Long Island City waterfront
Dec. 10, 2014 Staff report
The borough of Queens was selected as the best tourism destination in the United States for 2015 by Lonely Planet, a leading news outlet that covers the travel industry.
Queens drew praise for its eating and drinking scene (including the four microbreweries that opened over the last 18 months), amazing diversity, high-quality hotels, exciting events, and unique, enchanting neighborhoods, such as art-filled Long Island City and surfboard-friendly Rockaway.
“Nowhere is the image of New York as the global melting pot truer than Queens. Browse New York’s biggest Chinatown in Flushing, shop for brilliantly colored saris in Jackson Heights, and inhale the heady aromas of coffee and hookahs in Astoria,” reads Lonely Planet’s editorial in its Best in the US list for 2015.
“The incomparable array of world cuisines makes Queens a destination for food lovers from all parts of New York City. For your art fix, ogle the new upgrades to the Queens Museum and the Museum of the Moving Image, look for the new Emerging Artists Festival (conceptionevents.com) in Long Island City, and stroll Astoria’s new 24-block arts district (kaufmanartsdistrict.org). If you prefer sand and surf to paint and canvas, head to Rockaway.”
“Don’t miss the prime eating and drinking scene that has popped up around the boardwalk — this is no cruddy carnival food: think succulent fish tacos, wood-fired pizzas, and wine bars.”
Western South Dakota came in second on Lonely Planet’s list. The other members of the top 10 were, in order, New Orleans (LA), the Colorado River, North Conway (NH), Indianapolis (IN), Greenville (SC), Oakland (CA), Duluth (MN), and the Mount Shasta Region (CA).
“I have always argued that we have the best hotels, restaurants, cultural organizations, parks, sporting events, and residents in the world and that our prices are very competitive for tourists,” said Seth Bornstein, executive director of the Queens Economic Development Corporation, after the announcement.
“It’s simply wonderful that Lonely Planet agrees, and our hospitality industry is waiting with open arms for all visitors. Come, you’ll like it.”
The annual top 10 destinations list is determined by Lonely Planet’s authors and editorial team to help travelers add to their wish lists for the coming year. Started in 1973, Lonely Planet has the biggest market share for guidebook sales in the world, having published more than 130 million guidebooks in its history. The media company also operates an award-winning website and a suite of mobile and digital travel products.
For the full write up on Queens, please click here.
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4 Comments
I lived across from astoria park for 6 years.What struck me the most was the cultural poverty. Not just the the italian and greek neigbors being ethnocentric and suspicious, but also the lack of cultural curiosity.
Sure you can get Mongolian food, or see a Greek dance, or pass a Mexican Quinceira,but no matter what you always get the feeling that youre the other. And they feel the same.
I live in Park slope now, by grand army plaza. I meet people all the time and we talk about art, nature, science, politics etc and we welcome one another,
The difference is although we may be different ethnicity we are culturally similar.
As far dating in astoria goes.. Forget it. In all the years I lived there I dated no one from there. And I tried. My friend who was born and raised in astoria put it succinctly by characterizing the natives as cunts and meatballs. I typically dont think of people that negatively.. but sadly it was my experience three as well
If I were to give advice to anyone in peer group I would say astoria is a viable option for 2 years. But other than that they would be hurting their life. It feels like a stuffed animal left in a rainstorm and put out to trash. and If I never go there again it wont be too soon
Yes queens is one of the best,
Astoria is my favorite because of all the gorgeous Greek woman (koukles) young and mature woman alike the great restaurants and great cafés even though a bunch of them are overpriced and think they are in manhattan and in fact they are in the Ditmars area. Other than that yes queens is the best. Love you all:))
Great. Manhattan is all national chains, Brooklyn is full of Midwestern suburbanite hipsters so now they set their sights on ruining Queens
I know what you mean. I mean I get tired of hearing how Queens sucks (it doesn’t) and feeling like it’s such an underrated underdog, so I am glad to see it finally get some acknowledgement and credit, but my gosh, I hope this doesn’t cause it to turn into Brooklyn 2.0. Please, no.