18 Fun Things To Do In Flushing, New York: Food Courts & Cafes

Flushing is one of New York City’s most historic and culturally dynamic neighborhoods. Located in northeastern Queens, it’s a place where colonial history, modern immigrant energy, and serious food culture intersect in ways few other neighborhoods can match. If you're in Flushing, you'll find a wide range of attractions—world-class museums, family-friendly parks, hidden historical sites, and some of the best international food in the city.

This neighborhood has roots dating back to the 1600s. It played a key role in early American religious freedom with the Flushing Remonstrance, and later became a hub for immigration from East Asia, South Asia, and Latin America. Today, Flushing offers visitors a deep and diverse experience—walkable streets filled with unique small businesses, major cultural venues like the Queens Museum and the New York Hall of Science, and natural spaces like the Queens Botanical Garden and Flushing Meadows-Corona Park.

Here is a list of 18 top things to do in Flushing.

1. New York Hall of Science

Born from the legacy of the 1964 World’s Fair, the New York Hall of Science isn’t just a museum—it’s a living monument to the promise of American innovation. Originally built as a pavilion to celebrate the Space Age, it evolved into a hands-on science center where imagination collides with education. Set in Flushing Meadows-Corona Park, this former fairground structure still echoes with the optimism of a country racing toward the stars.

Today, the museum hosts over 450 interactive exhibits spanning physics, biology, engineering, and environmental science. Visitors can walk through a replica of the Mercury space capsule, manipulate sound waves, or climb its outdoor science playground—one of the largest in the country. For many New Yorkers, it’s their first encounter with atoms, ecosystems, or coding—learning made physical and personal.

But its real power lies in its accessibility. It doesn't talk down. It draws you in. For kids, it’s a giant playground of ideas. For adults, it’s a reminder that curiosity never expires. The Hall of Science doesn’t just explain the world—it makes you want to change it.

2. Queens Museum

Set in the last surviving building from the 1939 and 1964 World’s Fairs, the Queens Museum is more than a gallery—it’s a time capsule embedded with the dreams and contradictions of 20th-century America. Once the New York City Pavilion, it has hosted everything from UN General Assembly meetings to world-class art installations. Now, it’s a cultural bridge in the heart of one of the most diverse neighborhoods on the planet.

The museum is best known for its breathtaking Panorama of the City of New York—a 9,335-square-foot architectural model of all five boroughs, built for the 1964 Fair. You can literally walk the city with your eyes, tracing highways, spotting landmarks, and appreciating just how vast and interconnected the metropolis is. But the museum is far more than a novelty. It champions underrepresented voices, hosts community-centered exhibits, and offers rotating shows that range from political art to immersive installations.

This isn’t a place that shouts for your attention. It’s a place that earns it—quietly, thoughtfully, and with surprising depth. The Queens Museum is where history, geography, and contemporary life meet—and none of them are simplified.

3. Queens Zoo

Tucked into the western edge of Flushing Meadows-Corona Park, the Queens Zoo offers an unexpected encounter with wildlife in the middle of urban density. Unlike the sprawling Bronx Zoo, this one is intimate, walkable, and centered around animals native to the Americas. It feels less like a spectacle and more like a conversation—between past and present, wild and urban.

Built on land that once hosted pavilions of the 1964 World’s Fair, the zoo’s layout honors the circular design of the original aviary dome—a relic that still stands today. Inside, visitors can meet Andean bears, bald eagles, pumas, and bison, animals that evoke North America’s frontier past. There's even a farmyard, paying tribute to Queens' agrarian roots before highways and housing took over.

Operated by the Wildlife Conservation Society, the zoo emphasizes sustainability and education, especially for young learners. It’s small, but dense with intention. And as you walk the shaded paths, past animal enclosures framed by city skyline, the juxtaposition is hard to miss—New York’s wildest past still breathing, just beneath its most urban present.

4. Citi Field

This isn’t just a stadium—it’s a cathedral for Mets fans and a physical embodiment of New York’s complicated, loyal, and often heartbreakingly hopeful sports culture. Opened in 2009 on the site of the old Shea Stadium, Citi Field was designed with nods to the past: its red-brick facade recalls Ebbets Field, home of the long-gone Brooklyn Dodgers, and the iconic Home Run Apple still rises after every dinger, just as it did in the Shea days.

