Popular Jamaica’s growing attraction is due in large part to its cultural diversity as well as its close proximity to the countless urban amenities including “The Big Apple”, which offers everything urban under the sun. Home to world-class museums, arts centers and multi-cultural festivals and events, Jamaica also serves as a major commercial center as well as an important hub for county-wide business and administration. With scenic views of lovely Jamaica Bay, you can’t beat all that Jamaica has to offer!
Location
The neighborhood of Jamaica is located in the southern portion of the borough of Queens in New York City, just minutes north of the JFK International Airport. Queens is bordered by the boroughs of Brooklyn to the west, Manhattan to the northwest, the Bronx to the north, as well as the county of Nassau to the east. The fifth borough of New York City, Staten Island, is located further west, just on the other side of Brooklyn from Jamaica, Queens. Each of New York City’s 5 boroughs correspond exactly with a county of New York State: Queens corresponds to Queens County, Brooklyn corresponds to Kings County, Manhattan corresponds to New York County, Staten Island corresponds to Richmond County and The Bronx corresponds to Bronx County.
Geography/Terrain
Jamaica is located in Queens, the largest of 5 boroughs that comprise New York City. While the beautiful refuge of the Jamaica Bay is a mere 10 miles south of the popular neighborhood, there are 7 other nearby water inlets to discover in the greater New York City area. The great Hudson River flows along the west side of Manhattan separating New York City from state of New Jersey. The Hudson River flows southward into the Upper NewYork Bay, which empties into the Lower New York Bay via the important strait known as The Narrows. The Narrows not only connects the Upper New York Bay to the Lower New York Bay – it also separates the boroughs of Staten Island (to the west) and Brooklyn (to the east), as well as serving as New York City’s most important entrance into New York Harbor. The Long Island Sound, an estuary of the great Atlantic Ocean, meets the East River which flows from northeast to southwest into the Upper New York Bay. The strait of the East River also serves to separate the Bronx (to the north) and Queens (to the south).
Distance to 3 Closest Major Cities
Manhattan is just 13 miles northwest of Jamaica, or a 20 minute drive. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania is 108 miles southwest, or a just over a 2 hour drive. Baltimore, Maryland is 206 miles southwest, or a just over a 3 ½ hour drive. Washington DC, our nation’s capital, is 242 miles southwest, or a 4 hour and 20 minute drive. Boston, Massachusetts is 212 miles northeast, or a 3 hour and 45 minute drive.
Jobs
Tourism, trade and industry are the base of Queens’ economy. Home to 2 of the busiest world-class airports, John F. Kennedy International Airport in Jamaica and LaGuardia Airport in Flushing, Queens serves as a hub for international levels of import and export activities as well as for comings and goings of residents, entrepreneurs and visitors from all over the world. The many attractions of Queens include Flushing Meadows Park, which is home to the annual US Tennis Open and Shea Stadium which is home of the New York Mets. Queens is home to such major corporations as the world-famous watchmaker Bulova, the beverage company Glaceau, and Jet Blue Airways.
Housing
Jamaica, Queens is well-known for many reasons including being the hometown of such rap and hip hop artists as Run DMC, LL Cool J and 50 Cent. Jamaica, largely made up of single and multi-family homes, is divided into two sections commonly known as “North Side” and “South Side”. North Side is a lively middle class neighborhood with lovely homes along tree-lined streets, while South Side is a working class neighborhood, with lovely houses and a few large apartment buildings. The growing community of Jamaica has benefited from the recent real estate boom with property value on the rise, and more and more new residents relocating to the diverse neighborhood.
Parks/Sports/Recreation/Golf
A large part of Jamaica Bay is maintained and operated by the Gateway National Recreation Area. Preserved for the perpetuity of the natural environs and wildlife in the area and open to the public, Jamaica Bay is made up of well-preserved and maintained ocean beaches, restored and now untouched grasslands and beautiful marinas. Come and explore such well-known parklands and nature preserves as the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge, Floyd Bennett Field, Jacob Riis Park, Canarsie Pier, Plumb Beach, Frank Charles Park, Fort Tilden and Breezy Point.
The Jamaica Bay Unit offers public programs and activities including educational programs and opportunities for people of all ages. For instance, participate in a ranger-led tour of New York City’s first Control Tower at Floyd Bennett Field. The Jamaica Bay Unit also offers special programs geared specifically for teachers such as “Exploring the Real Thing” which provides teachers with information and materials they can then use to educate eager-to-learn students about the natural preserve and wildlife area.
Many large-scale events and live performances are held at Queens’ Shea Stadium, home to Major League Baseball’s infamous New York Mets. Sporting events of every kind are held at the stadium including soccer, wrestling, boxing and, of course, baseball. With a seating capacity of just over 55,000, this stadium has seen such musical greats as The Beatles (twice!), Janis Joplin and Jimmy Hendrix, Simon and Garfunkel and the Rolling Stones. The Newport Jazz Festival was held at Shea Stadium in 1972, and Pope John Paul II graced the stadium with his presence in 1979.
There are so many things for you to discover in the greater Queens area! Rediscover the outdoors and explore the over 7,000 acres of parklands, beaches, forests and lakes.
The New York Department of Parks and Recreation owns and operates 4 lovely golf courses which were all newly refurbished. Forest Park Golf Course is considered one of the best in the entire New York City area, the Clearview Park Golf Course offers views of the Throgs Neck Bridge amidst mostly flat and straight fairways, the Douglaston Golf Course is located on the highest grounds in all of Queens offering views of the Manhattan skyline and the Kissena Park Golf Course offers a short, hilly course to golf enthusiasts. There are also 2 popular driving ranges to choose from in Queens: Golden Bear and Pitch and Putt.
Special Attractions/Events
Visit the Museum of the Moving Image, a museum celebrating the history, technology and art of television, film and digital media. Displays of artifacts related to the industry are on display for the public’s enjoyment and education, as well as other such valuable exhibitions. Significant films are shown to expose newcomers to such important works. Different programs have been developed to help the general public grow in their understanding and interpretation of moving image works such as Family Motion Workshops and Guided Group Tours. The museum even offers Online Exhibitions to reach a larger audience.
Another popular destination is the Bohemian Hall and Beer Garden where you can relax and enjoy pitchers of ice-cold beer amidst beautiful shade trees and lovely scenic views of the city. Platters of different ethnic foods including, of course, barbecue, are served on the nearby picnic tables where often people can stay and visit for hours on end. This beautiful garden is a precious piece of history, as it is the last original beer garden in all of New York City (where once there were hundreds).
Do not be fooled by its lackluster name -- P.S. 1 Contemporary Art Center is a world renowned mecca to contemporary art. An affiliate of The Museum of Modern Art, P.S. 1 Contemporary Art Center is the oldest non-profit arts center specifically dedicated to contemporary art in the nation. Hands down one of the best major art spaces in New York City (which is saying A LOT!), P.S. 1 stays on the cutting edge of contemporary art.
Interesting Facts/Historic Buildings and Places
Jamaica, New York was named for the Jameco Native American tribe – the neighborhood has absolutely no connection outside of its name to the island nation of Jamaica.
Jamaica Avenue was once a well-traveled trail used by tradesmen of Native American tribes of the greater northeast area of the United States.
Most of the courthouse and administrative buildings of Queens County are located in Jamaica.
Notable residents of Queens include rap artist 50 Cent, philosopher Sri Chinmoy and famous jazz drummer Milford Graves.
Queens is the largest of the 5 boroughs that comprise New York City.
- NUMBER1EXPERTS™ 
