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Astra Lumina’s enchanting night walk is open now at the Queens Botanical Garden! If you’re headed to the experience from an area like Manhattan or Brooklyn, why not make a whole day out of the trip? Here are some ideas to make the most out of your journey through the stars at Astra Lumina.
Starting the Day in Manhattan
As with all things in life, a lot of your day will be determined by traffic. But it should take roughly an hour to take public transportation from Manhattan to Queens Botanical Garden.
Plan Your Route
Train/Bus
Take the 7 train (purple line) going towards Flushing-Main St and walk to the corner of Main Street and Roosevelt Avenue (across the street from the station). Look for the Q44 (towards Jamaica) or Q20 (towards College Point) bus stop. Get off at the Queens Botanical Garden stop, located near Main Street and Dahlia Avenue.
Car
Take the Queens Midtown Tunnel and exit onto the Long Island Expressway (I-495) Eastbound. Take Exit 23 for Main Street toward Kissena Boulevard, and at the exit turn left onto Main Street (Northbound). Continue on Main Street for about 1 mile until you reach the garden.
For more info on getting to Queens Botanical Garden, click here!
Breakfast Ideas In Manhattan
- Apple Jack Diner: 1725 Broadway, New York, NY 10019
- Little Collins: 570 Lexington Ave, New York, NY 10022
- Penelope: 159 Lexington Ave, New York, NY 10016
- Sarabeth’s: Multiple locations
TTD On The Way From Manhattan To Queens (Pt. 1)
SPIN (Midtown or Flatiron)
With two locations in Manhattan, SPIN is dedicated to the sport—no, the art—of ping pong. Equal parts bar, lounge, restaurant, and ping pong paradise, you can get your game on or just hang out in these stylish spaces. The Midtown location even features Spinny, the US’s first AI-powered ping pong robot!
MoMA PS1 (Long Island City)
MoMA PS1 began as an organization entirely separate from MoMA, aiming to turn abandoned NYC buildings into artist studios and exhibition spaces. After its success throughout the 70s, 80s, and 90s, it merged with MoMa to become MoMA PS1. It differs from MoMA not just in its venue (a formerly abandoned public school building), but in its more experimental art exhibits.
Stop For Lunch In/Around Sunnyside
- Philomena’s: 4116 Queens Blvd, Queens, NY 11104
- Sotto Le Stelle: 4407 Queens Blvd, Queens, NY 11104
- SoleLuna: 40-1 Queens Blvd, Sunnyside, NY 11104
- Fuyu Ramen: 4617 Queens Blvd, Long Island City, NY 11104
TTD On The Way From Manhattan To Queens (Pt. 2)
Museum of the Moving Image (Astoria)
The Museum of the Moving Image (MoMI) features special exhibitions, film screenings, live conversations with filmmakers, and more with the goal of appreciating and understanding all things related to moving images.Tickets range from $10 (kids) to $20 (adults), with special prices for students and senior citizens.
Queens Zoo (Flushing Meadows Corona Park)
You may be thinking you’d need a whole day for a trip to the zoo, but with tickets only costing $10 for non-members there’s really no reason not to stop by. The Queens Zoo features an aviary, sea lion pool, lynxes, and many more precious critters.
Starting the Day in Brooklyn
You’ve got your tickets to Astra Lumina and you’re ready to set out on your adventure. First let’s figure out how you’re getting there, then move on to the fun stuff (breakfast).
Plan Your Route
Train/Bus
Depending on your starting location, take the J, M, Z, or L train and transfer to the 7 train (purple line) towards Flushing-Main St. Ride it to the last stop, Flushing-Main St Station, and walk to the corner of Main Street and Roosevelt Avenue. Look for the Q44 (towards Jamaica) or Q20 (towards College Point) buses and take either to the Queens Botanical Garden stop.
Car
Get onto I-278 E (Brooklyn-Queens Expressway) and eventually merge onto I-495 E (Long Island Expressway) toward Eastern Long Island. Take Exit 23 for Main Street toward Kissena Boulevard, turning left onto Main Street (Northbound). Continue on Main Street for approximately 1 mile until you reach the Queens Botanical Garden
For more info on getting to Queens Botanical Garden, click here!
Breakfast Ideas In Brooklyn
- Ma-n-Pop: 349 Lewis Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11233
- Jenny’s: 233 Kingston Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11213
- Tom’s Restaurant: 782 Washington Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11238
- Almah cafe: 87 Utica Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11213
TTD On The Way From Brooklyn To Queens (Pt. 1)
Brooklyn Heights Promenade (Brooklyn Heights)
The Brooklyn Heights Promenade has a stunning panoramic view of the Manhattan skyline, making it a great spot for strolling after breakfast. And besides the skyline on one side, there’s also the charming historic brownstone houses and tree-lined streets of Brooklyn Heights on the other.
Pro Line Archery Lanes (Ozone Park)
Looking for something a little off the beaten path? Museums, parks, and shopping centers are always fun, but why not kill an hour or two channeling your inner Katniss Everdeen? And where better than Pro Line Archery Lines, which has been in the same location since the mid-70s.
Quick Break For Lunch In/Around Jamaica
- A Churrasqueira: 9529 Sutphin Blvd, Jamaica, NY 11435
- El Rinconcito de los Sabores: 139-33 89th Ave, Queens, NY 11435
- Sangria: 95-41 Sutphin Blvd, Jamaica, NY 11435
- Beijing Dumpling House: 88-38 Sutphin Blvd, Queens, NY 11435
TTD On The Way From Brooklyn To Queens (Pt. 1)
Jamaica Colosseum Mall (Jamaica)
Take a load off and get some shopping in at this iconic shopping center! Founded in 1984, the Jamaica Colosseum Mall played a vital role in revitalizing the neighborhood after many local stores were abandoned or burned down in the 70s. And with promotion from artists like LL Cool J and the Wu-Tang Clan (who both filmed music videos at the mall), it’s since become the largest jewelry exchange in Queens!
Queens Museum (Flushing Meadows Corona Park)
As you near Queens Botanic Garden, there’s plenty to do and see in Flushing Meadows Corona Park. One of the best is the Queens Museum, which features the iconic Panorama of the City of New York. The 1:1,200 scale replica of the city covers 9,335 square feet, and if you haven’t seen it already it’s definitely worth stopping by.
You’ve Arrived In Flushing!
Astra Lumina is open at Queens Botanical Garden from 5:30pm through 9pm. So depending on the time slot you buy tickets for, you may want to get dinner before or after your trip through the cosmos.
First, let’s talk restaurants, as Flushing is known for some of the best Asian cuisine around.
Dinner
- Nan Xiang: 39-16 Prince St #104, Queens, NY 11354
- Chef Papa: 42-05 162nd St, Queens, NY 11358
- Chongqing Lao Zao: 37-04 Prince St, Flushing, NY 11354
- Henan Feng Wei: 136-31 41st Ave, Flushing, NY 11355
Astra Lumina
And now, the big event! Whether you pack your day full of activities or head straight to the garden, this is the one thing on this list that is simply unmissable. You’ll embark on a story of cosmic proportions, full of twinkling lights, otherworldly soundscapes, and childlike wonder. Not a bad way to end the day!
Want to learn more about the mysteries of Astra Lumina? Click here for all the info!
See more: Click here for 18 fun things to do in Flushing, Queens!