What Queens looked like in the 1990s through Nostalgic Photos

Step into a time machine and journey back to the 1990s in Queens, New York City. A borough brimming with vibrant cultures, communities, and experiences. From the bustling streets of Flushing to the quiet residential areas of Bayside, Queens offered a unique slice of life for everyone.

Families flocked to Queens for its affordable living compared to Manhattan. Tree-lined streets with rows of houses offered a sense of community and a haven for raising children. Parks like Flushing Meadows-Corona Park and Cunningham Park provided green escapes where kids played, families picnicked, and neighbors gathered for barbecues.

A Foodie’s Paradise

One of the biggest draws of Queens was its incredible food scene. In Flushing, you could savor authentic Chinese dumplings and hand-pulled noodles. Astoria offered a taste of Greece with its traditional tavernas serving moussaka and souvlaki. Little India in Jackson Heights was a haven for those craving spicy curries and tandoori dishes.

Queens wasn’t just about international flavors. The borough boasted classic New York pizzerias and delis where you could grab a slice or a hero sandwich. Diners served up comfort food like burgers and fries, while local bakeries tempted with fresh bread and pastries.

Activities and Entertainment

Life in Queens wasn’t just about eating. The borough offered plenty of activities to keep residents entertained. Shea Stadium, home to the New York Mets, was a hub of excitement during baseball season. Flushing Meadows-Corona Park, with its iconic Unisphere, hosted the U.S. Open tennis tournament, drawing crowds from around the world.

For art and culture enthusiasts, the Queens Museum of Art showcased diverse exhibitions, while the New York Hall of Science offered interactive exhibits that sparked curiosity. Local movie theaters provided a place to catch the latest Hollywood blockbusters, and bowling alleys offered a fun way to spend an afternoon with friends.

Shopping Havens

Queens Center Mall and Queens Place Mall were popular destinations for shopping sprees. National chain stores offered the latest fashion trends, while smaller boutiques provided unique finds. Neighborhood shops catered to the needs of the local communities, offering everything from groceries to electronics.

Transportation Hub

Getting around Queens was relatively easy thanks to its extensive public transportation system. The subway connected the borough to Manhattan and other parts of the city, while buses crisscrossed the neighborhoods. The Long Island Railroad offered commuter service to Long Island and beyond.

#1 The Taxi Cab Holding Area at LaGuardia Airport, 1996.

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#2 An aerial view of an automobile scrapyard in Willets Point, Flushing, Queens, 1999.

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#3 Two men walk down National Street near 43rd Avenue in Corona, Queens, 1990.

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#4 A sidewalk floral stand on the west side of Woodhaven Boulevard near 60th Drive in Rego Park, Queens, 1990.

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#5 La Cantina De Don Chicho Pizzeria at the intersection of Junction Boulevard and Corona Avenue in Corona, Queens, 1990.

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#6 A street vendor waits to sell clothing next to the 103rd Street elevated subway station in Corona, Queens, 1990s.

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#7 Residential homes on 97th Place in the Corona neighborhood, Queens, 1990s.

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#8 National Street towards the elevated subway line on Roosevelt Avenue in Corona, Queens, 1990s.

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#9 Bisonik Boutique and Tops In Queens Meat Warehouse on 102nd street in Corona, Queens, 1990s.

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#10 Various businesses along 103rd Street at the Roosevelt Avenue intersection in Corona, Queens, 1990s.

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#11 Residential buildings at the intersection of 108th Street and 36th Avenue in Corona, Queens, 1990s.

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#12 View from Pell and 37th avenues towards Shea Stadium in Corona, Queens, 1990s.

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#13 A graffiti-covered, abandoned building at the intersection of 108th Street and 36th Avenue in Corona, Queens, 1990s.

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#14 37 Super Stop Grocery Store on 37th Avenue at 111th Street in Corona, Queens, 1990s.

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#15 Delgado Travel, Restaurant Casa Caliente, John’s Barber Shop, and a bakery on Roosevelt Avenue near 104th Street in Corona, Queens, 1990s.

