Looking for rich culture, world-class food, and iconic NYC history? Head to Flushing! Located in northeastern Queens, Flushing is a dynamic, diverse neighborhood known for its vibrant Asian communities, culinary scene, sports venues, and historic sites. Whether you're exploring Flushing Meadows or diving into dumpling heaven, Flushing is a must-see part of New York City.
Flushing, NY Highlights:
- For Families: Visit the Queens Zoo & New York Hall of Science – Fun for all ages with hands-on exhibits and wildlife in Flushing Meadows-Corona Park.
- For Outdoor Enthusiasts: Stroll through Flushing Meadows-Corona Park – NYC’s second-largest park with trails, lakes, sports courts, and iconic Unisphere views.
- For Kids: Explore the Queens Botanical Garden – A peaceful, educational green space with themed gardens, events, and family programming.
- For an Adventure: Catch a Mets game at Citi Field – Home of the New York Mets, with modern amenities and passionate local fans.
- For Food Lovers: Eat your way through Flushing Chinatown – Sample dim sum, hand-pulled noodles, dumplings, and bubble tea from world-renowned eateries.
Best Time to Visit Flushing, NY
The best time to visit Flushing is from April through October, when the weather is comfortable for exploring parks, festivals, and outdoor dining. Spring and early fall offer great weather without summer crowds. Winters can be cold, but Flushing’s food scene and cultural centers are year-round attractions.
How to Get to Flushing, NY
- By Subway: Take the 7 train to Flushing–Main Street (last stop). It connects directly from Manhattan’s Times Square and Grand Central.
- By LIRR: The Long Island Rail Road also serves Flushing–Main Street Station, providing fast access from Penn Station and eastern Queens/Long Island.
- By Car: Accessible via I-678 (Van Wyck Expressway) or Grand Central Parkway; parking garages available downtown.
- By Air: Flushing is just 15–20 minutes from LaGuardia Airport (LGA) and about 30–40 minutes from JFK Airport.
Where to Stay in Flushing, NY
- Hyatt Place Flushing/LaGuardia Airport – Comfortable modern hotel with rooftop lounge and airport shuttle service.
- The Parc Hotel – Chic, minimalist hotel steps from Main Street with breakfast and skyline views.
- John Hotel – Affordable and clean option with easy access to subway and local eateries.
Best Things to Do in Flushing, NY
⮕ Explore Art and Culture at the Queens Museum
© Linda Bestwick/stock.adobe.com
The Queens Museum in the Flushing Meadows-Corona Park area of Queens, New York showcases a variety of temporary exhibitions throughout the year, as well as an excellent collection of beautiful Tiffany glass. Also featured at the museum is the Panorama, which is a three-dimensional map of the city, constructed for the 1964 World’s Fair and updated regularly. The museum itself was built for the World’s Fair of 1939, housed the United Nations General Assembly for a time, and was used for the 1964 and 1965 World’s Fair.
Flushing Meadows Corona Park, Queens, NY 11368, Phone: 718-592-9700
⮕ Cheer for the Home Team at Citi Field
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For baseball enthusiasts in general, and Mets fans in particular, Citi Field is perhaps one of Flushing’s most iconic attractions. Since 2009, the stadium has been the home field of the New York Mets and formerly the site of New York’s famed Shea Stadium, built back in 1964. In addition to providing a wide variety of seating and amenities for a top-of-the-line baseball viewing experience, Citi Field is also home to the Mets Hall of Fame and Museum. It’s also possible for visitors to take a non-game day guided tour of the stadium, or a choice of more VIP tours on game days.
41 Seaver Way, Queens, NY 11368, Phone: 866-800-1275
⮕ Witness World-Class Tennis at the US Open
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Each year during the week before Labor Day and the week after, every eye in the world of tennis is on the US Open tournament. This world-famous, prestigious tennis tournament is the last of the professional tennis world’s four major international events. The stakes at the US Open are especially high for any teams or players looking to achieve a “Grand Slam,” gaining a win at each of the four major tournaments. While tickets can get quite expensive for a seat to watch the US Open, it may be worth it for die-hard tennis fans to see the event in person.
