THE 10 BEST Queens Museums
Museums in Queens
Category types
Museums
Traveler rating
Neighborhoods
Good for
34 places sorted by traveler favorites
- Things to do ranked using Tripadvisor data including reviews, ratings, photos, and popularity.
Art Galleries • Lessons & Workshops
Military Museums
Speciality Museums • History Museums
Speciality Museums
Speciality & Gift Shops • Art Galleries
Art Galleries
Open now
Art Galleries
Art Galleries
Art Galleries
Art Galleries
Art Galleries
Art Galleries
Art Galleries
Art Galleries
Art Galleries
Speciality Museums
Showing results 1-30 of 34
What travelers are saying
- Me616 contributionsExcellent studio/museum. Massive Muppet exhibition. tons of historical technical film equipment to see and read about. Plus lots to see from all major films. -some hands on stuff too.
Small café serving drinks light refreshment and cakes overlooking a nice garden, garden was closed and thick snow when we went - we were lucky to be there in the snow.
The neighbourhood is Astoria which is a nice area of Queens.Written March 18, 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Reka RNew York City, NY6 contributionsOur guide, Daisy, was awesome. She was informative, relatable and full of fun and evocative details about Armstrong’s life, which she conveyed with knowledge and enthusiasm. She also spoke with clarity, which we appreciated since one of us is hearing-impaired. Both the exhibit and the tour give a good sense of Louis Armstrong the man, as well as his life in historical and cultural context. Kudos to the museum and staff!Written January 20, 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Kenneth PIrvington, NY3 contributionsThe Noguchi Museum is a magical place. Outdoor sculpture garden, indoor exhibits leave one with a feeling of calm, and artistically satisfied. Walking around and through the exhibits, helps bring one up close to the artists works and emotional states.Written April 6, 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Nigel WOdense, Denmark622 contributionsIt is well worth taking a trip to Long Island City - combine a visit to MoMA PS1 with a walk around the neighbourhood and soak in the to-die-for view of the Manhattan skyline. The museum is in the buildings of the first public school in New York (or the States? can't remember). Quirky, cutting-edge contemporary temporary exhibitions and mini 'interventions'. The cavernous, weathered building is as much a star as the exhibits in it.Written December 10, 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Andrea FChicago, IL284 contributionsWe had fun visiting the hall of science. Our son is only 3 so we did not see everything. He really enjoyed the mini golf, bubbles, and the preschool area. We hope to visit again when we have more time.Written April 25, 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Bob SWarrenville, IL1,290 contributionsWhile the museum is not very big, it does hold some really cool memorabilia from the worlds fair. It also houses a huge map of many burrows of New York City. All free and All worth checking out. When I visited they were turning over the gallery exhibits resulting in very little to see in the museum.Written December 2, 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- TennisStar602New Jersey674 contributionsIn late December 2019, a buddy of mine and I took a tour of the QBG. It was a very nice garden, but it would probably be more ideal to come here in the warmer months when the leaves and the flowers are blooming. The garden is just off of the 7 subway line, and it is near Flushing Meadows Corona Park. There is some parking in a lot and on the street, and there is free admission in the winter!Written December 29, 2019This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Ed SPhiladelphia, PA38 contributionsCool undeveloped beach where the maritime forest and dunes are intermixing with remains of old military installations. Interesting seeing nature reclaiming old buildings (with the help of vandals 😒) .....some of the graffiti on the buildings is interesting....but a lot of it is annoying - I'd rather see an old, abandoned building decay naturally, without any human assistance. Nevertheless, if you're into urban exploring or seeing off the beaten path NYC, check it out - probably best to visit off the peak beach season though.Written April 17, 2017This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Brijraj SinghNew York City, NY52 contributionsNew York City is full of little known and seldom visited gems. The Voelker Orth Museum, Bird Sanctuary, and Garden, tucked away in a corner of Flushing, is one such. Built in 1891, the property was acquired by a first generation German immigrant, Conrad Voelker, in 1899, presumably to be near other reasonably well off middle class German families who were quite numerous in the area. Indeed, there were enough Germans in the city then to support seven German language newspapers, and Voelker published one of them, traveling daily to Long Island City by the newly built Long Island Railroad and then, by ferry, to Manhattan. He had a daughter, Theresa, who married Dr. Rudolph Orth, another first-generation German immigrant, who came to live with his in-laws; hence the double-barreled name of the house.
Theresa's daughter Elsabetha grew up to be a fine scholar of English literature, obtained a degree, and taught for several years on Long Island. She was also a gardener, birder, a lover of art and Nature, and built up a respectable personal library which was housed in a small, cosy, comfortable room, a subsequent addition to the original house. Never married, she devoted her life to looking after her mother and bequeathed the property to the Queens Historical Society upon her own demise.
The house has been immaculately and lovingly renovated to reflect the life of a cultured and comfortable, but not particularly rich middle class family in the 1920s. Many of the features in the building are original, while several others are reflective of the taste of the period. The living room holds an old phonograph among other objects, the library is a tasteful and welcoming room, and the dining room has a number of items which belonged to the family. The small hall has a cabinet full of curious clay German figurines or hummels. The woodwork and moldings need special attention since they reflect the trained and careful craftsmanship of German workmen. Upstairs the bed in Elisabetha's bedroom is original, there is an intriguing case for thimbles, and the window is shaped like an eyebrow, a not uncommon style for windows in parts of Europe but seldom seen on our shores.
