Queens Travel Guide

Looking for an in-depth Queens travel guide?

Then you’re in the right place!

Queens is one of the most diverse and interesting boroughs in New York City. There are many things to do in Queens that will suit every traveler. Whether you’re looking for museums, culture, sports, food, or offbeat activities, Queens has you covered.

Are you wondering what to do in Queens and where to go in Queens to have the best time?

Keep reading to dive into resources that will help you with planning a trip to Queens in New York City.

Note: This ultimate Queens guide contains affiliate links to trusted partners!

Queens Map

Use this Queens tourism map to begin planning your trip to this incredible destination!

Click here for an interactive Google Map version of the above graphic.

Things To Do In Queens

New York City Travel Tips

Best Queens Tours

Explore local culture with a Queens tour guide through these unique NYC excursions:

• Brooklyn, Queens, and the Bronx Private Tour with a Driver-Guide
• Asia In Queens: Exploring NYC’s Largest Chinatown
• Boroughs of NYC: Harlem, Bronx, Queens, Brooklyn & Coney Island
• NYC Bus Tour of Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens: Contrasts, Color and Character

Click here for a full list of NYC travel tours!

Getting Around Queens

Most of the neighborhoods in Queens typically visited by tourists, like Astoria and Long Island City, are very walkable. This is one of the best ways to get around as it’s free and allows you to feel the beat of the borough!

Love cycling? Citi Bike stations are all over Queens, and offer a budget-friendly way to get around in an eco-friendly fashion that also allows you to see the sights.

In terms of public transportation, the best way to get around Queens is via subway, which gets you anywhere you may need to go for just $2.75 — no need to wait in traffic.

Additionally, Queens (and the rest of NYC) is connected via other public transportation options like buses and even ferries. While buses are operated by the MTA, just like the subway, you’ll want to download the NYC Ferry app to see schedules and buy tickets for the ferry.

Prefer a private car service? Uber and Lyft are plentiful in Queens, though do note that cabs tend to be much cheaper. You can hail a cab on many main streets, which is typically your cheapest option, or use an app like Arro or Curb to order one.

Driving? It’s much easier to find parking in Queens than it is in Manhattan, though you can always use the SpotHero website and app to snag super discounted parking spots. This is especially recommended if you end up driving into Manhattan, where finding parking is a nightmare.

Renting A Car In Queens

Need a rental car for your Queens trip?

Use Discover Cars to quickly compare your car rental options.

Their comparison tool does the homework for you, so there’s no need to have up 10+ tabs trying to figure out which company is the most affordable. Actually, you can save up to 70% using their tool!

Hotels In Queens

Click here to browse the best hotels in Queens!

Prefer self-contained stays?

Click here to check out unique local rentals!

You can also use the map below to search for local stays. It’s set to Long Island City, but you can easily change the location to your specific destination:

Queens Travel Insurance

When visiting Queens — or anywhere else in the world — make sure to get travel insurance to protect your health and safety.

In my opinion, the best travel medical insurance for travelers is SafetyWing as they’ve got a large network and offer both short-term and long-term coverage — including coverage if you’re traveling for months as well as limited coverage in your home country).

Additionally, SafetyWing is budget-friendly and offers $250,000 worth of coverage with just one low overall deductible of $250.

With coverage, you’ll have peace of mind as you embark on your Queens travel itinerary.

Click my referral link here to price out travel insurance for your trip in just a few clicks.

Queens Travel Guide FAQ

Below, find answers to frequently asked questions about traveling in Queens in NYC.

Q: What are some fun facts about Queens?

Queens has a fascinating history. Here are some interesting facts you may not know about Queens:

1. The borough of Queens was actually named after a Queen. It got its name in honor of Queen Catherine of Braganza, the wife of King Charles II in England.

2. Steinway pianos have been produced in Astoria, Queens since 1853.

3. Both of New York City’s major airports, LaGuardia Airport and John F. Kennedy International Airport, are located in Queens.

4. The first European settlers in Queens were the Dutch, who colonized the area now known as Flushing. Speaking of Flushing, the neighborhood got its name from its former Dutch name “Vlissingen” which was shortened to “Vlishing” and eventually anglicized to “Flushing.”

5. Queens is home to Citi Field, where the New York Mets play.

Q: How should I spend one day in Queens?

If you have one day in Queens, start off the morning at one of the borough’s world-class museums, like MoMA PS1, Museum of the Moving Image, or the Noguchi Museum. Keep in mind, too, that museums tend to have excellent gift shops, especially if you’re looking for the best souvenirs from New York.