Flushing Meadow - Corona Park, Flushing, NY 11368, Phone: 718-760-6200
⮕ Sharpen Your Game at the USTA National Tennis Center
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Established in 1881, the USTA National Tennis Center in Flushing, New York is the home of both the Louis Armstrong Stadium and the Arthur Ashe Stadium, as well as the site that hosts the prestigious US Open tournament every summer. The iconic stadium also consists of public tennis courts that can be used throughout the remainder of the year and offers several programs for adult and youth players alike. A visit to the USTA National Tennis Center, designated the national tennis court of the United States, is one of the top things to do for die-hard fans and players in Flushing.
Flushing Meadow - Corona Park, Flushing, NY 11368, Phone: 718-760-6200
⮕ If You Love Wildlife, Spend a Day at Queens Zoo
© Delia/stock.adobe.com
The Queens Zoo
is a destination in Flushing for people to watch Andean bears, playful pumas, and the smallest deer in the world among many other animal residents. Pathways wind through the grounds of the zoological park, guiding guests to a wide variety of wildlife, such as South American Andean bears, American bison native to the Great Plains, and the Southern Pudu of Argentina and Chile. In addition to numerous animal habitats, visitors can also view daily sea lion feedings three times a day. The Farmyard also offers a chance for kids to get up close with farm animals.
53-51 111th St, Corona, NY 11368, Phone: 718-271-1500
⮕ Ignite Curiosity at the New York Hall of Science
© New York Hall of Science
The New York Hall of Science
is the only “hands-on science center” in New York City, featuring over 450 interactive exhibits in the Flushing Meadows-Corona Park in Queens. The many hands-on exhibits include the award-winning Science Playground that encompasses sixty thousand square feet, the Rocket Park Miniature Golf, and the innovative Design Lab, which provides visitors with a better understanding of the engineering and design process. Housed within one of the city’s few remaining buildings from the 1964 World’s Fair, the New York Hall of Science provides on-site parking and is easily reached from the 7 train.
47-01 111th St, Queens, NY 11368, Phone: 718-699-0005
Activities and Attractions for Couples and Singles:
⮕ Shop, Dine, and Explore at New World Mall
© New World Mall
The New World Mall is a popular shopping and food destination situated in the middle of downtown Flushing, New York. The cross-hatched, three-story window wall of the mall provides an enhanced appearance on the busiest block in the area. Home to more than one hundred retail shops, as well as a two-story Asian supermarket, there is plenty to browse, explore, and eat in the New World Mall. The building also includes an underground valet parking garage, a karaoke lounge, a food court, and one of the Tri-State area’s largest dim sum restaurants, able to host up to 1,500 guests.
136-20 Roosevelt Ave, Queens, NY 11354, Phone: 718-353-0551
⮕ Find Peace and Beauty at the Hindu Temple Society of North America
© Hindu Temple Society of North America
The Hindu Temple Society of North America is an intricately-carved temple to the deity Ganesha, one of the Hindu religion’s most worshipped deities. This beautifully sculpted structure would look at home in Southern India, however, it’s a unique attraction in the suburban area of Flushing in the Queens borough. Popularly referred to as the “Ganesh Temple,” the Hindu Temple Society of North America was built as the country’s first traditional Hindu temple. The temple was constructed in the South Indian temple style, built by temple builders from India and skilled craftsmen, and is to the public seven days a week.
45-57 Bowne St, Flushing, NY 11355, Phone: 718-460-8484
What to do if you are traveling with kids:
⮕ Breathe in Nature at Queens Botanical Garden
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The Queens Botanical Garden
is located within the heart of Queens’ Flushing Meadows Park, spanning across almost forty pristine acres of greenery.
This sprawling landscape is full of a wide variety of gorgeous plants and is a destination in Flushing, New York for those seeking a place to relax or a family-friendly excursion for all ages.
