Queens, New York
“The whole of Queens itself! I go all over the borough to the different events-the parades, the festivals, everything.”
-Elaine Goldstein, Flushing
“Just walking around the streets is exciting in itself. There’s all kinds of people, and you always gotta be on the lookout.”
-Joe Varrone, Queens
Flushing Meadows Corona Park’s 700,000-pound Unisphere still stands as one of the best symbols of Queens.
|
Best Park With Potential
Flushing Meadows Corona Park
“As wonderful as it is now, it’s an underrated asset with a lot of potential. Imagine reopening the pool, building an indoor recreation center, or starting recreation programs for Queens youth.”
-Sherry Schwartz, Elmhurst
“There are a lot of statues around, the big globe, and a lot of green fields to look at.”
-Brian Goodman, Bayside
Most Relaxing Reservoir
Oakland Lake
Northern Blvd. And Cloverdale Blvd., Bayside
“Great for walking and fishing. It’s a good place to relax.”
-Barry Buckstein, Bayside
“A great country spot in a big city.”
-Caroline Meyerhoff, Oakland Gardens
Best Place To Pop In For A Pop Fly
Shea Stadium
“I enjoy taking my kids there to watch the Met games. It was their first professional sports experience when they were younger.”
-Michael Warren, Bayside
“Met games are great!”
-Helen Kaufman, Bayside
Best Artistic Supporters
Queens Council On The Arts
“They celebrate and support the world of artists in Queens.”
-Kerry McCarthy, Jackson Heights
Most Relaxing Ride
The Long Island Rail Road
“Clean, safe and comfy.”
-Grace Santamaria, Bayside
Best Information Cache
The Queens Public Library
Branches borough-wide
“The selection, the programs, the technology-you have the whole world in your hands.”
-Sherry Schwartz , Elmhurst
Best Art School
P.S.1 Museum
22-25 Jackson Ave., Long Island City
“P.S.1 in Long Island City is a contemporary art institution. There are a lot of programs because it’s a MOMA affiliate. Every Saturday, they have music and beer there. It’s great entertainment for younger people.”
-Hitomi Iwasaki, Jackson Heights
“Best spaces and beautiful contemporary art.”
-Michelle Grasberg, Ozone Park
One of the best ways to see the Borough? Take a ride on the No.7 line. Tribune Photo by Ira Cohen
|
Best Pick-Up Line
MTA No. 7 Subway Line
“Breathtaking views of the borough and Manhattan.”
-Michelle Grasberg, Ozone Park
“My favorite thing is to take my grandchildren for a ride on the No. 7 train. There is the magic of watching the train become an elevated vehicle while they are glued to looking out of the windows.”
-Ida Axelrod, Flushing
“I like walking along the line of the No. 7 train. It’s like walking through different countries.”
-Di Luong, Sunnyside
Best Lob-ster Joint
Flushing Meadows Corona Park Tennis Courts
Flushing Meadows Corona Park
“I play tennis at the courts near the U.S. Open Stadium. The whole park is great.”
-Elaine Goldstein, Howard Beach
Best Free Sounds
Forest Park Bandshell Concerts
Forest Park
“The concerts at Forest Park. They’re always free, and the music they play is usually a lot better than the stuff you hear on the radio.”
-Joe Varrone, Woodside
Best Place To Take In The Scenery
Queens Botanical Garden
43-50 Main St., Flushing
“It’s very relaxing to walk around there.”
-Michael Warren, Bayside
Most Serene Art Scene
Isamu Noguchi Garden Museum
36-01 43rd Avenue, Long Island City
“Gives you a sense of serenity.”
-Nancy Ong-Russo
Best Place to Catch a Wave
Rockaway Beach, Rockaway
“Rockaway Beach. I go there a lot in the summer. They have big waves and good swimming.”
-Brian Goodman, Bayside
Most Fun Run
Forest Park
“I try to jog every morning over there. I only live five minutes away, so it’s easy to get to.”
-Eric Wexler, Forest Hills
Best Place To Go Postal
Tour of the Long Island City Main Post Office
45-08 30 Ave., Long Island City
“It’s very interesting to see how mail is sorted.”
-Kathleen M. Frank, Corona
Best Place To Get Physical
Bell Plaza Health Club
46th Ave. and Bell Blvd., Bayside
“They have a great staff.”
-Grace Santamaria, Bayside
“The best staff.”
-Sebastian Cohen, Bayside
“Professionally and efficiently run.”
-Marvin Wasserman, Flushing
Spacious-est Shopping
One of the best ways to see the Borough? Take a ride on the No.7 line. Tribune Photo by Ira Cohen
|
Queens Center Mall
90-15 Queens Boulevard, Elmhurst
“It’s a huge place with a lot of shops.”
-Howard Wu, Flushing
“It’s a huge place to shop and there’s a big range of stores to choose from.”
-Eric Wexler, Forest Hills
Best Shops, Gumdrops
Dexter Court to 100th Street on Jamaica Avenue
“A lot of stores and restaurants, including New Pop’s Restaurant, Schmidt’s Confectionery, Jack & Jill Children’s Shop, Park Place Flowers, and much more.”
