By Liz Frei
Queens is not the first borough of New York that comes to the minds of University students. After seeing the wide variety of exciting events, restaurants and attractions that Queens has to offer, it is a surprising that Queens is not better known.
"Usually, when one thinks of fun in New York, Manhattan is the first place that comes to mind," Carla Garcia, a sophomore and psychology major, said. "But Queens also has a great variety of places to have fun and enjoy and make lasting memories in."
The atmosphere of Queens is one of community and togetherness, exhibiting the most community orientation out of the other five boroughs.
"It's the perfect mix of city and suburb," Evans Julce, a junior and Queens resident, said. "Queens is part of New York and it is almost an obstacle to get to Manhattan for most people unfortunately."
Queens borough is a diverse area with 46 percent of residents born outside of the United States, representing more than 100 nations. This type of cultural diversity leads to the many diverse activities one can find to do in Queens, ranging from ethnic restaurants to festivals.
"Queens has upheld the New York tradition; you can truly experience multiculturalism there," Julce said.
If interested in cultural food, Queens is the place to go. One excellent place to go for Chinese food is the Great Wall Kitchen, located in Flushing. This Chinese restaurant offers a diverse vegetarian menu, so a vegetarian would enjoy eating in this restaurant. The Great Wall Kitchen offers very inexpensive food in a sit down style restaurant.
"When you see other Chinese people eating in a Chinese restaurant, you know it is good," Julce said, commenting on the ethnic precision of the cuisine served.
Another inexpensive restaurant is Annam Brahma, which offers a great variety of vegetarian Indian food in Jamaica Hills. This restaurant is home to true ethnic tastes and is open daily from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. The décor inside the restaurant is tradition al and festive at the same time, giving a fun and enjoyable atmosphere for all of those who come in to dine.
Hispanic food is also a popular choice for Queens residents and it can be found in abundance throughout Queens.
"Roosevelt Avenue in Queens is the place to be for Hispanic food," Garcia said. "The restaurants offer diverse Hispanic foods and are all relatively inexpensively priced. One of the most popular restaurants is La Pequena Colombia, featuring Colombian cuisine."
However, if you are not in the mood for ethnic food, there are many other great places to eat. Byzantio, located in Bayside, is a café with great food and a young atmosphere. [The pricing and atmosphere is] similar to that of the Witches Brew," Rachel Oberlander, a junior and accounting major, said.
The menu includes tiramisu, cakes, appetizers, coffee and espresso. Giving a great place to hang out and unwind, Byzantio is an excellent place to visit with friends.
Queens also has an abundant amount of places to visit during the day. One of the most popular spots in Queens in the Flushing Meadows Corona Park. This park is home to the Queens Museum of Art, a zoo, the Queens Theater, the New York Hall of Science, an ice skating rink and many community games. This park is one of the largest in New York and is a beautiful spot for unwinding on the weekends after a stressful week or a place to enjoy the outdoors on a warm spring or summer day.
While in the Flushing Meadows Corona Park, if you are interested in the sciences, the New York Hall of Science is an amazing place to visit. This is New York's only hands-on science technology center, which features more than 225 exhibits. Admission for a college student with ID is $6, much less expensive than some popular museums found in Manhattan. The wide variety of exhibits that the museum offers ranges from sound to molecules and will not only help you learn something new but also offers a fun and memorable experience.
Also in Flushing are the Queens Botanical Garden and the Queens Museum of Art, both of which contain exquisite displays for the public to see. The Botanical Gardens, though not as large as those in other boroughs, has a homey feeling, very comfortable and community oriented, Julce said. To be able to see the beautiful 39-acre arboretum, there is no fee to enter, but rather a suggested donation. The garden houses everything from flowering trees and large rose garden to an area designed to home birds and bees.
"The squirrels are even friendlier than Hofstra's," Julce said.
If indoor art interests you, the Queens Museum of Art houses lots of new art exhibits and also features the largest panorama of New York City in the world, which is an impressive treat to see. Such exhibits you could see at the Queens Museum of Art include Tiffany collections, free style artists, and Salvador Dali pieces. The museum is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily and costs five dollars for adults.
In Kew Gardens, the Kew Gardens Theater houses many independent movies for those who would rather not travel all the way into Manhattan. The theater has stadium seating with rocking seat and contains numerous theaters within it. The huge lobby offers fresh coffee and cookies, a different treat than the traditional popcorn and soda you would find elsewhere. The theater is also extremely easy to get to. Each movie is five dollars any day before 6 p.m. and is $5 all day on Tuesday and Thursday. This gives everyone access to independent films that wouldn't be viewed in other theaters.
Of course, Queens also houses Shea Stadium, the home of the Mets, in Flushing. Tickets are available during the baseball season to enter one of the most popular baseball stadiums for those who are Met fans.
After a long day in Queens, if you are ready for some exciting nightlife, the borough has plenty to offer. Within Bayside, there are numerous options for great night activities.
"If you are seeking a night out on the town, be sure to take [Bayside] night life into consideration. We have bars, clubs, cafes, restaurants, the young vibe and just a great party atmosphere," Oberlander said.
One of the most popular places in Queens to visit in the evening is Slate, in Bayside. Slate is the home to a great bar, donned with a bar and billiards. Though the entrance is 21 and over, the prices aren't too expensive for a college student's budget. Slate is the home to award winning food and an award winning pool room, ping-pong included. If a relaxed bar atmosphere is what you are looking for, Slate is the place to go in Queens.
If a lounge type hang-out is what you are looking for on your evenings off, the Café Bar in Astoria is a superb place to be. The casual atmosphere keeps those who want to have a relaxing time. The Café Bar also has a vegetarian menu offering medium-priced foods. Open daily from 10 to 4 a.m., the Café Bar offers an exciting, lively vibe.
Kilmegan on Roosevelt Ave. in Queens seems to offer everything that anyone would like out of a bar, from the younger crowd to the older, from the beer drinkers to those who enjoy live music and relaxation. Though the drinks may be a bit pricier than you would find at the clubs around the University, this Irish pub's atmosphere seems to be worth the extra money. Open daily from 11 to 4 a.m., Kilmegan's offers karaoke, a restaurant, bar food and live music every Friday and Saturday. This is certainly a great place for just about anything you would want to experience on an evening off.
Whether you are looking for an exciting festival to attend, a place to relax and enjoy nature, a place to eat, a place to spend your evenings, or a place to learn, Queens offers a wide variety for all this and more.
The Kew Gardens Theater in Queens shows independent screenplays without having to go all the way to Manhattan. (Image courtesy oldkewgardens.com)