The garden, though small, is a sheer delight. Well tended, it had a fine display of tulips and a flowering cherry when we were there, as well as a large number of other plants that would interest a botanist. In fact, one of the volunteers who worked in the house has published a pamphlet on the weeds of the garden. Though it was afternoon, there were a few birds about, and apparently the garden is visited by many birds throughout the year, which makes this place an unusually welcome haven in the middle of a heavily built up commercial and residential area.
The house and grounds are open to visitors on Tuesdays, Saturdays and Sundays from 1 to 4 p.m. Admission is free, but donations of $2 or more are gladly accepted. A welcoming, knowledgeable and friendly docent is present to guide visitors around the house.
Not the least attractive feature of the house is the large number of programs that are held there throughout the year, whether they are intimate chamber music concerts, or small exhibitions, or little walking tours, or weddings. A small but well equipped kitchen enables the organizers to serve refreshments to the participants. All told, the house is a treasure, and the trustees do everything to make it as accessible and as much of a community resource as possible.Written April 29, 2018This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - christopherbO9687MPActon, MA749 contributionsThe King Manor Museum has a decent collection of early American history artifacts in a historic early 19 Century house that was the family home of Rufus King (and later his sons); a Declaration of Independence signer and later NY State Governor & Senator (as was his son). Rufus King was also a strong abolitionist and worked throughout his career to end slavery in NY and in the entire US. Many of the artifacts in this Museum relate to his abolitionist writing & speeches.
Most of the Museum's rooms are decorated in the style of the 1820s, when Rufus returned to this home after a number of years as US Ambassador to England. Since Rufus travelled widely in the US & Europe, the rooms are furnished with a mixture of American-made and imported goods. Much of the collection comes from the King family, plus some pieces accurate to the period drawn from other sources.
I got a guided weekend tour (no reservation needed on Saturday; just show up on the hour) of the two floors and multiple rooms available. The tour guide was very knowledgeable about each room and the King's history in each piece. If you are interested in early American history & architecture you will find this Museum worth an hour to tour.Written April 8, 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - hrobinson1114Nashville, TN2,788 contributionsThis is not a stand alone activity. I recommend doing it along with Museum of the Moving Image and some Astoria dining,
You should also know modern art is not my thing, and this place is super modern and experimental. My favorite part was the architecture, lighting, and shadows. Industrial like. Makes for some great and interesting photos.
It’s free, so you have nothing to lose! Staff is very nice. Large open space. I only spent about 20 minutes here, but one could spend longer pondering the art.Written May 21, 2021This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Kristin RNYC484 contributionsI'm gradually visiting house museums which are less known in NYC. Getting here is an easy ride on the L train and a short walk.
The $5 admission is more than fair. You're offered to walk around in a self guided tour or a docent can guide you on a private tour, which I did. The your was maybe 15 minutes and then I took a closer look at a few things on my own, extending my visit to a total of maybe 25 minutes.
Overall and for $5, it was a nice time. Docent was very pleasant. I learned a few things.Written December 30, 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Allan SNew York City, NY6,499 contributionsThis is a one of a kind. Places. Great for nostalgia buffs or people who like me to press buttons. A terrific collection of elevator parts that do work and from an era when the city was full of manned elevators. Loved the place and it is just different than any other museunWritten August 10, 2018This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Kin YipCoram, NY132 contributionsI came here because I saw this place (Queens Historical Society) as one of the places that you may visit free of charge with the recently available Culture Pass. I visited it during one of my recent trips to Flushing.
I don't find it very interesting. It shows the history of the King's family and relatives and some horse racing in Queens ... But I don't feel that it really gives you a sense of Queens' history.
In my opinion, the house is not really that great inside or outside. At least, it makes me feel that this "Society" probably doesn't have too much funding to make this house great again ?! This place seems to be opened only during Tue., Sat. and Sun. and only during 2:30 -4:30 pm, which probably indicates that it doesn't have too many visitors anyway.
I visited both floors in this house and it's said that you may arrange a time to do research but I wonder how many people really do that every year ?!Written August 4, 2018This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Remag123Whitestone, NY152 contributionsCrowded but fast moving. Many choices of eateries. Food is good. Great bakery at ground level. Also a Fried Ice Cream place which is great. A Hot Pot on the second floor that is decent. A place to visit.Written February 11, 2020This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Frequently Asked Questions about Queens
- These places are best for museums in Queens:See more museums in Queens on Tripadvisor
- These are the best places for kid-friendly museums in Queens:
- Museum of the Moving Image
- Noguchi Museum
- New York Hall of Science
- Queens Museum
- Queens Botanical Garden
- These are the best places for budget-friendly museums in Queens:
- Louis Armstrong House Museum
- Museum of the Moving Image
- Noguchi Museum
- MoMA PS1
- New York Hall of Science
- These are the best hidden gems for museums in Queens:See more hidden gem museums in Queens on Tripadvisor