Trolleys Mark One Year Anniversary

You don’t have to travel all the way to San Francisco to ride an authentic trolley.
The Queens Culture Trolley will celebrate its first anniversary in May. The service has provided tourists and residents alike the opportunity to tour some of the intriguing hotspots and visitor attractions within one of the most interesting cultural hubs in this borough — and all for free.
Trolley service began almost a year ago after the project was spearheaded by Borough President Helen Marshall and the Flushing Meadow Cultural Institution. The trolley, now operated by the Parks Department, offers free service between major tourist locations each weekend between noon and 5 p.m.
While providing exposure important to the economic growth of the borough, the trolley allows riders to uncover some of the lesser known cultural gems in Queens and savor the importance of one of the most diverse counties in the nation.
“The Queens Culture Trolley connects visitors to our vibrant communities and cultural attractions,” said Executive Director of the Queens Museum of Art, Tom Finkelpearl. “Many people are eager to explore Queens, but they don’t know where to go. The trolley makes discovering Queens an easy, fun and rewarding experience.”
The 90-minute ride includes stops at the Louis Armstrong House; the 30-year home to jazz icon Louis Armstrong which has been converted into a museum, Restaurant Row on Northern Boulevard, an area famous for culinary fare from more than 20 countries, and Historic Jackson Heights, home to buildings famous for their eclectic architectural representations of Spanish, Italian and Art Deco styles.
Trolley coordinator Camille Ferguson said, “The trolley aids in maintaining our mission here at the museum, “One Queens, a World of Culture.”
Additionally, the tour provides access to La Guardia Airport’s hotels, the largest subway station in Queens on 74th Street and Roosevelt Avenue, a landmark shopping and historic district popular for its boutiques and ethnic stores.
Similar trolley services like The Flushing Town Hall Trolley and the Bronx Culture Trolley, are becoming available throughout New York City. Tours and convenient transportation to popular areas has helped to boost the economic growth of the city while providing an important service to New Yorkers and tourists.
melissa@queenscourier.com