretty things, this is the place to be. Before planning your visit, we recommend checking the website for any traditional festivities, special events, or interesting programs being held.

If you’re looking for artistry and culture in Flushing, don’t worry – we’ve got you covered! Adapted from the New York State Pavilion, Queens Theatre has been quenching the community’s thirst for the performed arts for quite some time. These days, you can catch everything from classic plays and side-splitting comedians to musical and dance performances, all under the same roof. With so much choice, you could go every night if you wanted to!

Learn Something New

Those looking to learn more about the background of the area should appreciate the next item on our list. Situated at 137th Street, the Lewis Latimer House Museum once served as a home to the African-American inventor until the very time of his passing. Today, the site is open to all visitors, presenting exhibitions about his greatest achievements and fascinating life and ancestry. A total delight for history buffs and science geeks alike, this place presents a great educational experience for those of all ages. Don’t miss out!

Looking for a great day out that’s both fun and educational? Well, look no further. Located in Flushing Meadows-Corona Park, the New York Hall of Science seeks to cultivate curiosity and wonder in the world around us. Breaking away from the typical museum experience, the institute presents more than 450 immersive displays which work to bring visitors into the learning process. Fan favorites include Rocket Park mini golf, the Design Lab, and the award-winning 60, 000 square-foot Science playground. Perfect for those traveling with family, this place makes for the ultimate day trip.

Another one of our favorite things to do in Flushing is visiting the Queens Museum of Art. Founded in 1972, the gallery offers an interesting cultural experience to remember. Though it isn’t quite a household name, this place is well worth the visit for its iconic Panorama of the City - a scale model of New York that was built for the 1964 World’s Fair, and is continuously updated since then. Other Highlights include its huge map of the city's water supply system and a collection of Louis Comfort Tiffany stained glass. Hey, whilst you’re there, why not try to place yourself on the Panorama?

Visit Some Interesting Landmarks

You don’t have to travel to India to be captivated by beautiful Hindu temples. In fact, the Hindu Temple Society of North America is recognized as one of the very formations of its kind in the Western Hemisphere. Thankfully for us, this unique historical gem welcomes visitors to view its intricately carved stone columns and religious shrines. Whilst you’re there, we also suggest checking out its canteen basement, which is known for serving delicious South Indian cuisine. This place feeds a whopping 4, 000 people a week – and who are we to question that many people?

Flushing is dotted with historic structures dating way back to the 17th and 18th centuries – you just need to know where to look. One of our favorite hidden gems in the area is the Flushing Quaker Meeting House for its long, storied history. Built in 1694, the building is recognized as the oldest house of worship in NYC, and a rare remaining example of ecclesiastical architecture. Visitors can take tours to view its timeworn floorboards, wooden benches and handcrafted ceiling beams. Since the Meeting House still serves as a house of worship, we recommend modest dress. We love this place because it’s impossible to leave without having learned something new!

Ready to explore? Enjoy the best of NYC with the The New York Pass®. You’ll also be able to visit attractions all over New York for one low price.