-Maria Thomson, Woodhaven
Best (M)alternative
Getting Out of Queens
“I don’t like the malls around here. I usually go to Lake Success or Valley Stream.”
-Elaine Goldstein
Best Stain In the Glass
Tiffany In Queens Collection At Queens Museum of Art
Flushing Meadows Corona Park
Charles Tiffany’s son didn’t have much interest in the family jewelry business-he was drawn to nature and preferred landscape painting-but Louis Comfort Tiffany made plenty of noise breaking into the stained glass business.
The collection at the Queens Museum of Art shows off some gems from Tiffany’s manufacturing career, which began in a small factory in Corona in the 1880s. And these aren’t just window dressings. The collection also features lampshades. Tiffany’s 20th Century twist to the colorful panes once found exclusively in churches across Europe.
Check out the special audio-visual demonstrations on the manufacturing of the glass; watching the fiery process will give you a new respect for the end result. (Joshua Parish)
Best Place To Lighten Up
Curves of Bayside
38-39 Bell Blvd., Bayside
“Friendly, helpful staff.”
-Laura Lazarus, Bayside
“I relax doing a lot on the exercise machines, each one for ten minutes.”
-Helen Kaufman, Bayside
Best Place To Gussy Up
Marracino Salon and Day Spa
152-67 10th Ave., Beechhurst
“Great manicures, pedicures, and hairstylists.”
-Beth Carter
Least Stuffy Working Stiffs
Bulova Corporate Center
75-20 Astoria Blvd.
“Excellent place of business, very pleasant people!”
-Kav Russo, Flushing
Best Place To Spend Time With Friends
71st Street and Continental Avenue
“71st Street and Continental Avenue in Forest Hills. It’s a good meet-up place and there are a lot of stores there.”
-Alonsa Marion, Jamaica
Best Way To End The Summer
Football, friends and bar fare
“I like watching football games with my buddies in the bars. We go all over. I like when fall comes around.”
-Joe Varrone
Most Trustworthy Grease Monkeys
Barney’s Service Station
Francis Lewis Blvd. and Horace Harding Expwy., Fresh Meadows
“Honest, hard-working mechanics.”
-Laura Lazarus, Bayside
Best Place For Just About Anything
Target Stores
13505 20th Ave., College Point
“They have everything in that place.”
-Sebastian Cohen, Bayside
Most Amiable Retail
Bay Terrace Shopping Center
26th Avenue and Bell Boulevard, Bayside
“Everyone in the mall is friendly.”
-Howard Wu, Flushing
“I’m there all the time because I live right there.”
-Michael Warren, Bayside
Best Do’s
Intercession Salon, Anthony Amen, Hair Colorist
23-14 Francis Lewis Blvd.
“Tops in his field!”
-Laura Lazarus, Bayside
Most Rare Jewelers
Alisha’s Jewelry
Bay Terrace
“I’ve bought great pins and money clips from there.”
-Helen Kaufman, Bayside
Best Place to Take a Look in a Book
Queens Library, Sunnyside Branch
43-06 Greenpoint Ave., Sunnyside
“Great staff, book selection, and atmosphere.”
-Maureen Brennan, Woodside
Best Prospect For A Landmark
Forest Park Carousel
“It’s the Greater Woodhaven Development Corporation’s aim.”
-Maria Thomson, Woodhaven
Best At Getting the BID-ness Done
Woodhaven Business Improvement District
“This BID does more with less with the best Executive Director and staff.”
-Arlene Annunziata, Woodhaven
Most Knowledgeable College
Queens College
Horace Harding Expwy. and Kissena Blvd.
“One of the best four-year colleges.”
-Caroline Meyerhoff, Oakland Gardens
“The best way people can spend money is on a good education.”
-Helen Kaufman, Bayside
Most Reliable Retailer
Macy’s Department Store
Queens Center Mall
90-11 Queens Blvd.
“I just always go there, I don’t find any other place nicer. I haven’t had any problems with them, never had any complaints.”
-Patricia Fernandes, Elmhurst
“Any Macy’s anywhere is good for me.”
-Janie Cook, Long Island City
Most Relaxing Weekend Spot
“My house.”
-Howard Wu, Flushing
END OF PAGE 10
Most Photogenic Green Spot
Flushing Meadows Corona Park
“I’m a photographer, so there’s a lot of good stuff to shoot around there.”
-Alonsa Marion, Jamaica
Best Banana For Your Bucks
Banana Republic
Queens Center Mall
90-11 Queens Blvd.
“They have nice things. Everything that I’m wearing is Banana Republic right now. And they train their people very well.”
-M. Bierber, Forest Hills
Best Place To Get In Touch With Your Inner Shopper
“Austin Street. I hate the mall-this is smaller and more individual.”
-Ricky Chen, Astoria
Best Name-Droppers
Men’s Warehouse
The Bay Terrace Shopping Center
24-20 Bell Blvd., Bayside, and other locations
“They remember my name. I think it’s the key to customer service.”
