Flushing Meadows – Corona Park

Following our lunch in Jollibee in Woodside we catch the No. 7 train in search of Queens claim to fame – the Flushing Meadows - Corona Park. As we alight at the 111^thSt, neither of us can figure out where in the map the park is situated. We are quite hesitant to ask directions and just followed the road leading to a stretch of trees. 
 Everybody knows that New York’s have a lot of parks. Each has its own interesting story  and something to see. The Flushing Meadows-Corona Park is no different. The park has become the site of two New York World’s Fair (1939/1964).  Ever heard of retro-futurism? The future as seen from the past and the past as seen from the future – something like that.  The fair is a showcase of new technology and inventions back then.  I don’t want you to bore with all the details, shall we? The main reason I tagged my friends here is to see the huge popular globe  - the Unisphere.

Mercury-Atlas and Gemini-Titan rockets in Rocket Park

New York Hall of Science

While the universal exposition may have been a thing in the past remnants of the World Fair still exist.  It’s quite a trek from the station we descended but nevertheless it was a beautiful stroll. The next thing we knew we’re already in the New York Hall of Science (NYSCI). Seeing the rockets next to the Science Hall draws the child within me. As much as we’d love to check the museum, there was an entrance fee so threw off that idea.We continue to walk in unison as we shook off the spring sun bleaching the entire park. We caught a glimpse of Terrace in the Park which is not really that quite of a sight.  I soon realized that this park is indeed huge with so much to see besides the Unisphere. Just like the Central Park in Manhattan what I like about this is its open green spaces. There were people playing soccer, skateboard  and some kids running along the manicured lawns. It was early spring when we went here. It was a time of the year when the leaves are growing and flowers starting to blossom – as Robin Williams once said "Spring is nature’s way of saying, Let’s Party!".

Terrace in the Park

I have to be honest, I won’t be disappointed  if I don’t see the huge globe  in Queens. Let’s say I’ m more keen on watching the Knicks play rather than dragging myself here. One can only imagine our reaction when we make a curve in our path  as the commanding Unisphere shows up. My eyes were glued to the whole damn thing – and it’s huge! And yes I’m actually talking about the globe (not those fellow tourist Brit girls with their plunging neckline).lol

The UNISPHERE!!!
In the first installment of the movie Men in Black (1997), you’re probably familiar with the scene
   where an alien ship crashes through the Unisphere.

Brightly colored trees lined up in the Flushing Meadows - Corona Park

Such a beautiful structure and I suddenly feel nostalgic or for the  better term retrofuturistic. It’s just a different feeling when you’re standing on the landmarks that you only see in film or TV series. The massive globe is an awesome piece of man-made marvel  - a good enough reason why the Unisphere has been featured in many movies.

since the fountain wasn't running that time, skateboarders zip around
the dried out pool that surrounds the monument

the front side of Unisphere and Queens Museum of Art (QMA) in the background

Flushing Meadows is huge  park and there's a lot of spots to wander about after taking time in the Unisphere. Sad to say we didn’t really get to explore the Industry Pond, Meadow and Willow Lake. The only thing  I didn't like here is that we had a hard finding a restroom.  Checking out the Queens Museum of Art beckons.

Getting lost in the woods

  Industry Pond from afar.  
Because of it's proximity to the airports (La Guardia and JFK),
 contrails (condensation trails) coming from the airplanes can be seen in the sky.

47-01 111th Street
Queens, NY 11368-2950
New York Hall of Science