107. New York City - Queens - the Unisphere, great parks, beaches and the Lemon Ice King of Corona

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Today, we're venturing into the diverse
and vibrant borough of Queens, New York.

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Often overlooked in favor of its more
famous neighbor Manhattan, Queens is a

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treasure trove of cultural diversity, culinary
delights, and hidden gems. Join us

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as we explore this melting pot of
cultures, where every neighborhood tells a different

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story and culinary adventures await at every
turn. Queens is the epitome of cultural

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diversity, boasting neighborhoods that offer authentic
experiences from around the globe. Astoria,

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with its vibrant Greek community, is
a haven for food lovers, offering some

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of the best Greek cuisine outside of
Greece. Jackson Heights brings you into the

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heart of South Asian and Latin American
cultures with an array of restaurants and shops

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that are a feast for the senses. Flushing, known for its bustling Chinatown,

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offers an authentic East Asian experience,
with Chinese, Korean, and Southeast

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Asian influences evident in its food markets, restaurants, and shops. In the

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Art of Queens lies one of the
most iconic symbols of the Borough and indeed

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of New York City. The Unisphere
located in Flushing Meadows Corona Park. This

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giant steel globe stands as a monumental
tribute to the theme of the nineteen sixty

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four World's Fair, Peace through Understanding. The Unisphere, with its surrounding fountains,

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is not just a stunning visual spectacle, it's a representation of the global

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unity and the diverse cultural fabric that
Queens embodies. Constructed as a symbol of

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the Space Age, the Unisphere is
one hundred forty feet tall and one hundred

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twenty feet in diameter, making it
an awe inspiring site. It's set in

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a beautiful setting with water features that
are especially captivating when lit up at night.

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The structure is surrounded by detailed representations
of continents and orbit rings, symbolizing

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the first human orbits in space.
The Unisphere has since become a beloved landmark,

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drawing visitors from all over the world
and serving as a favorite backdrop for

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photographs. Flushing Meadows Corona Park,
the home of the Unisphere, is itself

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a destination worth exploring. As the
largest park in Queens, it offers an

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abundance of recreational and cultural activities.
The park is a legacy of the nineteen

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thirty nine and nineteen sixty four World's
Fairs, and it still houses several structures

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and sculptures from those events. The
park features various attractions, including the Queen's

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Museum, which houses the Panorama of
the City of New York, a detailed

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scale model of the entire city.
The New York Hall of Science, another

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remnant of the World's Fair, now
operates as a hands on science and technology

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museum, great for visitors of all
ages. For sports enthusiasts, the park

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includes City Field, home of the
New York Mets, and the USTA Billy

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Jean King National Tennis Center, the
venue for the US Open. Nature lovers

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can enjoy the park's scenic trails,
the Queen's Botanical Garden, and the Tranquil

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Meadow Lake, the largest lake in
New York City Parks, Flushing Meadows.

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Corona Park serves as a green Lung
and Queens, offering locals and visitors alike

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a place for leisure, exploration,
and reflection. The park, with its

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rich history and varied attractions, combined
with the iconic Unisphere, stands as a

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proud symbol of Queen's diverse community and
its place in the global tapestry. Nestled

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along the East River lies Astoria Park, a verdant oasis amidst the urban landscape.

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Spanning over sixty acres, the park
is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts.

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Its sprawling lawns are perfect for picnics, sunbathing, or simply relaxing with a

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book. The park's multiple playgrounds make
it a hit with families, providing a

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safe and fun environment for children to
play. For sports lovers, a story

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of Park offers a variety of facilities, including basketball courts, tennis courts,

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and multiple track and field areas.
It's a lively hub of activity where people

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of all ages can engage in their
favorite sports. One of the park's standout

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features is its massive outdoor pool,
One of the largest in New York City,

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The pool, with its backdrop of
the East River in Manhattan, offers

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a refreshing escape during the hot summer
months. Alongside the pool, the park

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boasts a performance stage, frequently hosting
concerts and cultural events that add to the

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lively atmosphere of Astoria A. Storia
Park is also a prime spot for runners

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and cyclists, with its well maintained
paths offering scenic routes along the waterfront.