Next, there are many more activities in Queens you can do. Spend some time outdoors and check out the Queens Botanical Garden, Flushing Meadows Corona Park, or Rockaway Beach. Or hit another museum like the New York Hall of Science.

One of the best places to visit in Queens in the evening is Gantry Plaza State Park, where you can watch the sun set over Manhattan. This is truly one of the best places to view the Manhattan skyline from Queens.

Then head to one of Long Island City‘s many restaurants for dinner, or take the subway to Flushing for their famous night market.

Q: Is Queens safe to visit?

Like the rest of New York City, Queens is very safe to visit. In fact, it is ranked above Manhattan, Brooklyn, and The Bronx in terms of safety.

However, you should always exercise basic safety precautions and be vigilant of your surroundings.

For example, avoid walking around unfamiliar areas or isolated streets alone at night. When taking the subway, choose a subway car with more passengers in it instead of an empty one.

Q: What are the top attractions in Queens, New York?

Why is NYC so popular? For one, the many things to do!

Queens is home to some of the best (and most under-rated) attractions in New York City.

For museum lovers, check out the world-class Queens Museum, an art museum located in Flushing Meadows Corona Park, which was home to the 1964 World’s Fair.

Socrates Sculpture Park and the Noguchi Museum are two more art museums in Astoria that can be visited together.

And finally, the MoMA PS1, part of the Museum of Modern Art, should not be missed. This is also a great option for rainy days in New York City since it’s indoors.

For sports fans, you can catch a Mets game at Citi Field or tour the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, where the US Open is held every year.

If you want to enjoy the outdoors, head to the Queens Botanical Garden or Gantry Plaza State Park, which has incredible views of the Manhattan skyline.

During the summer months, Rockaway Beach is a popular local getaway and it’s the only beach in New York where you can go surfing!

Want to explore NYC after midnight? Queens is home to a number of late-night clubs, parties, and event spaces — such as the Knockdown Center in Maspeth.

Q: What are some top Queens neighborhoods to visit?

Queens contains 91 distinct neighborhoods, the most of any borough! With limited time, it’s impossible to visit them all, but these are some of the top neighborhoods to check out.

Long Island City is just across the Queensboro Bridge from Manhattan, and has transformed from an industrial area to a hip neighborhood with tons of restaurants, high-rise apartments, art museums and galleries, and Gantry Plaza State Park with its great waterfront views.

Astoria is another neighborhood that is easily accessible from Manhattan. It has more of a family-friendly neighborhood feel and is also full of great restaurants and bars, like the Bohemian Hall beer garden. Along the waterfront, Astoria Park also offers Manhattan views and is a popular spot to hang out.

Bordering Brooklyn’s trendy Bushwick neighborhood, Ridgewood is a cool neighborhood in Queens that is home to over 30 breweries.

Flushing is one of the most diverse neighborhoods in Queens, and is known for its large Chinatown. Don’t miss the Queens Night Market, where you can sample delicious street food.

Q: How far is Queens from New York City?

Queens is actually located within New York City! It’s one of NYC’s five boroughs along with Manhattan, Brooklyn, The Bronx, and Staten Island.

Q: How much spending money do you need for a week in New York?

The average traveler spends about $240 per day in New York City on accommodations, transportation, food, activities, and other travel expenses.

That being said, there are certainly ways to save money in the city — like staying in hostels, considering Couchsurfing, cooking your own meals, sticking to public transportation, and enjoying some budget-friendly NYC activities.

Q: How long can a tourist stay in New York?

Most visitors from abroad who are allowed to enter the United States — the country New York State is located in — can stay for up to six months. Entry requirements and allowances vary depending on where you are from, so definitely check the US government website.

Q: Do I need a travel visa for New York?

Visa requirements vary depending on where you are from. You can visit the US government website to see if you need a visa and what type.

Q: Where is Queens, New York?

Queens is one of the five boroughs of New York City, which is located in the southeastern part of New York, a state located in the United States. Along with Brooklyn, it sits on Long Island’s western end.

Q: Are credit cards accepted in New York?

Credit cards — particularly Visa and Mastercard — are widely accepted around New York City, though it is always wise to carry some cash for smaller establishments and in case of emergency.

Q: Can you drink the tap water in Queens?

Yes, you can drink the tap water in Queens.

Q: What is the local currency in New York State?

The local currency in New York is the US Dollar (USD).

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