There are a million and one things going on this summer in Queens -- concerts, parties, cool places to hang, and even the circus is coming to town. These are my top choices for summer fun in our borough. Don't miss them: summer is too short and the cold will return too soon.
1. Dance the Weekend Away - WarmUp @ P.S. 1
Photo Credit: © Steve Kosloff
It's not hot enough until you get to dance inside the art installation that's the WarmUp party at P.S. 1 Contemporary Art Center. Every Saturday afternoon the DJs cook up the beats, and this year's installation architecture has some cheeky bits to douse everyone with water.
- WarmUp at P.S. 1
- Saturday afternoons, 3-9 p.m., late June to September, WarmUp details
2. Thar Be Dragons - Dragon Boat Festival
I can't say it enough: the Dragon Boat Festival in Flushing Meadows Park is fun (and hot with little shade).
- Early August - details about Dragon Boat Festival
- Flushing Meadows Park, Meadow Lake
3. The Blue Courts Are Calling - US Open Tennis Champs
Photo (c) John Roleke
The annual US Open is one of the premier sporting events in the world. Book your tickets early for the best seats. Of course, the qualifying tournament is free and features some excellent tennis. Arthur Ashe Kids' Day is another free, excellent event.
- late August to early September - US Open details
- US Tennis Center, Flushing Meadows Park
- Tickets: Tickets go on sale early June. See US Open website for tickets.)
4. Cool Off in Forest Park
In central Queens, Forest Park is the third largest park in the borough, and a gorgeous place to stay in the shade on a hot summer day. There are games to be played: the usual suspects plus bocce, horseshoes, shuffleboard, golf, track and field, horseback riding, and skateboarding in a skate park. Throughout the summer, come for the free concerts and other performances in the Seuffert Bandshell. Call 718-235-0815 for details.5. Lemon Ice King of Corona
(c) John Roleke
The Lemon Ice King of Corona is hands down a summer classic for fruit-flavored and chocolate ices. The ambience is strictly NYC "take it or leave it" (only a few years ago did they start offering napkins), which is part of its charm. It is close to Shea Stadium and the Louis Armstrong Museum.
6. Rock Rock Rockaway Beach
Photo (c) Toby Bochan
Queens has over seven miles of hot beach and cool surf along the Rockaways Peninsula. Take the A or S subways to the end of the line. Surfers hit the water at a few places, most well-known are Beach 90th Street and Beach 116th Street. On the western tip of the peninsula is Breezy Point's Jacob Riis / Fort Tilden Park, part of the Gateway National Recreation Center, and one of the best stretches of beach and hiking in the borough.
7. Beer Garden!
Photo (c) John Roleke
Bohemian Hall officially opens its wonderful beer garden on Memorial Day weekend with a big fun Czech and Slovak Festival, featuring folk dancing and a brass band. It's the perfect way to kick-off a summer of weekends enjoying icy beer and Czech meats in this huge beer garden with its shady trees and picnic tables. You can have fun all summer in the garden, but the ambiance Memorial Day Weekend is hard to beat.
- Czech and Slovak Festival
- Memorial Day Weekend
- Bohemian Beer Garden, Astoria, NY
