Sunnyside Neighborhood Guide

Sunnyside is a low-key Queens neighborhood that has quietly built a reputation as one of the more livable spots along the 7 train corridor, offering genuine backyards, a historic district of Tudor-style rowhouses, and a 15-minute ride into Midtown Manhattan. Sunnyside Gardens, a planned residential community developed in the 1920s, gives the neighborhood an architectural character you won't find in most of the outer boroughs, with tree-lined blocks that feel distinctly residential without feeling sleepy. The commercial strips along Queens Boulevard and Skillman Avenue draw a mix of longtime Irish bars and a newer wave of cafes and restaurants, and the weekend farmers market has become enough of a draw that weekend brunch lines have become part of the local texture. The neighborhood attracts commuters who want real apartment space and outdoor room without sacrificing access to the city, and it holds onto a small-town feel that larger, trendier neighborhoods tend to lose quickly.