Flushing Meadows-Corona Park

Activity Overview

Flushing Meadows-Corona Park is a public park in Queens that is the fourth largest public park in New York City. Before its conversion into a park site for the 1939 New York World's Fair, the area was a large ash dump which was famously mentioned in The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald. In addition to featuring typical park facilities such as sports fields, playgrounds, and walking paths, it is also home to a zoo, museums, a botanical garden, a baseball stadium, and many more popular attractions. If you're looking for a family-friendly attraction in New York City where you can do anything from play a game to learn about science, then Flushing Meadows-Corona Park is a place you should definitely visit!

Things to Do

• Take your kids to one of the park's eight different playgrounds, including the World's Fair Playground, which was constructed in 1939 and features swings, a spray shower, play equipment, a tennis court, a basketball court, and much more. See the full list of playgrounds here.
• Visit the animals at the Queens Zoo, such as pumas, sea lions, alligators, parrots, and bald eagles!
• Escape the summer heat with a visit to the indoor pool - learn more about hours here.
• Don't miss your chance to ride the Flushing Meadows Carousel! Choose your favorite horse and enjoy the ride on this historic carousel created for the 1964 New York World's Fair.

Flushing Meadows–Corona Park Insider Tips

• On a rainy day, head to the park's indoor attractions, including the New York Hall of Science and the Queens Museum, which is known for its excellent art collection.
• Stop by the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, which has been home to the US Open tennis tournament since 1978, for a visit - or attend the event itself in August or September!
• Bring along some food and have a relaxing family picnic in the park - there are tons of areas where you can sit and eat, as well as grills you can use for a summer barbecue.