How Locals Spend Free Time in Queens
Curious about what you'll do when you live in Queens? If you like the idea of eating your way through Flushing, getting artsy in galleries and studios, sampling world-class ballpark eats at Citi Field, and are daring enough to try surfing at Rockaway Beach, Queens is calling you home! This list of fun things to do will take you from dawn to well past midnight and give you a solid taste of Queens's wildly diverse energy.
Alexa, Our Local Expert Guiding Your Move
Alexa is a lifelong New Yorker that never left because... well, why would anyone!? She has access to oceans, lakes, vineyards, breweries, museums, and world-class restaurants and entertainment all in her home state. Her most memorable move was buying her first home mid Covid which taught her that hope is not a strategy. She treats BECSPK and everything bagels like fuel, philosophy, and emotional support all in one bite. As the "real Alexa" she has learned to not answer every "Hey Alexa" question within earshot, even though she probably knows the answer. At Snappy Scout she gets to let that knowledge loose, turning lived experience into guidance that actually helps make New York feel a little easier to navigate.
Read moreWritten with local insight from Snappy Scout relocation experts
What Will You Do in Queens?
From weekend adventures to iconic road trips, here's how locals spend their time off.
on a Saturday with perfect weather
Flushing Meadows Corona Park where the Unisphere screams photo op, Citi Field for tailgating before a day game
when the gals come to town for the weekend
Astoria wine bars followed by Greek food that ruins diets
dude hangout
Rockaway Beach for surfing then beers at the boardwalk or in your backyard if you're lucky enough to have room for a few lawn chairs
rainy dreary day
Museum of the Moving Image for old TV nostalgia and something *different*
artsy
MoMA PS1 where the contemporary art gets wonderfully weird
outdoorsy
Kayak the tributaries or bike the entire length somehow, check out creatures at the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge
if you're a shopaholic
Queens Center Mall or brave the chaos at Flushing markets
with your dog
Astoria Park waterfront where every golden retriever shows off, brewery and restaurant patios galore
family oriented
Queens Zoo and the farm where goats judge your life
in need of a selfie
Gantry Plaza waterpark with that Manhattan skyline flex behind you
you have to see this
The Panorama of NYC at Queens Museum is shockingly cool
on a budget
Street food pilgrimage through Jackson Heights then nap it off before catching sunset views
My Favorite Local Spot in Queens
Citi Field, but hear me out - not just for the Mets. This stadium is home to some of the BEST ballpark food (and honestly food in general) in the game. You can't go wrong with a Pat LaFreida steak sandwich or the classic ice cream in a helmet, but check out the seasonal rotations for something different.
— Alexa Matthews
New York Local Expert
Ready to See If Queens Fits You?
Compare cities, check the routes, or head back to the full Queens guide for the bigger picture.