One of the most exciting but underrated cities in the country is Jamaica, New York. Located in the New York borough of Queens, Jamaica is full of diverse cultures. This eclectic mix of ethnicities makes Jamaica a really special place to live as well as to visit. The city has enthralling entertainment, historical landmarks, important museums, beautiful parks, and athletic opportunities. If you haven’t been to this lesser-known city, here are some of the things that you don’t want to miss for much longer.
Enjoy the Mets
Citi Field, home to the much loved New York Mets Major League Baseball team, is located right in Jamaica. You can find high quality hotels close to the stadium with reasonable rates on Hipmunk.com. Try the Sleep Inn JFK Airport.
In addition to giving visitors the chance to watch riveting games, Citi Field is known for serving healthy and delectable fare, including the Blue Smoke barbecue pit beans, veggie burgers, and vegan pizza.
Get in the Game
If playing sports is more your thing, Jamaica also offers plenty of opportunities to be active while on vacation. Families can enjoy the Briarwood Playground together. The Detective Keith L Williams Park features a large outdoor swimming pool and immense deck area, which is ideal if you’d rather relax while your travel companions swim up a storm. The West Side Tennis Club welcomes visitors, and the Kissena Golf Course, Spring Golf, and the Forest Park Golf Course all offer pristine settings for a round of 18.
The Lexington Inn JFK Airport and the Linden Motor Inn are both near the Forest Park Golf Course if you want to stay near the action.
Marvel at the Museums
There are also plenty of free and reasonably priced cultural attractions in this lovely metropolis. The King Manor Museum in Jamaica gives tourists of all ages the chance to explore the history of the United States, including the Constitution and the Civil War. At this museum, archaeology reveals what life was like in the 1800s, and special events are held here throughout the year. Other museums in and near Jamaica include the Queens Museum, the Queens County Farm Museum, and the New York Hall of Science.
Dine in Style
Jamaica is also known for its variety of fantastic restaurants. Cheap Jamaica hotels like the Fairfield Inn New York JFK Airport and the Courtyard by Marriott JFK Airport have on-site restaurants. The Bistro at the Courtyard by Marriott offers breakfast, lunch, and dinner, while the Mediterranean Grille at the Fairfield Inn offers delicious American dishes for lunch and dinner. Other must-taste fare can be found at the Smile of the Beyond, Annam Brahma, Kumarans, and Rose Valley Cakes.
Do you know any other fascinating areas of Jamaica? I’m trying to build an ultimate resource on things to do in Jamaica, New York. If you’ve been to this thriving area of Queens, please add your thoughts and other tips below.
Author Bio: Robin Raven has a passion for traveling the world, and she has written about travel for such sites as Yahoo!, Hipmunk, and USA Today. As a travel writer and editor, Robin likes to meet new people and animals every chance she gets, and she loves trying the vegan food in any city. She blogs a book set in the picturesque area of Gulf Shores at 100WeeksofWonder.com.