Living in Queens, surprisingly I rarely visit Flushing and never noticed the landmarks that reside in this city. For example, Amanda, Jackson, and Dil touched upon the Queens Botanical Gardens which is a 39-acre garden open to the public. I learned that Flushing has a lot to explore such as Citi Field, The New York Hall of Science, and Flushing Corona Park. Also Flushing has such a rich history like how Flushing High School is the oldest public high school in New York City. There was also a theatre built in 1928, which was well renowned. Flushing is home to the Citi Field where the Mets play their home games.
In addition to my previous comment I would like to add one place not mentioned in the guide that I found to be interesting. Located in Flushing, is Kissena Park which is 235 acres. It also has its own lake and has areas for fishing, volleyball, basketball, baseball, bike trails and so much more outdoor activities. I think that this is interesting because other parks in Queens, like Cunningham Park does not have Volleyball courts, bike trails, or a lake. Kissena Park is like a hidden gem in Flushing.
The Urban Art and Culture Guide of Flushing, Queens, taught me much about the area which I was not familiar with. I found it surprising that in its early history, residents were not allowed to hold Quaker meetings without being fined. This goes against one of the major reasons most immigrants came to the colonies and specifically New York, in order to practice their religion freely. I also never knew that Flushing became a part of the borough of Queens and simultaneously a part of the city of New York, only in 1898. It is hard to imagine a time when New York City did not encompass all of the 5 boroughs, and it was surprising to me that it was not originally established as such. Amanda and her group did a very good job explaining the history of Flushing and interesting ways in which it developed such as how it came to have its own Chinatown. Their description of cultural events was also very informative and well written. I have always seen the Unisphere when driving through Queens with my family, and have seen it in multiple movies as Amanda and her group mentioned, but I never realized that it came as a result of such a large event. I found it very interesting that the biggest international exhibitions in the United States were held right here in New York City and made Queens another popular tourist destination. In addition, Flushing brings yet another landmark to New York City in housing the oldest public high school in the City. Amanda’s group was very thorough in describing interesting places to visit in and around Flushing, Queens. Another interesting attraction I wanted to mention was the Louis Armstrong House Museum, located near Flushing. The museum honors the jazz legacy’s life and music, and therefore makes for another interesting location to visit when exploring the Flushing area.
This Culture Guide was particularly fascinating to me because I live very close to Flushing and have known it for as long as I can remember, even before I moved to New York City. In fact, I even pass through Flushing every time I go into Manhattan as I take the 7 train from the Main Street terminus. Thus, this guide is especially interesting to me as I uncovered things I had never known about a place I pass through nearly every day. For example, I see Flushing High School every time I take the Q44 bus and I was unaware that it holds the impressive title of being the oldest public High School of New York City. I found it interesting that at one point Flushing had incorporated College Point and Whitestone, given that they are no longer considered part of Flushing today. This guide was a very enjoyable read and I’m glad I now know more about an area I see so much of.
A place in Flushing that is not discussed in the guide, but that I believe is very interesting (particularly for me) is JK Bakery on Union Street, between 29th Avenue and 29th Road. If you are interested in fresh, steaming-hot bagels, I’d argue JK Bakery has the best bagels in all of New York City. For over 20 years, my family has consistently gotten JK Bakery bagels, just to prove how good they really are. The funny part is that it’s a Korean bakery so you wouldn’t think bagels to be their specialty, but man are they delicious.
Flushing is a neighborhood I am familiar with yet I didn’t know that its earliest settler’s included a Quaker population. In fact I didn’t know Quakers settled in New York at all and have always assumed they predominantly settled in Pennsylvania because Pennsylvania was a colony built as a safe have for Quakers escaping persecution.
I also found it interesting that flushing has not only hosted two world fairs but that these world fairs were two of the largest international exhibitions in the United States. I’ve never known about these world fairs and I am surprised that people from all over the world would come to a town in Queens when most international events would happen in Manhattan.
Upon some further research a place I think should be added to the guide is the Kingsland House which can be found in downtown Flushing. This house is a preserved colonial house from 1774. It is an exhibit of a Victorian style home from the Revolution Era. The house is the second oldest in Queens and visitors are allowed walk inside the house and take a look at the history of their town.
