We’ve reached August. That flew, didn’t it? Between food markets, tours, events and relaxing walks through natural parks, here are some fun things to do in Queens while summer is still running strong:
ALLEY POND PARK
The second-largest natural park in Queens, Alley Park Park allows you to connect with New York’s unique, diverse ecosystem and geologic past. This location is open to people of all ages, featuring all amenities one would expect from any park, as well as adventure programs that teach participants how to fish, canoe and fully immerse oneself into the natural environment.
There will be many special events within the park this August, including: “Cinderella Samba,” presented by Puppets in the Park on August 22, A Morning of Music with Darlene Graham on August 17 and a Nature Exploration Hike on August 20.
QUEENS ZOO – Flushing Meadows Corona Park
Animal lovers, try to contain your excitement. Located in Flushing Meadows Corona Park, the Queens Zoo has pretty much everything. Aside from housing the largest animal petting area in the entire tri-state area, this family-friendly attraction holds animals from North and South America, such as bears, alligators, eagles, sea lion, bison, pumas and many, many more.
CITI FIELD: EVENTS
Citi Field is the one and only home to the Major League Baseball’s New York Mets, located in Flushing Meadows Corona Park. This massive structure was built in 2009, replacing the Mets’ original home, Shea Stadium. The stadium, while certainly an attraction for sports fans and fans of the Mets, also puts on many concert events and shows to gather a different, much wider community of New York City.
On August 28 and August 29, Lady Gaga will be performing at Citi Field. The 2017 Meadows Music and Arts Festival will also be held at Citi Field, due to take place between September 15 and September 17. Both are likely to be exciting affairs for our community.
QUEENS BEACHES
Jacob Riis Park. Rockaway Beach. Breezy Point. Fort Tilden.
Queens’ large beaches are the perfect places to relax from daily responsibilities and enjoy a drink while soaking in the Summer sun. Nothing beats a long
walk on the Rockaway Beach boardwalk while the sun is going down.
FANTASY FOREST – Flushing Meadows Corona Park
Fantasy Forest is a fun, lively little amusement park for the children, with tons of rides (including the world-famous Flushing Meadows Carousel), tons of games and tons of entertainment offerings. On August 6, Phineas the Clown, an award-winning clown and juggler, will be making a special appearance at Fantasy Forest. Following Phineas is the Amazing Captain Faust, who will show off his incredible illusions and slight-of-hand tricks on August 13.
FREE OUTDOOR MOVIES
This one is for film fanatics all over New York City. Several different organizations will be holding several different outdoor screenings all throughout Queens, all throughout the long month of August. These films range from old to new, children’s to adults’, and each event is listed below by date:
8/6 – “Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom” in Broad Channel Park
8/7 – “The Wiz” in Highland Park, “School of Rock” in Astoria Park
8/9 – “The Boss Baby” in Last Battalion Hall Recreation Center
8/10 – “2001: A Space Odyssey” in Hunter’s Point South Park
8/11 – “A Bug’s Life” in Crocheron Park
8/12 – “Sully” in Flushing Meadows Corona Park, “Finding Dory” at Rosemary’s Playground
8/13 – “Fences” at Rockaway Beach & Boardwalk
8/14 – “Zootopia” in Forest Park, “1776” in Cunningham Park, “Toy Story 3” in Astoria Park
8/15 – “Sing” in Elmhurst Park
8/18 – “Beauty and the Beast” at Juniper Valley Park, “Finding Dory” in Hunter’s Point South Park
8/19 – “Moana” at Rosemary’s Playground
8/20 – “Rock N Roll High School” at Rockaway Beach
8/21 – “The Jungle Book” in Highland Park, “Titanic” in Astoria Park
8/22 – “Moana” in Flushing Meadows Corona Park
8/26 – “Fences” in Montbellier Park
8/27 – “The LEGO Batman Movie” in Tudor Park
8/31 – “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story” at Lawrence Virgillio Playground
WATERFRONT CONCERT SERIES – Astoria Park
Everyone is invited to Astoria Park’s Great Lawn to witness the 2017 Waterfront Concert Series. This event will run every Thursday, from 7:30pm to 9:15pm, until August 18. Thursday (August 10) will see D.B. Rielly & Band performing country. The final event (August 17) in the Waterfront Concert Series will feature A Decade of Soul performing Motown.
QUEENS MUSEUMS
Queens’ many museums – such as Queens Museum, Museum of the Moving Image and New York Hall of Science – offer an engaging learning experience in many areas, from New York’s rich history to science and the arts.
This August, the Queens Museum will hold many presentations from The Kew Gardens Festival of Cinema. The KGFC will screen films and many buffets of shorts on August 6, 9, 10, 11, 12 and 17.
