Information
Landmark: Queens MuseumCity: Queens
Country: USA New York
Continent: North America
Queens Museum, Queens, USA New York, North America
Overview
In the heart of Flushing Meadows–Corona Park in Queens, New York, the Queens Museum brings the borough’s history and rich diversity to life, from its World’s Fair roots to today’s bustling neighborhoods.Founded in 1972, the museum occupies the New York City Building, a grand hall first built for the 1939 World’s Fair and later home to the United Nations General Assembly from 1946 to 1951.One of the museum’s most beloved sights is the Panorama of the City of New York-a sprawling 9,335‑square‑foot model of the entire city, first crafted for the 1964 World’s Fair.It shows tiny versions of all five boroughs, packed with intricate buildings, arched bridges, and snaking highways.For just $100, visitors can join the “Adopt-A-Building” program and sponsor a model-complete with a small plaque engraved with their name.The Neustadt Collection of Tiffany Glass highlights the artistry of Tiffany Studios, with stained-glass windows, glowing lamps, and other pieces rich in delicate floral patterns and crisp geometric shapes.The collection features decorative accents alongside striking architectural pieces, like a carved oak lintel.The museum showcases more than 900 artifacts from the 1939 and 1964 World’s Fairs, from glossy promotional flyers to black-and-white photographs and ingenious gadgets, offering visitors a vivid peek into the technology, innovation, and design of mid‑20th‑century life.Relief Map of the NYC Water Supply System: Built for the 1939 World’s Fair, this massive 540‑square‑foot model captures the intricate network of reservoirs and pipes that carry fresh water to millions, from distant mountain streams all the way into the city’s heart.The museum welcomes visitors Wednesday through Friday from noon to 5 p.m., and on weekends from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., when sunlight spills across the gallery floors.They keep the place shut on Mondays and Tuesdays, so don’t expect the lights on or the door unlocked.Admission’s simple: the museum lets you pay whatever you wish, even if it’s just the jingle of a single coin.Suggested contributions are $8 for adults and $6 for seniors or students, but visitors can give whatever feels right-whether that’s the exact amount or just the change in their pocket.Kids under twelve, their caregivers, and anyone with an IDNYC card get in free-no ticket needed.Accessibility: The museum works hard to welcome everyone, offering programs and resources-from tactile exhibits to guided tours-for visitors of all abilities.You’ll find easy-to-reach entrances and restrooms, and a friendly staff member is always on hand to help visitors.You can hop on the 7 train and be there in no time-it stops at Mets–Willets Point and 111th Street, just a short walk from the museum’s doors.No matter which station you start from, you can reach the museum with a quick stroll-just a few minutes past the smell of fresh coffee from the corner café.If you’re driving, the museum has free parking, but spots fill up fast-think rows of cars by mid-morning-so it’s best to take public transit.The Queens Museum packs its halls with lively exhibits and community programs, all inside a striking landmark where history seems to echo in the marble floors.It showcases the borough’s rich heritage, linking New York City’s past and present like a weathered stone arch over a busy street.