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#16 A commuter walks up the staircase to the elevated subway on Roosevelt Avenue at 103rd Street in Corona, Queens, 1990s.

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#17 Residential homes on Roosevelt Avenue near 112th Street in Corona, Queens, 1990s.

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#18 A vehicle stripped of its tires and other parts on 36th Avenue near 108th Street in Corona, Queens, 1990s.

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#19 A commuter carries a baby stroller up the staircase to the elevated subway on Roosevelt Avenue at 103rd Street in Corona, Queens, 1990s.

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#20 Residential buildings on 36th Avenue near 108th Street in Corona, Queens, 1990s.

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#21 The interior of the new Pergament Home Center in Long Island City, New York during the grand opening, 1990.

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#22 A woman stands on the subway platform at the Roosevelt Avenue station in Jackson Heights, Queens, 1993.

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#23 Commuters seated on an R Train at the Woodhaven Boulevard – Slattery Plaza station in Elmhurst, Queens, 1993.

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#24 A man stands on the subway platform at the Roosevelt Avenue station in Jackson Heights, Queens, 1993.

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#25 Commuters sit on a bench on the subway platform at Roosevelt Avenue in Jackson Heights, Queens, 1993.

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#26 A couple leans against one another on the subway platform at the Roosevelt Avenue station in Jackson Heights, Queens, 1993.

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#27 Commuters sit on steps and stand on the subway platform at the Roosevelt Avenue station in Jackson Heights, Queens, 1993.

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#28 Commuters wait on the subway platform at Roosevelt Avenue in Jackson Heights, Queens, 1993.

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#29 Commuters wait on the subway platform at Roosevelt Avenue in Jackson Heights, Queens, 1993.

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#30 A subway conductor on an F train in the Roosevelt Avenue station in Jackson Heights, Queens, 1994.

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#31 Adolescent girls cool off in Flushing Meadows Park in Corona, Queens, 1994.

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#32 People cool off in Flushing Meadows Park in Corona, Queens, 1994.

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#33 A boy sits next to two make-up artists at a face painting booth, Flushing Meadows Park, Queens, 1994.

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#34 People picnicking on the lawn in Flushing Meadows Park, Queens, 1994.

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#35 Residential homes along 37th Avenue and 112th Street in Queens’ Corona neighborhood with Shea Stadium visible in the center rear, 1994.

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#36 Baseball player Darryl Strawberry of the San Francisco Giants prepares to swing at a pitch during a game against the New York Mets at Shea Stadium, Queens, 1994.

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#37 Residential buildings along 37th Avenue and 112th Street in Queens’ Corona neighborhood, 1994.

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#38 Commercial and residential buildings along Alstyne Avenue and Corona Avenue in Queens’ Corona neighborhood, 1994.

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#39 A commercial building at the intersection of Corona and Alstyne avenues in Queens’ Corona neighborhood with a billboard advertising the El Primo Tire Shop, 1994.

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#40 Local and advertised businesses at the intersection of Roosevelt Avenue and 104th Street in Queens’ Corona neighborhood, 1994.

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#41 Commuters seated on an E Train at the Queens Plaza station, Queens, 1995.

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#42 Two commuters seated on an E Train at the Roosevelt Avenue station, Queens, 1995.

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#43 Commuters seated on an E Train at the 23rd Street – Ely Avenue station, Queens, 1995.

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#44 A group of adults and children gathered around the Mister Softee Ice Cream truck on 63rd Drive in the Rego Park neighborhood, Queens, 1995.

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#45 Boxes filled with framed portraits of various sports and film celebrities on 63rd Drive during the 63rd Drive Street Fair in the Rego Park neighborhood, Queens, 1995.

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#46 Pedestrians visiting vendor stalls on 63rd Drive during the 63rd Drive Street Fair in the Rego Park neighborhood, Queens, 1995.

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#47 People line dancing as a band performs on stage on 63rd Drive during the 63rd Drive Street Fair in the Rego Park neighborhood, Queens, 1995.

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#48 Pedestrians browsing purses and flip flops at one of the stalls on 63rd Drive during the 63rd Drive Street Fair in the Rego Park neighborhood, Queens, 1995.

