Dumplings from a food tour led by DiStefano
Aug. 21, 2018 By Tara Law
The Greater Flushing Chamber of Commerce will be offering free walking tours of downtown Flushing next week designed to entice tennis fans to get out and explore the neighborhood.
The chamber will host “Discover Flushing” one-hour walking tours from Aug. 27 to Sept. 7 during the U.S. Open. The tours will take place each day between 5 p.m. and 6 p.m.
Tour attendees will learn about Flushing’s history and culture and experience some of the neighborhood’s diverse restaurants, attractions and businesses.
The Chamber will also host special extended tours that will focus on local cuisine These tours will only take place on Fridays and will start at 4 p.m.
All tours will start at St. George’s Church and will focus on Flushing’s commercial corridors— Main Street, Roosevelt Avenue, Union Street and Northern Boulevard. The itinerary has been put together by Queen’s official Borough Historian, Jack Eichenbaum.
The tours have been designed with the U.S. Open schedule in mind, with them taking place between the afternoon and evening sessions.
“Too many tennis fans come to the U.S. Open and never discover the world-class restaurants, shopping or history right next door,” said John Choe, executive director of the Greater Flushing Chamber of Commerce. The Chamber designed this pilot tour program so “tennis fans can get back in time for the evening games,” he added.
Flushing Councilmember Peter Koo thanked the Chamber of Commerce for encouraging U.S. Open visitors to exploring Flushing.
“This walking tour will help build the bridge between the Open and our community so that we can both share in the economic prosperity of this world renown sporting event,” Koo said.
The food tour will be led by Joe DiStefano, the author of 111 Places in Queens You Must Not Miss.
“The U.S. Open draws thousands of sports fans and tourists from all over the world to Flushing Meadows Corona Park every summer to enjoy world-class tennis,” DiStefano said. “Unfortunately, many of them never set foot in downtown Flushing and miss out on the hidden gems — historic, cultural, and culinary — of this vibrant neighborhood, which is why I’m so very pleased to participate in this year’s Discover Flushing pilot program.”
The tours are all free, but space is limited and attendees are advised to register in advance at flushingfantastic.nyc/tours.
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Better start including some Vegan, a.k.a. Cruelty-Free Cuisine in those tours!