The Jamaica Queens center is around the area of King Manor Museum and 1 mile south of Briarwood.
Jamaica, like the rest of New York, experiences four distinct seasons. Jamaica's weather can vary wildly throughout the year, from freezing temperatures and snow in the winter to heavy rains in the early spring. The summer can be hot, but New York's beaches aren't too far from Jamaica, and the city also boasts a network of free pools that can be visited by all. All you need to access a day of fun at the neighborhood pool is a combination lock.
Autumn in New York and New York in the late spring are both wonderful times to visit. The rains abate, and the sun typically shines, leaving plenty of sunny afternoons for getting outdoors. Take the opportunity to eat at a sidewalk café or head into Manhattan.
If you're traveling to the area for the holidays, be aware that tourists flock to the New York region during school breaks and major holidays. The holiday season in New York is perhaps the busiest time of all, so do make your arrangements early if you plan to travel to Jamaica from Thanksgiving through Christmas or New Year's Day. Even the hotels in the outer boroughs can see low vacancies and higher rates during the holidays, so don't wait to book your hotel.
The Best Western Jamaica Inn is an excellent value hotel that is convenient to both LaGuardia Airport and JFK Airport. It's also convenient to nearby St. John's University and Queens College. Travelers who are AAA members, military or service members, or senior citizens will enjoy even lower hotel rates at the Best Western Jamaica Inn.
This particular Best Western hotel location is geared towards those who are staying for the short term, so you won't find an indoor pool here or a lot of bells and whistles. However, it is comfortable, safe, and convenient. If you end up stranded because of a layover or flight cancellation, you will be comfortable and well served by the hotel's friendly staff. Business travelers will appreciate the flexibility of the 24-hour fitness center, and all guests love the free, hot breakfast bar.
Guests are always pleasantly surprised by the caliber of the Hyatt Place Flushing / LaGuardia Airport. This airport hotel's Zen design encourages its guests to relax after a long day of travel. Guest rooms are furnished with down comforters and soothing colors, with minimalist artwork echoing the clean lines of each space.
The Hyatt Place's guest bathrooms are like a spa unto themselves, and you'll feel renewed showering under the rainfall showerhead. Downstairs, a well-stocked fitness center with free weights and machines will help you stick to your fitness plan while on the road. You can also take a refreshing dip in the hotel's indoor pool.
The complimentary breakfast comes as a welcome surprise at a hotel of this caliber, especially considering most things don't come for free in or near New York City. Take advantage and fill up before you leave for the airport. You'll save even more on taxi fare when you take the Hyatt Place's free airport shuttle to your gate.
If you're in town visiting family or grew up in the Jamaica area, there's plenty to discover nearby without having to take a bridge or tunnel back into town. Check out the King Manor Museum, an original house dating back to the 1700s, originally inhabited by Rufus King. Rufus King was an original signer of the Declaration of Independence and served as both a New York Senator and a foreign ambassador. The home is open for tours daily during lunchtime hours, and on weekends from 1 to 5 p.m.
There are fascinating attractions in Queens, only a few miles away. If you're a tennis fan, a visit to the USTA National Tennis Center in Flushing, Queens, is an experience, especially when you have a ticket to the US Open! The center lies next to Flushing Meadows Corona Park, which twice hosted the World's Fair in the 1930s and 1960s. Check out the sculptures on the park's grounds, especially the iconic Unisphere globe. Afterward, you can catch a baseball game at the Citi Field Mets stadium nearby.
Perhaps most of all, when you are in Jamaica, Queens, be sure to dine out at one of the many ethnic restaurants in the area. From African to Middle Eastern and Asian foods, Queens is renowned in New York as a foodie paradise. Best of all, dining is affordable enough that you can taste the world during your stay in Jamaica, New York.
At the crossroads of value, convenience, and a real New York experience, you'll find Jamaica and the borough of Queens. Even if you came for the city experience in NYC and ended up in Jamaica, you won't be disappointed.