But Citi Field is more than a tribute. It’s modern and massive, seating over 40,000 fans and hosting events from concerts to international baseball tournaments. Its food court alone has earned near cult status—home to Shake Shack, local heroes like Fuku and Blue Smoke, and even kosher and vegan offerings. You don’t come here just for the game—you come for the full Queens experience.

Even non-fans find something to admire: skyline views from the upper decks, on-site museums honoring Jackie Robinson, and that electric buzz in the air when the Mets are in a real playoff push. In a city where everything changes fast, Citi Field reminds you that some passions, like baseball in Flushing, are built to endure.

5. Flushing Town Hall

Housed in a red-brick Romanesque Revival building from 1862, Flushing Town Hall stands as both an architectural gem and a vibrant arts institution. Originally a civic meeting house, it served over the decades as a courthouse, jail, bank, and even a post office. But in its current life, it pulses with culture—hosting jazz concerts, poetry readings, theater, and visual art that reflect the immense diversity of Queens.

Now operated by the Flushing Council on Culture and the Arts, the hall has become a cornerstone of the neighborhood’s creative identity. Its programming spans continents: Colombian folkloric dance one week, Korean drumming the next. There’s also a strong jazz legacy here, with ties to Queens legends like Louis Armstrong and Ella Fitzgerald honored through regular performances.

Unlike big-name venues in Manhattan, Flushing Town Hall is personal. It invites you to sit close, talk with the artists, and take part in workshops or post-show conversations. It’s not trying to be trendy. It’s trying to be true—to community, to heritage, and to the belief that art is most powerful when it’s shared in intimate, everyday spaces.

6. Tangram

Step inside Tangram and you’ll see the future of urban development—not just in Flushing, but in how cities reimagine space. This sleek, glass-fronted complex isn’t just a shopping mall; it’s a vertical lifestyle hub that merges retail, dining, entertainment, and residential living across 275,000 square feet. Built on what was once industrial land, Tangram represents Flushing’s growing role as a center of Asian-American culture and global commerce.

Inside, you’ll find high-end fashion boutiques, a massive 4DX movie theater that adds wind and scent to the film experience, and a curated food court serving everything from Korean barbecue to hand-pulled noodles. It also features a 24-hour fitness center, luxury condos, and a medical center—all under one architecturally striking roof.

Tangram doesn’t just cater to shoppers; it draws entrepreneurs, artists, and travelers into a single space that feels both international and hyper-local. It’s a microcosm of modern Queens: fast-moving, globally fluent, and unapologetically bold in its ambition.

7. The Hindu Temple Society of North America

What began in 1970 as a modest spiritual vision in a former Russian Orthodox Church has become one of the most significant Hindu temples in the Western Hemisphere. Known formally as the Sri Maha Vallabha Ganapati Devasthanam, the Hindu Temple Society of North America in Flushing was the first traditional Hindu temple built in the United States using South Indian architecture.

Constructed by Indian artisans with hand-carved granite brought from India, the temple is dedicated to Lord Ganesha and functions not only as a place of worship but as a cultural anchor for the region’s vast South Asian population. Inside, the scent of incense mingles with chants and bells; outside, the bustle of Queens quiets to reverence.

Open to all visitors, the temple includes a community canteen—Temple Canteen—offering authentic, affordable vegetarian South Indian meals. Beyond its religious function, it hosts festivals, language classes, music concerts, and public tours. It’s a peaceful, sacred enclave that invites visitors to witness living tradition, craftsmanship, and hospitality—offering a gateway into one of the world's oldest cultures, set right in the heart of New York’s most diverse borough.

8. Queens Botanical Garden

Originally created as an exhibit during the 1939 World’s Fair, the Queens Botanical Garden grew into its own identity after the 1964 Fair, when it moved to its current 39-acre location in Flushing. The garden sits quietly just off the parkways, a living counterpoint to the energy of the city around it. It's more than just curated flora—it’s a breathing, evolving classroom of sustainability and cultural heritage.

Walking through the garden is like flipping through pages of a visual poem: rose gardens, native meadows, herb plots, and wetlands unfold in gentle succession. Its LEED Platinum-certified visitor center is a model of green architecture, using solar energy, recycled water, and natural light to guide its operations—long before “green” became a buzzword.

