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From word class sporting events to international cuisine Queens features attractions to satisfy nearly every taste. Sports lovers can watch the New York Mets play baseball at Citi Field and, in a venue nearly adjacent, see the US Open host the world’s best tennis players. But in Queens, every day can be an event, whether you’re sampling the delectable Greek cuisine of Astoria or authentic Chinese food in Flushing, view the Manhattan skylines in Long Island City or take in the stunning flora at the Queens Botanical Garden.

Queens for Kids

There’s a lot to love about Queens. It’s one of the most diverse places in the US and home to incredible restaurants and attractions, many of which are well suited to families. Flushing Meadows Corona Park holds a concentration of sights and activities—museums, playgrounds and the like—though families should also explore neighborhoods like Long Island City, Astoria, and Forest Hills to get a real feel for the borough. The site of two World’s Fairs, Flushing Meadows is the largest park in Queens and fourth largest in NYC. Its abundance of playgrounds and sports fields means kids can stay active all day. In the summer months, the lake is open for kayaking and fishing and the sprinklers provide opportunities for cooling off. Less crowded than the Central Park Zoo and more compact and intuitively laid out than the Bronx Zoo, the Queens Zoo is easy to navigate with young ones. Focused entirely on animals that are native to the Americas, the zoo showcases them in a natural setting somewhat more akin to a park than a typical zoo.

Dining in Queens

Queens is on the rise as a dining destination. Talk of where to venture in the borough used to center on authentic Indian eats in Jackson Heights and full-throttle Thai in Woodside. While both still shine, they now compete for buzz with many more options, including newer Asian spots like Mu Ramen, dishing up Japanese noodles in Long Island City, and new-school pizza in Ridge wood which serves wood-fired pies in a former brewery. Hungry for seriously delicious barbecue? John Brown Smokehouse in Long Island City is the answer. LIC also has classics like Manducatis for grandma-style Italian dishes. Then there’s Astoria, where Greek heritage at MP Taverna is best felt. Over the decades, waves of immigrants have fanned out across the borough, their diverse cuisines most easily explored by hopping on the 7 train. Disembark at 74th St.-Broadway for the fantastic Colombian fare by the Arepa Lady, or at the Junction Boulevard stop for bona fide Cuban at Rincon Criollo—or stay on board until 103rd St./Corona Plaza for Aztec-inspired Mexican at Tortilleria Nixtamal.

LGBT Nightlife in Queens

Queens is, hands down, the most diverse of New York City’s five boroughs. Its thriving queer nightlife scene reflects this. Wherever you go—established spots on the main strip in Jackson Heights, Latin-flavored hangouts in Elmhurst and Woodside or a bar in Astoria’s burgeoning LGBTQ scene—Queens nightlife has presence and personality. The best thing is that they remain devoted to locals but are welcoming to all. Some places to have on your agenda include Albatross Bar, Bum Bum Bar, Club Evolution and Friend’s Tavern.

Staying in New York can be a bit confusing at first, but with a good New York City hotel, and a few helpful New Yorkers, you too can experience the charms of the Big Apple.