-Pierre Farrow
Easiest On The Budget, Feet
The Shops Along Jamaica Avenue
From 169th St. to Parsons Blvd.
“It’s inexpensive and it’s convenient.”
-Stephanie Court, Jamaica
Swankest Swap Meet
Aqueduct Flea Market
“They have a variety of stuff. Electronics, shoes, jewelry-anything you need.”
-Joseph Morón, Rockaways
Best Off-Off-Broadway
Queens Theatre In The Park
Flushing Meadows Corona Park
“Great off-Broadway stuff, and close by.”
-Catherine Lomuscio, College Point
Best Place For Peace And Quiet
Barnes And Noble
176-60 Union Turnpike
“At the Barnes and Noble on Union Turnpike none of the sales associates bother me when I’m trying to search for a good book.”
-Stephanie Court, Jamaica
Best Island Paradise
Nahoku Jewelers
Queens Center Mall, 90-11 Queens Blvd.
“You go in there and everybody greets you with a big ‘aloha.’ There’s Hawaiian music playing in the background, and murals on the walls. They have the spirit of aloha. Other stores are like, ‘Well, what do you want?’ People tend to be very judgmental based on who comes into the store. They size you up. At Nahoku, everybody is treated the same way. Nobody rushes you, nobody pushes you. The atmosphere is very conducive to shopping.”
-Mark Baraket, Astoria
Best Starch And Start-Ups
City View Cleaners
49-04 Vernon Blvd.
“They’re friendly and they help people find rooms. The owner helps kids in the neighborhood get jobs, too.”
-Mary Jo, Long Island City
Best Place to Pay It Forward
Steinway Street
Long Island City
“I’d start on one end and not stop until I get to the other end. They’ve got a lot of great shops there.”
-Mark Baraket, Astoria
Best Place For Drugs And Hugs
Duane Reade Pharmacy
95-11 63rd Dr.
“They’re very courteous and I’m used to going there. I get my prescription filled there.”
-Allen Smith, Rego Park
Best Place To Light Up The Night
Forest Park
Woodhaven Blvd. and Myrtle Ave.
“At night, if you’re standing at the top of the hill, you can see the city and its lights.”
-Tyleah Watkins, Jamaica
Most Delectable District
Austin Street
“The shopping district of Austin Street in Forest Hills is an area that has an excellent range of restaurants. They have so many kinds of ethnic restaurants. It’s the best place in Queens to go eat.”
-Mark Baraket
“I grew up there in that area. I’ve lived there my entire life and I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
-Alex Bukay, Woodhaven
Best Community Prayers
Astoria Community Baptist Church
31-17 21st St., Astoria
“I’ve been going there for years and it’s been there for years.”
-Janie Cook, Long Island City
Best Place To Be Young Again
Cunningham Park
Union Turnpike and 193rd St.
“It was a quiet place near my home where my sister and I played.”
-Stephanie Court, Jamaica
Best Ride For No Reason
“I used to ride the 7 train just for fun.”
-Ricky Chen, Astoria
Most Exciting Park
Forest Park
Woodhaven Blvd. and Myrtle Ave.
“Everything goes down in the park.”
-Tyleah Watkins, Jamaica
Most Amazin’ Location
Shea Stadium
123-01 Roosevelt Ave.
“There’s baseball and there’s a good sound system.”
-Joseph Morón
Best Change For The Better
South Jamaica
“For what it is evolving to be, it’s interesting to me.”
-Tyleah Watkins, Jamaica
Most Shoppable Strip
Steinway St.
“Steinway. There are a lot of stores there and it’s a great place to be.”
-Ricky Chen
Best Place To Get In The Mood
Flushing Meadows Corona Park
“It’s peaceful at night. They have a fountain, and lights. It’s real nice out there.”
-Joseph Morón
Most Refreshing Romance
Pepsi Piers
East River and 51st Avenue
“Long Island City right by the Pepsi piers. It’s really nice out there.”
-Ricky Chen, Astoria
Most Secret Spot For Romance
Lover’s Lane near August Martin High School
“It was just a spot where the couples go, sit and look at the water.”
-Tyleah Watkins, Jamaica
Best Place to Lounge Around
Continental Avenue
“My wife and I like going to Continental Avenue and sitting on the benches at McDonald Park. It’s nice down there. It’s almost like the Village.”
-Allen Smith, Rego Park
Best Outside Education
New York Hall Of Science
“Anyplace where my daughter can get out and be daddy’s little girl is great.”
-Pierre Farrow, Richmond Hill
“They’ve got a lot of exhibits there. It’s something different and a good place to go. It’s different because there’s a little restaurant, and if you don’t want to go to the Hayden Planetarium or Liberty Center in New Jersey, you can go right here.”
-Mark Baraket, Astoria
Best Place to Spend Your Paycheck
Queens Center Mall
90-11 Queens Blvd.
“I’ve been to a lot of malls in New York City-and outside of New York City-and this mall seems to have a good diversity of shops. And the prices are very, very good.”
-Mark Baraket, Astoria
“Queens Center Mall has a vast variety of stores, and it’s been recently renovated.”