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What to do in Dry January

If you’re abstaining from alcohol in January (or even February or March), you still need fun stuff to do. And yes, plenty of fun, alcohol-less stuff does exist. You just need to think outside of the box/liquor bottle. Or box of liquor bottles. Our first tip? Don’t think of it as Dry January. Think of of it as Fun January, just without the liquor. Here's what to do in Dry January. Reunion in Brooklyn First up, breakfast! Head to Reunion in Brooklyn; it’s on UNION Avenue in Williamsburg, so that’s cute. It’s an Israeli Café with a cozy vibe, and sidewalk seating when the weather is, you know, not the next four months. Order the Yemenite Pancake, which is fried dough with tahini and a soft-boiled egg. Or maybe the schnitzel on challah, partly because it’s just really fun to say. Get yourself a pomegranate juice and a latte, and you won’t even miss the Mimosa. Robotic Church Ok, you need a distraction. Something different, something new. You need to visit the Robotic Church in Brooklyn. Yes, that's a real thing. Formerly the Norwegian Seaman’s Church, the space is now host to a series of kinetic robots arrayed throughout the entire building. And we do mean entire--they’re on the walls, on the floor, peering over a catwalk. They range from one foot to more than 15, and each one has a task that produces a particular noise, sometimes all at once. Visiting will provide not just an experience, but a story that will see you through Dry January and many days to come. abcv Looking for a bar experience without the bar tab and the bar drinks? Check out abcv, Jean George’s plant-based, largely organic bar and restaurant. Never fear—mocktails and juice-based concoctions abound. Try a cold-pressed organic juice, like the turmeric elixir, with turmeric, local honey, lime, and Himalayan sea salt. Or maybe a shake with pears, coconut, and bee pollen. They also offer homemade sodas and organic iced teas. You can also get actual food, like mushroom walnut bolognese, or sauteed leafy greens. Our favorite category? “Brunch’s dessert.” Try the chocolate mousse parfait. Outsider Art Fair Not drinking? Look at some art! The Outsider Art Fair takes place in January at the Metropolitan Pavilion (other versions take place in other locales around the world), and it’s the time to attend a variety of exhibits from artists who are outside of the mainstream, Exhibits include “Relishing the Raw,” in which contemporary artists display works from their own collections, and “Bogus Cinderellas,” a show about postage stamps that display often fictitious places. You’ll also find talks and special projects, so call up that ”Art History 101” knowledge and check it out this dry January. Wave-Field, Variation O From now through March 31, you can get different kind of buzz—head to Wave-Field, Variation O, a series of glowing, interactive see-saws at Pier 17 next to Seaport Square. Yes, you read that correctly. The exhibit features eight different-sized see-saws, each one with its own musical “vocabulary,” demonstrated when they’re in motion. Play, glide, call on your inner child and your sense of rhythm. Looking for more winter fun to distract yourself? Why not try The New York Pass?
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5 Steps to Beating the New York City Summer Heat

Summer is well and truly upon us, at once awesome and yet unbearable in its glory. There’s still a few months of sun left (fingers crossed) to explore all the wondrous delights that New York has on offer. But it’s also hot. Very, very hot. All those tall, glass, sky-scraping behemoths and streets paved with tarmac mean that NYC scorches like no other. Still, you’ll want to make the most of the sunshine before it skedaddles for another half year, so here are some of the best ways beat the heat in NYC this summer. 1. Stay Hydrated Water is brilliant, isn’t it? Not only does it make up 70-odd percent of your body, it’s also pretty neat to drink too. You should be drinking 2-3 liters a day, and that’s never truer than when the sun’s beating down. Your best bet is to carry a reusable bottle around with you. Not only can you fill it up and one of the many water fountains around, but you’ll also be super environmentally friendly. Of course, if you’re already out with no water bottle of your own, you can pick one up from any number of shops and stands around town. Remember to stay hydrated on the subway too. Not all of them are air-conditioned, and the ones that aren’t can become a humid kind of hell. 2. Dress Light Dare to get those legs out in a sundress or a pair of shorts. Freedom is key – anything tight or heavy is only going to make you sweat buckets. That’s not pleasant for you. Or for anyone else who might be within smell-shot of you. Are you brave enough to don a pair of sandals or flip flops too? O’ courageous one, we salute you. 3. Hide in Air Conditioning Inside Metropolitan Museum of Art Of course, if it all gets a bit much and you want to seek the safety of a beautifully air-conditioned building, there’s plenty of inside hilarity to be had too. Fancy a little culture to go with the cold air? There’s museums aplenty. Looking for a little summer spending spree? Try the innumerable shops. Or if you’re starving, stop by a local restaurant and pray they have air-con. 4. Enjoy some Fro-Yo Ice Cream. Photo via Epoch Times As if you needed an excuse. What better way to beat the heat in NYC this summer than with the ice-cold, sugary delights of ice cream? You’re sure to find ice cream vans on most street corners, so go exploring. Vegan’s can even have their chilly taste buds sated at one of the renowned Van Leeuwen shops around town. 5. Take a Cruise Shearwater Classic Schooner. Photo via Manhattan by Sail Miss all of the hustle, bustle and blazing microclimate of the city by backflipping on to a boat. Sweet moves. If you’ve never seen the city by sea, then you haven’t even lived. There’s plenty of options too. Take a Circle Line Sightseeing Cruise, and catch a glimpse of NYC’s iconic skyline with the glorious breeze running over you. Close your eyes and imagine it. Excellent. Or go say hi to Lady Liberty on the retro Shearwater Classic Schooner. Either way, you’re bound to beat the heat in style. Them’s just some of the ways to beat the heat in NYC this summer. Any hot takes we missed? Let us know down below. Bonus Tip Chinese Folding Fan Stop by Canal Street in Chinatown and pick up one of these lovely, lightweight, handheld refreshing companions. These Chinese Hand Fans are all over Chinatown and can seriously reduce the temperature of your face, thus making you more comfortable.
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A Trip to New York City in Photos

