Queens is not the most popular borough in New York. It’s definitely cheaper in terms of real estate and the overall cost of living, but most people prefer to hang out in Manhattan or Brooklyn, where the major attractions are. In fact, the county is very frequently forgotten about, but there are tons of cool things to see and do if you know where to look.
One such place is the Queens Zoo, which is nestled inside Flushing Meadows Corona Park. I used to volunteer there on the weekends, but it doesn’t seem to be a generally well-known place. In my time as an employee, I met a lot of first time visitors, many of whom are NYC locals.
That’s why I love spreading the news about the attraction to anyone who isn’t familiar with it. Although the Queens Zoo is tiny in comparison to the Bronx Zoo, it is still endearing and homey. It specializes in North and South American animals, so you won’t see any lions or elephants. However, if you’re lucky, you might come across this bad boy:
Although Madagascar Hissing Cockroaches aren’t from North or South America, you might be able to see one if you ask the teaching fellows nicely. Just a little secret from a former volunteer.