-Stephanie Court, Jamaica
“As far as I’m concerned, the mall is a good place. There are probably more places, but this is great.”
-Philip, Rego Park
Most Pleasing Tease
Gallagher’s 2000
43-19 37th St., Long Island City
“Great food, beautiful women.”
-Joe Johnson, Valley Stream
Best Medicinals
Rite Aid
63-37 108th St., and other locations
“Rite Aid drug store has been here longer than I have, and I’ve been here for 32 years.”
-Allen Smith, Rego Park
Best Pee-Wee Paradise
Preller Field
Hillside Ave. near 236 th Street, Bellerose
Nestled within the grassy flatlands of the quaint village of Bellerose lies a small field where big dreams come true.
Preller Park, just a baseball’s throw away from the Cross Island Parkway, is the Queens sports facility that has served as the premier developmental grounds for some of the borough’s top young sluggers and hurlers. Children of all ages-from topnotch high school athletes all the way down to little gigglers picking up a bat for the first time-enjoy the memorable sunny afternoons that Preller field offers.
Whether coming in from around Queens or even crossing the border of Nassau County, scores of kids that have honed their skills on the Bellerose Field. High school baseball and softball teams, such as Francis Lewis and Midwood, have faced off in playoff games there. No matter who is there to enjoy it, Preller Field is where big-time baseball happens. (Jeff Feinman)
Best Medical School
New York Medical Career Training Center
36-09 Main St., Flushing
“A great place to learn and find success in the medical field.”
–Sean Branson, Maspeth
Best Renovation
Queens Center Mall
90-11 Queens Blvd.
“I remember when I was little it was such a small thing, and now it’s gotten so big.”
-Allen Smith
Best Historical View
Forest Hills Gardens
“Austin Street, the shops, Metropolitan Avenue, the restaurants, especially Greek food—we really like it there.”
–M. Bierber, Forest Hills
Best Place For Popcorn Eaters
Midway Theater
108-22 Queens Blvd.
“The Midway Theater is great, and it’s the close to our house.”
–Allen Smith, Rego Park
“I like the movies at Midway on Continental, it’s a good place.”
–Patricia Fernandez, Elmhurst
Best Green Scene
Queensbridge Park
21st St. and Vernon Boulevard
“I like to take walks there from time to time. It’s really nice to just look over at the water.”
–Janie Cook, Long Island City
Best League For Pee-Wees
Richmond Hill Little League
“All my childhood memories revolve around sports. I played in the Richmond Hill Little League from when I was 8 all the way until I was 18. There are some good memories—getting a chance to be a kid.”
–Pierre Farrow
Best Grand Opening
Flushing Meadows Corona Park
“Flushing Meadows Park has so much open space. We just go there and do whatever.”
–Ricky Chen, Astoria
Best Place For A Stroll
Forest Park
Woodhaven Blvd. and Myrtle Ave.
“I spend a lot of time there walking around.”
–Alex Bukay, Woodhaven
Best Public Pool When You’re Out Of School
Astoria Pool
“In Astoria Park you got the pool, the court and the park; everything you need as a kid is right there.”
–Jeremy Diaz, Hollis
Best Trolley Memories
“I remember when we had to take the trolley to Greenpoint right over the bridge.”
–Mary Jo, Long Island City
Best Attraction, Kids
Distraction
Queens Wildlife Center
53-51 111th St
“[My daughter] looked like she enjoyed it when I took her.”
-Tyleah Watkins, Jamaic
Best Place To Be A Kid
Forest Park
Woodhaven Blvd. and Myrtle Ave.
“I enjoy watching [my daughter] have fun and be a kid.”
-Pierre Farrow, Richmond Hill
Best Window Shopping
Austin Street
“We live two blocks away. We go browsing and to all the restaurants.”
-M. Bierber, Forest Hills
Best Investment In The Future
Public Schools in Queens
“I think the schools are great because I work part time in the school system and that’s where the future is.”
-Beth, Howard Beach
Best Strip For A Day Trip
Forest Hills
“My wife and I like going to Greek restaurants, going to ethnic kinds of places, things like that. This area is provides a nice way to spend they day.”
-M. Bierber, Forest Hills
Best Place to Roar
“Shea Stadium because of the great baseball and the roar of the crowd and the atmosphere.”
-Mike Rizzo from Forest Hills
Most Contemporary Class
P.S.1 Museum
22-25 Jackson Ave., Long Island City
“P.S.1 in Long Island City is a contemporary art institution. There are a lot of programs because it’s a MOMA affiliate. Every Saturday, they have music and beer there. It’s great entertainment for younger people.”
-Hitomi Iwasaki, Jackson Heights
Best Landmark
The Unisphere
Flushing Meadows Corona Park
“A national landmark in your community.”
-Catherine Lomuscio, College Point
Best Good Cents
J.C. Penney’s
Queens Center Mall
“The prices are great.”
-Maureen Rice, Rego Park
Cheapest A-track-tion
Aqueduct Race Track
“It’s really cheap and you get name brands.”
-Joanna Wojcik and Elizabeth Basedow, Middle Village
Best Taste In Retail
The Gap
Queens Center Mall
“The GAP because the clothing is nice and the prices are good, and there is a good taste for everybody.”
