What to do and eat in Sunnyside, Queens

From old VHS tapes to designer dresses for $10 a pop, there’s something for everyone at this local favorite among Queens bargain hunters. Looking to fill your bookcase? The shop offers a huge selection of well-thumbed fiction and nonfiction titles. Moving into a new home? Decorate the place with an antique dining table or a mahogany chest of drawers. The shop can get overwhelming, like many messy thrift stores, but the staff is pleasant and always willing to help. Spend a few hours here after breakfast parsing through the collection; with savings this big, you won’t want to walk out empty-handed. (45-14 Greenpoint Ave., 718-786-7780)

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Photo Credit: Christa Lopez

New Yorkers aren’t very prone to looking up while they walk, but the Sunnyside Arch on 46th Street and the south side of Queens Boulevard might give you an excuse to raise your eyes to the skies. This 25-foot, Art Deco-style landmark is a relic of the 1980s. On a sunny day, the bright blue sign and silver arches can be seen from a block away; at night, the arch lights up the sky with the help of hundreds of tiny light bulbs. Two years ago, 46th Street was renamed “Luke Adams Way” to honor the man who helped build the neighborhood icon. With a landmark this old, there’s always something that needs to be repaired to help keep the arch in tip-top shape. But year after year, it remains standing tall, a testament to the close-knit community.

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Photo Credit: Esha Ray

Though it is called Sunnyside, this Queens neighborhood tends to get overshadowed by more popular outer-borough destinations nearby like Long Island City and Astoria. But if you’re the kind of explorer who likes to travel off the beaten path, you’ll find that Sunnyside has its own share of eclectic shops, ethnic eateries, and even iconic landmarks to immerse yourself in.

From your first cup of coffee in the morning to an evening show, we’ve got a full day of activities for your trip to Sunnyside. Hop on the 7 train to 46th Street and Queens Boulevard to get started.