Living in Queens, surprisingly I rarely visit Flushing and never noticed the landmarks that reside in this city. For example, Amanda, Jackson, and Dil touched upon the Queens Botanical Gardens which is a 39-acre garden open to the public. I learned that Flushing has a lot to explore such as Citi Field, The New York Hall of Science, and Flushing Corona Park. Also Flushing has such a rich history like how Flushing High School is the oldest public high school in New York City. There was also a theatre built in 1928, which was well renowned. Flushing is home to the Citi Field where the Mets play their home games.
In addition to my previous comment I would like to add one place not mentioned in the guide that I found to be interesting. Located in Flushing, is Kissena Park which is 235 acres. It also has its own lake and has areas for fishing, volleyball, basketball, baseball, bike trails and so much more outdoor activities. I think that this is interesting because other parks in Queens, like Cunningham Park does not have Volleyball courts, bike trails, or a lake. Kissena Park is like a hidden gem in Flushing.
The Urban Art and Culture Guide of Flushing, Queens, taught me much about the area which I was not familiar with. I found it surprising that in its early history, residents were not allowed to hold Quaker meetings without being fined. This goes against one of the major reasons most immigrants came to the colonies and specifically New York, in order to practice their religion freely. I also never knew that Flushing became a part of the borough of Queens and simultaneously a part of the city of New York, only in 1898. It is hard to imagine a time when New York City did not encompass all of the 5 boroughs, and it was surprising to me that it was not originally established as such. Amanda and her group did a very good job explaining the history of Flushing and interesting ways in which it developed such as how it came to have its own Chinatown. Their description of cultural events was also very informative and well written. I have always seen the Unisphere when driving through Queens with my family, and have seen it in multiple movies as Amanda and her group mentioned, but I never realized that it came as a result of such a large event. I found it very interesting that the biggest international exhibitions in the United States were held right here in New York City and made Queens another popular tourist destination. In addition, Flushing brings yet another landmark to New York City in housing the oldest public high school in the City. Amanda’s group was very thorough in describing interesting places to visit in and around Flushing, Queens. Another interesting attraction I wanted to mention was the Louis Armstrong House Museum, located near Flushing. The museum honors the jazz legacy’s life and music, and therefore makes for another interesting location to visit when exploring the Flushing area.
This Culture Guide was particularly fascinating to me because I live very close to Flushing and have known it for as long as I can remember, even before I moved to New York City. In fact, I even pass through Flushing every time I go into Manhattan as I take the 7 train from the Main Street terminus. Thus, this guide is especially interesting to me as I uncovered things I had never known about a place I pass through nearly every day. For example, I see Flushing High School every time I take the Q44 bus and I was unaware that it holds the impressive title of being the oldest public High School of New York City. I found it interesting that at one point Flushing had incorporated College Point and Whitestone, given that they are no longer considered part of Flushing today. This guide was a very enjoyable read and I’m glad I now know more about an area I see so much of.
A place in Flushing that is not discussed in the guide, but that I believe is very interesting (particularly for me) is JK Bakery on Union Street, between 29th Avenue and 29th Road. If you are interested in fresh, steaming-hot bagels, I’d argue JK Bakery has the best bagels in all of New York City. For over 20 years, my family has consistently gotten JK Bakery bagels, just to prove how good they really are. The funny part is that it’s a Korean bakery so you wouldn’t think bagels to be their specialty, but man are they delicious.
Flushing is a neighborhood I am familiar with yet I didn’t know that its earliest settler’s included a Quaker population. In fact I didn’t know Quakers settled in New York at all and have always assumed they predominantly settled in Pennsylvania because Pennsylvania was a colony built as a safe have for Quakers escaping persecution.
I also found it interesting that flushing has not only hosted two world fairs but that these world fairs were two of the largest international exhibitions in the United States. I’ve never known about these world fairs and I am surprised that people from all over the world would come to a town in Queens when most international events would happen in Manhattan.
Upon some further research a place I think should be added to the guide is the Kingsland House which can be found in downtown Flushing. This house is a preserved colonial house from 1774. It is an exhibit of a Victorian style home from the Revolution Era. The house is the second oldest in Queens and visitors are allowed walk inside the house and take a look at the history of their town.