-Andres Alvarez from Elmhurst
Best Bargains
Target Stores
“It’s a bargain when you’re looking for sales.”
-Ludmila Kandov from Forest Hills
Best View From The Valley
Juniper Valley Park
“You can see the skyline”
-Joanna Wojcik and Elizabeth Basedow
Best View From The East
The East River
“ Looking from Long Island City towards the Manhattan Skyline.”
-Ralph Thomas, Elmhurst
Best View Of The Unisphere
Flushing Meadow Corona Park
“At night looking at the lit up stainless steel world globe from 25 feet away, and when the fountains are on.”
-Jerry Jacobs,Flushing
Best Way To Relieve Stress
Shopping Queens Center Mall 90-15 Queens Blvd.
“Shopping is something that I love.”
-Maureen Rice, Rego Park
Most Relaxing Scene
Kissena Park
Flushing
“Kissena Park is a nice little park, and I’ve always lived near there.”
-Pat Hennessey, Flushing
Most Famous Sporting Event
US Open
Flushing Meadows Corona Park
Arthur Ashe Stadium
“It’s a world-renowned sports event.”
-Catherine Lomuscio, College Point
Best Place To Pump Up
Kew Gardens
“I like the Balley’s Gym, on Queens Blvd.”
-Blanca Taveras, Forest Hills
Best Diversity
The #7 Subway Line
Forest Hills
“Observing the multi-ethnic mix on the #7 train line, which makes the fabric of our borough so exciting and interesting and educational.”
-Jerry Jacobs, Forest Hills
Best Un-Mall Experience
Shopping on Austin Street
“There are a lot of stores-and it’s not the mall.”
-Joanna Wojcik and Elizabeth Basedow, Middle Village
Best Chutes And Ladders
Queens Center Mall
90-15 Queens Blvd.
“I like the slide and tunnel in the Queens Center Park.”
-Maureen Rice, Rego Park
Best Distraction For The Kids
Metropolitan Mall
“Funtopia in the Metro mall, because it’s a lot of activity for them (the kids), there’s a ballroom and lazar tag.”
-Beth Gluick, Middle Village
Best Ethnic Taste
Flushing Meadow Corona Park
“The fireworks and the ethnic festivals, and it’s a good place to go for peace and quiet, and it’s within walking distance, and it’s a quiet place in Queens.”
-Ralph Thomas, Elmhurst
Best Alternative To Summer Blockbusters
Lefferts Movie Theatre
Kew Gardens
“Lefferts Movie Theatre in Kew Gardens because of all the independent films that run in the Tribeca and the Sundance. I’ve never seen a bad movie there.”
-Fran Kanowsky, Rego Park
Most Macho Nachos
Midway Movie Theatre
“Midway movie theatre, because they’re good and big, and they sell the best nachos.”
-Joanna Wojcik, Middle Village
Most Accommodating Salon
Expo Salon
Forest Hills
“It is friendly and accommodating and the proprietor is competent and there is a friendly staff.”
-Jerry Jacobs, Forest Hills
Friendliest Pharmacy
Colony Drug Store
Forest Hills
“The owner is a very nice guy.”
-Mike Rizzo, Forest Hills
Most Convenient Store
7-11
Queens Blvd.
“I go every day to buy coffee, the newspaper, play the lotto-and I’m friends with the employees.”
-Blanca Taveras, Forest Hills
Best Fair Trade
Tradefair in Rego Park
“They’re friendly, accommodating, and very neighbor-hoody. I like that.”
-Fran Kanowsky, Rego Park
Best Image Makers
Image Salon
Rego Park
“They know me.”
-Maureen Rice, Rego Park
Most Knowledgeable Buzz
Starbucks, Queens Center Mall
“They know what I want when I walk up to the counter.”
-Ralph Thomas, Elmhurst
Most Determined Donators
Jo-Lee’s
Middle Village
“The people there gave donations for P.S. 149, to help for graduation, and they donated for kids, which was very cool.”
-Beth Gluick, Middle Village
Most Satisfying Salon
Expo Salon in Forest Hills
“Expo Salon because they make the customers happy and keep them coming back for years and years.”
-Ludmila Kandov, Forest Hills
Best Place To Get Bookish
Barnes and Noble on Austin Street
“The service is good and the people are nice.”
-Dustin Schwartz, Forest Hills
Best Otherworldly View
Queens Borough Community College Observatory
222-05 56th Ave. Bayside
It may not be well known, but Queensborough Community College houses a telescope atop their library to give astronomy students a bird’s eye view of the Universe. The observatory, built in the early 1980s, is used to research-and maybe even discover-stars, galaxies, and extra-solar planets. It now houses a brand new 16-inch reflecting telescope, which was installed last year.
George Tremberger, a lecturer and astrology teacher at the college, is currently using the observatory and the telescope to do research on light curves of stars, to detect possible planets in orbits around them.
