Reppin Your Borough: Queens

By: Portia Walker, Editor-in-Chief

Queens.... Where do we begin on such a borough? Home to some of the greatest legends that ever lived, Queens at times is underrated. But for the lover of all things from the Q borough, you can't get enough of Jamaica Avenue, Steinway Street, Queens Center Mall, Ajax Park, Liberty Avenue - the list is endless.

Born and raised in Queens, I guess my assessment of my borough may be a tad bit biased but screw it, we're talking about the home of some of the greatest jazz musicians the world has ever seen from Louis Armstrong to Billie Holiday, that also had enough time to be the resting place for a cluster of hitmakers, directors, actors, world renowned movie studios, and fashion designers. We are talking about Queens here people!

Queens is the largest in area, the second largest in population, and the easternmost of the five boroughs of New York City. The borough is coextensive with Queens County, an administrative division of New York state, in the United States.

Located on the western portion of Long Island, Queens is home to two of the three major New York City area airports, JFK International Airport and LaGuardia Airport. It is also the location of the New York Mets baseball team, the US Open tennis tournament, Flushing Meadows Park, Kaufman Astoria Studios, Silvercup Studios, and Aqueduct Racetrack. (Thanks Wikipedia!)

I can remember spending a majority of my child hood navigating through the streets of Queens. Forest Hills (For the train savvy: 71st and Continental on the R train) can take you to a bevy of restaurants, clothing stores, and nightlife. Other places you might enjoy for ethnic fare is Sunnyside, Astoria, Bayside, Long Island City and Corona. Queens has the highest population of hispanic and Guyanese immigrants in this borough, with Jackson Heights and Liberty Avenue (yes, this ENTIRE avenue) being the home of most. 

Even if you're not from Queens, you've heard of the Colosseum Mall. With the 165th Street pedestrian mall leading up to the two floor mall at the end of the block, shoppers have a bevy of choices to choose from. Want a quick and delicious bite to eat? Be prepared to stand in line for a beef patty on 165th street as Jamaican Flavors houses the best patties known to man. Grab a slice of the greatest pizza ever at Margherita Pizza on 163rd Street.

Rappers and singers are normally a fixture at Club Amazura and the various clubs that are aligned along Jamaica Avenue, but if that's not your scene, you can easily find something to your liking on Queens Blvd. With places ranging from hookah lounges to billards, there is always something to do along these streets. Be careful though, as Queens Blvd has earned the 'nickname' "The Blvd of Death," (look it up). Others places you might like? Austin Street.

Looking for something to do with the kids? Roy Wilkins Park (also the home of the Black Spectrum Theatre) is known for hosting some events including the Universoul Circus. In the summer, you can also catch a wide array of concerts for the perfect summer night. Kings Park in Jamaica is responsible for hosting weekly summer performances for kids, courtesy of Cultural Collaborative Jamaica. The Jamaica Arts Center on Jamaica Avenue houses several kid oriented activities including arts and crafts, dance and more. Other kid friendly places? The Hall of Science, Springfield Park, Flushing Meadow Park, Queens Library, Rock-N-Skate at Rockaway Beach and more.

Did I miss something? Care to fill me and the rest of the world in? Send your facts to besonewyork@gmail.com!