Queens, New York

The Queens Botanical Garden spans 39 acres in the northeast corner of Flushing Meadows Corona Park. The garden started as "Gardens on Parade," a five-acre horticultural exhibit at the 1939-40 New York World's Fair. With the onset of the World War II, however, the once glorious gardens were allowed to become overgrown, and the exhibit remained in a state of disuse, virtually forgotten. In 1946, a group of civic-minded individuals, with the support of Parks Commissioner Robert Moses, founded the Queens Botanical Garden Society and developed a 20-acre showcase of native and exotic plants and trees, with related programs in horticulture and ornamental floriculture for area residents. The Garden was relocated to its present site in the early 1960's to accommodate plans for the 1964-65 New York World's Fair. Today, the Unisphere and towers of the New York State Pavilion can still be seen from atop the sloping hills of the Garden's 21-acre arboretum.

LaGuardia Airport was first occupied by Gala Amusement Park. Transformed in 1929 into a 105-acre private flying field, it was first named Glenn H. Curtiss Airport and later North Beach Airport. Taken over by New York City, it was enlarged by the purchase of adjoining land and by filling in 357 acres of waterfront along the east side.Ground was broken on September 9, 1937 for a new airport, which was built jointly by the city and the Federal Works Progress Administration. It was dedicated on October 15, 1939 as New York City Municipal Airport. On November 2, 1939, the name was changed to New York Municipal Airport--LaGuardia Field. On December 2nd of that year, it was opened to commercial traffic.In 1947, the year the airport was leased to the Port Authority, it was renamed LaGuardia Airport. A new Central Terminal Building was opened in 1964 and enlarged in 1967 and 1992.

MoMA PS1 is an art institution dedicated to showing the latest and most "experimental art" of the day. It does not maintain a permanent collection but instead offers exhibition space for contemporary art. The museum searches for the latest in emerging talent and new genres. In addition to visual arts, it also offers space for music and other performing arts.Projects are located throughout the building and in outdoor galleries, including site-specific work and some recreations of P.S.1's first-ever 1976 exhibition.Note that in addition to housing exhibitions, this neo-Romanesque, former public school building is home to artists' studios and an auditorium.

The American Museum of Moving Image & Kaufman Astoria Studio was originally a Paramount Pictures Studio that opened in 1920. Valentino, the Marx Brothers, Gloria Swanson and others made films here. The large complex stood empty until the seventies when the Astoria Motion Picture and Television Foundation was founded to preserve it. Since then, the studio has bounced back to host the shooting of such features as Woody Allen's "Radio Days". In 1981, one of the buildings was transformed into the American Museum of the Moving Image with interactive displays about film production and theaters. On display is everything from Annie Hall's wardrobe to the Star Trek costumes.

Hell Gate Bridge was completed in 1916 by Gustav Lindenthal as the world's longest steel arch bridge. Today, it is New York's least-known bridge. The bridge is the chief element of a rail link that includes two other bridges, Little Hell Bridge and the Bronx Kill Bridge stretching 3.2 miles from Queens to the Bronx. As his masterpiece, Gustav chose a design based on a flat, spandrel arch situated between two massive masonry towers and weighing 150 tons, requiring the heaviest girders ever created.

The New York Hall of Science was originally the 1964 World's Fair science pavilion. It was designed by Wallace Harrison, with dalle de verre glass set in concrete panels. The hands-on science and technology center teaches children and adults with the largest collection of interactive exhibits in New York City.Permanent exhibits include Connections: The Nature of Networks, Mathematica: A World of Numbers, Rocket Park, and Science Playground.The New York Hall of Science also features traveling exhibits in the Great Hall.

The Louis Armstrong House was built in 1910 by architect Robert Johnson. The house was originally a two story, clapboard-sided house designed as a two family residence. The Armstrong's bought the house in 1943 and lived there for the rest of their lives. It remains almost exactly the way it was at Lucille Armstrong's death in 1983. Queens College is currently operates the Louis Armstrong Archives as an educational center.

Flushing Meadow-Corona Park was the site of New York's two world fairs. Today, it offers a large waterside picnic area and many attractions including Shea Stadium and Flushing Meadows, home of the U.S. Tennis Center where the U.S. Open tennis matches are played. The Unisphere, a giant globe sculpture from the 1964 fair, dominates the grounds.

The Queens County Farm Museum dates back to 1697, consisting of 47 acres of nature trails, fields and farm buildings. It is the only working historical farm in New York City. One highlight is the three-room Flemish-style farmhouse, built in 1772, and furnished with original furnishings.The Queens County Farm Museum also features an orchard, planting fields, vineyard, and herb garden.

The King Manor is located within an 11 acre park, It was home to Rufus King, one of the original signers of the United States Constitution. The manor is now a museum which features period rooms and exhibits. The house is also an established site on the Underground Railroad Heritage Trail.

Alley Pond Environmental Center is located within over 635 acres of woodlands, meadows fresh and salt water marshes. The Center was established to provide environmental education through animal, science and nature programs.

The Isamu Noguchi Garden Museum features works in stone, metal, wood, and clay by Isamu Noguchi. The garden space designed by the artist features major granite and basalt sculptures.

Queens Historical Society is housed in the Kingsland Homestead, a homestead built around 1775. The society features ever changing exhibits. The society also runs walking tours of the neighborhood.

Exhibits at the Queens Art Museum include the works of New York artist, Keith Haring, and highlights of the New York City Building in which the museum is housed.