How to Spend Time in Nature This Summer — The Best of Queens, NYC

There is no shortage of things to do this weekend. Gather up some friends and head out to the great outdoors!

The Queens International Night Market is a large, family-friendly open-air night market in Queens, featuring up to 100 independent vendors selling merchandise, art, and food and featuring small-scale cultural performances, all celebrating the rich cultural diversity and heritage of NYC and Queens.

Get tickets here.

Back by popular demand for a fourth year, Camp Rockaway offers sand, turf, and Atlantic Ocean surf during the day and the comforts of home at night from June 11 to Oct. 31 with a possible extension into November. The Gateway National Recreational Area venue also gives friends and families the opportunity to safely connect with the Great Outdoors and each other.

Book your staycation here.

While you are glamping at Rockaway Beach, check in with Peter and Karin from Surfs Up NY. Both certified lifeguards, Peter has been competing in surfing since age nine and Karin has been a local surfer for the last seven years. While they begin with ten minutes of instruction on dry land to introduce students to the basics and ocean-safety procedures, they take to the water for over an hour to ensure you get the best bang for your buck.

Call, text, or email to set up a lesson.

Head to Movie Nights at the Queens Botanical Garden, where they’ll be showing Dirty Dancing, Raya and the Last Dragon, Wonder Woman 1984, and more. Experience big screen magic with the beautiful backdrop of golden hour in the evening. In addition to enjoying seasonal, movie-themed food and refreshments and exclusive after-hours access to the Garden, participate in a hands-on craft activity or enjoy a live performance at the same time.

Pick a date here.

The Queens Drive-in, at the iconic Flushing Meadows-Corona Park, is also bringing film, culture, togetherness and joy back to the people of Queens. The drive-in will be donating a portion of every ticket sale to non-profit organizations that serve the hardest-hit communities in our borough. Their upcoming movies will be We’re All Going to the World’s Fair and Monsoon Wedding.

Although the movies are free, you can order on-site food here.

The all-volunteer Long Island City Community Boathouse sponsors free Hallets Cove paddles, hosting “walk-up” kayak rides in the protection of Hallets Cove, at the northern end of Socrates Sculpture Park. They also provide weekday and weekend paddles to Roosevelt Island, Manhattan, Queens, and Brooklyn. Children are welcome if accompanied by a parent.

Request a trip here.

Straddling the Brooklyn-Queens border in the neighborhood of Ridgewood is Nowadays. Nowadays is a community-centered, music-loving space with good food and good drinks from local breweries. Crack open a cold one and enjoy live music from curated artists and weekend film screenings.

Here’s a list of upcoming events at Nowadays.

In other live music venues, try Terraza 7 in Jackson Heights. Not only does Terraza 7 have live music performances, but they also have literary events and film screenings. A combination bar, cafe, live music venue, and community center, it is the perfect hub for local art, political expressions and your favorite coffee or mixed drink.

Get your jazz fix here.

Skip the grocery store lines and head to the local farmers market. There are twenty-two in Queens, bringing fresh fruits and vegetables directly to consumers. The vendors, who are often the farmers themselves, welcome questions about which fruits and vegetables are the most seasonal and will be best for your Sunday meat prep. Pick up a bouquet of flowers to liven up the home, as well.

Find your local farmers market here.

Fruits at the largest farmers market in Queens, the Jackson Heights Greenmarket

Take a walk on the wild side on the Orange Trail in Forest Park. Hawks, chipmunks, woodpeckers, cardinals, blue jays, and raccoons all reside in the park, and if you’d like to bring your own furry friend, dogs are allowed off-leash. As one of the less demanding hikes, this trail is perfect for beginners and experienced hikers who are simply looking for a relaxing afternoon.