Programs here reflect the neighborhood it serves. You’ll find Lunar New Year celebrations, Diwali light festivals, and workshops on growing Caribbean herbs or practicing Japanese ikebana. The garden doesn’t just display nature—it roots it in the immigrant stories and environmental hopes of Queens itself.

9. New World Mall

At first glance, New World Mall may seem like just another shopping center. But step inside, and you’ll enter one of the most vibrant urban food ecosystems in the city. Opened in 2011 on the site of a former department store, the mall is a three-level tribute to the diversity and dynamism of modern Flushing—anchored by a vast subterranean food court that has become a pilgrimage site for serious eaters.

More than 30 vendors crowd the lower level, offering hand-stretched noodles from Lanzhou, fiery Sichuan hot pot, Hong Kong-style dim sum, Taiwanese popcorn chicken, and everything in between. Unlike the sanitized mall food of the past, this is a living market: families eat shoulder-to-shoulder with food bloggers, chefs on break, and neighborhood elders slurping soup with quiet satisfaction.

Upstairs, you’ll find bubble tea shops, K-beauty stores, karaoke lounges, and even a massive Asian supermarket stocked with everything from dragon fruit to fresh sea cucumber. New World Mall isn’t a tourist attraction dressed up to be “authentic”—it’s the real thing, pulsating with flavor and the sounds of home for thousands of first-generation New Yorkers.

10. USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center

Few places in Queens command as much global attention each year as the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. Located within Flushing Meadows-Corona Park, this sprawling complex is home to the US Open—one of the four Grand Slam tournaments and a crown jewel of international tennis. But beyond the glamour of championship matches and celebrity sightings, the center is a year-round testament to athletic excellence, public access, and legacy.

Opened in 1978 and renamed in 2006 to honor tennis legend and social activist Billie Jean King, the facility includes over 20 courts, including the famed Arthur Ashe Stadium—the largest tennis stadium in the world, with a retractable roof and seating for over 23,000 fans. During the Open, the grounds transform into a buzzing village of food, music, and world-class sport, drawing half a million spectators from across the globe.

Outside the tournament season, many of the courts are open to the public. Local kids learn to play here. Veterans practice serves. Visitors, even casual ones, can walk the grounds and feel part of something grand. It’s not just a venue—it’s an engine of aspiration and access, built on Queens soil.

11. Project KE (Anime Club)

What began as a niche hobby has grown into a powerful cultural movement—and Project KE is proof. Nestled in the heart of Flushing, this anime club and pop-culture hub has evolved from a meetup group into a full-fledged venue for expression, belonging, and fandom. It’s not just a space for watching shows or browsing merchandise—it’s where cosplay meets karaoke, manga meets mental health awareness, and fans become family.

Project KE hosts regular viewing parties, tournaments, art workshops, and themed events, all grounded in a love of anime, K-pop, and Japanese pop culture. It’s inclusive, gender-fluid, and multigenerational—attracting everyone from middle schoolers to seasoned otaku. On weekends, the space pulses with laughter, gaming battles, and panels where creators and fans blur the line between audience and artist.

Flushing has long been a gateway for Asian-American culture in New York, and Project KE is its Gen Z voice: joyful, expressive, boundary-pushing. For anyone who thinks fandom is just escapism, this place offers a challenge—and a welcome. It’s not about tuning out the world. It’s about reimagining it.

12. The Shops at Skyview

High above College Point Boulevard, The Shops at Skyview offer a distinctly Queens take on luxury and convenience. This multi-level retail and residential complex anchors a part of Flushing that has rapidly transformed over the past two decades—from auto shops and warehouses into a bustling urban district reflecting the ambitions of a rising immigrant middle class.

Inside, you'll find national brands like Target, Uniqlo, and Nike alongside popular Asian chains such as Gong Cha and Tous les Jours. But what sets Skyview apart is its role as more than a mall—it’s a community center dressed in retail’s clothing. Parents bring kids for ice cream while chatting in Mandarin or Korean. Teenagers pose with boba and sneakers. Seniors power-walk past window displays before grabbing dim sum at Tim Ho Wan.

