New York City’s Forgotten Boroughs, by Merle Exit

When people ask me if I’m from Queens I answer, “No, my folks are straight”. Tourists flocking to New York City all seem to converge in Manhattan, only one of 5 boroughs. When your plane lands at either LaGuardia or JFK airports, you are in the borough of Queens. Take advantage of it, as accommodations can be less expensive easily accessible to Manhattan and certainly has enough to see and do.

Long Island City and Astoria are the closest communities to the island of Broadway and rich in culture and arts. The Isamu Noguchi Garden Museum, 32-37 Vernon Blvd. (718-204-7088) houses over 200 works by this world-renowned sculptor. Socrates Sculpture Park, Broadway at Vernon Blvd. (718-956-1819) happens to be the only public space devoted to the exhibition of large-scale outdoor sculptures.

Manhattan may be the home to the Museum of Radio and Television, but when it comes to movies, Astoria (the city’s most established Greek neighborhood) houses the Museum of the Moving Image, 35th Ave. at 36th St., (718-784-0077) featuring historical movie exhibits and film screenings.

Back in 1939 the World’s Fair was located at what is now Flushing Meadow-Corona Park. You know that you’re in Provincetown when you see the Pilgrim Monument and you know you’re at this park when you see the famous Unisphere.

The most historic building that still remains from the 1939 fair is the Queens Museum of Art (718-592-9700). After the fair it became the location of the first General Assembly of the United Nations. It was at this site, in 1948, that a proclamation was issued and signed declaring Israel as state. The building was then converted to a venue for both ice and roller skating. Along came the 1964 World’s Fair where it was transformed into the New York City Pavilion with its special indoor ride, a tour that allowed you to view an exact panoramic replica of the five boroughs of NYC. The ride is gone, but the replica had been updated, so as you walk around, you can even find your home. Oh, yes, one half of the building went back to being an indoor ice skating rink.

In close proximity is Queens Theatre in the Park (718-760-0064), formerly the 1964 NY State Pavilion. You’ll recognize the tower used in the movie “Men In Black”. The theatre is an excellent alternative to off-Broadway shows.

Walk across the foot bridge and you’ll see the Hall of Science (718-699-0675), another leftover from 1964. It’s one of the best hands on Science centers in the U.S. The Queens Zoo (718-271-1500) is nearby. Small, but worth visiting.

Part 2, New York City’s Forgotten Boroughs >>