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#49 Vendor stalls on 63rd Drive during the 63rd Drive Street Fair in the Rego Park neighborhood, Queens, 1995.

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#50 Pedestrians browsing racks of clothing on 63rd Drive during the 63rd Drive Street Fair in the Rego Park neighborhood, Queens, 1995.

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#51 Two vendors, one examining a customer’s watch, on 63rd Drive during the 63rd Drive Street Fair in the Rego Park neighborhood, Queens, 1995.

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#52 A beverage vendor waiting for customers at his stall on 63rd Drive during the 63rd Drive Street Fair in the Rego Park neighborhood, Queens, 1995.

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#53 A man browsing through a rack of silk neckties on 63rd Drive during the 63rd Drive Street Fair in the Rego Park neighborhood, Queens, 1995.

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#54 Vendor stalls on 63rd Drive during the 63rd Drive Street Fair in the Rego Park neighborhood, Queens, 1995.

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#55 Commuters waiting on the subway platform at Roosevelt Avenue in the Jackson Heights neighborhood, Queens, 1995.

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#56 Members of the New York Correction Department pipe band marching along Metropolitan Avenue during the Memorial Day parade in Queens’ Forest Hills neighborhood, 1997.

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#57 Military veterans holding a memorial ceremony at Remsen Cemetery on Trotting Course Lane during the Memorial Day parade in Queens’ Forest Hills neighborhood, 1997.

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#58 Pedestrians walking past an auto repair shop on Metropolitan Avenue in Queens’ Forest Hills neighborhood, 1997.

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#59 Two people sitting behind a fence watching a free concert in Juniper Valley Park in Queens’ Middle Village neighborhood, 1997.

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#60 Audience members sitting in chairs watching a band perform on stage at a free concert in Juniper Valley Park in Queens’ Middle Village neighborhood, 1997.

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#61 Audience members attending a free concert in Juniper Valley Park in Queens’ Middle Village neighborhood, 1997.

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#62 Children playing at the Juniper Valley Park playground in Queens’ Middle Village neighborhood, 1997.

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#63 Two men play bocce ball in Juniper Valley Park, Middle Village, Queens, 1997.

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#64 Audience members attend a free concert in Juniper Valley Park, Middle Village, Queens, 1997.

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#65 Customers try on hats at a vendor’s stall during the 63rd Drive Street Fair, Rego Park, Queens, 1997.

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#66 Members of a band prepare to perform on 63rd Drive during the 63rd Drive Street Fair, Rego Park, Queens, 1997.

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#67 A woman dances with two children as a band performs on stage during the 63rd Drive Street Fair, Rego Park, Queens, 1997.

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#68 A boy climbs a rope ladder in front of an inflatable slide on 63rd Drive during the 63rd Drive Street Fair, Rego Park, Queens, 1997.

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#69 Customers browse vendor stalls on 63rd Drive during the 63rd Drive Street Fair, Rego Park, Queens, 1997.

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#70 Two men stand at a bus stop on 63rd Drive during the 63rd Drive Street Fair, Rego Park, Queens, 1997.

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#71 A boy throws a ball at a gaming booth on 63rd Drive during the 63rd Drive Street Fair, Rego Park, Queens, 1997.

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#72 Vendors prepare food for customers at a stall on 63rd Drive during the 63rd Drive Street Fair, Rego Park, Queens, 1997.

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#73 Volunteers carry a large canopy into place on 63rd Drive during the 63rd Drive Street Fair, Rego Park, Queens, 1997.

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#74 Police officers attend the funeral of Anthony Mosomilio, a fellow officer killed in the line of duty, in the Ridgewood neighborhood of Queens, 1998.

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#75 A woman with two children ride the subway, Queens, 1998.

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#76 Greek Orthodox priests march in a procession to honor a visit by the Greek patriarch in the Astoria neighborhood of Queens, 1998.

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#77 A Lubavitch woman prays at the grave site of Chaya, the Grand Rebbe Schneerson’s wife, in Springfield Gardens, Queens, 1998.

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