Part 2, New York City’s Forgotten Boroughs, by Merle Exit

If you happen to be here during the U.S. Open, the new Arthur Ashe Stadium, part of the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center (718-760-6200) is in walking distance of the Queens Museum. Just across the way from the park is the home of the Mets, Shea Stadium. The area is quite accessible along the historic #7 line. Historic, because it takes you from one ethnic neighborhood to another: Irish, South American, East Indian and ending in downtown Flushing, the best alternative to being in Chinatown.

Yes, sample the food here. Cantonese, Taiwanese, Vietnamese, Thai, Japanese, and Korean, just to name a few. If you’ve never tasted Bubble Tea, a flavored ice tea with large tapioca and milk, this is the place to do so. Bakeries, groceries, fresh fish, meats, produce and heavens knows what imported from Asia.

One thing you can expect in the borough of Queens is a restaurant of any cuisine in the world.

Brooklyn, home to Coney Island and the borough that abuts Queens, has its share of ethnic populations and attractions as well. The Coney Island area of Sheepshead Bay is noted for its Russian immigrants. You may want to skip having a Nathan’s hot dog and opt for some salmon caviar with a shot of vodka.

One of New York’s major attractions, the New York Aquarium (718-265-FISH), is in this area. Located at Surf Avenue and W. 8th St., it is home to many aqua wildlife and loads of fun for the whole family.

Two sports worth viewing live are the Cyclones, a Mets baseball team located in Coney Island and the New York Sharks women’s professional football team, who have made their home at Floyd Bennett Field. That’s right, women’s tackle football. www.nysharksfootball.com

Forget the stories you hear about the Bronx, home to Yankee Stadium. The Bronx is actually the only borough on the mainland. Queens and Brooklyn are part of Long Island and both Manhattan and Staten Island are islands of its own.

Most of the boroughs have their own botanical gardens, but not like the Bronx Botanical Gardens (718-817-8700). Huge and absolutely breathtaking! A minimum half day’s event. What’s more is that the gardens are directly across from the Bronx Zoo, River Pkwy and Fordham Rd. (718-367-1010), the largest urban zoo in the country. Experience the riches of the Bronx by taking the free Bronx Tour Trolley, available on weekends. The trolley provides a convenient link from the Fordham Plaza Metro-North station to the Bronx Zoo, The New York Botanical Garden, and Arthur Avenue (home to Bronx’s Little Italy) at 187th Street. For a schedule and more information, visit www.ilovethebronx.com or call (718) 590-3518.

Have I left out Staten Island? Sorry. To be honest, it’s one borough that I barely frequent. It’s only accessible by ferry or bridge. Oh yeah, I did go there a few yeas back when the New York Sharks had their venue there for two games.

About The Author

Join Merle Exit, comedienne, journalist and radio personality, on her "journey of destinations" on www.merleswhirls.com where you'll find links to her blog site and radio show.