Skyview’s rooftop garden and playground add a touch of green amid the steel and glass, and its underground parking makes it surprisingly accessible for a busy neighborhood. It may not look like a landmark, but in modern Flushing, Skyview is a symbol—of commerce, culture, and what it means to build a future in view of your roots

13. Wheel Fun Rentals at Flushing Meadows Corona Park

The best way to feel the scale and serenity of Flushing Meadows Corona Park isn’t by foot—it’s by pedal. Wheel Fun Rentals, stationed near North Meadow Lake, offers bikes, surreys, and pedal boats that make exploring the park’s massive 900-acre footprint both fun and unexpectedly immersive.

Once the site of two World’s Fairs and a dumping ground immortalized in The Great Gatsby, the park today is a landscape of reclaimed beauty and public pride. Renting a bike lets you glide past the Unisphere, circle the lake, and trace the original fairgrounds at your own pace. For families or groups, the four-wheel surreys add whimsy to the journey—part ride, part retro adventure.

But there’s something more grounded at work here. Flushing Meadows isn’t manicured like Central Park. It’s rawer, more local, and pulsing with activity—soccer games, picnics, impromptu drum circles. Renting wheels isn’t just a way to get around; it’s a way to participate in the rhythm of the park, to become part of its living, breathing mosaic.

14. Moon Bar Rooftop

Hidden above the busy commercial avenues of Flushing, Moon Bar offers a sleek, skyline-framed escape that’s equal parts lounge and spectacle. Perched atop the Hyatt Place hotel, this rooftop venue delivers panoramic views of Queens—especially stunning at twilight, when city lights flicker on and planes descend in the distance toward LaGuardia.

But Moon Bar isn’t just about the view. It’s about mood. With its soft lighting, craft cocktails, and low-key DJ sets, the atmosphere leans more chic than clubby. Drinks come infused with herbs, teas, and the occasional flourish of lychee or yuzu—nods to Flushing’s cultural palette. It’s a place where date nights unfold slowly, where birthdays are toasted with skyline selfies and sake shots.

In a neighborhood known for dumpling spots and bubble tea, Moon Bar carves out something different: a modern rooftop experience that doesn’t try to be Manhattan. It’s distinctly Queens—elevated, unexpected, and infused with global flavor.

15. The Attic

Tucked away and low-lit, The Attic doesn’t advertise itself loudly—and it doesn’t have to. This intimate bar in downtown Flushing has built a loyal following through word of mouth, known for its craft cocktails, minimalist decor, and a soundtrack that leans from R&B to soft electronica.

What makes The Attic stand out is its sense of intimacy. Bartenders remember your name. Drinks are built like stories—layered, precise, sometimes surprising. The menu rotates seasonally, often inspired by Asian ingredients: shiso, tamarind, lemongrass. There’s no dance floor, no bottle service—just a quiet hum of conversation, candlelight, and good vinyl spinning in the background.

In a neighborhood that rarely sleeps, The Attic feels like a breath held between beats. It’s where creatives, couples, and night owls land after the rush—an upstairs refuge with city soul and zero pretense. You don’t stumble into The Attic. You find it. And once you do, it feels like it’s yours

16. Anime Claw (Flushing)

To call Anime Claw a game store would be a disservice. It’s a kinetic, high-energy microcosm of modern fandom, where Japanese pop culture, arcade nostalgia, and toy collector mania collide under neon light. Located inside New World Mall, Anime Claw draws crowds not just for its inventory—but for the thrill of the hunt.

Here, customers use claw machines—not to snag generic plushies, but rare figurines, licensed anime merchandise, and imported collectibles you won’t find on Amazon. The machines are notoriously challenging, and that’s the point. The chase becomes part of the story: cheers when someone wins, groans when a prize slips through the claws. Staff are on hand to reset prizes, offer tips, and share in your glory (or defeat).

It’s social, chaotic, and completely alive. Anime Claw turns commerce into theater. For fans of anime, manga, or kawaii culture, this isn’t a stop—it’s a destination. And even if you’ve never watched One Piece or Demon Slayer, it’s impossible not to be charmed by the place’s unapologetic joy.

17. Horae Play

Flushing may be best known for food, but Horae Play proves that the neighborhood knows how to game—seriously. Tucked into a modest storefront, Horae Play is one of the city’s most immersive anime and gaming-themed shops, but with a surprising twist: it's built as an experience, not just a retail outlet.

