Where to Relax for Your Staycation

It’s been a while since we’ve been able to travel, but traipsing across Queens has a tendency to make you feel like you’ve gone across the world, with nothing but your Metrocard. Forget cramming onto a plane with hundreds of other people — explore the city you’re in.

In this three part series, we’ll tell you where to eat, visit, and relax.

Bird watching at the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge

Where to Relax

Socrates Sculpture Park: An outdoor sculpture park where visitors can enjoy art for free, Socrates Sculpture Park is a meditative experience. As the sun sets, the Manhattan skyline comes into view, dimly glittering across the water.

Alley Pond Giant: Relax under the Alley Pond Giant, which will make you feel young again. This tulip tree is between 350 and 400 years old and was part of a 17th century gift from the Dutch West India Company to the Manhattan Walloon families.

Fort Totten: A remnant of the Civil War, Fort Totten was never completed and is now hidden on a pristine stretch of land in Northeast Queens. Leading to the water battery is tunnel with hundreds of years of graffiti, such as a proclamation that urges passersby to “Remember the Maine.” Go back in time among the ruins of this public park and explore NYC history. A more conventional experience is available as well — among the historical buildings, a red brick and white accented Gothic Revival building is home to the Bayside Historical Society.

Jamaica Bay Wild Life Refuge: Take notice, birdwatchers! One of the largest bird habitats in the northeastern United States, the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge includes over 12,600 acres of water, saltmarshes, freshwater and brackish water ponds, upland fields and woods, and open bay and islands. Hike, explore turtle nesting, and be amongst nature at this incredible retreat.