Queens County Farm Museum: A Rural Getaway Right in NYC

Visit the Queens County Farm Museum historic site in Floral Park to be transported back to a simpler time and enjoy country-style activities for the whole family.

Occupying New York City’s largest remaining area of untouched farmland, the Queens County Farm Museum boasts beautiful, historic grounds that are an escape for families accustomed to fast-paced city life. While the farm has undergone many changes since its start in 1697, it continues to be a refuge for families who explore the grounds, attend one of its many annual events, and simply enjoy the fresh air.

Year-Round Features

The Queens County Farm’s 47 acres of land are open year-round and feature a range of places to visit, from historic farm buildings and planting fields to a greenhouse complex and an orchard.

During non-event days, visitors are free to explore the grounds on their own or they can visit the farm’s many family-friendly attractions. At the Welcome Center, visitors can buy feed to bring to the goats, sheep, and alpacas at the animal barn. Families can also roam the Children’s Garden—an area that features raised beds for each of the senses, where young visitors have the chance to taste, smell, and feel different vegetables, flowers, and plants.

For visitors interested in learning more about the practices of sustainable agriculture, the Queens County Farm offers farmer-led tours the first Saturday of every month at 2pm for a suggested donation of $5. And for those who want to enjoy a relaxing outdoor lunch or snack, there are picnic tables and free space available year-round.

Annual Attractions

The historic Adriance Farmhouse offers free 30-minute guided tours to visitors every weekend (11am-4pm) from April through October. Also offered during those months are seasonal weekend hayrides (11am-4pm) and a farm stand (Wednesday-Sunday 12-5pm) complete with vegetables and fruits grown on the property.

Spring

To welcome the warm weather each spring, the farm hosts a Children’s Carnival in its apple orchard for two weekends in mid-April and a Celebrate Queens Farm event one weekend in early May.

Summer

In late July, the venue hosts the annual Thunderbird American Indian Mid-Summer Powwow, featuring a weekend’s worth of intertribal Native American dance competitions. The public is invited to watch the competitions and browse Native American art, crafts, jewelry, and food vendors.

Fall

The annual Queens County Fair takes place over the course of two weekends at the end of September and features pie-eating contests, hayrides, carnival rides, and kids’ entertainment along with all of the other amenities of a traditional county fair.

Also near the end of September, the 3-acre Amazing Maize Maze opens for the season, welcoming adventurers to get lost and see if they can uncover the clues to find their way out. The maze is typically open on weekends through Halloween.

Experience the farm in all its fall glory by visiting the Pumpkin Patch on weekends in October, when you can wander the planting fields to find the perfect gourd to carve into a jack-o’-lantern.

Get in the Halloween spirit, on a weekend near the holiday, at the annual Halloween Haunted House, complete with hayrides, mulled cider, sweet treats, and pumpkins.

Finally, celebrate the fall season in late October at the Children’s Fall Festival, where everyone is invited to wear their Halloween costume and participate in various games, eat delicious food, and enjoy some live music.

Winter

During the holiday season, the farm offers activities such as a wreath-making workshop and a Holiday Open House.

Details

Address: 73-50 Little Neck Parkway, Floral Park

Hours: Grounds open year-round, 10am-5pm daily

Admission: FREE

For more information: 718-347-3276 or queensfarm.org