Customer Reviews

Queens: What to Do, Where to Go (and How Not to Get Lost) in New York's Undiscovered Borough

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I'm told Queens is the new Brooklyn, and as a long-time Brooklyn resident I thought, Fuggedaboudit! But that was until I read Freudenheim's book. Wow. And I thought Queens was famous for Shea Stadium, the old Worlds Fair and two airports. I stand corrected, and after reading just one part of the book I'm hungry. Having already wet my whistle at the beer garden I think I'll head over to Flushing for some authentic Asian cuisine. I suggest you read this book and head to Queens too, before all the trustafarians and folks priced out of Brooklyn and Manhattan over-run the place.

Ellen Freudenheim's "Queens: What to Do, Where to Go (And How Not to Get Lost) in New York's Undiscovered Borough" is a delightful guidebook to an often forgotten part of New York City. As the author points out, "were it to secede from New York City today, Queens would be the fourth largest city in America." If you enjoy diversity and value history and culture, Queens is the place for you: 120 languages are spoken here, ethnic food stores and restaurants abound, and Queens features cultural institutions, historic sites, and sports venues that are well worth a visit. Like so many formerly underappreciated parts of New York City (many in Brooklyn), Queens is being rediscovered and is on the upswing.

After an informative and witty introduction, Freudenheim devotes thirteen chapters to neighborhoods from Astoria (named after the wealthy fur trader, John Jacob Astor) to Woodside. Within these chapters, she covers the basics: where the neighborhood is located, how to get there, its history, things to see and do, where to shop, points of cultural interest, restaurants, and nightlife. Sprinkled throughout the chapters are lively anecdotes and essays, some written in the first person by Queens residents. At the back of the book are sections about JFK and LaGuardia Airports, tours you can take, and recommended Web sites. The detailed and well-organized subject and alphabetical indexes make the book easy to navigate.

Even if you plan never to set foot in Queens, this guidebook is fun to read solely for its entertainment value. The author has a brisk and spunky writing style that makes "Queens" a browser's delight. Turn to any page, and you will find a fascinating tidbit of information presented with wit and verve. Did you know that jazz great Louis Armstrong lived in Queens for for twenty-eight years and that his house is a National Historic Landmark open to the public? I love New York (especially Brooklyn), but Ellen Freudenheim tempts me to board one of the many subway lines leading to the "hidden gems" of Queens.

I grew up in Queens; I was born there. I also had lived in Brooklyn and worked in Manhattan and spent time in Staten Island and the Bronx. People think that everything happens in Brookly and Manhattan. Wrong! When I say that Queens reigns, I know what I am talking about. Queens has always been a secret worth hiding. Of course, as a child growing up there, it's difficult to know that. It is when you grow up and look back and read a book like this that you realize what you had. This book does that point on. It does a wonderful job of introducting this gem of a Borough to those not familiar with it. It also does a wonderful job of taking those back to a place they once visited and emphasizes the little known secrets. I just hope that letting the cat out of the bag doesn't ruin it for everyone else. Sometimes a secret is best kept that way.
I always used to tell people when I lived in Queens that if you ever wanted to take a trip around the world, and couldn't afford it, take a trip to Queens. It's the next best thing.
I highly recomend this book to anyone wanting to learn about a new place worth visiting, either vicariously or by actually going there. The restaurants are something worth stopping by and if you love to shop, there's a place in Queens to do it. I'm glad to have this book on my shelf. Even I learned something about Queens I didn't know about. As they say, stop by. Stay awhile. You might never want to leave.

The following was written by Library Journal:

Freudenheim, Ellen. Queens: What To Do, Where To Go (And How Not To Get Lost) in New York's Undiscovered Borough. Griffin: St. Martin's. 2006. c.336p. maps. index. ISBN 0-312-35818-0. pap. $17.95. TRAV
Freudenheim, who wrote about the New York City borough of Brooklyn in Brooklyn!: The Ultimate Guide to New York's Most Happening Borough, now tackles Queens. She organizes the book by neighborhood, with each section containing information on how to get there, things to see and do, history, shopping, restaurants, and points of cultural interest. Walking tours and brief essays by community members are also included. Small, detailed neighborhood street maps are helpful for finding attractions and navigating the area. Freudenheim presents some very compelling reasons to visit, such as the ethnic food, world culture, and proximity to New York's airports (you'll be passing through, anyway), and further provides practical information like tips on decoding Queens' complicated street addresses. Not every restaurant or attraction is covered and reviews are brief, but the guide is packed with useful and entertaining information and nicely fills a niche by covering the borough exclusively. Freudenheim's enthusiasm for Queens is contagious. Recommended for libraries with large travel collections, particularly for those collecting New York travel guides.--Louise Feldmann, Colorado State Univ. Lib., Fort Collins

Freudenheim, Ellen. Queens: What To Do, Where To Go (And How Not To Get Lost) in New York's Undiscovered Borough. Griffin: St. Martin's. 2006. c.336p. maps. index. ISBN 0-312-35818-0. pap. $17.95. TRAV
Freudenheim, who wrote about the New York City borough of Brooklyn in Brooklyn!: The Ultimate Guide to New York's Most Happening Borough, now tackles Queens. She organizes the book by neighborhood, with each section containing information on how to get there, things to see and do, history, shopping, restaurants, and points of cultural interest. Walking tours and brief essays by community members are also included. Small, detailed neighborhood street maps are helpful for finding attractions and navigating the area. Freudenheim presents some very compelling reasons to visit, such as the ethnic food, world culture, and proximity to New York's airports (you'll be passing through, anyway), and further provides practical information like tips on decoding Queens' complicated street addresses. Not every restaurant or attraction is covered and reviews are brief, but the guide is packed with useful and entertaining information and nicely fills a niche by covering the borough exclusively. Freudenheim's enthusiasm for Queens is contagious. Recommended for libraries with large travel collections, particularly for those collecting New York travel guides.--Louise Feldmann, Colorado State Univ. Lib., Fort Collins