Flushing, NY

Flushing is an area of New York City that covers the northeastern part of Queens County and extends into Nassau County. Founded in 1645 by Dutch settlers, Flushing is one of the largest neighborhoods in New York City. Renowned for its ethnic diversity, Flushing is home to significant African-American, Hispanic, Asian, and European populations. Approximately 655,000 residents live in Flushing.

ECONOMY AND INDUSTRIES

Many residents of Flushing commute to Manhattan daily for their jobs, as it is just a train ride away. However, Flushing is home to many hospitals including Forest Hills Hospital and New York Hospital Medical Center of Queens, which are two large employers in the area. Additionally, Personal-Touch Home Care, Inc and the Queens Sanitation Department call Flushing home.

NEIGHBORHOODS AND DISTRICTS

Flushing, a neighborhood of Queens, which is a borough of New York, is one of the largest neighborhoods in the city. It's known as a very diverse neighborhood and has a large ethnic population, which include Asians and Hispanics. Flushing is reachable by train, subway, bus and roads. One of Flushing's most popular tourist attractions was Shea Stadium, the field that the New York Mets played at in until 2008.

There are a couple of parks in Flushing, with Flushing Meadows Corona Park being the largest at over 1,200 acres. Citi Field and the National Tennis Center, where the U.S. Open is played, are located within this park. The walkability of Flushing is excellent. Many places, like bars, restaurants and parks are located within walking distance from the city center.

ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

• Queens Museum of Art: Located near Flushing Meadows Park, the Queens Museum of Art houses more than 10,000 works in its permanent collection. The museum also hosts visiting exhibitions and sponsors various events and workshops.
• Flushing Town Hall: The headquarters of the Flushing Council on Culture and the Arts, Flushing Town Hall is an art and cultural center serving local artists, arts organizations, and the community. A Smithsonian affiliate, Flushing Town Hall offers educational programs, concerts, and art exhibits.
• Bowne House: The oldest house in Queens, the Bowne House was built in 1661 and has been preserved for over 300 years. It has been a museum since 1947.
• Kingsland Homestead: Headquarters of the Queens Historical Society, Kingsland Homestead was built around 1785. This two-floor homestead features exhibits pertaining to the history of Queens.
• Old Quaker Meeting House: This National Historic Landmark is the oldest place of worship in New York State and the second oldest Quaker meetinghouse. Built in 1694, the house was also home to the first school in Flushing.
• The Lewis H. Latimer House: This house features historical documents from the African-American inventor who played a notable role in the development of the telephone.
• Voelker Orth Museum, Bird Sanctuary, and Victorian Garden: A landmark in Flushing, the Voelker Orth Museum, Bird Sanctuary and Victorian Garden is home an 18th-century-style garden. The garden doubles as a sanctuary for various species of migrating birds.
• The Unisphere: A centerpiece of the 1964 World's Fair, the Unisphere rises 12 stories high and is made of stainless steel. This giant globe, located in Flushing Meadows Corona Park, is a Queens landmark.
• The New York Hall of Science: Constructed for the 1964 New York World's Fair, the Hall of Science is one of the only hands-on science and technology centers in New York. Located in Flushing Meadows Corona Park, it features approximately 400 exhibits on biology, chemistry, and physics. The center caters largely to children.
• Queens Zoo: The Queens Zoo, also located in Flushing Meadows Corona Park, is home to an array of mostly North American animals. Spanning five acres, the zoo was initially designed for the 1964 World's Fair, and now features educational programs for children.
• The Queens Botanical Garden: Home to several plant collections, the Queens Botanical Garden sponsors educational and research initiatives. It also hosts programs on environmental stewardship, sustainability, and the rich connections between people and plants.
• Queens Theater in Park: Another Flushing Meadows Corona Park attraction, this repertory theater features drama, dance, music, and children's shows, all with an international focus.

FAMILY FUN

• Flushing Meadows Corona Park: Flushing Meadows Corona Park encompasses roughly 1,255 acres of land, making it the largest park in Queens. It was the home of two World's Fairs, one in 1939 and the other in 1964.
• Kissena Park: Kissena Park is surrounded by Kissena Lake. The fertile landscape is home to some of the most exotic trees in the world. The park also features a golf course, tennis and handball courts, baseball diamonds, and playgrounds.
• Bowne Park: In 1994, this popular park underwent major renovations, and now offers residents a bocce court, a new playground, and basketball courts. The park also features a pond that is used for ice skating and boating.
• Flushing Fields: Flushing Fields, the home athletic field of Flushing High School, is a park that includes playgrounds, baseball diamonds, tennis, and handball courts.

EDUCATION

Flushing is home to Queens College, part of the City University of New York, and to the City University of New York School of Law. Queens College is a four-year public institution and graduate school that focuses on the liberal arts.

SHOPPING

One of the main commercial streets in Flushing, Roosevelt Avenue is a landmark shopping and historical district. It offers an array of small shops as well as larger commercial stores.

SPORTS TEAMS

Flushing residents are proud of Citi Field, the home of the New York Mets beginning in 2009. Flushing is also home to the United States Tennis Association (USTA) Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, which hosts the U.S. Open, held annually in Flushing Meadows Corona Park. The National Tennis Center includes Arthur Ashe Stadium, a renowned tennis venue.

GETTING AROUND

Flushing is very convenient to Manhattan, to other areas of Queens, and to the other surrounding boroughs of New York City. It is served by five railroad lines at the Long Island Rail Road-Port Washington Branch, the 7 line on the New York City subway system, and various bus lines.

Flushing is accessible by car via the Van Wyck Expressway, Whitestone Expressway, Grand Central Parkway, and Long Island Expressway.