Queens Cultural Exploration and Park Tour

Conveniently meet in Midtown Manhattan and hop on the 7 train—known as the International Express—as we head into Queens. As the train rises above ground, you’ll see the city shift, revealing a series of vibrant neighborhoods that tell a different kind of New York story.
Our destination is Flushing Meadows-Corona Park, once home to two World’s Fairs and still full of visual clues from that era (e.g. The Unisphere). We’ll walk through the park and visit the Queens Museum, where you’ll experience the stunning Panorama of the City of New York—a massive scale model of all of NYC that’s both fascinating and moving.

After the museum, we’ll head into the heart of Corona, a neighborhood rich in culture, history, and community. You’ll learn how the area has changed over the last century, shaped by generations of Latin American immigrants and a deep sense of place. We’ll stop at the iconic Lemon Ice King of Corona, a longtime local favorite and a perfect sweet ending to the walk.

Meeting Point

5 Vanderbilt Ave

5 Vanderbilt Ave, New York, NY 10017, USA

You will meet your guide and fellow travelers at the Vanderbilt Plaza right between the Grand Central Terminal corner entrance and the One Vanderbuilt Building. Your guide will carry a yellow sign that reads: "Queens Tours"

What to expect:

Duration: 2 hours, 30 minutes

Flushing Meadows Corona Park

Grand Central Pkwy, Van Wyck Exp, Flushing, 11354, New York

Flushing Meadows–Corona Park, the largest park in Queens, offers a blend of cultural landmarks and recreational facilities. Visitors can marvel at the iconic Unisphere, a 12-story stainless-steel globe symbolizing global unity, originally constructed for the 1964 World's Fair. The park also hosts the Queens Museum, home to the Panorama of the City of New York, and the New York Hall of Science, featuring over 450 interactive exhibits. Additionally, the park encompasses the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, where the US Open is held annually, and Citi Field, home of the New York Mets.

40 minutes • Admission Ticket Included

Queens Museum

New York City Building, Flushing Meadows Corona Park, Flushing, 11368, New York

Experience the world's largest architectural model at the Queens Museum: the Panorama of the City of New York. This 9,335-square-foot masterpiece, originally crafted for the 1964 World's Fair, meticulously showcases all five boroughs with nearly 900,000 miniature buildings. It's an unparalleled opportunity to view the entire city in a single glance.

30 minutes • Admission Ticket Included

Unisphere

111th St., Queens, NY, Flushing Meadows Corona Park, Queens, New York City, New York

Marvel at the Unisphere, a towering 140-foot stainless steel globe symbolizing global unity, originally constructed for the 1964 World's Fair. citeturn0search0

10 minutes • Admission Ticket Included

Corona

Corona, New York

Walk through the heart of Corona, a vibrant neighborhood known for its rich Latinx heritage, music legends, and iconic local spots like the Lemon Ice King. Fun fact: it's also the childhood home of Estée Lauder.

30 minutes

Queens

New York

Embark on a journey aboard the 7 train, affectionately known as the "International Express," from Grand Central Terminal to Corona, Queens. This route offers a unique glimpse into New York City's rich tapestry of cultures, passing through diverse neighborhoods that showcase the city's vibrant immigrant heritage. As the train transitions from the underground tunnels of Manhattan to the elevated tracks in Queens, passengers are treated to panoramic views of the cityscape, culminating in the lively community of Corona.

35 minutes