It’s in Queens.
That’s the short answer. But if you’ve ever tried to actually find the entrance while stuck in a gridlocked Uber on the Grand Central Parkway, you know it’s not that simple. Flushing Meadows Corona Park—the formal name that locals usually just shorten to "the park"—is massive. It is the fourth-largest public park in New York City, spanning about 897 acres. To put that in perspective, it’s bigger than Central Park.
If you're asking where is Flushing Meadows, you’re likely looking for one of three things: the giant metal globe from the movies, the home of the US Open, or the place where the New York Mets play. While all of those are technically in the park, the geography of the place is a bit of a maze. It’s tucked between the neighborhoods of Flushing and Corona, bounded roughly by the Van Wyck Expressway to the east and the Grand Central to the west.
Getting Your Bearings in the World's Fair Footprint
The park didn't just happen. It was built out of a literal ash dump—the one F. Scott Fitzgerald called the "valley of ashes" in The Great Gatsby. Robert Moses, the controversial master builder of NYC, saw potential in the swampy mess and transformed it for the 1939 World's Fair. He did it again in 1964.
Because of this history, the park is laid out in a series of grand, sweeping plazas and circular paths that make sense on a map but feel totally disorienting when you're on the ground. You’ll be walking toward the Unisphere—that massive 12-story high stainless steel globe—and suddenly realize a highway ramp is blocking your path. It's very New York.
The Sports Hub: Tennis and Baseball
A lot of people think the US Open is in Manhattan. It’s not. When people ask where is Flushing Meadows, they are often specifically looking for the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center.
This is located in the northern section of the park. If you take the 7 train—the "International Express"—you get off at the Mets-Willets Point station. From the platform, you can see Citi Field (where the Mets play) on one side and the tennis stadiums on the other. It’s a strange, high-energy pocket of Queens. During the last week of August and the first week of September, this specific corner of the park becomes the center of the sporting world.
But don't make the mistake of thinking the tennis center is the park. It’s just a tenant.
The Landmarks You Can't Miss
If you aren't there for sports, you're probably there for the "weird stuff."
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- The Unisphere: You’ve seen it in Men in Black, Iron Man 2, and every NYC-themed montage ever. It sits at the center of the park's main axis.
- The New York State Pavilion: These are the "towers" that look like UFOs on stilts. They’ve been decaying for decades, but a recent multi-million dollar renovation has started to bring back the original "American Cheese" yellow paint on the crown. It’s eerie and beautiful.
- The Queens Museum: Located right next to the Unisphere, this building houses the "Panorama of the City of New York." It is a 1:1200 scale model of the entire city. Every single building. It’s honestly one of the most underrated things to do in the five boroughs.
How to Actually Get There
Look, driving is a nightmare. Unless you’re coming from Long Island and know exactly which exit on the Grand Central to take, just take the subway.
The 7 train is your best friend here. It runs from Times Square all the way to Main Street, Flushing. Get off at Mets-Willets Point.
If you're coming from southern Queens or Brooklyn, the Q58 or Q48 buses drop you close to the edges, but be prepared to walk. The park is vast. If you enter from the 111th Street side (near the New York Hall of Science), you’re in the "science and kid-friendly" zone. If you enter from the Flushing side, you’re closer to the botanical gardens.
The Cultural Soul of the Park
Honestly, the best part of where Flushing Meadows is located isn't the monuments. It’s the vibe.
On a Saturday in July, this park is the most diverse place on the planet. I’m not exaggerating. You will see massive amateur soccer leagues with teams representing every country in Central and South America. You’ll smell the smoke from specialized food carts selling elotes and anticuchos. You’ll see families setting up massive spreads for birthday parties that last ten hours.
It’s a "people’s park" in a way that Central Park—with its manicured lawns and "keep off the grass" signs—sometimes isn't.
Where to Eat Nearby
If you’ve spent the day wandering around the Unisphere, you’re going to be hungry. You have two world-class options within walking distance.
- Flushing Chinatown: Walk East. Once you cross the creek and go under the LIRR tracks, you are in one of the best food neighborhoods in the world. Soup dumplings, hand-pulled noodles, and bubble tea are everywhere.
- Corona: Walk West. You’ll hit the Lemon Ice King of Corona on 108th Street. It’s a legendary spot. Get the peanut butter flavor; trust me.
Common Misconceptions About the Location
People often confuse Flushing Meadows with "The Flushing," which refers to the neighborhood. While they share a name, the park is a buffer zone.
Another big mistake? Thinking you can walk from the Unisphere to the Queens Zoo in two minutes. The Zoo is technically in the park, but it’s tucked away in the southwest corner. If you're with kids, check the map before you start walking. It’s a twenty-minute trek across various asphalt paths.
The park also contains Meadow Lake and Willow Lake. These are man-made and, frankly, Meadow Lake can be a bit windy and desolate. But it’s the only place in the city where you’ll see dragon boat racing practice in the early mornings.
Practical Tips for Your Visit
Don't just show up and wing it. The park is too big for that.
If you want the "classic" experience, start at the Queens Museum. It’s air-conditioned, has clean bathrooms, and gives you the historical context of the 1964 World's Fair. From there, it's a short hop to the Unisphere for your photos.
If you're visiting for the US Open, give yourself an extra hour. The security lines are intense, and the walk from the 7 train platform is longer than it looks.
Wear comfortable shoes. This isn't a "fashionable boots" kind of park. It’s a "broken-in sneakers" park. There are miles of paved paths, and if you want to see the various remaining time capsules buried under the grounds (yes, there are two of them!), you’re going to be doing a lot of legwork.
Actionable Next Steps
- Download a PDF Map: Cell service can be spotty near the massive steel structures of the stadiums. Have a map saved to your phone.
- Check the Mets Schedule: If the Mets are playing a home game, the 7 train will be packed. Plan your travel time accordingly.
- Visit the Panorama: Even if you think you don't like museums, the scale model of NYC at the Queens Museum is a legitimate must-see.
- Explore the Night Market: If you’re here on a Saturday night in the summer, the Queens Night Market near the Hall of Science is the best food event in the city.
Finding where is Flushing Meadows is just the beginning; the real trick is knowing which version of the park you want to experience—the sports mecca, the historical graveyard, or the vibrant community hub. Each one requires a slightly different entrance and a whole lot of walking.