People engage in sports for various reasons. Children find it fun, while adults use it to stay in shape, relieve stress, or escape from daily realities. Regardless of motivation, regular physical activity offers numerous benefits. We can learn teamwork, develop leadership skills, build self-discipline, establish social connections, improve concentration, and more. Discover the best arenas for professional athletes and facilities for recreational sports enthusiasts in Queens on i-queens.
Citi Field
Located in Flushing, Citi Field is a baseball stadium and home of the New York Mets, as well as a gathering spot for sports fans. Opened in 2009, it was built on the site of the former Shea Stadium.
The design of Citi Field was inspired by the baseball stadium on Pittsburgh’s North Shore in Pennsylvania. Citi Field is the only Major League Baseball field with orange foul poles instead of the standard yellow. The main entrance features a rotunda named after legendary baseball player Jackie Robinson.
A unique feature of Citi Field is the giant Home Run Apple with the Mets logo. When a player hits a home run, the apple rises. In modern baseball, a home run usually occurs with a powerful hit that sends the ball out of the outfield without touching the ground.
Next to the rotunda is the Mets Hall of Fame & Museum, which houses the original Mr. Met costume. Mr. Met, with a large baseball head, is the official mascot of the New York Mets. Additionally, the museum displays uniforms of renowned players and rare artifacts from collectors and former players. In April 2022, a statue of Tom Seaver, a professional pitcher with a 20-season Major League Baseball career, was unveiled near the stadium.
Apart from the field, the stadium features a family entertainment area, FanFest, where visitors can play Wiffle ball (a mini baseball version) and engage in an activity where they aim at a target, triggering a chair that dunks a participant in a water tank. The stadium also has video game kiosks.
Baseball is New York’s most popular sport, deeply embedded in the city’s culture, with many residents having played the game in school or community leagues.
USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center
Located in Flushing Meadows–Corona Park, this is the world’s largest public tennis center. Since 1978, it has hosted the US Open Tennis Championships, the fourth and final Grand Slam tournament, held annually in August and September. Tennis players refer to it as the “Stress Open” due to its physical and mental demands.
The center has 22 indoor courts and 12 additional ones in the surrounding park. It’s named after Billie Jean King, an American tennis champion with 39 Grand Slam titles.
The facility also hosts New York State high school tennis championships every May. In July 2008, it held its first non-tennis event—a basketball tournament—the first professional regular-season game played outdoors in the US by both men and women.
Movement LIC
Movement LIC is a premier indoor rock climbing gym, known for its massive climbing cave and indoor recreation of a famous boulder in Myanmar. This boulder defies gravity, appearing ready to fall yet remaining perched on a cliff for over 2,000 years. Movement LIC has artificial formations for beginners and experienced climbers, and children’s programs are available. Rock climbing is an excellent way to stay active, make new friends, and socialize.
Additionally, the gym offers yoga classes, which promote physical, mental, and spiritual growth. Yoga, one of six Indian philosophy systems, focuses on body and mind harmony, enhancing energy, mood, and sleep, while relieving stress and improving muscle tone and movement coordination.
Movement LIC also attracts fitness enthusiasts with strength, conditioning, and recovery sessions. The gym introduces seasonal outdoor programs to complement its offerings.
Flushing Meadows Corona Park Natatorium and Ice Rink
In addition to the famous tennis center, Flushing Meadows Corona Park has an indoor public pool and an Olympic-sized ice rink. Originally intended to host water polo events for the 2012 Summer Olympics (ultimately awarded to London), New York continued with the pool’s construction, resulting in the city’s first public pool in 40 years. The innovative building features twin masts and a sloped roof, housing both the pool and ice rink, creating a striking contrast as visitors in swimsuits and bundled-up skaters share the same space.
Soccer Center Queens
Situated in Astoria, Soccer Center Queens is the borough’s top soccer facility, offering rental fields and hosting various sports programs. It frequently holds soccer tournaments for youth and organizes private events.
Regular physical activity is often associated with good concentration, allowing athletes to focus effectively on tasks thanks to a calm nervous system.
New York Sports Club
Another major fitness hub in Astoria, New York Sports Club, offers a fully equipped gym with all the necessary machines for strength, cardio, and other workouts. Members can work independently or with a trainer, build connections in fitness classes, test their endurance in cardio or strength sessions, and relax in designated recovery spaces.
Personal trainers assist members in achieving health and fitness goals, underscoring the value of investing in one’s well-being and personal progress. This gym is ideal for those looking to elevate their fitness routines, recover from injuries, or improve their physique.
The club’s history began in 1973 with the mission of popularizing squash in New York. Over time, it grew into a full-service fitness network across seven states and two countries (the US and Switzerland). Its expansion was driven by innovative fitness programs, quality commitment, service, and customer understanding.