Flushing Meadows-Corona Park
About
Flushing Meadows-Corona Park, (Subway: 7 Train to Mets - Willets Point; LIRR: Port Washington Line to Mets - Willets Point). The site of the 1939 and 1964 World's Fairs. The area around the park still includes some architectural and artistic relics of the events (including the Unisphere, a 300 ton spherical grid of steel, the world's largest globe, as featured in "Men In Black"). The park is very expansive, so be prepared to walk, or rent a bike near the Passarelle Building at the north entrance. The park also includes: New York Hall of Science (NYSCI), 47-01 111th St (northwest corner of the park, scross Grand Central Pkwy), ☎ +1 718 699-0005, [3]. Sep-Mar: Tu-Th 9:30AM-2PM, F 9:30AM-5PM, Sa-Su 10AM-6PM. Apr-Jun: M-Th 9:30AM-2PM, F 9:30AM-5PM, Sa-Su 10AM-6PM. Jul-Aug: M-F 9:30AM-5PM, Sa-Su 10AM-6PM. Originally a pavilion for the 1964 World's Fair, this science center is now full of hands-on exhibits for the public. Highlights include Sports Challenge, Rocket Park (featuring full sized Atlas and Titan tickets), and a science playground. $11 adults, $8 studens/senoirs/children. Free admission (Sep-Jun only) offered F 2PM-5PM and Su 10AM-11AM. Queens Botanical Garden, 43-50 Main St (east end of the park), ☎ +1 718 886-3800, [4]. 8AM-6PM daily Apr-Oct, 8AM-4:30PM daily Nov-Mar. Large garden and arboretum featuring a variety of plants, and also a Victorian-style wedding garden. Admission is charged Apr-Oct: $4 adults, $3 seniors, $2 studens and children over 3, free for children under 3. Free admission for all Nov-Mar. Queens Museum of Art, New York City Building (west end of the park, behind the Unisphere), ☎ +1 718 592-9700, [5]. W-Su noon-6PM (open until 8PM on Fridays Jul-Aug). A visual arts center featuring the Panorama of New York City; a large architectural scale model NYC. Suggested donation $5 adults, $2.50 seniors/children, free for children under 5. Queens Zoo, 53-51 111th St (west end of the park, across Grand Central Pkwy), ☎ +1 718 271-1500, [6]. Apr-Oct: M-F 10AM-5PM, Sa-Su 10AM-5:30PM. Nov-Mar: 10AM-4:30PM daily. An 11-acre zoo featuring over 40 wildlife species inlcuding bison, mountain lions, and bears. $8 adults, $6 seniors, $5 children (3-12), free for children under 3. USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, (Take a right after entering the north entrance from the Subway or LIRR), +1 718 760-6200, [7]. Home of the U.S. Open and also the largest public tennis facility in the world. It features 3 stadium courts, 9 indoor courts, and 14 outdoor courts which are available to the public year-round.
