Want to visit New York and wondering where to stay in Queens , which neighborhoods are dangerous to avoid? Let's discover Queens together, one of New York's less famous neighborhoods than Manhattan , but well worth a visit.
Located east of Manhattan on Long Island , Queens is the largest of the five boroughs of New York City. Cosmopolitan, avant-garde, and rich in culture and gastronomy, this borough is very interesting.
But even though they are less dangerous than in Brooklyn or the Bronx (see dangerous neighborhoods in New York ), there are some dangerous neighborhoods to avoid in Queens.
To help you choose a safe and nice neighborhood, I'm going to tell you which neighborhoods to avoid, which ones to visit and the best areas to stay in Queens. You can spot them with a Google map of the main neighborhoods in Queens.
Queens neighborhoods in New York
Located north of Brooklyn, Queens is separated from Manhattan by the East River. It is made up of 6 main areas:
- Long Island City
- Jackson heights
- Flushing North
- Forest Park
- Jamaica
- The Rockaways (part only)
These areas are themselves made up of many neighborhoods, all of which have their own identity.
Queens neighborhood map
To help you identify the areas to avoid which we will discuss below, here is a map of the neighborhoods of Queens in New York:
Most Dangerous Neighborhoods in Queens
South Jamaica
This area is one of the most dangerous neighborhoods in New York City . The crime rate is very high, even though it's decreasing year by year. It's the only district in Queens where you absolutely shouldn't go, and even less so should you look for a hotel or an Airbnb there.
Willets Point
Willets Point is not an area recommended for tourists. This area of Queens was once called the Iron Triangle. This area was an abandoned district of New York known to be noisy, dirty, with hangars, dilapidated factories, car wrecks, tires. But in recent years, the municipality has demolished many blocks and the neighborhood is undergoing complete transformation.
The Rockaways
You may be tempted by this area, particularly to enjoy Rockaway Beach. But this neighborhood has changed a lot over the last 5 years. It is now one of the dangerous neighborhoods of Queens.
Ozone park
This neighborhood is located in the southwest part of Queens in New York. Less dangerous than the districts mentioned above, it should nevertheless be avoided for a tourist stay.
Safest neighborhoods in Queens
One thing you should know is that Queens is statistically much safer than most neighborhoods in the Bronx or Brooklyn . In fact, apart from the four neighborhoods mentioned above, all other neighborhoods in Queens are relatively safe.
Here is the list of neighborhoods in Queens with the lowest crime rates:
- Auburndale
- Middle village
- Forest Hills
- Laurelton
- Kew Gardens
- Woodside
- Queens village
- Woodhaven-Richmond Hill
- Springfield gardens
- Sunnyside
Which neighborhood to stay in Queens?
Long Island City (LIC)
Once an industrial area, LIC is now a new artistic hotbed in New York City. The tallest skyscrapers in Queens are also located in LIC. Hotels are springing up like mushrooms and tourism is developing at high speed!
Many museums can be found in Long Island City:
- the famous Isamu Noguchi Sculpture Museum,
- the Museum of African Arts,
- the Sculpture Center,
- the Museum of the Moving Image,
- the Socrates Sculpture Park, overlooking the East River,
- LE Fisher Landau Center, presenting a private collection of contemporary art.
LIC is a neighborhood in Queens that offers a good selection of hotels that are much cheaper than in Manhattan , but a bit further from the main tourist attractions . However, for those with a little more time, staying in this area can be a good compromise, combining the safety of the neighborhood with the sights of New York City.
Where to choose a hotel in Queens?
Here's a great hotel in a safe location in Long Island City, Queens: LIC Hotel
This modern hotel is quiet, well equipped and very close to Downtown Manhattan by subway.
Indeed, it is located 150 meters from the Metro station with a direct line to Manhattan . Furthermore, it boasts a beautiful terrace with breathtaking views.
Practical: a small grocery store near this hotel will allow you to make a little yum yum and save you a restaurant!
Flushing North East
It's a second Chinatown! Indeed, this district is home to the largest Asian community in New York with a large Chinese, Taiwanese, Korean and Indian population.
Northeast Flushing is a neighborhood in Queens known for its Asian restaurants, grocery stores, and shops, but also for the Unisphere . This 300-ton steel sphere is the largest in the world and served as a backdrop in the film "Men in Black." Visitors can also stroll through the Queens Botanical Garden or visit the Queens Museum of Art.
This is a good option if you are looking for a hotel close to LaGuardia Airport (see Comfort Inn At LaGuardia Airport or LaGuardia Plaza Hotel ).
If you're on a very tight budget, I suggest you check out my selection of the 3 cheapest hotels in terms of location:
Cheap hotels New York - my selection of 3 good deals
How to visit Queens?
If you wish to visit New York with a complete and interesting discovery of a New York neighborhood (Manhattan, Queens, Brooklyn…) I recommend booking a guided tour on Hellotickets.
Indeed, this booking platform offers several tours in French or in other languages to discover the most emblematic and touristic places of New York.
And the best part is their helicopter flight over New York!