QUEENS BOTANICAL GARDEN
Evolved from the 1939 World’s Fair, Queens Botanical Garden
is a 39-acre urban oasis where people, plants, and cultures are
celebrated through inspiring gardens, innovative educational
programs, and real-world applications of environmental
stewardship. Something is in bloom no matter the season. Special
sections include Cherry Circle, Fragrance Walk, Perennial and
Rose Gardens, Arboretum, and Pinetum. The Wedding Garden,
complete with a footbridge over a babbling stream, is a favorite
spot for couples to exchange vows.
The green space hosts events and programs for all ages,
including Arbor Fest in April, Harvest Fest in October, bird
walks with NYC Audubon, a Halloween weekend, and countless
composting, art, and craft workshops, as well as volunteer
opportunities.
Built in 2007, the Visitor & Administration Building was the
first New York City building to earn a “Platinum” rating from
the United States Green Building Council Leadership in Energy
and Environmental Design (LEED).Queens The building Zoo Aviary
has a planted
green roof that minimizes storm water run-off; solar panels that
generate 17 percent of the building’s electricity; geothermal
heating and cooling; gray water recycling that cleans water from
sinks; compost toilets for staffers; and bioswales that capture
storm water to reduce pressure on the city’s overburdened sewer
system.
Inside scoop: In the morning, the Oak Allée fills with tai chi
practitioners.
Address: 43-50 Main St. and www.queensbotanical.org.
QUEENS MUSEUM
In 2013, the Queens Museum re-opened after a $69 million
renovation that created 50,000 more square feet, extra galleries,
studios for resident artists, and a sky-lit atrium.
The museum is most famous for its Panorama of the City of
New York, a 9,335-square-foot, 900,000-structure, scaleddown
architectural model of all five boroughs. The permanent
collection includes a display of Tiffany glass, paintings from
Salvador Dali, crime scene photographs from the Daily News
archives, and more than 6,000 artifacts from the 1939 and 1964
World’s Fairs.
Periodical activities include live music, outdoor film, art
workshops, and lectures.
22 QUEENS IN YOUR POCKET • www.itsinqueens.com
/www.queensbotanical.org
/www.itsinqueens.com
/www.queensbotanical.org
/www.itsinqueens.com