Post was originally published on Denise's blog at Travel with Denise. First impressions of New York Arriving at JFK Airport [spacer height="20px"] After 8 years we finally visit The Big Apple! Our dream came true, it was on our bucket list for a long time. These are our first impressions.. We just love it! After a 9 hour flight with Delta, we take a yellow cab to our hotel. The best way to see the skyline for the first time... This is my number 1 favorite city in the world and I need to go back some day! Room Mate Grace Boutique Hotel Room Mate Grace Hotel in Times Square [spacer height="20px"] Our hotel "Room Mate Grace" is a perfect place to stay in New York. A boutique hotel in the center of New York, close to Times Square (200 meters). But everything's nearby: Broadway theaters, 5th avenue, and dozen of iconic sights. After a long day you can relax at this place; chill out at the pool and poolbar. The rooms are not big, but very clean and modern. You will have a nice bathroom and the service is great! I really recommend this place! Top of the Rock / Rockefeller Center Top of the Rock Observatory [spacer height="20px"] Top of the Rock at Rockefeller Center; an amazing place with a breathtaking view of New York City and beyond. From this point you can see the Empire State Building, awesome! The excitement begins on the ground floor with the rich history and architecture of Rockefeller Center. You can take one of the glass ceiling sky shuttles for a ride to the top. When you have the New York Pass you have a free entry and you can skip the lines, perfect! You can order the New York Pass here: www.newyork.nl. The best time to visit this place is in the morning at 9.00 AM. At the top it's very small and in the evening there many tourists, but the sunset is great to see! Good luck ;) Bryant Park Bryant Park [spacer height="20px"] Bryant Park is a public park and a New York landmark. It's located between fifth and sixth avenue and between 40th and 42nd streets in Midtown Manhattan. The New York Public Library is located within the park, so when you visit the Library, make sure you walk through this park. The buildings around, the flowers and the carousel, make this place incredible! Did you know that the movie Sex and the City staged multiple scenes at the park's carousel? Times Square Times Square [spacer height="20px"] Love this concrete jungle! The most famous square in the whole wide world and one of world's most visited tourist attraction. 450.000 people daily on a busy day, that's more than then Disney theme parks! You will feel so small at this place. It's magical because of the Neon billboards and advertisements, shops, many tourists and costumed characters. At nighttime the billboards light up even more brightly than during the day, so it don't feel like night when you walk there. Do you want to make some awesome pictures without all those people? I had a jet lag so wake up at 5.00 AM, it's very quiet at this time ;) Brooklyn Bridge, Brooklyn Bridge Park & Brooklyn Heights Brooklyn Bridge [spacer height="20px"] I can give you 100 tips and recommendations, but the best one; rent a beach cruiser at Blazing Saddles. When you have the New York pass, you can rent a free beach cruiser for 24 hours. You can pick up your beach cruiser at Pier 17 (in the neighborhood of the circle line cruise) and you can drop your beach cruiser at Pier 17 or Pier 84 at Hudson River Park, it's up to you. The best way to explore New York is on a bike ride. We bike the Brooklyn Bridge, what an experience! There two sections; walk and bike. Very difficult to bike with so many people walking at the bridge, but we did it and it was great! We also visit Brooklyn Park, Brooklyn Heights, Brooklyn Heights Park, DUMBO and back over the Manhattan Bridge. You will see breathtaking views! This is the best ever, especially when you have great weather just like us :) Grand Central Station Grand Central Terminal [spacer height="20px"] Grand Central Station; official name Grand Central Terminal, with 44 platforms, more than any other railroad station in the world. This terminal is also one of the world's most visited tourist attractions, with 21.9 million visitors a few years ago. The station