Top 10 Fun Summer Activities in Queens, NY

1. Dance the Weekend Away - WarmUp @ P.S. 1

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., June 30 to September 1, 2007

2. Thar Be Dragons - Dragon Boat Festival, August 4 and 5

I can't say it enough: the Dragon Boat Festival in Flushing Meadows Park is fun (and hot with little shade).

• August 4 and 5, 2007
• Flushing Meadows Park, Meadow Lake

Over 80 teams and over 1,000 crew members (local and international teams) compete. There will be music, performances, and food. Come early for a good spot at the pavilion at the north end of the lake. Make sure to check out the nearby Queens Museum of Art and the world-famous Unisphere.

3. The Blue Courts Are Calling - US Open Tennis Champs, August 27 to September 9

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.

• August 27 to September 9, 2007
• US Tennis Center, Flushing Meadows Park
• Tickets: Tickets go on sale June 11. See US Open website for details.)

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

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

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. Hit the East River Beach? Water Taxi Beach in Long Island City

Relax. It's not the end of the world. The East River has gotten a dose of the Riviera courtesy of the Water Taxi folks. The three-year old beach in Long Island City is a place for families to dig, and an evening party spot.

8. Beer Garden!

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, 2007
• Bohemian Beer Garden, Astoria, NY

9. 4th of July Celebrations

See the spectacular NYC fireworks show over the East River from Gantry Plaza State Park in Long Island City. This small park is on the river banks, at the west end of 49th Avenue (off Jackson Avenue). If you don't mind paying, the Water Taxi Beach is another excellent venue.

10. Celebrate Colombian Style - Colombian Independence Day Festival, July 22

This celebration in Flushing Meadows Park is off the hook. Colombians know how to party. There will be lots of music, soccer, dancing, asado, and the national colors of blue, red, and yellow all over the place. (You won't be able to miss the tri-colors any where in Queens on July 22.) Make sure to get there early for a good spot.