Flushing Meadows Corona Park

The basics

You could easily spend a day exploring the highlights of Flushing Meadows Corona Park, which range from public tennis courts to the New York Hall of Science and Queens Zoo. Here, you can play soccer at public fields, wander along public trails and lakes, and enjoy an open green space (almost) that gives Central Park a run for its money. While the museums and cultural institutions are worth the trip to Queens, and the park is more of a local institution than a travel attraction, some NYC borough tours visit the park.

Things to know before you go

• The park is ideal for travelers interested in visiting NYC’s outer boroughs.
• Facilities include barbecue areas, dog runs, Wi-Fi hotspots, and public fitness equipment.
• Restrooms are located near the north side of Meadow Lake, near Soccer Field #6, and south of the zoo.
• If you’re traveling with kids, there’s a playground south of the zoo on Corona Avenue.
• The Mets play home games at CitiField, just north of the park.

How to get there

To reach Flushing Meadows Corona Park from Manhattan, take the 7 train from Times Square-42nd Street toward Flushing, get off at the Mets-Willets Point station, and take a short walk to the park. You can also take the E train to Jackson Heights-Roosevelt Avenue and transfer to the 7 train.

When to get there

Generally, the best time to visit the park is in the spring or fall, when the weather in New York is pleasant. The park hosts many annual festivals, from the Governors Ball music festival in the spring to the summer Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival, a fiberglass rowboat race. The popular Queens Night Market takes place on Saturdays from April to October.

An open-air night market in Queens

For a unique glimpse into the borough’s vibrant multicultural community, visit the Queens Night Market on the northwest side of the park. Open Saturday evenings from spring to fall, it offers the chance to dig into street food by vendors from all over the world —and to catch live performances.