Every shelf is curated. Figurines from popular and niche anime line glass displays, card games are in constant rotation, and themed décor gives the space a transportive feel. Visitors don’t just browse—they participate. Tournaments are frequent, cosplay days bring out local artists and performers, and visiting here can feel like entering an alternate universe where the rules are friendlier and the stakes are playfully high.

Horae Play thrives because it understands its audience: serious fans who crave authenticity, quality merch, and a communal space. It’s one of those rare places that respects the intelligence and passion of its visitors—and rewards them for showing up.

18. Prince Billiards

In the soft-lit, quiet corners of Flushing nightlife, Prince Billiards remains a steady hand. While the city above pulses with speed, this pool hall offers something slower: the soft crack of cue against ball, the silence of focused play, and the low hum of conversation between friends deep into the night.

Located in a no-frills building near Main Street, Prince Billiards has earned its following the old-fashioned way—by being consistently good. Tables are well-maintained, cues straight, lighting comfortable. The crowd ranges from veterans running table after table to beginners just figuring out angles. There’s little flash, but plenty of grace.

Drinks are available, but it’s never about the booze. People come here for the game—for the long stretch of time where nothing else matters but aim, geometry, and intuition. Prince Billiards doesn’t perform for social media. It plays for the love of the game. And in a city where everyone’s rushing somewhere, that kind of devotion feels radical.

Conclusion

If you're narrowing down what to do in Queens, Flushing should be high on your list. The neighborhood combines old New York stories with modern global energy—making it one of the most interesting places to visit in the five boroughs. The variety of things to do in Flushing makes it ideal for travelers who want more than tourist checkboxes: here, you can attend a jazz show in a Civil War-era building, eat regional Chinese cuisine that rivals what you'll find in Shanghai, or visit a museum built inside a World’s Fair pavilion.

Flushing is walkable, accessible via the 7 train, and full of local character that reflects New York’s true identity: layered, diverse, and constantly evolving. For a day trip, weekend, or extended stay, Flushing offers a packed itinerary without the high prices or crowds of Midtown. You won’t need a long plan—just an open afternoon and a sense of curiosity.

Planning to visit? Explore some amazing deals on Flushing vacation rentals provided by Karta.

FAQ

1. How far is Flushing, Queens from Manhattan?

Flushing is approximately 30-45 minutes away from Manhattan by subway. The 7 train provides direct access to Flushing’s Main Street from Times Square, making it a convenient destination for day trips or a quick escape from the city center.

2. What is Flushing, Queens known for?

Flushing is known for its vibrant Asian community, particularly its large Chinatown, and its incredible food scene. It’s also home to landmarks like Flushing Meadows-Corona Park, the Queens Botanical Garden, and Flushing Town Hall, blending cultural diversity with rich historical heritage.

3. Is Flushing worth visiting?

Absolutely! Flushing offers a mix of cultural, culinary, and historical attractions that make it a fantastic destination for both tourists and locals. Whether you're a foodie looking for authentic Asian cuisine, a history enthusiast, or a nature lover, Flushing has something for everyone.

4. What are the best places to eat in Flushing?

Some of the top food spots in Flushing include Joe's Shanghai for soup dumplings, White Bear for wontons in hot oil, and Flushing Night Market for a variety of street foods. Don’t miss the New World Mall food court and TaiPan Bakery for delicious pastries.

5. What’s the best time to visit Flushing, Queens?

Flushing is enjoyable year-round, but spring and fall are ideal for exploring the Queens Botanical Garden and Flushing Meadows-Corona Park when the weather is mild. The summer months are perfect for visiting the Flushing Night Market, while winter brings festive events to the neighborhood.

6. Where can I go shopping in Flushing?

Flushing is a shopper’s paradise with places like Main Street, the SkyView Center, and New World Mall. From unique fashion boutiques to traditional Asian markets and modern retail stores, there’s something for every type of shopper.

7. Are there any historical landmarks in Flushing?

Yes, Flushing is home to several important historical sites, including Flushing Town Hall, Kingsland Homestead, and Voelker Orth Museum. These landmarks offer a glimpse into the neighborhood’s past and provide enriching cultural experiences.