As of now the observatory is not currently opened to the public, but the Community College plans a public night in the fall where constituents can come and explore space, the stars-and everything else in the galaxy. (Brent Weitzberg)
Most Memorable Movies
Midway Movie Theatre
71st and Continental Ave., Forest Hills
“Midway Movie Theatre just keeps improving.”
-Joanna Wojcik, Middle Village
Best Green Thumbs
Forest Hills Gardens
Forest Hills
“It’s a preserved community and has a special quality of the neighborhood.”
-Gerald Mcormick, Elmhurst
Best Ballgames
Shea Stadium
“Everybody knows it.”
-Andres Alvarez, Elmhurst
Most Local Pride
Flushing Meadows Corona Park
“The site of the former World’s Fair because it was our answer to Central Park. They have Central Park and we have Flushing Meadows Corona Park.”
-Jerry Jacobs, Forest Hills
Most Reliable Retail
Walgreen’s
Forest Hills
“They have been here a long time and they are helping to serve the community.”
-Blanca Taveras, Forest Hills
Best Schoolyard Memories
Sacred Hearts Academy
“My best memory was Sacred Hearts Academy, because the Polish school there on Saturdays was the best.”
-Joanna Wojcik, Middle Village.
Most Inspiring View
Astoria Pool
Astoria
“That’s where I first became aware of the wonderful view of Manhattan.”
-Ralph Thomas, Elmhurst
Best Animal Farm
Flushing Meadows Corona Park
“Flushing Meadows Corona Park petting zoo and carousel is a lot of fun and good for a day out.”
-Beth Gluick, Middle Village
Best Memories On Ice
World’s Fair Ice Skating Rink
“I used to skate there every Saturday and Sunday throughout my formative years. When my parents gave me a dollar, I would be entertained for the whole day.”
-Fran Kanowsky, Forest Hills
Most Laid-Back Theater
Midway Movie Theatre
Forest Hills
“It’s nice, you can watch the movie and relax.”
-Blanca Taveras, Forest Hills
Hottest Way To Spend The Day
Rockaway Beach
“It’s not far, and it’s fun to hang out with friends-and there’s hot lifeguards.”
-Elizabeth Basedow, Middle Village
Best Boat For Hire
Howard Beach and Cross Bay Blvd.
“I like fishing out of Howard Beach, and Cross Bay Boulevard, on the boats in Jamaica Bay for fluke, on the Angler, because it’s a compact [boat] close to the water that has a competent, friendly crew.”
-Jerry Jacobs, Forest Hills
Best Cheap Seats
Shea Stadium
“It’s inexpensive and fun.”
-Pat Hennessey, Flushing
Best Body Work
Expo Beauty Salon
“It has the number one massage, you can get your hair done, you can get a body peel, a waxing, and body wraps.”
-Ludmila Kandov, Forest Hills
Kindest Cuts
Chateau Jewelers
Austin Street
“It has very unique, very cool, cutting edge jewelry.”
-Fran Kanowsky, Rego Park
Most Worldly Place
Queens Public Library
Main St. and Merrick Blvd.
“The whole world is inside that library, and you almost never see me without a book.”
-Ralph Thomas, Elmhurst
Best Place For A Science Date
New York Hall of Science
“It’s constantly updating and it’s very educational for kids.”
-Beth Gluick, Middle Village
Best Sights and Smells
Queens Botanical Gardens
Queens Museum of Art, Flushing
“There is a lot to see and learn.”
-Mike Rizzo, Forest Hills
Best Team With Potential
The Mets
“There’s nothing better than a great baseball game. I just wish the Mets were in it a little more this year.”
-John Forenelli, Maspeth
Best Place For A Righteous Skate
Ozone Park
“You can do anything. Not everybody is the same. It’s not all black or all white. The skate parks are really good. It’s terrific.”
-Scott Jensen, Forest Hills
Best New Face
Queens Center Mall
90-15 Queens Blvd.
“It’s really big, and it’s sort of the only mall. They also just renovated it, and it’s really nicely done.”
-Sue Lee, Bayside
“I buy a lot of clothes there, but it’s great if you’re looking for other stuff too. I probably go at least once a month, and I always end up buying something I wasn’t planning on.”
-Gloria Hernandez
Best Mall For All
Metropolitan Mall
66-01 Metropolitan Ave.
“It’s good because it’s close to home and I can get everything I need.”
-Susan Anthony, Maspeth
“I go there a few times a week. Sometimes I just look around.”
-John Forenelli, Maspeth
Best Matinee Deals
College Point Cinema
28-55 Ulmer St., Whitestone
“The matinee prices are really pretty cheap, especially considering the city prices.”
-Edward Chong
Best Summer Days
Oakland Lake Park
46th Ave. and Springfield and Cloverdale Blvds.
“It’s really nice during the summer.”
-Irene Kim
Best Place To Flex
Hercules Express
79-43 Metropolitan Ave, Middle Village
“Lifting weights really winds me down. It also gives me energy at the same time. I don’t know how it does both, but it does.”
-John Forenelli, Middle Village
Best Wedding Watching
Queens Botanical Gardens
“It is good to walk around and when there are weddings, it is always nice to see the brides and the pictures that are taken.”
