Popular Filming Spots in Queens
Our local fixers know these Queens locations inside out, helping you navigate permits,
logistics, and timing for the best results.
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Kaufman Astoria Studios
studio Historic studio complex where Marx Brothers and Valentino filmed. Modern stages, backlot, and full production services. Sesame Street's home base.
Easy permits Private facility - direct booking. National Historic Landmark status. Tours available for scout visits.
Best times: year-round controlled environment
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Long Island City Waterfront
waterfront Gantry Plaza State Park, Hunter's Point South, and Pepsi-Cola sign with unobstructed Manhattan skyline views across the East River.
Moderate permits Gantry Plaza is NYS Parks - requires state permit. Pepsi sign owned by building - separate approval for close-ups.
Best times: sunset, blue hour, night for lit skyline
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Silvercup Studios
studio Former bread factory turned major production facility. Recognizable rooftop sign. Home to Sex and the City, 30 Rock, and The Sopranos.
Easy permits Private facility with multiple buildings in LIC. Book through Silvercup management.
Best times: year-round controlled environment
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Flushing Chinatown
neighborhood Largest Chinatown outside Asia. Main Street and Roosevelt Avenue offer authentic Asian street scenes, markets, and signage.
Easy permits Standard MOME permit. Business coordination helpful but straightforward. Less crowded than Manhattan Chinatown.
Best times: morning for markets, evening for neon
Note: Respect business operations. Cultural sensitivity important.
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USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center
landmark US Open venue with Arthur Ashe Stadium. Iconic sports facility available for event coverage and feature filming.
Complex permits USTA manages permits directly. Available outside tournament season (Sept). Significant fees for exclusivity.
Best times: off-season (Oct-Aug), dawn/dusk for dramatic light
Note: Tournament preparation limits access summer months.
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Jackson Heights Historic District
neighborhood Garden apartments and co-ops from 1920s-30s. Diverse South Asian community. 74th Street offers Little India atmosphere.
Easy permits Standard MOME permit. Residential area - community notification required. Less tourist traffic than other ethnic neighborhoods.
Best times: any time, evening for restaurant scenes
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Rockaway Beach
waterfront NYC's only surf beach. Boardwalk, beach bungalows, and Atlantic Ocean. Different vibe from Coney Island - more laid-back.
Moderate permits NYC Parks permit. Gateway National Recreation Area (federal) manages some sections - NPS permit required there.
Best times: sunrise, golden hour, off-season for empty beach
Note: Seasonal crowds. Surf conditions vary.
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Unisphere & Flushing Meadows
landmark 1964 World's Fair icon. 140-foot steel globe with Queens Museum, New York State Pavilion ruins, and Citi Field backdrop.
Moderate permits NYC Parks manages Flushing Meadows. Unisphere is popular backdrop - book early for exclusive access.
Best times: morning, golden hour, blue hour