Take 01
1988
Coming to America
Queens streetscapes, Jamaica neighborhood, Kaufman Astoria stages
40.7282°N, 73.7949°W
Queens
The world's most ethnically diverse urban area offers authentic global neighborhoods, historic studios, and affordable production alternatives.
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Scene 01 — Filmed Here
Notable Productions in Queens
Take 02
1990
Goodfellas
Maspeth and Ozone Park exteriors, Howard Beach, Queens diners
Take 03
1990
In Living Color
Kaufman Astoria Studios, Astoria
Take 04
1998
Sex and the City
Silvercup Studios, Long Island City
Take 05
1999
The Sopranos
Silvercup Studios, Queens neighborhoods
Scene 02 — Locations
Filming Locations in Queens
From landmark monuments to hidden quarters — every district scouted and permit-mapped.
studio
Kaufman Astoria Studios
Historic studio complex where Marx Brothers and Valentino filmed. Modern stages, backlot, and full production services. Sesame Street's home base.
Long Island City Waterfront
Gantry Plaza State Park, Hunter's Point South, and Pepsi-Cola sign with unobstructed Manhattan skyline views across the East River.
Moderate
Silvercup Studios
Former bread factory turned major production facility. Recognizable rooftop sign. Home to Sex and the City, 30 Rock, and The Sopranos.
Easy
Flushing Chinatown
Largest Chinatown outside Asia. Main Street and Roosevelt Avenue offer authentic Asian street scenes, markets, and signage.
Easy
USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center
US Open venue with Arthur Ashe Stadium. Iconic sports facility available for event coverage and feature filming.
Complex
Jackson Heights Historic District
Garden apartments and co-ops from 1920s-30s. Diverse South Asian community. 74th Street offers Little India atmosphere.
Easy
Rockaway Beach
NYC's only surf beach. Boardwalk, beach bungalows, and Atlantic Ocean. Different vibe from Coney Island - more laid-back.
Moderate
Unisphere & Flushing Meadows
1964 World's Fair icon. 140-foot steel globe with Queens Museum, New York State Pavilion ruins, and Citi Field backdrop.
Moderate
Astoria & Long Island City
Waterfront high-rises, historic studios, Greek and Egyptian communities, and sweeping Manhattan skyline views.
Flushing & Corona
Vibrant Asian communities, authentic Chinatown alternative, and Citi Field for sports productions.
Jackson Heights & Elmhurst
South Asian, Latin American, and Southeast Asian enclaves with authentic restaurants, markets, and street life.
Forest Hills & Kew Gardens
Tudor-style architecture, Forest Hills Stadium, and quiet residential character for suburban NYC scenes.
Jamaica & JFK Area
Historic downtown, transportation hub, and airport-adjacent locations for travel-themed content.
Scene 03 — The Case for Queens
Why Film in Queens
- ✓ Kaufman Astoria Studios - one of America's oldest operating film studios since 1920
- ✓ Authentic ethnic neighborhoods double for international locations at fraction of travel costs
- ✓ Lower permit fees and less competition than Manhattan locations
- ✓ Museum of the Moving Image provides historical resources and event space
- ✓ Queens Film Commission offers dedicated local support and incentives
Scene 04 — Logistics
Transport & Logistics
Airports JFK (Located in Queens / 30-60 min to LIC) · LGA (Located in Queens / 20-40 min to LIC) ▼
John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) — Located in Queens / 30-60 min to LIC
AirTrain + E/J/Z subwayTaxiPrivate transferLIRR to Jamaica
LaGuardia Airport (LGA) — Located in Queens / 20-40 min to LIC
Q70 to subwayTaxiPrivate transfer
Local Transit metro · train · bus · taxi · ferry ▼
metro
Multiple subway lines serve Queens 24/7. 7 train (International Express) connects Flushing through Jackson Heights to Manhattan. E/F/M/R serve central Queens.
Crew tip: 7 train elevated sections offer unique filming angles. Willets Point station serves Citi Field and tennis center.
train
Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) serves Jamaica, Forest Hills, and connects to both airports via AirTrain.
Crew tip: LIRR faster than subway for reaching eastern Queens locations. Atlantic Terminal connects to Brooklyn.
bus
Extensive bus network essential for areas between subway lines. Q70 LaGuardia Link is free.
Crew tip: Many express buses to Manhattan during rush hours. Useful for neighborhood-specific scouts.
taxi
Boro Taxis (green) serve Queens. Yellow cabs available at airports and transit hubs.
ferry
NYC Ferry serves Astoria and Long Island City with East River Manhattan connections.
Crew tip: Astoria route offers great skyline shots. Avoids subway transfers.
Production Parking moderate · Permits required
▼
Generally easier parking than Manhattan or Brooklyn. Street parking available in residential areas. Lots near airports and stadiums.
Industrial areas in LIC and Maspeth offer staging space. Flushing Meadows parking lots useful for large productions. Airport-adjacent warehouses available.
Getting Between Locations ▼
Queens is NYC's largest borough (109 sq mi) - plan travel carefully. LIC to Flushing: 25 min by 7 train. Astoria to Rockaway: 60+ min. Consider production vehicles for multi-neighborhood days. Airport proximity is a logistics advantage.
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Plan Your Queens Shoot
From permits and crew to equipment and logistics — we handle everything on the ground so you can focus on capturing the World's Borough.