-Diamanda Provenza, Long Island City
Best Park View
“The park at the end of Ditmars Boulevard in Astoria due to the view of the city, Randall’s Island and the 59th Street Bridge.”
-Tom Fanizzi
Best Bridge View
Fort Totten/Little Bay Park in Bayside
“It has the best views of the East River and the Throgs Neck Bridge.”
-Stephen Rehak, College Point
Best Season Tickets
Shea Stadium
“With weekend season tickets, I get to watch the best team in New York with many of my friends.”
-Nick Caputi, Howard Beach
Coolest Place For A Dip
Bellshire Manor Pool
Bayside
“My son enjoys the pool at his girlfriend’s apartment complex on Bell Boulevard because he can always cool off and relax on weekends.”
-Lani McElgun, College Point
Best Facelift
Kissena Park
Flushing
The recently renovated Kissena Park in Flushing is known for its agriculture.
“It is a beautiful park and the trees are identified as to where they came from.”
-Gloria Kelly, Long Island City
Best Relics And Releases
The American Museum of the Moving Image
35 th Ave. at 36 th St., Astoria
Billed as the largest, busiest and most significant motion picture and television facility outside of Hollywood when it was built in 1920, what has become the American Museum of the Moving Image in Astoria continues to stand alone as a great setting for all movie buffs.
With a plethora of on-going exhibitions and collections, AMMI is still growing. The building, once a former film production studio, will begin expanding in September to nearly double its size-and will add even more events and space to an already steadfast supply of both interactive and comprehensive works.
From Stuart Freeborn’s Yoda puppet to the celebration of Gumby’s 50 th anniversary, AMMI provides extensive tours and offers daily screenings at the museum, where once films flourished in the early part of the 20 th century. (Michael Rehak)
Best Local History
Queens Historical Society
143-75 37th Ave., Flushing
“For the majority of entertainment, I go into the city, but on Long Island and in Queens there are some museums and historical societies that are nice to visit.”
-Leo Dobergunskyj
Best Skate Spot
Forest Park Skate Park
Woodhaven Blvd. near Myrtle Ave.
“It has a good half-pipe and a lot of ramps. It’s pretty easy going. Nobody harasses you there, you can just go and skate.”
-Scott Jensen, Forest Hills
Best Diversions
Peter Pan’s Games
Bay Terrace Shopping Center
26th Ave. and Bell Blvd.
“They’ve got a lot of great games. It’s a fun place to go with friends and spend a little money.”
-Scott Jensen, Forest Hills
Most Helpful Video Joint
Korean Video
Spring St. and Horace Harding Expwy.
“They’re very helpful there in finding the movies that you want and suggesting other ones.”
-Irene Kim
Best Sandy Spot
Rockaway Beach
“Long, sandy beaches.”
-Catherine Lomuscio, College Point
Most Helpful Retail Joint
Walbaum’s
Bay Terrance Shopping Center
26th Ave. and Bell Blvd.
“It is quite a friendly place, the same as many of the department stores. Many of the stores in Queens are very friendly. They’re more personal than the ones in New York.”
-Leo Dobergunskyj
Longest-Standing Sweets
Mr. Softie Ice Cream
“I loved the truck when I was a kid, and they’re still around.”
-Edward Chong
Best Greens In Queens
Public Parks In Queens
“I grew up walking around the parks, and they’ve always been nice for as long as I’ve been in Queens.”
-Gloria Hernandez
Most Striking Fun
Whitestone Lanes
30-05 Whitestone Expwy.
“It’s open all the time. Going bowling or seeing a movie is about all you can do around here.”
-Edward Chong
Best Place To Lay Out
Rockaway Beach
“Nothing beats laying out in the sun on the beach.”
-Gloria Hernandez
Best Looking Front
Little Neck/Douglaston
“The waterfront in Little Neck and Douglaston, right on the Long Island Sound. It’s a nice place to go to look at the water. Most people who live in the neighborhood go there, the
Tribune Photo by Ira Cohen
|
Best Place For Thingamajigs
Kiki’s Karriage
106-08 Union Turnpike, Fresh Meadows
Serving as Union Turnpike’s main source of antiques and artifacts, Kiki’s Karriage has been wheeling and dealing for 40 years. Sure, the tiny shop isn’t the only place in the borough to pick up great antiques-a new shop has popped up each time you step onto Metropolitan Avenue-but the small shop with a humble sign out front has a world of wonder behind its doors.
Kiki’s Karriage is a store that knows its antiques. It’s full of bits and pieces from times of old; there are wooden toy soldiers, ceramic designed bowls, dolls, silver china, and many other items of splendor. (Jeff Feinman)
Best Borough To Run And Have Fun
“All of Queens’ neighborhoods around are still safe for children to play in. The parks are still beautiful also.”
-Helen Kaufman, Bayside
Most Scientific Fun
New York Hall Of Science
Flushing Meadows Corona Park
“It just is.”
-Yiu Ly, Flushing
Best Way To Stay On Track
A Walk Beneath The No.7 Subway Line
“I take long walks. I like walking along the line of the No.7 train. It’s like walking through different countries.”