The Queens Botanical Garden consists of an array of themed gardens to explore, including the Rose Garden, the Herb Garden, the Children’s Garden, the Bee Garden, the Unity Garden, the Perennial Garden, the Annual Garden, and the Fragrance Walk, as well as seasonal exhibits.
43-50 Main St, Flushing, NY 11355, Phone: 718-886-3800
⮕ If You’re Into Arts and Music, Catch a Performance at Flushing Town Hall
© Flushing Town Hall
An 1862 landmark building, the Flushing Town Hall is operated by the Flushing Council on Culture and the Arts. Once an abandoned building, the hall is now a thriving community center for the performing and visual arts. The facility is made up of offices, a classroom, a gift shop, an art gallery, a theater/concert hall that seats slightly more than three hundred people, and a garden able to accommodate up to 250 guests for outdoor special events. Flushing Town Hall hosts numerous performances year-round, including dance, theatre, classical music, jazz, and more, as well as interactive art workshops.
137-35 Northern Blvd, Flushing, NY 11354, Phone: 718-463-7700
Where to Eat in Flushing, NY
- Nan Xiang Xiao Long Bao – Famous for juicy soup dumplings and Shanghai-style fare (recently relocated to a larger space).
- White Bear – Legendary hole-in-the-wall spot for spicy wontons in chili oil—cash only, and worth the wait.
- Joe’s Steam Rice Roll – Soft, silky Cantonese-style rice rolls made fresh to order.
- Hahm Ji Bach – Top-rated Korean BBQ with sizzling meats and plentiful banchan (side dishes).
If you are interested in local events:
- US Open Tennis Championship (Late August–Early September) – Held at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows.
- Lunar New Year Parade (January/February) – Celebrate Chinese New Year with lion dances, music, and street performances.
- Queens Night Market (Spring–Fall Saturdays) – Global street food, local artisans, and live entertainment near the New York Hall of Science.
If you are looking for unique day trips within 30 Minutes of Flushing, Queens:
- Astoria (20–25 min by subway) – Enjoy Greek food, waterfront parks, and the Museum of the Moving Image.
- Long Island City (25 min) – Art galleries, breweries, and skyline views from Gantry Plaza State Park.
- Jackson Heights (15–20 min) – Explore diverse international cuisines including Indian, Tibetan, and Colombian.
- Forest Hills (20 min) – Stroll a leafy neighborhood with historic Tudor homes and the Forest Hills Stadium concert venue.
- LaGuardia Landing Lights Park (10 min) – For aviation fans, a great spot to watch planes land just above your head.
Frequently Asked Questions:
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What makes Flushing, New York a unique community?
- The area of Flushing, New York has long been a thriving community full of diversity, dating back to its early days as a settlement in 1643.
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Where is Flushing located?
- Flushing is located within the bustling neighborhood of Queens, in New York City.
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What is the demographic makeup of Flushing?
- Around two-thirds of Flushing’s residents are foreign-born, with many coming from Asia.
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What type of cuisine is Flushing known for?
- Due to its diverse population, Flushing is known for serving some of the most delicious Asian cuisine in New York.
At a Glance:
Best Time to Visit |
Places to Stay |
Tips for Visiting |
Spring (March-May) – Mild weather and cherry blossoms in bloom. |
The One Boutique Hotel – A stylish and modern stay in the heart of Flushing. |
Visit the Queens Botanical Garden – See beautiful spring flowers and enjoy peaceful walking trails. |
Summer (June-August) – Warm and lively, perfect for food exploration and outdoor events. |
Hyatt Place Flushing/LaGuardia Airport – A convenient stay with a rooftop lounge. |
Explore Flushing’s food scene – Try authentic Asian cuisine at the New World Mall food court. |
Fall (September-November) – Crisp air and fewer crowds, great for sightseeing. |
Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott New York Queens/Flushing – A comfortable and budget-friendly option. |
Visit Citi Field – Catch a New York Mets game or attend a special event. |
Map:
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