5 Queens Parks That Offer an Urban Escape

Think again! Although parks are a fun—and free—vacation option that give kids a chance to burn off some energy, these Queens parks offer much more. Embark on adventures that include haunted tours, historic sites—and even zip-lining!

Living Large: Flushing Meadows Corona Park

Plan at least a full day to visit Flushing Meadows Corona Park. This 897-acre park—the largest park in Queens—was once the site of two World’s Fairs, and some of the picturesque structures remain onsite. You’ll be dwarfed by the Unisphere, the largest globe in the world at 140 feet high. You can also visit botanical gardens, museums and the home of the U.S. Open. Plus, there are six playgrounds if you just want to have some fun.

High Adventure: Alley Pond Park

Grab your birding binoculars to explore the saltwater and freshwater kettle ponds at Alley Pond Park. Hop on a bike and pedal along a pathway that was William Vanderbilt’s Long Island Motor Parkway at the start of the automobile age. Feeling more adventurous? Learn to canoe with a ranger-led program, or sign up for the Alley Pond Adventure Course where you can zip line, climb a bouldering wall and swing high on the largest challenge course in the area.

Meet the Locals: Juniper Valley Park

If you want to rub elbows with the locals, Juniper Valley Park is the heartbeat of the surrounding Queens community. The locals walk their dogs in this pet-friendly park, and the bocce courts hum with friendly competition nearly round the clock. The city sponsors “sled days” when it snows, complete with hot chocolate. In spring, you can get an eyeful of color from the blooms of the cherry and apple trees that border the park.

All the Pretty Ponies: Forest Park

Take a ride on the intricately carved wooden horses that leap and paw on Forest Park’s antique carousel dating back to the 1890s. When the ride slows to a stop, head out along the park’s rolling terrain where real horses carry riders on pathways that lead through the largest oak woodland in Queens. If you’re a golfer, you can test your skills on the Forest Park Golf Course’s tight tree-lined fairways, which were modeled after Scottish links.

Explore Days of Yore: Fort Totten Park

Thrill the history buffs and nature lovers in your group with an outing at Fort Totten Park. The Civil War fortress overlooks the Long Island Sound, offering panoramic views of the Throgs Neck Bridge and seasonally migrating waterfowl. Take a ranger-led tour of dramatic stone archways and tunnels in the old fort. If you're in town in late October, don't miss the after-dark lantern tour of the fort’s creepiest corridors!

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