Queens is the largest of New York City's five boroughs by area, sitting at the western end of Long Island with Brooklyn to the west and Nassau County to the east. It is one of the most linguistically and ethnically diverse places in the world, and its economy is the most diversified of the five boroughs. Both of New York City's airports, John F. Kennedy and LaGuardia, are here, and its landmarks include Flushing Meadows–Corona Park, Citi Field, and the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center.
For a visitor, Queens is a collection of distinct neighbourhoods rather than a single centre, and where you base yourself depends on how you arrive and what you plan to do. The borough is served by the Long Island Rail Road and by road and rail links to Manhattan, and several neighbourhoods have their own concentrations of places to stay. This guide covers which areas make sense as a base, matched to different kinds of trips.
Best areas to stay in Queens
1. Long Island City
Long Island City sits at the western edge of the borough, closest to Manhattan, and grew out of the village of Astoria and surrounding areas. It is the most convenient base for visitors whose plans centre on Manhattan, since it puts you at the Queens end of the crossings into the city.
Hotels are scattered through Long Island City along with several other neighbourhoods, so you will find a range of places to stay rather than one single strip. It suits first-time visitors and anyone who wants quick access to the rest of New York City while sleeping in Queens.
2. Flushing
Flushing is one of the borough's historic towns and today one of its most distinct neighbourhoods. It has a number of hotels, several of which serve LaGuardia Airport, making it a practical choice if your trip begins or ends with a flight there.
It also sits near Flushing Meadows–Corona Park, the site of Citi Field and the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, which makes it useful for visitors coming for a ballgame or the tennis. It suits travellers who value proximity to the airport and the park over proximity to Manhattan.
3. Jamaica
Jamaica is a historic town and the location of many hotels near Kennedy Airport. Its main advantage for a visitor is exactly that proximity to the airport.
Be aware that the location is generally considered undesirable for visitors apart from its closeness to the airport, and that some hotels here are listed as three stars but are nevertheless poorly kept. It suits travellers with an early flight or a long layover, not those planning to spend their days sightseeing.
4. Kew Gardens and Forest Hills
Kew Gardens and Forest Hills are residential neighbourhoods in the central part of the borough, and hotels are scattered through both. County offices extend to Kew Gardens, which sits near Jamaica.
These areas suit visitors who want a quieter base within Queens and are willing to travel to reach the main sights. They are a reasonable middle ground between the airport-oriented areas and the Manhattan-facing edge of the borough.
5. Elmhurst
Elmhurst, historically Newtown, is one of the borough's older settlements and today one of its many distinct and ethnically diverse neighbourhoods. Hotels are scattered through Elmhurst along with various other neighbourhoods.
It suits travellers who want to stay in a lively residential part of Queens with easy connections onward, rather than in an airport or waterfront district.
Where to stay on a budget, mid-range or splurge
- Budget: expect the simplest options in the airport-oriented areas, particularly around Jamaica near Kennedy Airport. Note that some properties there are listed as three stars but are nevertheless poorly kept, so check recent reviews carefully.
- Mid-range: the scattered hotels through Kew Gardens, Forest Hills, Elmhurst and other neighbourhoods fall broadly here, offering a straightforward base in a residential part of the borough.
- Splurge: the higher-end options cluster in Flushing, where a number of hotels serve LaGuardia Airport, and in Long Island City, which offers the most convenient position for reaching Manhattan.
Best area for a first visit
Long Island City is the best base for a first visit. It sits closest to Manhattan, so you can reach the rest of New York City easily while staying in Queens, and hotels are scattered through the neighbourhood. If your trip is built around a flight or a game rather than Manhattan, Flushing is the stronger choice.
Frequently asked questions
Which area should I choose if I am flying into or out of Kennedy Airport?
Jamaica, where many hotels near Kennedy Airport are located. Keep in mind that the location is generally considered undesirable for visitors apart from its proximity to the airport, and that some hotels there are listed as three stars but are nevertheless poorly kept.
Which area is best if I am flying into or out of LaGuardia Airport?
Flushing, which has a number of hotels serving LaGuardia Airport.
Where can I stay if I want to be close to Manhattan?
Long Island City, at the western edge of the borough, is the most convenient base for reaching Manhattan. Hotels are also scattered through Kew Gardens, Forest Hills, Elmhurst and various other neighbourhoods if you prefer a different setting.
Are there hotels outside the main areas?
Yes. Beyond Flushing, Jamaica, Long Island City, Kew Gardens, Forest Hills and Elmhurst, hotels are scattered through various other neighbourhoods of Queens.
Compare live prices for the areas that suit your trip using the booking tools on this page.