THE QUEENS MUSEUMS

Unisphere at Corona Park Queens

Take the 7 train and enjoy incredible views of Manhattan and Industrial New York City, explore the world’s largest architectural model of a city – New York at the Queens Museum of Art, ride a surfboard and sit in on the dissection of a cow’s eye at the nearby Queens Hall of Science, play rocket mini golf, explore Queens Zoo, bring your racquet and play tennis where the pros play, go ice skating, rent a bike or paddle boat or kayak and if you have time pick up some of the best Indian food in the city on the way home

Best time to visit: All year.
Length of trip: Put aside 3-5 hours. Satisfies everyone’s interests
Distance: Bring a stroller - walking back and forth to subway stops for little ones can be tiring.
Suitable for: All age groups
Other Comment: Print out event calendars from listed websites
Nearby eating: Jackson Heights (see below) for foods from all over or if you last until 6pm on a Saturday (spring, summer and fall - check for open dates) Queens Night Market a market  featuring international street food http://queensnightmarket.com/
Subway: 7 Train (Flushing Line) from Times Square or Grand Central Station

Planning Ahead: 
Queens Museum hours  http://www.queensmuseum.org/visit
 New York Hall of Science http://www.nyscience.org/ for hours and exhibits.
Queens Zoo https://queenszoo.com/schedule
Arthur Ashe Kids Day http://www.arthurashekidsday.com/schedule_of_events/
Arthur Ashe Stadium and details for September U.S. Open https://www.usopen.org/en_US/tickets/tickets_faq.html or to book court https://ustanew2.gotennissource.com/
Queens World Ice Rink opening hours and events http://www.worldice.com/public-skating-hours 
Bike and Boat rentals http://wheelfunrentals.com/ny/queens/flushing-meadows-corona-park-on-north-meadow-lake/

Before you leave check for festivals: The Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival is held in August. http://www.hkdbf-ny.org/home.php?choice=about
https://www.nycgovparks.org/parks/flushing-meadows-corona-park/events

Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival Corona Park Queens (August)
credit: Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival New York

START: Take the number 7 train, the Flushing Line from either Grand Central or Times Square. Your subway stop will be 111th Street in Queens.

New York Hall of Science Queens

After you get off the train head to the New York Hall of Science. Walk down 3 blocks on 111th for the entrance. The museum has been listed as the best field trip by New York Magazine. The exhibits are hands on and fun – ride a very wobbly surfboard, pitch base balls, race stationary cars and hit tennis balls and learn - the science behind the actions. Most popular, most gross, and most interesting are the demonstrations of cow eye dissections. There’s also a 30,000 square foot science playground stocked with pullies, levers, a giant seesaw and other contraptions to illustrate motion, gravity, sight, sound, balance and structure. Nearby is Rocket Park Mini Golf listed above. As you exit the museum ask for directions to the Queens Museum of Art http://www.queensmuseum.org its very close by.

Credit: NYCGo - Rocket Park Mini Golf

Panorama of New York City in the making

Here you will find the Panorama of New York City which is the worlds largest architectural model of a city. Its accurate and has roughly 893,000 buildings.

Out back is the Unisphere and fountain built for the World’s Fair in 1964. There's a lot to explore in the park - boating or biking is always a fun option (see "Planning Ahead" above).  Ice skating and tennis are also possible.  Though Shea Stadium is nearby my advice to save an evening of baseball for another day.  Games can be long and are mostly held in the evening.

When finished, exit by the main entrance, (ask directions on your way just to make sure ) and walk back to the 111th Street for the number 7 subway home.

If you still have energy and time (After Jackson Diner we often get a taxi home) - treat yourself to dinner or take-out from the Jackson Diner in Queens - get off at the 74 St-Broadway stop, as anyone for directions to the diner at 37-47 74th Street. Or check for the latest list of favorite ethnic foods to be found in the area https://www.theinfatuation.com/new-york/guides/jackson-heights-restaurants Or if you don't feel like eating get off a few stops before 74th St to experience the diversity of the neighborhoods. There are also great stores to explore