is not owned by Authority, but by a private company. We visit this place at the day there was a congress with Donald Trump, that's the reason why some people demonstrate. A nice thing you need to know is that you can hire an audio tour to learn more about the history. It's not only a station, you can find here shops, restaurants and a market. Really nice to visit this place, it's open daily from 5.30 AM until 2.00 AM. Empire State Building View from the Empire State Building [spacer height="20px"] One of the best places to visit in New York is the Empire State Building. I can't describe the feeling you get when you're on the top and see the view of New York and beyond. WOW WOW WOW! Also for this attraction the best time to visit is early in the morning (like 08.30 AM or 09.00 AM), it's not to crowded and you can make stunning shots! The Empire State Building was completed in a year and 45 days and finished in 1931. It stood as the world's tallest building for nearly 40 years, now One World Trade center is the tallest. Inside this building you will find art deco design. At the 86th-floor observation deck you have a 360-degree view of the city. There is a second observation deck on the 102nd floor, but you need to pay 20 USD extra when you use the New York Pass. 9/11 Memorial & Museum 9/11 Memorial [spacer height="20px"] Impressive that's the best word to describe this place.. The place where 2983 people killed in the attacks of September 11, 2001. This is a place to honor the people who have been killed. You will find two reflecting pools set in the footprints of the Twin Towers and a plaza of trees, including the Survivor tree. The underground museum tells the story of the events of 9/11, while presenting stories with 23.000 images, 10.300 artifacts and over 500 hours of video. The stories you will hear inside the museum will give you goose bumps, so sad what happens. A must see when you visit New York! Open-door Helicopter flight Manhattan View from a helicopter [spacer height="20px"] Ever made a shoe selfie with the One World Trade Center? This is the best experience ever!! An open door helicopter flight with FlyNyon. AMAZING! I wanted to give my husband a special gift on his birthday trip to New York, so I booked a flight at FlyNyon. We took the NJ Path from Manhattan to New Jersey (location of FlyNyon) and take a uber taxi to the hanger. It's possible to take you're iPhone, camera and go pro, they have straps for all your camera's. The view is spectacular! Dumbo - Brooklynn Manhattan Bridge from DUMBO, Brooklyn [spacer height="20px"] Dumbo, Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass is a neighborhood in Brooklyn and it's located between the Manhattan and Brooklyn bridges. That's what makes this area so nice, you can make pictures of the bridges from the other side. If you take a good look you will see the Empire State Building framed by the Manhattan Bridge, this pictures are made from Washington Street. Did you know Dumbo has become Brooklyn's most expensive neighborhood? It's worth a visit by bike! Statue of Liberty at Liberty Island & Ellis Island Statue of Liberty [spacer height="20px"] Some people told us, don't visit Liberty Island, because it's very busy with tourists and it's better to see Lady Liberty from the ferry. But I can tell you, I'm happy we take the free ferry from Battery Park to Liberty Island, because we had a great time! Every 20 minutes there is a ferry who can bring you back to Manhattan or Ellis Island. That skyline is so beautiful to see, I couldn't stop making pictures of it. The Statue of Liberty was smaller then we expected, but very nice to see! After Liberty Island we visit Ellis Island. The place where 12 million immigrants first entered America. We had some high expectations, but it was a disappointing. In the tv movie Hitch, you see some old books where you can find some relatives, but there are no books at Ellis Island, only 100 computers to search for relatives. That's the reason why it was a disappointing for us. Other must sees and photo gallery [URIS id=630] [spacer height="20px"] For more from Denise, visit her blog and follow her on Instagram.
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