-Di Luong, Sunnyside
Best Weekend Activity
Rockaway Beach
“I go there a lot in the summer. They have big waves and it’s good swimming.”
-Brian Goodman, Bayside
Best Place to Enrich Your Mind
Queens College
Horace Harding Expwy. And Kissena Blvd.
“[A good place] To spend money on a good education.”
-Helen Kaufman, Flushing
Best Place To Spend Money By the Bay
Bay Terrace Shopping Center
“I’m there all the time because I live right there.”
-Michael Warren, Bayside
Best Shopping Options
Queens Center Mall
90-11 Queens Blvd.
“It’s a huge place to shop and there’s a big range of stores to choose from.”
-Eric Wexler, Forest Hills
Best Photo Finish
Flushing Meadows Corona Park
“I’m a photographer, so there’s a lot of good stuff to shoot around there.”
-Alonsa Marion, Jamaica
Best Smorgasbord Of Shops
Queens Center Mall
90-11 Queens Blvd.
“The best place to shop here is Queens Center Mall. It has everything you could want.”
-Marduane Harati, Woodside
“My favorite place to shop is Queens Center Mall. After going there, you wouldn’t need to go to Roosevelt Field anymore.”
-Jimmy Chan, Woodside
Best Landscape For An Escape
Flushing Meadows Corona Park
“It has a beautiful view of the water - the water’s not clean - but it has some really, really nice spots. You can see the river, the ducks.”
-Marduane Harati, Woodside
Best Place to Hide Away
Hunters Point, Long Island City
“The waterfront there, it’s just so quiet. It’s nice.”
-Jimmy Chan,Woodside
Best Commerce-ial Service
Commerce Bank
Queens Blvd. and 71st Rd., Forest Hills
“Commerce Bank in Forest Hills, on 71st has really nice people there.”
-Marduane Harati, Woodside
Best Up Front Brokers
Scottrade Inc.
68-60 Austin St., Forest Hills
“Scottrade, a brokerage firm, has really nice people. They’re nice because they want your money-but they’re really nice over there.”
-Jimmy Chan, Woodside
Best Queens Standard
The Unisphere
Flushing Meadows Corona Park
“The only thing is the globe. It’s been there for a while.”
-Marduane Harati, Woodside
Coolest New Mall
The Shops At Atlas Park
Cooper Ave. and 80 th St.
“My fiancé and I can have a romantic evening now without driving into the city. We can go out to dinner and watch a movie without driving all over the place.”
-Elisa Ferruccio
“I know it’s new, but it’s incredible to have this beautiful park with cool activities right in the center of what used to be an industrial complex. It’s a great haven.”
-Leah Hamilton
Best Childhood Memories
P.S. 12
42-00 72nd St., Woodside
“My school, elementary school. The yard was completely open, but they’re expanding the school, so it’s one-quarter the size it used to be.”
-Jimmy Chan, Woodside
Friendliest Front
Long Island City Waterfront
“Everybody is really friendly, not many people know about it. They got a few benches there. It’s great.”
-Jimmy Chan, Woodside
Best Place for Fans to Meet
Shea Stadium
“It’s the crowd. The crowd makes everything.”
-Robert Moscato, Bayside
Best Strip With Everything
Austin Street
Forest Hills
“All along Austin Street, you can shop for anything there.”
-Kevin Wong, Forest Hills
Most Relaxing Spots
Little Neck Bay Queens Botanical Gardens
Flushing/Bayside/Little Neck
“I live by Little Neck Bay. It’s a place you can walk and bicycle, over near Crocheron Park. But the most relaxing place is Queens Botanical Garden. It’s very scenic, quiet.”
-Robert Moscato, Bayside
Most Fun In The Sun
Flushing Meadows Corona Park
“ It’s just the most fun.”
-Kevin Wong, Forest Hills
Most Memorable School
Bayside High School,
32-24 Corp., Kennedy St., Bayside
“Bayside High School. That wasn’t my high school, I just live there-but it’s been there a very long time.”
-Robert Moscato, Bayside
Most Weathered Wonder
The Bowne House
37-01 Bowne St., Flushing
“The Bowne House-that place is amazing.”
-Kevin Wong, Forest Hills
Most Marvelous Multiplex
College Point Multiplex Cinemas
28-55 Ulmer St., Whitestone
“We just go to the movies. When we go, we go to the one in College Point.”
-Robert Moscato, Bayside
Best Place To Get Bowled Over
Whitestone Lanes
30-05 Whitestone Expwy.,Whitestone
“The condition [of the lanes] is great and the people are friendly.”
-Kevin Wong, Forest Hills
Best Indie Flicks
Lefferts Theatre
81-05 Lefferts Blvd.
I think its one of the best sources of independent movies and you don’t have to leave the borough.”
-Ed Hertzman, Bayside
Best Out-Of-Towners
World Travel
46-11 Hollis Court Blvd., Flushing
Best Place To Blade And Bike
Flushing Meadows Corona Park
“I like the scenery of the lake. I used to go bike riding there, and rollerblading, when I lived nearby.”
-Miriam La