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These paths provide not only a great
workout setting, but also a chance to

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take in some of the most breathtaking
views of New York City. For those

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interested in a leisurely stroll or a
photographic expedition, the park's shoreline along the

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East River is a must visit.
The views of the hell Gate Bridge,

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particularly stunning at sunset, are a
photographer's delight. A story of Park isn't

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just about recreation and views. It's
a community gathering place where locals come to

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connect and relax. The park's open
spaces host a variety of events throughout the

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year, from outdoor movie nights to
environmental education programs. Reflecting the vibrant spirit

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of the Astoria neighborhood, Queen's culinary
scene is as diverse as its population.

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From the Italian eateries in Howard Beach
to the Caribbean flavors in Jamaica, the

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borough serves up a world tour of
culinary delights. The famed foodstalls in the

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Queen's Night Market offer a taste of
everything from Malaysian satis to Mexican tacos for

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a unique dining experience, Explore the
array of food trucks and small eateries in

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Corona offering authentic Latin American dishes.
Two establishments stand out for their unique flavors

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and rich history, the lemon Ice
King of Corona and Nishnash. These iconic

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spots have not only delighted locals and
tourists alike, but have also become integral

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parts of the cultural fabric of Queens. The lemon Ice King of Corona has

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been a staple in the neighborhood for
over sixty years, a testament to the

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timeless appeal of its simple yet delicious
product, Italian ice. Situated on one

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hundred eighth Street, this beloved establishment
serves up a wide array of flavors,

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from classic lemon to more adventurous options
like chocolate, chip mint, and peanut

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butter. Each flavor is made using
traditional methods and high quality ingredients, resulting

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in a refreshing and flavorful treat that's
become synonymous with summer in Queens. The

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lemon Ice King's Italian ices are known
for their perfect balance of sweetness and tartness,

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with a texture that's smooth yet firm. It's a no frills experience.

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Expect to enjoy your ice on the
go or while taking a leisurely stroll around

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the neighborhood, as there's no seating
available. But it's this simplicity, combined

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with the undeniably delicious ices, that
has earned the lemon Ice King of Corona

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a loyal following and numerous accolades over
the years, including features in TV shows

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and guide books. Kanish Nash,
another culinary icon of Queens, offers a

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taste of traditional Jewish cuisine. Located
in Forest Hills, kanish Nash is famous

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for its classic Eastern European snack,
consisting of dough stuffed with various fillings.

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The establishment has been serving its mouthwatering
niches since nineteen fifty two, and the

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recipes have remained largely unchanged, preserving
the authentic taste that has made them a

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beloved treat. The variety of nisches
at Nishnash is impressive, with fillings ranging

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from the classic potato and onion to
more modern interpretations like sweet potato and spinach.

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Each niche is hand rolled, filled
and baked to golden perfection, resulting

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in a flaky exterior and a hardy, flavorful interior. Alongside niches, Nishnash

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also offers an array of other Jewish
delicacies, including matzo ball soup, stuffed

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cabbage, and a selection of pastries. The borough's thriving art scene is anchored

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by the Museum of the Moving Image
in Astoria, dedicated to the art,

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history and technology of film, television
and digital media. The Queen's Museum,

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known for its community focused art programs, and the Socrates Sculpture Park in Long

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Island City, an outdoor museum and
public park, are also key cultural highlights.

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Queens also offers natural escapes within its
urban landscape. The Queen's Botanical Garden

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is a beautiful oasis of flora,
offering themed gardens that change with the seasons.

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The Rockaway Beach, with its sandy
shores and surfable waves, provides a

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perfect seaside getaway. Our exploration of
Queens reveals a borough rich in cultural diversity,

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history, and culinary excellence. From
its vibrant neighborhoods to its scenic parks,

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Queens is a testament to the melting
pot that is New York City.

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So for your next adventure, consider
the unique and diverse Borough of Queens,

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a destination where every corner offers a
new discovery.