Queens: New York’s largest borough
Queens is New York's largest borough. A world apart, cosmopolitan and authentic. Here's what you need to see!
What to Know About Queens in New York
- Queens is one of New York City’s five boroughs, along with Manhattan, Brooklyn, the Bronx, and Staten Island. Queens is New York’s largest borough by area, covering nearly 283 km² (109 sq mi). That’s roughly three times the size of Paris proper.
- Queens sits in the northeast of New York. The borough is bordered by the East River and Roosevelt Island to the east and Brooklyn to the south. The borough is home to nearly 2.3 million residents.
- You’ll notice the borough is called Queens, not “the Queens.” In English, like Manhattan and Brooklyn, the name takes no article. Read my article explaining the correct spelling of the borough.
Queens’ Different Neighborhoods
Given its size, Queens is far from uniform. It’s remarkably diverse, with neighborhoods that feel completely different from one another. Each has its own character:
- Astoria: This is New York’s Greek heart. You’ll find countless restaurants and shops that transport you to Athens. The neighborhood is also home to Kaufman Astoria Studios, historic film studios that thrived during the silent film era before Hollywood took over.
- Flushing: welcome to New York’s other Chinatown. Flushing is the second-largest Chinatown in the United States, after San Francisco’s Chinatown.
- Corona: This neighborhood is shared today by Italian and South American communities. It remains distinctly Latin in character.
- Long Island City: This neighborhood lines the East River, facing Roosevelt Island. Once an industrial area, it now hosts numerous upscale residential towers. You’ll also find luxury hotels with panoramic rooftop bars.
- Kew Gardens: This part of the borough is home to a significant Eastern European Jewish community.
- Jamaica: Near JFK Airport, this neighborhood is primarily home to African American and Caribbean communities.
- Facing Jamaica Bay, head to the 11 km (6.8 mi) of beaches at Rockaway Beach. This peninsula is home to New York’s only beaches where surfing is allowed.
- Jackson Heights: walking these streets feels like traveling through Asia. The neighborhood has large communities from India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh.
What to See in Queens
Even if you’re only in New York for a week, make time for Queens. You’ll experience the city’s true cosmopolitan spirit and escape the typical tourist trail. Here are the top sights to visit in Queens:
- Flushing’s Chinatown: If you visit only one neighborhood in Queens, make it Flushing’s Chinatown. This Chinese neighborhood is far more authentic than Manhattan’s Chinatown and much less touristy.
- Gantry Plaza State Park: this waterfront park along the East River offers sweeping views of Midtown. Strike up conversations with the anglers on the piers.
- Queensboro Bridge: This bridge connects Queens to Manhattan, crossing the East River and Roosevelt Island. You can walk across using the pedestrian path.
- Flushing Meadows–Corona Park: Built to host the 1939 and 1964 World’s Fairs, this sprawling park in eastern Queens still showcases some of those pavilions, now repurposed. Visit the Queens Museum and the New York Hall of Science. Don’t miss the Unisphere, a massive 42 m (138 ft) globe. The park also hosts the US Open tennis tournament every year—another reason to explore this neighborhood.
- Calvary Cemetery is worth a visit too. Built in 1848, it’s now one of the world’s largest cemeteries and offers spectacular views of Manhattan’s skyline.
- MoMA PS1: If you love contemporary art, visit this MoMA outpost in Queens. Housed in a former public school, it showcases cutting-edge installations.
- JFK Airport: While not a tourist destination, New York’s busiest airport—and the city’s main entry point—is located in Queens.
Practical Information
- How to get there: From Manhattan, take subway lines 7, E, M, F, R, N, or W. From Brooklyn, take line G. The borough is also served by the Astoria Route ferry line.
- Tip: To see the highlights of the borough efficiently, join a guided tour of Queens. The tour covers all the key sights, from Flushing’s Chinatown to the East River waterfront.
Queens in Photos
